The 6 Best Single Stage Snow Blowers 2021 Reviews & Buying Guide

While winter is approaching quickly and to save yourself from the hard work of shoveling show, you have to invest in a single stage snow blower to clear the pathways/driveways effortlessly.

A single stage snow blower is ideal for small domestic jobs like flat, midsized paved walkway, garden paths or patios with a typical or heavy snowfall less than 8 inches. It uses an auger and motor to scoop up the snow and throw it away to clear the path. They are lighter and more compact but less powerful than 2-stage or 3-stage snow blowers.

Before purchasing this single-stage snow blower, you have to consider these 2 main points to grab the best one.

Type – There are two types of snow blowers available for single-stage operation. They are electric (corded and cordless) and gas-powered. Here is the table that differentiate and let you choose your best one.

Auger & Blades – An auger is the tool head of single-stage snow blower to clear the snow and shoot it out through a chute. So, it should be durable and prefer auger made with steel rather than plastic. Also, see there should be higher number of blades like 4 blades present in auger to clear the snow quickly.

Apart from these 2 key points, you have to check various factors like its power source, motor power, cutting depth & width, snow clearing rate, etc. which are clearly mentioned in the below Buying Guide. Along with the guide, we provided a variety of best-selling single stage snowblowers.

Just go through the guide and products to grab your best and most suited single-stage snow blowers.

Best Single Stage Snow Blowers: Reviews

1. Snow Joe SJ623E Snow Thrower

We have yet another single-stage snow blower offering from Snow Joe that is also electric like the previous one. But this one is a bit on the compact side that makes it an excellent option for users.

This Snow Joe SJ623E electric single stage snow blower is present in the 3rd position in this article as it offers decent performance in a small form factor. You get a highly powerful 15 amp motor in this single-stage snow thrower that powers its 18-inch wide auger. Its auger is made out of highly durable steel and offers a total of 4 blades. Since it has a decent cutting depth of snow intake height of 10 inches, you get a high snow moving capacity of 720 pounds per minute.

Just like the previous Snow Joe snow blower, this one also comes with a 2-year warranty on its electric motor. This electric motor is quite efficient and allows you to shoot snow up to 25 feet away. You can even change the direction of the snow using the 180-degree adjustable chute that is present on the top of this snow blower. A great thing about this snow blower is that it comes with a 23 W halogen light on the front that can be quite handy for using it in the night.

Best Features:

• 15 amp electric motor
• 18-inch blade width
• 10-inch cutting depth
• 720 pounds per minute snow moving capacity
• 2-year warranty
• 4 blade steel auger
• 23 W LED halogen lights for using in the night
• Shoot snow up to 25 feet away
• Adjustable 180-degree chute at the front

Components:

• Single-stage snow blower
• User manual
• Warranty card

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2. Toro Snow Blower

Toro is another brand of electric power tools that you should consider before buying any tool like a snow blower. Its single-stage snow blower has a high user rating because of all the various features that it offers to the user.

Toro’s 38381 electric single stage snow blower comes with a powerful 15 amp motor that is quite similar to the various other electric options present in this article. It powers an 18-inch wide auger that makes this snow blower quite compact and an excellent option for using at your home. Since this auger has a large 12-inch intake height, you get a decent snow moving capacity of 700 pounds per minute despite its small 18-inch wide blade or auger.

One of the most useful and unique features of this Toro snow blower is that you get Power Curve technology in it. This simply adjusts the power of the motor as per the load requirement. In other words, this electric motor that comes with a 2-year warranty is one of the most efficient options out there. You get a 160-degree adjustable chute at the front of this snow blower for shooting snow in different directions. It even includes an ergonomic handle that combines a lift handle for ease of use while using this snow blower.

Best Features:

• 15 amp electric motor
• 18-inch blade width
• 12-inch cutting depth
• 700 pounds per minute snow moving capacity
• 2-year warranty
• 160-degree adjustable chute at the front
• Power curve technology for efficiency
• Full bail ergonomic handle with lift handle
• Includes quick level and zip deflector

Components:

• Single-stage snow blower
• User manual
• Warranty card

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3. Snow Joe SJ625E Snow Thrower

Apart from making garden tools under the brand Sun Joe, you can also find a wide range of snow power tools from Snow Joe. It makes all kinds of tools, including a wide range of single-stage snow thrower options out there.

