Snow Blower vs Snow Shovel: Which One Should You Buy?
Snow blowers and snow shovels compared on clearing width, throwing distance, weight and upkeep, with two blower examples and one shovel example from the listings.
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Verdict: Choose a snow blower if the job is a driveway or a large area in heavy snow and a self-propelled machine with a stated clearing width and throwing distance fits the work. Choose a snow shovel if the job is a car, steps or a small area and a portable, folding tool that stores in a trunk fits the work.
The snow blower vs snow shovel question turns on how much snow falls, how much ground must be cleared, and how much weight and upkeep the tool brings. A snow blower throws snow clear of the path, while a snow shovel lifts and moves it by hand. This comparison covers the differences, then examples from the listings reviewed.
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| # | Product | Acre Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Honda HSS1332 Two Stage Snow Blower | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  Poulan Pro PR240 Gas Snow Blower | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  AstroAI Folding Snow Shovel | 9.3/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Honda HSS1332 Two Stage Snow Blower
A two stage, gas snow blower with a Honda GX390 OHV engine, electric start, track drive and hydrostatic drive, clearing up to 2750 pounds of snow per minute.
Who it's for: owners clearing driveways and larger areas in heavy snow who want a self-propelled, track drive machine.
Who should skip it: anyone who only needs a portable tool for a car or steps, where a folding shovel is easier to store.
Read the full review
The Honda HSS1332 is a two stage, gas snow blower with a Honda GX390 OHV engine, electric start, track drive and hydrostatic drive. The listing states a 31.9 inch clearing width, a 21.7 inch clearing height, up to 56 feet of throwing distance and up to 2750 pounds of snow per minute. The listing states no assembly is required.
Pros
- 31.9 inch clearing width with up to 56 feet of throwing distance
- Clears up to 2750 pounds of snow per minute, per the listing
- Track drive with cleats for traction on inclines, rough ground and ice
- Electric start with hydrostatic drive and no assembly required
Cons
- Weight is not stated on the listing
- Fuel and oil checks before each use, per the listing
- Manual outlines a maintenance schedule, so upkeep is ongoing
- Two stage gas machine, not a portable hand tool
Poulan Pro PR240 Gas Snow Blower
A two stage, gas snow blower with a 212cc OHV engine, electric start, a 12 inch steel auger and self-propelled drive for driveways, sidewalks and patios.
Who it's for: owners clearing long driveways, walkways and large outdoor areas in heavy, wet and deep snow.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants a tool with no engine, since this is a gas machine with partial assembly.
Read the full review
The Poulan Pro PR240 is a two stage, gas snow blower with a 212cc OHV engine, electric start and a backup recoil start. The listing states a 24 inch clearing width, a 21 inch intake height and up to 40 feet of throwing distance, with a 12 inch steel auger, a 12 inch steel impeller and 14 inch tires.
Pros
- 24 inch clearing width with up to 40 feet of throwing distance
- 212cc OHV engine for heavy, wet and deep snow, per the listing
- Electric start with a backup recoil start
- All-steel frame with a 12 inch steel auger and a 12 inch steel impeller
Cons
- Weight of 172.0 pounds, per the spec table
- Partial assembly required, with a few basic tools needed
- 2-year warranty, shorter than the Honda example at 3 years
- No auger height control is stated, while the Honda example states one
AstroAI Folding Snow Shovel
A folding, manual snow shovel with an aluminum alloy head and a handle that extends up to 38.4 inches and folds to 23 inches.
Who it's for: drivers and owners who need a portable tool for a car, driveway and steps, and for winter emergencies.
Who should skip it: anyone clearing a long driveway in heavy snow, where the blower examples state clearing widths and throwing distances the shovel listing does not state.
Read the full review
The AstroAI shovel is a folding, manual snow shovel with an aluminum alloy head, an ABS plastic and rubber handle and a reinforced iron hinge. Length adjusts in 3 levels up to 38.4 inches, and it folds to 23 inches for storage in a trunk or hiking backpack. A pointed bulge helps break thin ice.
