The snow is melting and we can start putting our winter clothes and gear away. However, before we do let’s review the snow blowers that came out this past season and pick out the best snow blowers of 2023/early 2024. Also, we know “best” means something different to everyone. Fortunately, snow blowers can be broken into a variety of categories and we are picking our favorite for each one.

So, what is the best snow blower of 2024?

Best Snow Blowers of 2023

Single-Stage Gas | Single-Stage Electric | Second-Stage Gas | Second-Stage Electric | Third-Stage | Electric Snow Shovel | Consumer | Professional | Best Overall

Best Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower

• Model: CRAFTSMAN SB230 21-in Single-Stage Push with Auger Assistance Gas Snow Blower
• Price: $549
• Where to Buy: Amazon, Lowes

Why We Like It

What makes this CRAFTSMAN one of the best snow blowers of the 2023/2024 winter season is the gas engine with electric start. You get the best of both worlds. Plus it has a 21 in. clearing width and 13 in. height. It’s great for deep snow removal. The unique auger design grips snow for better removal. High performance for a single-stage snow blower and at an accessible price.

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Best Single-Stage Electric Snow Blower

• Model: SKIL PWRCORE 40V Electric Snow Blower
• Price: $449 with battery and charger included
• Demo: TIA Video
• Review: New SKIL 40V Snow Blower & Electric Snow Shovel Plus Upgraded Battery.
• Where to Buy: Amazon

Why We Like It

There were a few different electric single-stage snow blowers that came out in 2023/2024 season. Picking the best snow blower came down to best all around features. The SKIL single-stage snow blower scored high across the board, plus has the highest clearing depth of 16 in., and is powered by the improved SKIL PWRCORE 40V battery.

Want to learn more? Read our TIA article New SKIL 40V Snow Blower & Electric Snow Shovel Plus Upgraded Battery.

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Best Second-Stage Gas Snow Blower

• Model: CRAFTSMAN “Select 26” 26 in. 2-Stage 243cc Gas Snow Blower
• Price: $1,223.53
• Where to Buy: Amazon & Lowe’s.

Why We Like It

Gas snow blowers still reign supreme for second-stage snow blowers. Electric models are getting better, but gas models tend to be cheaper and there’s a wide variety. However, pulling a mower to start is the last thing you want to do in the cold. The electric start allows you to have the power of gas, but some perks of electric.

Also, this has a huge clearing path of 26 in. wide by 20 in. high. The chute has 200-degree rotation, intuitive joystick controls, and 15 in. snow tires and LED headlights improve the user experience. All of this makes the CRAFTSMAN Select 26 one of best snow blowers from this winter season.

Want to learn more? Read our TIA article We Review the CRAFTSMAN “Select 26” Gas Snow Blower.

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Best Second-Stage Electric Snow Blower

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  • Model: EGO Power+ 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower
  • Price: $1,1499-$2,199
  • TIA Review: EGO 28 in. 2-Stage Snow Blower Review
  • Where to Buy: Amazon (on sale for $1,1299), ACE Hardware

  Why We Like It

  This is EGO’s most powerful cordless second-stage snow blower. It has a huge clearing path of 28 in. wide by 21 in. high. It can power through at least eight inches of snow and chucks it up to 60 ft. away.

  We also tested this out on a wet, messy snow and it cleared it without clogging the blades or chute. This isn’t just one of the best snow blowers of 2023/2024, this might be the industries best electric second-stage snow blower to date.

  Want to learn more? Read our TIA EGO 28 in. 2-Stage Snow Blower Review.

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Best Third-Stage Snow Blower

• Model: Cub Cadet® Three Stage Snow Blowers 3X 30″ HD
• Price: $2,499
• Where to Buy: The Home Depot

Why We Like It

With a 30 in. clearing width and 23 in. height this was designed to handle the biggest snow falls. The controls are also designed to be easy to use while wearing gloves. Cub Cadet really thought about when, where, and who would use this snow blower.

Also, this price isn’t much more than some second-stage snow blowers. Now, a third-stage snow blower is a beast. They are huge. However, if you live in high snowfall area and are already considering spending $2,000 on a snow blower, consider what a few hundred dollars more could get you.

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Best Electric Snow Shovel

• Model: SKIL PWR CORE 40 Brushless 40V 12 in. Power Head Snow Shovel Kit
• Price: $279 with battery and charger included, but on sale for $198
• TIA Review: New SKIL 40V Snow Blower & Electric Snow Shovel Plus Upgraded Battery
• Where to Buy: Amazon

Why We Like It

An electric snow shovel may not be the first thing you think of when purchasing a snow blower. But the maneuverability and ease of use certainly earns them a spot on our list of best snow blowers of 2023/2024.

This electric snow shovel weighs around 15 lbs. with the battery attached. This is a lot lighter than other electric snow shovels on the market. Which is nice because using an electric snow shovel can tire out your arms.

Not only is it easier to use than other models, it does a great job of clearing snow. Yes, it’s great for walkways and patios, but it can also clean up areas that are hard to get to with a traditional snow blower. For instance, around cars or tires.

Want to learn more? Read our TIA article New SKIL 40V Snow Blower & Electric Snow Shovel Plus Upgraded Battery.

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Best Consumer Snow Blower

• Model: Kobalt 80-volt 22-in Single-stage Push Cordless Electric Snow Blower
• Price: $649 with battery and charger
• Where to Buy: Lowe’s

Why We Like it

This Kobalt snow blower is a great deal for those who live in more mild to moderate snowfall areas. You don’t need to invest as much into a snow blower, but they are worth having.

This model offers a 22 in. wide clearing path, throws snow up to 30 ft. away, and 180-degree chute rotation. Plus it comes with a 5-year tool warranty and a 3-year battery warranty.

This price also competes with gas models. However, gas snow blowers require gas. With electric you have renewable batteries. You will likely save money in the long run.

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Best Professional Snow Blower

• Model: Husqvarna ST 224 208cc Second-Stage Snow Blower
• Price: $1,087-1,299
• Where to Buy: Amazon

Why We Like It

Husqvarna is a leading manufacturer of professional outdoor power equipment (OPE). It’s not just the power behind the products, it’s also the functionality and user experience features.

This is the best snow blower for professionals because it has a 24 in. wide clearing path, built with an adjustable handle plus power steering, one hand operation interlocking handle, and X-trac tires anti-slip tires comes with tire chains for added traction and control.

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Best Snow Blower Overall for 2023

• Model: CRAFTSMAN Select 24-in Two-stage Self-propelled Gas Snow Blower
• Price: $999
• Where to Buy: Lowe’s, ACE Hardware

Why We Like It

We picked a snow blower that offered the best performance at a realistic price for most consumers. Available at Lowe’s for $999 you can get the CRAFTSMAN Select 24 in. Two-stage snow blower.

Again, you’re getting that powerful gas engine, the convenient electric start, 200-degree rotation, and can launch snow up to 40 ft. away. All of this for less than $1,000. It’s hard to get that performance under four figures, which this is it’s our best snow blower overall for the 2023/2024 winter season.

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2024 Snow Blowers

What upgrades or improvements would you like to see in snow blowers at the end of 2024? Which outdoor power equipment brand do you think will lead the next innovation for snow blowers?

Let us know in the comments.

Read more TIA Snow Blower Reviews

The post We Review the Best Snow Blowers of 2023/2024 appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Happy January! We are getting absolutely pummeled by snow in Chicago. Good thing we have this CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower to review!

Today we’re showing you the CRAFTSMAN “Select 26” 2-stage Gas Snow Blower. This 26 in. snow blower has a 243cc gas engine and sawtooth steel auger. It’s large and designed to take on the worst winter storms. We just had 12 or more hours of wet snow. Let’s see how it does and if we think you should upgrade to this snow blower.

Guide

• About CRAFTSMAN
• CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower
• Design & Features
• Performance
• Value
• Final Review

About CRAFTSMAN

CRAFTSMAN has been around for almost 100 years and its a popular brand found in most hardware stores. The company creates hand tools, power tools, and outdoor power equipment (OPE). On top of being available in most hardware stores, CRAFTSMAN creates quality tools and equipment at a fair price for consumers. This is how its earned its reputation as a trusted brand and how its survived all these years.

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CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower

• Model Name: CRAFTSMAN “Select 26” 26 in. 2-Stage 243cc Gas Snow Blower
• Model #: CMXGBAM213102
• Power: 243cc gas engine with electric start.
• Features: 26 in. wide and 20 in. high clearing paths, gas powered with electric start, made with a sawtooth steel auger, has 200-degree chute rotation, and launches snow up to 40 ft. This self-propelled blower has six forward and two reverse speeds. The chute control joystick, 15 in. snow tires, and dual LED headlights are added for ease of use and maneuverability.
• Price: $1,199.00
• Where to Buy: Amazon & Lowe’s.

Read more: TIA CRAFTMANS reviews.

