I Tested 8 Snow Removal Tools Over 14 Storms, and Only One Replaced the Shovel
By Tom Kowalski Winter Gear Tester Edited by Jeremy Culter Updated October 2026
If you're reading this, I already know two things about you.
Your back hurts after you shovel. And you've looked at one of those cordless snow shovels online at least twice without buying one.
I know because I was you. Thirty-five years of clearing snow in West Michigan. Corner lot, front walk, three porch steps, a back deck, and the sidewalk along the side street the city says is mine. Every winter morning, same routine: boots, coat, shovel, and twenty minutes of bending and throwing before the coffee was ready.
Then, two years ago, a stent. My cardiologist told me the shoveling was done. Barb, my wife, reinforces the message every time the forecast shows more than an inch.
So last winter I bought every snow-clearing tool I could find. Eight of them. Cordless power shovels from five brands, a corded snow thrower, an ergonomic spring-handle shovel, and one more I'd rather not talk about. I used them all, on the same corner lot, over fourteen storms, from a one-inch dusting in November to a six-inch lake-effect dump in February.
Most of them went back in the garage after the second or third use. The old shovel stayed by the front door.
Only one of them replaced it.
Weight, Not Wattage, Decides Whether You Stop Shoveling
Every winter, the same debates show up in forums and comment sections. Corded or cordless? How many volts? How wide is the path? How far does it throw?
I measured all of those things. They don't tell you what you need to know.
The variable that matters is not how much snow a tool moves. It's how much work your body still does while you're using it.
A 22-pound cordless power shovel throws snow 25 feet. But you're pushing 22 pounds through snow in 15-degree weather. That's loading your shoulders, your back and your heart, the same systems the cardiologist told me to stop loading.
A corded snow thrower clears an 18-inch path. But it weighs 26 pounds, and you're dragging a frozen extension cord behind you while you carry it down the steps.
An ergonomic shovel has a spring that helps the throw. You're still bending, scooping, lifting and throwing. Every single time.
If the tool is too heavy to grab for a quick three-inch dusting, you reach for the regular shovel instead. And every time you reach for the shovel, your body does the work.
One of the eight tools I tested replaced the shovel by my front door. I used it for every clearing last winter, from a one-inch dusting on the steps to a six-inch overnight dump on the walk. It's the only one I never had a reason to skip.
The other five on this list all have real strengths, and some are excellent for specific jobs. But all five sent me back to the shovel at least once, and that's the line that matters.
What I Tested For
Each tool was scored across six categories, weighted toward what actually matters when you're clearing snow at 6 AM in ten-degree weather.
Strain on Your Body
How much lifting, bending, pushing and carrying does your body still do? Does the tool let you walk upright, or does it load your joints and raise your heart rate?
Grab-and-Go Convenience
How fast do you go from "it's snowing" to "I'm clearing"? No cords to untangle, no engine to start, no excuses to skip it.
Steps, Decks and Tight Spots
Can you carry it up the stairs in one hand? Does it fit on a narrow deck or between the cars? Half the job is in places a snowblower can't reach.
Storm-to-Storm Reliability
Does it work on the third storm the way it worked on the first? Wet snow as well as dry? Does anything break, jam or die mid-season?
What You Pay vs. What You Get
Total cost for a complete, ready-to-use kit. No "tool only" pricing that hides a $100+ battery.
Would You Hand It to Your Neighbor?
My neighbor Don is 68, lives alone and clears his own walk. Could he pick this up and use it safely without me standing there?
The 6 Snow Removal Tools Worth Knowing About
Ranked by overall performance across all six criteria. I started with eight; these are the six worth knowing about, even if most of them have a catch.
Braddock Cordless Snow Shovel
The only tool in the test that replaced the shovel.
| Power | 20V brushless |
|---|---|
| Auger | Two-blade paddle, up to 21,200 rpm |
| Clearing path | 10 in. wide, 5 in. deep |
| Throw distance | Up to 18 ft |
| Direction | 45° adjustable chute |
| Weight (with battery) | 8.4 lbs |
| Handle | Telescoping, 47 to 52 in. |
| Battery | 4.0 Ah, included |
| Charger | Included |
| Warranty | 1 year (motor, auger, handle, battery) |
| Guarantee | 90-day money-back |
Our Take
I almost didn't test this one. I'd never heard of the brand, the price seemed too low for what it claimed, and my first thought was another online gadget that would end up in the garage by January.
I was wrong.
The Braddock is 8.4 pounds with the battery in. That's about what a gallon of milk weighs. I carried it down the front steps in one hand while holding the railing with the other. I carried it up to the back deck the same way.
The first morning I used it, I cleared the front walk, the three porch steps, the back deck and the sidewalk along the side street on one charge. I was inside in twelve minutes. The old shovel never came out.
What separates this from every other power shovel I tested is the weight. The EGO is 16.7 pounds. The Toro is about 22. Both throw snow farther than the Braddock. Neither is something I'd grab for a quick two-inch clearing before work, because grabbing either one means loading my arms and back with a tool that weighs more than the snow I'm clearing.
