I Tested the Earthwise Snow Shovel and I'll Never Go Back [Review]
In a love/hate relationship with winter? Well, don’t let the thought of shoveling snow get you down. We found the right tool for the job. The Earthwise 16-inch Electric Corded Snow Shovel is so easy (and, dare we say, fun?) to use, that you’ll look forward to the next snowfall. While manual snow removal can be a chore, this miniature electric snow blower takes the exhaustion out of the equation.
I’ve had my eye on electric snow shovels for a few years but wondered how well they actually worked, so I splurged on a cordless snow blower instead. It was a great solution for the driveway, but I still needed to shovel parts of my property by hand. Luckily, I got to try the Earthwise snow shovel and it’s undeniably 100 times better and faster than using an old school shovel. Here’s why you’ll love it, too.
What is the Earthwise Snow Shovel?
Imagine a pint-sized snow blower that clears snow without you doing the heavy lifting. The Earthwise SN70016 snow shovel we tested is a wheeled 16-inch snow shovel that runs on electricity. This 14-pound machine is lightweight, compact and portable. As a result, it clears snow from those awkward or tight places that a big traditional snowblower can’t. The Earthwise snow shovel moves an impressive 430 pounds of snow per minute and makes quick work of blowing snow up to 8 inches deep.
Plug it into an outdoor extension cord and save your back. It’s ready when you are. No more fumes, gas or waiting for a battery to charge. The 6-inch rear wheels provide a base to keep this snow shovel upright (unlike other electric snow shovels), offering stability and ease of use.
This tool is especially helpful for anyone who needs to shovel a deck or porch with stairs. It’s light enough to pick up and carry or push from place to place with very little effort.
VIA MERCHANTThe Earthwise 16-inch, 12-amp corded snow shovel is great for clearing sidewalk paths, decks and driveways.
Earthwise Snow Shovel Features
One of the things I love most about the Earthwise 16-inch corded snow shovel is the directional output that allows you to throw the snow where you want it. The big directional knob at the base of the unit adjusts the throwing angle left, right or center. The lever is easy to reach and large enough to operate with mittens. And because the shovel stands upright, you don’t have to struggle to make adjustments. I tested seven electric snow shovels and the few that had a directional chute had small sticky adjustment dials that were prone to icing up. The user-friendly large directional knob makes the Earthwise snow shovel the best choice for people with bad backs or mobility issues. In addition to the trigger handle, the Earthwise shovel has an auxiliary handle that easily adjusts for height, comfort and handling.
Depending on the consistency of the snow, this powerful 12-amp shovel is capable of blowing snow up to 30 feet out of your way. The dual-curved plastic auger is surprisingly effective in icy or packed snow. It chews it up and spits it out with ease!
How We Tested It
I received the Earthwise corded snow shovel several weeks before our first snowfall, which was wet and slushy. The machine required some assembly with a handful of screws and bolts, including attaching the wheels. When I accomplished that task, I was ready!
My back patio has uneven crumbling pavers, the space is tight and requires hand shoveling, mainly because my cordless snowblower gets hung up on the uneven surface. So I was excited to have a better tool to help me with the taxing drudgery of shoveling. Admittedly this is a challenging space to try out a new tool, but I was careful not to get too close to the surface that likely had random gravel, debris or hidden sticks. Luckily, the wheels on the Earthwise shovel make the auger easy to tilt up when the ground isn’t completely flat or smooth.
The first snow was very wet, with an inch of accumulation, so this wasn’t the optimal test, but I’m pleased to report that the Earthwise was able to move the slush. The machine surprised me with how far it hurled the soupy snow. The deeper the snow, the further it flew.
Heavy, Wet Snow
Naturally, I had more opportunities to use the Earthwise snow shovel with different types of snow. When we received 18 inches of heavy wet snow in 24 hours, I used the Earthwise multiple times to clear my patio and front porch area, and I had the opportunity to test it against other powered shovels on a variety of terrain. It pushed through 6 inches of heavy snow, although it struggled a little more and was slower than blowing away the same amount of fluffy stuff.
