REVIEW – Some years ago, I had a snowblower with a gas engine of a similar size and shape to the Worx in this review. It was frequently frustrating and a pain in the patoot to start. The fuel smelled awful, stalled at the most inopportune times, and I damaged my rotator cuff trying to get it started. Still, it was a helpful tool, but the maintenance, fuel storage, and problems made it too cumbersome to keep. It found a new home through a family garage sale.
I wondered why some smart cookie hadn’t invented a battery-operated snow blower. A few years later, The WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower arrived on my doorstep. How does it perform? Let’s see.
What is it?
The WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower is a rechargeable device with removable batteries that uses a rapidly rotating drum to remove snow from driveways and sidewalks through a directional chute.
What’s in the box?
- WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower
- Two 20V 4.0AH batteries
- Dual battery charger
- User manual
Hardware specs
- Model: WG471
- Battery voltage: 40V (2 x 20V)
- Capacity: Two 4.0Ah batteries
- Clearance width: 20 inches
- Intake depth: 10 inches
- Throw distance: 20 feet maximum
- Weight: 37.7 pounds total, 32.8 pounds tool only
Design and features
The WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower (model WG471) arrived in a big, colorful box.
The packaging was recyclable, though a rugged tool like this doesn’t need much.
The WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower requires some assembly, but don’t panic. The handles attach with screw-on levers, the cable secures with clips, and the discharge chute snaps on and fastens with a single torx screw. Worx includes the tool in the box, so you won’t need to search for yours. Opening the box to the fully assembled snowblower took less than 10 minutes. Very cool.
For storage, the levers open, and the handles fold.
There’s a carry handle on the top. It weighs about 35 pounds with the batteries installed. It has some heft but isn’t burdensome to move.
Worx recommends topping off the batteries in a warm environment because Lithium batteries can be damaged if charged under cold conditions.
The batteries clip onto slots in the charger. LEDs illuminate with charging status.
Each battery has a button-activated capacity display.
The battery compartment in the WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower is hinged. Both batteries are required for operation and slide into their slots.
There’s a center button to indicate the capacity of both batteries while in the snowblower, which also illuminates when it’s running. I measured 45 minutes of continuous operation. Impressive.
The handle is padded and comfortable.
Press the unlock button before squeezing the orange bar to engage the auger motor. It will automatically latch when the bar is released.
The WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower’s blades are plastic and spin quickly. I was pleasantly surprised at the low volume level. Use caution around anything that might be devoured, like children, pets, your hands and feet, and scarves. Look around for loose stones, plants, or toys that could be ejected and cause damage or injury.
The tires are plastic and rotate smoothly. The WG471 is not self-propelled. I consider this a benefit because I can increase or decrease my pushing speed depending on the amount and weight of snow. I can clear my driveway of light, fluffy stuff in less than five minutes.
The LED headlights did a commendable job of illuminating the area in front of the snowblower.
To position the chute’s direction, crank the handle left or right. At first, the chute direction control was stiff but loosened up after some use.
To change the discharge elevation angle, squeeze the orange handle on the back of the chute.
The day I received the WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower, we had some light snow. When I returned, the snow had turned to ice, a challenge for any snowblower. I’m happy to report WORX had no trouble swiping the driveway clear. Bravo!
What I like
- No fuel to spill, starters to pull, or oil to change!
- Fast clearing of light to moderate snowfall
- Both batteries charge at the same time
- Plenty of charge for my driveway
- Spare batteries are available for sustained use.
What I’d change
- Nothing
Final thoughts
I’ve always advocated using the correct tool for the job. In the snow belt, we have an expression, “Snow is a ‘four letter’ word.” It’s not just inconvenient. Sometimes it’s downright dangerous. We have enough here in the frozen north to warrant a full-size snowblower for blizzards, but the WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower is an excellent choice for most light snow events. It’s easy to use, lightweight, and capable of tossing the white stuff out of the way before it freezes and makes a slippery, icy mess. The handle folds for storage, and the batteries are removable and kept inside to prevent cold-weather degradation. There’s no gas to spill or starter to pull, and you can swap batteries for those days when snow keeps falling. It’s a joy to use! We haven’t had much snow this year, but I’m confident it’ll keep my driveway clear of snow and ice for years to come. Thank you, Worx!
Price: $399.99 from WORX, $336.06 from Amazon
Where to buy: WORX and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by WORX
