No snow in the forecast? Don't worry. You can create a wintry effect this season with these top backyard snow machines.
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Best Snow Machines for the Perfect Outdoor Winter Wonderland
Updated on Mar. 23, 2024
Most of us are dreaming of a white Christmas, but that’s never a guarantee. Planning a holiday party or want to surprise your little ones with a faux winter wonderland? With the best snow machine, you can coat everything in the fluffy white stuff—no holiday magic required!
“We find that most people looking for a non-commercial snow machine are photographers or videographers,” explains a representative from the Backyard Snowstorm team. “We find that events and plays take up a large portion of our artificial snowmaking market. Many users use artificial snow machines to create a winter effect for home use. Kids and neighbors love to see a snow-making effect—especially around the holidays.”
Love the idea of on-demand snow, but uncertain where to begin? Here are the best machines to make fun and fake snow at home, according to our shopping experts:
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Best Overall Snow Machine
Chauvet DJ Snow Machine
Pros:
- Wired timer remote with digital display
- Five-liter tank
- Volume adjustment
- Hanging bracket with mounting hardware included
Cons:
- Customers report the machine uses lots of fluid
The best snow machines are affordable and easy to use. Offering high output in a user-friendly package, the Chauvet DJ Snow Machine lets you recreate a blizzard in your yard—whether or not the temperature is sub-freezing. Simply flip the Hi/Low blower switch to shoot fake snow near or far, using the volume adjustment on the wired remote.
The five-liter tank dispenses the non-toxic, non-flammable and unscented Snow Fluid (sold separately) that’s safe for all environments. You can put on a show with snow! It makes an impressive outdoor holiday decoration.
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Best Indoor Fake Snowflake Machine
Froggy’s Fog Pro Snow Machine
Pros:
- Shoots snow up to 20 feet
- Wireless variable speed remote
- Metal loop for hanging
- Works indoors or outdoors
Cons:
- Noisy operation
Bring the holiday cheer safely to kid parties, school events or family photoshoots with Froggy’s Snow Flake Effects. The 650 watts of power pumps out incredibly realistic flurries at any temperature, any time of year, outdoors or indoors. A brush or vacuum easily picks up the snow—hydrated or dry—when the party’s over.
One Amazon reviewer writes, “If you’re considering a fake snow machine, buy this one! It’s been an amazing value for the money. We purchased this for my son’s fifth birthday party and ended up using it every day of our California winter.”
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Most Quiet Snow-Making Machine
Froggy’s Fog Boreas
Pros:
- Outputs the same dB as the average dishwasher
- Adjustable DMX Output
- Moisture-resistant backlit operations panel
- Includes remote control
Cons:
- Pricey
Did you know many evaporative fake snow machines on the market are super loud? Not the Froggy’s Fog Boreas. It produces either small or large flakes at a full 10 dB below the industry average. Add a little magic to your Christmas light display!
Other features include a variable speed remote, DMX on board with snowflake size and output controls and a small, compact size. While it’s pricier than other models, it’s perfect for folks (or businesses) who plan on hauling it out year after year to enjoy months of the fluffy stuff.
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Best Budget Snow-Making Machine
Seasonal Visions Snow Machine
Pros:
- Very inexpensive
- Easy to operate
- Sprays snow up to eight feet
- Best for indoor use
Cons:
- Noisy
Make your home look like a classic Christmas village set for less. The Seasonal Visions snow machine is an affordable fake snowflake machine that sprays flakes eight feet in the air. It has a one-liter tank and comes with a six-foot power cord for extra control when placing.
One Walmart five-star reviewer writes, “We set this up in a window on the second floor and had a beautiful white Christmas looking out the windows on the first floor. This thing makes it look like a blizzard. Very easy to use. Works great.”
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Best Fake Snow-Making Machine for Big Yards
KYNG Snow Machine
Pros:
- Projection distance of 10-15 feet
- Large, 10-ounce tank capacity
- Wired remote with On/Off controls
- Visual fluid meter
Cons:
- No snow volume controls
The KYNG Snow Machine is perfect for big yards and large venues. It produces up to 2000 cubic feet of snow per minute, yet remains lightweight and easy to use. A visual fluid meter makes it easy to see when the snow machine’s fluid runs low, but that shouldn’t be a problem—the 10-ounce tank capacity lasts through about an hour of continuous use.
What to Consider When Buying a Snow Machine
Snow machines work by compressing liquid and pushing the pressurized liquid through nozzles to atomize it into fine droplets. Portable snow machines typically have controls to adjust the liquid flow, air pressure and other settings to optimize snow production based on the conditions.
Make sure to think about your intended use when picking out a snow machine. Think about how much snow you’ll need to produce and the size of the area you need to cover. Look at the product specs to see the capability of each model. Also, look into how user-friendly the device is and how portable it is. You’ll be moving it around and taking it in and out of storage so make sure it’s lightweight or not so heavy that it’s difficult to maneuver. Safety features such as automatic shut-off, overheat protection and guards over moving parts are other important factors to look for in a snow machine.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’m a culture and lifestyle writer, reviews expert and DIYer covering everything from pests to pool cabanas to painting. Emily Way is an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece.
Way consulted Backyard Snowstorm’s team for information about artificial snow machines. Backyard Snowstorm specializes in both real and artificial snow machines, making them leading experts in artificially produced snow.
Backyard Snowstorm is one of the world leaders in residential snowmaking equipment. With expertise in real and artificial snowmaking, Backyard Snowstorm offers solutions to those looking to create snow for sledding, sculpting, parties, events and more. The Backyard Snowstorm team has years of engineering and snowmaking experience to provide the highest quality snowmakers for residential use.
How We Found the Best Snow Machines
There is no shortage of snow machines on the market, but reliable equipment is few and far between. Our expert shopping team conducted extensive research to ensure each pick on our list is reliable, safe and performs well year after year.
We started by identifying trusted names in the industry. Then, we combed through their machines, paying close attention to features and identifying machines from several different price points. Once we narrowed down our list to the top 10, we looked through real reviews to ensure that each machine stood up to the “real world” test.
The result? Each of the machines on this list is capable of producing a safe, fun and magical winter wonderland for families who need a little extra cheer this year.
FAQ
How much is a snow machine?
Prices can range anywhere from $90 to $1,000 or more. Low-priced models are ideal for once-a-year DIY backyard snow-making, while more expensive ones are recommended for commercial use.
How long does fake snow last for?
The lifespan of fake snow varies with factors like temperature, humidity, surface type and snow composition. In warmer temperatures and high humidity, it tends to melt faster. Thicker layers and certain snow formulations can extend their duration, but artificial snow is generally a temporary solution lasting from a few minutes to several hours, depending on conditions and maintenance efforts.
What are the disadvantages of artificial snow?
Artificial snow from snow machines has drawbacks, including environmental concerns due to high energy and water usage. For some, the quality and aesthetics of artificial snow may not match the natural stuff. Additionally, some folks may find the costs associated with snowmaking equipment a barrier.
