The next winter will definitely come - and with it a lot of snow, which then has to be laboriously removed with snow shovels and muscle power. If you don't just have a small piece of sidewalk in front of the house to clear, it can be worth buying a snow blower. Here the snow flies to the side in no time at all, so that paths and areas can be walked on again.
Goodbye strenuous snow shoveling! - With a snow blower, snow shoveling becomes child's play
Our recommendations
our recommendation
ALPINA AS 5148 Li Cordless Snow Blower, White
204.90 EUR To the product| milling system | single stage |
|---|---|
| clearing width | 51 centimeters |
| feed height | 30 centimeters |
| battery pack | not included |
This single-stage cordless snow blower picks up the snow in one step and then immediately discharges it through the discharge chute. The device is equipped with practical LED lamps so that you can also clear snow in the dark. The comparatively large clearing width of 51 centimeters allows sidewalks and other paved areas to be cleared quickly, and the draw-in height is 30 centimetres. This snow blower also has a very low dead weight, making it easy to handle. According to the manufacturer's description, you can even use it on the balcony or the roof. However, neither battery nor charger are included in the price, so you have to purchase both separately.
our recommendation
Greenworks GD80ST Battery 80V Snow Blower Black and Green
EUR 219.00 To the product| milling system | single stage |
|---|---|
| clearing width | 51 centimeters |
| feed height | 25 centimeters |
| battery pack | 80 volts |
This snow blower from the manufacturer Greenworks is also light and easy to handle. Unfortunately, the rechargeable battery, which is unfortunately not included and therefore has to be ordered separately, offers a running time of up to 40 minutes, which is perfectly sufficient for smaller areas and paths. The brushless motor scores with a high torque as well as low vibration and comparatively low noise. The robust special plastic of the tiller is soft enough so that sensitive floor coverings are not scratched or otherwise damaged.
our recommendation
Baricus cordless snow blower with rotatable chute 18V including 1x battery 18V 4.0Ah, 1x quick charger, milling width 30cm, max. clearing depth approx. 12cm, max. ejection distance 6m B-stock QV90294
154.90 EUR To the product| milling system | single stage |
|---|---|
| clearing width | 30 centimeters |
| feed height | 12 centimeters |
| battery pack | 18 volts |
This snow blower is particularly small, light and manoeuvrable and is well suited for narrow footpaths and small areas. Use it when there is little fresh snow, the device cannot cope with larger amounts. The throwing direction can be set to three positions using the control lever, so that you can throw the snow to the left, right or straight ahead. With this model, the battery and quick charger are included in the delivery.
Purchase Criteria
drive
There are basically three different drive types for snow blowers. The single-stage models, which are often offered as cordless snow blowers, usually have a drill drive. Here, a slingshot drills into the snow, picks it up and hurls it out. The two-stage tillers, on the other hand, work with a wheel or a caterpillar drive, whereby the latter can be used on almost all surfaces - even on icy ground. Crawler tillers are also better at removing ice from the ground, but are less agile and more difficult to handle.
working width
The working width or clearing width is also an important purchase criterion. The smaller a snow thrower is, the smaller its clearing width. This means that you have to drive the machine back and forth more often. However, it also means that these models are better used in tight or narrow places (such as sidewalks). The working height is also of interest here, because if it is too high, you may have to drive down the same spot more often. Larger snow throwers often offer both a larger working width and a better working height.
milling system
A basic distinction is made between single-stage and two-stage snow blowers, with cordless snow blowers usually only having one stage. Single-stage models are very well suited for flat, small areas (e.g. driveways, sidewalks) and crusted snow. They are light, easy to handle and cheap to buy. In two-stage tillers, on the other hand, a petrol engine is usually installed, since these devices are used to clear larger areas and when there is a lot of snow and ice.
volume
When buying a snow blower, also keep in mind that you probably won't be able to use it late in the evening or early in the morning in residential areas - the devices are very loud at an average of 90 decibels, which is likely to annoy the neighbors who may already be or are still asleep. For comparison - the usual room volume is in the range between 30 and 40 decibels. Therefore, for the sake of peace in your neighbors, make sure you select a device that is as quiet as possible and do not necessarily use it during quiet times.
equipment
You should also consider that with such a machine, one or the other wear part breaks from time to time and it therefore makes sense if the manufacturer offers spare parts. So you only need to replace them and then you can continue to use the device. Many brand manufacturers now offer a guarantee that these spare parts can be purchased for several years - this is not the case with no-name products. Here you have a broken snow blower that can no longer be repaired, just in case.
price
Of course, the price is also a relevant purchase criterion. Who likes to spend more money than they actually have to? Therefore, a price comparison makes sense before making a purchase decision, although you should only compare products that are actually comparable with each other - just looking at the price alone, of course, the no-name product always wins compared to the branded product. But be careful: If you buy cheap, you often buy twice! It is better to spend a little more money right at the beginning and enjoy a permanently functioning machine for a long time.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
Are snow plow and snow blower the same?
No, these are different machines. A snow plow (which can also be a shield in front of the lawn tractor) only pushes the snow to the side, the snow blower hurls it - several meters, depending on the model. That is why the device is also called a snow blower. Another advantage is that the tiller is more compact and therefore easier to handle.
What do you have to consider when using a snow blower?
In order for the snow blower to work properly, the ground should be level and firm. Such a device is optimal on paved or otherwise paved floors. In addition, no foreign objects, such as stones or branches, should get in, as they can clog or even damage the centrifugal mechanism. In addition, the snow thrower must be carefully maintained and cared for in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Is it worth buying a snow blower?
Purchasing a snow blower is worthwhile in regions where snow regularly falls between 15 and 30 centimeters in winter. This is where the device is often used, especially since it should ideally only work when there is fresh snow. In Northern Germany, where frequent and regular snowfalls are the exception rather than the rule, the snow blower is probably just sitting around uselessly.
Which manufacturers offer high-quality snow blowers?
With an expensive device like the snow blower, it makes sense to rely on a proven brand manufacturer. This is usually more expensive than no-name products, but you buy durable quality and don't get annoyed with a device that gives up the ghost after just a few uses. Recommended in this segment are, for example, Honda, Bruder, Einhell, Fuxtec, Güde, Greenworks, Hecht, Holzinger, Husqvarna, John Deere, Kärcher, Stihl, Wolf-Garten or Yamaha.
Which model is recommended for use in the city?
Since there is usually less snow in a city than outside in the village or even on the hermitage, a smaller model is sufficient here. A snow blower with a battery is usually completely sufficient here, whereas in rural areas a petrol-powered snow blower should be used. But a lot more snow has to be cleared there, so the battery would be empty long before that.
How do you properly clean the snow blower?
Even if the snow thrower is designed for use in wet and snowy conditions, it must be protected from these weather conditions outside of clearing work. Otherwise, damage to the machine will occur over time, which can be avoided by cleaning it after each use and storing it in a dry place (e.g. the garage). In addition, the snow blower should be subjected to a particularly thorough cleaning in the spring, so that salt residues, for example, are also removed.
equipment
spare battery
our recommendation
Original Einhell system battery Power X-Change (lithium ion battery, 18 V, 4.0 Ah, suitable for all Power X-Change devices)
48.41 EUR To the productIf the battery in the snow blower capitulates to the masses of snow, a replacement battery makes sense. Then you can continue working immediately after the exchange without having to wait for the battery to be recharged. When buying, make sure that the battery fits the snow blower - many manufacturers have their own batteries that only fit certain models.