The Snow Joe SJ625E electric single stage snow blower is present in the 1st position in this article as it is the cheapest option present in this article. Even then, you get decent performance from it due to its powerful 15 amp electric motor. This electric motor is also quite efficient and reliable that comes with a 2-year long warranty. It is responsible for powering a large 21-inch wide auger or cutting blade in this snow blower that offers great performance to the user.

Since it has a cutting depth of 12 inches, you get a high snow moving capacity of 800 pounds per minute that makes this single stage snow blower quite fast. Even if you want to use this snow blower in deep snow, you can easily do so as it comes with large 8-inch wheels with a thickness of 2.5 inches. You can also use this snow blower during the night as you get 3 W LED lights at the front that are quite bright for blowing snow.

Best Features:

• 15 amp electric motor
• 21-inch blade width
• 12-inch cutting depth
• 800 pounds per minute snow moving capacity
• 2-year warranty
• 4 blade steel auger
• 3 W LED lights at the front
• 8-inch wheel diameter with a thickness of 2.5 inch
• Maintenance-free reliable and efficient motor

Components:

• Single-stage snow blower
• User manual
• Warranty card

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4. Briggs & Stratton Single-Stage Snow Blower

 

Briggs & Stratton is one of the most popular brands out there if you are looking for power tools that are powered by gas engines. And as you would expect, they also make various snow blowers, including single-stage ones that are powered by a gas engine.

Briggs & Stratton’s 1022E gas-powered single-stage snow blower is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is the most potent option present in this article. It offers a large and highly powerful 208 CC gas engine. This 950 snow series gas engine can produce a torque rating of 9.50-foot pounds. You get a 22-inch wide blade in this snow blower that is powered by its highly powerful gas engine for offering a high snow moving capacity.

It also offers a large intake height or cutting depth of 12.5 inch that is more than enough for most users out there. Even though this is a gas-powered snow blower, it comes with a 3-year long warranty that is great to have when combined with its great build quality. You also get a highly useful Snow Shredder feature in this snow blower. As per its name, it breaks snow into smaller pieces that allow this snow blower to shoot hard snow after cleaning it easily.

Best Features:

• 208 CC gas engine
• 22-inch blade width
• 12. 5-inch cutting depth
• Weighs 93 pounds
• 3-year warranty
• Great build quality
• Snow shredder technology
• 9.5 foot-pounds torque rating
• Adjustable snow chute on the top
• Convenient electric start feature for ease of use

Components:

• Single-stage snow blower
• User manual
• Warranty card

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5. YARDMAX YB4628 Snow Thrower

Yardmax is a comparatively small brand of power tools when compared with the various options present in this article. This brand also makes single-stage snow blowers that offer multiple features.

The Yardmax YB4628 gas-powered single-stage snow blower comes with a relatively small 87 CC engine. But since this engine is highly efficient, it can generate a decent performance level with low fuel consumption due to its smaller engine size. It is responsible for powering an 18-inch wide blade that makes this snow blower quite compact and practical. Its 4 cycle gas engine offers a maximum cutting depth of 11 inches that is quite decent.

Unlike other compact snow blowers out there, this one is powered by a gas engine. Due to this, it is not tethered by any power cord that makes it highly practical. One of the most unique features of this snow blower is that it comes with a foldable handle. This allows you to easily store it in your garage when it is not in use. Since this is a smaller brand of power tools, you only get a 2-year warranty with it. Thankfully, the build quality and engine reliability are quite decent.

Best Features:

• 87 CC gas engine
• 18-inch blade width
• 11-inch cutting depth
• 8 HP engine power rating
• 2-year warranty
• Weighs 68 pounds
• Adjustable chute with 180-degree movement
• Small and compact
• Foldable handle design
• 4 cycle gas engine for high efficiency

Components:

• Single-stage snow blower
• User manual
• Warranty card

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6. Briggs & Stratton 1696737 Snow Thrower 

As mentioned earlier, Briggs & Stratton makes a wide range of gas-powered single-stage snow thrower models. Thus we are here with another one that is quite similar to the previous one but comes at a lower price since it has less features.

