Best snow blowers and throwers for Canadian winter 2024-25: Ego, Greenworks, Snow Joe and more
From gas and cordless snow blowers to battery-powered and electric options, we've rounded up the best snow blowers for Canadians this winter.
The first day of winter is officially Dec. 21. However, for many Canadians, the season's unofficial start coincides with the first snowfall.
While much of the country has enjoyed an unseasonably warm fall, the white stuff has already debuted in several cities across Canada. For those provinces still basking in sunny skies and dry sidewalks, it will be snowtime soon enough. According to the 2024-2025 Old Farmer's Almanac, "big freezes and heavy snowfall" are in the cards for the central provinces with "heart of cold" temperatures to boot.
To get ahead of this winter's snowfalls and prepare your home for colder days ahead, it may be worth investing in a snow blower or thrower. From gas and cordless snow blowers to battery-powered and electric options, we've rounded up the best snow blowers for Canadians this winter, according to ratings and reviews. Keep scrolling to shop the best (and most affordable!) options from Canadian Tire, Amazon and more.
Quick shop: 5 best-rated snow blowers and snow throwers for winter 2024-2025
EGO 56V Power+ 2-Stage Cordless Snowblower
Briggs & Stratton 1022ER 208cc Single Stage Gas Snowblower
EGO POWER+ 56V Single Stage Cordless Snowblower
MAXLANDER Snow Blower Cordless
Yardworks 96V Single Stage Cordless Snowblower
Snow blower vs. snow thrower: What's the difference?
While they essentially perform the same task, snow blowers and snow throwers are, in fact, two different things.
A snow thrower is a single-stage machine, meaning it uses a rotating auger to pick up snow and cast it out of the shoot in one continuous motion.
A snow blower, on the other hand, works in two stages. Similar to a snow thrower, it uses a rotating auger to scoop up snow, but rather than immediately shooting it out, it feeds the snow into an impeller (a powerful fan) which blows it out of the chute.
Do I need a snow blower or a snow thrower?
There are a few factors to consider to determine whether you need a snow blower or a snow thrower.
Snow conditions: If you don't typically get a lot of snow, a snow thrower may be a better option as they're smaller and less powerful than a snow blower, which means they tend to be less expensive. If you're used to seeing heavy snow conditions, you'll be better off with a snow blower as they're larger, more powerful and equipped to handle heavy snowfall.
The size of your driveway: For large driveways, a snow blower is generally considered a better option, as it can clear a wider path in a single pass. Snow throwers, on the other hand, are better suited for smaller spaces and lighter snow accumulation.
Electric vs. gas vs. cordless vs. battery-powered
Many snow throwers are corded, meaning you can rely on your home's electricity for power. However, that also means you have limitations on how long the cord is and where you can take your machine. On the other hand, snow blowers tend to be fuel-powered, so you have flexibility on where you can take them, but in turn, they require gasoline and more maintenance than their electrical counterparts.
Cordless, battery-powered snow blowers are a handy alternative to gas-powered options because you aren't tied down by a cord, and in addition, you don't have to deal with the regular oil changes, spark plug replacements and general hassle that come with gas-powered snow blowers. However, battery-powered snow blowers come with their own set of challenges: they have limited runtimes, and if you live in an area with heavy snowfalls, you may need an extra battery on hand to finish the job.
Where to buy a snow blower/thrower in Canada
If you're interested in investing in a snow blower or snow thrower this winter season, scroll down to shop 13 reviewer-loved-and-tested snow blowers and throwers under $500, $1,000 and $2,000.
Best snow blowers & snow throwers under $500
Reviews: 5,700
Average rating: 4.1 stars
This Snow Joe 18" Electric Single Stage Snow Blower packs a powerful punch for a small price. The "Amazon's Choice" unit has a 180-degree adjustable directional chute that can throw snow up to 25 feet and a 15-amp motor that can move up to 720 pounds of snow per minute. Its four-blade steel auger cuts 18 inches wide by 10 inches deep with each pass, making a quick job of driveway and sidewalk clean-ups.
Reviews: 10+
Average rating: 4.3 stars
MAXLANDER's cordless snow blower makes quick work of any in-the-way snow, thanks to its 10-inch clearing depth and 20-inch clearing width. It can throw snow up to 25 feet and features a push-button start for hassle-free use.
