If you live in an area with harsh winters, a snowblower is an essential piece of equipment to have in your arsenal.
Perhaps you already have one but found that it doesn’t start anymore. While you can try to revive that old machine, you can also start looking for a new one.
Snowblowers have continued to evolve; newer models might have features that will make your tasks easier to accomplish.
Since they are an investment that adds value and protection to your home, you must pick the right model that fits your needs.
This Ego Snow Blower review looks at the Power+ SNT2100 on a deeper level. It aims to give you a good indication of its abilities, so you can determine if it’s right for you.
Ego Snow Blower Review
A snowblower is primarily designed to run over the snow, but only on hard surfaces, such as a concrete driveway. Unfortunately, you cannot use it on the grass.
As you move the machine, the snow gets sucked into it and throws it out of the way.
Generally, you should position the blower and yourself so that the snow always blows in one direction. That way, you’re not blowing it back onto the already-cleaned surface.
This particular model recently underwent an upgrade, though it still uses two 56V batteries.
There is now a steel auger instead of a rubber one, which allows it to throw the snow about 40 feet away.
You will find that the Power+ SNT2100 is powerful enough to remove the frozen drifts at the end of your driveway.
Who Is This Product For?
Anyone who lives in a climate that sees a lot of snow can use this snowblower. Since it is cordless, you can easily take it to the end of a long driveway and work your way up.
As mentioned, it can push through heavy snow, so most people don’t use it for small snowfalls, such as less than two or three inches.
Still, it has the power to cut through tough snow drifts with ease.
In just one charge, the Power+ SNT2100 can clear a medium-size driveway and up to eight inches of snow.
What’s Included?
The machine comes as a single piece with minor assembly required. You must put on the blower mechanism and attach the handle and wheels.
Thankfully, this isn’t too difficult to do. You will receive the parts and hardware to put it together, but the tools required are not provided.
There is also a helpful manual to show you what to do, though you can search online to find video tutorials.
Overview of the Features
Though you should always work carefully, it’s designed for aggressive maneuvers to meet the needs of those living with a lot of snow.
With this snow blower, you get high performance and power without gasoline, fumes, or noise.
- Peak Power Tech
It features the Peak Power technology, which uses two different 56V lithium batteries. This gives you more clearing power and allows it to work in wet and heavy snow.
The brushless motor is a high-efficiency model and offers a 21-inch-wide intake. Therefore, it’s going to handle all that Mother Nature dishes out.
- Variable Speeds
Do you see the snowdrifts that a snowplow often leaves behind? This machine cuts through it effortlessly.
You’ll appreciate the variable-speed auger, which controls how far you can throw the snow. Though it can go up to 40 feet away, Ego claims a whopping 35 feet of clearance.
- Convenience
This mechanism lets you control the snow while you’re moving up and down the driveway.
It goes about 180 degrees to either side, so you don’t have to stay in one direction and keep snow off of what you just cleared.
You’re going to find a chute-adjustment lever right on the handle robust enough to last for many years. Still, we recommend wearing heavy-duty gloves.
- Lights
The two LED lights are quite bright, which allows you to use the machine at night or in the morning before dawn.
With this, regardless of when the snow hits, you’re prepared and ready to keep it out of the way.
- Noise
You won’t have to worry about too much noise, too. Because you’ve got two batteries doing the work, it’s significantly quieter than a gas-powered engine.
- Strong and Durable Build
This machine also features a steel chassis that allows you to use it in harsh and demanding conditions.
- Charging
The Power+ SNT2100 comes with a rapid charger and two 5.0Ah batteries. These are the fastest in the industry and allows you to recharge one in roughly 40 minutes.
Many people like the fact that the batteries and chargers for all Ego tools are compatible with each other.
So, if you have the pleasure of owning multiple Ego products, you can swap out batteries whenever the need arises.
This design maximizes the value of your tools and equipment and protects your investment.
- Storage
Storage of such a device is always a concern. You only need the tool in the winter, so what do you do with it for the rest of the year?
Fortunately, it’s only 22 inches wide, but it can go as high as 38 inches tall with the tires and everything else.
