We’ve been eagerly awaiting a substantial snowfall to put the EGO 56V Level 2 Snow Blower with Peak Power to the test, and Jack Frost finally delivered!
Advantages
- Outstanding power comparable to similarly sized gas models
- 24″ cleaning path
- Impressive run time with the 7.5Ah battery
- 5 forward speeds
- 5 vertical chute stops
- 200° chute rotation
- Lighter and better-balanced wheels compared to similar gas models
- More durable design than other battery-powered snow blowers
Shortcomings
- The chute tends to drift during use
- The price may be too high for some shoppers
EGO Level 2 Snow Blower Power Supply
The EGO SNT2405 2-Stage Snow Blower is a testament to the capabilities of cordless snow blowers. EGO aimed for power and durability while maintaining user-friendliness.
This model is only the second two-stage snow blower to hit the market that is powered by batteries. The first was introduced by Snow Joe in 2018 and had mixed reviews.
The kit includes two 56V, 7.5Ah ArcLithium batteries that provide power to the dual brushless motors. One motor drives the variable-speed steel auger and steel impeller, while the other powers the wheels.
To ensure the best performance, it is essential to use a 7.5Ah (or 10Ah) battery. The unit is significantly more powerful, and using a smaller battery pack may not provide enough power to get the job done.
EGO Level 2 Snow Blower Performance
Before diving into the performance, let’s clarify the difference between 2-stage and single-stage snow blowers. Two-stage snow blowers have an auger that collects snow and a fan that expels it through a chute. These combined mechanisms allow for faster and farther snow throwing.
In terms of power, the SNT2405 can throw snow up to 50 feet away while clearing a 24-inch wide path on your driveway. With multiple power settings, this snow blower can make quick work of heavy snow and keep your driveway clear.
The 24-inch wide steel deck reduces the number of passes required compared to other battery-operated snow blowers. The deck measures 26 inches at its widest point, but everything else is concealed behind the 24-inch deck.
Drive System
The EGO snow blower offers various control options to accommodate different snow conditions. Whether you’re dealing with heavy, wet snow or simply moving it from the shed to the driveway, this snow blower has the right speed for the job.
The fastest speed is ideal for brisk walking, which is usually faster than necessary for actual snow blowing. Lower speeds provide better control during operation. As with any snow blower, if you encounter rough concrete joints or sidewalk cracks hidden beneath the snow, sudden stops may occur.
EGO equipped the unit with a reverse gear, which is helpful when maneuvering in slippery conditions. The knobby tires provide excellent traction in both forward and reverse.
Thar She Blows!
This snow blower effortlessly cuts through soft powder as if it doesn’t exist. While performance may vary with wet or icy snow, the auger handles everything, including frozen chunks left by snowplows. It chews them up and spits them out wherever you desire.
The EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower handles heavy snow better than other battery-powered options of similar size. Gasoline-powered versions often experience lag when the throttle is opened to handle the extra load, whereas the EGO’s brushless motor quickly responds with higher torque.
Now That We’ve Had More Snow…
After a Category 2 winter storm, we had about 8 inches of snow to clear during another test. The first 2 inches were compacted ice, followed by 6 inches of wet powder, making it a more challenging task. However, this beast of a snow blower effortlessly chomped through the wintry mix, leaving the sidewalk clean!
EGO claims that the unit has enough run time to clear 8 inches of snow from an 18-car driveway on a single charge. While we haven’t encountered such conditions, based on our experience, this claim seems accurate.
I was able to clear six four-car driveways with 4 inches of wet snow, including the middle sidewalk and icy snowplow piles at the ends of each driveway. Completing this much work did drain the battery completely, but my neighbors and I were thrilled with the clean driveways.
With a Heavier Load
During my second test with extra snow and ice, I noticed how auger speed affects battery life. The top 6 inches of wet powder can be cleared when the blower is set to “Eco” mode, the lowest auger speed. However, more power is necessary to dig into the underlying ice.
To tackle the icy patches, I lifted the snow blower slightly, aimed the bucket at the ice, and got underneath it. Once underneath, I placed the wheels back on the ground and let the drive motor do the work. Due to the additional ice thickness and higher auger speed, which drains the battery faster, I could only clear four four-car lanes, including sidewalks and embankments.
To extend battery life, I recommend using the lowest possible auger speed and increasing it only when encountering heavy snow or noticing that snow is being pushed around instead of being directed into the bucket and out the chute.