You get a highly powerful 208 CC gas engine in this single-stage snow blower. This 950 snow series gas engine generates a high torque rating of 9.5-foot pounds that makes it one of the most powerful options out there. It then powers a 22-inch wide auger that is one of the biggest sizes out there. When combined with its large 12.5-inch intake height or cutting depth, you can easily clear a lot of snow.

As you would expect, this Briggs & Stratton snow blower also comes with a 3-year warranty with its reliable and durable gas engine. A great thing about this gas engine is that it comes with recoil start and synthetic oil so that you do not face any issues while turning on this snow blower. Its auger has rubber edges that help it propel forward for easily moving it even in deep snow or on the pavement.

Best Features:

• 208 CC gas engine
• 22-inch blade width
• 5-inch cutting depth
• 5-foot pound torque rating
• 3-year warranty
• Rubber edged auger for easy maneuverability
• Quickly adjustable auger for manual control
• Great build quality
• Recoil start and synthetic oil for easy starting and ease of use

Components:

• Single-stage snow blower
• User manual
• Warranty card

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Buying Guide for the Best Single Stage Snow Blower

However, we have mentioned all the major features and options of various single stage snow blowers in this article. If you still have any queries regarding how to select, what factors to choose, which type suits best for you, how it works, etc. while purchasing the single stage snow blower.

So, to grab the perfect one for you, here is the buying guide with all the essential aspects related to single stage snow blowers. All you need is just follow this guide till the end and choose your best and most suited one.

1. Types of Single Stage Snow Blower:

Generally, there are two types of snow blowers available for any stage operation. They are electric (corded and cordless) and gas-powered. Here we are explaining the single stage types in detail. Take a look on it.

Gas Powered Single Stage Snow Blowers:

• The gas-powered blowers require only gasoline but not oil or its mix.
• They suit good for level, midsized, walkways and paved driveways to clear typical or expected snow levels for up to 18 inches. A few clear a large swath for 18 – 22 inches.
• So, it is considered as the best option for clearing snow effectively in a lot of space or large area.
• It requires an extra care and maintenance, especially after it is stored during warmer months.
• They are free from any limitations of the cord and they are costlier than large 2- or 3- stage machines.
• Although, they are slight heavier and take up more storage space as a mower but easy to handle.
• Most of these models are bit harder to start, as you have to pull the starter while a few models offer electric starting, which makes it easy to start.

Electric Powered Corded Single Stage Snow Blowers:

• The electric snow blowers run with electricity but needs to have proper power supply to start up the blower.
• Plug in the blower into power source and manage the cord and extension cords are not recommended for use for a shorter area.
• Make sure to purchase the blower with a cord that is long enough to reach the area you’re planning to clear the snow.
• It suits best for smaller space or short areas like level driveways, walkways, and decks to clear the snow levels less than 12 inches.
• While working in swaths under 22 inches will require clearing snow with multiple passes. Also, their power won’t match for steep slopes.
• The electric blower costs less than gas powered models. They are lighter, easy to control, carry and store them after usage.

Battery Powered Electric Single Stage Snow Blowers:

• They run with battery power, which gives more convenience and better performance.
• It suits best for a light dusting which clears 12-inch deep snow and easy to tackle than good snow shovel. A few models can clear a large swath (15 – 22 inches).
• They have electric starting, which can be started easily without having any nearby power supply.
• Suits best for clearing snow in areas where it is out of reach and prevent the using long extension cords – no limitation in area.
• They are quieter than other models and even use them during early morning hour or late-night hours.

2. Power Type:

Most of the snow blowers, either electric and gas models come with single stage type. The gas engine or electric motor will power up the auger blades to clear snow effectively. Both of these power types have their own pros and cons, so you have to select the perfect one, as per your requirement.

• Gas-powered single stage snow blowers will offer higher levels of performance in most cases but run with higher noise levels.
• The electric snowblowers are reliable, easy to use and operate with low noise level but lacks in power supply.

3. Motor Power:

Its best to buy a single stage snow blower with a powerful engine or motor, irrespective of its power source (electric or gas). This will ensure the auger to clear the snow and shoot it away effectively. In general, the engine power of gas-powered snowblowers are mentioned in CC, the electric coded snow blower’s motor power is termed as amps and whereas volts are measured for battery powered.