The handles fold down, too, making it easy to slide the machine into a corner of the garage.
Pros
Cons
How to Get the Most out of It
When it comes to using the snow blower, there are some things you should do each time.
For example, you must make sure the battery is charged so that it is ready to go when snow hits.
Since it is cordless, you don’t have to worry about checking oil or gas levels.
Nevertheless, it’s essential that you check the components before you start it to ensure that they are all in good condition.
It’s best to adjust your chute first into the direction you’re plowing.
As you continue with the work, you can readjust it using the chute adjustment lever on the handle. This gives you more control and helps you get done with the task faster.
Keep a firm grasp of the handle at all times to ensure that the blower goes in the direction you desire.
Generally, you should work with your arms extended so that the machine isn’t close to your body.
This provides you with extra reaction time if the machine were to stop because of an obstacle or malfunction.
Once you’re finished clearing the walkways and driveway, let it run for a few more minutes. Doing this can help get any snow between the blades out.
The chute may also continue spitting snow out for a bit. It does this so that snow doesn’t end up freezing inside, which could damage the internal parts of the snow blower.
Cleaning Strategy
When you’re cleaning the driveway or other areas around the home, you need a clear strategy. This gives you more efficiency, saving you effort and time.
Consider the wind’s direction and try to clean away the snow in that direction. This makes the task much easier, and you have less risk of getting snow in your face.
It also ensures that the snow doesn’t cover the already-cleaned areas.
Also, it’s best to keep the snow away from your home. This is because when it starts melting, it can get into the foundation and cause problems.
Since the blower goes up to or over 35 feet away, you can easily blow it into the yard.
It could possibly take you a few practice runs to figure out how to control the adjustment lever appropriately.
Generally, it’s best to shoot in a different direction into the yard each time. That way, you don’t have large piles of snow that can take longer to melt.
Also, try to keep the blower from removing snow and putting it on an area that still needs to be cleaned. This adds more work for you and can cause performance issues.
Safety Tips
When using the machine, wear snug jackets and pants so that the blower doesn’t suck up the clothes.
If you wear a scarf, make sure it is wrapped around the neck, and anything hanging goes into the jacket to protect your neck.
Gloves are essential because they can protect your hands from frostbite. Even if it’s not that extreme, you could lose feeling in the hands and have issues with control.
Consider boots that have a non-slip grip in case there is ice.
Earplugs may also be helpful, though many cordless models aren’t as loud as their gas-powered counterparts.
Always make sure that you’re standing behind the machine while it runs.
If you must clean the chute or attend to other things, shut the motor off and then let the components stop fully.
Make sure you are always focused on your surroundings, such as pets, people, and objects.
Alternative
While the Ego snow blower isn’t excessively expensive, we wanted to compare it to a similar, cheaper model to give you an idea of what you can expect from the machine.
The Snow Joe Electric Snow Thrower cleans 22 inches at a time, which is an inch wider than the one from Ego.
However, the Snow Joe product only throws up to 25 feet away from the machine. It’s still cordless, so you don’t have to worry about oil or gas.
Of course, you can adjust the chute, but you can only do it by hand. This requires you to stop the motor each time (for safety reasons).
Still, there is a safety switch on the handle, which can shut the motor down quickly if something happens.
This model also features two headlamps to help light up the area if you’re working in the dark. However, they aren’t as strong as the ones on the Ego model.
If you regularly work at dawn or at night to clear away snow, you may want brighter lights so that you can watch out for any potential hazards in the way.
Though it is a little cheaper than the Ego model and features a steel auger, it doesn’t provide you with the same features.
Is the Ego Snow Blower Right for You?
This Ego Snow Blower review is here to help you decide if this brand and model are right for your home.
With countless features available, you’re sure to clear away unwanted snow quickly and safely. It’s a smaller model, which means it’s easy to store and operate.
However, don’t let its small size fool you because it’s powerful enough to clear eight inches of snow.
We also like that the batteries and charging station are compatible with all Ego products.
This allows you to mix and match so that you always have a power tool when you require it.