Not-So-Long Walk Home
After the battery died, I made my way back to the shed on a flat sidewalk without any issues. However, climbing a slight incline was more strenuous without the assistance of the drive wheels.
Nevertheless, the EGO snow blower proved to be easier to handle than gas-powered alternatives, as they tend to be heavier. On the other hand, if a gas-powered snow blower runs out of fuel, it’s possible to grab a gas can and refuel on the go. Similarly, if you own other EGO 56V products, you can simply replace the battery.
Storing the EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower
The control handle features four detachable handwheels, and the chute can also be easily removed, reducing the overall disassembly height. While this snow blower is not as compact or easily stowable as the smaller SNT2114, it is still a feasible option for those with limited storage space.
Battery-powered units have a significant advantage over comparable gas-powered models when it comes to maintenance. Essentially, there isn’t much to do! After years of working with small engines, I have transitioned to using battery-powered equipment to avoid the hassles of winterizing, de-winterizing, cleaning, and tuning small engines. The EGO snow blower is a welcome addition to my shed, replacing another pneumatic outdoor tool.
EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower Build and Weight
EGO has significantly improved the durability of this snow blower. It features a 21″ high steel case with a retractable handle (sold separately). EGO also uses ballistic-grade polymers for all non-steel components to ensure their longevity. Additionally, it is equipped with robust 15″ x 5″ wheels and a limited-slip differential to provide smooth operation.
Despite the enhanced build quality, the unit remains relatively lightweight. At 150 pounds, it is lighter than similar gas-powered models.
Moreover, the unit is expertly balanced compared to its gas-powered counterpart. It requires minimal effort to lift the front end and maintain lift while blowing snow on soft terrain or returning to the shed.
Obsessive Control
EGO understands that even the most powerful snow blower must be user-friendly. Therefore, they have improved the controls to enhance the overall experience. With the EGO 2-Stage Snow Blower, you can keep the blower running with one hand while using the other hand to control the chute’s direction. Once you engage the power sequence to rotate the auger, the same hand that operates the drive handle also holds the auger handle in the active position, leaving the other hand free to control the chute.
With a throwing distance of 50 feet, it’s crucial to be mindful of your surroundings. If your neighbors’ houses are in close proximity, you might unintentionally sprinkle snow onto their driveways! However, with five auger speed settings, five chute nozzle stops, and 200° chute rotation, you can direct the snow where you want it without any issues.
Aw Chute!
The only aspect we believe could be improved is the chute rotation. When dealing with heavy, wet snow, the unit may vibrate more, impacting the chute’s position. While this vibration is not significantly noticeable through the handle, you may observe the chute slowly rotating from side to center when moving downhill and encountering heavy snow.
This issue becomes problematic if the snow is being thrown in an undesirable direction. The chute design relies solely on the chute rod for control, without any positive brakes or additional anchor points.
Furthermore, we found that when hitting pavement cracks or concrete joints, the chute tends to shift toward the center. However, this tendency is not unique to the EGO snow blower and occurs with most snow blowers, depending on the force exerted.
Although we have not experienced it firsthand, there have been reports of EGO offering component repairs through their warranty service.
Additional Features
- Handle adjustable to three heights
- Selectable front LED levels
- Onboard cleanup tool
EGO Level 2 Snow Blower Price and Warranty
The Level 2 snow blower is available at Lowe’s and other EGO retailers for $799 (bare tool) or $1299 for the kit, which includes two 7.5Ah batteries and a dual-port charger. EGO provides a 5-year limited warranty for this product.
The Bottom Line
The EGO Level 2 Snow Blower sets a new standard for battery-powered snow blowers. If you’ve been waiting for a gas alternative, this snow blower delivers the power needed to make the switch.
When combined with EGO’s excellent range of compatible lawn care equipment, including their legal zero-turn lawn mowers, you can tackle outdoor tasks from spring to winter without worrying about refilling the tank.
EGO 56V 2-Stage Snow Blower Specifications
- Model: EGO SNT2400 (SNT2405 kit model)
- Power: EGO 56V batteries (2 x 7.5Ah included in the kit)
- Intake: 24 x 20 inches
- Auger Speed: 5
- Auger Type: Steel
- Chute Control: 200° rotation, 5 vertical angle stops
- Drive Mode: Self-driven, forward and reverse
- Throwing Distance: Up to 50 feet
- Wheels: 15 x 5 inches
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $799.99 (bare tool), $1299.99 (kit)