Ranking The Best Winter Power Tools & Equipment, According To Reviews

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When the temperature starts to dip, it's time to prepare your home for the wintry season ahead. A range of power tools and equipment can help ensure you're cold weather-ready. Even better, they help take the strain out of a lot of winter tasks, making everything from shoveling snow to cutting down dead branches feel more manageable. Though they're pricier than manual tools, if you dread winter maintenance, they can be worth the upgrade. We've also included emergency equipment on this list to ensure you're prepared for potential winter emergencies.

Ahead, we've rounded up some of the best winter power tools and equipment, according to reviews. Hailing from reputable brands, each product has at least 4 stars on Amazon from 500 reviews minimum. Read more about our selection methodology at the end of this article. From electric snow shovels to emergency generators, here are the best products on the market to help you get through the winter, safe and sound.

If shoveling snow is your least favorite winter activity (we don't blame you), it's absolutely worth splurging on the right tool to cut down on shoveling time. The Earthwise SN74016 40-Volt Cordless Electric Snow Shovel is a highly-rated choice that does the hardest part for you. This is a cordless battery-powered tool, so you aren't restricted to an outdoor outlet and also don't have to deal with gas. It uses a dual-blade auger and powerful brushless motor to pick up snow and throw it aside. The front has a clearing width of 16 inches and depth of 8 inches and moves up to 300 pounds of snow per minute, throwing it about 30 feet out of the way.

This is a customer favorite on Amazon, with 4.1 stars from over 2,000 reviews. More than half of those customers rate it five stars, one explaining, "I was skeptical about electric snow shovels, but the Earthwise Electric Snow Shovel completely exceeded my expectations! This little powerhouse makes clearing snow effortless, especially on sidewalks, driveways, and decks. It's lightweight, easy to maneuver, and much quieter than a traditional snow blower." Some negative reviews mention that it's a bit short and uncomfortable to use for tall users. However, the majority of reviewers agree it did a good job clearing snow and made the job much faster and easier ethan using a manual shovel.

The Snow Joe 324E Electric Snow Shovel w/Headlights is another highly-rated electric snow shovel. This one is cheaper than the previous Earthwise model, but it is corded, so it's less convenient. It's also a bit smaller, with a clearing width of 11 inches wide and 6 inches tall. However, it's still capable of moving up to 300 pounds of snow per minute, throwing it 20 feet away. A built-in LED headlight helps illuminate the area for nighttime or early morning snow clearing. This model is also lightweight at 14 pounds, though it doesn't have wheels. It comes at a very budget-friendly price of $120, compared to cordless models which often cost over $200.

Though it has some drawbacks, reviewers rate it 4.1 stars based on over 4,800 reviews with its affordability in mind. Around 55% of those reviewers give it a full five stars. A balanced review of the tool explains, "[The Snow Joe] exceeded my expectations. It would not tackle the entire 30 plus inches in a single swipe but it was light enough that I could take some off the top and move it down to clear it out. Worked great on my composite decking and equally as well on the cement patio ... All in all I would rather not have the cord dragging behind me but if I had purchased the battery type, I would have had to charge it several times to get through the mess I had." A few reviews mention the power cord can be annoying, with some comparing it to a corded vacuum: So it's manageable, but some may prefer to splurge for a cordless option.

For moving larger amounts of snow, you'll want a snow blower. The Westinghouse WSnow20 Corded Snow Blower is an affordable corded version. It's powerful, throwing 680 pounds of snow per minute 25 feet from the machine. That's over double the amount than the electric shovels mentioned before. It also has a larger clearing width, measuring 20-inches wide and 10 inches deep, ample for clearing paths and driveways. A rubber-tipped steel auger makes this a durable machine. And it's easy to control too, with a 180-degree adjustable chute, LED headlights, and snow-grabbing wheels.

Reviewers rate this blower 4.4 stars based on over 500 reviews, with 66% giving it 5 stars. A happy senior reviewer says, "We bought this after a snowstorm in January, my wife insisting that at 80 years old, my shoveling days should come to an end. And while I did shovel our drive after that storm, I was mighty glad I had this for last night's 4 inches of heavy, wet snow. Our drive, plus pad, is about 120 feet long and despite the weight and thickness of the snow, the blower worked like a champ. Five stars for the price and ease on my heart." While some reviewers complain that the cord gets in the way, you still won't have to deal with gas or keeping batteries charged.

The Snow Joe 24V IONMAX Cordless Snow Blower is a powerful cordless snow blower that can handle large amounts of snow, without being tethered to an extension cord. This is another model with a heavy-duty steel, rubber-tipped auger that's built to last. It has a clearing range of 18 inches wide by 10 inches deep, plus LED headlights for nighttime clearing. An adjustable chute lets you choose what direction to toss the snow, and it will throw it 20 feet away.

