The 6 Best Electric Snow Shovels for Quickly Clearing Sidewalks and Driveways

Trevor RaabProsGood for wet slushy snowLong throw distanceWide and deep snow intakeIf you want the most clearing power possible from an electric snow shovel, Earthwise is your brand. This corded model can carve a 16-inch-wide path through snow up to 8 inches high, which is significantly more than what you can expect from other brands. It’s also significantly more powerful, moving up to 430 pounds of snow per minute.For reference, most of our other picks move around 300 pounds per minute. As a result, it can handle deeper, slushier snow than most electric snow shovels. It also has a longer throwing distance than most corded or cordless electric snow shovels out there.At 16 pounds, it’s pretty heavy, but like other heavy models, it has a pair of wheels so you can push it most of the time. In short, it offers the best snow removal capability of any machine this side of a snowblower.Key SpecsTypeCordedClearing Depth8 in.Clearing Width16 in.Weight16 lbProsLong runtimePowerful snow removalLong throw distanceIf you don’t mind its hefty build, this electric shovel from Greenworks Pro runs longer on a single battery than any other cordless electric snow shovel out there.With a large 80-volt 2.0-amp-hour battery powering a brushless motor, you’ll get about 45 minutes of run time on a single charge. Clearing a 12-inch path through up to 6 inches of snow, then blowing it 20 feet away, this snow shovel is ideal for uncovering a large area after a light snowfall.Just remember that with great power and runtime comes great weight. With the battery loaded, this machine weighs more than 19 pounds, so moving it around for 45 minutes can turn into a real workout.Key SpecsTypeCordlessClearing Depth6 in.Clearing Width12 in.Weight19.2 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsWide clearing pathEquipped with rear wheels for supportLong throwing distanceConsUser reviews complain that safety switch is difficult to hold downMost electric snow shovels max out with a fairly narrow clearing width and low clearing depth, potentially forcing you to do multiple passes to clear a proper path. This Earthwise model is an exception.With a broad clearing width of 16 inches and depth of 8 inches, it’s capable of clearing paths through deeper snow. And since it launches snow up to 32 feet away, you can use this machine to clear small driveways along with your walkways, deck, and patio.On the other hand, this electric snow shovel is quite heavy. It has wheels, though, which make it easier to push and maneuver. It’s a tradeoff, but one that pays off if you live in an area that routinely gets 6 to 8 inches of snow in a night.Key SpecsTypeCordlessClearing Depth8 in.Clearing Width16 in.Weight19 lbProsMoved well through moderately dense snowShovel head is easy and quick to attachThrows snow 10 to 15 feetConsCuts out when it hits a dense patchNo wheels means a bit of strength is needed to operateRyobi makes several types of cordless electric snow shovels, but this model is a head attachment for its Expand-It 40-Volt String Trimmer that you can swap in when the snow starts falling. The advantage here is that you aren’t limited to just one tool; you can swap in a variety of attachments to run on the same primary unit and battery. This makes a lot of sense if it only snows a couple of times where you live, and you only need a snow thrower infrequently.During our testing, we were impressed with this tool’s performance. In mere minutes, we were able to clear a wide path through 8 inches of snow (more than the max height of 6 inches this model is rated for) on a patio outside our office. It was not fresh snow, either; it was densely packed after sitting for several days. There were times when the shovel head froze up while trying to push through too much at once, but this was quickly rectified by pulling back and pushing through again. The snow flies quite far, too, for such a small tool head, at least 10 to 15 feet by our estimation.Being able to fling snow that far is a good thing because this thrower can only send the snow straight forward (some models have adjustable fins that allow you to send it to either side). You need to be strategic about the direction you push to avoid creating more work for yourself if you have a long path to clear.We must admit, too, that while this electric snow shovel makes the job easier than a manual shovel, it does take a bit of strength to operate, especially since it doesn’t have wheels to help you stay balanced and moving. You can move it along the ground, but you may need to lift it slightly if the snow is packed or icy at the lower levels, and it doesn’t come with a shoulder strap to help you do that. If you aim to greatly reduce the physical strain of snow removal, models from our list that feature wheels and directional fins may be a better option.Overall, if you already have the Ryobi 40-volt-compatible string trimmer, adding this attachment to your arsenal would be a good move if you only need to clear snow from a small driveway, walkway, deck, or patio. The 40-volt, 4-amp-hour battery will give you up to an hour of power, which is more than enough for a small job like that, and buying into this multi-tool system will keep it from being a tool that just sits in the toolshed or basement for most of the time.Key SpecsTypeCordlessClearing Depth6 in.Clearing Width12 in.Weight16.6 lbAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsLight overall weightErgonomic handle designThe lightweight design of this cordless electric snow shovel makes it a great option if other electric snow shovels are too heavy for you to manage. Whereas most electric snow shovels weigh around 18 pounds, this one weighs just 13.5 pounds.Along with being lighter, the Snow Joe electric snow shovel also has a dual-handle design that allows you to operate it while standing up straight, taking pressure off your back. Despite its lighter weight, it can still clear a foot-wide path of snow up to 6 inches deep. The Snow Joe does have a shorter runtime than most, which limits it to lighter-duty snow removal, such as clearing walks, decks, and patios.Key SpecsTypeCordlessClearing Depth6 in.Clearing Width12 in.Weight13.5 lbProsLighter than averageVersatile dual battery designDual speed triggerConsShallower max clearing depthWith its two 20-volt rechargeable batteries, the Worx electric snow shovel is both versatile and powerful. It can clear a path a foot wide and up to 6 inches deep and throw snow up to 25 feet, so it's suitable for clearing tighter spaces.The two-battery design gives you the option to mix and match larger-capacity 20-volt Worx batteries to increase this shovel’s run time for larger jobs, such as clearing small driveways. It also comes with a dual charger, so you can charge both batteries simultaneously for a shorter turnaround time.Another plus is that this model's batteries are compatible with other 20-volt Worx yard machines, making it a great option if you’ve already bought into the Worx product line.Key SpecsTypeCordlessClearing Depth6 in.Clearing Width12 in.Weight17 lbDavid is a Reviews Editor for Hearst’s Enthusiast Group, contributing to Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, Best Products, and Biography. He has over 25 years of experience writing about and reviewing consumer electronics, kitchen appliances, DIY products, outdoor gear, and more. He also spent years covering the ever-changing world of online retail. To relax, he loves experimenting with new recipes, tweaking his smart home setup, and spending time outdoors on his bike or camping. Tony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.