Snow blowers: the downsides, first

Wirecutter says the engine starts to bog down around 12 to 16 in. of heavy, wet snow. Because it is light, it sometimes rides up over packed snow and tire tracks instead of cutting under them.

Toro recommends paved surfaces only because the fast auger can throw rocks. Wirecutter found it bounces on uneven ground and can lose traction on steep inclines with its small tires.

Maneuvering takes some strength without power steering or reverse gears, and the chute turns only a few degrees past 90 (Wirecutter). Wirecutter and Reviewed both note there is no light.

The batteries need several hours to recharge (Bob Vila). Popular Mechanics suggests an extra battery for wet, heavy snow or large properties.

Ryobi rates it at up to 30 minutes of runtime (or 20 car spaces), though Bob Vila got longer real-world use.

Wirecutter's tested Ryobi RY40870 (a different model) had shorter runtime than EGO, uncomfortable handles and a hard-to-use spring-loaded battery compartment.

Wirecutter says the traditional two-stage design is slower and handles snow less well than its top pick. A comparable Cub Cadet 2X 24 weighs 215 lb.

A hand crank turns the chute and a separate joystick moves the deflector, on top of manual speed shifting (Wirecutter). Popular Mechanics, by contrast, found the chute control intuitive.

The electric start works only when plugged in, so it's less useful if you shut it down away from the garage (Popular Mechanics).

Popular Mechanics says the separate deflector control makes on-the-fly adjustments awkward; Wirecutter calls its two-part chute control tedious and clunky. Bob Vila found the throttle and auger controls reversed from normal.

It stalled once when pushed too quickly into very heavy snow (Bob Vila).

Batteries get hot and need to cool down, then several hours to charge. It is heavier than most electric models and needs more assembly (Bob Vila).

Some owners say two 7.5Ah batteries give plenty of time; others get no more than about 40 minutes (Amazon). Reviewed lists battery life as the main drawback of the bare SNT2100.

Some Amazon owners say it struggles with more than 6 in. of snow. Popular Mechanics says heavy, wet snow may be challenging and pushing it through dense material takes effort.

Some owners praise the steel auger, others report electrical failure within three months; value for money is also mixed (Amazon).

Bob Vila says its size limits it in wet or heavy snow and the chute clogged in wet snow. Amazon owners say it works on powder but not in other conditions and is ineffective in wet snow.

Amazon's summary flags reliability as concerning, with reports of the blower stopping after 1-2 minutes. Battery life is mixed.

Bob Vila notes the plastic blade may chip on hard objects.

Walmart's lowest-rated reviews report broken choke knobs and gas caps, missing parts, a unit that quit after about three hours, a drive that wouldn't work, and unanswered calls to customer service. This Old House also notes reports of bent parts and recoil-cord problems.

Snow blower reviewer Paul Sikkema gives PowerSmart a 'Do Not Buy' rating (quoted by Wirecutter). One Walmart owner says the auger blades are smaller and the steel thinner than usual for this size.

Bob Vila found the narrower intake means more passes and traction drops on steep inclines and ice.

Amazon owners report durability issues, with the auger and slide (scraper) plate breaking.

Cord management gets mixed feedback; owners find it annoying to work with. Reviewed notes the sibling SJ625E needs an outlet.

Owners say it handles light to medium snow, with one noting about 8 in. as its effective limit; value for money is mixed.