TLDR Review: Ryobi 20" 40V Snow Blower
Pros
- •Batterowered design offers cordless convenience, making it easier to maneuver than gas models.
- •Works reasonably well with light, fresh snow up to about inches thick.
- •Includes a 5.0 Ah battery and charger in the package, so you can start using it right away.
- •The 2nch blade width is decent for small to medium walkways and driveways.
- •Brushless motor contributes to quieter operation and less maintenance.
- •Some users recommend W0 on the chute to help reduce clogging, showing potential for small performance tweaks.
Cons
- •Battery and charger reliability is a significant issue; many report dead batteries on arrival or failure to hold a charge.
- •Battery life is limited; clearing a halcre driveway can require three or more batteries, which get expensive fast since only one is included.
- •Severe difficulty with anything beyond light snow—clogs easily in just 2 inches of wet or heavy snow.
- •Only throws snow about 5 feet, insufficient for clearing larger areas efficiently.
- •The snow blower is pusnly (not self-propelled), making it physically demanding, especially in thicker snow conditions.
- •The chute adjustment mechanism is fragile and prone to breaking if the handle is folded without removing a specific rod first—this warning is obscure and not clearly explained in instructions.
- •Assembly instructions are confusing; installation requires modifying small screws to fit the chute deflector properly.
- •No declogging tool included, requiring manual clearing of the chute during use, which is inconvenient and tiresome.
- •Performs disappointingly in wet snow, often clogging even with less than half an inch, making it less effective than a simple shovel for many users.
- •Overall, the product struggles with basic snow removal needs and is better suited for smaller, less demanding tasks.
Bottom Line
The Ryobi 20 in. 40-Volt Brushless Cordless Snow Blower offers a nice cordless feature and decent performance for light, fresh snow, but it falls short in battery reliability, snow-throwing power, and durability—especially for heavy, wet, or packed snow. If you have a smaller area and mostly light snowfall, it might serve you well. However, if you face more demanding winter conditions or need longer battery life, you might want to hold out for a more robust option or consider a gas-powered snow blower. Keep an eye on deals, but be cautious if you expect this to replace shoveling entirely.
How we researched this
About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across thousands of stores in real-time, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
Footer 1
Get ShopSavvy
Subscribe for Updates
Get the latest news, and updates on ShopSavvy. You'll be glad you did!