Light snowfall and a short driveway shouldn’t push you toward a gas-engine machine you’ll only use a handful of times each winter. Electric and cordless snow throwers under a few hundred dollars handle typical suburban sidewalks, small patios, and short paved runs without the noise, fumes, or pull-cord rituals. The five options below cover corded power for steady, uninterrupted clearing and battery-powered shovels for tight spaces where dragging an extension cord becomes its own headache. If your goal is quick, low-effort clearing for a single-car driveway or a row of front-path pavers, the right cheap snow thrower saves time and your back.
The Essentials At A Glance
AMERISUN 21-Inch Electric Snow Thrower, 15-Amp Corded Snow Blower with LED Light
SuperHandy Cordless Snow Shovel, 20V 4Ah Electric Snow Thrower
Litheli 20V 12-Inch Cordless Snow Shovel with 4.0Ah Battery & Charger
Earthwise 20-Volt 12-Inch Cordless Electric Snow Thrower
Litheli 20V 13-Inch Brushless Cordless Snow Shovel with 4.0Ah Battery
A Closer Look At Each Pick
This is the only true single-stage snow blower on the list, and that distinction matters if your driveway runs longer than a car length or sits at the end of a hill. The 15-amp corded motor (a corded motor draws steady household current through an extension cord rather than running on battery or gas) spins an auger that chews through a 21-inch-wide swath, which is wider than every cordless option here by a comfortable margin. You also get an LED headlight and a 180-degree adjustable chute for directing snow off the path.
Compared to the SuperHandy shovel below, the AMERISUN trades portability for raw coverage. Where the cordless picks are great for steps and stoops, this unit is built for the homeowner who walks out to clear 40 to 60 feet of paved surface before driving to work. The corded design means unlimited runtime, so a long, steady snowfall doesn’t run you out of battery mid-pass.
Key Advantages
- 21-inch clearing width covers a full tire track in one pass, cutting total clearing time significantly.
- Corded 15-amp power delivers steady output without the fade you eventually notice on battery units.
- 30-foot discharge distance keeps cleared snow away from where you’ve already finished.
- Built-in LED headlight makes early-morning and evening sessions far less guesswork.
- 180-degree adjustable chute lets you redirect discharge without wrestling the whole machine.
Honest Caveats
- Cord management is unavoidable; you’ll need a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord and a plan to keep it out of the auger path.
- Heavier than the cordless shovels, so carrying it up basement stairs takes real effort.
- Overkill for a three-step front stoop, where the smaller cordless picks handle the job more nimbly.
Key Product Details
Right Fit For
Homeowners with a single-car to two-car paved driveway who want corded reliability and don’t mind running an outdoor extension cord.
Swap It Out When
You’re mostly clearing a small porch and steps, in which case the SuperHandy 20V cordless shovel handles the same snow with none of the cord hassle.
The narrowest shovel on this list, but in tight quarters that narrow profile is the entire point. The SuperHandy 20V cordless shovel clears a 10-inch-wide, 5-inch-deep path, which is roughly the footprint of a single staircase. At this size, you can walk it down a path, around a parked car, or along the side of a planter bed without scraping bark off your shrubs. The 4Ah battery is included, so you can start clearing straight out of the box.
Set against the AMERISUN above, the SuperHandy trades throughput for grab-and-go convenience. You won’t clear a 50-foot driveway in two passes, but you also won’t wrestle a 35-pound corded machine down apartment steps or wrestle an extension cord around a parked truck. For porches, decks, and front walks, the lightweight design is genuinely useful rather than just spec-sheet friendly.
Positive Takeaways
- Lightweight enough for most adults to carry one-handed down stairs or off a porch rail.
- Battery and charger ship in the box, so there’s no separate purchase to make clearing work.
- Cord-free operation lets you reach the back corner of a deck or the spot behind the trash cans.
- 25-foot throw distance clears snow well past the edge of a small patio.
Worth Noting
- 10-inch width means more passes on any surface longer than a few feet.
- 5-inch depth limit struggles with deep, drifted snow compared to the AMERISUN or Earthwise units.
