If you are a residential user with an average driveway or sidewalk and you need the right snow blower, and need a lightweight unit then this article is here to help. Ideally, you should go for a single-stage blower that is both compact and lightweight. In this article, we will be discussing the 4 best lightweight snow blowers available on the market.
A single-stage lightweight snow blower is usually best for the average residential use. However, if you want a lightweight unit because you have to clear steep inclines, large areas or deal with uneven ground then a single-stage machine is not a good choice no matter how light it is. Compact single-stage machines may be lightweight but you have to physically push them. A self-propelled unit may be a better option for challenging terrain. Here I review these considerations and also take a look at the 4 best lightweight models.
First things first…
=====>>> In a hurry? Here are the best lightweight snow blowers that we found:
Our top 4 lightweight snow blowers:
best lightweight corded electric
best lightweight cordless electric
Table of Contents
Differences in Snow Blowers
Before we look at four of the best lightweight snow blowers on the market you should give serious consideration to whether or not you need a lightweight unit or a self-propelled unit.
Why do you want a lightweight snow blower?
If it is due to the physical exertion it takes to push the blower then a lightweight single-stage model will certainly reduce that stress on your body but a self-propelled two-stage blower may offer you a better solution.
If you have to deal with challenging terrain such as steep inclines then you will definitely need to invest in a better two-stage machine.
To better understand the differences between the stages read our snow blower buyer’s guide.
Best Lightweight Electric Cordless Snow Blower
Electric snow blowers are always going to be lighter than their gas-powered alternatives.
An electric engine, whether cordless or one that draws power directly from an outlet socket, is much lighter than a gas engine.
So if you want lightweight, go electric.
Snow Joe is one of the top snow blower brands on the market and they only make electrical machines.
Size/Weight
The Snow Joe ION15SB-LT iON 40V electric cordless single-stage snow blower has a super compact design that makes it ideal for small sidewalks, driveways, as well as walkways.
The Snow Joe cordless snow blower weighs in at only 19.4 lbs, and it measures 42.1″ by 34.9″ by 17.1″.
That is compact and lightweight enough to give you an easy time pushing it across your residential space.
Power/Engine
The Snow Joe ION15SB-LT comes with an innovative battery.
The machine is powered by EcoSharp technology, which runs the 40-volt lithium-ion battery.
However, with a fully-charged battery, the machine can only run for up to 30 minutes. This will probably be long enough to complete most average residential clearing jobs but just may not suit every user.
It has an electric start that pretty much works first time even in very cold conditions. All you have to do is push the button and the machine will start running instantly.
Performance
While this machine might seem compact and lightweight, it can offer a decent performance on your residential space.
First off, the snow blower comes with a clearing width of 15″, and it can clear snow up to 8″ deep.
The two-blade plastic auger is temperature-resistant. In other words, you will not have to worry about snow freezing up the plastic auger.
Also, the auger allows the snow blower to move a maximum of 440 lbs of snow per minute. Not at all bad for an electric.
There is a rubber scraper bar located at the base of the snowblower. This allows you to clear all the snow off the ground without damaging your pavement or deck.
In terms of the throw distance, this unit can manage a very respectable maximum distance of 20 feet in any direction you set it.
User Experience
The machine is easy to use when you are blowing the snow.
Be aware that although the auger does give some forward impetus to the machine 90% of the forward movement must come from you pushing the machine.
As this design characteristic is the same with all single-stage snow blowers it means electric machines, having a lighter engine, are much easier to push that gas-powered ones.
Snow Joe ION15SB-LT iON Specs (video)
Pros
- Super lightweight and easy to push on level ground
- Weighs only 19.4 lbs
- 15″ clearing width & 8″ clearing height
- It is easy to assemble and use
- It is cordless
- Throwing distance of 20 feet
- The machine can process 440 lbs of snow per minute
- The blower runs very quietly
- It comes with a 2 year warranty
Cons
- It comes with only one battery
- The battery only runs for 30 minutes
- It will struggle with heavy snow
- The blower is not ideal for gravel driveways/sidewalks
Check the Sun Joe Cordless Lightweight Snow Blower on Amazon
Best Lightweight Electric Corded Snow Blower
The Wen 5662 Snow Blaster is also an electric snow blower.
