Snow Shovel vs. Snow Blower: Which Is Better?
Face frigid winters with the right tool
Highlights
A snow shovel is handy for small areas and light amounts of snow, but requires serious physical effort and time.
A snow blower is a heavy-duty machine that can clear snow more quickly than a shovel.
A snow blower is best for clearing large amounts of snow or a large driveway or walkway.
The beautiful snowy season brings some delight, but it also means you need an efficient way to clear snow from your sidewalks, patios, and driveway. So, which is better for your situation, a snow shovel or blower? This guide will compare a snow shovel vs. blower, their pros and cons, and things to consider when deciding between them. Don’t forget to consider hiring a professional snow removal service to avoid this time-consuming task.
Snow Shovel vs. Blower: Key Differences
The main difference between a snow shovel vs. blower is that one is a manual tool, and the other is a heavy-duty machine that disperses the snow for you. You use a snow shovel to manually scoop snow and clear areas. This is a good option if you don’t need to clear a large area and have a light amount of snow.
A blower is typically a gas- or electric- powered machine that requires much less physical work and can quickly clear large amounts of dense, heavy snow. This option is best for homeowners who live in areas that frequently receive snow or those who have large areas to clear. Keep in mind that hiring a local snow removal company to clear your snowy driveway or walkway is an alternative option that requires zero effort on freezing winter days.
What Is a Snow Shovel?
A snow shovel is a shovel designed specifically for snow removal. It has a flat, wide blade that can be made of plastic, metal, or wood and a long handle to make pushing and lifting snow easier. There are different types of snow shovels for various tasks. For instance, some shovels are designed to push snow off of a path, while others are made to scrape and lift snow and ice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | More time consuming |
| Excellent for clearing light snow | Not efficient for large amounts of snow |
| Provides a great workout | Physically taxing and can cause injuries |
Best for:
People in peak physical condition
Individuals seeking an affordable way to clear snow
Those that live in areas with low snowfall rate
Pros of a Snow Shovel
One of the biggest appeals of using a snow shovel is that it is much more affordable than a snow blower. The average price for a standard snow shovel runs between $15 and $35, while a snow blower can cost anywhere from $950 to $1,500, depending on the type. Snow shovels are readily available to purchase at your local home and garden center.
It’s also great for clearing away light amounts of snow without having to worry about firing up a snow blower. Another benefit is it provides a vigorous workout for those who are up to the challenge.
Cons of a Snow Shovel
While shoveling by hand can be a good option for someone seeking to cut costs on snow removal, it definitely has its downsides. Shoveling snow is physically demanding and can cause serious injuries and shouldn’t be attempted by people who have health conditions that limit physical exertion.
Another disadvantage of this snow removal method is that it takes much longer to shovel snow than using a blower, and it’s not an efficient way to clear out large areas. If you have to clear a medium- or large-size driveway or walkway, it could take several hours using only a snow shovel.
What Is a Snow Blower?
A snow blower is a heavy-duty machine powered by gasoline or electricity that uses an auger to collect and “blow” or eject snow away from an area. This method requires much less physical exertion and is better for clearing snow from larger areas. In fact, their path-clearing width can range from 18 to 36 inches across.
There are two-stage and three-stage snow blowers, and the type you should choose will depend on whether you live in a climate that frequently experiences heavy snowfall. Both are extremely effective, but a three-stage blower has additional accelerators and can break down hardened snow and even ice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Not as physically strenuous | More costly than a shovel |
| Clears heavy amounts of snow with ease | Requires regular maintenance |
| More time efficient | Need adequate storage space |
Best for:
People that live in climates with heavy snowfall
Individuals with physical limitations
Anyone that has large areas that require snow removal
Pros of a Blower
Snow blowers are ideal for anyone with physical limitations. Rather than risking injury from shoveling heavy amounts of snow, a blower can clear it quickly without strenuous effort. If you have many areas to clear, such as pathways, patios, and your driveway, this machine can remove snow much more efficiently than a shovel. It's also best for heavy amounts of snow, and depending on the type of blower, it can even scrape hardened snow and ice.
Cons of a Blower
The major con of a snow blower is the cost. Some snow blowers can easily cost over $1,000. Not only is the upfront cost expensive, but they also require regular maintenance, including repairs and end-of-season upkeep, which can rack up additional costs. Plus, a snow blower is a large piece of equipment that needs to be properly stored, which can take up quite a bit of space in your shed or garage.
Snow Shovel vs. Snow Blower
Now that you know the differences between a snow shovel and a blower, let's compare them further and see which is better for your snow removal needs.
Options and Customizations: Snow Blower
While there are different designs of snow shovels to choose from, they are much more limited in terms of options and customizations. Snow blowers come in various sizes and can be used to remove light or heavy snow, whereas shoveling dense, hardened snow is extremely difficult.
Since three-stage snow blowers have the capability to scrape and rid ice, it’s worth owning one if you live in an area with fierce frigid winters.
Ease of Use: Snow Blower
As far as ease of use is concerned, it depends on a few factors. For instance, a snow shovel may be simpler to use for clearing light snow off of a pathway, but a snow blower is much easier to use for clearing large areas with heavy amounts of snow. However, snow blowers require much less physical effort, making them the winner of this category.
Maintenance: Snow Shovel
A snow blower requires more maintenance than a shovel. A blower is a machine with working parts that need maintenance, such as oil changes, lubrication, and spark plug replacements.
It may also require adjustments to the auger and impeller along with tune-ups. A snow shovel basically only needs to be cleaned, and if it has a metal blade, it may require sharpening. So, it is much less to maintain.
Price: Snow Shovel
When it comes to cost, a snow shovel is much more affordable than a blower. You can usually pick up a standard snow shovel at your local home improvement store for under $35.
However, steel snow shovels are typically more expensive than plastic ones because they are more durable and can withstand heavier amounts of snow. But, they are still much less costly than a snow blower.
Sustainability: Snow Shovel
When it comes to what is more eco-friendly, a snow shovel wins hands-down. That’s because some snow blowers use fuel as a power source, which pollutes the air and causes noise pollution. The parts of snow blowers are also more complex, which makes them more difficult to recycle. So, snow blowers have more of an impact on the environment than snow shovels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using a snow blower can make removing snow easier if you have physical limitations and a large area to cover. Snow blowers can remove large amounts of snow quickly, which can also save you time. However, shoveling can be efficient for smaller areas with light snow. The method you use will depend on the specific situation and your preference. Of course, you can skip doing it yourself and stay out of the cold by hiring a snow removal company near you.
If you live in a cold climate with frequent heavy snowfall, investing in a snow blower may be worth the cost. Another thing to consider when factoring in cost is if you have physical limitations that make shoveling snow difficult or even dangerous. So, you may want to start shopping around for a snow blower if you have either or both of these scenarios.