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When we recently set out to test the best electric snow shovels on the market, one quickly cleared a path to victory. Through fog and wintry mist, the Greenworks 80V 12″ Cordless Battery Snow Shovel stood out for its well-rounded balance of power, speed, and cost value. We’ve seen some real storms, too, so we aren’t wowed too easily, but this one left an impression.
Our Favorite Electric Snow Shovel
Photo: Amazon
Most of the electric shovels we tested did a few things very well, but few of them did it all. This one from Greenworks felt like a trusty companion during blustery storms, and its rapid battery charger meant that, when needed, we’d be able to fully charge the battery from empty in just 30 minutes. At 19.2 pounds, it’s a little heavier than most, but its quality construction, fast charging, and sheer power made it worth the weight. While some of the other models we tested trumped the Greenworks’ 45-minute battery life, none of them combined a 45-minute runtime with a 30-minute recharge the way the Greenworks does. (And from our experience, 45 minutes is more than enough to shovel your way out of some serious snow.)
Some might balk at this shovel’s 6-inch maximum depth, which doesn’t sound like too much, especially for those of us who live in snowy regions where that kind of accumulation is considered modest. But most electric shovels are rated for a similar maximum depth, and if there’s more snow on the ground, you’ll just have to take it in passes. With the Greenworks, shoveling deep snow in passes is no big deal; thanks to its powerful build, the auger speed makes quick work of it. That’s true both of powdery snow and wetter snow.
Even in heavy, icy snow, it powered through without stopping once we found the right technique. It took us a little time to find our groove with that kind of snow, as we learned to locate the ideal balance point by tilting the shaft to roughly 45 degrees and grounding the blade. Once we got the hang of it, though, the machine made easy work of what would have otherwise required way more time shoveling by hand. We liked that the 20-foot throw distance allowed us to shoot the shoveled snow far away, enough to prevent gusts of wind from blowing it back onto the ground we just shoveled.
All in all, we feel that this shovel from Greenworks is a great option for just about anyone, especially homeowners dealing with regular snowfall on driveways, walkways, and decks. Thanks to its high-quality, durable build, it should endure a long time and stand up to even the nastiest storms. And with its rapid-charge abilities, you won’t have to wait hours and hours for the battery to recharge if it runs out. If you’re willing to trade a bit of extra weight for faster charging and stronger performance, the Greenworks can’t be beat.
