Snow Blower Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Snow Blower for a Canadian Winter

Winter is on its way, and the first big storm always seems to arrive before anyone is ready. If shovelling the driveway at 6 a.m. is getting old, this snow blower buying guide will help you choose the right machine for your property: the right type, the right clearing width and the features that really matter in a Canadian winter.

Snow blower types at a glance

Type	Best for	Clearing width
Cordless snow shovel	Steps, decks, balconies and short walkways	12 in.
Single-stage	Paved driveways and walkways, light to moderate snowfalls	18 to 24 in.
Two-stage	Deep, heavy or wet snow, the plow ridge, gravel driveways	24 to 32 in.
Three-stage	The heaviest, iciest snow and large properties	28 to 30 in.

Single-stage, two-stage or three-stage: what's the difference?

Single-stage snow blowers

A single-stage machine uses one fast-spinning auger that scoops up the snow and throws it out of the chute in a single motion. Because the auger touches the ground, it also helps pull the machine forward and leaves a clean surface on pavement. Single-stage blowers are lighter, more compact and easier to store, which makes them ideal for paved driveways, walkways and regular snowfalls.

Good to know: since the auger contacts the surface, a single-stage blower is not recommended for gravel driveways, as it can pick up and throw stones.

Popular choices: the Toro 21 in. Power Clear 721 QZE with push-button electric start, the compact Troy-Bilt Squall 123R and the 18-inch Toro Power Clear 518 ZE.

Two-stage snow blowers

In a two-stage machine, a slower auger first breaks up and gathers the snow, then a high-speed impeller sends it out through the chute. The result: much more throwing power, wider clearing widths (24 to 32 in.) and intake heights of 20 in. or more. This is the machine for deep snowfalls, heavy wet snow and the hard-packed ridge the city plow leaves at the end of your driveway. Adjustable skid shoes keep the housing above the ground, so two-stage models also work on gravel.

Popular choices: the Troy-Bilt Storm 2620, the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE and the Honda HSS724AAWD.

Three-stage snow blowers

Three-stage models such as the Troy-Bilt Vortex 2895 XP and Vortex 3010 XP add a third stage: an accelerator at the centre of the auger housing that chops up packed snow and ice and feeds it to the impeller faster, so the machine keeps moving through the toughest conditions. Both are powered by a 420cc engine and come with heated grips, Touch N' Turn power steering and an LED headlight.

Gas, battery or electric?

Gas: maximum power and unlimited runtime

Gas engines remain the reference for long driveways, large lots and big storms: refuel and keep going. Look for a 4-cycle OHV engine (no oil-and-gas mixing) and electric start for cold mornings. Our range goes from the 123cc Troy-Bilt Squall up to the 420cc engines of the Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE and the Troy-Bilt Vortex series.

Battery: no gas, no pull cord, less noise

Today's 56V and 60V battery platforms have changed the game. Cordless snow blowers start at the push of a button, need no oil changes or fuel stabilizer, and run quieter than gas models, a real plus at 6 a.m. Even two-stage clearing is now available on battery: the EGO Power+ 28-inch Self-Propelled 2-Stage throws snow up to 60 ft, and the Toro 60V Power Max e24 and e26 offer a 20 in. intake height with 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds.

Runtime depends on the depth and weight of the snow. As a reference, the Toro 60V Power Clear e21 is rated to clear roughly a 15-car driveway on one charge, and the Toro 60V SnowMaster 24" with its 10Ah battery up to a 20-car driveway. Already own EGO batteries? The bare-tool versions let you reuse them.

Cold-weather tip: store your batteries indoors at room temperature and insert them just before you head out. A warm battery gives you more runtime than a cold one.

Corded electric and power shovels: for small spaces

For a deck, balcony, steps or a short walkway, a lightweight tool is all you need. The Toro 18" Power Curve corded electric snow thrower weighs only 29 lbs, while the cordless EGO Power+ 12-inch Snow Shovel and Toro 12" 60V Power Shovel weigh about 17 to 22 lbs with the battery and throw snow up to 25 ft.

What clearing width do you need?

Clearing width is how wide a path the machine clears in one pass. Wider means fewer passes, but also a heavier, bulkier machine to store. Use this table as a starting point:

Your property	Recommended width	Examples from our catalogue
Steps, decks and balconies	12 in.	EGO Power+ 12-inch Snow Shovel, Toro 12" 60V Power Shovel
Walkways and 1-car driveways	18 to 21 in.	Toro Power Clear 518 ZE, Toro 60V Power Clear 21", Troy-Bilt Squall 123R
Standard 2-car driveways	21 to 24 in.	Toro Power Clear 821 QZE, Honda HSS724AAWD, Troy-Bilt Storm 2420
Long or 3-car driveways	26 to 28 in.	Toro Power Max 826 OHAE, Troy-Bilt Storm 2820, EGO Power+ 28-inch 2-Stage
Large lots, rural properties and snowbelts	30 to 32 in.	Toro Power Max HD 1030 OHAE, Troy-Bilt Storm 3090, Toro Power Max HD 1232 OHXE

Also check the intake height, the depth of snow the machine can take in one pass: around 12 to 13 in. on single-stage models and 20 to 21.7 in. on two-stage models. If your area regularly gets big dumps of snow, or the plow leaves a tall ridge at the end of your driveway, choose a two-stage machine.

