“Best” means different things to different people. Some of you ask Google, “What is the best snow blower for me*?” Some of you look at Amazon’s best-selling snow blowers, while others read every word of Consumer Reports Recommended List.
Here is a list of the most common questions that people have asked over the last three years to help them find the best snow blower. Take your time and read through the questions. I’ve also included a suggestion for a snow blower that will work well in that situation. It’s just a suggestion based on experience so feel free to continue the discussion in the comments below if you have a different snow blower in mind.
Finding the “Best” snow blower for you can be an overwhelming task. You have over 400 gas and electric snow blowers available in the U.S. In addition, different parts of the country have different amounts of snow, get different types of snow and each one of you has a different size area and type of surface to clean so some snow blowers may work for you but many won’t. But, MovingSnow is here to help.
What is the best snow blower for me?
NOTE: Links to retail sites are affiliate links. When you click on the link and buy something from that site I make a small commission from that sale.
Yes, There really is a snow blower built for you. You may also want to read this article to after reading this list: Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS
How did you like the list? Please let me know in the comment section below?
- MovingSnow’s Choice of Best Snow Blower – The 20 Best Snow Blower List
- Best cheap 24-inch snow blower – Best Cheap 2-Stage Snow Blowers 2018-2019
- Best value 24-inch snowblower without power steering for most people – Ariens Compact 24 or Toro 824 OE
- Best value snow blower without power steering – Troy-Bilt Storm 2860 28 in. 243cc
- Best value snow blower with power steering for most people – There are four – Troy-Bilt Storm 2890 | Toro Power Max 826 OXE 37799 | Ariens Deluxe 28 921046 | Cub Cadet 2X 28″ HP
- Best 24-inch Residential Snow Blower on the Market – Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI
- Best 26-inch Residential Snow Blower on the Market – Cub Cadet 2X 26 HP | Toro Power Max 826 OXE 37799
- Best 28-inch Residential Snow Blower on the Market – Ariens Platinum 28 SHO RapidTrak
- Best 30-inch Residential Snow Blower on the Market – Ariens Platinum 30 SHO
- Best Value Single Stage Residential Snow Blower – Toro Power Clear 721 E 21 in.
- MovingSnow’s Choice of Best Single Stage Residential Snow Blower – Troy-Bilt Squall XP 21 in. 208cc
- MovingSnow’s Choice of Best Single Stage Residential Snow Blower for most people – Toro SnowMaster
- MovingSnow’s Choice of Best Single Stage Commercial Snow Blower – Ariens Commercial SS 21 in. 208cc
- MovingSnow’s Choice of Best 2-Stage Snow Blower for most people – Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO
- MovingSnow’s Choice of Best 3-Stage Snow Blower for most people – Cub Cadet 3X 28
- MovingSnow’s Choice of Best Cordless Single Stage Electric Snow Thrower – Right now there is none that I can recommend.
- MovingSnow’s Choice of Best Cordless 2-Stage Electric Snow Thrower – Snow Joe ION8024-XRP 24-Inch
- Easiest To Use Snow Blower – Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE
- Easiest To Use 2-Stage Snow Blower – Cub Cadet 2X 24 | Craftsman 88640 24 | Husqvarna ST224P
- Easiest To Use Large Frame Snow Blower – Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30 in. | Ariens Deluxe 28 | Toro 928 Model 38840
- Best Snow Blower for a small driveway – Troy-Bilt Storm 2460
- Best Snow Blower for 2 car, 60-foot driveway – Husqvarna ST224P | Ariens Compact 24 in. | Troy-Bilt Storm 2460
- Best Snow Blower for 2 car, 80-foot driveway – Troy-Bilt | Cub Cadet |Ariens Deluxe 28 |
- Best Snow Blower for 2 car, 100-foot or longer – Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30 in. | Ariens Deluxe 28 | Toro 928 Model 38840
- Best Snow 2-Stage Blower for my 105 lb spouse (small/short) – Cub Cadet 2X 24
- Best snow blower for my bad back. – Cub Cadet 2X 24
- Best 24 Inch Snow Blower for heavy, wet snow – Ariens Platinum 24 | Ariens Platinum 24 EFI
- Best 26 Inch Snow Blower for heavy, wet snow – Cub Cadet 3X 26
- Best 28 Inch Snow Blower for heavy, wet snow – Ariens Platinum 28 | Toro Power Max HD
- Best 30 Inch Snow Blower for heavy, wet snow – Ariens Platinum 30 | Toro Power Max HD
- Best Value 32-36 Inch Snow Blower – Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34. | Toro Power Max HD
- Best snow blower for long single car driveways – 28-inch models are the easiest for long driveways
- Best snow blower for large areas – 30-36 inch works well.
