Although many people around the world love the winter falls, as it comes with a peculiar restructuring of the neighborhood, especially in looks, while offering kids more outdoor playing options. Snow basically gets to everywhere from the roof of a home to the window hinges, door and driveways, and under regular snowfall, they can be easily brushed off. However, if it comes heavier than normal and accumulates in the driveway, it could cause restricted movement, which is why we recommend you have the best snow blower for small driveway.
Having a huge amount of snow in a driveway is never pleasant, as it will keep you locked in all day, leaving you either having to clear it off or resign to being defeated. Since hills are also not exempted from the neighourhood of some people, the best snow blower for hills will do a nice job.
Using shovels to dig out the snow was once the way out, but since the invention of snow blowers, you can rid your driveway of snow much easier without breaking the bank. Its so easy to use that most of these units are best snow blower for elderly.
Intend getting one of these? We are way ahead of you with this article, bringing everything you should know.
What type of snow blower is best for a small driveway?
Should you consider going for the one, two or 3 stage snow blower? The best snow blower for your small to medium-sized driveway is basically the single-stage or 2 stage type. However, if your driveway has stones or gravel, you might want to stay away from the single-stage or purchase a model that lacks the flaw of drawing in stones along with the snow. The machine can also be gas-powered or electric-powered.
If you are looking for a faster and cleaner way to do the job, then the gas type is for you, and while the electric type can get it done too, it is not as powerful or less tedious to use as the gas type. The electric machine is much easier to maintain and has a far lower running cost.
Top 9 Best Snow blower for Small Driveways ǀ Hills ǀ Elderly People
1) Toro 38381 18-Inch 15 Amp Electric 1800 Power Curve Snow Blower – Best snow blower for hills
Currently out of stock on Amazon 🙁
Specifications: 160-degree rotatable chute, patented power curve technology, electric-powered, item weight; 25 pounds, ergonomic handle design, cord lock, lift handle, 15 amp electric motor, moves up to 700 pounds of snow per minute, product dimensions; 36.2 x 18 x 47 inches, zip deflector.
This snow blower comes with basically every cool and “easy usage” feature owners would want, in order to give the best user experience. Being an electric type, it is pretty easy to use with less maintenance and is very light in weight (only about 25 pounds), making it easier to push around. As per dimensions too, its compact making storage space less of a problem, while a handle at the top side exists for you to carry around conveniently.
With a pretty impressively large clear path of 18 inches wide and 12 inches deep, and backed up by a 15 amp electric motor, this machine is able to cover large grounds in a relatively small amount of time. This coupling is also supported by the presence of a patented power curve technology, which allows for a better cleaning down to the surface, as well as clog prevention. The technology also reduces the time it takes to clean snow off an area.
It comes with a 360-degree rotatable chute, which allows you throw out the snow in your desired direction, as well as a zip deflector for varying the snow output rate between low, mid, or high, hence giving you further flexibility in operating the machine. The problem of cord pulling out during operation, hence shutting off the device, has been overcome in this model due to a cord grip at the point of connection with the machine.
With an actual performance rate of up to 700 pounds of snow per minute pushes out, it does a really good job while having an ergonomically designed handle further ease your comfort while using. The fact that it lacks a battery and requires plugged in the cord at all times to function is a downside, but you can derive joy from the little maintenance required and a full two-year warranty attached to the product.
- rotatable chute,
- large clear path,
- low running cost,
- lightweight and compact for easy mobility,
- two-year warranty,
- easy to use controls,
- easy to store,
- low clogging chance,
- high snow removal rate,
- little maintenance required
- it is not cordless,
- not suitable for extreme wet snow conditions,
2) Earthwise SN74016 40-Volt Cordless Electric Snow Shovel – Best snow blower for elderly
Special features: cordless, 16-inch width and 8-inch clear path, brushless motor, vertical storage design, push start button, temperature resistant, dual blade auger, product dimensions; 41 x 16 x 38, item weight; 19 pounds, ergonomic handle design.
This snow blower comes with a completely different design, as well as features from the Honda power HS720AA. It is designed a straight handle that goes down to the middle of the unit and has an ergonomic design while being adjustable to suit your preference. It is electric powered and cordless, hence giving you freedom of movement while using, and more convenience.
