Family Handyman Approved: Snow Joe Cordless Snow Blower
If you never heard of Snow Joe or never used a battery operated snow blower, let us introduce you to the long lasting, easy to handle, whisper quiet and environmentally safe Snow Joe iON+ cordless snow blower.
What is the Snow Joe iON+ Cordless Snow Blower?
Basically, it’s a snow thrower that runs on batteries instead of gasoline. The package, dropped right at your doorstep, includes the machine, two beefy 24v batteries, a charger, chute clean-out tool and cover. (There are other versions available, from the basic tool itself to packages with two 4.0 Ah batteries or 5.0 Ah batteries.) Some assembly is required, and Snow Joe offers terrific walk-through videos on YouTube that make putting it together a snap.
Once assembled, the machine is surprisingly compact and lightweight. According to the website, it can clear a path 18-in. wide x 10-in. deep. The on/off lever seems a little frail, but the rest of the machine appears sturdy and well-built. The heavy-duty rubber tipped steel auger and the LED headlight are welcome components, and the batteries plug in and charge rapidly.
How We Tested It
We tested the Snow Joe in three mid-winter Upper Midwest snowstorms, ranging in depth from three to 10 inches. We cleared hundreds of square feet of sidewalks, driveways, patios and even elevated wood decks.
Performance Review
The Snow Joe Cordless snowblower, with its powerful 1,200w brushless motor, easily plunged through fresh snow up to 10 inches deep! The two long-lasting 24v batteries allowed me to clear my 20-foot driveway and couple hundred feet of sidewalk with battery power to spare.
Because of its lightweight design, the unit wants to ride an inch or so off the concrete while in use. I had to apply a fair amount of pressure to assure the snowblower cleared the snow all the way down to the pavement.
While testing, I also played with feed rate as I pushed the snowblower through the snow. I noticed if I pushed too quickly, especially in heavier, wetter snow, the Snow Joe would cut off power. This took a lot to make it do that and didn’t happen often. To restart, I pulled the machine back, pushed the power button and went right back to work.
Another wonderful feature of the Snow Joe: It’s really, really quiet. As an early-riser, I loved clearing my entire driveway and sidewalk without waking a neighbor!
Value
This is where Snow Joe really stands out next to its competitors. The $400 total package price gives you more power and more accessories. The batteries and charger are included, unlike many of its rivals. For the tool only, you’ll pay about $250.
Reliability and Durability
We tested this snowblower over many weeks and in all types of snow. As long as we monitored the feed rate, we never experienced a hiccup or problem. The burly batteries charge quickly and give continuous power, while its heavy-duty steel auger and stout brushless motor suggest long-lasting durability.
Ease of Use
The biggest benefit of electric snowblowers? No more priming balls or pulls cords. Just plug in the charged battery, push a button and go! The small, lightweight design of the Snow Joe make it ideal for older people to handle. And it’s easily transportable upstairs to clear your deck, or in the back of a car to help dig out a friend or family member.
The ease of operation and the lack of maintenance (electric snow blowers have no fluids to be changed or small parts to be cleaned) make the Snow Joe Cordless snow blower a true user-friendly machine. Just cover it when not in use and store in a dry place.
Why You Should Buy This
If you’re looking for something easy to use, mobile, quiet and maintenance free, the Snow Joe iON+ Cordless Snowblower is a terrific addition to your winter tool collection. Granted, if you live where you regularly get snowfalls of a foot or more, I don’t know if the Snow Joe can handle ALL your snow clearing needs. But it definitely can handle most of them.
Where to Buy the Snow Joe iON+ Cordless Snow Blower
Snow Joe’s line of winter products are available from lots of retailers, including Lowe’s, Walmart and Amazon. (Home Depot also carries Snow Joe products, but this model was out of stock at publication time.) The bundle we tested is only available at snowjoe.com.
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