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Design & Features

Let’s start with the power on this CRAFTSMAN 26 in. snow blower. It is powered by a 243cc engine. This thing is mighty. We’re are at the top end of engine sizes for second stage snow blowers. However, it’s gas powered but has electric start. So, no fussing with the engine, pulling a cord waiting for the engine to catch, or mixing oil while out in the cold.

You get a nice quick start and are good to go.

For breaking up the ice you have a 12 in. sawtooth steel auger. This is what clears those 26 in. wide and 20 in. high paths.

Whatever snow this CRAFTSMAN picks up heads into the steel chute. The chute has a 200-degree rotation, easily controlled by a joystick easily accessible on the control panel by the grips. The blower will launch that snow up to 40 ft. in whatever direction you choose.

CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower Features

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Speaking of controls, the handles have a comfortable ergonomic grip. The snow blower’s speed is easy to control with a simple lever on the right side. You have six forward speeds and two reserve speeds.

You may notice that the controls on this blower aren’t “high tech”. No digital control panel or overloaded with gadgets. Instead, you just have simple controls that are self-explanatory and easy to use. There is nothing overly complicated about this set-up and that’s what you want when you have snow blowing in your face and you just want to get your driveway clear so you can go back inside.

You also get two 15 in. snow tires for better control and LED headlights for better visibility in snowy weather.

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CRAFTSMAN Snow Blower Performance

Again, the snow we had was really wet. One of our employees single-stage snow blowers couldn’t even pick the snow up. You definitely need a higher-quality snow blower for this wet, freezing snow. This CRAFTSMAN 26 in. snow blower wasn’t even phased. It picked up the snow, the chute never got jammed, and it managed to still launch that snow despite how heavy it was.

Read more: TIA Snow Blower reviews.

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Value of CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower

As we mentioned earlier, the full retail price for this CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower out of the gate is $1,199, and at this time you can actually get $100 off at Lowe’s.

When you compare this to other snow blowers, the CRAFTSMAN snow blower is $100-200 cheaper than the comparable Cub Cadet 2X 26 in. 243cc 2-stage Snow Blower at The Home Depot. With the discount it’s the same price as the Troy-Bilt Storm 26 in. 2-stage Snow Blower, which has a lot of the same features but a smaller engine. That seems to be the trend. If a snow blower is cheaper than the CRAFTSMAN then it’s probably missing something in terms of power, features, or performance.

The CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower is a great price for a high-quality snow blower. If I wore hats I’d have to tip it to CRAFTSMAN. They did a great job with this product.

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Final Review of CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower

Overall, the CRAFTSMAN “Select 26” Snow Blower is a great second-stage gas powered snow blower. You get top-of-the-line power for a very competitive price. I say act now while it’s still $100 off at Lowe’s. But full price or not, the CRAFTSMAN 26 in. Snow Blower is a worthwhile investment.

What about you? What is your experience with CRAFTMAN snow blowers?

Let us know your model and if you recommend it or like the idea of upgrading to the new 26 in. model.

The post We Review the CRAFTSMAN “Select 26” Gas Snow Blower appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

It’s time to upgrade your snow blower, but what should you get: gas or electric? This is the common debate when buying new outdoor power equipment (OPE) today. Electric, specifically battery-powered, OPE technology has evolved to give us more power than we ever thought possible. But does it beat gas-powered snow blowers? Today we’re doing electric vs gas snow blowers. We’re sharing the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you decide which type of snow blower is best for you.

Guide

• History of Snow Blowers
• Pros & Cons of Gas
• Pros & Cons of Electric
• Electric VS Gas
• TIA’s Top Snow Blowers

Brief History of Snow Blowers

Snow blowers and overall snow removal machines have been around for a while, but the “Sicard Snow Remover Snowblower” invented by Arthur Sicard in 1925 was a breakthrough for modern snow blowers. It was a lot bigger than the average snow blowers of today. It was pretty much a glorified four-wheel drive truck with a snow scooper and two chutes, and it reportedly could throw snow up to 90 ft. But it was a beast. It wasn’t practical for clearing the suburban driveways of today.

In 1935 Henry Ariens, founder of The Ariens Company, managed to shrink down Sicard’s snow blower when he invented the first push snow blower. However, it would be about 20 years before Ariens would put a consumer snow blower on the market. Toro beat Ariens to market by almost 10 years with the 1952 Toro Snow Hound (check out this original ad).

The Toro Snow Hound played a big role in popularizing snow blowers among everyday homeowners. It was available to buyers for $159.95 (so that’s around $1,800 in today’s dollars) and it inspired more brands to develop their own consumer snow blowers. These first models ran on gas and could last a really long time with regular maintenance.

Don’t believe me? Watch this 1969 Toro Snow Hound 20 in. Snow Blower go to work in this video by Mowers N Blowers.

From here consumer snow blowers continued to develop. Today consumers can readily choose between first-, second- and third-stage snow blowers. Snow blowers have grown in regards to both power and clearing paths, and consumers now have a wide variety of electric snow blower options available.

Read More

• Snow Blower VS Snow Thrower. What’s Different? Which is Better?

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Gas Snow Blowers

To compare electric vs gas snow blowers you really need to take a closer look at each type of snow blower. We’ll start with gas. Of course each type has their own advantages and disadvantages. Here are the benefits of gas-powered snow blower.

Pros of Gas-powered Snow Blowers

• Generally cheaper, at least up front.
• More gas models are currently available for 2-stage snow blowers and the only current option for 3-stage snow blowers.
• Can run as long as you have fuel. No waiting during recharge.
• Gas is long-standing and reliable technology. With regular maintenance, a lot of these machines have proven to last a long time.
• Dominant power source for your large second- and third-stage snow blowers.

While these are great reasons to choose a gas-powered snow blower there are some definite disadvantages.

Cons of Gas-powered Snow Blowers

• Heavy machines that can be more difficult to handle.
• Requires regular maintenance.
• Emits fumes that aren’t good to breathe and are harmful to the environment.
• Louder than electric alternatives. This could be considered annoying to the user or people nearby such as neighbors. It can also make the user less aware of their surroundings while using the snow blower.

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Electric Snow Blowers

When it comes to electric vs gas snow blowers, gas always reigned supreme. However, there has been a steady rise in electric snow blowers over the past 15 years, and each one redefining what electric snow blowers are capable of. Here’s a look at the benefits.

Pros of Electric Snow Blowers

• Choice of corded and cordless (battery) power source, which also gives you either a endless or reusable power source.
• No gas or fumes, and less maintenance than gas-powered machines.
• Generally lighter and easier to move than gas-powered snow blowers.
• Battery-powered technology and machines are constantly evolving and there has been a steady rise of powerful electric snow blowers available on the market.
• Wide variety of available electric first-stage snow blowers.

Again, no design is perfect. Here is a look at the drawbacks of electric snow blowers.

Cons of Electric Snow Blowers

• Performance is limited to the extent of your cord or your battery’s run time, and there is additional waiting during charge time.
• Generally costs more, at least upfront.
• Newer technology, newer design. We just don’t know yet how well electric snow blowers will hold up over time.
• Batteries should be stored away from extreme temps to avoid loss of life from exposure.
• For snow blowers there are limited electric second-stage snow blowers and no electric third-stage snow blowers currently available.

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Electric VS Gas Snow Blowers

It’s difficult to say point blank which type of snow blower is better for any individual. However, we have a few guidelines for each type that can make your decision easier.

Reasons to Buy an Electric vs Gas Snow Blower

• You have a small to average sized driveway (or a really long cord).
• You live somewhere with mild to moderate winters, or experience only a few severe snowstorms a year.
• You’re mainly interested in a first-stage snow blower.
• You want electric, or prefer to not deal with gas, fumes or engine maintenance.

Reasons to Buy a Gas vs Electric Snow Blower

• You have a large driveway or multiple surfaces that you need to clear, and you don’t have an easily accessible outdoor power source.
• You live somewhere with severe winters and regular snow falls of five inches or more.
• You need a second- or third-stage snow blower.
• You’re dealing with a small budget upfront, but can afford gas and maintenance long-term.

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Our Picks: Electric VS Gas Snow Blowers

We thought we’d pull together a few of our favorite gas and electric snow blowers on the market.

First-stage Snow Blower Picks

• Electric: SKIL 40V Electric Snow Blower
• Gas: Toro Power Clear 721 E 21 in. 212cc 1-stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower

Second-stage Snow Blower

• Electric: EGO Peak Power+ 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower
• Gas: CRAFTSMAN Select 26 243cc Electric Start 2-stage Gas Snow Blower

Best Snow Blowers for…

• Best Value: CRAFTSMAN 21 in. 123cc 1-stage Gas Snow Blower
• Small Driveways, Patios & Walkways: SKIL 40V Electric Snow Shovel
• Third-stage Snow Blowers: Cub Cadet 28 in. 357cc 3-stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower

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Wrap-up

We hope you learned a bit about electric vs gas snow blowers today. If you’re in the market leave us a comment about what kind of snow blower you’re leaning towards, or ask us any questions you may have.

