It's all fun and games till the snow cover starts getting thicker, and your shovel fails to do much.
Especially if you're in your fifties and would rather a machine do all the hard work, it's best that you depend on a high-performance snowblower for effective results.
Hi! I'm Stacy, and today I'll be talking about the 5 best walk-behind snowblowers, designed to make life easier. After going through these unbiased reviews, I'm confident that you'll be able to pick the right one suitable for your needs and well within your budget.
Without further ado, let's get straight to the reviews.
Top 5 Product Reviews
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Clear your driveway like an absolute boss with the Yard Machines Single Stage Gas Snow Thrower. This brand has been around for a while now, and I'm completely stoked with its powerful engine. If you want to deal with yard chores quickly and efficiently, this is a great pick.
Why Buy This Product?
First things first, this Snow Thrower is powered by a 179cc OHV gas engine that provides you with all the power you need. Also, it comes with a push-button start for easy and hassle-free operation. Therefore, once you start it, all you need to do is maneuver the machine to tackle the snow.
Honestly, what impressed me the most is its 21-inch wide clearing path, which makes short work of snow removal. Besides, it has a 13-inch intake capacity, which is good enough to deal with light snowfall.
Furthermore, the clog-resistant EZ-chute rotates to ensure a precise path to throw the snow where you want. Also, some machines have a blowback issue, but with this, you won't be facing any such problem.
Lastly, I'm pleased with the high-performance wheels, providing superior traction even in harsh winter conditions.
What Could've Been Better?
I've used this machine quite a few times, and I do not have any major complaints regarding its performance. However, adjusting the direction of the chute could be a real menace. I would have liked it better if it had a crank or lever at about handlebar height.
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For the second spot, I've chosen the Honda Power Equipment Single-Stage model, which is easily the best snowblower for steep driveway. So, if you're looking for a tough machine that can make the climb, put your money on this one.
Why Buy This Product?
The model depends on a powerful 190cc Honda OHC engine to ply across thick snow covers. When I took it out on a test run, it could easily clear 8 inches of snow, and I must say that its effortless operation was quite impressive.
It is equipped with a clearing width of 20 inches, which, though a cinch smaller than the top model, does the job well. Apart from that, it comes with an electric start function, so you won't be struggling to turn on the engine even in freezing conditions.
Simply plug in an extension cord, start the machine, unplug, and go. As a backup, it also includes a recoil start if things get stuck midway. Besides, it has a powerful churn mechanism that throws snow up to 33 feet away.
What Could've Been Better?
It struggles to clear densely packed ice, and you may need to use ice melts first to make the work easier. Plus, it's slightly on the heavier side, so you will need some elbow grease to get desirable results.
- POWERFUL AND DEPENDABLE SNOW MACHINE: 179cc OHV Craftsman engine with electric start. 4 Cycle engine provides maximum power, performance, and durability when clearing snow
- WIDE CLEARING WIDTH: With a 21 inch clearing width, this snow blower clears snow up to 13 inches deep from your driveway and walkways. Its strong 8 inch by 2 inch Zag Tread wheels are prepared to assist in moving snow on different types of terrain. Ideal for 6 inch snow fall
- AUGER ASSIST DRIVE: While this snow thrower is not self propelled, its rubber auger grips the ground for easier forward movement of your unit. It also includes a user friendly mitten-grip starter handle and an ergonomic gull wing handle
This Single Stage Gas Powered Snow Blower from the house of Craftsman is the perfect choice for busy homeowners. If you'd rather finish the job in a single session without breaking a sweat, invest in this model right away.
Why Buy This Product?
When it comes to home power tools, Craftsman is a popular brand American households rely on, mainly because of its durable range of products. And on that note, this unit is no exception.
For starters, this machine runs on a dependable 4-cycle engine, providing maximum power and performance. I'm pleased with the 21-inch clearing capability as it tackles snow quickly and effortlessly.
It can also deal with snow up to 13 inches deep, whether it's on your driveway, walkways, or yard. What seals the deal for me is the auger propulsion technology, which ensures better ground contact for the smooth movement of the unit.
Plus, it's equipped with 8-inch treaded tires that ensure easy walk-behind maneuvering through deep snow. Honestly, as a retired individual, that's a real blessing because you don't want to be struggling in ankle-deep snow.
What Could've Been Better?
While the wheels are great when you're moving across a thick cover, it tends to collect a lot of snow, and eventually, the build-up impedes movement. So, be prepared to scrape now and then.
Here is a quick recap of what we liked and didn't like about the YARDMAX YB5765 Two-Stage Snow Blower
Pros
Cons
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The YARDMAX YB5765 Two-Stage Snow Blower is undoubtedly the best snowblower for gravel driveway. This information alone should tell you a lot about what to expect, but there's no need for guessing games as I'll discuss its deets anyway.
Why Buy This Product?
The YB5765 is the perfect combination of practicality and performance. Since it's a two-stage unit, you get to choose between 6.5 HP 196 cc recoil start or LCT 7.0 HP 208 cc electric start snow engine.
Furthermore, it runs on a self-propelling mechanism and allows users to pick a speed (5 forward and 2 reverse) that matches their pace. Thanks to the serrated steel augers, this powerful machine can seamlessly slice through hard-packed snow and ice.
Meanwhile, its ax-shaped housing further supports the slicing movement. For me, the high-speed impeller takes the cake, as it consumes more snow than ordinary units while the extended chute ensures a powerful discharge with minimal blowback.
Other than that, I'm really happy that the chute comes with a control crank that enables adjustments on the go.
What Could've Been Better?
This is not so much a con but rather an inconvenience for some users. Long story short, this model requires assembly and comes with a lot of hardware parts that are integral to its smooth functioning. This could be a hassle for some users.
- 24 Inch wide clearing path with a 20 inch intake height
- Powerful 950 snow series 208cc Engine for 9.5 foot pounds of torque
- Friction disk drive system and equipped with an electric start for effortless starting
This is the last model that I recommend, and it's definitely top-notch when it comes to blowing thick snow covers. So, if you're not that concerned about the budget, I suggest going all out and purchasing this Dual-Stage Snow Blower by Briggs & Stratton.
Why Buy This Product?
It has so many amazing features that I don't know where to begin. But let me start with the engine, which is a 208cc Snow Series engine, qualified to start even at -20°F. It's built like a tank, featuring a steel frame, chute, and notched auger that can take on snow and ice with ease.
Furthermore, the gearbox is aluminum-made, ensuring longevity even with minimal maintenance. What took me by surprise are the steel reversible skid shoes, which make plowing through the snow real easy.
Apart from that, I'm very impressed with the dash-mounted chute rotation and the chute deflector, enabling seamless removal of snow from your yard.
What Could've Been Better?
I only noticed one minor issue, which is the uncovered electric plug. Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate and interfere with the functioning of the machine. But that is far from a dealbreaker, in my opinion.
Final Words
So, now you know all about my top 5 when it comes to walk-behind snowblowers.
Among these, obviously, my top pick is the Yard Machines Single Stage Gas Snow Thrower because it's durable as well as economical. However, if you prefer getting a high-end unit with better performance, I suggest investing in the Briggs & Stratton 1024 Standard Series Dual-Stage Snow Blower. If you're curious how we chose the snowblowers, take a look at this guide.
And if you're looking for ease of use, the CRAFTSMAN Single Stage Gas Powered Snow Blower is the ideal option.
I hope you've enjoyed reading this guide. I'll be back soon with more such interesting reviews. Till next time!