However, unlike the cordless Snow Joe the WEN draws power directly from an electrical outlet socket via a cord.
The WEN is also heavier but still very lightweight compared to non-electrical units.
Size/Weight
The 5662 Snow Blaster comes with a sturdy design and is prefect for average residential usage.
The WEN corded electric snow blower measures 40″ by 18″ by 37″ and weighs just 32 lbs.
Although the Wen is not as light as the Snow Joe it is still light and easy to push.
Power/Engine
This electric snow blower is powered by a 13.5 Amp engine that will continue running as long as it is plugged in.
It comes with a pull cord holder. The extension cord holder is at the handle.
As with many corded electrical units, including electric lawn mowers, the cord is never long enough and it is advisable to get a cheap extension cord
Performance
The WEN snow blower has 2000 RPM auger that can clear up to 1150 cubic inches of snow for every rotation.
The blower can also process a maximum of 490 lbs of snow per minute, which is more than the cordless Snow Joe unit.
This one can clear snow 18″ wide and 7.8 ” in depth and the the chute can rotate up to 180 degrees.
The chute is adjustable, and you can control it with the easy-to-access crank.
The WEN can also throw snow up to 20 feet away.
User Experience
It will take about 15 minutes to assemble this unit and it isn’t difficult to do.
You can maneuver the machine easily on level ground thanks to the 6″ wheels.
Although cordless machines offer much more convenience they have major restrictions on both power and their running-time before the battery drains. This is not a problem with a corded unit like the WEN 5662.
Wen 5662 Snow Blaster Specs (video)
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to push
- Weighs only 32 lbs
- 18″ clearing width & 7.8″ clearing height
- It can throw up to 490 lbs of snow per minute
- Corded
- Throwing distance of 20 feet
- It is easy to assemble and start
- The machine is also user-friendly
- The chute is adjustable up to 180 degrees
- One pass is usually enough to clear snow off your driveway
- Corded electrically powered so there’s no time-limitations
- The blower runs very quietly
- It comes with a 2-year long warranty
Cons
- It cannot handle heavy and wet snow
- It is made primarily of plastic
Check the WEN Lightweight Electric Snow Blower on Amazon
Best Lightweight Snow Blower Hybrid
If you want to enjoy the delivery of both a cordless and a corded electric snow blower, then the Snow Joe iON18SB-HYB is a great choice.
This snow blower combines the best of both technologies.
Size/Weight
The iONa8SB-HYB may be a hybrid but it is still compact and lightweight.
This Snow Joe hybrid snow blower measures 50″ by 50″ by 28″ and weighs in at 39.5 pounds.
The machine is perfectly designed for a mid-sized driveway, walkway, as well as sidewalks.
Power/Engine
This snow blower is powered by EcoSharp Technology, and it has an interchangeable Li-Ion battery system that is rechargeable as well.
The 40 volts battery powers the blower, which runs silently without emitting carbon into the air.
If your battery is running low or you need a bit of extra power you can easily switch from the 40 V battery to the corded electric system.
The corded system comes with a 13.5 Amp motor.
The snow blower is started with an electric push button.
Performance
This hybrid blower comes with a heavy duty two-blade rubber auger that can process up to 500 lbs of snow per minute.
It has a clearing width of 18″ and a clearing depth of 8″.
There is a scraper located at the base of the blower. This allows you to clear the snow off the ground without damaging your pavement or deck.
The chute is adjustable to 180 degrees.
This chute can throw snow up to 20 feet away.
User Experience
It is easy to get started with this machine, and switching from the cordless to the corded system is also easy.
A great added feature on this single-stage machine is the 3W LED headlight that lets you use it in a low-light environment. Lights are usually only available on the larger two-stage and three-stage snow blowers.
