Snow Joe vs Greenworks: Battle of the Li-Ion Snow Blowers

Lithium-Ion powered battery snow blowers have taken the world by storm over the past decade or so, and they have some serious benefits when compared to gas-powered or corded electric snow blowers.

But, with so many new brands on the market, each vying for your business, it can be difficult to decide on which brand is best for you. Today, we’ll help you decide between two of the most popular brands in the head to head battle of Snow Joe vs Greenworks.

The History of Snow Joe and Greenworks

As one of the most newly established outdoor power tool companies, Snow Joe got their start in 2001, with the development of their first electric snow blower.

Over the next few years, they continued to innovate in this field and before long, they had produced several different battery powered snow blowers that were able to compete with both small gas powered and corded electric models.

By 2009, Snow Joe had a growing catalog of over twenty different winter weather tools, including snow blowers and powered snow shovels, and they began to develop the Sun Joe division of battery powered outdoor tools, such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, and more.

Today, they’re an industry leader in the field of battery powered snow blowers, and their innovative designs are among the most reliable and powerful battery powered blowers on the market.

Greenworks is owned by a massive tool conglomerate called Globe Tools Group. The brand had created an exciting line of lithium-ion battery powered tools, and they brought them to market under the Greenworks brand.

Since then, Greenworks has grown to produce a broad range of lithium-ion power tools ranging from snow blowers to lawn mowers, string trimmers, and hand tools such as drills, drivers, and saws, as well.

Benefits of Lithium-Ion Tools

When it comes to battery powered tools, there are a few unique benefits that may make them a great fit for you, especially when we’re talking about outdoor power tools, like snow blowers and lawn tools.

Corded electric versions of these products have some inherent drawbacks. First, since they always need to be plugged into power to work, you can only work as far away from the outlet as your extension cord allows.

Also, longer extension cords must be properly rated. Otherwise, you risk burning out your tool’s engine or starting a fire.

While gas-powered tools don’t have this drawback, they generate an incredible amount of carbon emissions, and they represent a serious threat to our environment. They also require regular maintenance, and they need fuel to operate.

Meanwhile, lithium-ion-powered tools offer the convenience of gas tools, without harmful emissions, regular maintenance, or fuel costs.

Drawbacks of Lithium-Ion Tools

While battery powered tools offer some significant advantages over corded electric or gas models, there are a few drawbacks as well.

Obviously, since you’re dealing with batteries, you’ll need to keep them charged to ensure they’re ready to go the next time you need your tool. Few things are more frustrating than preparing to tackle a job only to find out your batteries are shot and need to be recharged.

Another drawback of battery powered tools is size. Unlike gas models which have virtually no size restrictions and can generate as much power as their engine allows, battery powered tools are a bit more limited.

Even the largest battery snow blowers can only clear a path 24” wide, and almost all of them will fail in snow that’s deeper than 13”. For most people, this isn’t worthy of concern. But, if you live in an area that gets tons of snow each winter, a battery blower may not work as well for you as a gas-powered model.

Snow Joe vs Greenworks: Battery Powered Snow Blower Battle

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmQ2r_4vc1U&w=560&h=315]

Now that we’ve covered a bit more on these two popular companies let’s take a look at two of their heavyweight models to determine the winner of the Snow Joe vs Greenworks battle.

Snow Joe iON21SB-PRO

The iON21SB-PRO from Snow Joe is one of the most popular and powerful models that they offer.

This ultralight blower weighs in at only 36 pounds, so it’s particularly easy to maneuver, even in adverse conditions. The powerful 40v 5.0Ah battery provides up to 65 minutes of continuous operation.

This blower features a steel auger with rubber blades that won’t damage the surface below. It can move up to 660 pounds of snow per minute, and the 180-degree adjustable snow shute allows you to throw snow forward, to the left, right, or anywhere in between.

Also included are a 40v battery, charging station, and cleaning tool. This snow blower is covered by an impressive two-year warranty.

What We Like

  • Clears a wide 21” path
  • Impressive run time
  • Solid warranty

What Could Be Better

  • Doesn’t do well in deep or wet snow

Greenworks PRO 2600402 Snow Blower

This pro-quality model from Greenworks packs plenty of power, and it’s capable of clearing even larger properties with ease.

Weighing in at only 33 pounds, this model is easy to maneuver in any condition. The powerful 80v battery provides up to 45 minutes of run time.

The powerful motor throws snow up to 20-feet, and with a 180-degree directional chute, you can throw snow in whichever direction you need to. This blower makes quick work of snow up to 10” deep, and it clears a path 20” wide.

One area where Greenworks excels is their warranty. This snow blower offers a four-year warranty, which is twice as long as the warranty offered by Snow Joe.

What We Like

  • Powerful
  • Industry-leading warranty
  • Works well in deeper snow

What Could Be Better

  • Mediocre run time of only 45 minutes

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASNqp9fZqZ0&w=560&h=315]

Last Word

Lithium-ion snow blowers are one of the newest and most exciting outdoor tools on the market. Both Snow Joe and Greenworks have developed a reputation for producing some of the best options on the market.

However, there can only be one winner in our Snow Joe vs Greenworks battle, and if we have to choose only one, we’re going with Greenworks. While the Snow Joe blower outperforms the Greenworks model in some ways, the extra power of the 80v battery system and the impressive warranty are enough to win us over. Who do you think won the battle of the Li-ion snow blowers? Tell us in the comments.

About Brandon Potters

Hi, I’m Brandon and I can’t express how excited I am that you chose The Saw Guy as your resource for project ideas, tool reviews, and all-around guide to the world of DIY. I spent years in the construction industry refining my knowledge of various trades and even spent a few years working at a major hardware store. ​If there is anyone who can help you make a well-informed, unbiased, budget-conscious decision, it’s me and my team.