After Utah’s historically wet and snowy winter last year, which ended the state’s drought, this winter has been relatively dry. Finally, snow had arrived (it snowed all weekend with some rain on Sunday), and it was finally time to see how the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22 48-Volt MAX IONMAX Cordless Single-Stage Snow Blower Kit would fare against Utah’s heavy winter storms.
Before I started, I referred to this Snow Joe as a snow “blower” because it is in the product's title. But the reality is, it’s a snow “thrower.” You can read our piece for a full, in-depth breakdown on snow blowers vs snow throwers, which is helpful if you’re unsure which one is right for you, but here’s the TL;DR version – snow throwers are less powerful and don’t throw snow as far out of the chute. For more traditional models, head to our best snow blower guide.
I tested the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22 48-Volt MAX IONMAX Cordless Single-Stage Snow Blower Kit over a weekend of seemingly endless snow. Where I live, we probably got 10 inches to a foot of snow. I used the snow blower a few times on three to four inches of settled snow at a time, with the last use cleaning up wet snow (but more on that later in the review). I tested how well the machine maneuvered, how far it tossed snow, how well it removed snow and the battery life.
After a full weekend of cleaning snow, I have a clear picture of whether you should consider the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22 48-Volt MAX IONMAX Cordless Single-Stage Snow Blower Kit as your snow removal machine. And that choice largely depends on where you live. Read on to get the deets.
Jonathan Knoder is a versatile freelance writer and editor with a passion for audio gear and smart home technology. His work has been featured in various publications, and outside of work, he enjoys playing musical instruments and golf. Recently, he tested a snow blower by removing snow from his driveway in Utah.
Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22: Key specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
| Type | Single-stage |
| Clearing width | 22 inches |
| Intake height | 13 inches |
| Drive system | Push |
| Electric Start? | Yes |
| Throwing Distance | 20 feet |
| Weight | 45.2 lbs |
Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22: Price & Availability
The Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22 48V Max Cordless Snow Blower has a list price of $659 from the Snow Joe website. The model we tested included the snowblower, two batteries, a battery charger to charge simultaneously, and a chute cleaner.
For discounts on products like this, head to our snow blower deals page.
Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22: Setup
Out of the box, the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22 48V Max Cordless Snow Blower comes close to being fully assembled. All you need to do is put the handle together, but with the twisting knob and bolts, that takes all but a few minutes. Two 24V batteries power the machine. The entire body, including the wheels, is made entirely of plastic. The only metal piece besides the handle is the rotating auger that propels the snow. But even that is surrounded by plastic that is bolted to the blade. I was curious about how well the machine would perform with the plastic built and battery power.
The model I tested came with a chute cleaner that clips to the side of the handle. I didn’t think much of it initially, but it became a rather convenient feature. Instead of having to manually remove snow with your hand (always turn the blower off while doing so) and getting your hands and gloves all wet, the little chute cleaner was conveniently ready for me to grab and use, and it quickly snapped back into place on the side of the handle when I was done.
Another thing I initially noticed was the lack of self-propulsion. Thankfully, the snow blower is so light that maneuvering it around isn’t too difficult, but for heavily sloped driveways, trying to carry the extra 45.2 pounds back uphill would wreck you after a few passes.
Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22: Design
I wasn’t thrilled about the device's largely plastic makeup. Snow, especially when it comes to removing snow from the mouth of a driveway, can contain a lot of ice, rocks, and other debris. Over time, all of that debris can wear and tear plastic parts. After one weekend of use, I already started to notice the black coating coming off the blade axle from debris hitting the inside of the machine.
The placement of the safety button about the trigger – you must press and hold the button and pull the trigger to start the machine – is odd and uncomfortable. The button is next to the trigger but far enough away that you have to awkwardly stretch your pinky out to press it and use the rest of your hand to pull the trigger. And if your hands aren’t big enough, you’d have to reach over and cross with your other hand just to press the button.
You can adjust the direction the chute is pointing with the hand crank that protrudes just beyond the handle. It feels a little janky when turning the chute, but it worked fine for me. You can also adjust the angle at which snow is thrown. Again, this is another plastic knob that loosens so you can adjust the angle and tightens back, locking itself into place into another rigid plastic piece.
Although I mentioned this above, it’s not a big, heavy machine, so it was quite easy to maneuver around. My driveway is slightly sloped, and I had no issue getting it up and down.
Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22: Performance
Snow had arrived, and it was finally time to take this single-stage snow blower out for its first test run. The first time I used it, roughly three inches of snow were on my driveway and sidewalks. When it came to the fresh, powdery snow, it didn’t have any issue removing it. Even though the manufacturer says it can toss snow up to 25 feet, my best estimation (taking a measuring tape and measuring where the bulk of the snow was being thrown to) was that I recorded roughly 15 feet. That’s plenty of room for a single-car driveway. For my situation. I had to make a few extra passes to remove the snow I had tossed back into my driveway because it didn’t reach the yard.
I was curious to find out if the batteries would last long enough to clear the entirety of my property. Living on a corner lot means having twice as much sidewalk to clear as everyone else. We also recently added new cement parking, which added more space to clear the driveway. On a full battery, I could clear my entire driveway and sidewalks.
