With so many types of snow blowers available, many are left unsure of whether to go for an electric snowblower, or one of the larger gas blowers.
No worries, I’ve got you covered with my in-depth look into the key differences, capabilities, and pros and cons of electric vs gas snow blowers.
Snowblowers are now both an affordable and popular solution for snow removal.
However, there are many different types of snow blowers and it is important for you to first be able to answer what size snow blower do I need.
So, before you go spending your hard-earned bucks you also need to know the answer to the question of: are electric snow blowers any good and the right choice for your needs?
What Is An Electric Snow Blower?
Both cordless snow blowers and corded electric snow blowers are classed as being electric models. And, although lightweight and efficient, most electric snow blowers are smaller single-stage machines.
But, there are exceptions to this rule, with the odd two-stage electric snow blower such as the EGO SNT24000 being available.
But it’s still important that you know exactly what you are buying.
In general, an electric snowblower or electric snow shovel is ideal for low to moderate snowfalls of lighter weight snow (up to around 8-12 inches deep), unlike the larger more powerful gas-powered models that are designed to deal with heavy snowfalls up to around 18 inches deep.
So, how does an electric snow blower work exactly?
You simply plug the electric cord into an electrical outlet or extension cord, press the push-button-start to power up the electric motor and you are ready to go.
Don’t forget to read the instruction manual first as this can vary slightly.
Both battery-powered models and corded electric models are typically single-stage snowblowers, this means they use just one action (a single-stage). A rotating auger (paddle) is used to both gather and throw the snow out through the discharge chute.
What Is A Gas Snow Blower?
When you compare a gas vs electric snow blower you are talking all about power and size differences.
Generally speaking, gas-powered snow blowers are for those people that regularly receive moderate to large amounts of snow.
The smaller gas engines produce enough power to deal with wetter, heavier snow, whereas electric and battery snow blowers are best suited for lighter, fluffier snowfall.
Gas snow blowers vary in both types and sizes and which is the best snow blower for you depends on your snow conditions.
A Quick Look At How Does A Gas Snow Blower Work
First, a single-stage gas snow blower works in a similar way as the electric versions. Using an auger to break up the snow and throw it out through the chute in once single action.
However, when comparing electric vs gas snow blower, a gas engine supplies a hell of a lot more power and very often features a wider clearing width and intake depth.
Next up, the two-stage gas blower. A two-stage machine still uses an auger (the first stage) to break and gather the snow. But then passes it onto a spinning impeller (the second stage) which then discharges it out of the shoot.
This process speeds up the flow of snow and means the machine can throw faster and a lot farther. Two-stage snow blowers are typically available as track or wheeled versions, with the wheeled versions being most popular among homeowners.
I’ve got a dedicated guide to learning more about single vs two stage snow blowers if you’re keen to learn more.
Electric Vs Gas Snow Blowers: Pros, Cons, Features & Differences Compared
This article is very similar to snow blowers vs snow throwers but focuses more on the gas vs electric element of the designs, rather than how many stages it has.
Anyway, let’s get into more details and find the key differences along with the pros and cons of both the electric and gas models.
Here we’ll find out if electric snowblowers are any good for your circumstance, or whether you really should be investing in one of the large gas snow blowers.
Ease Of Use & Starting Up
It’s important to understand the different starting problems you may or may not have. The last thing you want to be doing in freezing cold weather is struggling to start your machine.
Electric Snow Blowers
The start up process may vary between models so always refer to your owner manual.
On most models the power cord length is short, so you will need a cold-weather outdoor extension cord plugged into the power source via one of your power outlets.
Once connected to the electricity supply you are ready to press the start button, release the safety switch, and away you go.
Gas Snow Blowers
Although gas machines give you extra power to deal with both deep snow and wet snow, they do involve a few more steps to start than their electric partners.
Once again I can only talk in general terms as different types of snowblowers have different controls.
So, before doing anything, always check your owners’ manual for the start up position of any switches or keys on your model.
Once you have done this, for most snow blowers, it’s a simple case of opening the choke, priming the engine, and either pressing the electric start button or pulling the recoil cord (assuming you’ve got no engine or starting issues).
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is another important factor to consider, after all, there’s no use having a machine that you can’t use.
That being said, there is also no point in having a machine that cannot cope with your specific needs and conditions.
