Shovel The Sidewalk And Driveway Before Work With An Electric Snow Shovel

As the weather starts to get colder, it’s almost time for snow to hit the ground. While the first few weeks of snowfall aren’t too bad, a couple of months later and shoveling snow off your driveway, walkway, and porch will be part of your daily routine. 

If you’re rushing to get somewhere in the morning, having to shovel snow off your driveway manually is not only time-consuming, it’s also a massive pain. Invest in an electric snow shovel, however, and it’ll help make the process much easier. While you could purchase a snowblower, they’re generally more expensive, require regular maintenance, and are much heavier than an electric snow shovel. Furthermore, a shovel can help to clear smaller and more difficult to reach areas.

Electric snow shovels are usually powered with either a cord or a battery pack. It’s excellent at getting rid of smaller amounts of snow and is great for sidewalks, stairs, and even smaller driveways. They’re also smaller in width, lightweight, and easy to handle. Since these snow shovels are powered by electricity, you also won’t have to use as much physical strength to clear the area. 

Here, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about electric snow shovels. We’ll talk about how they work, the different types, and what you should consider when selecting your shovel. 

Related: Make Sure You’re Prepared For The Next Snowstorm With The Best Husqvarna Snow Blower

How Does an Electric Snow Shovel Work? 

It works quite similarly to a snowblower. When you turn on the power, your machine will suck up the snow and toss it to the side and out of your way. They’re usually around 12-inches wide and can be used for 6-8 inch deep snow. As they’re relatively compact, you can easily store your shovel indoors. 

Since these snow shovels run on electricity, they’ll either need to be plugged into a power source or have a rechargeable battery pack. Corded versions are usually more powerful than their battery counterparts, but are limited by their cord length. 

Why an Electric Snow Shovel? 

While snow blowers are great for larger areas, it’s not the best piece of equipment to use for steps, walkways, or decking as it’s hard to maneuver. An electric snow shovel will solve that problem since it’s lightweight, easy to use, and relatively affordable in price. 

What are the Different Types of Electric Snow Shovels? 

If you’re thinking of getting an electric snow shovel, it’s essential to know the different types. Furthermore, they all come with different features that distinguish one from the other. 

Power cord 

These are electric snow shovels that need to be plugged into a power outlet. While it can work with an extension cord, you’ll be limited by the length of the cord. You’ll also have to ensure that the cord doesn’t get tangled by accident. 

Battery

These run on a rechargeable battery pack and are limited by the amount of power it has left. You’ll also need to charge your snow shovels regularly. 

Adjustable handles 

Some electric snow shovels come with adjustable handles so you can move the handle up and down in accordance with your personal needs. 

Manual push vs. self-propelled shovels 

Manual push shovels require you to drive your snow shovel forward. While it sounds difficult, it isn’t, and most electric snow shovels come with this design. If you need a little more help with cutting through snow, you can opt for a self-propelled shovel instead. 

Headlight

Some models come with a single bright headlamp that you can use on darker mornings or nights. They can also help with illuminating your steps – a helpful safety measure. 

How to Choose the Best Electric Snow Shovel? 

When it comes to selecting your electric snow shovel, there are a couple of things that you’d need to take into consideration. 

The first thing you’d want to think about is the amount of snowfall that you receive. Electric snow shovels are fantastic, but they’re only good to handle snow that’s approximately 8 inches deep. For heavier snowfall, you’d want to look into getting a snowblower instead.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you’ve got accessible outdoor outlets. If you don’t, a battery-operated electric snow shovel might be a better choice. If you do, then you can select one with a power cord. 

You’ll also want to consider the size of your electric snow shovel. If you’ve got limited storing capacity, it’s a good idea to go for an average-sized shovel that you can store indoors. Some of them are even small enough to be stored in the closet. 

The last thing to think about is whether or not pushing a shovel is a difficult task. If it is, you should consider a rear-wheel powered electric shovel to make movement a little easier. Overall, however, it’s much easier to shovel snow with electric snow shovels than a traditional shovel. 

Top 5 Best Electric Snow Shovels

Cordless Brushless Snow Shovel Kit

This particular snow shovel comes with numerous features that’ll have you prepared for winter. It runs on battery, so it’s cordless and delivers up to 52 minutes of runtime. It’s also whisper-quiet, so you won’t have to worry about waking up your neighbors when you use it in the morning. 

When it comes to shoveling snow, this electric snow shovel comes with a heavy-duty, two-blade paddle auger and throws snow up to 25-feet. It also has both a lightweight and ergonomic design, along with an adjustable handle. No maintenance is required, and just the push of a button will get your electric snow shovel going. 

