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You might be avoiding snow blowers for gravel driveways because you’ve heard they’ll kick up rocks and damage your property. At the same time, shoveling out your entire driveway probably sounds like a horrid chore. The answer is a two-stage or three-stage snow blower, capable of skimming across the top of your driveway, removing the majority of snow while leaving your driveway intact. If you feel like picking the right machine for the job has you between a bunch of rocks and a hard place, we’ve made it easier with our list of the best snow blowers for gravel driveways.
- Best overall: Honda 660780 Two Stage Snow Blower
- Best electric: EGO SNT2400
- Best 3-stage: CRAFTSMAN SB650 28-in Three-stage Self-propelled Gas Snow Blower
- Best for long driveways: Ariens Deluxe 30-in Two-stage Self-propelled Gas Snow Blower
- Best budget: PowerSmart Snow Blower 212cc
How we selected the best snow blowers for gravel driveways
Selecting the best snow blowers for gravel driveways is a bit different than choosing the best snow blowers to use in a general sense. The main issue is that you cannot safely use a 1-stage snow blower on gravel driveways because they have no way to prevent rocks from making it out through the chute. Wheels and treads are another worthwhile consideration. In any event, we had to go beyond the top-rated snow blowers and look at each machine to make sure it would remove your snow and not the ground, without having to resort to snow shovels. We considered critical reviews and user impressions to help us narrow down our list to the best snow blowers for gravel driveways.
The best snow blowers for gravel driveways: Reviews & Recommendations
The following 2-stage and 3-stage snow blowers are all adequate choices for gravel driveways. While the typical choice is going to be a gas-powered 2-stage snow blower, we’ve also got some variety for you. Within this list, you’ll be able to find anything you would want from the category, from heavy-duty snow blowers to the best electric snow blower. In the end, all of the following choices will make for a good snow blower for gravel driveway clearing.
Best overall: Honda 660780 Two Stage Snow Blower
Best overall
Why it made the cut: This heavy-duty snow blower by Honda has the power to get big jobs done.
Specs
- Stages: 2-stage
- Size: Fits in 60 x 44 x 30 inches pre-assembly
- Weight: 220 pounds
Pros
- Easy electric start
- Adjustable auger height
- Clears 24-inches wide
- Expert assembly available
Cons
- Very heavy
- Expensive
The top of our list belongs to Honda Power Equipment for its sheer power. This beast of a machine can handle 1,500 pounds of snow a minute, with a 24-inch wide clearing opening. Keeping on your gravel driveway should be relatively easy with the tank-like treads on the back two wheels. Be sure to install skid shoes on the bottom of the front section to give your snow blower some lift, but also be aware that the height of the Honda Power Equipment’s auger (the part that gets rid of the snow) is adjustable.
You can also take advantage of the offered expert assembly, which will be especially useful since the Honda Power Equipment snow blower weighs over 220 pounds. The weight, alongside the hefty cost, is going to turn some heads, but the overall efficacy of the Honda Power Equipment and advanced height adjustment earns it its slot at the top of the best snow blowers for gravel driveways.
Best electric: EGO SNT2400
Best electric
Why it made the cut: The EGO SNT2400 is one of the few fully electric stage-2 snow blowers that can compete with a gas-powered snow blower.
Specs
- Stages: 2-stages
- Size: 49 x 26 x 45 inches
- Weight: 154.7 pounds
Pros
- Much quieter than gas-powered models
- Headlights
- Eco friendly
- Expert assembly available
Cons
- No provided batteries/charger
Our best electric snow blower for gravel driveways comes in the form of the EGO SNT2400. This product really outshines its gas-powered competitors in that it isn’t churning out noxious fumes into the air while also staying quiet in the mornings to not wake up the kids and neighbors.
The EGO SNT2400 uses arc lithium batteries to deliver the power of gas without all of the environmental downsides. The batteries also give you the chance for a completely electric but also cordless snow blower-for-gravel-driveways experience.
Unfortunately, the EGO SNT2400 does not come with the batteries and charger. This does, however, give you some choice and flexibility in what you’re getting, as well as save you some money if you’re an electric fan that already has the needed batteries for other EGO Outdoor Power Equipment. For this model, EGO recommends using two of the 56V ARC Lithium batteries, with the 7.5 Ah model being able to clear an 18-car driveway in a single charge.
