Earthwise SN70010 Review

(Rated: 3.6 / 5) Review by Frank Lowery
Noise
Ease of Assembly
Maneuverability
Balance And Handling
Result Quality
Check Price
Related pages: Best Electric Snow Shovel, Best Snow Blower, Earthwise, Earthwise Snow Blowers, Electric Snow Shovel Buying Guide, Electric Snow Shovel Reviews, Snow Blower Buying Guide, Snow Blower Reviews,

Keeping your sidewalk, deck, or patio clear of snow during the winter is not a task that any of us particularly enjoy, and that is in no small part due to the fact that it is hard work that can often leave our back or shoulders aching from the strain. This can be the case even if we do not have a lot of area to clear or live in a region that only experiences relatively light snow fall. Fortunately, there is an alternative to using a manual snow shovel that is not bulky, noisy and expensive like a snow blower, but can still clear light snow fall quickly and efficiently from smaller areas. Electric snow shovels are designed to be lightweight and compact, but still able to clear snow with minimal effort on your part. The Earthwise SN70010 is a great electric snow shovel for homeowners who only have a small area to clear.

Review Summary

The Earthwise SN70010 is an electric snow shovel with overall dimensions of just 11.8 x 8.7 x 53 inches and weighs just 11 pounds, which will make it easy to store in an indoor closet so that it is readily available whenever snow falls and highly maneuverable. It has a snow removal capacity of up to 300 pounds per minute, which is on the higher end of that range. Its handle and overall design are intended to minimize back and shoulder strain, and it is quiet and environmentally friendly. It has a snow cut depth of at least five inches.

There are a few areas in which the Earthwise SN70010 is not quite perfect: it has a clearance width of only ten inches, which is on the lower end of that range, and in spite of its powerful 9 amp motor, it may struggle with wet snow. The shovel only throws snow in one direction – forward – which some users may find difficult to work with. The shovel is limited in its range by its power cord, and considering its clearance width, it is one of the more expensive shovels available. I’ll discuss all of the shovel’s great features and drawbacks in the Pros and Cons section. I’ll also compare it to similar models and discuss pricing in more detail.

Specifications

The Earthwise SN70010 is an electric snow shovel with a 9 amp motor, overall dimensions of 11.8 x 8.7 x 53 inches, and weighs 11 pounds. It plugs into an extension cord and has a push button starter. Its clearing width is 10 inches, and it has a snow cut depth of five inches.

The Earthwise SN70010 has a clearing capacity of up to 300 pounds per minute, which is on the high end of the scale for a shovel of its size. It can throw snow up to 25 feet. Its handle is ergonomically designed for greater comfort. The shovel comes with a 2 year warranty.

Description

Earthwise SN70010 is an electric snow shovel that can help take a lot of the work associated with keeping your walk or porch clear of snow right out of the equation. It has a powerful 9 amp motor that can help you with most light snow falls. Its overall dimensions of 11.8 x 8.7 x 53 inches house an auger that has a clearance width of 10 inches and a snow cut depth of five inches. The ten inch width is a bit small for comparably priced snow shovels, but it is perfect for clearing porch stairs or small areas quickly and efficiently. And the shovel’s overall dimensions mean that it will be very easy to find enough storage space for it in a hall closet, which means you will not have to trek out to the garage or tool shed to retrieve it: you can start clearing snow right out your front door.

The Earthwise SN70010 weighs just 11 pounds, and it is ergonomically designed to reduce back and shoulder strain. Its size, weight and ergonomic design mean that just about anyone will be able to use it easily, regardless of their age or strength level. The shovel is quiet and environmentally friendly, and produces zero emissions at the point of use.

There are a few drawbacks associated with the Earthwise SN70010: it may have some difficulty with wetter snow, it only throws snow in one direction, and its clearance width is a bit small. I will cover these in more detail in the Cons section, but I should mention that I do not think any of these represent poor design or manufacturing. The Earthwise SN70010 is on the higher end of the price range for an electric snow shovel of its size, but I do not think it is overpriced considering its snow clearance capacity and snow cut depth.

Pros

There are a number of areas in which the Earthwise SN70010 really performs well. It’s one of the more lightweight and compact electric snow shovels available today, and even so it has one of the higher clearing capacities of comparably priced snow shovels. It has a convenient design, and it’s quiet and environmentally friendly. It has a five inch snow cut depth, which is enough for most regions of the U.S. Let’s look at each of these Pros in turn.