It boasts a pretty impressive clear path, being able to cover snow area 16 inches wide, as well as 8 inches deep, and though it lacks the traditional chute we are all used too in blowers, it comes with a three-position adjustable discharge gate. This does the work of a chute, being able to throw the snow up to 30 feet away, and is also adjustable for you to direct the snow to where you want.
A really cool feature of this machine is that it is temperature resistance, hence eliminating the problem encountered by most blowers of shutting down or refusing to start up under extremely low-temperature conditions. With a snow removal rate of about 300 pounds per minute, this device is able to do a good job for light snow blowing in driveways in a quick fashion.
The whole unit sits on a 6 inches rear wheel, which provides enough support for your maneuvering around snow filled grounds, while it also has a battery and fast charger included in its package on purchase. A safety switch is placed at the handle to avoid accidental turning on, and its vertical storage design allows for easy storing in narrow but tall spaces. Being electric powered, be sure to expect lesser maintenance frequency, and a low running cost.
- cordless,
- high snow removal rate,
- easy to store,
- easy to start,
- can work in really low temperatures,
- adjustable snow throwing directions,
- safety switch,
- less maintenance,
- low running cost
- not suitable for heavy snow blowing.
3) Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower | 21-Inch | 15 Amp Motor
Specifications: 15 amp electric engine, steel auger with rubber blades, LED light, 180-degree rotatable chute, ETL approved, product dimensions; 40.6 x 23 x 42.5 inches, item weight 35.7 pounds.
This is also an electric powered snow blower, coming with dimensions and weight that qualifies it for being relatively lightweight and compact. This also makes it easier for the user while pushing through the snow, while the machine itself does a good job of taking in and expelling snow a considerable distance away.
When it comes to pure snow rate removal test, this machine is really impressive, as it is able to move up to 800 pounds of snow per minute, which is quite high and makes the users work much faster. With a 15 amp motor, it matches the toro type for capacity, as they both stand out from the rest, which makes it ideal for quick wet snow pickups on a walk and drives ways.
The darkness which is mostly a hindrance to most snow blowing activities due to many of these mid-grade blower lacking lights for visuals and operation, but not this machine. It comes with LED bulbs that give light at night, enabling you to keep using despite the sun setting.
Just like every other electric type, this device requires very little maintenance, unlike the gas-powered engine, and is effortless to start up and shut down-which is done all at the push of a button. It has a clearing path of 21 inches wide by 12 inches deep, which surpasses that of all other snow blowers on our list, and is very impressive, making sure you work less and cover much ground.
The chute, which is located at the top side, is detachable and can rotate by 180 degrees, while it also has a deflector that can be controlled to adjust the height of the snow stream. The whole machine sits on specially built easy-glide tires, which helps to ensure easy maneuvering while in operation, its ETL approved and comes with a two-year warranty from purchase gives a good assurance on its quality as well as manufacturers back up.
Pros
- high snow removal rate,
- large clearing path,
- little maintenance,
- easy to use,
- easy to clean,
- low running cost,
- rotatable chute,
- two-year warranty,
- compact,
Cons
- not suitable for extreme wet snow conditions,
- it is not cordless
4) Snow Joe 323E 13-Inch 10-Amp Electric Snow Shovel
Special features: 10 amp electric rotor, back-saving curve design, two-blade paddle auger, item weight 13.8 pounds, CSA approved, ergonomic handle design.
Once again, on our list of recommended products is another Snow Joe blower, though this one is pretty far off from the quality of the rest, being suitable for very light blowing only. The design is very compact, and it is portable in size as well, coming with a single rod protruding from the middle of the unit as the handle for control, which also harbours the electric plug. This unit isn’t cordless, so be sure to expect the stress of adjusting and readjusting while using.
The machine makes use of a pretty low engine of 10 amp current rating, and its design affords it a clear path spanning 13 inches wide and 6 inches deep. With these features, it is only suitable for light work, though the user would derive much comfort while using due to the presence of a b-saving curve design that reduces strain, as well as the ergonomic handle design.
Considering the pare snow removal rate, this unit is pretty impressive, though, as it is able to move as much as 400 pounds of snow per minute with the help of its two-blade paddle auger. It is light in weight, hence allowing easy mobility when in use, as well as storage times. Powered by an electric push button, starting up and shutting off this device has been made pretty easy.
The device is also widely regarded as being safe to use due to the presence of a safety switch button at the handle to prevent accidental starting. Being CAS approved and coming with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty from the date of purchase speaks volumes on the assurance that you would get just what you requested.
