Best Cheap Snowblowers 2022 | Gas and Electric Snowblowers

It’s that time of year again—the season when trying to clear big piles of snow from your sidewalk or driveway can be a real pain in the neck (literally). A snowblower can make this job much easier and help you avoid some aches and pains, but some of these machines can be pricey. Fortunately, there are some cheap snowblowers that let you solve your snow removal headaches without breaking the budget or sacrificing (too much) in quality and performance.

The Expert: I’ve been involved with construction, maintenance, and home renovation for more than 30 years—from both a personal and professional standpoint. I owned a maintenance and construction business with my husband for nearly 20 years. My home—a fixer-upper built in the 1800s—is situated in the rural mountains of Pennsylvania where heavy snowfall amounts are common. As a result, I have considerable firsthand experience with snow removal tools and techniques of all types, including snowblowers.

How to Find the Best Cheap Snowblower for You

Snowblowers vs. Snow Throwers

You will notice that some snow removal machines are called “snow throwers” instead of “snowblowers.” This is especially common at lower price points. Smaller, less expensive machines are often classified as snow throwers, which pick up and throw snow in one continuous process, whereas snowblowers typically have at least a two-step process. Snowblowers are more powerful and can clear snow more quickly—and usually throw it farther—than a snow thrower. But when you’re on a budget, snow throwers are still helpful tools that make clearing piles of powder easier than standard shovels.

Power Type

Snowblowers and throwers are either powered by gas or electric. Gas models tend to offer greater power (for a higher average cost), whereas electric machines (that come in corded or cordless designs) are quieter and involve less maintenance. Depending on the type of electric machine you have, you will need to be within reach of an electrical outlet or ensure your machine’s battery is charged.

More Snow Removal Tools: These Powerful Gas Snowblowers Gobble Up Snow • The Best Electric Snowblowers for Quicker Snow Removal • Ego’s Two-Stage Snowblower Is The First Legitimate Electric Alternative to Gas • Keep Snow and Wind at Bay with These 5 Snowblower Cabs • 7 Electric Snow Shovels for Faster Snow Removal

Clearing Width

The width indicates how wide the path is that a snowblower can clear in a single pass. For electric machines, widths of 18 to 21 inches are most common, whereas average residential-use gas snowblowers typically have a slightly larger clearing width. However, note that less expensive snowblowers tend to have smaller clearing capabilities and/or are less powerful than more expensive machines.

How We Evaluated

To find the best cheap snowblowers, I specifically focused on machines that cost under $500. That’s a reasonable maximum budget for the average homeowner who might only use a snowblower a few times each winter. In evaluating a wide range of machines, I drew upon my personal familiarity with these types of machines and also studied reviews from hundreds of Amazon and Lowe’s customers. Within the price constraints, I looked for snowblowers that use various power sources and compared each machine’s promised performance based on its clearing width and depth, throwing distance, and motor size. After doing all of that research, these eight cheap snowblowers earned my expert recommendation.