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Cheap Snow Blowers, Best Cheap Snow Blower Review

Contents Buying Guide » What to Look For » What to Expect »

Best Cheap Snow Blowers Good Cheap Snow blowers Toro Power Shovel 38361 starting at $99 Toro 1800 Power Curve 38025 starting at $299 Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700 starting at $330 Yard Machines Electric Snow Fox 31B-040-800 starting at $158 Troy-Bilt Squall 2100 starting at $480 Don't Bother Cheap Snow Blowers  »

Cheap Snow Blowers Buying Guide

With winter upon us, so is the snow. If you don't have much time or energy to devote to the back-aching chore of shoveling your driveway, a snow blower (a.

k.a. snow thrower) is a smart investment. High-end, professional-grade snow blowers, like the Ariens ST32DLET and the Ariens ST36DLE can set you back thousands of dollars. Stepping down a few rungs, you can find medium and high-end one- and two-stage gas-powered snow blowers from manufacturers like Honda and John Deere, but these are also pricey unless you find a used snow blower in good condition.

In the cheap snow blower category, there's a good selection of consumer-grade models capable of clearing light to moderate snowfall from small and medium-sized properties. At the very bottom of the market are power shovels, the smallest and cheapest snow blowers that are designed for very light snow and very small areas, such as patios and short walks. Manufacturers to look for at the cheap snow blowers end of the market include Toro, MTD Yard Machines, and Craftsman.

When you start assessing your snow removal needs, experts suggest you overestimate snowfall in your area because machines with insufficient oomph will be ineffective when the snow really starts coming down. Also remember to factor in other variables, particularly the type and size of the surface you'll be clearing along with snowfall frequency. The guide that follows will help you find the best cheap snow blower (for light to moderate snowfalls) that's best suited to your property and geographic location.

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What to Look for: Cheap Snow Blowers Features

Cheap Snow Blower Types.

Snow blowers are electric- or gas-powered, and single-stage or two-stage. Let's start with a short discussion of the pros and cons of electric vs. gas. Note that each type of snow thrower has its partisans, so the choice of which to buy depends on factors like the amount and frequency of snowfall, what areas you'll be clearing, and your comfort level with the two different types of machines.

Electric snow blowers

, like the Toro Power Shovel 38361 Electric Snow Thrower (starting at $99, Amazon), Toro 1800 Power Curve 38025 (starting at $299, Amazon), and Yard Machines (12.5") 8.5-Amp Electric Snow Fox 31B-040-800 (starting at $158, Amazon), are quieter, lighter, and cheaper. Electric snow blowers and snow shovels start up right away (regardless of the outside temperature) and are almost maintenance-free. On the other hand, electric snow blowers require an electric cord, and that means you need access to an outlet. You'll also need an extension cord meant for outdoor use, but don't count on going much farther than 150 feet from the power source. Users also caution that the cord sometimes comes unplugged and must be attended to so you don't inadvertently run over it.

Gas snow blowers

, like the Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700 (starting at $330, Amazon) and Troy-Bilt Squall 2100 (starting at $480, Amazon), are heavier, noisier, messier, more powerful, and more expensive. They're better suited for larger areas because there's nothing to restrict your movement, and they perform better in snowier conditions because their engines are generally larger and tougher. Gas models require a fair amount of maintenance, however, including the ongoing need to feed the engine with fuel. And they can be a bear to start in extremely cold weather.

One-stage vs. two-stage snow blowers

. The experts at Snowblowersdirect.com note that single-stage models are the most common type of cheap snow blower for residential areas. Single-stage snow blowers clear snow with a fast-moving auger (or a rotor in some models) that contacts the ground and, in one motion, sends snow through an adjustable discharge chute. Because single-stage blowers scrape the ground, they can only be used on paved or smooth surfaces (otherwise they'll spew out rocks and other debris). Cheap single-stage snow blowers can be electric- or gas-powered; all the models we researched and recommend are single-stage snow throwers.

If your property is large and/or the snow-covered surface you'll be clearing is unpaved, you'll need a two-stage snow blower. Aside from several moderately-priced two-stage models from Ariens (the Ariens Sno-tek Two-Stage 22-Inch Recoil Snow Blower starts at $499 and the Ariens Sno-Tek Consumer ST24 starts at $699), two-stage snow blowers (also known as dual-stage) frequently retail for more than $1,000. Two-stage snow blowers are always gas-powered and are generally much larger than one-stage models. They can be used on gravel driveways or rocky terrain, and can handle much greater accumulations of snow. While two-stage snow blowers are similar to single-stage models in that both use a spinning auger to churn up snow, the auger on a two-stage model does not touch the ground. (If you live in an area with really heavy snowfall and drive a truck or an SUV you might also want to consider buying a shovel that attaches to the front of your vehicle.)

