5 Essential Products to Help Weather a Winter Storm

Forget hot cocoa and a blanket—these products could save your life in a serious snowstorm

By Paul Hope

During winter months, each storm brings with it a new round of homeowners flooding home-improvement centers in search of generators, flashlights, and just about anything else that can help with prolonged cold spells and periodic power outages.

And ultimately, the eve of a storm is a terrible time to shop for cold-climate essentials. "The period leading up to—and immediately after—a bad storm tends to be the worst time to shop for essentials like generators and snow blowers," says Courtney Pennicooke, CR’s market analyst who oversees outdoor power equipment and generators.

Instead, seize any lull in bad weather to make informed purchases on the gear you’ll need most when clouds turn gray.

Here, we’ve compiled the five items that CR’s experts consider to be essential for weathering a bad winter storm—and, for each product category, top-rated picks from our tests, listed in alphabetical order. To learn more about each, you can see our buying guides for generators, chainsaws, space heaters, snow blowers, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. CR members can also jump to our ratings of generators, chainsaws, space heaters, snow blowers, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

For the models below, we kept price in mind, too. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get your home ready for a winter storm.

Generator

If you live in an area prone to power outages, consider a home standby generator. These are generally more expensive, but they can run on your home’s natural gas supply, or on propane for up to 13 days. Natural gas versions run indefinitely. Opt for a licensed electrician, who should connect it to your home’s electrical panel using a transfer switch.

Alternately, a portable generator can save you several thousand dollars. Consumer Reports recommends only models with integrated safety technology, including an emergency carbon monoxide shutoff that disables the machine when it’s used indoors or in an enclosed space.

Even with this potentially life-saving safety feature, it’s crucial that you use a portable generator only outdoors, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust directed away from any windows or doors.

You’ll want to hire a pro to connect your portable generator using a transfer switch. But in a pinch, we walk through how to get your generator safely up and running during an outage until you have it installed professionally.

Here, two stellar home standby generators and two portable generators that earn CR Recommended status, both because of their life-saving safety features and solid all-around performance during an outage.

Home Standby Generators

Champion 100179

The Champion 100179 is a larger standby generator suited for most homes. It earns top ratings for power delivery and power quality. That means it delivers ample power reliably, handling occasional surges in demand—like when your refrigerator’s compressor kicks on—without dropping voltage. It’s nicely designed, too, with smooth-opening doors that let you access various parts, including the internal breaker, for maintenance. A transfer switch needed for installation is included in the price.

Output: 12,500 watts (propane); 11,000 watts (natural gas)

Average run time: 198 hours (on propane)

Cummins RS13A

The Cummins RS13A is a standout performer. Like the Champion above, it produces ample and reliable power. And it’s one of the few models rated for an impressive 13,000 watts, regardless of whether it’s connected to natural gas or propane. That’s significant because most models don’t produce as much power when they’re powered by natural gas. You’ll find this brand at specialty dealers.

Output: 13,000 watts (propane or natural gas)

Average run time: 177 hours (on propane)

Portable Generators

Generac XT8500EFI

The Generac XT8500EFI delivers an impressive 8,500 watts of power, more than any other portable model in our ratings, and it excels in our crucial tests for both power delivery and power quality. It has five outlets and an electric start, as well as an automatic CO safety shutoff. Its brandmate, the Generac GP8000E COSENSE 50ST, performs the same in our tests but has a slightly smaller 8,000-watt capacity. The GP8000E also has a shutoff valve to keep fuel from moving through the fuel system when the unit isn’t running (which would potentially cause issues when storing the unit).

DuroMax XP10000HX

The dual-fuel DuroMax XP10000HX generator is unusual in that it can run on either gasoline or liquid propane. That gives you another fuel option when gas may be scarce, like in a hurricane or other widespread emergency, and liquid propane can run cleaner than gas, says Dave Trezza, who heads CR’s generator testing program, so there’s less chance of a clogged fuel system after the generator sits idle for a while. With gasoline, the DuroMax produces an impressive 8,000 watts of peak power, running for 10 to 17 hours. On propane, it produces 7,600 watts, with the run time varying based on the size of your tank. In our tests, the generator delivered clean, reliable power, earning top marks for both power delivery and power quality. This model has a CO safety shutoff.

Snow Blower

If the allure of easily removing snow from your driveway hasn’t motivated you to buy a snow blower, try thinking of it as a safety tool.