This blower has a 4-star rating based on over 5,300 reviews, and 55% give it 5 stars. A customer raves, "My husband and I are senior citizens and can handle this very well. We have two sidewalks, a double car driveway and a patio. This machine is light and easy for us to use and has everything cleaned up quickly ... It had rained before the first snow and there was sloppy wet ice under the snow but the machine went right through it." Several negative reviews note the limited battery life. Reviewers say it lasts anywhere from around 20 to 45 minutes (it depends on usage and snow conditions), so for large areas, it might be worth getting an extra battery.

The EGO Power+ Electric Snow Blower and a real snow-moving powerhouse. It's a serious machine with a high price tag, but it's ideal for major jobs and large areas. This is a two-stage snow blower, which means it has an auger that picks up the snow, plus an impeller to toss snow to the side more powerfully (so it can hold up against wet snow, and throw snow very far: up to 60 feet for this model). With a 28-inch clearing width, 21-inch intake height, and extra-large snow tires, it can handle deep snow. Even more impressive, it's cordless, so you won't be physically restricted when clearing long paths and driveways. With the two included batteries, Ego claims it can clear up to a 32-car driveway on one charge. Features like the self-propelled system, 200-degree chute rotation, and heated handle grips really make this a premium tool.

Reviews reflect its quality, with this blower earning 4.3 stars from over 2,000 reviews. Around 70% of reviewers give it a full 5 stars, which considering its $2,000 plus price tag, shows it's worth its buck. One reviewer has all good things to say about this blower, explaining, "I love this snow blower. It works so well, even with heavy snow. It is light and easy to maneuver. The lights are bright. The batteries last for a while. I am able to [use it on] mine and a couple neighbor's driveways." It's expensive, but for serious, large-scale snow removal, it is a powerful choice.

The Husqvarna Leaf Blaster 350iB Leaf Blower is the tool to choose for blowing aside leaf debris and light snow. It's cordless, using a 40V battery and brushless motor for quiet but powerful performance. It offers 800 cfm air flow and 200 mph air speed, making it comparable to some gas-powered blowers, without having to deal with the hassle of gas. It's lightweight too, so it's possible to use for a while before getting tired. To deal with the built-up or wet leaf debris that can happen throughout the winter, this blower has a boost mode for an extra 20% increase in power, as well as a scraper tip.

Reviewers are very happy with their purchase: This blower has 4.4 stars overall from over 500 reviews, and 77% give it 5 stars. One says, "I was amazed by how much power this unit has. Just as powerful if not more, than a noisy gas blower. The turbo mode really moves things very well ... I did purchase an extra battery (not knowing how long it'd actually last) but you may not need to. They fully charge in 30 minutes. If not using [the turbo setting], the battery lasts quite a long time. I'm overall very happy with it." This listing includes a battery and charger, but you can buy the tool only if you already have a compatible Husqvarna battery.

Whether for cleaning up after a winter storm or for breaking down fire wood, a chain saw is an important lawn care tool to have on hand for winter maintenance. The EGO POWER+ 16" Chain Saw can tackle most jobs. It's a cordless chainsaw, and this one has a 16-inch bar, though it's also offered in a 12, 18, and 20 inch version. In terms of power, it's equivalent to a 40CC gas chainsaw and has a 20 meter per second chain speed. The included battery offers up to 130 cuts on a 4x4 piece of wood. User-friendly features include a tool-free chain tensioning system, a low kickback design, and an automatic oiling system.

Reviewers are very happy with this product, giving it 4.5 stars overall out of over 3,000 reviews. A solid 77% give it 5 stars. A reviewer, once skeptical of battery-powered chainsaws says, "I've [used] many gas powered chainsaws and wanted to try out this one. I was actually very impressed with the power and the run time of this saw. I was easily able to cut up a few trees on one battery no problem with quite a bit of power left over. The quick chain adjustment knob is actually a game changer. No tools needed to tighten [the] chain or if the chain pops off." Many reviewers agree: It's a cut above the rest.

The Westinghouse iGen5000DFc 3900 Watt Inverter Generator ensures you won't be caught without power after a bad winter storm. This generator is ideal for emergencies, with the option to run on gasoline or propane. Powering it up is simple with the push-button start or remote start with the included key fob. Designed for fuel efficiency, it only produces enough power for the devices plugged in at the time, whether that's an appliance or a phone. It offers 5000 peak watts and 3900 rated watts. And on a 3.4-gallon gas tank, it will work for up to 18 hours. The automatic low oil and carbon monoxide shutdown features ensure safety. A lightweight and compact design makes it easy to store and carry, plus it has wheels and a suitcase-style handle for easy transportation.

