There are plenty of things to love about the winter but shoveling snow is not one of them. Luckily, this arduous task can be made easier with the help of an electric snow shovel. We tested six different electric snow shovels and one stood out among the rest: the Greenworks 12-inch corded snow shovel.
The Greenworks snow shovel is under $100, easy to maneuver and didn’t struggle under six inches of wet, heavy snow. In fact, it out-performed half a dozen more expensive models. Read on to find out why this affordable powerhouse will be your saving grace this winter.
We Tried It
Greenworks 12-Inch Corded Snow Shovel
An affordable price point, lightweight design and exceptional performance make the Greenworks snow shovel our top pick.
What is the Greenworks Snow Shovel?
The Greenworks snow shovel is a corded, electric snow shovel. Its 8-Amp motor allows it to throw snow up to 20 feet with an 8-inch clearing depth. In fact, it can clear up to 300 pounds of snow per minute.
At just 14.4 pounds, this lightweight snow shovel is easy to maneuver around walkways and sidewalks. An adjustable auxiliary handle allows for comfort and control and a unique, folding design makes for convenient storage. Our testers especially appreciated the shovel’s cord management system on the handle which prevents accidental unplugging during use.
And while you can pick up a battery powered electric snow shovel, the experts agree that corded shovels are preferable. “When it comes to electric shovels, batteries are the big headache so we tend to avoid them,” says commercial snow contractor Lucas Bobala. “You also have to consider the need for extra batteries and plan for swaps.”
How We Tested It
The Greenworks electric snow shovel was one of seven models tested by Sheri Kaz during a series of January snow storms. Sheri had this shovel assembled in under 10 minutes and took it out into six inches of wet, heavy snow.
Sheri started by tackling the large mound of snow that the snow plow left at the end of her driveway. She was impressed by how well it handled. “Not only did it remove the snow down to the pavement, but it was also able to chew up the large icy chunks left at the end of the drive,” she writes in her full electric snow shovel summary. When she was finished with the driveway, Sheri passed it off to her neighbor, who used it on a wooden deck and 200-foot slab. “She finished the job in 20 minutes versus two hours,” Sheri reports. “It threw the snow 20 feet without a problem.”
After an afternoon clearing snow, Sheri only had one complaint about the Greenworks snow shovel. “The one thing lacking in this snow thrower is adjustable louvers to direct the output of the snow,” she explains. But other than that, she was impressed by the solid construction and effectiveness of this shovel. Better still, it’s under $100. “Despite the low price, this Greenworks shovel is nearly as effective as higher-priced models,” she raves. “It’s my favorite corded shovel.”
According to Bobala you’ll want an electric snow shovel with a solid auger, sturdy handle and simple controls. It should also be easy to lift and store. After testing the Greenworks snow shovel, Sheri confirms that it checks all of the boxes. In short, it will be the best $100 you spend all winter.
Pros:
- Can move up to eight inches of heavy snow
- No battery to charge
- Cord management on handle
- Durable
- Folds for easy storage
- Affordable
Cons:
- Tethered by a cord
- Does not stand on its own
- Stationary discharge direction
Product Comparison: Greenworks vs EGO
In addition to the Greenworks snow shovel, Sheri also tested the EGO Power+ Snow Shovel. Though both models are technically electric snow shovels, Sheri put the EGO in a class by itself thanks to its heft and $400 price tag. It weighed in at 30 pounds which made it difficult for Sheri to assemble and maneuver.
“I didn’t have the strength to push the handle in place,” she says. “It’s heavy to carry with a long handle and the battery makes it feel a little top-heavy.” In fact, Sheri deemed it too heavy to handle on stairs and grass. Conversely, the EGO handled exceptionally well on Sheri’s driveway. She also liked the EGO’s directional louvres which made it easy to adjust the direction of the throw.
When it comes down to the Greenworks snow shovel or the EGO snow shovel, the Greenworks was Sheri’s top pick. The EGO snow shovel, on the other hand, didn’t make the list of recommended models. However, Sheri did point out that the heavy duty EGO could serve as a solid replacement for a snow blower.
Where to Buy the Greenworks Snow Shovel
We Tried It
Greenworks 12-Inch Corded Snow Shovel
The Greenworks snow shovel throws snow up to 20 feet and has an 8-inch clearing depth. It can clear up to 300 pounds of snow per minute.
The Greenworks snow shovel can be purchased directly on the brand’s website as well as Walmart and Amazon.
FAQ
Are electric snow shovels any good?
Yes! Electric snow shovels can significantly reduce the time spent shoveling snow. They’re also less physically demanding, so they make shoveling snow easier on the body.
How does an electric snow shovel work?
The motor on an electric shovel rotates an auger. As it rotates, the auger picks up snow and throws it out of the way. The Greenworks snow shovel throws snow up to 20 feet.
Why You Should Trust Us
At Family Handyman, we have personally tested our fair share of snow removal equipment. Since we know you can’t always try before you buy, we’ve covered everything from the best manual snow shovels to powerful snow blowers. For this series of articles, we tested seven electric snow shovels in order to determine which models are worth your hard earned money. Our ultimate goal is to help you make informed shopping decisions based on real-life testing before you buy. We strive to provide full transparency in each product review and will never recommend a product that does not meet or exceed our expectations.
The post We Put the Greenworks Snow Shovel Up Against 6 Inches of Heavy Snow and It Did Not Disappoint appeared first on Family Handyman.
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