The Best Time to Buy a Snow Blower (2024)

FAQs

What month is best to buy a snow blower? ›

When is the Best Time to Buy a Snow Blower? The best times to buy snow blowers are January, when retailers start to clear out their inventory, May, June, and early fall when manufacturers release new models and offer discounts on older ones, as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

While a snowblower costs anywhere from $100 to almost $10,000, most homeowners will pay between $250 and $2,000, but it depends on the type you want and need. Power shovels are an economical option for some assisted shoveling while areas with heavy snow might need a large gas three-stage machine for regular clearing.

Most high-quality snow blowers will last a minimum of 10 years, while top-of-the-line, two-stage snow blowers can give you 20+ years of use when properly cared for.

Single Stage Snow Blowers

Better at Handling a Few Inches of Snow — A single stage unit will be weaker than a dual stage unit, but for many homeowners that won't matter. The difference in power determines how much snow you can handle at a time. A single stage unit can only handle a few inches of snow.

Two-stage snow blowers are great for handling all types of snow on any surface. For example, a two-stage may be an ideal choice for those with gravel driveways, since they don't clean all the way to the ground which helps avoid pieces of gravel getting into your snow blower's auger.

For occasional use, snow blowers, with around 5 horsepower and one or two speeds, are generally adequate. However, if you intend to clear large amounts of snow, want to work on slopes or if the snow is quite wet, a three-stage device with 10 hp or more is recommended.

At least two inches of snow should be on the ground before considering the snowblower, according to real estate company Rocket Homes. However, it also depends on what kind of snowblower you have.

While it makes good financial sense to find an affordable snowblower that doesn't break your budget, keep in mind that it isn't worth anything if it can't handle the amount of snow you expect to see each winter. Less expensive snowblowers, generally speaking, are made to handle smaller jobs.

If a snow blower is newer, it will likely be easier to use. As time progresses, products tend to advance in terms of reliability and features, so buying an older snow blower means it may lack key safety features, self-propulsion or all-surface operation, or it might just not throw snow far enough.

Types of Snow Blowers

They're broadly categorized based on the use of the auger and power. This two-stage process moves snow faster and farther than single-stage blowers, throwing snow up to 60 feet. The three-stage snow blower can clear heavy snow more quickly than a two-stage model.

Do you really need to change snowblower oil every year? ›

Oil changes on these units are very easy – if you can turn a handle (wrench handle) and pour with limited spilling, you can probably pull this one off. Check your manual for the details but it is generally recommended about once a year.

Who Needs a Three-Stage Snow Blower? “Upgrading from a two-stage to a three-stage snow blower adds an accelerator, boosting the power with which snow can be discharged from the chute,” says Misha Kollontai, one of CR's test engineers in charge of snow-blower testing.

4. Start Before Snow Buildup Reaches 6 Inches. Sometimes, it's best to start snow blowing while the flakes are continuing to fall. If possible, start up the task before the snow hits 6 inches.