One can find options like 100 CC or 220 CC for gas engine powered snow blowers, 10 amps or 15 amps for electric corded blowers and 30V – 60V for battery powered snowblowers. Choosing a blower with higher rating in each case will result in better performance.

4. Auger & Blades:

An auger is a tool head of a single-stage snow blower and it is responsible for clearing and shooting away the snow through a chute. So, you should look for an effective and durable auger while purchasing the single stage snow blower. The auger blades are made with a variety of materials like steel, plastic and rubber.

• Steel auger is more durable and perfect for cutting through hardened snow.
• Plastic works well for lifting all types of snow, as it is less resistant than steel and may break easily.
• Rubber auger will clear the snow without damaging the gravel/pathway.

Also, one has to check the number of blades offered in the auger of snow blower. The higher number of blades (like 4 blades) will allow you to clear the snow quickly, smoothly and effectively from the driveways.

5. Blade Width:

Different augers come with different sizes and widths which we call them as blade width. It helps you to select the perfect snow blower, as per your requirement. The wider blade will clear away a lot of snow at once from your driveways. For instance, a 22-inch wide blade auger will always perform better than 18-inch wide auger. But remember that it may affect the physical size of a given single stage snow blower.

6. Blade Depth / Cutting Depth:

The auger blade width is the horizontal size of the blade whereas the intake height/cutting depth is the vertical height of blade. So, it is essential to check the cutting depth of a given single-stage snow blower. Especially useful if your area has heavy snowfall, as the larger intake height will clear a lot of snow at once.

One can find the cutting width options between 7 – 18 inches, in which the higher cutting depth or larger intake height will result in better performance of clearing the snow quickly and easily. Also, remember that single stage gas snowblowers comes with higher capacity when compared with both electric models.

7. Snow Moving Capacity:

Check the snow moving capacity to figure out the exact performance of a given single-stage snow blower. This will let you know about the volume/amount of snow a blower can remove in a certain time period. It is measured in terms of pounds per minute or tons per hour.

Select the blower with higher snow clearing rate for a better performance of blower to clear the snow. One can find options like 600 – 800 pounds per minute, in which choosing the latter will perform best in quick snow clearance.

8. Size & Weight:

Before buying a snow blower, it is quite essential to check its size and weight. A small and compact snow blower is easy to store in your garage while not using. Also, a lightweight blower is easy to push and can be maneuvered in small spaces or different locations without any issues. In general, the electric snow blowers are lighter than their gas models and thereby easy to maneuver through snow.

9. Wheels:

The large sized single stage snow blowers are bit difficult to use. So, look out for features (like wheel size, headlights, etc.) which makes it easy to use. In general, a large wheel size of 8-inches will perform better than a 6-inch wheel, why because it let you use the blower even in deep snow without any problem.

Prefer to use airless tires, which are hassle-free and keep the blower drive straight, as they made from special polymer material, which shed snow and have much traction as rubber tires and thereby never ever go flat. They need less maintenance and prevents side-tracking.

10. Battery Capacity & Runtime:

While choosing the cordless single stage snow blower, you have to consider about battery capacity and its runtime. The battery capacity is measured in Ah and one can find battery capacity from 2.0 Ah – 7.5 Ah. For best results, prefer lithium-ion battery type for higher capacity and longer runtime.

The battery life of a given snow blower will depend on the quality and type of battery used. However, a cordless snow blower runs for 15 minutes to an hour (or more) up on single charge. Then you have to recharge the battery, which may take a couple of hours to charge fully.

11. Warranty:

Regular usage of single-stage snow blower to clear snow will make its auger wear out easily, as it clears and shoot it away the snow. In some cases, the other parts of blower will also face issues overtime. So, look out for a blower which offers warranty to get rid of these issues. A few snow blowers come with a 2-year warranty whereas others offer a long warranty of 5 years. Prefer to choose the one with longer warranty period to clear any issues faced due to its wear and tear.

12. Price:

The price range of any power tool will depend on its brand, built quality, warranty, motor power, working capacity, etc. Here are the price range of different models of single stage snow blowers.

