Consumer Reports Names 3 Power Snow Shovels Worth Buying

If you're tired of the back-breaking work of clearing snow by hand with a plain old shovel, but you don't want to fork over thousands of dollars for a snow blower, there could be another option. Consider a power snow shovel — a smaller, less expensive (and, yes, let's be real, less powerful) option than a snow blower. If you're in the market for one, you can start by taking a closer look at Consumer Reports' top three.

Greenworks nabs the top two spots with their 2600602 and 2600702 models, respectively. Ego grabs the third spot with the MSS1203 model. The publication gives Greenworks 2600602 a 92 out of a 100, with 5 out of 5 scores from the magazine for removal speed, handling, and the ease of its controls. But, it isn't perfect. It gets 4 out of 5 for noise and throwing distance. Reviewers also noted it could use a headlight. Pricewise, the 2600602 falls right in the middle of the top three, at $350.

This model has a 12-inch clearing deck, and the manufacturer says it can handle 6 inches of snow with its not too shabby 80-volt, battery-powered engine. Sidenote: if you're looking for a gas-powered one, you'll be searching for a long time. They're almost always electric, powered by a battery or a cord. Consumer Reports says a battery-powered model truly is the best option, since corded types can get unwieldy.

Second on Consumer Reports' best-ranked power snow shovel lists is the Greenworks 2600702 with an 87 out of a 100 rating. It's less powerful than the 2600602, given its 40-volt battery, and it gets even lower marks for throwing distance (a 3 out of 5). But it's also cheaper, too, at $300.

This model comes with a slightly less robust warranty (3 years, instead of the 2600602's four). According to Consumer Reports, the 2600702 gets second place because it's just a slightly weaker model with an even shorter tossing range, getting a 3 out of 5 for throwing distance. This isn't surprising, since it's like the 2600602 in most every way — but lacks the same power. The rest of their stats, 12-inch clearing deck, 45-minute run times, and under 20-pound frames, are all basically the same.

You might not think weight matters, but it does. Remember, you'll have to push this thing manually, because unlike blowers, power shovels don't have wheels. It doesn't self-propel, either. But make no mistake, an electric shovel will be better for your back than scraping, heaving, and chunking heavy, wet snow on your own. Of course, if you want the absolute easiest route, try turning your lawn mower into a snow-removing machine, but fair warning: That can be an expensive proposition for a riding tractor, starting at $400 for some plow attachments and going up into the thousands for blower accessories.

The Ego MSS1203 takes the third spot on the podium for Consumer Report's best-ranked power snow shovels with an 85 out of 100 rating. Like the other two shovels, it's got a 12-inch deck and is recommended for snowfalls up to half a foot. It's more powerful than the 2600702 with a 56-volt battery, but not quite as powerful as the 2600602. It also happens to be the most expensive machine on the list, coming in at $399.  

It gets 5 out of 5 marks for controls, cleaning ability, and handling, but reviewers at Consumer Reports felt it was slower than the Greenworks models. It's also not exactly quiet, either, getting a 3 out of 5 ranking for noise. But, on the plus side, it's got the longest warranty of any of the shovels, with a 5-year manufacturer guarantee, which could bring more peace of mind to customers who want to protect their investment.

Still, one can see the logic behind Consumer Reports' first pick of the Greenworks 2600602, which is  stronger, faster, and comes in at $49 cheaper, though which one you pick is really up to you. Keep in mind power shovels are probably best used on concrete, asphalt, or bricks. On gravel surfaces, power snow shovels and blowers can sometimes end up flinging as much as gravel as snow. You might want to try a rake, instead, and remove snow from garden gravel with a tool you already have.