The post Electric VS Gas Snow Blowers: Which is Better for You? appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Our EGO Power+ 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower arrived just in time for us to test it out on our first major snowfall of the season. This is the most powerful cordless electric snow blower to come from EGO yet. If may even be the biggest and most powerful cordless electric snow blower of its kind. The majority of 2-stage snow blowers are still gas-powered. So, we are excited to report how the EGO 28 in. 2-stage snow blower performs compared to gas models.

EGO Snow Blower Guide

• About EGO
• Model & Info
• Power & Performance
• Special Features
• Value
• Final Review

About EGO

If you’ve been around then you know that I am a longtime fan of EGO. Before EGO it was hard for me to imagine battery-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) that could even compare to gas models. But then I tried the original EGO 56V Lawn Mower in 2014 and converted. But I was still on the fence, this was a new company after all. Then two years later EGO sealed the deal for me with the first-ever EGO 56V Snow Blower. It outperformed competing models at the time by handling thicker piles of snow and threw snow further by a long shot (no pun intended).

The difference in performance was so dramatic that EGO, fresh out of the gate, raised the bar for cordless electric snow blowers of the time, and has done so with all areas of battery-powered OPE.

I knew then EGO was not some one-hit-wonder OPE company. And I learned that’s because EGO is not just EGO. EGO is backed by Chervon, a global company that sets high manufacturing and performance standards for its products, even for new brands.

But how will the new EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower perform? The market was smaller in 2016 when we first tested the original EGO snow blower. EGO may have raised the bar, but competitors rose to the challenge.

What has EGO done to make sure this snow blower stands above the rest? Let’s find out.

Battery VS Gas Snow Blowers

Some of you are probably wondering why you should go with a battery-powered snow blower over a gas. I understand the hesitation since there are still a lot of gas-powered snow blowers available, and gas dominates the 2-stage snow blower market.

Here are some of the benefits of battery-powered snow blowers:

• Less noisy, which is great when snow blowing at night or in the morning.
• No gas, less maintenance than gas-powered machines, and no fumes.
• Generally lighter than gas-powered machines.

There are some drawbacks to electric. You either have a cord to deal with or are limited by battery power. However, OPE battery technology has come a long way and I’ve been very satisfied with the performance of EGO’s ARC Lithium batteries. But when they do run out you do have to wait while they charge before you can finish your job. Electric can also cost more upfront. Remember, a lot of this extra cost is usually from the batteries and chargers required. With gas you pay that expense over time.

There are also benefits to having a gas snow blower:

• Generally cheaper, at least up front.
• More gas models are currently available for 2-stage snow blowers and the only current option for 3-stage snow blowers.
• Can run as long as you have fuel.

Some of the drawbacks of gas snow blowers are that they can be heavier, the fumes are not good to breathe, and overall more maintenance is required.

Personally, I enjoy the ease and performance of an battery powered snow blower. Plus, the technology is continually advancing and we’re bound to just see more advancements in power and performance.

1-stage VS 2-stage Snow Blowers

A 1-stage (or “first-stage”, “single-stage”) snow blower is actually more accurately called a “snow thrower”. This is because it has a single device, an auger, that breaks, collects and “throws” the snow. This action is what is referred to as the “first stage”. Electric snow shovels also fit into the category of single-stage snow blowers.

A 2-stage (or “second-stage”) snow blower has a second step for snow removal. In addition to the auger it also has a fan that prevents clogging and “blows” the snow. The fan makes the snow blower more effective and allows it to tackle thicker piles of snow.

Want to learn more? Check ou article Snow Blower VS Snow Thrower. What’s Different? Which is Better?

rBack to Guide

EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower

• Model Name: EGO POWER+ 28 in. Self-Propelled 2-Stage Snow Blower with Peak Power
• Model #’s: SNT2800 (without batteries) and SNT2807 (includes two 56V 12.0Ah ARC Lithium batteries)
• Performance: Clears paths 28 in. wide and 21 in. high and throws snow up to 60 ft. away. Chute has 200-degree rotation. Can clear a 32-car driveway coated in 8 in. of snow on a single charge of dual EGO 56V batteries.
• Features: Heated handle grips, four LED headlights, self-propels forwards and backwards, 2-in-1 chute joystick, “trigger-controlled steering”, and equipped with 16 in. x 5 in. snow tires and an IPX4 weather-rated exterior.
• Warranty: 5-year tool and 5-year battery warranties.
• Price: $1,499 without batteries, $2,199-$3,7400 with batteries.
• Where to Buy: Amazon, ACE Hardware.

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Power & Performance

EGO 28 in. Snow Blower Performance

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The EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower combines EGO’s Peak Power technology with two of its 56V 12.0Ah ARC Lithium batteries. This power allows this snow blower to clear paths 28 in. wide and 21 in. tall, and launch snow up to 60 ft. away.

The steel auger busts through snow and ice, and the chute also has a 200-degree radius that’s easy to control with the 2-in-1 joystick.

The best part is that you barely have to work with this EGO snow blower. The self-propel moves both forward and back, plus variable-speed settings give you complete control over the experience.

This week we got a really wet and heavy snow. A member of our staff actually wasn’t able to clear it with her (non-EGO) snow blower. The EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower had no issues.

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Special Features

EGO of course wanted to go above and beyond when creating this snow blower. On top of the great performance, they added a few special features for your snow blowing experience.

The feature I’m most grateful for is the heated handle grips. Some would say they don’t actually improve the performance. But anything that makes you more willing to stay outside with the snow blower is a bonus for me.

EGO 28 in. Snow Blower controls

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EGO also added “trigger-controlled steering assists” for more control when moving your snow blower. It doesn’t stop there. Remember the 200-degree chute? Easily adjust it with an electric joystick. The joystick is easy to use and you don’t have to reach for it.

EGO 28 in. Snow Blower Features

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In addition to the high-tech features, EGO added four LED headlights to the front, and equipped this blower with large 16 in. x 5 in. anti-traction snow tires. People tend to be concerned that electric snow blowers are too lightweight for harsh conditions. The IPX4-rated exterior ensures the EGO 28 in. 2-stage snow blower can stand up to harsh winter conditions.

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Value

You can purchase the EGO 28 in. 2-Stage Snow Blower from Amazon, ACE Hardware, and Lowe’s. This snow blower is available with two 56V batteries (SNT2800) or without (SNT2807). It retails without the batteries for $1,499 or with the batteries for $2,199-$3,179.

This is a powerful snow blower and there isn’t a huge variety of electric snow blowers of this caliber (yet). We have found 24 in. 2-stage snow blowers, such as the Snow Joe 100V IONMAX, which retails for $1,298. It’s a good snow blower, but it doesn’t clear as much or offer the same control or specialty features as the EGO 28 in. snow blower. The EGO is only $200 more and you get a lot in exchange.

Without batteries, this EGO snow blower prices similarly to comparable second-stage gas snow blowers, the Cub Cadet 2X 28 in. 272cc IntelliPower for $1,499, and the Toro Power Max HD 828 for $1,525.98. Because of the difference in power sources they are hard to compare side-by-side. But they offer comparable performance, without the benefits of being battery powered.

Overall, EGO products can be on the higher end, but this snow blower is priced competitively for what it offers. It may also be the best cordless electric snow blower on the market.

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Final Review

EGO has done it again and raised the standard of electric cordless snow blowers. I have a feeling we still have a long winter ahead of us and I’m excited to see how well the EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower continues to perform in our Chicagoland winter.

The post EGO 28 in. 2-Stage Snow Blower appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Dan and I are from Chicagoland and the snow doesn’t hold back here. OPE to remove snow is pretty much essential for homeowners. However, the lingo for these items can be confusing and make it hard to buy the right equipment, especially the terms “snow blower” and “snow thrower”. Lucky for you, today we’re going snow blower vs snow thrower. We’ll explain the differences between these two items and how to know which one is right for you.

Guide

• Snow Blower VS Snow Thrower
• Single-Stage VS Two-Stage
• Which is Better?
• Wrap-up

Snow Blower VS Snow Thrower

The key difference between these two OPE is that a “snow thrower” refers to a single-stage blower, and a “snow blower” refers to a two-stage snow blower. However, snow blower appears to be an overarching term for either machine. In fact, each of these products looks and operates very similarly. The part that is different is more internal and refers to how these items eject the snow.

So…then what is the difference between a single- and two-stage snow blower?

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Single-Stage Snow Blowers

A single-stage (or “first”, “one”) snow blower has one mechanism, an auger, that breaks and collects the snow, and then ejects the snow out of the chute, or otherwise “throws” it. This is where the term “snow thrower” comes from. This action refers to the “first stage” of snow removal and is present in both devices.