- high snow removal rate,
- easy to start,
- adjustable handle,
- lightweight,
- two-year warranty
- small clearing path,
- suitable for extremely light blowing only.
5) Greenworks 20-Inch 13 Amp Corded Snow Thrower 2600502
Specifications: 13 amp electric motor, item weight; 30 pounds, foldable handles, 180 degrees rotatable chute, cordless, product dimensions; 31 x 21.6 x 37 inches
Greenworks 2600502 electric snow blower features the same structural design like most types out there, being backed up by a 13 amps powered engine that makes cleaning heavy wet snow a treat. With foldable hands for the user to interact with, the machine allows easy maneuvering through snow, is also supported by a 7-inch wheel that reduces the chances of getting stuck in that thick slushy snow.
As per the clearing path, the device is able to go as far as 10 inches in clearing depth, and 20 inches width, which is really impressive, the second-highest on our list so far, only beaten by the Snow Joe SJ625E. This enables it to cover more ground in a lesser amount of time, and in an impressive fashion. The chute is located at the top like every other blower and is adjustable by 180 degrees, hence affording a bit of flexibility in the direction wherein the show is released.
With foldable handles, storage during summer is much easier, as you can easily reduce its size and keep while it consumes lesser space than it normally would. This unit, however, is designed to work with a voltage source of exactly 120 volts, and would most likely not turn on for anything older than that. This is seen as a major disadvantage (looking for designated 120v outlet).
Unlike the blowers reviewed so far, it is cordless, hence can be used without maintaining a connection to the power source. It comes with a battery that is rechargeable, though you have to keep the battery at room temperature at all times. In a case when the battery becomes too cold, the unit would most likely fail to start. Therefore we recommend you removing in keeping the batter in a warm place when it is not in use.
- large clearing path,
- portable and mobile,
- easy to store,
- rotatable chute,
- battery present,
- little maintenance,
- easy to use,
- easy to clean,
- low running cost,
- works with only 120 volts,
- suitable for a battery at room temperature only
Features to consider in picking the best snow blower for a small driveway
- Amount of stages:
Considering the fact that you would be using it for small driveways, it is best you go with a single-stage snowblower. We recommend this because driveways of this size wouldn’t really gather much snow, and can be wiped clean by a moderately efficient machine.
Although purchasing a 2 stage would be a good idea, it might just be an act of overspending for something that can be easily handled by a single-stage device. In this case, buying the 3 stage blower doesn’t make much sense.
- Rotatable chute/ adjustable deflector:
The aim of snow blowing your driveway is so that when done, there would be enough space actually to drive through. As a result of this, you shouldn’t just worry only about snow blowing, but the direction in which the snow is released to, and having a rotatable chute gives you just that flexibility as well as the adjustable deflector that allows you to create its flow path.
- Clear path:
The clear path of a device can be said to be directly responsible for the amount of time you would have to walk around your driveway while snow blowing. A machine with a wide clear path would take lesser time to do a similar job with a smaller clear path machine.
- Cordless:
If you decide to settle for the electrically powered machine, it is always better to choose the one which is cordless, as opposed to the cord type. This affords more convenience while using, as well as eradicating the discomfort of having to adjust cords per twist and turn.
- Mobility and compactness:
Mobility comes in handy when using the device, affording you more comfort while navigating the snowy floor, while machines with compact design are much easier to store when not in use. Some are collapsible or have foldable handles, and be sure to get a device that allows for easier usage and storage.
Final Verdict: Best snow blower for hills ǀ Small driveway
Honda power HS720AA clearly comes out on top as our highly recommended product for your small driveway snow blowing and a bit more. Although it looks expensive at the price, the engine that powers it has such a high capacity at 187Cc, which makes the driveway snow blowing task look like a breeze. Its weight gives it a good balance on the floor, while the slight propelling feature makes pushing around easier than it normally would. It also boasts a large clearing path and is pretty quiet despite all these features.
The best electric snow blower for small driveway is The Toro 38381 snowblower. It comes out on top of the pile firstly due to its super 15 amp electric powered engine. It is able to do a good job of riding off snow from small-sized areas in the home and not damaging the floor or throwing stones in the process. It is also easy to clean and maintain being electrically powered and having a very low running cost.