Of course, the driveway was the least challenging of all. There I was able to control the Earthwise with one hand, as easy as pushing a vacuum cleaner, and used my free hand to control the cord.
As a final test, I tried using it on the grass to shovel a path for my little dog, but the snow was already at least 8 inches deep and the wheels dug in, making it harder to maneuver than the other shovels I tested. Aside from that difficult task, I enjoyed using the Earthwise snow shovel and found it highly effective in turning a strenuous chore into a quick and easy task.
From slushy and wet to ice-glazed to powder snow, the Earthwise made my life so much easier. It took a fraction of the time to let this tool shovel my snow compared to digging it out manually, plus it was gentle on my back, wrists and shoulders.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Stands upright without assistance
- Push-button start
- No-hassle corded operation
- Lightweight and portable
- Ergonomic design
- Powerful 12-amp motor throws 430 pounds of snow per minute
- Adjustable throwing direction with a large user-friendly lever
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Ear protection needed
- Assembly required
- Tethered by a cord
FAQ
How do you assemble an Earthwise snow shovel?
The 16-inch Earthwise corded snow shovel requires nothing but the time to read the directions and attach the parts. I’ll admit that I’m not naturally mechanically inclined and assembly of anything has never been easy for me, so when I opened the box and laid out the parts, I panicked. Laying before me were 11 screws and bolts of varying lengths, two wheels, an axel, some handles, plastic-covered wing nuts, the base of the machine and a folding handle that housed the wiring.
However, I’ve found that patience is my best tool when tackling an assembly project. I gathered my screwdrivers, turned on some tunes, grabbed a cup of coffee, read the directions and took it one step at a time.
To assemble the Earthwise snow shovel, first line up the main handle, snap it together and secure it with the bolt. Next, plug the long handle into the base unit that houses the motor and auger. Then secure the two pieces with four more Phillips head screws. After that, screw in the auger directional knob. Then it’s time to mount the wheels to the bracket and secure the bracket to the machine. Lastly, attach the auxiliary handle and it’s ready to roll.
Overall it took me an hour and a half, but I’m a novice at assembly. To my credit, other users have mentioned that the directions aren’t especially user-friendly. Although it took more adept users only 20 minutes to assemble.
What is the best kind of snow shovel to buy?
The best shovel to buy is the one that does the heavy lifting for you. An electric snow shovel, whether it’s battery-powered or corded, will be the easiest way to remove snow. We tested seven electric snow shovels and everyone who tried them agreed that a power shovel was much easier to use than a conventional manual shovel.
Who makes the best battery-operated snow shovel?
I tested four battery-powered snow shovels and found them all to work well. If you’re looking for a beast, the Ego Power+ Multi-Head Snow Shovel Kit proved to be a heavy-duty workhorse, whereas the Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel is a solid choice with plenty of power, an affordable price and a lighter body.
Are battery operated snow shovels worth it?
Yes, cordless and corded snow shovels are worth every penny if they take the backbreaking labor out of snow removal. The only downside to a battery-operated snow shovel is the run time of the battery. If you have a large area with heavy snow and run out of power, you may need to wait for hours for your battery to recharge. Whereas a corded snow shovel is ready whenever Mother Nature strikes. Corded units generally weigh less and will not be as fatiguing to maneuver. The beauty of a cordless snow shovel is that you aren’t tethered by a cord. So if you like to routinely shovel your neighbor’s walk, you’ll appreciate the freedom of a battery-operated snow shovel. Either way, you’ll spend less effort and time cleaning up the neighborhood.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
The Earthwise electric snow shovel exceeds many customers’ expectations. Amazon customer William Grieszmer writes this five-star review: “Easy to assemble (20 minutes) and does a very good job of throwing the sidewalk snow on my city sidewalks. Works well to clean up down to minimal thickness, but is not intended to absolutely clean the sidewalk, additional scraping or treatment would be needed. However, this power shovel does a great job for which it was intended. Much lighter and maneuverable than even the smallest electric classic snowblower. I am very satisfied with the product.”