1. Lightweight and compact for easy use and storage : The Earthwise SN70010 weighs just 11 pounds, which means just about anyone should be able to manipulate it with ease, regardless of their age or strength level. And it has overall dimensions of just 11.8 x 8.7 x 53 inches, which will make it very easy to store indoors. Because the overall width is just 1.8 inches than the clearance width, you will not have to worry about “edges” of snow remaining on stairs after you’ve cleared them.
2. Capacity of up to 300 pounds per minute : The Earthwise SN70010 has a clearance capacity of up to 300 pounds per minute, which is on the higher end for electric snow shovels of comparable size and price. This clearance capacity means you will be able to quickly clear light snow fall off of smaller areas such as patios, decks, or walks in a matter of minutes and be back inside getting warmed up before you know it.
3. Ergonomically designed handle for greater comfort : The handle on the Earthwise SN70010 is adjustable and its overall design is ergonomic in order to make it easier and more comfortable to use. You will not have to worry about straining your back or shoulders when you are using this electric snow shovel, especially because it is so lightweight. The handle has an extra grip on its front for easier maneuverability and support as well, making it one of the easier electric snow shovels to operate.
4. Quiet and environmentally friendly : The Earthwise SN70010 runs very quietly, which is important because it means you will not have to worry about disturbing your neighbors if you are clearing snow from your walk early in the morning after an overnight snow storm. And it produces zero emissions at the point of use, which helps to reduce your household’s overall carbon footprint, especially if you live in an area that gets frequent light snow fall. And because it’s electric, it can run on clean energy sources as well.
5. Snow cut depth of at least five inches : The Earthwise SN70010 has a snow cut depth that is listed at five inches by the manufacturer. This is 25 percent higher than many other comparably sized electric snow shovels, and it means you will be able to handle the majority of snow storms you see during the winter. If snow fall is dry and light enough, the shovel may even be able to handle a cut depth that is a bit higher as well.

Any one of these Pros is very important when you are shopping for a new electric snow shovel, and the Earthwise SN70010 comes through on all of them. This is a great machine for those of you who just have a short, narrow driveway, or live in an apartment or condo and only have to keep a deck or patio clear. It’s an efficient machine that can be easily tucked away in a closet to be ready whenever you need it.

Cons

At the same time, the Earthwise SN70010 is not entirely perfect, and there are a number of areas that could stand to see a bit of improvement. The shovel’s clearance width is on the narrow end, which could be problematic, and it may struggle with wet, heavy snow. It only throws snow in one direction – forward – and its range is limited by a power cord. Finally, it’s on the pricier side, considering its clearance width.

1. Clearance width is only ten inches : The Earthwise SN70010 has a clearance width that is smaller than a lot of other electric snow shovels, and that could be problematic for some users. It is the right size for keeping stairs or decks clear, as well as short walks or driveways, but on bigger areas you may find its width is not quite what you need for optimal efficiency. This is not really a flaw so much as a limitation due to specific intent of use, however.
2. May have some difficulty with wet snow : This is a problem that is rather common with smaller electric snow shovels, and in spite of its 9 amp motor, the Earthwise SN70010 is no exception. If you experience regular slushy, wetter, heavier snow fall, you may find this snow shovel tends to struggle with it, or else may not be able to throw it as far as it can lighter snow. That is not to say that it can’t do it at all, but it may take more work and time to get it done.
3. Only throws snow in one direction : Most electric snow shovels only throw snow in one direction – forward – because of limitations on their design, but some users still seem to be surprised by this, so it’s important to mention. This can be a problem if you are clearing a longer walk from one end to the other, or if you are shoveling snow in a strong head wind, as it will blow back on you.
4. Is limited in range by its power cord : This problem is not so much a serious flaw as it is simply a part of owning a plug in electric snow shovel: it can only go as far as the extension cord it’s connected to can reach. While this does tether you to an outlet, and can be frustrating if you do not have outdoor plugs, it also means that it can run indefinitely without needing to be recharged, as a battery powered shovel would.
5. Is a bit expensive considering its size : Considering the fact that the Earthwise SN70010 has a clearance width of only ten inches, its price is on the expensive side compared to similar models. Of course, this is mitigated by a few factors: Earthwise is an excellent company that consistently produces high quality appliances, and the shovel’s clearance rate is 300 pounds per minute. At the same time, some of my more frugal readers may consider the shovel’s price to be off-putting.

