9 Best Electric Snow Shovels in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Shoveling snow used to be something that you did to build character as a child. You never saw it that way, but that’s likely what your parents said. Today, when you see a driveway and sidewalk covered in snow, you probably don’t get warm and fuzzy feelings, knowing that someone has to clear all that snow and that someone is you.

Luckily, we’re a long way from those days of bending over and shoveling by hand. Nowadays, we have useful technology to help us out in such situations. An electric snow shovel is one tool that can make your life infinitely easier when clearing snow. Just plug it in and let it take care of throwing the snow somewhere that will be less bothersome.

There are many electric snow shovels to choose from, and we want to ensure that yours won’t disappoint. So, we set out to test all the most popular brands and have reviews of each to save you the trouble of testing them yourself.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2023 Update)

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Earthwise SN70016 Electric Snow Shovel	Weighs just 16 pounds Powerful 12-amp motor Moves up to 430 pounds of snow per minute	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Snow Joe 323E Electric Snow Shovel	Weighs a mere 14 pounds Moves 400 pounds of snow each minute 2-year warranty	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Snow Joe 24V-SS11-XR Cordless Snow Shovel	Provides cordless freedom Weighs less than 12 pounds 2-year warranty	CHECK PRICE
		Greenworks 2600802 Corded Snow Shovel	Only 14 pounds Impressive 4-year warranty period Reasonably priced	CHECK PRICE
		Snapper XD Cordless Electric Snow Shovel	Provides freedom from cords 45-minute run time on a full battery	CHECK PRICE

The 9 Best Electric Snow Shovels

1. Earthwise SN70016 Electric Snow Shovel – Best Overall

Offering some of the most impressive performance we’ve seen from an electric snow shovel at a price that’s more affordable than most competing models, the Earthwise SN70016 was an easy pick for best overall. It has everything you’d hope for in a snow shovel, starting with the powerful 12-amp motor. The SN70016 moves up to 430 pounds of snow per minute with all that power.

You might expect it to be a behemoth, but it weighs just 16 pounds. Moving the device is very easy and won’t take much effort. Turn it on, and you can quickly clear a path through snow up to 8 inches deep. The path will be 16 inches wide, and the snow will land in its final resting place up to 30 feet from where you’re working.

The only downside of this machine is that it’s always tied to a power cord that you’ll need to supply, and it has a very short cord. A cordless device provides more freedom, but we don’t think it’s possible to cram in better performance at this reasonable price. To conclude, we think this is the best electric snow shovel available this year.

2. Snow Joe 323E Electric Snow Shovel – Best Value

Products don’t always have to be expensive to perform well. Take the Snow Joe 323E electric snow shovel, for instance. It is priced very reasonably, though it offers top-notch performance, which is why we think it’s one of the best electric snow shovels for the money.

But it’s not all perfect. Though the Snow Joe is very capable, it’s somewhat lacking in the power department. It can only throw snow 20 feet away, which is decent, but not the best we’ve seen. It has a limited clearing depth of just 6 inches, so it’s not the best choice for deep snow.

However, there’s more here to praise than critique. It represents the ultimate in ease of use with a low weight of just 14 pounds, making it easy to manage and maneuver. Despite the light weight, it has impressive capabilities and moves up to 400 pounds of snow each minute.

Like most similar machines, this one is tied to a power cord. But unlike competing models, the Snow Joe includes a 50-foot outdoor extension cord that will ensure you have plenty of reach. It also comes with a 2-year warranty.

3. Snow Joe 24V-SS11-XR Cordless Snow Shovel – Premium Choice

Compared to the other models we tested, the Snow Joe 24V-SS11-XR cordless snow shovel offers only adequate performance. It can throw snow to a maximum distance of 20 feet. The clearing path is similarly lackluster, with a clearing width of just 11 inches and a clearing depth of 7 inches. That’s not bad but not exactly impressive.

To top it off, it is a pretty expensive model. It costs more than the two models ranked higher on our list. So, why is this our premium choice? It comes down to flexibility and freedom. Unlike most other electric models, Snow Joe’s snow shovel isn’t tied to a power cord. Instead, it’s a completely cordless model that runs on battery power.

This provides a whole new level of freedom that we really love. However, you only get 22 minutes of run-time on a full charge, so it’s not a great tool if you have a large area to clear. It’s ultralight at just 12 pounds, and the 2-year warranty keeps it all protected, making for a great package overall. It’s our favorite snow shovel for clearing snow from small areas, and you won’t need an extension cord.

