Forget Manual Snow Shoveling: The RYOBI Tool For Clearing Walkways And Driveways

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While many property maintenance tasks go on hiatus in the winter, there's one chore that ramps up: shoveling snow from your driveway. This task can be incredibly labor-intensive and time-consuming, leading many individuals to purchase a full-sized blower to speed things up and make shoveling or removing snow easier. For a more compact option, however, consider the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Electric Snow Shovel at Home Depot. 

Retailing for $199, this battery-powered snow shovel could be a great fit for anyone who needs to clear their driveway or walkways. The product's specifications say it can throw snow up to 25 feet and clear a path that is 10 inches wide and up to 6 inches deep, making it suitable for moderate snowfall. Individuals of varying heights can use this snow shovel, too, due to the adjustable shaft feature. And since it weighs under 13 pounds, it should suit users with varying physical capabilities. In the event of any operational issues, it comes with a 3-year limited warranty. 

At the time of writing, customers had given this RYOBI tool a 4.7-star average from more than 30 reviews. They praise the shovel's lightweight and user-friendly design. One five-star review on Home Depot's website states, "I'm excited to use my new snow shovel! This one is definitely better than the previous shovel I have. I now have the ability to choose where I want to throw the snow using the adjustable chute which will make a huge difference!"

Because of its small size, the RYOBI ONE+ Electric Snow Shovel is ideal for clearing snow from smaller areas, so if you have a short driveway, you most likely don't need to use a huge machine. As one reviewer wrote, it is "a great alternative" to dragging out a larger, gas-powered snow blower. You may get better results if you use this product shortly after the snow falls, which is the best time for easier snow removal (the product's specifications say it handles fluffy, light snow). If you live in a location that regularly deals with heavier, wetter conditions, or if you have a larger driveway and yard, you'll want to hold on to your snow blower. 

Since it is battery-powered, you won't have to drive to a gas station in the middle of winter to purchase fuel for it, but as with many rechargeable tools, the length of charge might limit how much work you can complete. The product description states that the shovel "clears up to six car spaces on a single charge" with the battery. Individuals who will need to clear more snow than that — or want to be prepared for snowier conditions — can purchase backup batteries to ensure that they are ready when the included battery runs out of juice. It is imperative, however, to never charge or store your lithium-ion batteries in the garage when temperatures are below freezing. Instead, the best method for storing your reusable RYOBI batteries is keeping them in a mudroom, laundry room, or insulated basement to protect their performance for the future.