Features worth having in a Canadian winter

• Electric start: push-button starting on cold mornings, with a recoil backup on models such as the Honda HSS724AAWD and the Troy-Bilt Storm series. Cordless models start instantly.
• Self-propulsion and power steering: Toro Personal Pace follows your walking speed, while Troy-Bilt Touch N' Turn and the power steering of the Toro Power Max HD 1232 OHXE and 1428 OHXE make big machines easy to turn.
• Heated grips or hand warmers: available on the Troy-Bilt Storm 2820, Storm 2435 and Vortex models, and on the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE, Power Max HD 1030 OHAE and 60V Power Max e26.
• LED headlights: in December the sun rises late and sets early. Most Troy-Bilt Storm models and the Toro OHAE models light the way.
• Track drive: on steep, icy or uneven driveways, the tracks of the Honda HSS724AATD keep their grip where wheels can slip.
• Easy chute control: the Toro Quick Stick joystick and the EGO 200° electronic chute let you change the throwing direction in seconds.
• Throwing distance: the farther the throw, the less snow you clear twice. Our two-stage models throw 40 to 65 ft, up to 65 ft for the Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE.

Our picks for every situation

Best for small paved driveways: Toro 21 in. Power Clear 721 QZE

Push-button electric start, a 212cc Toro Premium engine and Power Propel self-propel in a machine that weighs only 86 lbs. View the Toro Power Clear 721 QZE

Best cordless single-stage: EGO Power+ 21-inch Snow Blower Kit

EGO's most powerful single-stage cordless snow blower: 21 in. clearing width, 13 in. intake height, steel auger and a throw of up to 45 ft. Two 6.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger are included. View the EGO Power+ 21-inch kit

Best cordless two-stage: EGO Power+ 28-inch Self-Propelled 2-Stage Kit

Gas-level clearing without fumes: 28 in. clearing width, 21 in. intake height, variable-speed self-propulsion and a throw of up to 60 ft. Comes with two 12.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger. View the EGO Power+ 28-inch kit

Best all-round two-stage: Troy-Bilt Storm 2620

A 26 in. clearing width, a 243cc engine with push-button electric start, a 20 in. intake height, a throw of up to 40 ft and an in-dash LED headlight. View the Troy-Bilt Storm 2620

Best for slopes and ice: Honda HSS724AATD Track Drive

Honda's GX200 engine, hydrostatic track drive for sure footing on slopes and ice, electric start with recoil backup, a 23.8 in. clearing width and a throw of up to 49 ft. View the Honda HSS724AATD

Best for large properties and heavy snow: Toro Power Max HD 1232 OHXE

A 32 in. clearing width, a 375cc engine, a 21.5 in. intake height, power steering, a commercial-grade gearbox and a throw of up to 57 ft. Prefer three-stage power? Look at the Troy-Bilt Vortex 3010 XP. View the Toro Power Max HD 1232 OHXE

Get ready before the first storm: pre-season checklist

1. Fresh fuel: use up or drain last season's gas, then fill up with fresh fuel and a fuel stabilizer. Stale gas is a common cause of hard starting.
2. Engine oil: check the level and use the oil grade your owner's manual recommends for cold temperatures.
3. Belts, spark plug and shear pins: inspect them, and keep spare shear pins on hand if your model uses them.
4. Skid shoes and scraper bar: set the skid shoes higher for gravel and lower for a clean finish on pavement.
5. Tires: check the pressure of pneumatic tires.
6. Batteries: fully charge cordless batteries and store them indoors.
7. Mark your driveway: place reflective stakes along the edges before the ground freezes, so you don't hit edging, borders or gravel hidden under the snow.

Safety first: never put your hands in the chute or the auger housing. Stop the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop and use the clean-out tool or a broom handle to clear a clog.

Frequently asked questions

What size snow blower do I need for a two-car driveway?

For a standard two-car driveway, a 21 to 24 in. machine is the sweet spot. Choose a 24 in. two-stage model if you get frequent heavy snowfalls or a big plow ridge.

Can I use a single-stage snow blower on gravel?

It is not recommended: the auger touches the ground and can throw stones. A two-stage machine with its skid shoes raised is the right choice for gravel.

Are battery snow blowers powerful enough for Canadian winters?

For most homes, yes. Single-stage cordless models handle walkways and average driveways, and two-stage battery models like the EGO Power+ 28-inch and the Toro 60V Power Max e26 take on deep snow. For very long driveways or frequent heavy storms, a gas two-stage model remains the most powerful choice, or plan for a second battery.

When is the best time to buy a snow blower?

In the fall, before the first storm. You get the widest choice of models, plus time to assemble, start and test your machine before you really need it.

Find your snow blower

We hope this snow blower buying guide makes your choice easier. From compact cordless snow shovels to 32-inch heavy-duty two-stage machines, our collection includes Toro, Honda, EGO, Troy-Bilt, DeWalt and Milwaukee snow blowers. Browse all snow blowers and be ready before the first storm hits.