Reviews: 130+
Average rating: 3.5 stars
With a powerful 15A motor, this affordable machine moves up to 25 tons/hr. of snow, features a 180-degree adjustable directional chute and has dual 3W LED headlamps to brighten the way during nights and early mornings.
Reviews: 250+
Average rating: 4.1 stars
When winter weather strikes, forget the shovel and grab this 18-inch electric snow thrower from Certified instead. Small but mighty, the unit features a 13.5-amp electric motor that effortlessly moves up to 650 lbs (295 kg) of snow per minute.
Reviews: 790+
Average rating: 3.9 stars
You can expect gas-like power from this battery-operated Worx snow blower, thanks to not one but two 20V batteries, offering a combined 40V of power and performance. The cordless snow blower is lightweight, but don't let its build fool you. It can clear passes of 20 inches and throw the white stuff up to 20 feet — enough clearance for the average width of a two-car driveway.
Best snow blowers & snow throwers under $1,000
Reviews: 1,500
Average rating: 4.3 stars
This EGO POWER+ Snow Blower is so powerful that you won't be able to tell the difference between this cordless, battery-powered unit and a gas-powered snow blower. It easily tackles heavy, wet snow, thanks to its two 56V batteries and is built with a high-efficiency brushless motor and a 21-inch clearing width.
Reviews: 4,000+
Average rating: 4 stars
The Greenworks PRO is a great wallet-friendly option for clearing snow on driveways, sidewalks or patios. It has a quiet, maintenance-free, brushless motor and a runtime of up to 45 minutes. If you want to work at night, the unit is built with LED headlights for increased visibility. It has a clearing depth of 10 inches, a clearing width of 20 inches, and can throw snow up to 25 feet.
Reviews: 20+
Average rating: 4.6 stars
This single-stage gas snowblower from Briggs & Stratton offers a 22" (55.8 cm) clearing width to quickly remove snow from your driveway, walkway and wherever else the white stuff is piling up. "I bought this to replace an older machine that was worn out, and I am so glad I did," writes one shopper. It "came fully assembled" and does a "great job" of blowing snow. It's "well worth the price."
Reviews: 60+
Average rating: 4.1 stars
This single-stage cordless snowblower features a push-button start, dual 5W LED lights and variable-speed auger control. The unit has a run time of up to 30 minutes, with a battery charge time of 150 minutes. "The Yardworks electric snowblower has all the bells and whistles of a gas one, but with less weight, noise and cost," writes one shopper. "Great for a fresh snowfall and easy to handle."
Best snow blowers & snow throwers under $2,000
Reviews: 1,500+
Average rating: 4.5 stars
This cordless electric snow blower is exactly what you're going to want on hand when winter whiteout conditions hit. The self-propelled, two-stage snow blower offers the same power as gas-powered units, minus the noise, fuss and fumes. The EGO POWER+ has two 56V batteries, a 24-inch clearing width, 20-inch intake height and on top of everything, it can throw snow an impressive 50 feet.
Reviews: 40+
Average rating: 4.1 stars
If you're looking for all the bells and whistles, this two-stage snowblower from Briggs & Stratton may be worth investing in. The unit is powered by a 208 cc Snow Series engine and has a push-button electric start for quick and easy starting down to -28.8° C. It has a clearing width of 24 inches and a throwing distance of 40 feet. Plus, its LED headlight will come in handy if you use the unit at night (or past 4 pm!).
Reviews: 100+
Average rating: 4.1 stars
A trusted pick among Canadian Tire shoppers, this two-stage gas snow blower has been called a "pleasure to operate" and "worth the money." The two-stage gas snow blower offers a convenient electric start and is armed with a 243cc engine and 24-inch clearing width. It can rip through snow 12 inches deep but is easy to control, thanks to its Touch N' Turn power steering.
Reviews: 10+
Average rating: 4.4 stars
Cub Cadet's Two-Stage 243cc Gas Snowblower is built for heavy snowfalls. The fan-favourite unit has a 26-inch clearing width and a 21-inch intake height, with the ability to throw snow up to 40 feet. Its 243cc 4-cycle OHV Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER engine delivers enough power to help clear snow on driveways up to 12 parking spaces, easily tackling heavy, deep, and wet snow conditions.
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.