4. Greenworks 2600802 Corded Snow Shovel

This corded electric snow shovel from Greenworks is priced reasonably and has some great features, though it’s a bit underwhelming in the power department. The motor is just 8 amps, making it far weaker than our top choice at 12 amps. As a result, it can only throw snow to a maximum distance of 20 feet. Its maximum clearing rate is 300 pounds per minute. That’s not awful but is a far cry from the 430 pounds per minute our top pick is capable of.

Aside from the affordable price of the Greenworks snow shovel, there’s more to praise. It only weighs 14 pounds, making it easy to move around, even in the snow. Best of all, it includes the best warranty we’ve seen, which lasts 4 years. That dramatically increases the value of the Greenworks device in our eyes, though it’s not enough to earn it a spot in our top three.

5. Snapper XD Cordless Electric Snow Shovel

The Snapper XD electric snow shovel is a cordless machine that doesn’t rely on extension cords. You even get an impressive run-time of 45 minutes on a full battery. The problem is there are no batteries or chargers included with this device. It’s already one of the most expensive choices, but you’ll have to spend even more if you want it to work.

While most cordless tools are very light, the Snapper is much heavier than the corded models we tested at nearly 20 pounds. It’s also relatively underpowered, with a maximum clearing depth of 4 inches. It can only throw snow 20 feet and clears a path 12 inches wide. Overall, it’s not a great performer and certainly not a product we’d recommend over the others we’ve reviewed.

6. Toro 38361 Electric Snow Shovel/Thrower

The Toro 38361 is a must-have for the winter; if you don’t own one, and none of our top 5 tickle your fancy, we suggest investing in one of these. The Toro is so convenient and efficient that it almost makes clearing snow fun. It’s 12 inches long with an adjustable handle, and the angle of the handle can also be adjusted.

It’s very lightweight since it does not run on batteries. The cord is long so that you can reach farther on your patio or driveway. With this snow thrower, you can clear up to 4 inches of snow without the risk of clogging, and it throws the snow quite far.

The Toro 3861 will clear snow to the pavement with very little effort. It’s compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to handle and store. The adjustable handle is a real back saver. To get it working, you press the big red button and squeeze the handle. The handle must remain squeezed to keep the machine working, which can become uncomfortable.

7. Earthwise SN70010 Electric Snow Shovel

If you’re looking for a powerful snow thrower that’s efficient and lightweight, this is the one for you. The Earthwise 10-Inch Wide 9-Amp Electric Snow Thrower can remove up to 300 pounds of snow per minute. That’s a lot of snow!

It’s very comfortable to use due to the dual handle system. Despite its power, it’s lightweight and easy to store; you only have to hang it up or place it in your garage. It can clear snow with a 10-inch width and 5-inch depth, and it throws the snow 25 feet away, so you don’t have to clear a path twice.

The Earthwise snow thrower is really easy to operate, and it has a hook to secure the cord during operation. Assembling it can be a little tricky if you’re unsure what to do, but other than that, it’s a great machine and quite affordable.

8. XtremepowerUS Electric Snow Thrower

The XtremepowerUS 1600w Ultra Electric Snow Thrower is powerful and durable. The snow-throwing direction can be adjusted at a 180-degree angle, so you won’t have to worry about snow piling up on one side of the surface you’re clearing.

The cutter and blade are weather-resistant, and the blade is designed to prevent damage to pavement or decks. The glide wheels contribute to the ease of operation because you can maneuver in different directions. To start the machine, you only have to press a button.

The XtremepowerUS 1600W is not compact; storing it might be an issue. It’s also a bit heavy, so using it for a few minutes might feel like running a marathon. This snow thrower doesn’t do well on uneven surfaces and clogs easily.

9. Kobalt 40V Cordless Electric Snow-Shovel

For those who prefer speed above anything else, the Kobalt 40-Volt 12-in Single Cordless Electric Snow Blower is the ideal tool. It’s not only fast, but powerful, due to the 40-volt lithium battery.

The battery-operated Kobalt allows you to reach farther on your patio, sidewalk, or driveway. The interchangeable battery means you don’t have to wait for the battery to recharge to resume work; you can just slip in another battery. The blade isn’t sharp, so you’ll need a few passes before clearing snow, and the plastic auger is not durable.

