Key Takeaways

  • A snowblower is the best tool for heavy snowfall, while a power brush is better for light or powdery snow in smaller areas.
  • Power brushes are multi-seasonal and efficient, offering deeper cleaning and removing the need for physical labor.
  • Snowblowers are useful in all types of snowfall and accumulation but require storage space and routine maintenance.

If you live in a region that gets any amount of snowfall whatsoever, tools for snow removal are a must. You need your driveway and walkways to be accessible and sometimes, you may need to relieve your landscaping and garden areas of the burden of heavy snow.

With numerous products on the market today from shovels to scoops to plows to snow blowers, it can be exhausting and overwhelming to try to figure out which one you should be using. So which is the best one for you? The snow removal tool you choose depends on your climate and the conditions you're going to be facing, along with the property you need to clear. In the debate between a power brush vs snow blower, which is going to work better for you?

A Closer Look at the Power Brush

Some swear by this highly useful and efficient snow-removal tool

The power brush, also called a snow sweeper, uses a round brush that spins to sweep snow away. The ergonomic design allows for easy maneuvering while providing efficient cleaning. With the help of strong wire and plastic bristles, the power brush easily cleans away snow in a sweeping motion.

Why You Might Want to Use It to Remove Snow

  • The automatic traction control offers smooth snow removal, while the use of added tire chains increases your performance in deeper snow.
  • The power brush can also be useful even when there is no snow on the ground. The bristles will also remove dirt, grime, leaves, and sand from most surfaces, making this a highly useful tool for all weather conditions.
  • A power brush removes snow and other debris low to the ground, directing it from side to side in a softer, repetitive motion. The design prevents debris from flying out from the machine, which could potentially strike the user and those nearby.

It is easy to use a power brush, compared to some of your other options for getting rid of snow. It does not take much physical strength or force to roll this machine along on the snowy ground, making this ideal for people who struggle with joint paint, back pain, physical limitations, and other health concerns.

The Problems You May Encounter

Power brushes are designed to work extremely well in specific circumstances. However, this is not the best tool to remove all types of snowfall you might face.

  • A power brush is best used when the snow on the ground has no substantial texture. If the snow is heavy with moisture or quite deep, a power brush will become bogged down and refuse to work properly.
  • Over long periods of use and in snow that is particularly deep or wet, bristles become clogged, which will result in the machine moving over the snow without actually removing any.
  • Power brushes are best for small areas, where they can be used in a quick, short burst to clear a walkway or a short stretch of driveway. If you have a large driveway or wide area to remove snow from, a power brush might not be the best tool for you to use.

Bristle maintenance kits and debris deflector shields can be installed on some power brush models for more efficient overall snow removal.

Pros

Cons

Multi-seasonal

Lower-quality snow removal in heavy snow

Efficient

More effective in smaller areas

Safer than its counterparts

Is a Snow Blower the Solution?

Should you remove snow with a snow blower when winter weather strikes?

A snow blower is a recognizable snow removal machine that runs on both gas and electricity and essentially moves snow around, clearing it away from specific areas and depositing it nearby. Through the use of an auger and chute, the snow is removed from the ground, travels up the chute, and spits it out. It is possible to direct the snow in the direction you choose, though you only have minimal control over this.

Why You Might Want to Use It to Remove Snow

  • A good snow blower can be used in the heaviest snow or the wettest, powering through large drifts with ease.
  • They are fast and efficient when it comes to removing snow.
  • Many models of snowblowers are available through well-known engine manufacturers and automotive companies.

A snowblower is powerful enough to force through the highest accumulations of snow without having to resort to strenuous physical activity. Regardless if the snow is wet or fluffy, inches or centimeters; the snowblower will still cut through drifts and remove the snow down to the ground.

The Problems You May Encounter

  • If you are going to own a snowblower, you must have adequate storage space. Snowblowers generally are bulky and boxy in design with heights of approximately 30 inches or more.
  • Snow blowers tend to be a more expensive option, particularly if you choose one made by a well-known manufacturer.
  • Regular maintenance is required to keep this snow removal tool in good working order. Storing it for several months and leaving it alone is not an option, as you will need to perform regular maintenance tasks and checks to keep it functioning and ready for use every winter.

Pros

Cons

Useful in all types of snowfall and accumulation

Large body design makes it difficult to store

Fast and efficient snow removal

Expensive price tag, with continued purchases of gas and oil

Reliable engine

Routine maintenance required

Other Options Are Out There, Too

Don't forget about the other options available to you

You are not limited in your choice of snow tools that can help you take on winter. There are several options when it comes to clearing away snow, including the good old shovel. You may also want to consider a snow shovel with wheels. While this is manually-powered like a traditional shovel, it can be easier to use and it efficiently removes snow from your path as you walk behind it and push it forward. Snow brooms are also used to push snow out of the way.

The Quest for the Best Snow Removal Tool

The choice between winter tools is never easy, but you can make a better decision based on your needs and climate. It comes down to personal preference and average winter conditions in your area. If you find yourself residing in a location where snowfall is heavy and expected throughout the winter months, a snowblower will probably be the most useful tool for snow removal tasks. A power brush can be a more affordable but just as useful snow removal option in a location where snow is sporadic and light, with accumulation that is more easily swept away.

Consider your storage space, property size, and average snowfall you see in your area, and choose the tool that's going to work best for you. Get the right tool and own the machine that will allow you to slay the white dragon: winter!