In a serious winter storm, you’ll be glad you have a snow blower, which can easily clear a path to your car, not to mention make it possible to pull out of your driveway once the plows have passed.

Below, the best snow blowers to clear a path quickly.

3-Stage Gas

See our complete ratings of three-stage gas snow blowers.

Cub Cadet 3X 30" HD

Despite being the widest three-stage gas snow blower we’ve tested, the Cub Cadet 3X 30-inch HD is easy to maneuver in deep snow and earns an excellent score for controls. Like every three-stage model we’ve evaluated, it’s no slouch when it comes to performance, either, grinding through simulated snow and hurling it far with ease. Cub Cadet gas snow blowers are above par in terms of owner satisfaction based on Consumer Reports’ member surveys, but the brand manages just an average predicted reliability rating.

Troy-Bilt Vortex 2610

The Troy-Bilt Vortex 2610 is great at snow clearing, nailing our plow pile removal and removal speed tests. The model also does well at maneuvering and handling, with easy-to-use single-hand controls. It comes with an electric start, multiple speeds, and heated handgrips. One downside: It’s quite loud, so hearing protection is a must. Based on our member surveys, Troy-Bilt gas snow blowers earn an above-par owner satisfaction rating and a midtier score for predicted reliability.

Two-Stage

See our complete ratings of two-stage gas snow blowers.

Toro 38842

The Toro 38842 snow blower clears snow just as well as any two- or three-stage blower. It aces our tests for removal speed, throwing distance, plow pile removal, and handling. And with its heated handgrips, freewheel steering, and headlight, it receives an excellent score in our controls category. This model also earns near-top-level marks for surface cleaning.

Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI

The Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI earns our top ratings for the most critical tasks: moving lots of snow off your driveway quickly and clearing the dense mountains of slush and snow the street-clearing crews leave behind. Details like the heated handgrips and headlight are gravy. As with other powerful machines in this category, the Ariens is a noisy beast that requires hearing protection. Unlike some competitors, it lacks freewheel turning, which makes a snow blower easier to maneuver. The Ariens is also a bit old-school when it’s time to adjust the chute that controls where the snow is thrown. While some snow blowers let you use a joystick for that task, this machine involves some cranking and manual fiddling.

Single-Stage Gas

See our complete ratings of single-stage gas snow blowers.

Toro Power Clear 821 QZE 38757

The Toro Power Clear 821 QZE 38757 is the best single-stage snow blower in our ratings. It has the engine of a larger two-stage blower but on a smaller 21-inch frame. That makes it uniquely positioned to tackle smaller snowfalls with impressive speed. Toro’s gas snow blowers earn exceptional ratings for owner satisfaction and predicted reliability in CR’s member surveys.

Toro 824 QXE 36003

The Toro 824 QXE 36003 is a stellar performer in our tests, clearing exceptionally well and quickly, too. It has multiple speeds, an electric start, and single-lever chute adjustment but lacks heated handgrips and a headlight. 

Space Heater

If the power goes out and you’re relying on a generator, a space heater will let you hunker down in a single room and stay warm while using considerably less energy than an electric heat pump or furnace, both of which heat your whole house.

If you heat your home with gas or propane or another heating source, skip the space heater in favor of your furnace. And if you rely on propane, heating oil, or wood pellets and a bad storm makes the roads impassable but doesn’t knock out the power, use the heater to stay warm and toasty while you wait for your next delivery.

We’ve rounded up three top-rated space heaters from our ratings.

See our complete ratings of space heaters.

Comfort Zone CZ499R

The Comfort Zone CZ499R boasts top-notch performance, earning excellent scores in our tests for room heating and warming an individual in front of it. The small machine’s controls are easy to use, the fan can run at multiple speeds, and its low price is a bonus. It also comes with a remote. One caveat, though: This model receives an unimpressive score in our hot-surface test, meaning that touching the heat exhaust outlet can cause pain or a burn when it’s operating on its highest setting. With that in mind, be careful with the Comfort Zone in a household with young kids or pets who may accidentally touch it.

Dyson Pure Hot+Cool (HP04)

The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HP04 is by far the most expensive space heater in our ratings. For that price, you get a stylish, lightweight heater with lots of features, including WiFi connectivity. In our tests, it earns excellent ratings for room and spot-heating as well as fire safety. It also gets top marks in our ease-of-use test, which assesses how simple the controls are to use and how easy the unit is to move. It gets just middling scores on both our noise and hot-surface tests, so if those are concerns, you can find a model that heats just as well, costs less, and doesn’t have those shortcomings.