Electric Snow Blowers
Although various different sizes are available, both electric and battery-powered snowblowers are generally smaller and much more lightweight machines. Because of this fact they can be easier to manoeuvre than their larger gas counterparts.
Gas Snow Blowers
There are three main types of gas snow blower 1-stage, 2-stage, and 3-stage. Both the gas single and two-stage snow blowers have much more power and are generally larger and heavier than electric snow throwers or snowblowers.
Although great for clearing deeper heavy snow this can also make them harder to manoeuvre.
That being said, self-propelling gas models and those that feature different speed settings can be manoeuvred with more ease as the engine is responsible for shifting the bulk of the weight through the wheels.
Distance Range & Usage Time
It goes without saying that runtime and clearing distance should also be taken into consideration, especially if you have a long driveway or are clearing large areas of snow.
Electric Snow Blowers
The clearing distance of a corded electric blower is, unfortunately, limited to the length of the power cord. While the runtime can be the curse of a battery-operated snow blower for some users.
Don’t let that put you off though, as long as you choose an option that suits your needs going electric is definitely a good choice.
Gas Snow Blowers
Unlike the electric models, there is nothing holding you back or slowing you down when you’re using a gas snowblower. Depending on area size, maybe just the occasional top of fuel and checking or changing the oil.
If you have to clear snow regularly then for large or long driveways a gas model is perfect.
Eco-Friendliness & Noise Pollution
Now let’s take a look at “what’s what| in the world of snow blowers to help us reduce our carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly.
Electric Snow Blowers
What more can I say, of course, electric snow blowers are by far more environmentally friendly.
Although you are still using electricity or batteries, you will be creating far less noise pollution and cutting out nasty gas emissions completely.
They’re also considerably quieter, so you won’t be annoying all your neighbours.
Gas Snow Blowers
It’s no secret that gas snowblowers are never going to be a completely ‘green’ option for snow removal. But, in recent years there have been great improvements in both the fuel used and small engine technology.
For example, most modern gas blowers are now fitted with 4-stroke engines and only produce approximately 1/10th of the pollutants the older 2-strokes produce.
So if you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint, always take a close look at the specs of the machine.
Max Depth Of Snow (& Types Of Snow)
The depth and type of snow you receive are probably the real key factors to consider when deciding whether to opt for an electric or gas snowblower.
Electric Snow Blowers
In general, electric snowblowers are single-stage machines that have limited power, ideal for clearing snow from 4 inches deep up to 12 inches in depth for lighter snow. However, if you regularly receive a heavier type of snow you will need a good quality and powerful option for 6 inches or above.
Remember, choose the right snowblower for your needs and conditions and you won’t look back.
Gas Snow Blowers
It’s not just the fact that gas models can clear deeper snow, but that they have the power to shift both heavy snow and wet snow.
The 1-stage and 2-stage models have an intake depth that varies between 8 inches for the single-stage up to 20 inches for a two-stage. And for extreme snow conditions, you have the beast of a machine, the 3-stage gas snowblower, which has an intake depth of up to 30 inches.
Clearing Speed (Intake Width & Height)
As with every about these machines, the clearing speed varies from model to model. There’s not just the power of the machine to take into consideration, but also the clearing width.
The more snow you can clear in one pass the faster you get the job done.
Electric Snow Blowers
If you do decide to go for one of the smaller models, either an electric or battery snowblower, clearing widths go from 12 inches up to about 22 inches. The smaller width is great for clearing snow from walkways and smaller areas.
Gas Snow Blowers
Not only are two-stage snow blowers more powerful, but they are also larger machines with wider clearing widths ranging from 20 inches up to 30 inches.
Perfect if you have a long driveway or large area requiring snow removal or are in a hurry.
Maintenance & Upkeep Costs
There is a big difference between gas and electric snowblowers when it comes to general maintenance and running costs. So let’s take a look a what’s required to keep these machines in tip-top condition.
Electric Snow Blowers
Both battery-powered snow blowers and electric snow blowers require very little maintenance, incurring only the cost of the electricity or purchasing additional batteries.
All you need to do is wipe down the snowblower after each use to remove any salt residue before putting it away. And, occasionally check for any loose nuts, screws, or damage to the auger, etc.
Gas Snow Blowers
All small engines require regular maintenance and servicing, which involve extra costs. But, having an engine maintenance routine is crucial. It not only gives longevity to your machine but also helps avoid engine problems and expensive repairs.
