Which Snow Blower Brand Is Best For You?

Buying a new snow blower for most of us is a major investment. We want the snow blower to do the best job for us and we want it to last. We know that a snow blower is going to need maintenance and repair over its life because it is a mechanical device and we don’t always know what’s hidden in that wonderful blanket of snow.  So just like a car so we really want a brand we can trust and a repair/parts network that can supply the needed parts for years to come.

Part of your buying decision criteria is deciding on the amount of money you want to spend, the amount of snow you typically get, the reliability of the service/parts network, and how long you want the snow blower to last. Each brand sells snow blowers that meet one or all of these criteria.

This article is going to take a quick, impartial look at the major brands of gas-powered snow blowers to help you narrow down the best snow blower for you. I will list the brands by popularity.

Ariens/Sno-Tek:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: Ariens has been making their own snow blowers since the beginning. They own their own factories, distribution, and parts networks. They manufacture many models and have the most complete line of snow blowers available. They offer a price/quality range for just about every buyer including the commercial buyer. Ariens is always worth reviewing when deciding to buy a new snow blower.

Ariens has four separate lines of snow blowers that range from one of the least expensive to the heaviest duty on the market.

Economy – Sno-Tek – If you want the least expensive snowblower made by Ariens this is it. It only comes in a 24-inch solid axle version and works well for small driveways that get 2 to 10 inches of snow.

Residential – Classic, Compact – If you live in the Midwest and don’t need power steering this is a good choice. Both the Classic and Compact Models will handle 2-14 inches and deeper snows well. They are very competitive with the other residential snow blowers on the market in features, quality and price.

Heavy Duty – Deluxe, Platinum, SHO – This is the Ariens line that is advertised as the snow blower you can put in your will. The line has three steps. Deluxe – a great basic heavy-duty snow blower with power steering and won’t plug on heavy, wet snow. Platinum – All the features you can get on a snow blower including hand warmers plus more power for areas that get more snow. SHO – These snow blowers are the best choice if you get a lot of snow. High output, high horsepower, heavy-duty and the longest throwing distances in the industry.

Commercial – The Pro 2-stage snow blowers are the heaviest duty snow blowers on the market. Built to work all day long for years and years.

Path Pro. The single stage Ariens Path Pro snow throwers are designed for the professional user. Easy to work on open design and have guards to protect the engine.

Commercial Pro. All metal single stage designed for the hundreds of times you take commercial users take their snow blower in and out of your pick-up. This is arguably the toughest single stage snow thrower on the market.

Tracked  – Ariens offers tracked snow blowers in the Deluxe, and Pro lines. Track drive snow blowers work really well for rough terrain. The new Rapid-Trak Pro versions are fast!

Power Brush: Walk-behind powered brushes are a great choice for sidewalks and other areas that need to be cleaned completely of snow. Walk-behind power brushes can also be used for other tasks like fall clean-up and dethatching lawns. Ariens has 3 different commercial models.

Tractor attachments – None

Retail/Online: If you want to buy online Home Depot is the primary online retailer for Ariens. They carry the Sno-Tek, Compact and Deluxe lines.

Dealer Network: Ariens has one of the largest independent dealer networks. Every model that Ariens makes is available through the dealer network. There is a very good chance you will be able to find an Ariens dealer near you. All dealers are capable and willing to service and repair your Ariens – even if you bought it somewhere else. To locate your nearest dealer use this link: Ariens Dealer Locator

Repair Network: All repairs are done through the independent dealers. If you purchase from The Home Depot warranty work, parts, service, and repairs are done through your local dealer. To locate you nearest dealer use this link: Ariens Dealer Locator

Parts Availability: All repair and maintenance parts are obtained through the independent dealer network. To locate your nearest dealer use this link: Ariens Dealer Locator

Toro:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: I believe Toro has been making walk-behind snow blowers longer than anyone else. Their current machines including both the single stage and the 2-stage snow blowers are some of the most dependable made.  Toro is the only brand that uses a one-piece frame and no shear pins on the 2-stage snow blowers.

Economy: Toro is not making an economy/cheap snow blower. But the new SnowMaster models fit into the price range of the other economy snow blowers.  All of their machines are designed to last for many years.

Residential: The Power Max line is one of the “standards” I compare all of the other residential snow blowers against.  The machines are simple to use and will last a very long time.

Heavy Duty: The Power Max HD line is equal or better than all of the other heavy-duty snow blowers on the market. If you get heavy, wet snow or lots of it the HD models are always a good choice.

Commercial: Toro does not have a separate commercial line (except for one single stage and one 2-stage) but does point out on their website the best models for Professional Contractors.

Tracked: Toro does not have a tracked walk-behind snow blower but they do have a zero-turn that converts into a tracked unit. Groundsmaster 7200

Brush:  Toro has one 36 inch all season commercial power broom.