One more thing to know about gas-powered snow blowers: Gas engines are classified as two-stroke (also known as two-cycle) or four-stroke (or four-cycle). A two-stroke engine, hard to find in the low-end consumer market, requires premixing oil with fuel before filling the tank. A four-stroke engine, like that on the Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700, the Troy-Bilt Squall 2100, and most other economical gas-powered snow throwers, doesn't require any premixing. Four-stroke engines also produce a cleaner burn than two-stroke engines.

Inexpensive Snow Blowers Engine Size.

Manufacturers often list the engine power of cheap snow blowers in cc's (cubic centimeters) or amps, which can get confusing when comparing models. CC's refer to the amount of volume of piston displacement in a gas-powered engine -- the higher the displacement, the more powerful the engine. The same is true for the amp rating in electric motors -- the higher the number of amps (a unit of measure for electric current), the more powerful the motor.

Opinions vary among users and experts on the usefulness of engine power ratings. Expert snow blower reviews note that anything less than eight amps in an electric model is too weak to move snow out of the way. A slew of satisfied consumers, on the other hand, post positive power shovel reviews on Amazon about the Snow Joe 322 (starting at $90, Amazon) and the Toro Power Shovel 38361, which both have 7.5-amp motors; users say these snow power shovels are superb for light snowfall on small, paved areas. If you want to buy a little extra insurance, you can move up a notch to cheap snow throwers sporting motors of at least 8 amps, such as the Yard Machines 31B-040-800 Snow Fox. If you expect four to six inches of the white stuff every time it snows, you may prefer a cheap snow blower with a bigger motor, like the 12-amp Toro 1800 Power Curve, which clears an 18-inch path and has a cutting depth of 10 inches.

Frequent snows, greater quantities, and larger areas to clear probably call for a gas-powered engine. Most cheap snow blowers that run on gasoline are more powerful than inexpensive electric snow blowers. We found one snow thrower -- the Toro Power Clear 180 (starting at $400, Amazon) -- with a small 87cc engine. More typical at the low-cost end of the gas-engine category are the Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700 and (single-stage) Craftsman 21" path Snow Blower (starting at $360, Amazon) with their 123cc engines, or the Troy-Bilt Squall 2100 with its 208cc engine. One satisfied user who chose the Troy-Bilt over units with smaller engines notes in his snow blowers review on Amazon that several Michigan storms didn't tax the Squall's capabilities. The Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700 handles light snowfalls with relative ease, according to consumers posting snow blower reviews on Home Depot, but can get bogged down in heavier and/or wetter accumulations. The bottom line: If you live in a region that gets socked with big snows, you should probably opt for a brawnier and costlier gas-fed snow blower.

Cheap Snow Throwers Clearing Width.

The clearing width for cheap single-stage snow blowers usually ranges from 11 inches to 24 inches. You can pretty much figure that a wider clearing width will get the job done faster; if the snow is deep, however, you may have to cut a narrower path. Among quality discount snow throwers, the Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700 and Troy-Bilt Squall 2100 each clear a 21-inch path, and the Toro 1800 Power Curve blows out a path 18 inches wide. Electric snow shovels have smaller clearing widths: the Yard Machines Snow Fox and Toro Power Shovel 38361 feature clearing widths of 12.5 inches.

Budget Snow Blowers Weight.

Cheap snow blowers come in a range of sizes. Power shovels are the lightest and smallest snow throwers; the Toro Power Shovel 38361 weighs just 12.5 pounds and the Yard Machines 31B-040-800 Snow Fox weighs in at 20 pounds. Electric single-stage snow blowers, like the 24-pound Toro 1800 Power Curve, are larger and heavier than power shovels. Gas-powered single-stage models, including the 69-pound Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700, are heavier still.

Low-cost Snow Blowers Throw Distance.