- Best Starting Snow Blower – Any Ariens with EFI –
- Fastest Snow Blower – Ariens RapidTrack 28 Hydro Pro
- Fastest Snow Blower For Your 2-car Midwest Driveway – Toro SnowMaster 824 QZE
- Biggest/Baddest/Highest capacity snow blower – Ariens Professional 36 Hydro EFI More Capacity than the Honda HS1336iAS
- Best Commercial Snow Blower – 5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers 2018
- Quietest 24 inch Gas Snow Blower – Sears Craftsman 88789
- Quietest 26 inch Gas Snow Blower – Sears Craftsman 88694
- Quietest 28 inch Gas Snow Blower – Troy-Bilt Storm 2890
- Best Wheeled Snow Blower For Steep, Paved Driveways – Ariens Deluxe/Platinum | Toro Power Max HD
- Best Snow Blower For Steep Gravel Driveways – 6 Best Track Snow Blowers For 2018-2019
- Best 24 Inch Snow Blower without power steering – Ariens Compact 24 in.
- Best 26 Inch Snow Blower without power steering – Troy-Bilt 2665
- Best 28 Inch Snow Blower without power steering – Troy-Bilt Storm 2860 28 in. 243cc
- Best 24 Inch Snow Blower with power steering – Ariens Platinum 24 EFI
- Best 26 Inch Snow Blower with power steering – Cub Cadet 2X 26″ HP Model 31AM5CVS710 | Power Max 826 OXE Model 37799
- Best 28 Inch Snow Blower with power steering – Ariens Platinum 28 | Toro Power Max HD
- Best 30 Inch Snow Blower with power steering – Ariens Platinum 30 | Toro Power Max HD
- Best Residential 33-36 Inch Snow Blower – Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34
- Best Value 30 inch Snow Blower – Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30
- If you have a small, steep driveway this is the best choice on the market today!Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2690XP
- The Snow Blower Everyone Thinks Is The Best via Social Media – Honda Power Equipment
- Best Rated Snow Blower on Amazon – Husqvarna ST224P
- Best Rated Snow Blower on Home Depot – Ariens Compact 24 in. 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
- Best Rated Snow Blower on Reputable Review Sites 3-stage – Cub Cadet 3X 30″ PRO H
- Best Rated Snow Blower on Reputable Review Sites 2-stage – Ariens RapidTrack 28 Hydro Pro
- Best Rated Snow Blower on Reputable Review Sites Compact 2-stage – Husqvarna ST224P
- Best Rated Snow Blower on Reputable Review Sites Single-Stage – Toro Power Clear 721 QZE 38744
- Best Rated Snow Blower on Reputable Review Sites Cordless Electric Snow Thrower – EGO SNT2102 is not self-propelled.
- Most Expensive walk-behind snow blower – All Honda Snow blowers with the HS1336iAS being the most expensive at $7999.