Shoppers rate this generator highly, giving it a high 4.6 stars overall from almost 2,000 reviews. Almost 80% of reviewers give it 5 stars. One raves, "This generator has performed exceptionally well. Easy [to start] and flexibility with fuel of gas or propane. Use it in my farming operation and easily loaded in the back of pickup for mobile use. Also used it for a family wedding to provide electricity for music. Very pleased with the low noise of the generator." At around $1,000, buying this generator is an investment, but it has many uses beyond backup power.

If you don't want to splurge on a traditional back-up generator, but still want an emergency power source for smaller devices, the Anker Solar Generator SOLIX C300 with 60W Solar Panel is a good pick. It's less than half the price of the Westinghouse iGen5000DFc, but with less power, as expected from a smaller, cheaper device. With 8 ports, it's designed to power or charge a variety of devices, including items like a lamp or kettle. It's a great back-up to make sure you can have a little bit of light and keep a phone charged in a winter power outage. It also includes solar panels for untethered recharging, which makes it great for taking on adventures.

Anker is a well-liked brand, and this generator is highly-rated. With a 4.6-star rating from around 1,500 total reviews, a high 80% of reviewers give it perfect marks. A shopper explains, "One of the biggest highlights is how fast it charges — it can go from nearly empty to full in a short amount of time, which is super convenient when you're in a hurry. It's also very lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around for camping trips, outdoor work, or emergency backup. That said, the capacity is limited, so you won't be running power-hungry devices for long." While its not as powerful as other generators, it offers decent capacity at a reasonable price for smaller devices.

With the DEWALT Shop Vacuum Wet and Dry, you can clean up all kinds of messes. It can be used corded or cordless, so you can decide when you want the reliability of a power cord or the flexibility of battery power. In cordless mode, it runs on a Dewalt 20V MAX battery, which isn't included. This handy vacuum has a 5-foot hose and the capacity to suck up 2 gallons of debris, wet or dry, so you can use it for cleaning up renovation dust or a puddle from melted ice. A crevice and wide-nozzle tool are both included, as well as a washable, reusable filter.

This vacuum has a 4.4-star rating, based on over 8,300 reviews. With about 74% of those giving it 5 stars, it's a highly-regarded product for winter maintenance. Reviewers note that it is less powerful than many corded shop vacs, though they still rate it highly because that's expected from a cordless vacuum. One user explains, "If you expect this to be a replacement for a corded 10 gallon vac you will be disappointed. However, if you want a lightweight and highly portable vac that can tackle 90% of your small pick up jobs, this is a great value ... It handles almost everything I need and is very portable." It should be powerful enough to help you clean these parts of your home before winter truly hits. 

Make spreading salt or ice melt nearly effortless with the RYOBI ONE+ 18V 1 Gal. Spreader. It's an essential Ryobi tool for winter and fall tasks, especially for large properties. It uses a motor to provide a spread width of 5 feet, at the pull of a trigger. On a full tank and charged 18V ONE+ 2Ah battery (which is compatible with a huge variety of Ryobi tools), it can cover up to 5,000 square feet. An adjustable flow rate knob and spread lever let you control the application rate. Beyond the winter season, it's also useful for spreading fertilizer, seeds, and weed control products.

This product is a Home Depot exclusive, and at the retailer's website, it has a 4.2-star rating overall from over 1,100 reviews. Around 62% give it 5 stars, with one calling it, "Another great Ryobi product! I am very impressed, I bought it to spread salt for the winter. It's easy to use and adjustable. I have a 3 car wide and 5 long [driveway]. I walk down the middle and it does the whole driveway in one pass!"

If you want to remove snow without using a shovel, the lowest-effort way is to install melting mats. The HeatTrak Heated Snow Melting Mat prevents snow from accumulating, melting snow at a rate of 2 inches per hour to ensure pathways are extra safe for homes with very young children, seniors, or anyone with mobility concerns. This is a 20 by 60 inch mat and includes the power unit (which connects the mat to the outlet). Other sizes are available, ranging from 20 by 30 inches to 30 by 60 inches.

Based on over 1,500 reviews, this product has 4.4 stars overall. Around 73% rate it 5 stars. A happy shopper says, "They are easy to connect to each other and very effective at keeping snow [and] ice from forming. They have a textured surface, which provides additional shoe grip even when they're wet, as they will be when the snow [and] ice has melted ... They're a bit pricey, to be sure, but they can provide safe footing on an otherwise dangerous, icy surface."

These products are amongst the most highly-rated power tools and equipment for the winter season. At minimum, each product had at least 4 stars based on 500 reviews. However, many exceeded that, with thousands of reviews. The products on this list are all from reputable brands that dominate their field, offering the quality expected from well-known manufacturers.