Tractor Attachments: None. But they do have high-capacity snow blowers available for some of the commercial/municipal zero-turn mowers.

Retail: Home Depot

Online: Home Depot

Dealer Network: One of the largest independent dealer networks. Toro Dealer, Parts, Service Locator

Repair Network: All repairs are done through the independent dealers. Toro Dealer, Parts, Service Locator

Parts Availability: All repairs are obtained through the independent dealers. Toro Dealer, Parts, Service Locator

Craftsman/Craftsman Pro:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: Craftsman/Sears has been selling snow blowers since the beginning and primarily markets to the economy and residential buyer.  They are arguably the most popular and well know brand.  If you live in an area that gets 80 inches or less snow a year I suggest you put a Craftsman at the top of your list. This area includes most parts of the Midwest, Northwest and mid-Atlantic.  Craftsman has their snow blowers manufactured for them but they own their own repair, distribution and parts networks.

Economy – Gray – Economy Craftsman snow blowers are painted gray. They are designed to move 2 to 10 inches of snow well but lack all the extra features you may want like power steering, lights, and high-capacity discharge chutes.

Residential – Red or Black – Craftsman has the largest selection of affordable snow blowers for you.  The range from the “best value” Craftsman 88173 to the 30 inch 88396 that will handle your large residential driveway. They are great residential machines and they will last you many years.

Heavy Duty – Black with Yellow Trim – Craftsman Pro line. These snow blowers have the extra features like 14-inch impellers or 3-stage augers and high horsepower engines.

Commercial, Tracked and Brush: Craftsman currently does not offer commercial or tracked snow blowers. They also don’t have a powered brush.

Tractor attachments: Craftsman has always been the leader for tractor mounted snow blowers. They currently have a 42 and 50-inch model that will install on the Craftsman Yard Tractors, Craftsman Garden Tractors and Craftsman Pro Tractors. They also have snow blades, weights, chains and tractor cabs. Note: The current model 42 inch snow blower will fit any Craftsman made after 2005!

Retail: Craftsman snow blowers are sold at Sears Full Line Stores, independently owned Sears Hometown Stores and independently owned  Sears Outlet Stores. In addition, many ACE hardware stores carry the more popular snow blowers (The ACE warranty/repair is different from the Sears/Craftsman warranty)

Online: All Craftsman Snow Blowers are easily available to order online 24/7 through sears.com. In fact, sears.com is the preferred method to buy and most of the time sears.com have additional discounts or incentives over buying at a store. Order online and you can have the snow blower delivered ready to go to you home or order it online and pick it up at your local Sears retailer.

Dealer Network: None. Yes, the independently owned Sears Hometown Stores call themselves dealers but they are by definition a retail store. They don’t have service department out back and don’t carry paarts in stock like a lawn and garden dealer typically would.

Repair Network: Sears/Craftsman is the largest residential service provider in the nation and a major advantage for you is you never have to bring your two-stage snow blower anywhere to have it repaired. Sears techs are mobile and always come right to your home to service and repair your snow blower. You can call anytime day or night and schedule a repair at 1-800-4MY-HOME.

Parts Availability: Parts are available 24/7 by Internet and phone through Sears PartsDirect . You don’t have to take time off of work and drive to a dealer to order parts. If you don’t like to order online you can also get assistance at any Sears or Sears Hometown store. The parts are shipped directly to your home. Order your parts at Sears PartsDirect or call 1-800-4MY-HOME.

Cub Cadet:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: Cub Cadet is one of the brands that is owned by MTD and is their premier brand. Cub Cadet always has the largest selection and the most features of all the MTD made snow blowers. Cub Cadet is marketed towards the discerning buyer who wants a long-lasting machine. Cub Cadet has also been around since the beginning and use their own dealer and parts networks.

Economy: MTD does not market inexpensive, minimum featured models under the Cub Cadet brand.

Residential: All Cub Cadet snow blowers are able to handle your residential driveway.   I recommend the 2X models for your typical midwestern snow falls and the 3X models are capable of handling areas that have heavy, deep snows all winter long.

Heavy Duty: Cub Cadet does not specifically market using the term heavy-duty but the 3X HD models (yellow all-metal chutes) have bigger chutes and higher capacity. The high-capacity snow blowers are very comparable to the other brands’ heavy-duty models.

Commercial: Cub Cadet does not have a separate commercial line but does offer a one-year commercial warranty on all their products.

Tracked and Brush: Cub Cadet offers tracked 3X snow blowers. They do not offer a power brush.

Tractor attachments: Cub Cadet offers one 3X front mounted snow blower for their lawn and garden tractors.

Retail: Cub Cadet offers many of their models through Home Depot, Tractor Supply, and a few local Farm Stores. The more popular models are on display and available to purchase today at your local retailer.

