Some of us love winter, and some of us do not. Regardless of your preference for the white stuff that falls from the sky, there’s a chore that most of us will agree is less than desirable—clearing snow from paths, sidewalks and driveways. If you’re like me, you see the snow and think, “I’ll bang out that snow clearing in, oh, say, 20 minutes.” Then, 45 minutes later, you’re still at it while the to the shovel, your back is hurting, snow is sticking and often more snow is falling. Fear not, snow-clearing warriors; help is on the way. Read on for my EGO snow blower review.
The EGO Cordless Snow Blower is a 56v cordless snow blower with a large and powerful 24-inch clearing width. This snow blower stands alone in a crowd of battery-powered blowers. It’s just as capable as most high-end gasoline-powered blowers with all the bells and whistles. Those of you who have only used gasoline-powered two-stage blowers, prepare to have your mind blown.
What is the EGO snow blower?
Pamela Bondurant/Family Handman
Of all the cordless snow blowers I’ve tested in 2024, the EGO snow blower is the only two-stage electric snow blower, meaning that instead of only using a plastic auger that touches the ground to remove the snow, an impeller adds the second stage to “throw” the snow without the metal auger touching the ground. The two-stage features enable it to perform not only on paved surfaces but also on gravel and dirt. In addition to accommodating more surfaces, two-stage blowers can clear deeper snow. Since they are often self-propelled, they can take on steep inclines.
The device sports standard EGO green, and I have to say it is cool-looking for a snow blower. A high-tech dashboard is at the helm, evoking thoughts of video games or maybe a tool that I would control with a remote. Let’s look at its features before we take it for a spin.
VIA MERCHANT
VIA MERCHANT
This snow blower features self-propel and brushless motors for quieter operation and longer life.
Pros:
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Powerful
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Extended run time
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Quiet opperation
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Multiple amp hour battery options
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Great for large properties
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Sturdy yet lightweight
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Impressive 5-year warranty
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Several special features
Cons:
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Expensive
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Overkill for some users
EGO Snow Blower Features
Pamela Bondurant/Family Handman
On the EGO blower, you can use any combination of one or two ARC Lithium 56v batteries, typically ranging from 7.5 Ah to 12 Ah. Use just one battery if you need to charge the other, but ideally, use both batteries and maximize your snow blowing. The battery charger is a rapid charger that allowed me to charge two 56v-10 Ah batteries in under two hours! The ARC Lithium™ technology protects the battery from shock, overheating, the weather and more. Don’t forget that all lithium batteries have operating temperature ranges and must be charged indoors or in a heated garage.
This EGO’s dashboard looks like an airplane cockpit, and despite all the controls, it is simple to use. Everything is adjustable from the dashboard.
- Variable speed auger control to adjust blowing distance
- Variable speed self-propel forward and reverse
- Chute rotation and angle
- Heated hand grips
- Left and right turn controls
- Upper and lower deck headlights
With a replaceable scraper bar, skid shoes, shear pins, wheels and augers, the machine is geared for both residential and commercial use. The five-year warranty even covers the intended longevity of commercial use of this machine. Plus, the 24-inch clearing path shows that it’s meant to be used alongside or instead of gasoline-powered snow blowers.
How We Tested It
Pamela Bondurant
I put the EGO through a regimen of tests designed just for cordless snow blowers. Testing included battery charge time, battery run time, assembly, maneuverability and lots of snow-blowing. I tested the machine on several surfaces and paid extra close attention to its clearing ability and ability to throw different types of snow.
First, if shipped, I want to note that this machine will likely arrive by freight instead of a standard delivery business. This was not an issue because the machine was so easy to unpack and assemble. It was even easier than a smaller, lighter machine that comes by standard delivery since lifting the machine and bits and parts out of a box was unnecessary. Instead, the packing material was easily removed from the shipping pallet leaving the machine accessible, and once assembled, you just “drive” it off.
Dirt and Gravel Driveway
It’s a two-stage snow blower so it’s able to clear gravel and dirt driveways. I put it to the test on my lengthy dirt and gravel driveway that just happened to be covered in about a foot of snow. The first thing I noticed was how far I could throw the snow. EGO states that the machine can throw 50 feet, and while I didn’t measure the distance, that sounds about right. It was pretty fun to watch. Had I wanted to, I think I could have moved all my snow onto my neighbor’s property. Luckily, the adjustable auger allowed me to take it down to a more practical throwing distance for the job I was working on.
The knobby tires and the self-propelling mechanism made this snow blower glide through the snow and even through the wet, boggy and icy parts. A simple one-handed operation reverses the machine when you reach a dead end and can’t turn. Speaking of turning, the left and right turn controls worked well despite hardly needing them since this machine is lighter and more maneuverable than a gasoline-powered snow blower.