I should stress that I do not consider any of these Cons to be the kind of serious issue that would take away from the Pros at all. Instead, they are indicative of limitations that are the result of the intended design of the machine: it’s meant to be used on smaller areas such as walks or patios, and only in regions that do not experience very heavy snowfall. Still, it’s important to be aware of even the smallest flaws before you purchase an expensive new appliance.

Product Comparison

In addition to Pros and Cons lists, which are useful on their own but do not give a complete picture of how a particular machine compares to what else is available on the market, I always recommend that my readers do some comparison shopping. This way, you can see how one appliance stacks up to the industry standard as well as what competitors are offering. The following table compares the product specs of the Earthwise SN70010 with those of the Snow Joe 324E and the Power Smart DB5004.

	Earthwise SN70010	Snow Joe 324E	Power Smart DB5004
Dimensions	11.8 x 8.7 x 53 inches	14.5 x 13.5 x 54 inches	17 x 13 x 53 inches
Start	Button push	Button push	Button push
Motor	9 amp	10 amp	9 amp
Clearing Width	10 inches	12 inches	13 inches
Snow Cut Depth	5 inches	6 inches	6 inches
Capacity / Minute	Up to 300 pounds	Up to 300 pounds	Up to 400 pounds
Throw Distance	Up to 25 feet	Up to 20 feet	Up to 20 feet
Handle	Ergonomic	Ergonomic	Ergonomic
Weight	11 pounds	12.5 pounds	18 pounds
Warranty	2 years	2 years	1 year

As you can see, the Earthwise SN70010 has the smallest clearance width of the three machines, although it also has the most compact footprint. The other two machines have a higher snow cut depth as well. The Snow Joe can clear the same capacity as the Earthwise, while the Power Smart clears 30 percent more. The Earthwise has the farthest throwing distance, and is also the most lightweight of the three.

Conclusion

There are a number of important features to look at when you are shopping for a new electric snow shovel. You want it to be able to efficiently and quickly clear snow at a high pounds per minute rate, but you also want it to be compact and lightweight so it is easy to use and store. Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of the Earthwise SN70010 once more before we conclude.

Conclusion Pros

1. Lightweight and compact for easy use and storage.
2. Capacity of up to 300 pounds per minute.
3. Ergonomically designed handle for greater comfort.
4. Quiet and environmentally friendly.
5. Snow cut depth of at least five inches.

The Earthwise SN70010 weighs just 11 pounds, and it has the kind of compact dimensions that will make it easy to use and store in a hall closet. It has an average snow clearance capacity per minute, and it’s designed to be easy to use, quiet, and environmentally friendly. It also has a five inch snow cut depth.

Conclusion Cons

1. Clearance width is only ten inches.
2. May have some difficulty with wet snow.
3. Only throws snow in one direction.
4. Is limited in range by its power cord.
5. Is a bit expensive considering its size.

The clearance width of the Earthwise SN70010 is on the narrower side, which makes it perfect for very small jobs but may reduce efficiency on larger ones. It may struggle with wet snow, and only throws snow forward. It’s tethered to a power cord, and it is a bit on the expensive side.

Final Word

If you have a property that does not have a particularly wide driveway or an overly long walk, you do not need to purchase a bulky, expensive snow blower to keep it clear of light snow fall over the winter. But on the other hand, using a manual snow shovel can be a difficult and soreness-inducing chore. An electric snow shovel like the Earthwise SN70010 splits the difference between the two. These machines are lightweight and compact, and take most of the work out of clearing snow from your walk. The Earthwise SN70010 is one of the lighter and smaller electric snow shovels available, and it still has an impressive snow clearance capacity and snow cut depth, although its clearance width is on the smaller side. All things considered, though, this is a solid electric snow shovel that will perform well under the right conditions. If you only have to clear a short walk, patio, or porch stairs, this could be the perfect machine for you.

Best Price

As I mentioned in the Cons section, the Earthwise SN70010 has a bit of a high price tag compared to other electric snow shovels with similar abilities, especially considering the fact that it has a clearance width of just ten inches. At the same time, for the right household, the price may be worth it. It has a high enough clearance capacity and snow cut depth that it will be able to consistently clear light snow fall from smaller areas quickly and efficiently. And it is not the most expensive electric snow shovel out there; most homeowners will still find it is fairly affordable.