Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 12" Snow Shovel Kit

Clearing snow can be a daunting winter task, especially when you're armed with nothing but a traditional shovel. That's why I was eager to test out the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 12" Snow Shovel Kit. This compact, cordless snow shovel aims to bridge the gap between a manual shovel and a full-sized snow blower, promising to make quick work of light to moderate snowfall on sidewalks, driveways, and decks. Here's my hands-on experience with this tool.

First Impressions and Setup

Right out of the box, the Ryobi snow shovel feels well-balanced and sturdy, albeit with a predominantly plastic construction. Weighing in at 17 pounds, it's light enough to maneuver easily but heavy enough to give you confidence that it won't break at the first encounter with packed snow. The setup was a breeze—just attach the handle, slide in the 40V battery, and you're good to go. Ryobi's inclusion of a 5-year limited warranty also adds peace of mind.

Performance

Let's talk about what really matters: performance. The shovel is designed to clear a 12-inch wide path and can handle snow up to 6 inches deep. For my first test, I tackled about 4 inches of fresh, powdery snow that had accumulated overnight. The snow shovel handled it beautifully, throwing the snow up to 25 feet away. The variable speed trigger gives you excellent control over the clearing process, allowing you to adjust the power to match the snow conditions.

I was particularly impressed by how well it performed with wet, heavier snow. Often, tools like this can struggle with anything other than light, fluffy snow, but the Ryobi snow shovel powered through without much trouble. However, it's worth noting that when dealing with packed or icy snow, the plastic auger might struggle or even get damaged, so caution is advised.

Usability

One of the standout features is the shovel's two-speed switch, which allows you to toggle between power and runtime. This is especially handy when you're dealing with varying snow conditions or larger areas that require more battery life. The 40V 4Ah battery that comes with the kit is sufficient for most small to medium-sized jobs. For example, I was able to clear my multi-car driveway on a single charge, even with 6 inches of day-old, wet snow.

Another feature I appreciated was the 180° lock/unlock coupler, which allows for compatibility with Ryobi's Expand-It attachments. While I didn't get the chance to test these additional attachments, the flexibility to expand the tool's functionality is a nice touch.

Areas for Improvement

While the Ryobi snow shovel excels in many areas, it's not without its shortcomings. Firstly, the 12-inch clearing width, while adequate for sidewalks and small driveways, might be a bit narrow for those with larger areas to clear. A slightly wider path would reduce the time and effort needed for bigger jobs.

One of my main gripes is the inability to angle or direct the snow in a particular direction. The snow is thrown straight ahead, which means you often have to go back and forth to ensure the snow is cleared from the desired areas. This can be a bit cumbersome, especially if you're trying to avoid piling snow back onto areas you've already cleared.

The safety switch is another point of contention. While safety features are always welcome, the switch on this model can be uncomfortable and somewhat awkward to use. I found myself wishing it was more ergonomically designed to reduce hand strain during extended use.

Lastly, the wheels, though a good idea in theory, could benefit from being larger and more robust. They work fine for the most part, but I couldn't shake the feeling that they might not hold up well over time, especially on rougher surfaces.

Value for Money

At its price point, the Ryobi snow shovel offers good value, especially if you already own other Ryobi 40V tools and can share batteries between them. It's a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a full-sized snow blower, particularly if you only need to clear moderate amounts of snow. The 5-year limited warranty further enhances its value proposition, providing a safety net for your investment.

Conclusion

Overall, the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 12" Snow Shovel Kit is a solid performer for its intended use. It excels at clearing light to moderate snowfall from sidewalks, small driveways, and decks, and its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to use and store. The variable speed trigger, two-speed switch, and compatibility with Ryobi's Expand-It attachments add to its versatility.

However, it does have its limitations. The narrow clearing width and inability to direct the snow discharge can make it less efficient for larger areas. The safety switch and wheels could also use some redesigning for improved comfort and durability.

Would I recommend this tool? Yes, but with some caveats. If you need a reliable, easy-to-use tool for clearing moderate snowfall and already own Ryobi 40V batteries, this snow shovel is a worthwhile investment. However, if you frequently deal with heavy, packed snow or have larger areas to clear, you might want to consider a more robust solution. For its designed purpose, though, the Ryobi snow shovel performs admirably and offers good value for money.