At 8.4 pounds, the Braddock is light enough that I used it for everything. A one-inch dusting on the steps? Braddock. Three inches on the walk overnight? Braddock. Six inches of lake-effect snow? Two passes with the Braddock, walking the same line twice. Every time, I stood upright. No bending, no lifting, no scooping.
The 45-degree directional chute matters more than you'd think. I aimed the throw over the deck railing instead of into the patio furniture, and off the front walk to the left, away from the driveway I'd already cleared. It sounds like a small thing until you're pushing snow toward your neighbor's property.
The battery lasted through every clearing I asked of it on a single charge. For my corner lot, with a longer-than-average front walk and a side-street sidewalk, one charge covered it.
It handles fresh snow best. Wet snow moves slower and throws shorter, but it still clears. I learned to go out during the storm instead of waiting for it to pile up, which most owners figure out on their own. Packed, refrozen snow and sheet ice are not what this tool does, and I'll be honest about that.
At $169.99 with the battery and charger in the box, it's the complete kit. No separate purchases.
How It Works
Set it down at the edge of the snow.
Stand upright with the housing on the ground. No bending.
Walk forward.
Push it like a broom. The paddle auger scoops the snow and throws it for you.
Aim where the snow goes.
Turn the chute 45 degrees left, right or straight: over the railing, off the steps, away from the car.
What It's Actually Like to Own
- Storm 1 (2 inches, dry powder): Cleared the front walk and porch steps in under ten minutes, standing upright the whole time. Barb watched from the kitchen window. I waved.
- Storm 3 (4 inches, mixed): First real test. Wet snow at the bottom threw shorter, maybe 10 feet instead of 18. A second pass cleaned up the rest. Back inside in fifteen minutes.
- Storm 7 (6 inches overnight, lake effect): Two passes. The first took the top three inches, the second cleaned to the concrete. The side-street sidewalk was the longest stretch and the battery handled it.
- Storm 11 (3 inches, then freezing rain): The fresh snow cleared fine. The quarter-inch ice crust underneath did not. I broke the crust with the heel of my boot and the Braddock cleared the loose stuff. It doesn't do ice. Fair enough.
- Storm 14 (1 inch, powder): This was the test that mattered. One inch isn't worth dragging the heavy tools out for. I grabbed the Braddock from the hook by the front door, cleared the steps and the walk in four minutes, and hung it back up. That's when I knew the shovel was retired.
What Buyers Actually Say
Paraphrased, sourced from verified reviews on braddockworks.com. Full review wall on their product page.
- "Two herniated discs. The shovel was out of the question after last January. Cleared the front walk and the three steps to the side door on one battery. My back never knew." (Robert K., Michigan)
- "Bought it for my mom after her knee replacement. She called me the morning after the first snow and said she did the whole front walk before breakfast." (Jason W., Ohio)
- "My doctor told me no more shoveling after the stent. This was the first storm I didn't have to call my son to come over." (Diane H., Minnesota)
- "Weighs less than my old shovel did when it was full. I'm 68 with a bad shoulder, and I cleared the walk and the sidewalk in front of the house without stopping once." (Frank D., Wisconsin)
Performance Scores
What We Liked
- 8.4 pounds, the lightest power shovel in the test
- Battery and charger included at $169.99, about half the price of the EGO and Toro kits
- 45-degree directional chute lets you aim the throw
- Light enough to carry up the stairs in one hand
- One charge covered my whole corner lot every storm
- 90-day money-back guarantee covers the snow season
- Free 1-year warranty on the motor, auger, handle and battery
- Quiet enough to use at 6 AM without waking the street
- Replaced the shovel for every clearing, not just the big storms
Where It Falls Short
- 10-inch path is narrower than the VOLTASK (13 inches), the corded thrower (18 inches) and any snowblower
- Doesn't handle packed ice or refrozen snow
- Wet, heavy snow throws shorter than the rated 18 feet
- Only sold at braddockworks.com, not in stores
EGO Power+ SNS1201 12-Inch Cordless Snow Shovel
Premium build at twice the weight
| Power | 56V ARC Lithium |
|---|---|
| Clearing path | 12 in. wide, 6 in. deep |
| Throw distance | Up to 25 ft |
| Direction | 60° adjustable louver |
| Weight (with battery) | 16.7 lbs |
| Battery | 2.5 Ah, included |
| Charger | Included |
| Warranty | 5 years (tool), 3 years (battery) |
| Weather rating | IPX4 |
| Amazon rating | 4.4★ (202 reviews) |
Our Take
The EGO is the best-built power shovel I tested. I want to say that first, because what comes next might sound like I don't respect it.
The 56V motor throws snow 25 feet. Its 60-degree louver gives the widest aim of the cordless shovels, and the 5-year tool warranty is the longest on this list. If you already own EGO yard tools and have spare 56V batteries in the garage, this is a strong addition to the platform.
But it weighs 16.7 pounds.
That's double the Braddock. I felt it in my shoulders after ten minutes of pushing it through four inches of wet snow. I felt it in my back when I carried it up to the deck. And I felt it every time I decided not to bother with it for a light clearing, which is how the shovel stays by the door.