Single-stage snow blowers work well at removing about half a foot of snow at a time and work better on fresh snow that hasn’t frozen hard yet.

Electric Snow Shovel

Another tool that works similarly to a single-stage snow blower is an electric snow shovel. We recently looked at an electric snow shovel from SKIL. You hold this similarly to a traditional snow shovel, but you just push it to clear a path. 

It’s a lot easier on your shoulders than a traditional shovel, and they are great for clearing snow in smaller and more intricate areas, like steps and sidewalks. You can also easily move them to the back of your house to clear your deck.

Two-Stage Snow Blowers

A two-stage snow blower has a second step for snow removal. A two-stage snow blower has a fan that ejects, or “blows” the snow both farther and more forcefully than a single-stage snow blower. This fan actually helps prevent clogging, which allows this kind of snow blower to tackle deeper piles of snow. Some two-stage snow blowers can handle up to two feet of heavy snow.

Because of the higher performance two-stage snow blowers usually cost twice as much as single-stage snow blowers. The average price of a two-stage snow blower is $800 to $1,600.

Three-Stage Snow Blowers

There are also three-stage snow blowers that are equipped with two augers to break-up snow. They are incredibly powerful and remove snow over 20 in. deep. However, they are expensive, they are higher maintenance, and they are limited. The average price of a three-stage snow blower ranges from $1,600 to $3,700.

Theww-stage snow blowers aren’t common in residential settings. However, they are great for more rural areas prone to heavy snowfalls. So, they are worth mentioning.

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Single-Stage VS Two-Stage

In general, a two-stage snow blower is more powerful than a single-stage. The extra power to get the snow out of the machine allows it work on thicker piles of snow.  A single-stage snow blower is limited to piles around six to eight inches and works better on lighter snow that hasn’t set.

Because of this, during a snowstorm, people with a single-stage snow blower often need to go out every one to two hours as opposed to at the end of a snowstorm. Those with a second-stage snow blower can either go out at the end of smaller storms, or every few hours during bigger storms.

Which is Better for Consumers?

So, snow blower vs snow thrower. As someone from the Chicago area, I say a two-stage snow blower is completely worth it.

Here we experience heavy snowfalls, sometimes one after another. Going out every other hour to clear snow isn’t the worst. However, staying up all night to do it is not fun either. I also want my snow blower to be powerful enough to handle heavy snows or snow that has set and is frozen.

That being said, single-stage snow blowers or “snow throwers” are still a great option. In fact, snow throwers are cheaper and still an effective method of snow removal and will be enough to handle the majority of snowfalls with a single pass.

A snow thrower is perfect for a common residential driveway. Also, if you live in an area that doesn’t regularly experience extreme snowfall then a single-stage is fine.

A two-stage “snow blower” is a better choice for someone with a larger driveway and lives in an extreme snowfall area. However, they cost almost double, with the average price starting around $1,000.

Back to Guide

Snow Blower VS Snow Thrower Wrap-up

I can’t tell you which type of snow thrower or snow blower is best for you. However, hopefully, now that you know the difference between a snow blower and a snow thrower, you will have an easier time making that decision for yourself.

Now, we want to know: do you own a snow blower or snow thrower? If so, tell us what you have and where you live in the country. Let us know if it has been enough for your home and if you would recommend it.

Need help picking out a snow blower? Check out our TIA Snow Blower Reviews.

The post Snow Blower VS Snow Thrower. What’s Different? Which is Better? appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Hey there, how is fall going by you? I would describe fall as “brief” here in Chicagoland. We actually had snow on Halloween. It was gone the next day, but it will be sticking around soon enough. With that in mind, now seems like the perfect time to check out the new SKIL 40V 20 in. Snow Blower and SKIL 40V Electric Snow Shovel. Both of these items come with the new and improved SKIL PWR CORE 40 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Battery.

Today we’re digging into the highlights and features of these new items. We don’t have snow to test them out (yet), but will go over the best uses for these items.

Guide

• 40V PWR CORE Battery
• 40V 20 in. Snow Blower
• 40V Electric Snow Shovel
• Snow Blower vs Electric Snow Shovel
• Value
• Final Thoughts

SKIL 40V Battery

Before we talk about the snow blower and electric snow shovel I think we need to take a look at the battery platform for these items. The blower and shovel are powered by the SKIL PWR CORE 40 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Ion Battery.

The most standout feature of this battery platform is that it was designed to power OPE up to 25% longer and have double the battery life of previous SKIL 40V batteries. The charger offers 15 minute recharge times.

A SKIL PWR CORE 40 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Battery and Charger come with both the SKIL snow blower and electric snow shovel.

Battery & Charger

• Product Name: SKIL PWR CORE 40 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Battery
• Model #: BY8708C-01
• Features: Get 25% longer runtimes and double the battery life thanks to innovative battery cooling tech that wraps each individual cell for temperature management. Made with a durable, shock-resistant design, easy-to-read LED charge status, and recharges within 15 minutes.
• Price: $149.98
• Where to Buy: Amazon, Lowe’s.
• Learn More: SKIL site

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SKIL 40V Snow Blower

SKIL 40V 20 in. Snow Blower

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• Product Name: SKIL PWR CORE 40 Brushless 40V 20 in. Single Stage Snow Blower Kit
• Model #: SB2001C-10
• Features: Cordless electric snowblower throws snow up to 30 ft. Chute has a turning radius of 180° for users to aim or change direction in. Each pass clears a 20 in. wide path with ease thanks to its rubber-tipped steel auger. The quick-fold steel handle makes for compact storage.
• Demo: TIA Video.
• Price: $449 with 40V battery and charger included
• Where to Buy: Amazon
• Learn More: SKIL site

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SKIL Electric Snow Shovel

SKIL 40V Electric Snow Shovel

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• Product Name: SKIL PWR CORE 40 Brushless 40V 12 in. Power Head Snow Shovel Kit
• Model #: PSS1200C-10
• Features: Remove snow from driveways, decks, or patios with ease. Launches snow up to 20 ft., creates 12 in. wide paths, and offers two speeds. Great for getting into smaller areas or parts of your property that a snow blower can’t easily get in to.
• Price: $279 with 40V battery and charger included
• Where to Buy: Amazon
• Learn More: SKIL site

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SKIL 40V Snow Blower VS Electric Snow Shovel

Before I compare these I have to start with these are two very different winter OPE products. I can easily see someone owning both of these products and this is not a one without the other situation. Instead, I’m just going to tell you the best times to use each and who would use them.

Benefits of a Snow Blower

The SKIL 40V 20 in. Snow Blower is a single-stage snow blower, also known as a “snow thrower”. That just means there is no fan to assist with the ejection of snow. Either way, snow blowers and throwers are cumbersome machines. They are meant for heavy-duty snow removal. They clear a wide path. A single-stage snow blower is great for removing a few inches of snow at a time. For snow storms, it is a good idea to clear snow every other hour. A two-stage snow blower can tackle those thicker piles of snow.

Either way, this snow blower is great for removing snow off larger surfaces and works in smaller areas like paved walkways. Snow blowers are pretty much essential for homeowners where I live.

Summary

Ideal for clearing large surfaces like driveways and paved walkways, and clearing a few inches of snow at a time.

Benefits of an Electric Snow Shovel

Snow blowers are great, but again they are big and they don’t fit everywhere. While an electric snow shovel is clearly smaller than a snow blower, it is great for finessing around areas. I think it’s particularly suitable for clearing snow around cars.

Driveways are not the only large surface that it snows on. Decks and patios still get covered, but it’s not always easy or advisable to use a snow blower on those areas. Because electric snow shovels are so lightweight you can easily carry them to your backyard, use them on your porch, and overall access areas that are harder to get to with a snow blower.

Summary

Great for clearing snow from smaller and more intricate areas. Can easily be carried and lifted to other locations. Electric snow shovels are a great “assistant” to snow blowers for homeowners. However, may be enough for people in apartments or condos who want to easily move smaller amounts of snow throughout the year.

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Value

Both the SKIL 40V Snow Blower and SKIL 40V Electric Snow Shovel are priced either right on par or below comparable products from other brands. The SKIL Snow Blower in particular is currently the same price as a similar model by RYOBI, but the snow blower from SKIL comes with a battery and charger and the RYOBI model does not.

The SKIL Electric Snow Shovel also priced right on par with a comparable model by RYOBI. I have not personally used the RYOBI model. However, from the photos the Electric Snow Shovel from SKIL appears to have a more heavy-duty construction.

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Final Thoughts

The new SKIL 40V 20 in. Snow Blower and 40V Electric Snow Shovel come in at a great price. I’m excited to see how they perform this winter with the help of the new and improved SKIL PWR CORE 40 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Ion Battery.

