Top Rated Snow Blowers To Keep Your Walkways Safe This Winter

Whether you love the idea of falling snow or you can't stand the cold that comes with it, you're eventually going to have to clear it. Deciding whether to use a shovel or snow blower on a walkway becomes easier when you have a trustworthy machine that helps you avoid making common mistakes with your snow blower that prevent it from working properly. Shoveling can leave you tired, but when your snow blower won't start, you're going to experience major frustration.

When you are looking for snow blowers that are easy to start and that can handle smaller jobs, like clearing a simple walkway, an electric battery-powered machine may reduce some of your frustration. Electric-powered snow blowers often have a push-button start option, which is easier to operate than a gas-powered machine that may have old gas in it, preventing it from starting easily. Consequently, in our list of the top-rated snow blowers for walkways to use this winter, we decided to stick with primarily electric-powered machines. These models work well for minimal snowfall on walkways. We also added a gas-powered model to our list, though, in case you live in an area that gets a lot of snow.

When you want one of the least expensive snow throwers that runs from a battery and has good customer reviews, the Snow Joe SJ618E 18-Inch Electric Snow Blower, which costs $133 at Amazon, is a solid choice. This is a corded electric model, so you'll have a limited distance over which you can use it. It never needs oil or gas, making it a breeze to maintain and start.

Amazon customer reviewers give it 4.1 stars out of 5. One Amazon reviewer who was almost 70 years old wanted a lightweight and maneuverable machine that could clear small areas quickly. They called this machine a perfect model for those needs. Another Amazon reviewer said the Snow Joe product worked well, but it only has one screw holding the chute in place, causing the chute to pop loose during the first few minutes of use. A reviewer on the Snow Joe website, where this machine has a 4.4-star rating, said his 83-year-old wife was able to easily maneuver the machine for a quick snow removal job.

If you'd prefer a battery-powered snow blower to a corded model, you'll pay a little more. The Greenworks 40V Battery-Powered 20-Inch Snow Blower costs $278 at Amazon, but it ships with one battery and a charger, which makes it a better value than having to buy a battery separately, which can cost more than $100.

On Amazon, the Greenworks 40V snow blower has a 4.1-star rating. One Amazon reviewer said the affordability of this model compared to other battery-powered machines is a big advantage. The reviewer appreciates being able to pop in the battery and begin working immediately versus the hassle of preparing and starting gas-powered machines. Another Amazon reviewer said it was a good machine for small amounts of snow, but it's "weak in heavier show." YouTube reviewer @RegoDomum likes the machine and said it works extremely well in cold weather. RegoDomum said the Greenworks machine handles clearing a 1,000-plus square foot area without needing to recharge the battery.

If you have a longer walkway where you need to move snow — or if you want to clear all the neighbors' sidewalks too — purchasing a snow blower that ships with two batteries can be highly beneficial, so one battery can charge while you use the other one. The Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18-TV1 IONMAX 18-Inch Snow Blower ships with two 24V batteries and a dual-port charger. It costs $315 on Amazon. Buying a single Snow Joe 24V IONMAX battery costs about $80, so you receive a good value with the dual-battery snow thrower.

This Snow Joe battery-powered snow thrower has a 4.0-star rating on Amazon and a 4.1-star rating on Best Buy. One Amazon reviewer was concerned with the narrow 18-inch snow clearing width of this model, but found that it was more powerful than expected, especially for a lightweight machine. One Best Buy reviewer said the machine doesn't perform as well in wet snow as it does with fluffy snow, but you can use it for about 30 minutes before needing to change out the battery (via Best Buy). That reviewer also liked the overall value and price of this Snow Joe machine.

When you want one of the bigger and more powerful battery-powered snow blowers on the market, the EGO Power 56V 21-Inch Snow Blower is a popular selection. It costs $699 at Lowe's, but you may be able to find it on sale for $599 at Ace Hardware. Both retailers include two 56V batteries and a charger with the snow blower kit. The EGO machine has a 4.4-star rating on Lowe's, and 86% of customer reviewers would recommend the product to other shoppers. One Lowe's reviewer said the machine worked better with light fluffy snow than with deeper snow. Another Lowe's reviewer was impressed with the quiet operation of this battery-powered machine, which made early-morning and late-night snow clearing easier on the neighbors.

The EGO snow thrower has a 4.3-star rating on Ace Hardware, and 87% of customers would recommend it to friends and family members. One reviewer at Ace Hardware appreciated the battery-powered snow thrower because it doesn't generate the same mess as a machine that needs oil and gas. It also requires very little maintenance.

When looking for good deals on snow blowers at Lowe's or Home Depot, being able to buy the Toro Power Clear 721E 21-Inch Gas-Powered Snow Blower is a good reason to visit Home Depot. This machine costs $749 at both Home Depot and Tractor Supply. Customers at Home Depot collectively gave the Toro model a 4.6-star rating, and 92% of customers would recommend it to others. One Home Depot reviewer liked the Toro model's ability to throw heavy snow well out of the way, but would like a chute crank on the handle to adjust the direction of the snow without having to stop. Reviewers at Tractor Supply gave this Toro model a 4.7-star rating, and 96% of them would recommend it to others. One reviewer at Tractor Supply wanted is a fan of Toro snow blowers in general and likes the way the new one is easy to start.

YouTube reviewer Craig's Cuts appreciates the electric start option on this Toro model, which is an improvement versus the pull start-only option on a previous Toro model Craig's Cuts used. The curved shape of the handlebar is another nice improvement for generating a more comfortable grip, according to Craig's Cuts.