Where It Goes Wrong
One: The weight changes how you use it. A two-inch dusting on the steps? I'd look at the EGO in the garage, think about carrying it outside, and grab the regular shovel instead. That's the trap: the tool that's supposed to replace the shovel becomes another tool you walk past. Its Amazon reviews say the same thing.
Two: $359 for a snow shovel is a big ask, and the 2.5Ah battery in the kit is EGO's entry-level size. Their 5.0Ah battery runs about $329 on its own.
Three: On my corner lot, the included 2.5Ah battery ran low before I finished the side-street sidewalk. For a long walk or a corner lot, plan on a second battery.
Four: Pushing 16.7 pounds through six inches of heavy, wet snow is real physical work. The motor handles the load, but your arms and back feel every pound of the tool itself.
What It's Actually Like to Own
- Storm 2 (3 inches, dry): Threw snow clean off the walk from 20+ feet away. The direction louver is smooth and precise. Carried it up to the deck afterward, and that's where the weight hit me.
- Storm 8 (5 inches, wet): The motor powered through it, but I was pushing 16.7 pounds plus the resistance of wet snow. My shoulders were sore the next day, and the battery got low near the end of the side-street sidewalk.
- Storm 13 (2 inches, light powder): Looked at the EGO in the garage. Looked at the shovel by the front door. Grabbed the shovel. Two inches isn't worth hauling 16.7 pounds outside for.
What Buyers Actually Say
Verbatim from verified Amazon reviews.
- "This exact same tool, but cut the weight in half, and it would be five stars for sure." (3★)
- "It is too heavy for my wife to use." (4★)
Performance Scores
What We Liked
- Best build quality in the test, full stop
- 60-degree louver, the widest aim of the cordless shovels
- 5-year tool warranty, the longest on this list
- 56V platform shares batteries with EGO's mowers, blowers and trimmers
- Throws up to 25 feet, tied for the farthest in the test
- IPX4 weather resistance
Where It Falls Short
- 16.7 pounds, double the lightest cordless option
- $359 for the kit, and about $329 more for the 5.0Ah battery
- The included 2.5Ah battery ran low on a corner lot
- Too heavy to grab for light clearings
VOLTASK 24V 13-Inch Cordless Snow Shovel
Close on weight, short on battery life
| Power | 24V |
|---|---|
| Clearing path | 13 in. wide, about 6.5 in. deep |
| Throw distance | Up to 20 ft |
| Direction | Guide plate, about 30° each way |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (as listed) |
| Battery | 4.0 Ah, included |
| Charger | Quick charger, included |
| Rated runtime | Up to 25 min |
| Amazon rating | 4.4★ (2,138 reviews, all versions) |
Our Take
The VOLTASK is the closest thing in this test to the Braddock: a cordless power shovel in the same weight class, with a battery and charger in the box, at a similar price. It's also the best seller of the bunch on Amazon, with more than two thousand ratings.
On paper it even wins a few rounds. The 13-inch path is wider than the Braddock's 10 inches, and the battery is the same 4.0Ah size. If you just read the spec sheet, you'd wonder why it isn't #1.
Then you use it on a real corner lot.
Where It Goes Wrong
One: Battery life. VOLTASK rates it for up to 25 minutes. On my lot it was closer to 15 to 20, and less in wet snow. That's the most common complaint in its reviews too. I never finished the front walk, the steps and the side-street sidewalk on one charge.
Two: The direction plate only swings about 30 degrees each way, and the knob that sets it is awkwardly placed. On the deck I couldn't get the snow over the railing as cleanly as I could with the Braddock's chute.
Three: A few Walmart buyers report the battery popping out over small bumps. Mine stayed put, but it's not something you want to find out halfway down an icy sidewalk.
Four: Reliability is a question mark. A handful of reviews describe units that quit after a couple of uses. Mine made it through the test, but I wouldn't bet a whole season on it without a backup.
What It's Actually Like to Own
- Storm 4 (2 inches, powder): Light and easy to handle, and it cleared the front walk quickly. For a light clearing, it did the job.
- Storm 6 (4 inches, wet): The battery dropped fast in the wet snow. I had to stop before the side-street sidewalk and put it on the charger.
- Storm 10 (3 inches, overnight): Started with the VOLTASK. The battery gave out halfway down the side-street sidewalk, so I finished with the Braddock. The VOLTASK went back in the garage.
What Buyers Actually Say
From verified Amazon and Walmart reviews (the first is verbatim, the rest paraphrased).
- "It makes clearing the snow so easy and fast. This definitely saved my back." (5★)
- Battery lasts about 15 minutes, and with no wheels the front edge catches on every sidewalk joint. (3★, paraphrased)
- The battery pops out when you go over small bumps. (1★, paraphrased)
Performance Scores
What We Liked
- Light at 9.3 pounds (as listed), close to the Braddock
- 13-inch path, wider than the Braddock's 10
- 4.0Ah battery and quick charger included
- The best seller of the group, with 2,000+ Amazon ratings
Where It Falls Short
- The battery ran 15 to 20 minutes for me, less in wet snow
- Direction plate only swings about 30° each way, and the knob is awkward
- Some buyers report the battery popping out over bumps
- A few reports of units quitting early