Read more TIA SKIL Reviews

The post New SKIL 40V Snow Blower & Electric Snow Shovel Plus Upgraded Battery appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

We can pretty much agree that 2020 was one of the strangest years we have ever seen and like most people, we are probably glad it’s coming to an end.  With it coming to an end, that means we have winter and snow coming around the corner, which brings me to the Ego 2-stage Snow Blower.

EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower Overview

When it comes to Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE), EGO is one of the best on the market.  They make high quality and powerful OPE products. A couple of years ago they came out with one of the best performing snow blowers, the single-stage Ego Snowblower. As of today, it’s still one of the best single-stage snow blowers in the market place.  However, Ego being Ego, they are always pushing the envelope with new battery-powered OPE products.  So they are taking the snowblower one step further with a two-stage snowblower.

For those who may not be familiar with a single and two-stage snow blower, here is how they work.

• Single Stage – A single-stage has one paddle that turns extremely fast.  This paddle pulls snow into the machine and shoots it out of the chute.  Great for smaller areas and for smaller snowfalls.
• Two-Stage – A two-stage has an auger and a paddle.  The auger is in the front.  The auger breaks up snow and pulls it into to the machine where the faster paddle shoots it out the chute.  A two-stage is for heavier snowfalls and works great at the end of driveways where the plow packs the snow.

EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower Features

The Ego two-stage (SNT2405) can throw snow up to 50′ which is farther than some gas-powered snowblowers. The snowblower also features a variable speed auger along with a variable speed self propelled feature.  Get this, it even has a reverse.

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The snowblower is powered by 2 EGO 7.5Ah batteries that sit under a hard plastic cover.  One of the best features is the dual charger that comes with the snowblower.  No more charging one battery at a time.  Just put both batteries in the charger and when you are ready for the next snowfall, both batteries will have a charge.

The machine uses a steel auger that pulls snow into the metal paddle that will shoot the snow out the chute. The snowblower has a 24″ clearing path with a 20″ intake height.

Everything a user needs is located on the top dashboard.  On the left, you can engage the drive (Self Propelled) and you can also adjust the speed.  On the right, you can engage the auger, which you can also adjust the speed.  In the center of the dashboard, there is a green button to start the machine along with a small black button for the LED lights.  Just above the start button, you can adjust the chute left or right.  Right next to the chute degree adjustment is where you can adjust how low or high the snow will shoot.

The chute will rotate 200 degrees which will allow you to throw snow wherever you want.

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The snow blower features a total of 12 bright LED lights.  While the lights may be small, they shine a lot of light which is perfect, even for the nights the moon is hidden.

The unit is equipped with two large air-filled tires on the back, which makes it great for moving around.

On the bottom of the machine, you can adjust the height in case you have a rocky driveway or other areas you want higher up.  One point to mention is the snowblower features a metal scraper in the front to get a clean finish.

On top of the snowblower, there is a clean out stick in case the chute gets clogged with wet snow.

If you break a shear pin, there are two spares on top.

EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower Performance

As you would expect, we don’t have snow right now in Chicago but we will soon.  Follow us on Instagram and you will see this first hand.  We did have a chance to test it at their facility and as you would expect, this rocks, and will throw snow extremely far.  But yes, we want to test it in our conditions.

In regards to the performance of the snowblower, this is easily one of the best we have tested.  The startup is a snap and you can just feel the quality in the snowblower.  All the levers and switches are nice.  They don’t feel cheap, they have that nice feedback feeling you would expect from a higher-end machine.

EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower Value

You can pick this up at Lowe’s for $1,299.  Normally I would think this is high priced especially because I can get a gas two-stage for about $900. Here is why I think this is a fair price.

• The build quality is better than most of the gas snowblowers we have seen.
• Easy starting in the winter.  No messing around trying to start a cold engine with gas.
• Just as powerful as a gas two-stage snowblower.
• Quiet and easy to use which means you can use this any time of the night and not worry about bothering neighbors or dealing with the city noise ordinance.
• You have two 7.5Ah batteries which means you can get into the other Ego tools and just buy the bare tools, which will save you money.
• Not worrying about bad gas or dealing with flooded engines.
• Savings on gas over the years, plus you don’t have to run to the gas station in the middle of the night because you forgot to get gas.

So for me, these are just some of the reasons I think this is a great value.  Sure, an extra $400 is a chunk of change but what I get for the extra $400 is well worth the extra cost.

If you already have batteries, you can pick up a bare tool at Amazon for $800, which is just under the average cost for a two-stage snowblower.

EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower Final Thoughts

When it comes to Ego, I have been using them since 2014 and they have never let me down.  I have never had a bad battery or bad tools from them.  I have been using them for all my OPE needs and even still have my first mower from 2014, which is going strong.  So I know when Ego releases a product, I know it has been tested and is quality.  They don’t release products just to get them out of the door.

I love how smooth and quiet this machine is.  I love the build quality.  I am excited about the snow and excited to use this machine.  Follow us on Instagram for more in actions and reviews on this machine.

The post EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Winter is here and now is the time to start thinking about a snow blower.  Or maybe you are just tired of dealing with a gas snow blower and you want to look into getting a battery-operated machine.  So if that is the case, let’s take a look at the Greenworks Pro Snow Blower.

Greenworks Pro Snow Blower – Information

When I first looked into battery-powered OPE products, my first thoughts were, it is convenient but I am guessing not powerful. However, after using battery-powered OPE tools, I can’t imagine anything else.  I can’t imagine going back to gas.  Sure there are applications where you need a gas motor but the applications are getting smaller and smaller as battery technology is increasing.

A snow blower is a high demand tool so when you look for a battery-operated blower, go with a company that has a history and knowledge to make a product that works. Greenworks is one of those front runners.

Greenworks Pro Snow Blower – Features

The 2603202 is a 22″ snowblower that is built around a brushless motor which means it’s powerful and efficient.

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The snowblower has two ports for the 60v battery.  The snowblower features an auto-switch over to extend run times.

One great feature is the dual-port battery charger.  I can’t tell you how many times we see a tool use two batteries but a charger can only handle a single battery.  Having a dual battery charger takes away so much frustration.

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The 22″ wide intake uses a rubber paddle to throw snow up to 30′.

The chute can be adjusted up and down by squeezing the handle.

To adjust the chute left and right, the handle is located at the top of the handle. You can adjust the chute up to 180 degrees.

When not in use, you can easily pull down on the handle locks and lower the handlebar to store under a bench.

Starting the blower is simple.  Just push the button and pull back on the green handle.  No gas, no loud noises, no smell, and no hassle.

The blower has 8″ rubber tires.

Greenworks Pro Snow Blower – Impressions

My first impression before using the machine was I like the quality of the machine.  The handlebar is nice and doesn’t have a lot of flex.  The push-button start doesn’t seem like a cheap button.  The chute lever is solid and not cheap.  I like that it’s a little stiff and gives nice feedback.  I also like the rubber paddles compared to plastic paddles as they are not as loud when you hit stones or smaller items.

I used the snowblower for a bunch of different events.  I was able to use it on a small snowfall of about a 1″ and then we had a 5″ snowfall with drifts of about 12″ and some good hard, heavy snow at the end of the driveway from the plows.

For the 1″ snowfall, the blower did a decent job.  Believe it or not, I feel like snow blowers have a harder time in small snow.  Sure they can spit it out far but being able to pick up a small amount and clear it off the walkways always seems like a task.  The Greenworks did a decent job.  I felt it was smooth and easy to work with.

For the larger snowfalls, the Greenworks is a beast.  No issues at throwing snow far and went through the 4″ snow without any issues.  Even the larger drifts, it worked perfectly.

At the end of the driveway, I ran it through the hard, wet snow that was in clumps.  Here is where it really impressed me.  It threw the snow without any issues.  My only complaint was I am used to a two-stage where it walks through the snow.  The single-stage snow blowers, you really have to push and pull back in order for it to hit those harder spots.  That isn’t a Greenworks problem, it’s just how single-stage throwers are designed.

Greenworks Pro Snow Blower – Wrap Up

The bottom line, the Greenworks snow blower is a great snowblower that has great run time, does an awesome job at clearing snow away and is easy to use.  Greenworks has been around, has a history and makes great products.  With a four year warranty, it’s hard to go wrong with this machine.

The post Greenworks Pro Snow Blower appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

What do you think of when you think Ryobi?  Do you think Home Depot, do think power tools or maybe something else?  I know the one thing I never thought about when I heard Ryobi was snow blowers.  Not that they didn’t have one before this but it just wasn’t something I thought or at least considered, well until now.  So so let’s take a look at the Ryobi 40V Snow Blower Review.

Ryobi 40V Snow Blower Review – Overview

Tis the season for snow.  So how do you remove your snow?  A shovel, a gas-powered snow blower, a cordless snow blower or do you just hire someone?  For me, I was always that guy who never wanted a snow blower.  I loved being outside when it was snowing and just using a shovel.  It was quiet and peaceful, plus I was getting a little exercise.