- Longest Throwing Snow Blower – Ariens RapidTrack 28 Hydro Pro and Toro Power Max HD 1428 OHXE
- Best snow blower for heavy-wet snow – Any of the Ariens Platinum Models | Toro Power Max HD
- Best snow blower for drifts – Install drift cutters on any current 2-stage Ariens, Troy-Bilt, Toro, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet for cutting drifts. A track snow blower works best for wind-blown drifts. 6 Best Track Snow Blowers For 2018-2019
- Best snow blower for gravel – Any 2-stage snow blower (adjust the skid shoes to their highest position)
- Best Snow Blower that can be used all year long – Gravely PRO-QXT
- Best Snow Blower for paths and trails – 6 Best Track Snow Blowers For 2018-2019
- Best Snow Blower For Hauling Around – Ariens Commercial SS 21 in. 208cc
- Best Snow Blower For The Long Island Area 2018-2019 – Ariens Deluxe 24 (Small Driveways – heavy/wet end-of-driveway snow)
- Best Snow Blower For The Boston Area 2018-2019 – Any snow blower with a 14-inch impeller (Ariens Deluxe-Platinum | Toro Power Max HD | Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm
- Best Snow Blower For The Midwest 2018-2019 – Any 2-stage snow blower on this list based on the size and type of driveway.
- Best 2-Stage Snow Blowers For High Altitudes 2018-2019 – Any of the Ariens with EFI.
- Best Cheap 2-Stage Snow Blowers With Power Steering 2018-2019 – Article still being written
- The Best Snow Shovel, Ice Scraper, and Gas Can To Compliment Your New Snow Blower
*MovingSnow has been helping you find the best snow blower for over 12 years now. In the last 3 years alone over 5 million people visited the site and over 3000 people a year have asked the question in the comments? “Which snow blower is best for me?”
Yes, There really is a snow blower built for you. You may also want to read this article to after reading this list: Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS
This article is a compliment to: The Twenty Best Snow Blowers – September 2018 – Which Snow Blower Is Best For You?
Get more stuff like this
Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
Charlie
Hi Paul,
Happy new year! I’ve spent a fair amount of time reading through your site and watching your videos and appreciate your thoroughness and dedication.
I’m past-due to purchase a snow blower for my new house and would appreciate your confirmation of what I’ve gleaned from your past comments.
My house is near Boston, MA. It has a 300 ft single-car straight driveway leading to a 60 x 60 ft turn-around area in front of the garage. Both the driveway and area are gravel/dirt and flat.
Based on your advice, it sounds like a 28″ 2-stage model would be best for the long narrow section while still being maneuverable in the square area.
My priority is being able to clear the driveway as fast as possible, even if it costs a bit more. A few questions:
1) Would the Deluxe 28 SHO or Platinum 28 SHO RapidTrak be sufficient?
2) Would there be a noticeable difference in speed in moderate thick snow on flat dirt/gravel comparing the wheeled Deluxe vs the larger engine but tracked Platinum?
3) Or should I look at trigger-steer units to make the long straight section easier?
Thanks again for all of the great information you’re providing here.
Paul
Hi Charlie,
1) The Deluxe 28 SHO or Platinum RpaidTrak are great choices for your area.
2) The RapidTrak is unique among the tracked snow blowers in that it is as fast as a wheeled unit. The larger engine will allow you to clear the 12 inch pus snow faster than the Deluxe 28 SHO.
3) I personally don’t have any problems using the Auto-Turn on long straight sections but many people prefer the trigger steer. (I think it’s more what they know and are used to than that trigger steer is better.) The RapidTrak is really great for long stretches. With the tracks in “normal” mode it tracks straight and it won’t tire you out.
If you really decide you need trigger-steer the Toro Power Max HD 1028 or Toro Power Max HD 1428 are the best choices for your area.
Ricardo Howell
Dear Paul:
I really appreciate your site and work. I’m hoping you can provide me with some first-snow-blower-purchase advice.
We recently moved out of the city to a suburban house north of Baltimore and about 10 miles north of Rt. 70. Generally, this neighborhood gets more snow than the city. Our driveway is a relatively steep 120 feet blacktop descending from the street. At the house level the driveway widens out to a blacktop three-car width of about 30×40 feet. The house also has about 50 feet of paved walkway in front and a deck out back that is probably 60×10. Given that the deck is a few steps up from a gravel path, I think it’s unlikely that I can lift a blower up on the deck to regularly move snow there.