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Apartment dwellers, townhouse owners, and anyone whose version of “snow removal” is a six-step stoop and a 20-foot sidewalk.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
You face a full single-car driveway, in which case the AMERISUN 21-inch corded thrower covers the same snow in a fraction of the passes.
The Litheli 20V 12-inch snow shovel slots into the same battery platform as the brand’s lawn tools, drill drivers, and string trimmers, and that ecosystem thinking is its biggest hidden value. The included 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery (a higher-capacity rechargeable cell that stores more energy than the older 2Ah packs) clears a meaningful stretch of sidewalk on a charge, and the same battery likely already powers other tools in your garage. The auxiliary handle keeps two-handed pushing comfortable on uneven pavers.
Stacked next to the Earthwise below, the Litheli uses a brushed motor rather than a brushless one. For short clearing sessions the difference is small, but owners commonly report the brushless Earthwise holds up slightly better across many seasons of use. What the Litheli gives you instead is the option to grow a tool collection around one battery type.
Practical Advantages
- Shared 20V battery works across the Litheli tool family, reducing charger clutter.
- 12-inch clearing width hits a practical middle ground between narrow stoop shovels and full driveway machines.
- Auxiliary handle improves posture and control on long push strokes.
- 4.0Ah battery ships with the unit, so clearing works from day one.
Points To Keep In Mind
- Brushed motor means slightly more routine wear over years of seasonal use compared to brushless alternatives.
- Not built for heavy wet snow or deep drifts; works best on the first three or four inches.
Feature Snapshot
Built With In Mind
Homeowners already invested in Litheli 20V tools who want to keep one battery type and one charger across the whole garage.
Look Elsewhere When
You want maximum runtime per charge and don’t already own Litheli tools, where the Earthwise brushless unit edges ahead on motor efficiency.
The Earthwise unit shares the Litheli’s 12-inch clearing width but switches to a brushless motor. A brushless motor uses electronic controls rather than physical carbon brushes to drive the rotor, which generally translates to better energy efficiency and less internal wear over time. Earthwise rates the thrower at 25 feet of discharge and 300 pounds of snow per minute, which lines up with the SuperHandy on throughput despite the smaller battery platform.
For most suburban sidewalks, this is the most efficient cordless pick on the list. The 4Ah battery and charger are included, so there are no hidden costs waiting at checkout. Compared to the AMERISUN above, the Earthwise trades raw width for true cordless freedom; you sacrifice the 21-inch swath, but you gain the ability to clear a path, walk back to the porch, and clear another path without ever unwinding a cord.
A Favorable Mix
- Brushless motor extends runtime per amp-hour compared to brushed competitors.
- 300 lbs-per-minute throughput matches the SuperHandy despite the smaller battery.
- 25-foot discharge distance keeps cleared snow away from the path you’re carving.
- Quieter than corded units, helpful in close-set neighborhoods.
Points To Note
- 12-inch width means more passes than the AMERISUN on any driveway longer than a car length.
- 3.5-inch depth limit is the shallowest on this list, so timing matters after a heavy fall.
Quick Facts
Who Should Grab It
Homeowners who want a quiet, efficient cordless shovel and don’t mind making several passes on a wider driveway.
Reach For A Different Pick When
You need maximum clearing width on a long paved driveway, in which case the AMERISUN 21-inch corded thrower handles the same snow in fewer passes.
The newer Litheli 13-inch brushless shovel combines the wider clearing reach the original Litheli lacked with the brushless efficiency the Earthwise already offered. At roughly nine pounds, it’s light enough to lift one-handed onto a porch rail, and the included 4.0Ah battery keeps the package ready to use out of the box.
Measured against the AMERISUN above, this Litheli still can’t match a 21-inch corded blower on raw throughput. What it offers instead is the widest cordless path on this list with a brushless motor, which makes it a strong middle-ground pick for homeowners who want cordless convenience without giving up an inch or two of clearing width. The honest read is that this unit is the most balanced cordless option here for mixed driveways and sidewalks.
Where It Excels
- 13-inch clearing width is the widest of the cordless picks on this list.
- Brushless motor balances runtime and motor longevity for multi-season use.
- Lightweight body reduces fatigue on long clearing sessions.