As I am getting older, things have changed.  I still love the winter and being outside but it’s much harder using a snow shovel for deep snow.  So I took the plunge and started using a cordless snow blower.  Over the years we have tested a variety of snow blowers with the Ego being my favorite and the Snow Joe being the easiest to move around and work with.

I recently started using the Ryobi and I have to admit, it has surprised me.

Ryobi 40V Snow Blower Review – Features

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Ryobi designed this snow blower around a brushless motor that offers a 21″ cleaning path and a 13″ clearing depth. The blower can throw snow up to 35′ away.

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The snow blower is powered by 40V Ryobi batteries.

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The batteries can be charged with a slide on the charging system.  One thing to note is you can only charge 1 battery at a time.

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The batteries are located on the back of the snow blower and protected with a plastic cover.

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The auger uses a rubber paddle which makes it quiet compared to the plastic paddles.

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The chute angle is adjusted by hand and uses a simple push button to adjust up or down.

The snow blower has two larger plastic wheels on the back making it easy to push and maneuver around.

To move the chute left and right, there is a pull stick on the right side of the machine.  The one thing I noticed was how smooth this is to move around. The chute can be adjusted 180°.

On the front of the machine, there is an LED light bar that does an amazing job of lighting up the area in front of you.

On the left side of the handlebar, you can switch it from low or high mode, depending on your amount of snowfall.

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Starting the snow blower is simple.  Just hold either or both of the gray bars in and then just push the start button.

The design of the handlebar is good as it makes moving and working with the machine much more comfortable.

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If you need the space when not in use, no worries.  The Ryobi snow blower handle is easy to fold up and store away.

Ryobi 40V Snow Blower Review – Performance

In regards to performance, there is a lot to love and some things I would like to see changed.

First, I love how easy and quick it was to assemble.  Second, I absolutely love the build quality and think that it rivals the Ego which is at the top of my list, so that says a lot.  I love the LED light, the smooth controls and how easy this machine goes through the snow.  Below I will talk about the performance of the snow.

One item I would like to see changed is the charger.  The charger can only charge one battery at a time.  Since it takes two batteries, I would like to have a charger that can charge two batteries.  When I am done snow blowing, I will put a battery on a charger.  However, I know I won’t think about it until the next snowfall and then I will have one charged battery and one empty battery.

Besides the build quality and ease of operation, I absolutely love the light.  One of the brightest lights I have seen on a snow blower.  Second, I love how far this throws the snow.  Again, this throws snow just as well as the Ego snow blower.

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So when it comes to performance, it’s a hit and a miss.  So for anything above an 1″, this does awesome.  Below a 1″, not a big fan but that is the case with most cordless snow blowers, not just Ryobi.

We had a 4″ snowfall and this machine rocked.  It cleaned the walks and the driveway like a champ.  It threw the snowfall and left very little on the concrete.

However our last snow, we had about a 1″ and as you can see, not too impressed.  While it threw the snow far, it left a thin layer behind.  Now, this could be because the cement was cold, it was night and the sun couldn’t melt the snow right away.  This isn’t unique to Ryobi as we have seen it with other snow blowers. If I am cleaning the walkways at night and it leaves this on the ground, it can freeze overnight and become very slippery.

So if you have larger snowfalls, the Ryobi is a champ.  If you have small snowfalls, a shovel or broom will work better.  But again, maybe those small wet snows, it will pick up much better than this lighter snow.

Ryobi 40V Snow Blower Review – Value

You can pick this snow blower up at the Home Depot for about $500 which does include a charger and two batteries.  I think for the build quality, ease of use and power, it’s worth it.  For deeper snow, it rocks.

Ryobi 40V Snow Blower Review – Final Thoughts

Overall I love this snow blower and think Ryobi hit a home run.  The quality is way above what I would expect from Ryobi.  Very easy to assemble, very smooth to operate and throws snow like a champ.  While I would still prefer a shovel for small snowfalls, this shines at larger snowfalls.  The light on the front is the best we have seen and I can’t wait for the next snowfall to give this another run.

The post Ryobi 40V Snow Blower Review appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

As a consumer, you have a lot of choices when it comes to snow blowers. Gas is great if you’re always getting large snowfalls over 9″ or have a lot of property to clear off.  However, if you have the average lot and aren’t in the artic getting 9″ snowfalls every day, battery-powered might be the way to go.  No messing with gas, spark plus or chokes.  Just push a button and go.  Which brings me to the Greenworks Snow Blower.

Greenworks Snow Blower – Information

Greenworks is a company who makes both homeowners and products for landscape professionals.  Today we are covering one of their DIY homeowner models, the SN60L410. Designed to throw snow far, easy to work with and at a good price point.  So let’s see how they did to hold up to these three goals.

Greenworks Snow Blower – Features

The SN60L410 is designed around a brushless motor to clear a 20″ path with ease.  The snow blower has a 10″ clearing depth and can throw snow up to 20″ away.

The machine is powered by a single Greenworks 60V 4Ah battery. While time will vary on snowfall and how heavy the snow is, but you will get around 45 minutes of runtime per charge.

The auger uses a hard plastic paddle to create the power to throw snow far.

On the back of the machine, there are two 7″ hard plastic tires.

The chute can be adjusted up or down with a single push of a button.

The chute can rotate left or right 180 degrees which can be controlled from the back of the machine.

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No more pulling cord or dealing with gas.  Just pull the lever in and hold it.  Then push a button and you are ready to go.

On the side of the handle, you can loosen the nut to collapse the handle for summer storage.

On the top of the machine, there is a handle which will assist when trying to lift it in the truck or table

Greenworks Snow Blower – Impressions

The snow blower runs about $350 at Lowes, which comes with a battery and a charger.  The one thing you have to understand is that some cordless blowers are not the best with a small snowfall that is really wet.  When I talk about performance, I am talking about your average 2-8″ snowfall that is light or heavy.

For the average snowfall, the snow blower does a great job.  It throws snow far and leaves the concrete clean. I know a couple of you who follow us on Instagram were impressed when we did a story and you saw how clean the walks were.

The wheels do a good job and the scraper leaves it smooth.  Changing the chute direction is easy and even the up and down direction.

If I had to complain about one thing, it would be the handle for the chute turning left and right.  Sometimes mine came apart.  It didn’t affect anything except the looks of the snow blower.  It snaps back in place and can still use it.

Greenworks Snow Blower – Wrap Up

Overall, I love this snow blower.  Priced well below the other machines on the market.  It cleans the payment great, throws snow far and has good run time.  Not sure what else you can ask for in a snow blower?

The post Greenworks Snow Blower appeared first on Tools In Action - Power Tool Reviews.

Yesterday we took a look at the Troy Bilt snow thrower review, model 2625.  Today, we are going to cover a gas snow thrower that is a little more expensive but has more features.  This is the Cadillac of snow throwers in this class.  So let’s jump into the Troy Bilt Storm 2690 XP review.  This article is sponsored by MTD.

Troy Bilt Storm 2690 XP Overview

If you read the review yesterday, then you are probably already familiar with Troy Bilt and how MTD is the parent company.  MTD is known for their quality products and their OPE products.  While this is a sponsored post, it doesn’t change the way we feel about this machine or the company.  As always we remain unbiased with our reviews.

If you live in an area that gets lots of snow or you have to deal with wet snow, you have to move from a single stage to a two-stage snow thrower.  You need that extra power to break the snow up and be able to throw it great distances.  Have you ever tried to throw snow with a single stage?  I am not talking about the light snow.  I am talking about the wet, heavy snow or the snow at the end of your driveway from the plows.  If you have, you know how difficult it can be for a single stage snow thrower and that is where the two-stage comes into play.

Troy Bilt Storm 2690 XP Review Features

Troy Bilt took their custom 243cc 4-cycle OHV engine and designed a quality snow thrower around it.

This machine has a 26″ clearing width with a 21″ intake.  The snow thrower is a two-stage snow thrower so you can throw wet, heavy and icy snow.  The machine has a 12″ serrated steel auger.

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One cool feature of this machine is you can either use the pull start or the electric start to power up this unit.

Just put the choke into the start position, push the primer 3 to 5 times and put the idle on high.

All the main controls are located behind the machine.  So when you are using it, you never have to leave the back of the machine, not even to adjust the chute.

On the left side, you can pull a lever down and the auger will engage.  The right lever is to engage the self-propelled.  Yes, it’s all that simple.

To adjust the chute left, right, up or down, there is a thumb switch for your right thumb.  While you are walking behind the machine, it’s very easy and fast to adjust where you want to throw the snow.

To adjust the speed, you pull back or push forward the stick.  There are six-speeds for forward and two speeds for reverse.  Under each handle are two levers which control the right or left of the unit.