Providing an exact time for how long the battery life is difficult for a couple of reasons. The battery life will certainly change based on how much snow you have and how wet the snow is. The harder the engine works, the quicker the battery will get drained. The other reason is that the machine will start to shut itself off when you’re trying to remove snow, and the battery is getting too low to power it properly. In my testing, the battery wouldn’t be completely dead – I could still turn the machine on – but once the snow started getting too heavy for the lowered battery, the machine would shut off.
For me, the machine lost power for the first time after 27 minutes. By this time, I was already essentially done with the entire job. At this point, I cleared snow beyond the mouth of my driveway into the road before it died. I could still make a few more quick passes before the machine shuts itself off regularly. I was pleasantly surprised I could clear out my entire property on a single charge.
On Sunday, we got a mix of rain and snow. The snow was particularly wet and heavy. I have a little back patio area covered with about three to four inches of wet snow. The Snow Joe could only toss the snow a low five feet from the chute. Essentially, I was tossing snow just in front of me or to the side. The snow was too wet and heavy for the machine to have a real helpful impact.
While operating the machine, I used a decimeter to measure how loud the engine gets. My first measurement was from where one would normally stand behind the machine as you push. The decimeter recorded about 77.3 decibels of sound, which is the equivalent of someone singing loudly. When placed next to the engine, the decimeter recorded about 88 decibels, which is about the equivalent of a car engine. Overall, the operation is much quieter than that of a gas engine.
Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22: Maintenance
One thing that is incredibly nice about cleaning and maintaining battery-operated snow blowers is that there really isn’t much to it. You don’t have to worry about putting fresh gas in the motor and checking the oil like you would with a gas-powered option.
Before I started snowblowing, I sprayed a coat of Silicone Spray into the mouth and chute of the machine. This helps to prevent snow from sticking in the chute. After you are done with a snow removal job, removing any access snow from the snowblower is key. I did this with a leaf blower (after watching my neighbor clear snow off his car with a leaf blower), and it worked fantastically (thanks for the tip, Bob). Next, you’ll want to dry off any excess water with a towel. Sitting water can lead to rusting of bolts and corrosion. After that, I removed the batteries, placed them back on the charger to recharge, and moved the snow blowers into a dry, covered area.
Before the winter season starts, I suggest spraying all bolts on the auger and body with a rust breaker and preventer. Also, spray the mouth, augers, chute, and exterior body with a silicone spray and wipe down the outside body afterward. This will form a moisture barrier, prevent snow and water from sticking to your machine throughout the season, and make your snow blower look shiny and clean.
How does the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22 compare?
I also tested the Greenworks Elite Sn-200-T battery-powered snow blower the same weekend. I preferred the Sun Joe to the Greenworks snow blower. The Sun Joe was easier to push, threw snow farther, and had a wider mouth. You’ll save over $200 going with the Greenworks model, though.
The gas-powered Hykolity snow blower is a two-cycle gas-powered snow blower that is cheaper than the Sun Joe. With this gas-powered machine, you get more power, a wider 24-inch mouth, and a self-propelled machine. It can also throw snow up to 40 feet compared to the 25 feet (manufacturer) or roughly the 15 feet I achieved from the Snow Joe.
The PowerSmart 40V 21-inch Single Stage Snow Blower is another battery-powered model that offers similar run times (up to 30 minutes), can toss snow up to 30 feet (manufacturer), and is $350 less than the Sun Joe model we tested. When you compare this specific Sun Joe model to others, the Sun Joe is expensive. Plain and simple.
Would I buy the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22?
The Snow Joe 48V Max Cordless Snow Blower is a compact and quiet machine that's easy to operate, making it ideal for those new to snow blowers. It's simple to assemble and maneuver, and the electric start is convenient. In light snow, it performs admirably, swiftly clearing driveways and sidewalks with impressive battery life.
However, it struggles with heavy, wet snow, and the throwing distance is reduced. Despite the manufacturer's claim of a 25-foot throw, I found it closer to 15 feet. The clearing width and depth are practical for residential use, and the chute effectively directs snow.
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | lightweight and easy to maneuver; suitable for small to moderately sloped areas; plastic construction keeps it light, but the lack of a self-propulsion feature means more effort is needed on inclines; awkward placement of the safety button; chute cleaner is a convenient feature | 7/10 |
| Light Snow | performs well in light, powdery snow, effectively clearing three inches of snow without issue; advertised snow-throwing distance is up to 25 feet, but actual performance is closer to 15 feet | 8/10 |
| Heavy Snow | struggles with wet, heavy snow; can handle only three to four inches of heavy snow before the throwing distance reduces significantly | 5/10 |
| Clearing Width and Depth | adequate for light snowfalls; plastic construction may also be a concern for long-term durability | 6/10 |
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How I tested the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB22
I tested the snow blower over a weekend of snowstorms. I removed snow from my driveway and walkways, measured how far the Snow Joe tossed snow, and timed how long the battery lasted during regular use.
I set a timer for the battery testing and used the Snow Joe to remove snow from my property. I stopped the timer once the snow blower could no longer remove snow without the engine shutting down. Technically, there was still enough battery to start the engine but not enough to remain functional.
I adjusted the chute to the maximum distance throwing angle to measure how far snow was being thrown. Then, as I walked and removed snow at a relatively normal pace, I used a tape measure to measure the distance the snow was thrown from the blower’s position.
Read more about how we test.