Those that have purchased it mentioned that it’s fantastic at being able to clean their steps and deck. Some likened it to a mini snowblower and mentioned that it’s portable, lightweight, strong, cordless, and throws snow effectively. 

Pros: 

  • Heavy-duty 
  • Portable 
  • Battery-operated 
  • Throws snow up to 25 feet 

Cons: 

  • Assembly is a little tricky 

Greenworks 12-Inch 8 Amp Corded Snow Shovel

If you’re looking for a corded electric snow blower, this is a great option. It comes with an 8 amp electric motor, and all you’ve got to do is press a button to start your electric snow shovel. Since it’s lightweight and compact, you can easily store it in tight spaces, and it even has an adjustable handle for added comfort and control. 

In terms of distance, this electric snow blower can throw snow up to 20-feet and has a 12-inch shoveling width. It’s great for moving snow in a short period, and plenty of customers have said that it makes snow removal much easier. They also like how it’s inexpensive and not that difficult to use – even if you’ve never used an electric snow shovel before. 

Pros: 

  • 8 amp electric motor 
  • Lightweight and compact 
  • Comes with an adjustable handle 
  • Moves snow in a short period of time 

Cons: 

  • Not ideal for those that aren’t keen on working with an extension cord 

Toro Power Shovel 7.5 Amp Electric Snow Thrower

This highly rated electric snow shovel comes with a curved rotor and inverted funnel housing that’ll help efficiently remove snow. It has a 7.5amp electric motor that’s great for sidewalks, patios, stairs, and more. It’s able to clear about 4-inches of snow in about 20-minutes and clean pavements that are up to 12-inches wide and 6-inches deep. 

Since it’s incredibly lightweight, maneuvering, it is not an issue. It’s also durable thanks to its plastic body and adjustable metal handle. As a bonus, the electric snow shovel is also rust-resistant and comes with a two-year warranty if you run into any issues. This snow shovel also features a cord-lock system to ensure that your cord doesn’t become unplugged during use. 

Individuals that have purchased this snow shovel mentioned that it’s a powerful tool that requires no maintenance. They also appreciated how light the unit was, and was able to eject about 12-24 inches of snow at a time. 

Pros: 

  • Lightweight 
  • Durable 
  • Comes with a two-year warranty 
  • Features a cord-lock system 

Cons: 

  • Some have mentioned that the wheels are a tad too small 

Earthwise Electric Corded 12Amp Snow Shovel

This powerful electric snow shovel comes with a 12-amp motor and can move up to 430 pounds of snow in a single minute. It has a 16″ snow clearing width, 8″ snow cleaning depth, and a 30″ snow throwing distance. Other great features of this snow shovel include its auxiliary handle, rear wheels, and thermal protection. 

No tools are required for assembly, so you can put together this electric snow shovel easily. The handle can also be adjusted to your preferred comfort and height. To start your electric snow shovel, all you need to do is turn on the safety switch. 

Those that have purchased it mentioned that it’s a great electric snow shovel that’s reasonably priced, efficient, and throws snow a long distance. Customers have also noted that it’s portable and light, so you can carry it with one hand with minimal effort. 

Pros: 

  • Lightweight 
  • Powerful 
  • No tools required for assembly 
  • Adjustable handle 

Cons: 

  • You cannot throw the snow exactly where you want 

Snow Joe 323E 13-Inch 10-Amp Electric Snow Shovel

Last on the list is this versatile electric snow shovel that’s great for snow pickups in various areas, from sidewalks to patios and steps. It comes with a 10-amp motor and can move 400 pounds of snow in a minute. It has an ergonomic design along with an adjustable handle for user comfort. 

Other great features include the paddle auger that can cut snow that’s up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches deep along with an easily accessible instant start button. Customers that have bought this are happy with their purchase and mentioned that it does the job for the price paid and requires less work and lifting than a regular shovel. Others have also said that it’s comfortable and clears snow efficiently. 

Pros: 

  • Versatile 
  • Ergonomic design 
  • Instant start button 
  • Clears snow efficiently 

Cons: 

  • Not suitable for wet and heavy snow

Bottom Line 

We hope that this article has provided you with some additional insight into electric snow shovels. These are great to purchase if you don’t want to buy a heavy snow blower or have to shovel manually. Just a quick reminder, however, that electric snow shovels aren’t great for areas with constant, heavy snowfall. 

Otherwise, they’re an ideal choice to cut your shoveling time in half with minimal effort. Whether you choose to purchase a battery-powered or corded option, both can help successfully toss snowfall out of the way and keep those areas clear, snow-free, and safe. 

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