What’s the Best Snowblower to Buy? A Farmry Buyer’s Guide (By Driveway, Snowfall, and Budget)

If you’ve ever stared at a wall of snow blowers online and thought, “They all look the same—why are the prices so different?”, you’re already asking the right question: what’s the best snowblower to buy for your property and your snow. The “best” choice depends on how your snow behaves (light powder vs wet snow vs packed snow), how much you need for clearing snow, and whether you’re fighting berms after every winter storm.

This Farmry guide will help you pick the right snow blower by focusing on the things that actually change results: stage snow blowers (single vs two stage vs three-stage), self propelled handling, chute control, reliability in cold weather, and whether you need battery powered snow blowers or gas powered snow blowers. We’ll also cover when it makes sense to skip walk-behind units entirely and move up to Farmry-style snow removal setups for long lanes and heavy snowfall.

TL;DR — The Best Snowblower to Buy Depends on These 5 Things

• Snowfall type: light snowfall, wet heavy snow, packed snow, or deep snow

• Area to clear: short driveway vs two car driveway vs long driveway, plus sidewalks and clear paths

• Stage: single stage vs two stage snow blowers vs three stage snow blowers

• Control & traction: self propelled, power steering, variable speed control, reverse gear, and how it behaves on steep driveways and steeper inclines

• Power source: battery powered (convenience) vs gas models (runtime and muscle), plus electric start for cold mornings

Step 1 — Know Your Snow: Light, Wet, Icy, Packed, or Deep Snow

A snowblower that feels “perfect” in fluffy snow can feel helpless in wet snow. That’s why shoppers end up buying a snow shovel again after they already bought a machine.

Light snowfall (easy mode)

With light snowfall, most single stage units and many battery powered snow blowers can do a clean job quickly. You’ll still care about chute control and whether it throws snow far enough to keep clear paths open.

Wet snow and wet heavy snow (clog mode)

Wet snow and wet heavy snow are where many electric models struggle—not because electric is “bad,” but because the snow is heavier, stickier, and more likely to clog the discharge chute. A stronger two-stage system and better chute design reduces frustration and reduces more passes.

Packed snow (berm mode)

Packed snow is what you get after plows, cars, and refreeze cycles. This is where two stage snow blowers and sturdy stage snow blowers earn their keep. If your driveway regularly turns into a hard ridge, plan for it.

Deep snow (capacity mode)

If you live where deep snow is normal, the “best” answer usually isn’t a tiny machine with a narrow intake. You’ll need the right stage, enough intake height, and the ability to keep clearing snow without stalling or forcing a two step process every few feet.

Step 2 — Choose the Right Stage Snowblower (This Is the Real Difference)

Most buyer regret comes from choosing the wrong stage.

Single stage snow blower (best for small areas and light snow)

A single stage snow blower uses the front auger to scoop and then it throws snow out the chute in one motion. Many shoppers also call this a snow thrower style machine.

Where single stage shines

• Sidewalks and short driveway situations

• Quick cleanup after light snowfall

• Homes with limited storage space (easy to store in a shed)

Where it struggles

• packed snow, plow berms, and refreeze

• heavy snow and deep snow

• Gravel can be tricky because a single-stage often rides close to the ground

You’ll see many single stage models marketed as simple and fast. They can be—when conditions match.

Two stage snow blowers (best all-around for most driveways)

Two stage snow blowers use an auger to feed snow into an impeller, which then throws snow through the discharge chute with more force. This is why two-stage machines are usually the “safe bet” for homeowners who get more snow and more variability.

Where two stage wins

• End-of-driveway piles and packed snow

• wet snow and heavy snow

• Larger properties like a two car driveway plus sidewalks

• More consistent performance during a winter storm

Also, two-stage units often include features that make life easier:

• self propelled drive with multiple speeds

• electric start (big deal in cold weather)

• Better chute control and steering options

You’ll see the terms two stage, two stage blowers, two stage models, and “two stage snow” used interchangeably. In this guide, they’re all pointing to the same core design advantage: a true two-stage system that handles volume better.

Three stage snow blowers (fast feed for dense piles—optional upgrade)

Three stage snow blowers add an accelerator that helps pull snow into the impeller faster. It can reduce bogging and improve feeding speed in chunky berms and certain heavy conditions.

Where three-stage helps

• Frequent plow berms

• Dense, mixed snow where speed matters

But don’t buy three-stage just because it sounds “best.” If your main issue is a small walkway and occasional storms, you may be paying for capacity you won’t use.

Battery Powered vs Gas Powered: Pick Your “Lifestyle,” Then Your Power

This is where many buyers get stuck: battery powered convenience vs gas runtime and raw output.

Battery powered snow blowers (quiet, easy starts, less maintenance)

Battery powered snow blowers are popular because they start instantly, are cleaner to store, and skip fuel headaches. For many homes, they’re enough—especially if you have a short driveway, light-to-moderate snow, and you like simple handling.

What to evaluate:

• battery life relative to your driveway size and how often you clear

• whether the tool platform is strong (you’ll see comparisons like ego power systems because people want one battery ecosystem)

• do you ever face wet heavy snow or packed snow?

Battery models can absolutely be practical, but if you’re pushing into heavy snow territory, you may need a higher tier or you’ll end up doing more passes.

Also note: some people confuse “battery powered” with corded electric. Corded options may require an extension cord, which can be annoying and limiting for a long driveway.

Gas powered snow blowers (runtime and muscle)

Gas powered snow blowers are still common for bigger jobs, harsher conditions, and high variability. Many gas powered models handle more snow with less slowdown.

