DeWalt 10 in. Brushless Cordless Snow Shovel

Why I reached for a cordless shovel

The first storm of the season left a few inches on my deck, stairs, and the path to the garage—exactly the kind of cleanup I hate dragging a full-size blower out for. That’s where DeWalt’s cordless snow shovel fits. It’s essentially a compact, powered auger on a stick: 10 inches wide, 6 inches deep, and driven by a brushless motor on the 20V MAX platform. It won’t replace a blower for big driveways, but for quick, repeatable clearing on hard surfaces, it turns an annoying chore into a short walk.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly was straightforward: attach the adjustable-length pole, set the auxiliary grip, click in a battery, and go. The guide plate at the front pivots up to 60 degrees to steer the discharge, which took a minute to understand but is simple in practice—angle it where you want the snow to go, and the auger does the rest.

Fit and finish are what I expect from a pro brand: tight tolerances, solid plastics, and clear markings. One quirk showed up right away: the grip’s wing screw took more effort than I’d like to lock fully in cold weather. It held fine once set, but gloves plus cold plastic make micro-adjustments fiddly. It’s a small gripe, and it only mattered the first outing while I dialed in the ergonomics.

At 13.23 pounds (tool only), the shovel isn’t featherweight, but the balance is good once you set the pole length. I prefer a slightly longer stance so the head glides without me lifting; that’s the key to keeping fatigue down.

Clearing performance

The shovel is rated for a 10-inch clearing width and up to 6 inches of depth per pass. In dry powder around 3 to 5 inches, it chewed steadily and sent snow well clear of my path. On brick and concrete, it glides; on wood decking, it works cleanly without scuffing, provided you keep the head level. I wouldn’t run it on gravel.

For wet, early-season snow about 2 inches deep, it still moved with authority. The throw distance decreases as moisture content rises, which is expected. Against DeWalt’s “up to 20 feet” claim, my powder throws were in the 12–15 foot range without fighting the wind, and 6–10 feet for wetter stuff. That’s plenty for patios and walkways. For deeper, heavy snow near that 6-inch limit, I had better luck taking half-bites—two quick passes at different heights rather than trying to gobble the full depth at once.

One thing I appreciate is the controlled pace. Unlike a blower that surges forward, this shovel rewards a consistent push-and-pull rhythm: push through a lane, pull back along the same track to clean what remains, then shift over one head-width. It’s methodical but efficient, and you avoid lifting, which is where most fatigue and back strain come from.

Ergonomics and handling

The adjustable pole is the difference between a useful tool and a frustrating one. With the length dialed in, I could keep the auger head floating just above the surface and steer with minimal wrist input. The front grip lands naturally under the off-hand. If your forearms burn, you’re probably lifting more than you need to—let the auger do the heavy work.

Balance changes with battery size. A compact 2.0 Ah pack makes it feel a touch nose-heavy; a 5.0 Ah pack shifts weight toward the handle and felt more neutral to me. Either way, the shovel is most comfortable when you think “glide,” not “lift and throw.”

Noise is modest—louder than a leaf blower in low mode, well under a gas snow blower. Early morning clearing won’t wake the neighbors.

Battery life and power

DeWalt calls this “tool only,” so you’re bringing your own 20V MAX battery and charger. With a 4.0 Ah pack, I consistently saw around 18–22 minutes in mixed, light-to-moderate snow. A 5.0 Ah pack stretched close to a half hour. Runtime naturally depends on snow density and how much you’re stopping to reposition, but plan for about 200–300 square feet per amp-hour in typical conditions.

The brushless motor matters here. It’s efficient, doesn’t bog quickly, and doesn’t have the warm-up quirks of brushed units. Thermal cutoff wasn’t an issue, even during continuous operation in the cold; the limiting factor was battery capacity. If you’re clearing more than walkways and a couple of patios, bring a second battery.

Discharge control and cleanup

The adjustable guide plate is simple but effective. I set a slight right-hand angle for my walkway so the snow consistently kicked to the lawn side without drifting back onto my shoes. On a deck, I angled it outward to avoid blowing powder into the railing and onto the steps below. It’s not infinitely adjustable mid-pass—you’ll want to pick a setting and go—but the 60-degree range covers most scenarios.

Because the head sits low and the clearing width is narrow, the shovel leaves a clean edge on hard surfaces. On uneven pavers, you’ll occasionally leave a thin film that’s best followed by a quick ice melt sprinkle if temps are dropping. It’s not a scraper; it’s a mover.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Patios, decks, sidewalks, and paths where a full blower is overkill
- Frequent, lighter snows under 6 inches, especially dry or slightly wet
- Tight storage spaces and quick grab-and-go use
- Households already on DeWalt’s 20V MAX platform

Limitations:
- Grassy or uneven surfaces feel awkward; the auger catches instead of gliding
- Heavy, wet accumulations near the 6-inch limit require multiple passes
- Long driveways are doable but inefficient at 10 inches wide
- Total cost climbs if you don’t already own batteries and a charger

Durability and maintenance

There isn’t much to maintain. The brushless motor reduces wear, and there are no belts to tension. After use, I knock off packed snow, park the battery indoors to warm to room temperature before charging, and wipe down the guide plate. The plastics have held up fine in the cold—no cracking or chalking after several outings. DeWalt backs it with a 3-year limited warranty, which is in line with the category.

Tips for best results

• Set the pole length so the head naturally hovers; don’t muscle it.
• Use a steady push-pull pattern to minimize lifting and strain.
• Angle the guide plate to keep the throw where you want it; a small adjustment makes a big difference.
• For heavy snow, take shallow bites and work in layers.
• If you’ll exceed 20 minutes, stage a second, warm battery indoors. Cold packs deliver less runtime.
• Keep it on hard surfaces; avoid gravel and lawn edges where the auger can dig.

Value and who it’s for

If you already own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries, this is an easy tool to justify. It fills the gap between a hand shovel and a dedicated blower with less effort and less storage space. If you’re starting from zero, factor in a battery and charger; that can double the buy-in, and at that point you should consider how much area you plan to clear. For small-to-medium hardscape areas with regular, modest snowfall, this shovel is a very practical addition.

The bottom line

I reached for this cordless shovel on every light-to-moderate snow and never felt I should have rolled out the big blower. It moves snow efficiently within its 10-inch by 6-inch envelope, is easy to handle once adjusted, and makes fast work of the places hand shovels turn into back workouts. It won’t conquer deep, heavy storms or replace a blower for long driveways, but that’s not its mission.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool for homeowners with decks, patios, and walkways who get frequent light to moderate snow and either already own DeWalt 20V MAX batteries or don’t mind the added cost of entry. It’s reliable, quick, and genuinely reduces effort where a full-size blower is too much machine.