The shovel is also very heavy, at 21 pounds, so operating it won’t be a walk in the park. It does not discharge the snow far enough, causing you to clear the same surface twice. It’s also not easy to store, and it damages the pavement and deck.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Electric Snow Shovel

Now, you might be ready to make a purchase and no longer require our assistance. If that’s you, great. But if you’re still on the fence and unsure which product is the right choice for your needs, our buyer’s guide is intended to help.

What to Consider When Choosing an Electric Snow Shovel

If you’re having a hard time deciding between models, it might help to get a better understanding of how to compare these devices. After testing so many, we have a good idea of what makes a winning machine and what constitutes a poor performer. Let’s take a closer look at the most important factors you should consider when deciding on an electric snow shovel.

Power

One of the most important aspects to consider is how much power each machine produces. Electric motors power the shovels, and each has an amperage rating that can tell you a bit about how much electricity it uses. But if you want to get the bigger picture, just look at the total volume of snow the machine can move per minute.

Some machines can move 300 feet of snow per minute. That sounds pretty good until you see machines that can move more than 400 feet of snow per minute. If you have a small area to clear, the difference between these might not be so noticeable. But if you’re clearing a large area, you’ll undoubtedly benefit from the extra power of a machine clearing 400 feet of snow per minute. It will help you get the job done much faster and return to what you’d rather do with your weekend.

Clearing Width

Another factor with a direct effect on how long it takes you to complete the job is the clearing width. The clearing width is how wide of a path your machine can clear in a single pass. A 12-inch clearing width is acceptable, but a 16-inch clearing width will help you clear a large area much faster.

Clearing Depth

If you live in a climate with only light snowfall, you might not see more than a few inches. For people living in climates with more snowfall, the clearing depth will be even more important to consider. It is the maximum depth of snow that your machine can clear.

We’ve tested machines with a max clearing depth of 4 to 8 inches. If you have deep snow, the machines with smaller max clearing depths quickly bog down and get clogged. Even with shallow snow, the machines with a deeper max clearing depth have an easier time and make faster work of it.

Throwing Distance

The snow you throw must go far enough to get out of your way. It doesn’t do much good to throw it all into an area you’ll just have to clear later. Therefore, the throwing distance is important.

Most machines we’ve seen offer an adequate throwing distance of 20 feet. Our favorite models can throw snow up to 30 feet, which is useful when clearing a large area.

Weight

None of these machines from our list are heavy, but there’s a noticeable difference between a 12-pound electric snow shovel and a 20-pound one. For some, this difference will be more pronounced. A lighter machine is more manageable and easier to maneuver. When you’re already dealing with snow, the benefit of a lightweight machine is substantial.

Cordless vs Corded Electric

While all of these snow shovels are electric, some are battery-powered and provide more freedom. Of course, they come with some drawbacks of their own.

Corded Electric Snow Shovel

Corded electric snow shovels are excellent tools. They’re lightweight, quiet, and can move an impressive amount of snow. Our favorites can move more than 400 pounds of snow per minute and throw it up to 30 feet away.

Unless you experience a power outage, you’ll never run out of power with a corded machine. However, you’ll always be tied to a power cord and limited to its length.

Cordless Electric Snow Shovel

There’s no question that cordless electric snow shovels are convenient. But then the battery dies, and you realize that a cordless machine limits your overall work time. They’re also less powerful, throwing snow a max distance of 20 feet and clearing far less snow per minute than corded models.

But these machines are often lighter than corded ones, weighing in as light as 12 pounds. It’s a tradeoff. You get more freedom and a lighter tool, but they’re more expensive and might leave you stranded with a dead battery.

Conclusion

Electric snow shovels are relatively new devices that will save a lot of time, energy, and a few bucks. We’re sure you’re excited to ditch the old shovel and let an electric tool do the hard work for you. Hopefully, our reviews have made it easier for you to decide which snow shovel is right for you, but we’ll leave you with our recommendations just in case.

Our favorite overall was the Earthwise SN7016. Although it only weighs 16 pounds, it manages to move an impressive 430 pounds of snow each minute. It clears a path that’s 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep and throws the snow up to 30 feet away.

For a budget-priced pick, we suggest the Snow Joe 323E. It weighs a meager 14 pounds but can move up to 400 pounds of snow per minute. It’s covered by a 2-year warranty and even includes a 50-foot extension cord. If you want to be free of cords and don’t mind paying a bit extra for the convenience, the Snow Joe 24V-SS11-XR is the perfect choice, providing cordless freedom in a 12-pound package.