Skil Brushless 40V 20 In. Single Stage Snow Blower Kit

Why I reached for a battery snow blower

After years of mixing fuel for a small gas unit and wrestling with pull cords in single-digit temps, I wanted a cordless blower that could live in my garage and be ready at a moment’s notice. The Skil 40V 20-inch checked the right boxes on paper: brushless motor, a 6.0Ah battery included, a charger that promises quick top-ups, and a compact, foldable frame. I put it through several storms—powder, wet slush, and the dreaded plow berm—to see if it’s a practical replacement for a small gas single-stage on a typical suburban driveway.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly was painless. The handle unfolds and locks with straightforward hardware, the chute drops into place, and the rear-mounted crank is ready to go. Build quality is better than I expected at this price: a steel auger with rubber paddles, a steel handle, and a plastic chute that’s not flimsy but still reminds you it’s a residential machine. At 35 pounds, it’s light enough to carry up a few steps and easy to lift over a curb.

Controls are friendly: a safety and trigger setup for the motor, a rear crank for 180-degree chute rotation, and a deflector lever to tune the throw height. The single LED headlight isn’t a floodlight, but it’s useful for those early-morning passes when you’re working by streetlamp.

The handle folds quickly and the machine tucks neatly against a garage wall. If storage space is tight, that’s a real advantage over bulkier gas units.

Design details that matter

• Brushless motor: Smooth startup, no fumes, and noticeably less vibration than a small gas single-stage.
• 20-inch clearing width and 10.5-inch intake height: Right-sized for sidewalks and 1–2 car driveways.
• Rubber-tipped steel auger: Lets the paddles “pull” the machine forward and scrape close to pavement for a clean finish. Avoid gravel—this design is for hard surfaces.
• Chute controls: The rear crank is easy to use with gloves and holds position well. The deflector offers enough range to throw low to keep things on your property, or high for maximum distance.
• IPX4 rating: A welcome nod to wet-weather resilience. I ran it in sleet and slush without issue.

Performance in real snow

Fresh powder, 3–6 inches: This is the Skil’s sweet spot. The machine walks itself forward as the paddles bite, and it sends snow a convincing distance—close to the claimed 30 feet with the deflector up and the wind on your side. Cleanup passes leave pavement impressively clear.

Wet, heavy snow, 4–8 inches: I expected clogging, but the airflow and chute geometry did better than many small gas single-stages I’ve used. It will slow in the heaviest, waterlogged stuff, but as long as I took a steady pace and let the motor maintain RPM, it kept moving. Throw distance drops to the 15–20 foot range in this scenario, which is still enough to build neat windrows.

Plow berms and over 8 inches: This is where you have to work smarter. The machine will bog or trip overload protection if you try to eat a full-height berm in one bite. Two strategies worked well: nibbling from the top down in layers, and letting the auger clear a narrow channel first, then widening. When I asked too much of it, the motor cut out momentarily—a reminder to reduce the feed rate. A quick restart got me back to work.

Packed footprints and refreeze: The rubber paddles do a solid job on day-of accumulations, but once footprints refreeze, expect to come back with ice melt or a scraper for a perfect finish. That’s typical for single-stage designs.

Runtime and charging

The included 6.0Ah pack is the right choice for a 20-inch blower. In real-world use, a full battery comfortably handled my two-car driveway, front walk, and the sidewalk in front of the house in 4–6 inches of snow, with a bit in reserve. Wet snow reduces runtime; plan your passes and keep your pace steady to maximize efficiency.

The Auto PWRJUMP charger earns its name. I appreciated being able to pop the battery on the charger for a break and get a meaningful top-up without waiting an afternoon. If you have a bigger driveway or see frequent storms, a second 6.0Ah pack is the upgrade that changes this from “get it done” to “keep going without thinking about it.”

Maneuverability, noise, and ergonomics

At around 35 pounds with compact wheels, the Skil is very easy to maneuver. Much of the “drive” comes from the auger paddles pulling the machine forward, so it feels planted on level paved surfaces and manageable on slight slopes. The handle height is comfortable, and the balance makes it easy to pivot at the end of a pass.

Noise is significantly lower than a small gas unit. You can have a conversation while it’s running, and your neighbors won’t hear it half a block away. For early morning clearing, that matters.

Chute adjustment is a one-hand operation from the rear crank, and the deflector lever is glove-friendly. The controls feel positive, though the deflector hinge, like most residential blowers, benefits from keeping it free of packed slush. A quick swipe or a shot of silicone spray on the chute walls before a storm helps prevent buildup.

Durability and maintenance

The rubber-tipped steel auger and scraper bar contact pavement by design; that’s how single-stage machines clean to the surface. Expect those wear parts to need replacement after a few seasons if you’re clearing frequently. They’re straightforward to service.

The chute is plastic, as is standard in this class. It’s sturdy enough for typical residential use, but I avoid ramming frozen plow chunks or gravel. If your driveway ends at a street that routinely drops concrete-hard berms, a two-stage metal-chute machine is a safer bet.

There’s little day-to-day maintenance beyond keeping the battery warm before use (cold batteries deliver less power), cleaning out the housing after slushy sessions, and occasionally checking fasteners. No oil, no plugs, no belts to tension.

Limitations to keep in mind

• Not for gravel: The paddles need pavement contact to work properly.
• Deep, dense berms require patience: Take smaller bites to avoid overload cutouts.
• Plastic chute: Treat it like the residential component it is; it’s not built for icy debris abuse.
• Single battery port: If you plan extended runs, a second battery is more convenient than waiting on a charge.

Who it’s for

If you have a paved driveway and sidewalks, see regular storms in the 3–8 inch range, and want something that’s easy to store and easier to start, the Skil 40V 20-inch is a strong fit. It’s especially compelling if you’re already in the Skil 40V ecosystem—the included 6.0Ah pack pulls double duty in lawn tools, and the charger supports quick winter top-ups.

If you routinely see foot-plus nor’easters, clear gravel, or you rely on blasting through ice-chunk berms at the street, a heavier two-stage machine with a steel chute and self-propel is still the right tool.

Bottom line and recommendation

The Skil 40V 20-inch snow blower delivers what I want from a cordless single-stage: reliable starts, clean performance on typical residential snowfalls, low noise, and simple storage. The brushless motor, rear-crank chute, and rubber-tipped auger make it effective and easy to live with. Runtime on the included 6.0Ah battery is appropriate for small to medium driveways, and the charger’s fast top-up behavior helps bridge longer sessions.

It’s not a miracle worker in deep, compacted berms, and you should treat the plastic chute with care if you encounter icy debris. But those trade-offs are characteristic of the class, not unique failings.

I recommend the Skil 40V 20-inch to homeowners with paved surfaces who want a lightweight, low-maintenance snow solution for routine storms. It’s a sensible, well-rounded performer that replaces a small gas single-stage without the fuel, fumes, and fuss. If your winters fit that profile, this blower earns a spot in the garage.