The Best Walk Behind Snowblowers

Throw Distance

• The best snow blower for you will have a throw distance of at least half the width of your driveway, which will prevent you from having to shovel any snow away. According to Consumersearch.com, you should err on the high side when estimating the throwing distance you need in a machine.

Clearing Width

• When shopping for a walk-behind snow blower, take care to select one with a clearing width that matches what you will need for your walkway. Purchase a snow blower with the largest clearing width that you can afford. However, if you have a path that is relatively narrow, you may save money if you buy a snow blower with a smaller clearing width.

Power

• Walk-behind snow blowers are available in either single-stage or two-stage varieties. Single-stage blowers are less powerful and can handle less snow than a two-stage snow blower. As suggested by Consumersearch.com, purchase a two-stage model if you live in an area that regularly sees snowfalls of 12 to 18 inches. Mid-range two-stage snow blowers are advised for areas that regularly receive 4 to 12 inches of snow. For those living in areas that experience accumulations of 4 to 6 inches of snow or less, a single-stage model may be best.

Weight

• While the large, two-stage snow blowers can throw a significant amount of snow, the weight of some of these machines may make them awkward or uncomfortable to use. Some of the larger machines can weigh up to 250 lbs., making them difficult for many people to control. If you will need to lift your snow blower up and down stairs during its use, a heavy machine may prove very difficult, or even dangerous, to maneuver. Purchase a snow blower that is sturdy yet light enough to handle easily.

Special Features

• Because winter days are so short and your sunlight is limited, purchase a snow blower that has a headlight. If you are short on storage space, you may prefer a compact or foldaway model. If the area you live in experiences ice or hard, compacted snow, select a snow blower that has a serrated blade on the auger, which can more easily break through such snow and ice.