Snow Joe ION18SB-HYB 18-Inch 40 Volt Single Stage Brushless Snow Blower, Kit (Hybrid w/4.0-Ah Battery + Quick Charger)

This is an amazing snow blower and what I've always wanted. I think you have to go into this purchase with reasonable expectations though. I'm moving up from a shovel. I can't imagine you'll be disappointed if you're making that move like me. And if you're already a snow blower owner, think you have to make sure you aren't mistaking this for having as much power as something like a gas-powered model. It doesn't, don't think it ever claimed to, so expecting it to equal its power or effectiveness means you're setting yourself up to not enjoy this purchase at all. I'd highly recommend getting the hybrid model if you want slightly more power, as the battery powered part works great, and the electric gives you the option of a bit more oomph when you need it as well if you don't mind using an electric cord.In March 2018, we had 8 inches of very heavy wet snow on the East Coast. Now, the news called it heavy wet snow, but in my area at least, it was heavy wet snow in most parts, and other parts, it was a very heavy slush, it was entirely too water laden to call it plain snow or even wet snow, the consistency was like a heavy ball of ice not snow. The Snow Joe handled the heavy wet snow pretty well, but you need to take it a little at a time, and be patient as you use it. I used the battery the entire time, didn't switch over to the electric, though that would've made things easier on me this time as it draws more power and throws it farther. It still worked great. I think I have a 50 foot driveway and it's wider, can do two cars side by side. I was able to do the entire driveway and sidewalks on the battery even though it was wet snow and could've gone at least 15 more minutes. Taking it a bit at a time, I was able to get through it. I did spray the chute and blades with cooking spray prior to taking it outside based on tips from a forum on snow blowers, and I think it helped. I did have to clear it several times when I ran into the heavy slush portions in particular, but the majority of the time it just powered through as long as I wasn't rushing. When I rushed, it jammed, so I had to figure out the right rhythm and was good to go after that. Clearing the chute several times was no big deal to me and the alternative of shoveling all of this is why this was amazing. This definitely saved my back and body in general. I did have to shovel a few parts of my property, like my steps which are too awkward for a snow blower and the end of the driveway once the plows come through. Those 15 minutes of shoveling those small areas almost did me in, so I can't imagine the pain I'd have been in had I been forced to shovel the entire driveway and sidewalk without this snow blower.So, I highly recommend the Snow Joe. I love the absence of needing an awkward electric cord and easy maintenance is what I was after. And that I didn't have to shovel the entire property and also didn't have to pay someone 75 dollars to plow me out? I call that a win and this will pay for itself after another 2 larger storms when I would've contemplated hiring someone to do it for me. I think that's who this is for more than anyone else. If you want an easy maintenance option, if using an electric cord is a hassle, or if you just want a better option than a shovel, this is an excellent buy.Update: I think technique might matter when it comes to the battery. First trip out in yesterday's Nor'easter that dropped 12 inches of heavier here, the battery was almost completely empty when I was finished clearing, maybe 35 minutes. That time, I was starting and stopping often as I moved to start a new row. Next time out, I took different lines than the first and when I was moving around even over a cleared path, I kept it running when I was moving for the most part when I was moving around. Battery lasted for 45 minutes no problem, was only on the middle signal when I was done. Just a guess, but think the start might drain the battery the most, so if you cut down on that, you'll be able to use the snowblower for longer amounts of time.

***Update - Dec 2021**** The battery function on my 3rd machine stopped working last night as I was trying to clear my driveway of 5" snow. It was going great, and then it just stopped. The battery level was still showing 2 out of 3 lights, and the switch to adjust the chute was still operational. Tried a "hard reset", which is what the SnowJoe CS agent told me to try when the 2nd machine tanked, but it didn't work. (Press and hold the DC button for 15 seconds w/battery inserted. Lift bar lever. Auger "should" start.) Brought the battery inside, fully charged it, and tried to restart it this morning - got nothing. Thankfully, the electric option still works, so I was able to finish clearing the driveway and the additional 12" that fell overnight. (The machine powered thru that with no problem.) I am going to keep on using the machine for the time being, but if it completely quits on me. I will be looking for a different brand . Original Post Nov 2020 - If you need a dependable snowblower, this might not be it. When the machine is actually functioning, I am happy with it. Plugged into the cord, it is able to throw heavy, wet snow over our 5' tall fence. When using the battery option, it does a good job of clearing powdery snow off of the sidewalks. It is relatively quiet and it is nice to not to have to deal with gas. The first machine I had was purchased on Amazon in Nov 2019. After only a couple of uses, if the battery was in the slot, I could not turn off the machine; it continued to run even after the on/off lever was released. Rather than trying to return it to Amazon, I contacted SnowJoe directly because I thought there might be some quick fix that I could do myself. They said that this was a defect and they sent me a replacement from their warehouse immediately. The 2nd machine worked fine until Feb 2020 - probably about 5 or 6 snowfalls - and then the battery option stopped working. The chute would move and the light would come on, but the auger did not turn. (It continues to work fine when plugged into the electrical outlet - I used it to clear a heavy 7" snowfall a couple of weeks ago .) When I called SnowJoe last February, they said that they would be happy to replace this second defective machine, but it was out of stock at that time. Due to Covid, the blower continues to be out of stock; next shipment *might* be at the end of November. Based on other reviews of the iON18SB-HYB since I made my original purchase, it looks like this machine has a fair number of issues. Purchase at your own risk, and be prepared to have problems.