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If you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, that is where one awesome feature comes into play, the heated grips.  I like how you can manually turn the heated grips on or off since you might not want them on all the time.

The unit comes with pneumatic tires, 15″ x 5″ X-Trac snow tires.  I found the grip to be awesome with these tires and it didn’t slide even on the wet asphalt.  These tires are perfect for the all-wheel drive operation.

On the front of the machine, there is a clearing stick in case snow gets packed in the chute.

The gas tank holds a 1/2 gallon of gas which is a surprise.  For how much we used it throughout the day, we never had to fill it up.

The skid shoes are adjustable and also reversible.

On the front of the snow thrower, there is an incandescent light bulb.

Troy Bilt Storm 2690 XP Review Performance

While using this snow thrower, I have to admit I was extremely surprised and excited at the same time.  Dan used the Ventrac and piled up snow.  There were a couple of piles I thought it would never get through.  Not only did it throw the snow far away, but it did it without putting a strain on my back or arms.

The machine pretty much does everything for you.  All I had to do was point it in a direction and the snow thrower did the rest.  Best of all, when I was done for the day, my back or arms weren’t hurting like they do when I am using my single stage snowblower.

The heated grips are a nice touch and great for the user who will be spending an extended period of time outside.  Also, I love having the different speeds so I can easily control the speed to where I am using it.  For the long runs, I threw it on the highest setting while the smaller walkways, I put it to the lowest setting.

Starting the machine was also easy.  We used both the electric start and the pull cord.  With the pull cord, it would start up on the first or second pull every time.

Troy Bilt Storm 2690 XP Review Value

If you want to pick one of these up, expect to pay about $1,000 for this unit.  While you do get more bells and whistles for $1,000, you will also pay more than the 2625.

The way I look at this is longterm.  If you are getting older and plan on retiring soon and moving somewhere warm, I would probably go with the 2625.  However, if you are going to be dealing with snow for the next 5 years or longer, I would make the additional investment.  You get the heated grips but most of all you get the electric chute that will move left, right, up and down.

Troy Bilt Storm 2690 XP Review Final Thoughts

Overall I think Troy Bilt did a great job with this snow thrower.  The engine seems to be built to last and nothing on the snow thrower feels cheap.  The steel is nice and thick which means it can last a long time without getting all dented up.  Starting the machine is extremely easy, but most important is the operation of the snow thrower.

For me, this was extremely easy to use and control.  Bottomline, when I was done, the snow was pushed far away from the driveways and walks, but best of all, I didn’t hurt.  So for me, this is a no-brainer for anyone looking for a quality snow thrower.

Check out more of the  Troy Bilt Storm 2690 XP

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I am sure you have heard of Troy Bilt but have you heard of MTD?  MTD (Modern Tool and Die Company) is an American manufacturer of OPE products.  Their roots can be traced back to 1932.  They are a family-owned company.  They own companies such as Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, Yard-Man, and Bolens, which are all great brands.  So when you think of Troy Bilt, think of a quality company, that has the financial backing to make quality products.  So let’s jump into the Troy Bilt Snow Thrower Review.

Troy Bilt Snow Thrower Review Overview

For this review, we are going to cover the Troy Bilt Storm 2625 Snow Thrower.  While this is a sponsored post, it doesn’t change the way we feel about this machine or the company.  As always we remain unbiased with our reviews.  This snow thrower is a two-stage unit.  Now if you have never owned one of these machines, you can either pick from a single stage, two stage or three stage snow throwers.

A single stage is for lighter snow and has a single auger.  A two-stage is designed for more snow and has two augers, one to pull the snow to the chute and the other auger throws it.  Plus a two-stage is usually powered by gas, where a single stage can be gas or battery.  There are more differences, but that is the main difference you really need to know before we jump into the Troy Bilt Snow Thrower Review.

While you can get away with a single stage snow thrower, a two-stage makes life so much easier as it usually has more features, more power and is much easier on the back, but it does come at a higher price tag.

Troy Bilt Snow Thrower Review Features

Troy-Bilt built this machine around a 243cc Troy-Bilt Engine.  Which means this has plenty of power to tackle heavy snowfalls.  The machine is all wheel drive with 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds.

The snow thrower is a two-stage which means the first auger will feed the snow into the second auger.  The second auger spins faster and allows the snow thrower to throw the snow far.  As you can see the snow thrower has a nice large opening and has a 26″ clearing width with a 21″ intake height.

One great feature of this machine is a user can either pull start the engine or it does have an electric start.  Just plug the unit in and push a button, how cool is that?

Starting the engine is extremely simple.  Turn the top knob to choke, prime the unit 3 to 5 times and set the throttle to high.  We found it would start on either the first or second pull no matter how cold it was outside.

From a users standpoint, there are four main controls to the Troy Bilt.  On the left handle, there is a lever.  Push this down and it will activate the auger.  On the right handle, if you push this lever down, it will activate the self-propel mode forward or backward.

In the middle, there is a joystick on the left which controls the chute left or right.  The chute has a 200° chute rotation. A user still has to walk around and manually move the chute up or down.  The stick on the right controls your forward or reverse speed.

The stick to control the chute is a little hard to get used to.  You have to press the red button and move the stick left or right.  Sometimes it seems like you are pushing the red button, but it won’t turn.  After we were operating for a good ten minutes, we got the hang of it and it was fairly easy.

The snow thrower is equipt with no flat tires.  This means they don’t require air and will never go flat, which is always a plus in the dead of winter.

The tank holds 1/2 gallon of gas.  We never did a run test but we were able to do four large driveways without having to refill.  You can see the pictures below and get an idea of the size of the driveways.

On the front of the machine, there is an incandescent bulb to help shine some light in your working direction.

On the front of the machine, there is a clearing stick in case the chute or unit gets packed with snow.

Troy Bilt Snow Thrower Review Performance

I own a single stage snowblower and while it does make my life easier, my back and shoulders end up hurting by the time I am done.  With this snow thrower, since it pretty much does all the work, I am just walking behind it and nothing hurts when I am done.

Doesn’t matter how deep the snow is or how heavy it is, this snow thrower ran through it without any issues.  Dan took the Ventrac and built up mounds to simulate the end of a driveway where the plow dumps a ton of snow.  Even with a big mound, the snow thrower went through it without any issues.

While the chute lever was a little stiff and hard to get used to, we were eventually able to get the hang of it and operate it smoothly.

For me, the no flat tires had their pros and cons.  I love not having to ever deal with flat tires in the cold, but I noticed that it did come at a sacrifice of traction.  I am not saying the traction was bad, but I could tell it’s not nearly as good as the rubber tires.  However, when moving this snow unit around, it slides nicely because of the tires.

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We let Dan’s neighbor, Terry, try out the Troy Bilt.  He had the same feedback as we did.  He loved the machine and thought it was powerful and had a good build quality to it.  It also took him a little time to get used to working with the chute lever.  But all in all, he loved it and thought it was a great snow thrower.

Troy Bilt Snow Thrower Review Value

The unit retails for about $800.  You can buy units for more or less, but considering this is a Troy Bilt and how well it worked, I think this represents a decent value.  MTD makes great products and I am sure this will last for years.  Just remember to always use fresh gas or treated gas.

Troy Bilt Snow Thrower Review Final Thoughts

I have to admit, I am a little sad.  While I love this snow thrower, it’s just too big for my property.  For Dan’s property, it’s perfect.  I love this machine and love how it really does the work for you.  Other than a couple times where the driveway meets the grass, I never felt like I had to fight using this machine.  The only time was when there was a dip in the grass, the machine did want to wonder that way.

All in all, I think this is well built and suited for the homeowner or even the landscaper who does snow plowing in the offseason.

Check out more about the Troy Bilt 2625

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Winter is right around the corner which means we have to start thinking about snow. In the past, I was the guy who never wanted a snow blower. For me, I loved shoveling. I felt like I was getting a little exercise and just loved the peace and quiet outside when it was snowing. Why would I want to take away that peace and quiet with a gas engine? Then two years ago, we tested the Greenworks and Snow Joe snow blowers. While I would give up my exercise, I would still get the peace and quiet with the battery powered snow blowers.

We did like both snowblowers, but both were lacking important aspects such as power and a few other minor quality issues. For the last two years, I have been using the Snow Joe and have been happy with the snow blower, but I really wish it could handle thicker piles of snow and throw it farther. As a result, I was going out in the snow storm every few hours, as my Snow Joe could only handle well two inches of snow at a time. If I stayed on top of it, I was okay. However, there were plenty of times it would snow overnight or when we were out, and I would end up shoveling. I would also end up shoveling the end of the driveway because the snow was piled up from the snow plows.

If you have been following us for a while, you know we are huge fans of EGO products.  They hit the market hard a couple of years ago and haven’t looked back.  EGO has forced other companies that have been in the OPE before EGO, to play catch up with their own products.  For me, there is a lot to love about EGO products, but the two most important aspects that I love about them is quality and service.

