Our EGO Power+ 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower arrived just in time for us to test it out on our first major snowfall of the season. This is the most powerful cordless electric snow blower to come from EGO yet. If may even be the biggest and most powerful cordless electric snow blower of its kind. The majority of 2-stage snow blowers are still gas-powered. So, we are excited to report how the EGO 28 in. 2-stage snow blower performs compared to gas models.
EGO Snow Blower Guide
About EGO
If you’ve been around then you know that I am a longtime fan of EGO. Before EGO it was hard for me to imagine battery-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) that could even compare to gas models. But then I tried the original EGO 56V Lawn Mower in 2014 and converted. But I was still on the fence, this was a new company after all. Then two years later EGO sealed the deal for me with the first-ever EGO 56V Snow Blower. It outperformed competing models at the time by handling thicker piles of snow and threw snow further by a long shot (no pun intended).
The difference in performance was so dramatic that EGO, fresh out of the gate, raised the bar for cordless electric snow blowers of the time, and has done so with all areas of battery-powered OPE.
I knew then EGO was not some one-hit-wonder OPE company. And I learned that’s because EGO is not just EGO. EGO is backed by Chervon, a global company that sets high manufacturing and performance standards for its products, even for new brands.
But how will the new EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower perform? The market was smaller in 2016 when we first tested the original EGO snow blower. EGO may have raised the bar, but competitors rose to the challenge.
What has EGO done to make sure this snow blower stands above the rest? Let’s find out.
Battery VS Gas Snow Blowers
Some of you are probably wondering why you should go with a battery-powered snow blower over a gas. I understand the hesitation since there are still a lot of gas-powered snow blowers available, and gas dominates the 2-stage snow blower market.
Here are some of the benefits of battery-powered snow blowers:
- Less noisy, which is great when snow blowing at night or in the morning.
- No gas, less maintenance than gas-powered machines, and no fumes.
- Generally lighter than gas-powered machines.
There are some drawbacks to electric. You either have a cord to deal with or are limited by battery power. However, OPE battery technology has come a long way and I’ve been very satisfied with the performance of EGO’s ARC Lithium batteries. But when they do run out you do have to wait while they charge before you can finish your job. Electric can also cost more upfront. Remember, a lot of this extra cost is usually from the batteries and chargers required. With gas you pay that expense over time.
There are also benefits to having a gas snow blower:
- Generally cheaper, at least up front.
- More gas models are currently available for 2-stage snow blowers and the only current option for 3-stage snow blowers.
- Can run as long as you have fuel.
Some of the drawbacks of gas snow blowers are that they can be heavier, the fumes are not good to breathe, and overall more maintenance is required.
Personally, I enjoy the ease and performance of an battery powered snow blower. Plus, the technology is continually advancing and we’re bound to just see more advancements in power and performance.
1-stage VS 2-stage Snow Blowers
A 1-stage (or “first-stage”, “single-stage”) snow blower is actually more accurately called a “snow thrower”. This is because it has a single device, an auger, that breaks, collects and “throws” the snow. This action is what is referred to as the “first stage”. Electric snow shovels also fit into the category of single-stage snow blowers.
A 2-stage (or “second-stage”) snow blower has a second step for snow removal. In addition to the auger it also has a fan that prevents clogging and “blows” the snow. The fan makes the snow blower more effective and allows it to tackle thicker piles of snow.
Want to learn more? Check ou article Snow Blower VS Snow Thrower. What’s Different? Which is Better?
EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower
- Model Name: EGO POWER+ 28 in. Self-Propelled 2-Stage Snow Blower with Peak Power™
- Model #’s: SNT2800 (without batteries) and SNT2807 (includes two 56V 12.0Ah ARC Lithium batteries)
- Performance: Clears paths 28 in. wide and 21 in. high and throws snow up to 60 ft. away. Chute has 200-degree rotation. Can clear a 32-car driveway coated in 8 in. of snow on a single charge of dual EGO 56V batteries.
- Features: Heated handle grips, four LED headlights, self-propels forwards and backwards, 2-in-1 chute joystick, “trigger-controlled steering”, and equipped with 16 in. x 5 in. snow tires and an IPX4 weather-rated exterior.
- Warranty: 5-year tool and 5-year battery warranties.
- Price: $1,499 without batteries, $2,199-$3,7400 with batteries.
- Where to Buy: Amazon, ACE Hardware.
Power & Performance
The EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower combines EGO’s Peak Power™ technology with two of its 56V 12.0Ah ARC Lithium batteries. This power allows this snow blower to clear paths 28 in. wide and 21 in. tall, and launch snow up to 60 ft. away.
The steel auger busts through snow and ice, and the chute also has a 200-degree radius that’s easy to control with the 2-in-1 joystick.
The best part is that you barely have to work with this EGO snow blower. The self-propel moves both forward and back, plus variable-speed settings give you complete control over the experience.
This week we got a really wet and heavy snow. A member of our staff actually wasn’t able to clear it with her (non-EGO) snow blower. The EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower had no issues.
Special Features
EGO of course wanted to go above and beyond when creating this snow blower. On top of the great performance, they added a few special features for your snow blowing experience.
The feature I’m most grateful for is the heated handle grips. Some would say they don’t actually improve the performance. But anything that makes you more willing to stay outside with the snow blower is a bonus for me.
EGO also added “trigger-controlled steering assists” for more control when moving your snow blower. It doesn’t stop there. Remember the 200-degree chute? Easily adjust it with an electric joystick. The joystick is easy to use and you don’t have to reach for it.
In addition to the high-tech features, EGO added four LED headlights to the front, and equipped this blower with large 16 in. x 5 in. anti-traction snow tires. People tend to be concerned that electric snow blowers are too lightweight for harsh conditions. The IPX4-rated exterior ensures the EGO 28 in. 2-stage snow blower can stand up to harsh winter conditions.
Value
You can purchase the EGO 28 in. 2-Stage Snow Blower from Amazon, ACE Hardware, and Lowe’s. This snow blower is available with two 56V batteries (SNT2800) or without (SNT2807). It retails without the batteries for $1,499 or with the batteries for $2,199-$3,179.
This is a powerful snow blower and there isn’t a huge variety of electric snow blowers of this caliber (yet). We have found 24 in. 2-stage snow blowers, such as the Snow Joe 100V IONMAX, which retails for $1,298. It’s a good snow blower, but it doesn’t clear as much or offer the same control or specialty features as the EGO 28 in. snow blower. The EGO is only $200 more and you get a lot in exchange.
Without batteries, this EGO snow blower prices similarly to comparable second-stage gas snow blowers, the Cub Cadet 2X 28 in. 272cc IntelliPower for $1,499, and the Toro Power Max HD 828 for $1,525.98. Because of the difference in power sources they are hard to compare side-by-side. But they offer comparable performance, without the benefits of being battery powered.
Overall, EGO products can be on the higher end, but this snow blower is priced competitively for what it offers. It may also be the best cordless electric snow blower on the market.
Final Review
EGO has done it again and raised the standard of electric cordless snow blowers. I have a feeling we still have a long winter ahead of us and I’m excited to see how well the EGO 28 in. 2-stage Snow Blower continues to perform in our Chicagoland winter.
