8 Best Small Snow Blowers (Lightweight & Compact) – Reviews 2023

Don’t you hate having your sidewalk and driveway covered in snow and being forced to lug out a giant snow blower to clear it? A small, portable snow blower is the better option. You’ll still have to plow snow, but at least it won’t be a struggle from the moment you get it out of your garage.

You may have noticed countless small snow blowers on the market and wondered where to start. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve compiled a list of the eight best small snow blowers, with reviews of each one. There’s also a buying guide about which features to look for. Read on to find the best small snow blower for your needs.

Comparison of Our Favorite Products in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		The Toro 38381 Compact 18-inch	Number-one brand of snowblower in the US Curved rotor moves more snow in less time Throws snow up to 30 ft	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		WEN 5662	Throws up to 490 lbs. of snow per minute Throws snow up to 20 feet away Lightweight with six-inch wheels	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Craftsman 179cc Electric Start	Gas engine with push-button electric start Easy mobility when not throwing snow Clears snow up to 13 inches deep	CHECK PRICE
Best Electric Snow Shovel		Toro 38361 Power Shovel	5-amp electric snow blower Blows snow up to 20 feet Moves up to 300 pounds of snow per minute	CHECK PRICE
		Earthwise SN74018	Attached dual LED lights Up to 30-foot throwing distance Rotate discharge direction without stopping	CHECK PRICE

The 8 Best Small Snow Blowers

1. Toro Compact Electric Snow Blower – Best Overall

The Toro 38381 Compact 18-inch Electric Snow Blower is one of the best snow blowers because it’s lightweight but still powerful. It’s the number-one brand of snow blower in the U.S. for a reason: It can move up to 700 pounds of snow per minute. The curved rotor moves more snow in less time and can throw it up to 30 ft. We liked that it has a chute lever that allows you to adjust where the snow gets tossed. The motor is 15 amps and has an 18-inch clearance, which is great for sidewalks and driveways.

The only problem we found with this one is that it’s not designed for deep snow. It can handle light snow accumulation with no problem, but deep snow can clog it and prevent it from clearing. Despite this, we think this is the best overall small snow blower on the market this year.

2. WEN 5662 Electric Snow Thrower – Best Value

The WEN 5662 Snow Blaster is our best blower for the-money pick because it’s nearly as powerful as our number-one choice but costs less. It can throw up to 490 pounds of snow per minute and has a 13.5-amp motor, which is fairly powerful. The 18-inch clearance is great for sidewalks and driveways. It can throw snow up to 20 feet away, which is far enough to clear the typical driveway. The snow chute is easy to adjust, so you can change the angle and direction the snow blows. It’s also lightweight and has 6-inch wheels.

The WEN Snow Blaster has the same problem as the previous snow blower: It’s not to be used in deep snow. It can be used in heavy snowstorms, but you must stay on top of the snow accumulation and not let it get too deep. It also does better with powdery snow. Slush causes it to clog.

Single stage vs Two-stage snow blow – How to choose?

3. Craftsman 179cc Gas Powered Snow Blower – Premium Choice

We like the Craftsman 179cc Electric Start Single Stage Gas Powered Snow Blower as a premium option. For starters, the push-button electric start is convenient. It’s also easy to maneuver when it’s not throwing snow and has a 21-inch clearance. The special Snow Claw Auger grips the pavement to provide more stability. The engine is high-powered and well-made, and it can clear snow up to 13 inches deep.

We noticed a couple of problems with this model, however. It can ice up easily around the battery, which can affect the electric start. It can also be difficult to push in deep snow, so it requires a great deal of strength.

4. Toro 38361 Power Shovel – Best Electric Snow Shovel

The Toro 38361 Power Shovel is a great lightweight option, as it only weighs 12.5 pounds. The curved rotor and inverted funnel housing efficiently remove snow and reduce clogging. At only 7.5 amps, it doesn’t require vast amounts of electricity. It can move up to 300 pounds of snow per minute and blow snow up to 20 feet.

This power shovel is best used in small areas with light snow, as it doesn’t handle deep snow well. The motor isn’t that powerful, and the unit overall is limited in maneuverability.

5. Earthwise Small Electric Snow Blower

For a cordless option, we recommend the Earthwise Small SN74018 Cordless Electric, which comes with a battery and charger. It has attached dual LED lights so you can see what you’re doing at night. It has an 18-inch clearing width and a 12-inch clearing depth, so it does well with sidewalks and small driveways. It can throw up to 500 pounds of snow per minute, up to 30 feet. You can also rotate the discharge direction without having to stop.