Best 3-stage: CRAFTSMAN SB650 28-in Three-stage Self-propelled Gas Snow Blower
Best 3-stage
Why it made the cut: The extra turbo mode kicks when when you have to chop through super-heavy snow or ice.
Specs
- Stages: 3-stage
- Size: 53 x 28 x 43 inches
- Weight: 283 pounds
Pros
- Extra power when you need it
- Extremely burly wheels
- Self-propulsion
- 357cc engine
- Six forward speeds and two reverse speeds
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
When things get rough, such as when you get refrozen snow regularly, it becomes time for a 3-stage snow blower. These hardy snow blowers have an accelerator that pushes through into the heaviest and wettest of snows, giving you the power to get the job done. This 357cc model is one of the most powerful currently available.
It cuts a 28-inch swath through the accumulated snow up to 18-inches hight. That means you can wait until the storm is over (most of the time) and then quickly clear the driveway all in one shot instead of having to do multiple passes. The self-propulsion system offers six forward speeds and two reverse speeds. You’ll need that help from the self-propulsion system since this blower weighs in at a very hefty 283 pounds.
It can throw snow for up to 30 feet and the versatile blade design makes it right at home on paved surfaces or un-paved surfaces. That’s great if you’re clearing a big property with mixed terrain.
If you typically just get fluffy snow that blows around in the wind, then this model might be overkill. But, if you get heavy, icy snow that tends to choke your regular blower, than this is absolutely worth the upgrade.
Best for long driveways: Ariens Deluxe 30-in Two-stage Self-propelled Gas Snow Blower
Best for long driveways
Why it made the cut: You want two things when clearing a long driveway: a wide clearing area and self-propulsion. This has both.
Specs
- Stages: 2-stage
- Size: 58 x 32 x 45
- Weight: 275 pounds
Pros
- Super-wide 30-inch clearing area
- Powerful engine
- Long throw
- Self-propulsion
- Push-button electric start
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
When you have a long driveway, you want to clear as much snow as possible with each pass. This powerful snow mover cuts a 30-inch wide path through the accumulation. That drastically cuts down on how long it takes to cover a large area. It’s also capable of chewing through up to 18 inches of snow, so no need to go out and do multiple sessions.
This machine offers variable-speed self-propulsion, which is all-but-mandatory since it weighs a very hefty 275 pounds. Still, it’s relatively easy to maneuver thanks to the powerful self-drive mechanism and burly back tires. The auger can throw snow up to 50 feet, so it’s good for wide driveways as well. Plus, the chute rotates up to 200 degrees so you can be surgical when it comes to placing the blown snow. This is a beast of a machine, but if you have a long driveway, it can drastically decrease time spent clearing snow.
Best budget: PowerSmart Snow Blower 212cc
Best budget
Why it made the cut: PowerSmart has provided us with a fully powered 2-stage snow blower for under $800.
Specs
- Stages: 2-stage
- Size: 32.3 x 24.8 x 22 inches
- Weight: 143 pounds
Pros
- Great power for the price
- Relatively lightweight
- Expert assembly available
Cons
- Jiggly chute
Finally, we have a 2-stage snow blower from PowerSmart. Despite its relatively affordable price, the PowerSmart is tough enough to get through difficult storms thanks to a clearing height of up to 21 inches at full 2-foot width. It uses a 212cc standard gas engine with a corded electric start.
What the PowerSmart lacks in premium features, such as headlights or heated handles, it makes up for by being a solid unit that won’t break the bank. You’ll also notice that sticking to the essentials gives makes the PowerSmart comparatively lightweight at only 143 pounds. Where most units are considerably heavier than me, there’s a lot of comfort in working with a machine in the slippery snow that is more comparable in weight.
The PowerSmart features a 180-degree rotatable chute. While, in theory, this rotation should be under your control, consumer reports mention that the chute can have a mind of its own from time to time and change its aim. This is particularly noticeable in bumpy terrain. Still, you should be able to get it back under control quickly if you are attentive.
Things to consider before buying snow blowers for gravel driveways
While the number of stages is the most important thing to consider when buying a snow blower for gravel driveways compared to one for other use cases, there are other important things to consider before buying such a large, complicated piece of equipment. Then chuck on your best heated gloves and your best heated jacket and get to work.