Snow blowers are a bit like ball players: some have a longer reach than others. When assessing how far you want your snow blower to throw, experts suggest choosing a model that can manage at least half the width of your driveway (or whatever area you plan to clear). The throw distance for cheap snow blowers typically ranges between 20 and 30 feet, although consumers report that the less snow, the shorter the throw. Users are pleased with the 25-feet or so straight-on throw of the Yard Machines 31B-040-800 Snow Fox, but note that its reach shrinks by two-thirds when you position the chute facing left or right. One consumer posting a snow blower review on Amazon suggests clearing long driveways on a diagonal with the chute facing forward to avoid moving the same snow two or even three times.

Discount Snow Blowers Chutes.

As a snow blower flings snow into the air, the wintry white stuff passes through a raised chute. Plastic is the material of choice on budget snow blowers. On high-end machines, the chute is often made of carbon/polymer, which is more resistant to rusting and doesn't need to be replaced as often as plastic, a problem for which owners seek help on Abbysguide.com. Another frequent complaint about snow blowers is chutes that clog with snow, forcing you to stop the machine and clean out the passageway (use an implement, not your hands!).

Do insist on a chute you can adjust; that is, aim left, right, or center as you change directions while clearing your property. Some Yard Machines and Toro models feature a 180-degree or 160-degree rotation, respectively, which lets you position the chute anywhere along that arc. High-end machines often feature an electric/remote-controlled chute, while most inexpensive models require that you manually adjust or crank the chute into the desired position.

Inexpensive Snow Blowers Frills.

Gas-powered snow blowers can be tricky to start, especially in very cold weather. They usually rely on a recoil starter (picture your lawn mower) that may require multiple pulls of the cord to get the engine going. A convenient alternative is a model featuring an electric push-button starter, which not only requires less effort but also gets results on the first try. The Troy-Bilt Squall 2100 scores points with users posting snow blower reviews on the company website for providing this handy extra.

Many expensive, two-stage snow blowers have multiple speed settings -- a superficially appealing feature but one that isn't really necessary; the two-stage 24-inch Craftsman 179cc (starting at $600, Amazon), for example, features six adjustable forward speeds and two reverse speeds. But as one operator of the Ariens Sno-tek Two-Stage 22 Inch (starting at $500, Amazon) notes on Home Depot, anything faster than the existing single speed probably wouldn't cut through deep snow. Some tasks just require a bit of patience.

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What to Expect: Cheap Snow Blowers Performance

Inexpensive Snow Blowers Snow Clearing.

The whole point of using a snow blower is effective snow removal; the last thing you want to do is ask a family member or housemate to follow behind with a snow shovel. Several cheap snow blowers garner strong user reviews in this critical dimension despite minor grumbles about snow not being ejected far enough when the chute is positioned to the side or struggles with dense snow or ice.

Among cheap electric snow blowers, users really like the Toro 1800 Power Curve for its light weight and performance even in snow depths that exceed its stated 10-inch capacity. Consumers posting snow blowers reviews on Pricegrabber and Target report that this bargain model easily handles powdery snow, requires some patience with the wet stuff, and cuts through the snow pack left by the street plow if you proceed slowly and make several passes over the area. The Yard Machines 31B-040-800 Snow Fox exceeds owners' expectations, according to snow blower user reviews on sites like Amazon and Rateitall, despite its low price and small engine. Users say it throws powdery snow up to six inches far out of your way and works a bit harder on wet or deeper snow (one owner suggests attacking deep snowfalls in layers). Experts, on the other hand, say this model is too narrow and underpowered for serious snow removal but suggest it as a supplement for areas like decks, patios, or pathways. Another low-price snow blower, the Toro Power Shovel 38361, wins high praise in cheap snow thrower reviews on Amazon and Home Depot for its speedy demise of up to several inches of fluffy white stuff. Users report this budget model throws snow about 15 feet or so straight on (unless you tilt the unit at an angle) and can layer away deeper snow but lacks the muscle for packed or heavy snow. Despite its impressive performance-to-price ratio, users say the need to hold down the power button and the trigger pulled to keep the unit running tires out your hand rather quickly.

Moving up to the heftier, gas-powered group of inexpensive snow blowers, the relatively new Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700 gets mixed reviews from users posting on Amazon, but stronger support from cheap snow blowers reviews on Northern Tool. This moderately heavy (nearly 69 pounds) model does a decent job in light snow and is easy to push, owners say, but some gripe that it leaves too much snow on the ground. Users generally praise the Troy-Bilt Squall 2100 for its easy start (either with the pull cord or power button) and clean sweep of moderate snowfalls. One snow blowers review on the Lowe's site reports clearing eight inches of snow from a 3½ car driveway took less than 30 minutes. Some owners, however, comment on the Troy-Bilt site that packed wet snow clogs the chute and sometimes gets churned into snow balls.