• Single stage gas snow blower comes within $400 – $800.
• Electric corded snow blower will range from $150 – $300
• Electric cordless snow blower comes from $150 – $500.

13. Other Features:

Have a look on some additional features which you have to consider for a safe and comfortable operating of snowblower.

• Auto Chute Rotation – It is essential to change the chute direction every time when the wind changes. So, having an auto chute rotation feature will let you change the direction without stopping the blower to change it manually. The electronically operated speed controls will be useful while clearing different levels of snow in one sweep.
• Chute Material – Plastic chute suits best for heavy snowfall, as it is slippery, flexible, and thereby wet stuff won’t stick. It won’t snap or crack in cold weather. Metal is sturdy & long lasting but it can chip and rust and thereby sticky material gets clogging in chute. This metal chute is best if you have rocks or gravel to deal with.
• Self-Propelling Auger – This feature is used especially in heavy snowfall and where you use snow blower often. It makes your snow clearing job easier rather than pushing blower hard to remove snow.
• Headlights – Choosing a snow blower with lights (either LED or halogen lights) will allow you to work / clear snow either in late night or early morning hours easily. It helps to keep you safe from injuries and less likely to reduce the damage to the machine and thereby prevents obstacles from clogging or breaking the machine.
• Adjustable Handle – A few blowers with handles and buttons are designed to use easily with heavy gloves in winter and with adjustable setting will customize the product to suit perfect for your needs and built for better control.
• Electric Start – A snowblower with an electric starter is easy and quick way to start the blower. All you need is to push a button and your machine is ready for action. Both gas and electric powered models comes with this electric start option. So, consider an electric starter to prevent conventional starter and thereby make the blower run faster to remove the snow.
• Drift Cutters – It helps to shave away higher than the snow blower intake and thus it won’t fall behind. They are tall thin pieces of metal which is attached vertically but have a slight forward tilt to side of the blower intake. While moving forward, the snow falls in front of bucket and thereby prevents you from clearing the same place for twice.

How does this single-stage snow blower work?

An electric motor or gas engine of any single stage snow blower will turn the auger, which is mounted low at the front part and thereby blower pushed along. Here the auger blades will pick up the snow and push/discharge into a chute. From here, the snow is thrown out of the distance to clear your pathway.

How to start a single stage snow blower?

Its totally depends on what type of blower you’re using – electric or gas powered. Here is the way you have to start the snowblower.

• For electric snow blower, you need to push a button when once it plugged in.
• For gas powered snowblower, you need to start by puling, which may sometimes cause some difficulties in cold weather.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion

Single-stage snow blowers are quite simple and easy to use. And since they use the auger for moving as well as shooting the snow, they are much more affordable when compared with two-stage snow blowers. As a result, we have mentioned some of the best single-stage snow blowers in this article, along with all of their details. You can also find a detailed buying guide in this article that has various important aspects regarding such single-stage snow blowers. But if you are still not able to find the perfect snow blower for you and your home, then you can simply choose one from our following recommendations:

• For those of you who are on a budget, you can simply go with the Snow Joe SJ625E electric snow blower. Even though this is an electric model, it comes with a large 21-inch wide blade or auger. This blade is powered by a powerful 15 amp motor that comes with a 2-year warranty. You get a high snow moving capacity of 800 pounds per minute in this snow blower that is possible due to its large blade and powerful motor. Since it offers all of this at an affordable price tag, you get a high value for money with this single-stage snow blower.
• If you want a compact yet lightweight single-stage snow blower that is powered by a gas engine, then the Yardmax YB4628 can be a great option. As it is powered by a gas engine, you are not tethered by any power cord, and you can take it into any small space due to its compact footprint. It comes with a decent 87 CC motor that powers an 18-inch wide auger blade along with a depth of 11 inches. You also get a foldable handle in this single step snow blower for easily storing it in your garage when not in use.
• The Briggs & Stratton 1022E gas-powered single-stage snow blower is the most potent option present in this article. It comes with a highly powerful 208 CC gas engine that is responsible for powering its large 22-inch wide auger. This snow blower also offers a snow shredder option that allows you to blow hard snow since it can simply break it into smaller pieces. Another great thing about this snow blower is that it comes with a 3-year long warranty that makes it quite reliable and durable when compared with other options.

Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!