I looked at the Toro 724 and the 824 at Home Depot. The 824 struck me as too big/heavy. I’m inclined to get the 724 but I’m concerned that it may not be adequate for the steep driveway or for big snows. Your site seems to suggest the Cub Cadet 2×24, which I haven’t seen in person, as a smaller but still powerful option. From the reviews, I’d also like to see the Craftsman quiet blower before I purchase. What would you suggest? And, is it unrealistic for me to think that a lighter/smaller machine is going to work for my situation? Do I just need to get two machines?
Thanks for reading. I’ll hang up and listen.
Paul
Hi Ricardo, I’m going to discuss your driveway first then the deck. For your size area to be cleared I strongly suggest a 28-inch snow blower. The smaller 24 inch models will take you a long, long, long time to clear your drive.
You don’t get a lot of snow so a less expensive 2-stage will work well. I’ll give you my three choices.
1. No Power Steering: Troy-Bilt Strom 2860
2. If your driveway is almost too steep to walk up with snow on it: Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890
3. Ariens Deluxe 28. This snow blower is well balanced so it has great traction. It has automatic steering so it is very easy to use. It has plenty of power and capacity for your area and will quickly handle all your snow including that heavy/wet stuff you get once in a while: Ariens Deluxe 28
Your deck is long but not that wide so a regular snow shovel may be the best choice. You can just push the snow off the deck. A shovel like the Suncast SCF2950 easily rolls the snow off the deck and last years.
Ricardo Howell
Thank you, Paul. This is much much appreciated!
Dag Johnsen
Hi Paul,
I have a Simplicity Pro P1728E Signature With US made B&S 342cc 1650 engine. https://www.snowblowersdirect.com/Simplicity-1696240-Snow-Thrower/p8722.html
If I want a blower that is better throwing wet snow, what would you suggest?
The machine is rugged and unstoppable, only problem is very wet snow.
Dag Johnsen
Paul
Hi Dag, The snow blowers I recommend are here: The Twenty Best Snow Blowers – September 2018 – Which Snow Blower Is Best For You? The Ariens Platinum and Toro Power Max HD snow blowers won’t plug on heavy/wet snow and both will throw much farther than your Simplicity. They are also built to last many years. If you want a Pro grade snow blower the Ariens Pro and Toro Power Max HD commercial are the best way to go.
tony
Where: Chicago
Area: 100 feet of Alley
40 feet of street parking
50 feet sidewalk
100 feet of gangway (side of house)
Possible other neighbors but right now it is just the three adjacent houses from corner.
Would love an electric but experience has said no.
Been through several in the past. Not enough power, to clear or throw. Chute rotation is not enough! (I say 180 is low) Not enough power at the hard angles. The old electris were built by people who don’t understand them. Parts beside the engine are still important. Not afterthoughts. The Toro was built best considering all the parts. But its motor actually failed! (very mild use) The other brands didn’t seem to know how to build any part. They lasted less than one 3 inch snow when GF used it. (I got through a couple cause I could see the weaknesses in the way they were built/designed)
Advantages: Lightweight; Maneuverable; Quieter(relative); No exhaust. Smaller, Storage….
Tired of messing around.
Almost ready to get the 24” efi Ariens. Maybe too much but do not want a poorly made machine. I want one that will walk through any snow or pile.
There are many machines that could be a better fit. Certainly lighter. Worry about weight and speed. Price may be a bit too high. Surface cleaning two-stage compared to single-stage.
Not worried about carburetor maintenance. Hoping for better running and lower emissions.
I may be going overboard.
About me. Past extensive snow removal efforts, means I appreciate what it takes to make a machine better than others and operation niceties. Bad back prevents me from any shoveling!
Would love to know more and suggestions for the area. Are the Cub and siblings, Toro, okay? Costco had the Poulan Pro last year, and this year Jonesred but they seem to not get traction so my guess is they did not overwhelm anyone. There are certainly less expensive machines. Will I be missing out on anything if I pass up the others? Price, Maneuvering, surface cleaning, three-stage marketing/pile removal.
I think a single-stage may work but want a machine that will answer every snow from light to heavy.