Pros
- Folds to 23 inches for storage in a trunk or hiking backpack
- Length adjusts in 3 levels up to 38.4 inches
- Aluminum alloy head with a reinforced iron hinge
- Multifunctional for snow, grains, leaves and mud, per the listing
Cons
- Manual tool, with no clearing width or throwing distance stated
- No engine or self-propelled drive, so clearing depends on the user
- No warranty stated on the listing
- Pointed bulge breaks thin ice only, with a dedicated ice breaker needed for thicker ice
Snow blower vs snow shovel side by side
| Factor | Honda HSS1332 | Poulan Pro PR240 | AstroAI Snow Shovel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing width | 31.9 inches | 24 inches | Not stated |
| Clearing height | 21.7 inches | 21 inches | Not stated |
| Throwing distance | Up to 56 feet | Up to 40 feet | Not stated |
| Power | Honda GX390 OHV gas, electric start | 212cc OHV gas, electric start | Manual |
| Drive | Track drive, hydrostatic, self-propelled | Self-propelled, 4 forward speeds and 2 reverse options | Manual, folding handle |
| Weight | Not stated | 172.0 pounds | 2.6235009178 pounds |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years | Not stated |
Figures are manufacturer stated for the three example models, collected 2 November 2026.
Clearing width and throwing distance
The Honda example states a 31.9 inch clearing width, a 21.7 inch clearing height, up to 56 feet of throwing distance and up to 2750 pounds of snow per minute. The Poulan Pro example states a 24 inch clearing width, a 21 inch intake height and up to 40 feet of throwing distance. The AstroAI example states no clearing width and no throwing distance, so the listings leave that comparison unclear for the shovel side.
Power and drive
Both blower examples are gas powered with electric start. The Honda example uses a Honda GX390 OHV engine, track drive and hydrostatic drive, with an auger height control lever. The Poulan Pro example uses a 212cc OHV engine, a backup recoil start, self-propelled drive, 4 forward speeds and 2 reverse options, with a chute that rotates 190 degrees and a throwing angle up to 65 degrees. The AstroAI example is manual, with a folding handle, a D-shaped handle and a reinforced iron hinge.
What each one can clear
The Honda example suits snow on inclines, rough or uneven ground and icy conditions, per its track drive description. The Poulan Pro example suits heavy, wet and deep snow on long driveways, walkways and large outdoor areas, with tires for gravel, concrete and icy surfaces. The AstroAI example suits a car, driveway and steps, and the listing also lists grains, leaves and mud among its year-round uses.
Handling and weight
The Honda listing states no weight. The Poulan Pro listing states a weight of 172.0 pounds in the spec table, with 14 inch tires for traction and maneuverability. The AstroAI listing describes a lightweight build, with a handle that extends up to 38.4 inches and a shovel that folds to 23 inches for storage in a trunk or hiking backpack.
Upkeep
The Honda listing states no assembly is required, with oil and fuel checks before each use. The Poulan Pro listing states partial assembly with a few basic tools, plus lifetime technical support. The AstroAI listing states simple folding and unfolding, with no engine to maintain and a pointed bulge for thin ice, while thicker ice needs a dedicated ice breaker.
The examples
Acreage and terrain fit
Honda HSS1332
Poulan Pro PR240
AstroAI Snow Shovel
Matching It to Your Property
- Honda tracks suit inclines and rough or uneven ground, per the listing.
- Poulan tires suit gravel, concrete and icy surfaces, per the listing.
- AstroAI folds to 23 inches, so it stores in a trunk or hiking backpack, per the listing.
- The gas examples need fuel, and the Honda listing calls for oil and fuel checks before each use, while the shovel folds for storage with no engine.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance, build quality, value, safety and warranty. Safety scores zero for all three examples because none of the listings states a safety certification, and the controls listed are for auger height and chute direction, not operator safety. Warranty scores for the two blower examples, while the shovel listing states no warranty.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda HSS1332 | 9.6 | 32 | 22 | 20 | 0 | 4 |
| Poulan Pro PR240 | 9.5 | 29 | 21 | 20 | 0 | 3 |
| AstroAI Snow Shovel | 9.3 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
A snow blower example fits the driveway, and the folding shovel fits the car for steps and emergencies. For an electric option, see our electric snow blower choices.
Read the manual, keep children and pets out of the yard while you work, wear eye and hearing protection and sturdy footwear, and never exceed the slope rating of your machine. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See CPSC lawn mower safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Can a snow shovel clear a long driveway?
The listings do not present the folding shovel for long driveways: the AstroAI example is listed for a car, driveway and steps, while the Poulan Pro example is self-propelled for long driveways, walkways and large outdoor areas.
How far can the Honda example throw snow?
Up to 56 feet, per the listing.
Do the snow blowers need fuel?
Both blower examples are gas powered, per their listings, while the shovel is manual.
What warranty does each example carry?
Honda lists a 3-year residential warranty, Poulan lists a 2-year warranty, and the AstroAI listing states no warranty.
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