Snow Joe Hybrid Specs (video)
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to push
- Weighs only 39.5 lbs
- 18″ clearing width & 8″ clearing height
- It is a hybrid unit: corded and cordless in one machine
- The machine can blow up to 500 lbs of snow per minute
- Throwing distance of 20 feet
- The chute is adjustable up to 180 degrees
- You can get it with a 2-year long warranty
- It is powerful enough to handle medium driveways or walkways
- It comes with an LED headlight
- It runs quietly
Cons
- The machine doesn’t perform well on uneven terrain
- The chute control can be sticky
Check the Snow Joe Hybrid Lightweight Electric Snow Blower on Amazon
Best Lightweight Snow Blower Gas
The Toro Power Clear 518 ZE is the only gas-powered single-stage snow blower on our list.
The reason we chose mostly electric snow blowers is because they are lighter.
However, some users will require the extra power that only a gas-powered snow blower can offer.
The Toro 518 ZE is not as light as the electric blowers on our list but it is still lightweight compared to other gas-powered units.
Size/Weight
One notable feature of the Toro Power Clear 516 ZE snow blower is its compact design.
This gas-powered snow blower only measures 45″ by 37″ by 18″ but is the heaviest unit on our list weighing 60 lbs.
At 60 lbs this snow blower is the heaviest on our list but it is still relatively lightweight compared to its competitors.
Power/Engine
The 518 ZE blower is powered by a 99 cc 4-cycle engine.
The good thing about a 4-cycle engine is that it is quieter than the 2-cycle alternatives.
Like all engine powered vehicles and equipment Toro has designed the snow blower with two different tanks; one for gas and one for oil.
So this blower will require some maintenance and gas refills.
It also has an electric start that works well in in harsh cold conditions. However, there is also a pull cord if the electric start fails.
Performance
The machine can clear snow 18″ wide and 12″ deep on a single pass.
Naturally, gas-powered blowers are more powerful than electric counterparts.
For that reason, the 518 ZE can clear up to 1,100 pounds of snow per minute. And the 7″ auger comes with a positive-locking Zip deflector.
The chute is adjustable to 210 degrees, and it can throw snow up to 25 feet away.
User Experience
Typically, using this machine is as easy as it gets.
For instance, there is an auger clutch control that is attached to the handle. This way, you can start the engine with ease.
You’ll then need to pull the control bar and hold it to start blowing the snow.
Toro Power Clear 518 ZE in Action (video)
Pros
- Heavier than an electric blower but one of the lightest gas-powered machines available
- 99 cc 4-cycle engine
- Weighs 60 lbs
- 18″ clearing width & 12″ clearing height
- The blower is strong and sturdy
- It can blow up to 25 feet away
- This machine can handle up to 1,100 pounds of snow in a minute
- The chute is adjustable to 210 degrees
- The curved rotor and inverted funnel housing limits the snow blowing time
- It is quiet compared to other gas-powered blowers
Cons
- The gas cap is hard to remove if you have your gloves on
- The chute direction is not easy to control
- You can easily lose the key since the start key is not securely located
Check the TORO Power Clear Lightweight Gas Snow Blower on Amazon
Comparison Chart
| ION15SB-LT | 5662 | iON18SB-HYB | 518 ZE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Snow Joe | Wen | Snow Joe | Toro |
| Weight (lbs) | 19.4 | 32 | 39.5 | 60 |
| Power | cordless electric | corded electric | hybrid | gas |
| Engine | 40-volt lithium-ion | 13.5 Amp | 40-volt & 13.5 Amp | 99 cc 4-cycle |
| Running time | 30 mins | indefinite | 30 mins/indefinite | 2 hours |
| Stage | single | single | single | single |
| Ground type | flat | flat | flat | flat |
| Clearing HxD (inches) | 15 x 8 | 18 x 7.8 | 18 x 8 | 18 x 12 |
| Volume per minute | 440 lbs | 490 lbs | 500 lbs | 1100 lbs |
| Throwing Distance (feet) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 |
| Price | Check Amazon | Check Amazon | Check Amazon | Check Amazon |
