Winter has arrived in upstate New York, and that means two things: snow and figuring out the best way to clear it. Whether you’ve got a snowblower, a shovel, or someone else handling the job for you, there’s always those small, tricky spots that remain a challenge—walkways, decks, and docks. That’s where the Ryobi Snow Thrower Attachment comes in, and today, we’re diving into an unboxing and review of this tool to see if it’s worth adding to your winter arsenal.
What Is the Ryobi Snow Thrower Attachment?
Unlike a standalone snowblower, this attachment is designed to connect to an existing Ryobi 40V power tool, like the popular Ryobi weed trimmer. With a 12-inch clearing width and 6-inch clearing depth, it’s built for small-scale snow removal. Retailing for around $150 (or $120 if you catch a good deal), it offers a more portable, lightweight solution for snow removal.
First Impressions and Unboxing
The Ryobi Snow Shovel arrived packaged with the attachment, a handle, and a manual. Right out of the box, I noticed two things: the tool felt sturdier than expected but also heavier. Constructed entirely from plastic, it’s less durable than traditional snowblowers with metal components, but it’s still robust enough for its intended purpose.
Attaching the unit to my Ryobi weed trimmer was straightforward. It’s compatible with most trimmers that have removable ends, making it a versatile addition to any tool lineup. Using a fully charged 40V, 5.0Ah battery, I set out to put it to the test in real winter conditions—on my deck, dock, and walkway.
Performance: The Pros and Cons
The Pros
1. Battery Life: After clearing half the dock and the entire deck, the battery still had 50% charge remaining. This means a single 5.0Ah battery can easily handle small jobs in one session.
2. Great for Wet Snow: Unlike many tools that struggle with heavy, wet snow, the Ryobi Snow Shovel made quick work of it. Whether it’s icy or slushy, this attachment chews through the mess.
3. Perfect for Hard-to-Reach Areas: Decks, docks, and narrow pathways are no match for this compact tool. It’s great for places where a large snowblower would be overkill or impossible to use.
The Cons
1. Weight: This tool is heavier than expected, and its weight distribution can feel awkward. It’s not as effortless as pushing a shovel or snowblower. If you’re planning to use it extensively, prepare for a bit of a workout.
2. Limited Clearing Width: With only 12 inches of clearing width, it takes more time to cover a large area compared to an 18-inch shovel or a standard snowblower.
3. Not a Complete Replacement: This isn’t designed to replace your main snow removal tool. For heavy-duty jobs like clearing a driveway or frequent use, a traditional snowblower is still the better option.
Is It Worth It?
The Ryobi Snow Thrower Attachment isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it fills a niche role perfectly. If you’re looking for a way to quickly clear snow from small, hard-to-reach areas, this tool is worth considering—especially if you already own a Ryobi 40V system.
At $150, it’s not a massive investment, and for light, occasional use, it’s a solid option. However, if you’re expecting it to handle heavy, daily snow removal for a large property, you’ll likely find its limitations frustrating.
Final Thoughts
For me, the Ryobi Snow Thrower Attachment is a welcome addition to my tool lineup. It’s not perfect, but for clearing snow off my dock and deck a few times each season, it gets the job done without the hassle of dragging out a full-size snowblower.
If you’re tired of shoveling snow from those small, tricky areas, this tool might be just what you need. Let me know what you think of the Ryobi Snow Shovel in the comments, and if you’ve tried it yourself, I’d love to hear about your experience!
