Best Electric Snow Blower for a Small Driveway (and What to Do on Gravel)

Six inches fell overnight, and the car has to get out of a 40-foot driveway before work. For a small paved driveway, a 20-inch corded electric snow blower is the easy answer; the Westinghouse WSnow20 clears a 20-inch-wide, 10-inch-deep path, per the maker. Steps and walks go faster with an 11- to 13-inch electric snow shovel. On gravel, Toro's YardCare guide says single-stage blowers "should not be used on unpaved surfaces", and that gravel is possible with a two-stage blower.

Quick pick: the Westinghouse WSnow20 for a paved driveway. On gravel, push the snow by hand and save the electric for the paved walk.

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Which electric snow blower fits your driveway

Paved driveway, snow up to about 9 inches per pass: 20-inch corded blower — the Westinghouse WSnow20.

Steps, deck, walk: 11-inch corded snow shovel — the 14 lb Snow Joe 324E, about 6 inches per pass.

No outdoor outlet nearby: 24V cordless snow shovel — the Snow Joe 24V-SS13-TV1 kit, also about 6 inches per pass.

Gravel driveway: push, don't blow — single-stage machines clear down to the pavement, Toro says, so on loose stone they reach the gravel too. See the best snow shovel for a gravel driveway.

Not a fit: snowfalls of 12 inches or more, big drifts or hard-packed snow. Toro points to two-stage blowers for those, or hire a plow. For 9 to 12 inches, go out twice; that part is our advice.

How to size the job

Passes: driveway width in inches ÷ path width, rounded up. A 10 ft (120 in) driveway takes 6 passes at 20 inches, 10 at 13 inches and 11 at 11 inches.

Walking: passes × length. On a 40 ft driveway, 6 passes is 240 ft; 11 passes is 440 ft.

Cord: outlet to the far corner of the driveway, plus slack. Use the cord type and length your manual lists.

Battery: time one pass, multiply by your passes, and compare with the 22 minutes Snow Joe lists.

Depth: Toro says single-stage blowers typically clear up to 9 inches at a time. Toro puts snowfalls of 12 inches or more in two-stage territory. For 9 to 12 inches, go out twice (our advice, not Toro's).

How to use an electric snow blower safely

Never clear a clog by hand. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says to stop the machine and use a long stick, not your hands. On an electric model, unplug it or pull the battery first.

Know where the cord is. CPSC says to be aware of where the power cord is at all times. Start near the outlet and work away.

Pace yourself. West Virginia University Extension says snow shoveling strains the heart, and lists heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and being over 55 and inactive as risk factors. If that's you, ask your doctor first.

Ice left behind? See the best ice melt for concrete and pavers.

Electric snow blowers for a small driveway (#ad)

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Westinghouse WSnow20 Corded Snow Blower, 20 in — 1800W motor, 20 × 10 in path, 25 ft throw, LED headlights and a 180-degree chute, per the maker. See it on Amazon

Snow Joe 324E Electric Snow Shovel, 11 in — 10-amp motor, 11 × 6 in path, about 6 inches of snow per pass, 14 lb, LED headlight, per the maker. For steps, decks and walks. See it on Amazon

Snow Joe 24V Cordless Snow Shovel Kit (24V-SS13-TV1) — 13 × 6 in path, about 6 inches of snow per pass, up to 22 minutes per charge; 4.0Ah battery, charger, cover and ice scraper included, per the maker. See it on Amazon

Snow blower FAQ

What is the best snow blower for a small driveway? For a paved driveway and snow up to about 9 inches per pass, a 20-inch corded electric. For steps and walks, an 11- to 13-inch electric snow shovel.

Can you use an electric snow blower on a gravel driveway? Not on loose stone. The electric models here are single-stage, and Toro says gravel is possible with a two-stage blower. Use them on the paved parts.

Corded or cordless? Corded runs as long as you need but drags a cord. The Snow Joe kit lists up to 22 minutes per charge.

Watch Curb Calc on YouTube: youtube.com/@curbcalc

Sources: Toro YardCare, How to Choose the Best Snow Blower; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC Warns of Hazards with Snow Throwers; West Virginia University Extension, Snow Shoveling and Fatal Heart Attacks are Closely Related, last reviewed January 2019.