Lasko AW315 Bladeless Tower (Home Depot)

The Lasko AW315 is adept at heating a room and directing heat at one person, earning excellent ratings on both tests. Its slim profile sets it apart from many space heaters, and its small footprint allows you to put it almost anywhere. (It comes with a remote, too.) It also gets very good scores in our fire-safety and hot-surface tests, meaning it’s not likely to ignite nearby fabrics and it stays relatively cool to the touch. It’s pretty quiet, too. But it lacks a tip-over safety switch.

Chainsaw

Heavy snow and ice can down branches long after a storm has passed. That’s one of the struggles faced by utility workers as they attempt to restore power after a storm. So take a hint from them and buy and use a chainsaw before a winter storm hits.

Not only will you get to choose from top-performing models, but by being proactive and trimming precarious limbs before a storm, you’ll also minimize damage to your home during snowfall and avoid the tedious yard cleanup after.

Below, stellar gas and battery chainsaws for quickly clearing limbs.

Gas

See our complete ratings of gas chainsaws.

Echo CS-590-20

This heavy-duty gas saw is best for big properties with lots of mature trees—but only in skilled hands. The Echo CS-590-20 beats out most other saws in our tests for cutting speed. Handling is only average, in part because, at almost 17 pounds, it’s so heavy and because the 20-inch cutting bar (very few consumer saws exceed 16 inches) makes it unwieldy. Like many brands in our ratings, Echo received a middling score for predicted reliability in terms of gas chainsaws, but this particular tool has a long five-year warranty, which is the longest you’ll find on most chainsaws of any type.

Stihl MS 250

Nipping at the heels of the Echo above is this stellar gas chainsaw from Stihl, which is several pounds lighter. Like the Echo, it earns an impressive rating for cutting speed, plowing through our oak beams with relative ease. In addition to safety features like a chain brake and metal bucking spikes, this chainsaw has an anti-vibration mechanism, which improves handling and makes for easier cutting. (It helps that the bar length is 18 inches as opposed to the Echo’s 20, as well.) Stihl earns a midrange rating for predicted reliability. This model comes with a two-year warranty.

Battery

See our complete ratings of battery chainsaws.

Ego CS2005

The Ego CS2005 is not only the single best-scoring chainsaw in our ratings but also a testament to just how far battery saws have come. A decade ago, few battery models opted for anything longer than a 12-inch cutting bar. This Ego boasts a massive 20-inch cutting bar, putting it on a par with the saws used by some professional tree services. And it has the power to back it up. This model earns the top score for cutting speed and handling, and impressive marks elsewhere. Be warned, that size and power come at a cost: It weighs a staggering 19.1 pounds. Ego battery chainsaws earn top marks for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. This saw comes with a five-year warranty.

Senix CSX6-M

For many, the Senix CSX6-M is the logical choice if you want a midsized battery saw and don’t need to buy into a whole platform of battery tools. We say that because Senix doesn’t have the same robust platform of battery tools that you’ll find from bigger brands like Ego, Greenworks, and Ryobi. It packs plenty of power and gets top marks for cutting speed, safety, and handling. At 14.7 pounds, it’s a tad heavier than some other saws of its size. We don’t yet have enough data to rate Senix battery chainsaws for predicted reliability or owner satisfaction, but this model comes with a five-year warranty.

Smoke & CO Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

All three are safety essentials, but the unusual risks posed by weathering a winter storm power outage make them even more important.

Burning candles for light, operating a generator, or using a space heater can all increase the chances you’ll need one of these life-saving devices.

Here, standout smoke, CO, and combination alarms.

Smoke

See our complete ratings of smoke alarms.

Kidde RF-SM-DC

Kidde PI2010

Carbon Monoxide

See our complete ratings of carbon monoxide detectors.

First Alert OneLink SCO501CN

First Alert OneLink CO511B

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide

See our complete ratings of smoke & carbon monoxide detectors.

Kidde i12010SCO

Kidde P4010DCSCO-W (Battery)

Smoke Detectors 101

Your life could depend on a smoke detector actually detecting smoke. On the "Consumer 101" TV show, Consumer Reports expert Bernie Deitrick explains to host Jack Rico what you need to know about these lifesaving devices.

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