Despite the advantages of this cordless model, we encountered a few problems. One is that it’s difficult to assemble, and the directions are confusing. This is also not the best model for deep snow or snow with a hard top crust. The model isn’t powerful enough to handle either condition.

6. Snow Joe Electric Stage Snow Thrower

This model of Snow Joe has a powerful 15-amp motor that can clear up to 720 pounds of snow per minute, up to 25 feet. It has a decent clearing width of 18 inches and a depth of 10 inches. We also liked that it includes headlamps for blowing snow at night.

This model shouldn’t be used for deep snow, however. It also clogs easily with wet snow. The quality is also questionable since there are many plastic parts. Lastly, you’ll have to buy an all-weather extension cord since one isn’t included.

7. Snow Joe Electric Snow Thrower

This is an even more compact model of the Snow Joe, with an 11-amp motor that can still move up to 440 pounds of snow per minute. We liked the 180-degree adjustable chute that allows you to change the direction that the snow is thrown easily. It can toss snow up to 20 feet, and its compact wheels allow for easy maneuverability.

Unfortunately, this model is another one that’s unsuitable for deep snow. It’s also not for clearing large areas, as it can only clear a 15-inch-wide, 8-inch-deep space at a time. The quality is questionable, as it clogs easily, especially in thicker snow.

8. Greenworks Corded Snow Thrower

The Greenworks Snow Thrower has a moderately-powerful 13-amp motor capable of clearing a 20-inch width of space 10 inches deep. Like the Snow Joe, its chute is adjustable, so you can easily change the direction that the snow is being thrown, which can be up to 20 feet.

However, one of the biggest problems with this model is the battery. It’s not made for cold weather. The instructions state that it must be stored at room temperature, and if the snow blower has trouble starting, you must take the battery inside to warm it up for 10 minutes or longer. Obviously, this is inconvenient when you’re trying to blow snow in cold weather. It’s also not made for deep snow and clogs easily. Because of its small wheels, it’s difficult to push through the snow. Lastly, it’s made of many plastic parts, so the quality is questionable.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Small Snow Blower

If you’re searching for a lightweight and compact snow blower, there are certain features and options to look for. To help you navigate the market for snow blowers, we’ve created a buying guide. Here’s what you need to know.

Clearance Width

The clearance width refers to how wide an area the snow blower can clear in one go. The minimum clearance width you want for small snow blowers is 18 inches. That will allow you to clear your sidewalk easily and blow the snow from a standard driveway with just a few passes.

Throwing Distance

Like the clearance width, the throwing distance is crucial because it gives you an idea of how far the snow will be cleared. For your driveway, the minimum you want the snow blower to throw snow is 20 feet. That way, the snow can pile up on the edges of your driveway.

Pounds of Snow Moved

This refers to the amount of snow the snow blower can get through per minute. Our number-one choice can move 700 lbs. of snow per minute, so you’ll spend less time out in the cold clearing the snow.

Electric or Gas

There are advantages to both, but gas models are more powerful than electric snow blowers. Electric blowers are light, compact, and quiet. Gas models are louder, heavier, and require fuel. An electric snow blower will have a cord that will restrict your movement and keep you tied to an outlet. But that may be a small price to pay to keep from having to deal with the smelly emissions, oil changes, and loud volume of a gas snow blower.

Special Features

Extras include changing the direction and angle of where the snow is blowing.

Conclusion

The Toro 38381 Compact 18-inch Electric Snow Blower is our best overall choice because it’s the number-one brand of snow blower in the U.S. It’s lightweight and powerful, capable of throwing up to 700 pounds of snow per minute. It can toss snow up to 30 feet, and it has an adjustable lever so you can control where the snow goes.

The WEN 5662 Snow Blaster is our best-value pick because it’s nearly as powerful as the Toro. It throws up to 490 pounds of snow per minute and has an 18-inch clearance. The snow chute is easy to adjust and can throw snow up to 20 feet. We hope our reviews and buying guide have made it easier for you to narrow down your list of snow blowers .

You might also be interested in:

• 5 Best Budget Snow Blowers – Reviews & Buying Guide
• 7 Best 24 Inch Snow Blowers – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
• 5 Best Snowblowers under $500 – Top Picks & Reviews

Featured Image Credit: JillWellington, pixabay