Online: Through The Home Depot all of the 1X, 2X, and 3X models are available to order. (The 3X HD are dealer exclusive)

Dealer Network: One of the largest independent dealer networks. To locate your nearest dealer use this link: Cub Cadet Dealer Locator

Repair Network: All repairs are done through the independent dealers. To locate your nearest dealer use this link: Cub Cadet Dealer Locator

Parts Availability: All repairs are obtained through the independent dealers. To locate your nearest dealer use this link: Cub Cadet Dealer Locator

Honda:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: Honda Power Equipment has moved their snow blower manufacturing to the U.S. The new models have changed considerably and now have some of the standard features that other brands have had for years. Power steering and electric chute control are now standard on all models. I have been waiting for an infinitely adjustable height control on the tracked units for years…. It looks like their new system will work well.

Economy: None. In fact, Honda 2-stage snow blowers are the most expensive on the market.

Residential/Heavy Duty/Commercial: Honda does not specify if the snow blowers are residential or heavy-duty. The only recognizable term they use is the engines are commercial grade.

Tracked: Honda has three models of tracked snow blowers.

Brush: None

Tractor Attachments: None

Retail: The dealer locator was broke on their site so at this time I don’t have the complete picture as to where to buy, parts and repair. I’ll add the info later. A few retailers including The Home Depot and ACME Tools have picked up parts of the Honda line.

Online: The single stage snow throwers are widely available online.

Dealer Network: The dealer locator was broke on their site so at this time I don’t have the complete picture as to where to buy, parts and repair. I’ll add the info later.

Repair Network:

Parts Availability:

Husqvarna:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: Husqvarna recently re-engineered their entire snow blower line-up and now has a quality residential and a quality heavy-duty line.

Economy: Like MTD – Husqvarna builds snow blowers under different names and for different retailers. Husqvarna markets to the economy buyer using the Poulan Pro name. The Poulan Pro snow blowers have fewer features than the Husqvarna’s but have the same engineering and dependability of the orange machines.

Residential: The ST200 series is designed for residential use. These snow blowers feature a unique height adjustable handlebar, HID LED lighting and great engines.

Heavy Duty: The ST300 series is designed for larger areas and heavy-duty use. It compares favorably to all the other heavy-duty units on the market.

Commercial: None

Tracked and Brush: The ST330T 30 inch tracked snow blower is one of the most powerful tracked snow blowers on the market today. They don’t make a walk-behind brush for the North American market.

Tractor attachments: Husqvarna has a full range of mounted snow blowers for their lawn tractors, garden tractors, and articulated riders.

Retail: You can purchase Husqvarna Snow Blowers through many retail outlets including many Sears Hometown stores. Other retailers like Northern Tool also offer Husqvarna snow blowers online. The selection varies by retailer.

Online: Amazon is becoming one of the best places to purchase a Husqvarna snow blower. Amazon itself is carrying the ST200 series with free delivery to your door and their famous A-Z guarantee.  Independent dealers are offering the ST300 series through Amazon.

Dealer Network: One of the largest independent dealer networks. To locate you nearest dealer use this link: Husqvarna Dealer Locator

Repair Network: All repairs are done through the independent dealers. To locate you nearest dealer use this link: Husqvarna Dealer Locator

Parts Availability: All repair and maintenance parts are obtained through the independent dealers. To locate you nearest dealer use this link: Husqvarna Dealer Locator

Power Smart:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: Powersmart is one of the names used by Amerisun, Inc to market snow blowers in the U.S. A lot of people are drawn to the cheap price.

Economy: Amerisun only offers economy snow blowers.

Retail: I am not aware of anyretailers stocking this brand in the store. The are widely available online. WATCH the shipping fees!

Online: Powersmart is widely available online. Just about every website that sells lawn and garden equipment offers these snow blowers to order and have delivered to your home. WATCH the shipping fees!

Dealer Network: I am not aware of any lawn equipment dealers stocking this brand.

Repair Network: Amerisun Owners Center

Parts Availability: Amerisun Owners Center

Poulan Pro:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: Poulan Pro is Husqvarna’s line of economy/residential snow blowers. They use the same basic housings and transmissions as the ST200 series but don’t have the high-end features like power steering, wrap around handles and heated hand grips.

Retail: The Poulan Pro snow blowers are sold at many retailers including The Home Depot.

Online: One of the major places to buy Poulan Pro is through Amazon. Amazon sells them directly and offers free delivery with their A-Z guarantee on many models.

Dealer Network: The dealer network is very spotty. You can find many dealers using the dealer locator tool but not all dealers carry all the models. Poulan Pro Dealers

Repair Network: The repair network is very good. Use the dealer locator to find repairs. Poulan Pro Dealers

Parts Availability: The parts network is very good.  Most Husqvarna dealers will also order parts. Use the dealer locator to find repairs. Poulan Pro Dealers

Simplicity/Briggs & Statton:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: Simplicity snow blowers have been around for a long time and depending on the model have been some of the most reliable snow blowers on the market. They are the only brands that use Briggs & Stratton engines on all of their machines. The quality of the heavy-duty units are a good as any other brand.