This maintenance should include things like changing or cleaning the air filter (if fitted), checking and replacing spark plugs when needed. Topping the oil up before each use, and changing it completely after approximately every 50 hours or once a year.
You will find a complete list of regular maintenance needed in your operator’s manual, and I have detailed snowblower maintenance guides on the site to help you along the way.
Storage Requirements
Buying a snowblower is an investment that should see you through many winters. Ensure the longevity of your unit by knowing how to store a snowblower for the summer properly.
Electric Snow Blowers
Storing electric snowblowers for the summer months is a very quick and easy process.
Firstly, always remove batteries from battery models, wind up, and where possible, hang. Lastly, wipe the machine to remove any dirt and salt residue and place it in a dry garage or shed, etc.
Gas Snow Blowers
Compared to electric models storing a gas snow blower does involve a certain amount of work. As this process is quite specialized I won’t go into specific details in this article, as I have a full guide on how to store a snow blower here.
But check your operator manual for any end-of-season maintenance required and do your research. Fail to do this and or you could struggle to get up and running next snow season and incur expensive repairs.
Average Prices
When it comes to snowblowers and electric snow shovels, the price ranges can vary from $1o0 to over $3000.
Obviously the more snow you’re trying to clear, the bigger machine you need and the more it’s going to cost you. To give you some idea of what you can expect to be paying, here’s a rough breakdown of costs.
Electric Snow Blowers: Average Prices & Cost
- A small electric snow shovel (6-10 inches wide) can normally be purchased for between $100 – $300 dollars.
- A corded electric snow blower (18-21 inches wide) can normally be purchased for between $150 – $400.
- A battery-powered cordless electric snow blower (18-21 inches wide) can normally be purchased for between $400 – $800.
- A two-stage electric cordless snow blower can cost well over $1500, without batteries included.
Gas Snow Blower: Average Prices & Cost
- A single stage gas-powered snowblower (18-23 inches wide) can normally be purchased for between $400-$650.
- A two-stage gas-powered snowblower (24 -30 inches wide) can normally be purchased for between $800-$2500.
So Which Is Better, An Electric Or Gas Snowblower?
There really is no simple answer to the question of which snowblower is better, an electric or gas snowblower. It really does come down to your personal needs and conditions.
Single-stage models, whether electric or gas, are great for clearing low to moderate snowfalls.
However, for areas receiving moderate to high snowfalls, or regularly receiving wet snow, the best gas snowblower is a two-stage blower.
Remember I talked about the exception to the rule of electric blowers being single stage?
Well, it’s the EGO Power+ SNT2400 two-Stage Cordless Snow Blower, a great eco-friendly two-stage blower that can do the job of gas-powered machines.
Readers Also Asked Me
Ok, there you have it. Everything you need to know about electric vs gas snow blowers. Before I finish off I will answer a few commonly asked questions that are not covered in the main article.
Enjoy the snow and have a safe winter.
How long does a battery last on a cordless snow blower?
How long a battery will last on a cordless snow blower can vary from as little as 15 minutes up to 1 hour. Factors such as the quality of the battery, the type and depth of snow to be cleared, all have to be taken into consideration.
Is an electric start snowblower worth it?
Nowadays, a lot of gas-powered snow blowers feature not only a recoil/pull start but, also a push-button electric start. Although this means you may pay more, having the convenience of a push button start is well worth it. Not only is it convenient, but it removes the need for the physical effort that a pull cord requires.
Are electric snow blowers quiet?
How quiet electric snow blowers are will vary from model to model. However, there is one thing that can be said. When compared to gas blowers they are a lot quieter and a more eco-friendly way to clear snow.
What is a self-propelled snow blower?
A self-propelled snow blower means you don’t have to push, the machine propels itself. However, the degree to which a snow blower is self-propelled varies. Larger two-stage models often feature two or three-speed settings controlled by the motor. Whereas a single-stage snow blower may rely on the auger to help self-propel the machine forward.
Is it safe to use a snow blower on grass?
In general, a two-stage snowblower is safe to use on grass because it features skids. As long as they are set to the right height, skids will act as a spacer between the auger and the grass. That being said, be sure to check the owner manual for recommended settings.
How much snow is too much snow for a snow blower?
Each snow blower varies in the intake depth it has and it’s this that dictates how much snow is too much snow. For example, a small single-stage snowblower can generally deal with about 6 inches of snow. However, some of the larger machines can clear up to 30 inches of snow.
