Love it or loathe it, snow clearance is a necessary chore for many homeowners when it accumulates on driveways, walkways, and yards. But what is the best way to clear the snow?
Do you use a snow shovel or invest in a snow blower? One may clear larger areas quickly and take less physical toll, but it is an expensive outlay that requires ongoing maintenance. A snow shovel is budget-friendly, takes up less space, and is great for tight spots, but it can be hard work.
If you are facing the decision of how to remove snow from a driveway in the future, we want to help you pick a side in the battle of snow blower vs snow shovel. I spoke to some gardening and yard work experts to reveal the pros and cons of both options, plus the factors you need to consider when choosing whether to use a snow shovel or a snow blower
Snow blower vs snow shovel – everything you need to know
Choosing the best way to shovel snow depends on several key considerations: the volume of snow you get in a typical winter, the size of your yard or driveway, your budget, and your physical fitness. Below, we see how each of those helps determine the choice of a snow blower vs snow shovel.
If you do get a lot of snow each winter, it may be worthwhile getting a snow measurement stick (like this 24-inch snowfall measuring gauge at Amazon) to reveal how much fresh snow has fallen, as well as essential garden tools to clear it.
Pros and cons of a snow blower
Snow blowers are an ideal machine for large driveways, walkways, and areas that get frequent, heavy snow. They can quickly clear moderate to heavy snowfall, working efficiently in both wet and deep snow.
It is not just time that snow blowers save, but also physical strain. Michael Clarke, a horticulturist and founder of Yardwork, points out how they can be easier on the body and a more attractive option to some homeowners.
He says, ‘Snow blowers provide low physical effort, which is great for people who want to avoid heavy lifting or have back or heart concerns.’
While snow blowers are great for large areas, using a snow blower to clear light snowfall could be considered overkill. The machines are also inconvenient for smaller areas or ones with paths and steps.
Another downside to snow blowers is the upfront and ongoing costs, whether you get a single or a two-stage snow blower. ‘They are expensive with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars,’ adds Michael. ‘Plus, they require regular maintenance to run properly.’ On top of cost, they are bulky machines that require storage space.
Some homeowners may be turned off by how loud snow blowers are. You can use electric models, which are quieter than gas-powered ones, but it is advisable to check HOA rules for power tool noise restrictions and the use of gas-powered machinery.
Shop snow blowers
This electric snow blower has a 15-amp motor, a 20-inch clearing width, 12-inch clearing depth, and 25-foot throwing distance. It also has a 180-degree rotating chute.
This battery-powered snow blower has a 16-inch clearing width and an eight-inch clearing depth. It comes with a battery and charger included.
This snow blower has a 208cc 4-cycle OHV engine and clears snow with a 24-inch clearing width and 20-inch depth. Its rotating chute can throw snow up to 40 feet.
Pros and cons of a snow shovel
A snow shovel is a more inexpensive option that offers an efficient way to clear snow in smaller or tighter spaces. For example, they are great for removing snow from decks, patios, and stairs.
Furthermore, snow shovels are better for certain types of materials, such as shovelling snow off gravel, where using a snow blower risks throwing stones that can shatter nearby windows or damage property.
Snow shovels are easy to store and require no ongoing maintenance, plus they are much quieter to use, and you won’t have to worry about HOA regulations regarding noise or emissions.
However, they do require lots of effort and time if you are clearing larger spaces after moderate to heavy snowfall. And that physical effort can add up if you get frequent snowfall.
‘Shovelling can be physically demanding, especially with heavy snow or when clearing larger areas,’ warns Chris Ramos from Blain's Farm & Fleet. ‘And you can hurt yourself if you're not using the correct technique.’
‘It also doesn't work well in wet, heavy snow or deep snow and doesn't throw snow as far as a snow blower,’ adds Michael.
Shop snow shovels
This lightweight snow shovel has a 20-inch wide graphite blade and a D-grip handle to help make clearing snow comfortable and efficient.
This snow shovel has a 20-inch wide blade and an assist handle to reduce the strain while using the tool.
This snow shovel is 36 inches wide and made of hard-wearing materials. The flip side of the blade is angled for chopping away packed snow and ice.
How to choose between a snow blower and a snow shovel
If you are running through the conundrum of snow blower vs snow shovel in your mind, here are a few factors to consider that should help you come to a decision.
There are certain aspects to consider when picking between the two, including the size of the area that needs clearing, the amount of snow you typically deal with, and your physical condition.
Chris Ramos recommends focusing initially on the space and the snow levels. ‘A snow blower makes sense for long driveways or heavy accumulation, especially if you want to minimize physical strain,’ he claims. ‘If you're only clearing walkways or steps and prefer a budget-friendly, low-maintenance tool, a snow shovel may be the better fit.’
If you have a large area and may struggle to handle the physical exertion of clearing that size of area with a shovel, then a snow blower ticks all the necessary boxes.
If you have a small area to clear and only get light snowfall, a snow blower may be unnecessary. In these circumstances, and providing you’re physically fit, a snow shovel offers an efficient solution.
Budget is always a factor. A snow shovel is the go-to tool for those with a tight budget, but for those with extra space who value saving time and effort, a snow blower may be a priority. However, the smart way to remove snow from a driveway or other areas around the yard is often to use a combination of the two.
Michael Clarke admits it is a good idea to have both in your shed in certain scenarios. He says, ‘I would recommend using both if you have both large areas to clear and smaller areas like steps, small porches, and decks.’
Steve Corcoran, CEO of Lawn Love, agrees that all properties can benefit from having a snow shovel, even in addition to larger machines. He claims a snow shovel ‘should be a given, no matter how big your property is’.
‘A snow shovel will always come in handy, whether you just need to clear a small path really quickly or your snow blower stops working, and you need a backup tool to use that doesn’t rely on any type of power,’ adds Steve.
Did you know that you can use a snow blower for more than removing snow from driveways and walkways? True, most homeowners only use their snow blower for one thing, and that is what they are designed to do best, but there are other tasks they can help with. This guide to unusual uses for a snow blower reveals some of those more unorthodox tasks, plus two things you should never do with the machine.