Economy: Briggs markets economy snow blowers under the Briggs & Stratton brand.

Residential: Briggs markets a line of residential snow blowers under the Simplicity and Briggs & Stratton brand names

Heavy Duty: Briggs markets a line of heavy-duty snow blowers under the Simplicity and Briggs & Stratton brand names

Commercial: Briggs markets a professional snow blower under the Simplicity and Briggs & Stratton brand names

Tracked and Brush: None

Tractor attachments: None

Retail: Very few of the major retailers have Simplicity and Briggs & Stratton snow blowers on display but many have them available to order online.

Online: Briggs & Stratton and Simplicity snow blowers are readily available through a number of online retailers including  Amazon.

Dealer Network: Large independent dealer networks.

Repair Network: All repairs are done through the independent dealers

Parts Availability: All parts are obtained through the independent dealers

Troy-Bilt:

 Quality of Snow Blowers: For many years Troy-Bilt was the residential division of MTD (Cub Cadet was heavy-duty and Yard Machines was the economy line) but in the last 3 years it appears the brand is becoming a Lowes exclusive brand and the line now carries both economy and residential snow blowers.

Economy: Troy-Bilt has a full range of snow blowers available including a few of the least expensive snow blowers. If the price is your major deciding factor always pick a Troy-Bilt over a Chinese built brand.

Residential Troy-Bilt has a full range of snow blowers available including the three stage residential models

Heavy Duty: Troy-Bilt does not break out a heavy-duty segment. They currently don’t have a HD version like the Cub Cadet 3X HD models (yellow metal chute).

Commercial: None

Tracked: Troy-Bilt has tracked 2-stage snow blowers available.

Brush: None

Tractor attachments: Troy-Bilt has a tractor mounted snow blower specifically for the Troy-Bilt lawn tractors.

Retail: The primary retailer is Lowes

Online: Troy-Bilt snow blowers are all available to order on the Troy-Bilt website. In addition many online websites including Amazon have many models available.

Dealer Network: The dealer network is spotty. Use the Where to buy tab at Troy-Bilt website to find a dealer near you.

Repair Network: Use the service tab at Troy-Bilt website to find a dealer near you.

Parts Availability:Use the service tab at Troy-Bilt website to find a dealer near you.

Yardman/Yard Machines/MTD/MTD Pro/MTD Gold/Remington/Huskee:

Quality of Snow Blowers: If you go into your local grocery store for a can of peas you will be amazed at the number of different brands on the shelf. In addition to the canned versions there are three or four different brands of frozen peas over in the freezer section of the store. In reality, the peas most likely came out of the same fields and were packaged in the same factory. The only real difference is the name on the package and color of the container they are in. Today’s retailers want their own brands so they can say their products are “different” from the competition. Many retailers also want their own exclusive brand so they don’t have to price match other retailers.

MTD does this with snow blowers. Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and Yard Machines are their three primary brands but they will also paint and label their snow blowers in any color you want. They will also add or remove features to help you meet a price point or quality level for the customers that shop at your store. Yardman/Yard Machines/MTD/MTD Pro/MTD Gold/Remington are all names MTD uses for this. Huskee (Tractor Supply Company) is a good example of a snow blower specifically spec’d for a retailer.

Economy/Residential: Depending on the retailer any of these brands may be an economy or residential grade model. It is very hard to figure it out without actually looking at the parts numbers of the individual components in the machines. 

One good thing about these snow blowers. They are all manufactured here in the U.S. If the price is your major deciding factor always pick one of these brands over a Chinese built brand. 

Heavy Duty: None

Commercial: None

Tracked and Brush: None

Tractor attachments: None

Retail: Depending on the brand and the year these brands have been seen at WalMart, Lowes, Menards, Sears, Home Depot, your local hardware store and just about any place else that ever thought about selling snow blowers.

Online: These brands are widely available online at many retailers including Amazon, WalMart, Home Depot and a hundred other sites.

Dealer Network: No specific dealer network. These brands are primarily sold at retailers and local farm supply and hardware stores.

Repair Network: Large independent repair network. Go to the Yard Machines website to locate a repair center.

Parts Availability: Parts are available through the repair centers but you should also be able to go to any Troy-Bilt or Cub Cadet dealer and they should be able to assist you in finding the parts. Make sure you bring you the model and serial number information for your specific snow blower.

Other Brands.

There are a hundred or more Chinese snow blower manufactures trying to get into the U.S. market.

Feel free to ask in the comment section below my opinion of a brand not listed here.