Battery and Hand Warmers
The batteries were still over 50% capacity after clearing my 100-foot driveway, part of another driveway and the entire street in front of my house, all while running both the upper and lower headlights with the heated hand grips on full throttle. There is one part of me that I find impossible to keep warm despite my best efforts: my hands. I gave a small eye roll filled with pessimism when I activated the hand warmers, and after 45 minutes of snow blowing, I was still blowing snow with my gloves removed, and my hands were perfectly comfortable. Who knew!?
After playing around in the snow banks that I had created with the blower—climbing them like I was driving an off-road vehicle—I had completely exhausted my snow resources and had to call it a day. I cleaned off the machine and “parked” it in the garage, noticing that it was much smaller than a gasoline-powered machine.
Why Trust Us
My focus at Family Handyman is testing outdoor power equipment and tools by putting them through everyday tasks and scenarios. I’ve tested everything from electric pruning shears to mini chainsaws to cordless snow blowers. So, the Ego snow blower was certainly in my wheelhouse. Using testing methodologies put together at Family Handyman, I was able to evaluate this machine through fair practices.
Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, an editor and writer since 2014, used her commerce content expertise that she’s secured from her work at Trusted Media Brands, Hearst Digital Media and more to update this story.
FAQs
Are electric snow blowers any good?
Besides their ample snow-clearing power, electric snow blowers are emissions free. They’re also quieter than gas blowers and require less maintenance (not to mention gas). This is confirmed by my own Ego snow blower review, as well as our reviews of more than a dozen other electric snow blowers over the last two years.
How much should I spend on a snow blower?
While a snow blower costs anywhere from $100 to almost $10,000, most homeowners will pay between $250 and $2,000. However, it depends on the type you want and need. Power shovels are economical for some assisted shoveling while areas with heavy snow might need a large gas three-stage machine for regular clearing.
Is a battery-powered snow blower worth it?
Yes. Battery-powered snow blowers work well enough to clean snow from large areas without hitching or getting stuck. The only trouble you may run into is having a battery run out of power in the middle of a job, depending on the size of the space you’re clearing.
How do I choose an electric snow blower?
Single-stage blowers work for walkways and smaller driveways. If your driveway is over 60 feet long, choose a two- or three-stage snow blower.
What snow depth can a snow blower handle?
Single-stage and two-stage snow blowers are best for up to 1 foot of snow.
How long does the Ego snow blower last?
Ego says the 24-inch two-stage snow blower can clear up to a 24-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on a single charge when using both of the included batteries.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
“Eats Wet Heavy Snow So Easily!! It’s A Beast!” says verified purchaser Charles V. on EGO. “This snow blower is a monster!!! It ate the 31-inch snowbank of heavy wet snow!”
Stephen M. Bradley writes in his Amazon review, “I am frankly amazed by the power that this thing can put out being run by two batteries. Although enormous batteries. Plows through the snow as advertised, throwing it as far as I could ask.”
Five-star reviewer, Jim Miller says, “This is so easy to set up and run. It does everything that EGO says it will do. Much easier to use than my old gas-powered one ever was. It seems lightweight but works great. No fumes blowing back in your face. Glad I purchased it.”
Product Comparison
Pamela Bondurant/Family Handman
I have much to say about the EGO snow blower when comparing it to other blowers. First of all, there’s no comparison between this blower and, say, a single-stage blower. The 56v EGO two-stage snow blower is designed for heavy snow and big jobs and moves heavy snow easily. If I were to compare it to gasoline-powered snow blowers, I would pick this blower over my gas blowers every day of the week. It starts on the first try, doesn’t require me to keep gasoline on hand, is much lighter than my gasoline-powered machine, is quiet and looks super high-tech (and is!).
Final Verdict
I 100% recommend the EGO cordless snow blower for both big and small jobs. It’s a joy to work with and is meant to last a lifetime. With this blower, there won’t be a storm you can’t handle. It will make you the envy of your neighbors, and you’ll be grateful for the peace of mind and extra time you’ll have to enjoy winter’s wonders.
Where to Buy the EGO Cordless Snow Blower
VIA MERCHANT
VIA MERCHANT
This snow blower delivers the power and performance of gas without the noise, fuss and fumes. Get the job done quickly and handle even the deepest snow.
Find the EGO snow blower on Amazon, Lowe’s, or Ace Hardware for about $1,600. Let it be your go-to companion for combatting winter chores, keeping your life and path clear and ready to take on new challenges.