For many years I had been using a power shovel that was tethered to not A/C power outlet. Snow does not mean you have to stay at home. There are times you have to get out. When you use a power shovel it may be just snow when you start. But the weather changes over to rain. This has happened to me many times.. Being hooked up to an A/C power supply made me very nervous. Also the power cord was always getting in the way. The SnowJoe removed many of those worries and did the job with out any of those concerns! With it being small enough to take with me in my van and having it's own power. All the time if the battery has power. Makes it portable to go and help others with simmer problems. And not hurting my back with all the lifting of a manual shovel!