What to evaluate:

• electric start (huge quality-of-life upgrade)

• engine maintenance expectations (fuel stabilizer, spark plug schedules, storage prep)

• controls and traction: power steering, reverse gear, and variable speed control

You’ll see shoppers compare gas blowers and “gas models” vs battery powered units because they want “enough power” to get through ugly berms without switching back to a snow shovel.

Feature Checklist: What Actually Matters (Ignore the Noise)

When you compare best snow blowers, focus on performance and usability—not buzzwords.

1) Self propelled + multiple speeds

A self propelled system matters when you’re clearing a long driveway, dealing with heavy snowfall, or working on steep driveways. Look for forward speeds you actually use, not just a big number on a spec sheet.

2) Steering and control

If you’ve ever fought a machine at the end of a pass, you’ll appreciate:

• power steering

• power steering feature (brand phrasing varies)

• good turning response at low speed

These features can reduce fatigue more than “extra horsepower” ever will.

3) Chute control and discharge chute design

Your job isn’t just to clear snow—it’s to put the snow where it won’t come back. Strong chute control and a well-designed discharge chute help you aim and keep snow off cleared paths.

4) Shear pins and service realities

On many two stage snow blowers, shear pins protect the auger system when it hits debris or hard packed chunks. They’re not a “flaw”; they’re a safety design. But you should plan to keep spares on hand during winter.

5) Variable speed control and reverse gear

For tight areas, parking pads, and garage doors, variable speed control helps you avoid ramming into things. A clean reverse gear is also a big deal when you’re repositioning in deep drifted snow.

6) Convenience features

• electric start (again: huge in cold)

• led headlights for early mornings and dark evenings

• heated handles (comfort upgrade, not required)

• intuitive controls you can operate with gloves

7) Storage space reality

If you don’t have as much space as you wish, your “best” snowblower is the one you can actually store and access. A bulky machine trapped behind a lawn setup is one you won’t use.

Match the Snowblower to Your Property

Small driveway + lots of sidewalks

If most of your work is sidewalks, steps, and short runs, a single stage unit or compact battery powered snow blowers can feel perfect. You’ll spend less time wrestling the machine and more time actually clearing snow.

Two car driveway (the common “real world” case)

This is where two stage snow blowers dominate the discussion. A two-stage can keep up when a winter storm turns light snow into wet snow and then into packed snow overnight.

Long driveway and large areas

For a long driveway, you’ll value speed, stability, and traction. self propelled matters. power steering matters. And a two-stage design usually reduces total time and reduces the chance you revert to a snow shovel halfway through.

Gravel driveways

Gravel driveways are a special case. The key isn’t “biggest engine.” The key is the machine’s ability to clear without grabbing stones and launching them. Two-stage designs are often more controllable in gravel contexts, but setup and technique matter.

Steep driveways and steeper inclines

On steep driveways and steeper inclines, traction and controlled movement are everything. A machine that slides or surges is exhausting. Consider stronger drive systems, thoughtful speed settings, and control features you can trust in cold weather.

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Comparison Table — What’s the Best Snowblower to Buy for My Situation?

Situation	Best fit	Why it works	What to watch
Sidewalks + short driveway, light snowfall	Single stage snow blower / battery powered snow blowers	Quick, lighter, easy starts, easy storage space	Can struggle in packed snow, wet heavy snow
Two car driveway, mixed storms	Two stage snow blowers	Handles more snow, better in wet snow and heavy snow, throws snow farther	Heavier, needs maintenance (shear pins)
Long driveway / large areas	Two stage models (self propelled) or higher-capacity setup	Clearing snow faster, fewer more passes, better traction	Storage space, weight, turning
Frequent plow berms / packed snow	Two stage blowers or three stage snow blowers	Better feeding, better discharge chute performance	Higher price tier
Cold weather reliability priority	Battery powered snow / gas powered models with electric start	Instant starts (battery) or reliable starts (electric start)	Battery life or engine maintenance
Gravel driveways	Two stage snow blowers (proper setup)	More controlled clearing snow without scooping gravel	Requires careful technique and awareness

Common Buying Mistakes

• Buying single stage for a climate with routine heavy snow and berms

• Underestimating how often wet snow turns into packed snow overnight

• Choosing a machine too wide to maneuver, then leaving snow lines and losing time

• Ignoring maintenance reality on two-stage machines (shear pins, belts, seasonal checks)

• Buying a huge machine without the storage space to keep it accessible

• Thinking “gas always wins” or “battery always wins” instead of matching conditions and usage

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When You Should Skip Walk-Behind and Use Equipment/Attachments

There’s a point where walk-behind snow blowers stop making sense—usually when your lane is long, your snow is frequent, and you’re clearing for more than one house or area.

If you already have equipment, it may be smarter to treat snow as an equipment job:

• Garden tractor snow clearing setups can make sense for consistent routine work (especially in open areas)

• Tractor setups and attachment-style systems are built for repeated clearing on larger properties

• For operators managing large areas after each winter storm, equipment-based snow removal can reduce total time and fatigue dramatically

Conclusion: The “Best Snowblower” Is the One That Matches Your Snow and Your Driveway

When people search for the best snowblower, they’re really searching for less frustration: fewer clogs, fewer more passes, and faster clearing snow during winter. For many homeowners, two stage snow blowers are the most reliable “do-it-all” option because they handle wet snow, packed snow, and heavy snow better than single stage machines. For small properties and light snowfall, battery powered snow blowers and compact single-stage designs can be a smart, simple fit—especially if you value easy starts and minimal hassle.

And if your job is bigger than walk-behind machines—long lanes, repeated storms, multiple areas—Farmry-style equipment and attachment solutions can make the whole season easier.