Every one of their products we have tested have been quality products.  They seem to be a company that doesn’t release products, just to release them.  They want to release products that get the job done and are also innovative.  While they are aiming for those two points, they want it to be the best quality product on the market.  If you don’t believe me, just look at other reviews and ratings.

Second on the list is customer service.  I have read and seen stories of people who have nothing but great things to say about EGO’s customer service.  So for these two reasons, yes I am a huge fan of EGO.  So when we had a chance to do an EGO Snow Blower Review, we jumped at it.

A couple months back when we had a chance to see the EGO snow blower in action, I was amazed.  I knew battery technology had gotten better over the years, but after I saw what the EGO Snow Blower could do, I was excited about the winter and using this machine.

Before I dive into the EGO snow blower review and tell you about it, I want to point out that I haven’t used this in snow yet, well at least at the time of this article.  This article is more to let you know that EGO has a snow blower, tell you about my first impressions and what we thought.  We had a chance to use it when we first saw it, but it was in a closed environment.  As I use this during the winter time, I will be reporting back on toolsinaction.com and our social channels. So, stay tuned.

Okay, so let’s talk about this new EGO snow blower.  Right out of the box, you could see this was a quality snow blower.  The snow blower wasn’t just a piece of plastic.  EGO designed this machine to take abuse by designing it with a metal construction, the areas that get abused.

Now I know what you’re thinking, if this is metal isn’t it heavy?

Yes, it has a little weight to it, but not heavier than the snow blowers with engines.  In fact, it feels much lighter than those snow blowers.  This snow blower just feels solid.

EGO designed this with a brushless motor which means it’s efficient and will give you a long run time.  The snow blower has a 21″ intake, so it makes a nice wide path.  To start the machine, just press down the button and pull in the handle, it’s that easy, just like their lawn mower.

During storage, you can easily fold down the handle.  On the left-hand side of the handle is a variable speed control and on the right-hand side is the remote chute adjustment.  I don’t know how to explain the chute adjustment to you.  It’s just something you have to try.  The chute adjustment doesn’t feel cheap.  When you move it, there is enough resistance where it feels like it’s a quality system.  In order to move the height of the chute, you can press a lever on the chute and move it up or down.

I love how the paddle system is designed. There is a thick metal rod with rubber paddles that pushes the snow through the chute. Get this, according to EGO, you can throw snow 35 feet. That’s a heck of a long way and much farther than my Snow Joe which throws it between one to three feet.

EGO 56V Snow Blower Performance

Okay, so how is this powered and why can EGO claim it’s as powerful as a gas blower?  First, is the design of the unit.  You can have a great motor and great internal parts, but if you don’t start off with a good battery platform, you will be left in the dust.  EGO has an incredible battery technology that allows the batteries to produce power consistently.  The snow blower is designed to hold two batteries.

Here is the cool part of this: You can run the snow blower with either one battery or two batteries. Just make sure the batteries are 4 Ah batteries or higher. The unit we received came with two 5 Ah batteries. But if you have the 7 Ah batteries then you can use those as well.

So here is how it works…

If you have one battery in the machine, it will still run.  The snow blower will get all its power from the single battery.  However, if you use both batteries, you don’t have to worry about them needing the same charge.  The system is smart.  So say one battery is fully charged and another is 50%.  The snow blower will use the 100% battery. When this battery gets to 50% or matches the other battery’s charge, it will start combining the batteries and using them together.

I know what you are thinking, if it’s using one battery, aren’t you losing performance?

The answer is no.

Say you have two batteries in the unit and it’s running off the higher charged battery.  You get into deep snow and need that boost.  Even though both batteries don’t have the same charge, it will dip into the other battery for power.

The cool part to all of this, you don’t have to think about it or do anything with it.  The snow blower will do everything for you.  All you have to do is walk behind the unit and enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors.  There is more behind the technology to this unit, but the point is the EGO performs and is a serious snow blower.

Simulated Snow Test

As I said we had a chance to test these out in a closed environment.  Since there wasn’t snow, we used wet saw dust to emulate a heavy wet snow.  I know there is a difference between wet saw dust and snow, but we did run this test with other competitors.  We tested it against single-stage gas and battery-powered snow blowers.  I was amazed how far and fast this went through the saw dust compared to the gas engine.  I really thought the gas engine would perform just as good as the EGO, but it was night and day.

I could sit here and talk to you until I am blue in the face, but I will not.  The main thing is this snow blower is the real deal.  I will be reporting back to you as the winter moves on, but I wanted to make you aware of this snow blower and what we thought of it.  This is just something you will have to try for yourself and see.  You can buy these at your local Home Depot and I would suggest buying one.  Hey, if you don’t like it or think I am wrong, you can always return it.  So seriously, what do you have to lose?  I am not being paid by EGO, it’s just one of those products that I truly like.  It’s one of those products that I believe in and just get excited talking about.

EGO 56V Snow Blower Review Specifications

• Power – 2 EGO 56V Batteries
• Hi-efficiency brushless motor
• 21-inch clearing width
• Up to 35 feet snow throwing distance
• Push-button start
• Variable-speed control
• LED headlights
• Quick-fold handle for compact storage
• Weather-resistant (ipx4)
• Robust Steel Construction
• 5 Year Warranty

Overall this is another winner from EGO.  The snow blower is built like a tank, but not with all the weight you would expect.  When EGO built this machine, they built it the right way.  The parts that need reinforcement are built with metal to take the abuse.  EGO didn’t cut any corners, everything on this system seems like quality.  Again, I will be reporting back to you this winter, but I am confident this snow blower will perform awesome.   If you are looking for a quality snow blower, check out the EGO snow blower.  Winter will be here soon and we will be doing another video of this snowblower.

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Now that winter is almost over, I figured it would be a great time to tell you about the Mantis 8112 Snow Shovel.   Actually I live in the Chicago area and this year the snow has been below average.  We have had one good ice storm, then about a 2″ snow fall.  While most people think that is a good winter and not having snow, I have two kids and have to say we have all been disappointed.  When Dan first told me that we were going to test out a new snow shovel, I couldn’t wrap my head around it.  I have been using shovels my whole life and haven’t seen anything that has blown me away.  Then he told me it was an electric snow shovel, the Mantis Snow Shovel.  Well that just confused me more because I couldn’t picture how it would work.  While my head was in a fog, he showed me a couple of pictures.  Then it dawned on me, not at all what I was thinking about when I heard about an electric snow shovel.  Once I came back to reality, I figured how cool could this thing could really be.  But before I tell you about the performance, let me just tell you about the snow shovel and paint you a little picture.

Okay sorry there really isn’t much to tell you about the Mantis Snow Shovel.  It’s an auger with a handle that attaches to your outlet.  Yes that is pretty much about it, plain and simple. So here is the deal, this is designed to work with snow up to 4″ deep and will clear a 12″ path per pass.  I am not sure how many amps this unit is because no matter where I looked, it wasn’t listed (hopefully by now someone will list it).  The handle does move to different sizes for storage or to provide the proper height for different sizes of people.

So the performance.  When I picked up the unit, it is pretty light weight.  So in my head I thought great, what will this do?  Throw the snow 2″? Let me tell you, after using the Mantis Snow Shovel I will never laugh at another snow shovel again.  This is extremely easy to use and will throw the snow about 20′, yes 20′.  Even when I went through heavy snow, it really didn’t have a problem propelling it into my neighbors yard, just where I like it.  I have to say this snow shovel really did surprise me.  Now since this is electric, not everyone can use it.  You will need an extension cord and an outlet close by.  For people who may live in the city or have a small path or driveway, this may be the perfect solution for your snow problems.  No gas, spark plugs or engines to deal with.  Just plug it and go.  If you do have a larger driveway or need a more portable option, check out the snow blowers we have covered.

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If you would have asked me a year ago if I would use a battery powered lawnmower, I would have said “heck no”.  Then I tried the Ego and my mind was changed.  Ask me two months ago if I would ever use a battery powered snow blower and I still would answer “No”.  However after using the Snow Joe, my mind was changed once again.  Now to be honest when I first heard about the Snow Joe, I can’t saw I was really excited.  For me it was a battery powered snow blower from a company I had never heard of.  So really what was there to be excited about?  Well after using this, I changed my mind rather quickly.  A couple of weeks ago we had 19″ of snow and I had a chance to put this to use.  Now I am not saying I did all 19″ at once, but I can tell you this thing saved my back.  I ended up going out three or four times to blow the snow and it worked great.  It did so good, I even ended up cleaning off my neighbors walks and driveway.

Now don’t expect this to work for those huge driveways with one charge, but for most residential walks and driveways, this thing works awesome.  The handle is comfortable and the unit is easy to move around and push through snow.  There is a handle in front which makes it easy if you need to carry it.  The two things I like best about this unit besides the power, is the rubber paddle and the foldable handle.

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