Stages
At its most simple, we can describe the stage amount as the number of steps and parts used to chuck snow elsewhere. The most important distinction for users wanting to blow snow off the tops of gravel driveways is separating 1-stage and higher-stage snow blowers.
A 1-stage snow blower, also known as a “snow thrower,” has a more open build and no shielding to protect the ground. The result is snow—and gravel—thrown everywhere. These 1-stage snow blowers are not suitable snow blowers for gravel driveways.
The 2-stage and 3-stage snow blowers, meanwhile, are made for gravel driveways. A large part of this is the addition in most models of skid shoes, which force the machine slightly off the ground. The result is a skimming-off-the-top effect, leaving just a thin layer of snow atop your undisturbed gravel. The main bonus of a 3-stage over a 2-stage is the addition of an accelerator that can help with harder, refrozen snow.
Please note that other terminology works for these products, as well. For example, 2-stage, dual-stage, and two-stage all work interchangeably. When looking for the best snow blowers for gravel driveways avoid snow throwers, 1-stage snow blowers, single-stage snow blowers, and one-stage snow blowers.
Expert assembly options
Regardless of how handy you are, a bit of help putting together a several-hundred-pound machine can be quite useful. This assembly can also ensure that the skid shoes—the part of the snow blower that raises the machine up to not eat your gravel—are attached properly. As a bonus, the cost of getting expert assembly is typically quite cheap. For example, the EGO SNT2400 has an expert assembly option that adds less than 5% to the overall cost of the machine. That being said, be sure to discuss the details with the service provider, as there is usually a clause that allows for an updated estimate based on the complexity of the machine.
Size & weight
Picturing your heavy-duty snow blower tossing snow out of your path sounds great as the season approaches, but will you be happy with a large and ultra-heavy machine sitting in your garage all year? Be careful and imagine setting a box with the weight and dimensions of your new product in your shed for a full year. Are you going to be using it enough during the viable season to make it worth having it from spring to fall as well or is it going to be weighing you down more than the full utility that it provides? The heaviest snow blowers can weigh nearly 300 pounds. Once weights get up above 150 pounds or so, you want to make sure to have self-propulsion. Also, heavier models benefit from reverse gears to help you go backwards without doing a World’s Strongest Man event.
FAQs
A snow blower for gravel driveways can cost anywhere from below $800 to over $3,000. More complex models and, oftentimes, 3-stage snow blowers are likely to cost more than the rest. It is really important to evaluate how often you are really going to be using a snow blower when buying one for gravel driveways due to their high cost. Alternatively, consider budget models like the PowerSmart Snow Blower 212cc, which can pay for themselves after just a dozen or so uses.
Any snow blower that doesn’t lift the snow from the surface directly can be used on gravel driveways. One-stage snow blowers take the snow from the surface and, in one step (or “stage”) directly displace it. In the case of gravel driveways, 1-stage snow blowers will also remove gravel on the surface as well. As a result, 1-stage snow blowers should not be used for gravel driveways.
The 2-stage vs 3-stage snow blowers, unlike the 1-stage snow blowers discussed in the question above, are both suitable for gravel. Instead, the debate on getting a 2-stage vs 3-stage snow blower comes down to how much power you need. Typical consumers will be fine with a two-stage snow blower, but some might appreciate the third stage (acceleration) that can be found in 3-stage snow blowers such as the Cub Cadet 3X 28.”
Final thoughts on the best snow blowers for gravel driveways
- Best overall: Honda 660780 Two Stage Snow Blower
- Best electric: EGO SNT2400
- Best 3-stage: CRAFTSMAN SB650 28-in Three-stage Self-propelled Gas Snow Blower
- Best for long driveways: Ariens Deluxe 30-in Two-stage Self-propelled Gas Snow Blower
- Best budget: PowerSmart Snow Blower 212cc
Getting the best snow blowers for gravel driveways is easy once you’ve figured out the need to have a 2-stage or 3-stage snow blower at a minimum. The snow blowers presented on this list should appeal to anyone wishing to get something to make the winter more bearable, with the Honda 660780 Two Stage Snow Blower being a particularly strong choice.
