The Ryobi 18V One+ Snow Shovel Review: Cordless Convenience That Actually Works

If you already own the Ryobi 18V One+ battery system, this snow shovel is a brilliant addition to your arsenal. It completely eliminates the back-breaking labor of clearing sidewalks and small driveways, provided the snow depth stays under 15 cm. It’s light, powerful for its size, and surprisingly effective at tossing powder.

I live in an area where we get the classic “lake effect” snow—often heavy, wet, and annoying. For years, I relied on a corded snow blower (a pain) or just a standard metal shovel (a pain for the back). When Ryobi rolled out the 18V One+ Snow Shovel, I was skeptical. I mean, 18 volts clearing heavy snow? That sounded like a marketing fantasy.

But here’s the thing: I’ve been completely proven wrong. This little powerhouse isn’t designed to clear a football field, but for quick cleanups, pathways, and tackling the dreaded snow plow mound at the end of the driveway, it’s a revelation. In my testing, I found exactly how deep the snow needs to be before you need to switch back to the big equipment, and frankly, that threshold was a lot higher than I initially expected.

Let’s break down why this is now my go-to tool for any snow less than calf-deep.

Performance: How Much Snow Can 18V Actually Handle?

The core question everyone asks about cordless snow tools is simple: Does it have enough grunt? The answer, for the Ryobi RY18ST25A-0, is a qualified yes. This unit uses a single 18V battery to spin an auger that throws the snow up and away.

In our first real snowfall test, we had about 10 cm (4 inches) of fluffy powder. The Ryobi annihilated it. It tossed the snow a good 3 to 4 meters, clearing a path instantly. The key here is the “fluffy” part. The light weight of the unit meant I could zip down the 20-meter driveway in minutes.

Now, let’s talk about the heavy stuff. When the snow got wet and dense—that painful, freezing rain mix—the performance dropped, as expected. I found that 15 cm (6 inches) of dense, heavy snow is the practical limit for this shovel. Pushing past that required slowing way down, almost treating it like a forward-moving shovel rather than a thrower. But even then, it was less exhausting than using a traditional shovel.

Pro Tip:

Don’t try to clear a path that is wider than the 25 cm opening. If you try to bite off half the sidewalk width, the shovel will clog and bog down. Keep the passes neat and straight. Overlapping slightly is fine, but aggressive side-to-side sweeping wastes power and runtime.

Ergonomics and Usability: The Definition of Light Weight

The main selling point of the 18V shovel versus a full-sized 40V or 80V blower is the weight. Without the battery, the shovel is incredibly light. Once you snap in a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah battery, it’s still highly maneuverable, which is essential when you’re clearing awkward steps or tight patio spaces.

The 25 cm (10-inch) clearing width is narrow, but that’s a feature, not a bug. It makes the shovel perfect for quickly clearing decks, stairs, and those narrow walkways between houses. You don’t need a turning radius; you just pivot the handle.

The main handle configuration is great, allowing for a comfortable grip whether you’re pushing forward or pulling back slightly to get the edge of a step. It minimizes the stooping and bending that wrecks your back.

The 18V Ecosystem: Understanding ‘Tool Only’

As the product title clearly states, this unit (RY18ST25A-0) is sold without the battery or charger. This is standard for Ryobi’s massive 18V One+ platform, and it’s why I recommend this tool so highly—but only to those who already own Ryobi gear.

If you’re buying this as your first Ryobi product, you’ll need to factor in the cost of at least one 4.0Ah battery and a charger, which adds significantly to the overall price. However, if you’re like me and have a half-dozen Ryobi batteries lying around, this is a steal.

The battery life is decent for its size. A fully charged 4.0Ah battery gave me between 20 and 25 minutes of continuous use in moderate snow (4–6 inches). That’s enough time to clear a standard two-car driveway and all the surrounding sidewalks. If you need more time, swapping batteries takes literally three seconds. Since I always keep a spare charged in the garage, battery anxiety is nonexistent.

Durability and Build Quality: Designed for Abuse

Ryobi uses tough plastics for the housing and the auger, and that’s smart. Plastic augers are safer than metal blades and handle incidental contact with sidewalk cracks much better. The build feels solid, despite the light weight.

The handle and overall body have withstood accidental drops and bumps against concrete walls without showing any structural weakness. This isn’t a delicate tool; it’s designed to be tossed around the garage and pulled out quickly when the snow flies.

If I have to nitpick, I wish the plastic wear plate on the bottom was slightly tougher or more easily replaceable. While it generally slides smoothly across surfaces, I noticed minor wear after clearing a rough patch of asphalt where the grit was exposed. It doesn’t affect performance yet, but it’s something to keep an eye on over a few seasons.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

The cordless snow shovel market is crowded, especially in the 18V/20V space, where portability is king. The Ryobi 18V competes directly with popular models from brands like Greenworks and Toro. What sets the Ryobi apart is its sheer accessibility for existing One+ users and its excellent balance.

While some 40V systems, like those from Ego or the higher-end Ryobi line, will offer greater throwing distance and handle much deeper snow (10+ inches), they come with a significant weight penalty. The whole point of this 18V shovel is to skip the hassle. It wins on speed and convenience for routine clearing jobs.

It’s not trying to replace your two-stage gas blower; it’s trying to replace your metal shovel. And at that task, it absolutely succeeds.

Verdict & Final Recommendation

The Ryobi 18V One+ Snow Shovel is not a perfect tool for every scenario, but it is the perfect tool for the right scenario. If you live in a climate that sees frequent, moderate snow (say, 4 to 8 inches at a time) and you need to clear a standard sidewalk or a smaller paved area, buy this immediately—especially if you already own the batteries.

It’s the tool I reach for 90% of the time, leaving my heavy, gas-powered beast stored away for only the most brutal storms. It resolved the open loop I mentioned earlier: the absolute limit for effective, pain-free clearing is about 15 cm (6 inches) of dense snow. Anything above that, or anything that is pure slush, will require multiple passes or a heavier machine. But for everything else, this shovel saves the day.

It’s quick, convenient, and truly makes clearing light snow feel effortless. You’ll love skipping the extension cord and the gasoline smell.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the Ryobi 18V Snow Shovel work on gravel or rough surfaces?

I wouldn’t recommend it. While the plastic auger is forgiving, the scraping blade is designed to run close to a smooth surface like concrete or asphalt. On gravel, it will fling small rocks and debris, which can be hazardous and quickly damage the plastic scraper shoe.

How long does the 18V battery last during use?

Runtime depends heavily on the battery capacity and the snow condition. Using a 4.0Ah battery, expect about 20–25 minutes in typical snow. If you are clearing heavy, packed snow continuously, that time might drop closer to 15 minutes. Always have a second battery charged if you have a large area to cover.

Is the Ryobi 18V Snow Shovel loud?

Compared to a gas-powered snow blower, it is incredibly quiet. It emits a pleasant whirring sound, similar to a vacuum cleaner. You can easily use this early in the morning without worrying about waking the neighbors.