Then there are the cheap snow blowers that just can't cut it -- the snow, that is. Consumers posting snow blowers reviews on Amazon and Sears dismiss the Snow Joe 622U, calling it an underachiever that struggles to eat into several inches of snow and then barely spits it out of your way despite product claims of moving hundreds of pounds of snow a minute and throwing it far and wide. The single-stage Craftsman 123cc 21"-path also generates a multitude of negative comments, with snow blower reviews by users on Sears complaining that it stalls, lacks sufficient power to clear heavy snow, and vibrates so much that the chute keeps moving out of position.

Cheap Snow Blowers Maintenance.

Many little parts go into making a snow blower, so frugal consumers will certainly want to maintain their investment.

Cheap gas-powered snow blowers are more time-consuming and costly to maintain than cheap electric-powered models. The primary reason is that gas-powered machines must be fueled with gasoline and lubricated with oil. Four-stoke models are much like cars -- each liquid is deposited into a separate tank. The care and feeding of two-stroke engines, by contrast, requires careful mixing of the oil and gas at a specified ratio before pouring the blend into the tank. Also, you should completely empty the tank at the end of the season and recharge the spark plugs about every two years.

Regardless of the power source, you must attend to the tires, which require a certain air pressure to function properly. Snow blower experts warn consumers to avoid using an air compressor to inflate tires. Instead, they recommend a portable electric tire inflator or manual pump to avoid over-inflation and the risk of popping.

Before purchasing an inexpensive snow blower, make sure replacement parts are available online or at the hardware store because you'll probably need to replace a part or two during the machine's lifetime. The auger is particularly prone to wear and tear from constantly hitting the ground. Experts at Snowthrowersafety.com remind users to make sure the gap between the auger and the housing is less than half an inch.

When winter finally arrives and it's time to pull the snow blower out of summer storage, give it a careful once-over before revving up. The Snowblowerguide.com experts say you should tighten all hardware (do this periodically throughout the season) and check the manual for directions on operating the machine after it's been out of commission for a while. If you have a gas-powered model and there is still fuel in the tank, empty it out and slowly add fresh fuel.

Low-cost Snow Blowers Durability/Lifespan.

How well you maintain and care for your budget snow thrower, as well as the frequency of use, affects its lifespan. With proper care, the Gilson Snowblower Shop says a low-cost snow thrower should last at least 10 years. One seemingly well-informed consumer review of snow-blower engines on Epinions notes that two-stroke gas-powered models don't last as long as four-stroke machines (the latter being most common for residential use, anyway). Although budget snow blowers generally come with a one- or two-year warranty, that won't do you any good when there's six inches of snow sitting on your driveway. One satisfied owner notes on Amazon that the Yard Machines 31B-040-800 Snow Fox has operated perfectly for more than three years. The Toro 1800 Power Curve found a repeat buyer when a 12-year-old model passed over a hidden rock and broke, according to a customer review on Target.

But some low-priced snow blowers present problems from the get go. According to several snow blowers reviews by users on Amazon, the Snow Joe 622U breaks down after one or two uses and generally performs poorly. And despite its "Best Buy" medal on Sears.com, some users complain about the durability of the one-stage Craftsman 123cc 21" snow thrower, saying this one also breaks down after a few uses and sometimes won't start in very cold temperatures.

Cheap Snow Blowers Noise.

As you might guess, the less powerful the snow blower, the quieter it is. Regardless of size, electric snow blowers generate much less noise than gas-powered models, and among cheap electric-powered models, power shovels are the quietest. Some owners report they can even use their snow blowers in the evening without bothering neighbors. We did not find user reports of excessive noise from the cheap snow blowers that we researched.

One Final Note.

It's a good idea to survey your property before the first snowfall to collect any objects lying around and to place markers indicating where gardens and small shrubs are. This way you avoid damaging your belongings, your plants, and your machine when you clear away the snow.

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Products Mentioned in This Review

Snow Joe 622U 19-Inch 13 Amp Electric Snow Thrower
Craftsman 123cc 21
Yard Machines Electric Snow Fox 31B-040-800
Troy-Bilt Squall 2100
Toro Power Shovel 38361
Toro 1800 Power Curve 38025
Yard Machines 31A-2M1A700

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