Another Amazon customer, Kristin asks, “Where was this 30 years ago?” She writes, “I have been doing snow removal for 35 years. Central Pennsylvania, wooded area. When we do have snow, it can be exhausting when you do not have machines to do the work for you. The decks and pressed concrete cannot have ‘metal’ that scrapes, so this ‘shovel’ is a major plus. Due to horrendous spine and joint issues, not to mention a hip replacement, this thing made it so much more comfortable to do snow removal. Hope it lasts forever!”
Jeffrey N. Gawne shares, “This was an easy-to-assemble, powerful little snow thrower! I used it this past winter for my decks and sidewalks. There are times that I don’t want to get the walk-behind snowblower out. This is directional, so you have the option to throw snow from about 45 degrees left to 45 degrees right. It made it through the winter with flying colors. You will want to be careful around the kids, pets, etc.; the whirling plastic blades are like a woodchipper out front, so be careful with deck posts. I bought one with a cord, so I wouldn’t have to worry about batteries running down. This is worth the money, in my opinion.”
Product Comparison
If you have stairs to shovel, the Earthwise Electric 12-inch Corded Snow Shovel is a convenient option to consider, because it lacks the wheels and is narrower than the 16-inch wheeled Earthwise. The 12-inch shovel is suitable for up to 5 inches of snow and moves 300 pounds per minute with a 10-amp motor. It’s not as powerful as the 16-inch version, but if you want a smaller tool that will tuck away in a closet, this may be the right choice for you.
Earthwise also offers cordless snow shovels and snow blowers. The Earthwise SN74016 Cordless snow shovel is similar to the corded version with a 16-inch clearing width and 8-inch clearing depth with 6-inch wheels and dual blade auger. And because it’s cordless, the advantage is greater mobility. Be aware that the cordless model is 5 pounds heavier and requires a battery and charger.
Final Verdict
The Earthwise snow shovel will absolutely make your life easier. I’ll let the machine lift 430 pounds of snow per minute any day rather than relying on my aching back. Plus this tool saves so much time. Heading out the door for work in the morning means I don’t have to get up two hours earlier to clear the snow before it freezes for life. Talk about easy to operate and maneuver. Removing snow has never been easier.
I love the stability of this machine. It stands upright, unlike many other electric snow shovels. Plus, it’s easy to stop and start. You can move the cord or change the angle of the output without bending over to pick it up off the ground (again). I highly recommend this shovel, especially for seniors or people struggling to lift a heavy load. The only hard part is keeping a grip on the trigger.
For a medium-duty snow thrower, the power and durability of this machine seems substantial, while staying on the light side. The auger slices through chunky snow impressively well and I’ve never had issues with clogging or overloading the motor. Unlike a large snow blower, I didn’t experience vibration.
I don’t expect this snow shovel to last forever since it’s mostly made of plastic, but Earthwise offers a two-year warranty and replacement parts when the scraper blade or belts wear out.
I wish I had invested in an electric snow shovel years ago. Even though I own a snowblower, this handy snow removal tool goes places my snowblower can’t. The cord is a little cumbersome, but the featherweight and stable design is worth the hassle. For under $125, it’s way more affordable than multiple trips to the chiropractor.
Where to Buy the Earthwise Snow Shovel
VIA MERCHANTThis powerful snow shovel can tackle any snow job around the house. Once plugged in, this snow thrower is ready to go to work.
Why break your back shoveling when the Earthwise snow shovel can do the heavy lifting for you? This 14-pound machine goes places a traditional snowblower can’t—at a fraction of the cost. The Earthwise sells out fast, so grab yours today on Amazon. Then clear your deck, patio or sidewalk of slushy, heavy or powdery snow.
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