- Battery and charger included, so there’s no extra purchase at checkout.
Things To Consider
- Still narrower than the corded AMERISUN, so driveway clearing requires more passes.
- Not suited for heavy wet snow or deep drifts beyond the unit’s depth rating.
Best Suited To
Homeowners who want the widest cordless path without committing to a full corded snow blower.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
You own a long paved driveway and want the fewest possible passes, where the AMERISUN 21-inch corded thrower covers more ground per stroke.
What To Weigh Before Choosing Cheap Snow Throwers
Clearing Width Versus Maneuverability
Wider machines move more snow per pass, but only if your driveway is wide enough and straight enough to use that extra reach. A 21-inch corded blower on a narrow 8-foot driveway wastes snow over the edges and digs into your lawn beds. A 10 or 12-inch cordless shovel leaves a cleaner edge on tight walkways, but doubles your pass count on a full driveway. Match the width to the surface you actually clear.
Corded Versus Cordless Power
Corded units run as long as you can supply household current, with no fade as the battery drains. That makes them ideal for long driveways and prolonged storms. Cordless shovels trade runtime for mobility, since you can clear a back deck or a path behind the garage without dragging an extension cord. For most suburban lots under 50 feet of paving, cordless runtime is rarely the limiter.
Depth And Snow Type
Cheap electric and battery throwers handle fresh, fluffy snow best. Heavy wet snow, packed drifts, and ice chunks stress every unit on this list. If your region sees frequent wet snowfalls, prioritize a unit with a higher amp-hour battery, a brushless motor, or a corded 15-amp motor for steady torque.
Storage And Weight
Cordless shovels tip the scales between 9 and 14 pounds and store in a closet or under a bench. Corded blowers are heavier and benefit from a corner of the garage with the cord coiled nearby. Weight matters more than people expect, especially for older users carrying the unit up and down stairs each storm.
Smart Considerations Before You Buy
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
Buying a cordless unit with too small a battery is the most common regret. A 2Ah battery can leave you stranded halfway through a sidewalk. Checking the included amp-hour rating before checkout prevents that disappointment. A second slip is buying on clearing width alone, then discovering the unit is too heavy or too wide for the path you actually clear.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Stepping up to a corded 15-amp motor buys steady torque and unlimited runtime. Stepping up to a brushless motor buys longer battery life per charge and reduced motor wear across many seasons. Wider clearing widths buy time on large paved areas. None of those upgrades matter on a three-step stoop, which is exactly why the cheaper 10-inch shovels still have a real place in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Inches Of Snow Can Cheap Snow Throwers Handle?
Most electric and cordless snow throwers handle 4 to 8 inches of fresh snow in a single pass, with shallower depth limits on smaller cordless shovels. Pushing beyond the depth rating forces the auger to work harder and can stall the motor.
Are Cordless Snow Shovels Powerful Enough For Driveways?
Cordless shovels handle short driveways well, especially in regions where snow tends to fall light and fluffy. For longer driveways or heavy wet snow, a corded blower with a wider clearing path is usually faster.
Do Electric Snow Throwers Need An Outdoor Extension Cord?
Corded units need a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord rated for the motor’s amperage. Cordless units run on battery only, so no extension cord is required, but you do need a charged battery on hand before a storm.
How Loud Are Electric Snow Throwers Compared To Gas Models?
Electric and cordless throwers are noticeably quieter than gas models, which matters in close-set neighborhoods with early-morning clearing. You can generally hold a conversation while running a cordless unit.
Can These Snow Throwers Handle Ice And Packed Snow?
None of these units are designed for ice or firmly packed snow. They work best on the first few inches of a fresh fall. For ice, a separate ice chopper or rock salt is the practical companion tool.
Bottom Line
The right cheap snow thrower depends almost entirely on the size of the surface you clear. For short driveways and long sidewalks, the AMERISUN 21-inch corded blower covers the most ground per pass. For porches, steps, and apartment walks, the SuperHandy cordless shovel is the lightest grab. The Litheli and Earthwise cordless picks sit comfortably in the middle for homeowners who want battery convenience without giving up too much width. Match the unit to your surface, not the other way around, and the rest of the decision is easy.