Turn Winter into a Wonderland with the greenworks Cordless Snow Blower (2024)

Pamela Bondurant/Family Handyman

The Greenworks Cordless Snow Blower is a 40v cordless snowblower with a small but powerful 16-inch clearing width. At first, it seemed like any other snow blower until I tested it on some of my least favorite conditions: wet and heavy snow! This machine capably kept up with its larger siblings, and my fondness for it grew as I cleared my driveway of the seemingly impenetrable masses of snow and ice.

What is the Greenworks snow blower?

The Greenworks snow blower is a single-stage snow blower, meaning that it uses only an auger that touches the ground to remove the snow. In a two-stage blower, an impeller adds the second stage to “throw” the snow. Single-stage throwers are suitable for fairly level areas, paved surfaces (and possibly dirt surfaces), light to moderately wet snow and snow depths under 10 inches. Single-stage blowers are usually intended for residential use, and this blower is ideally suited for moderately-sized properties. This machine looks a little different than its counterparts as it’s unintimidating in size but packs a powerful punch.

The machine itself is, of course, green for Greenworks, and sports a narrow and easily accessible handle. The blower is compact and very simple to operate as it leaves off some of the frills found on some other models. Adjust the chute, press the start button, and you’re rolling down your sidewalk with a clear path in your wake. If you want to use the phrase “clear path” as a metaphor for life, then do so because life is going to be simpler with this snow blower at your reach.

Greenworks Snow Blower Features

The machine comes standard with one 40v battery, which is charged in under two hours. The 5Ah battery is virtually unkillable. Don’t forget that all lithium-ion batteries have operating temperature ranges and must be charged indoors or in a heated garage. The device is simple to use, and of all the snow blowers I tested, it was the only one without a handle adjustable chute. But no big whoop about that. You won’t mind with this machine as it’s compact, and reaching over to adjust the chute feels as easy as adjusting the handle, or maybe even easier!

The cordless snow blower leaves off things like headlights, making it affordable, easy to maintain and has an extended battery life. Like most cordless blowers of this class, it has plastic scrapers and augers that are sturdy and capable. It uses a brushless motor that makes it quiet and emits a soothing hum that won’t irk the neighbors in the wee hours of the morning. It weighs in at a mere 27.9 pounds, making it one of the lightest machines in its class.

How We Tested It

Pamela Bondurant/Family Handyman

The Greenworks cordless snow blower was put through a regimen of tests designed just for cordless snow blowers. Testing included battery charge time, battery run time, assembly, maneuverability and, of course, lots of snow-blowing. I tested the machine on several surfaces and paid extra-close attention to its clearing ability and ability to throw different types of snow.

This snow-clearing machine is meant for paved, level surfaces. I can attest that it did this with ease. I cleared a paved patio and deck and decided to carry on with a dirt driveway, the ultimate out-of-bounds application. To my delight, it excelled. The narrow clearing width simply ate through clumps of icy snow and left a pristine path in its wake.The manufacturer claims a 10-12 minute battery run time, and I worked with the machine for 45 minutes, and it was still at it!

Pamela Bondurant/Family Handyman

This snow blower was so much fun to use that I found myself searching for more paths to clear. It’s light enough to carry up to a deck so guess what I did? Yup, I carried it up to the deck and cleared it. Who knew I didn’t have to sweep and shovel the deck any longer? The Greenworks snow blower is so small that I could weave it around patio furniture, the wintering potted plants and the grill. My dogs were delighted to have such a tidy path, and while they didn’t verbalize this to me, I felt confident that my efforts were not unrecognized.

Pamela Bondurant/Family Handyman

Pros

• Small and maneuverable
• Great run time
• Quiet
• Compatible with Greenworks 40V Li-Ion system
• Economical
• Efficient at clearing snow
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not as wide of a clearing path as some machines
• No headlights
• No controls at the handle

FAQ

Pamela Bondurant/Family Handyman

Are electric snow blowers any good?

Yes! They work very well. While many are less powerful than gasoline-powered blowers, they rival gasoline blowers, and most residential electric blowers meet homeowners’ needs. Electric snow blowers are quieter than gas blowers, don’t spew fumes, are easy to start, and don’t require as much maintenance.

How much should I spend on a snow blower?

Most electric snow blowers run from about $200 to $2000. Most homeowners will spend less than $600 on a snow blower unless they have a large property or frequent, heavy snow. In the latter case, you may be looking at the high end of the range.

Is a battery-powered snow blower worth it?

Absolutely. While the cost may feel prohibitive at first, the money saved on oil, gas, and maintenance of a gasoline powered snow blower often offsets the cost of a battery-powered snow blower.

How do I choose an electric snow blower?

Choose a blower based on your needs. If you have an average sized, paved driveway and sidewalks to clear, then a 16-20-inch single-stage blower will likely meet your needs. If you have a smaller property, then a snow shovel might be more fitting. Areas with inclines and gravel will often require a two or three-stage snow blower.

What snow depth can a snow blower handle?

It all depends on the blower. Single stages blowers can typically handle between 8-12 inches of snow. The two-stage blowers can do more, but it depends on the blower’s specifications.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Five-star Amazon reviewer, Cindy N., writes, “We finally got to use it recently. Cleaned our driveway in a very short time. We had about 5 inches of snow, and it tackled it without any problem. The battery was easy to charge and didn’t run out of charge when we used it so I don’t know how long it will last. It is wide enough that it clears a nice path in one stroke. The chute is adjustable in direction and height. It’s easy to do. We were pleased with our first use of this machine.”

“Great blower for us old folks. Plenty of power for a battery-operated snow blower. Easy to operate. Environmentally friendly,” writes Old Guy Happy on Greenworks.com.

Product Comparison

Most of the 40v cordless snow blowers I own have a 20-inch clearing path and do a terrific job of, well, clearing paths. The Greenworks snow blower comes in at just 16 inches for its clearing path, but what this means is that it has a lot of oomph when barreling through the snow. Since it doesn’t have to move as much snow at once, it’s easy to push through heavy and icy conditions and is simply a joy to use. This is ideal for those who don’t want to have to exert as much effort to clear their drives and paths and get on with enjoying winter.

Final Verdict

My vote is in and it’s all in favor of the Greenworks 40v snow blower. This machine is like a close companion at my side. I’m eager to take on the challenges of winter with it and it’s eager to help.

Where to Buy the Greenworks Cordless Snow Blower

Find the Greenworks snow blower on Amazon or Walmart for under $400 and let it be your go-to companion for combatting winter chores; keeping your life and path clear and ready to take on new challenges.