The 5 best gadgets to beat winter storms, according to Consumer Reports

If you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who were just inundated with snow, you might be wondering how you can be better prepared for the next storm.

Good thing Consumer Reports has you covered. It created a list of five “essential” products that its experts believe can help you weather a winter storm.

Continue reading to see which products made its list and why.

George Frey / Stringer / Getty Images

If you're surrounded by trees or living in an area where you often lose power, you'll want to have a generator nearby during a storm. Consumer Reports recommends installing a home standby generation — and we’ve already compiled its recommendations for the best ones. Just don’t try installing such a device yourself, unless it’s what you do for a living. CR strongly recommends hiring a professional to help put one in.

A portable generator is a great option too, and could save you lots of money. You just need to have room to operate it a minimum of 20 feet away from your home.

Keep Reading: The best generators, according to Consumer Reports

Scott Eisen / Stringer / Getty Images

Snow blowers also don’t come cheap, but they can make a huge difference if you're clearing your own driveway. And if you’re older, blowers are important to have so you don’t actually injure yourself — or worse — have to shovel snow.

CR recommends the Cub Cadet 3X 30" HD, which retails for $2,000. It says the model is easy to maneuver and has excellent controls.

Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images

Space heaters are great to have on hand if you’re using a generator and the power goes out. This way, you can keep one room warm without burning through fuel to heat the whole house. Plus, sometimes in really cold temperatures, your heating system needs some extra help. 

CR said space heaters should be placed on hard, level, nonflammable surfaces — and they aren't meant to be put on tables. You also need to keep them away from kids, pets, and anything combustible, including furniture, bedding, and curtains. And don’t use the outlet the heater is plugged into for anything else.

Farm Images / Contributor / Getty Images

It might seem like overkill, but if your yard or driveway is covered in downed branches after a big storm, you may need a chainsaw if you want to handle it yourself. Luckily, they aren’t as expensive as some other tools on the list. CR recommends a battery-operated one, the Senix CSX6-M, which costs around $200.

Smith Collection/Gado / Contributor / Getty Images

Whether you are burning a fire to stay warm or running a generator, you want to minimize risk by having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Check them before the snow hits, too, so you can know if you need new batteries before you’re snowed in.