Thank You
Paul
Hi Tony, You are on the right track. My first choice besides the 24 EFI would be the Ariens Platinum 24 SHO. It will handle anything Chicago can get and anything the city snow plows throw at you.
If you are not in a hurry to get your snow cleared the Ariens Deluxe 24 is also a great choice. It has a smaller motor so it won’t clear the deep stuff as fast but it still will handle any heavy/wet snow you get without plugging.
Steven Gall
Hi Paul, what a great resource you are! I live in the Cleveland, Ohio area and for the last almost 30 years have been using a old Ariens 24″ snowblower which I feel has finally come to the end of it’s life (expected repair costs $400 -$600). My drive is on a little incline, it’s three cars wide at the top and narrows to a two car width at the bottom, 36 feet to the curb. Thinking about the Ariens Deluxe 24 or maybe the Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2690 XP. Would appreciate your input. Thanks, Steve
Paul
Hi Steven, Thank You, The Deluxe 24 has excellent traction. All the weight is right over the drive wheels. It can handle heavy/wet snow really well.
Although I like the Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2690 XP I wish it had the 243cc engine. If you regularly get more than 10 inches of snow, drifting or heavy/wet snow it will get the job done but be fairly slow compared to the Ariens Deluxe 24.
Dre
Hi,
Firstly, thanks for all your advice. I just bought a craftsman 600 on Black Friday for $390 after tax, which is a great price. However, after reading through this site, I realize that it is a cheap model and lacks features I’m looking for.
We are in Brooklyn, NY and have a single car cement driveway about 20 feet long with no slope. I also shovel both of my neighbors’ sidewalks. My back tends to go bad a lot. What is your recommendation? I was thinking the Toro Snowmaster, but would love to hear your thoughts. The Craftsman will be delivered next week, but I’m willing to cancel to buy a better model.
Paul
Hi Dre, I’m not familiar at all with snow in a major city like Brooklyn so I’ll be more general. Feel free to write back if I’m off the mark.
1. I’m going to guess you don’t get a lot of deep snow – 8-10 inches is the most you get at one time.
2. I’m going to guess your sidewalks get a lot of foot traffic.
3. I’m going to guess your end-of-driveway snow is very slushy and packs hard.
4. You don’t get any drifting that’s more than 18 inches deep.
If that’s the case then I am going to suggest a good single-stage snow blower. The Toro Power Clear 721 E 21 in. Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower (Electric Start) at The Home Depot will clear 8-10 inches of snow, clean your sidewalks right down to the pavement and can handle the end-of-driveway snow if you don’t let it freeze into a hard packed chunk of ice. This Toro is the best on the market and will last you many years.
The SnowMaster is a good snow blower but it uses a floating scraper bar under the front. If your sidewalks get a lot of foot traffic it won’t clear down to the pavement. Where I live I don’t have any foot traffic and my driveway doesn’t get any traffic on it so the Snow Master works well for me.
If you do go with this single stage just be aware you may want to go out and clear your driveway during a snowstorm if the snow is getting more than 8 inches deep.
Dre
Hi Paul,
Your statement is pretty much correct with the exception of our sidewalk. While we do have some foot traffic, it’s not that busy as we live in a pretty secluded area (maybe 5 individuals daily). However, we are still required by law to clean the sidewalk, so it must be done.
I appreciate your help and will take your advice on the Toro.
EasyE
Thank you, for your recommendations, Paul. I also thought Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO, would be a good choice for me, but wanted to hear your opinion as well… Actually, I was hoping that, based on my budged, you would suggest Toro Power Max 826 OXE (37799) instead, but since it didn’t make the list it’s out of contention now. One other concern relative to Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is that I don’t want to look Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor-ish with a big machine in my 30 by 40 driveway 🙂 However, I want a blower that will last me for years to come (worry-free), so maybe I should explore Ariens Patinum 24 SHO option. It’s down to these two… Difficult decision, but I am certain regardless of which one I pick, it will be a good one. Thank you, again! Off to the dealer!
Steve
The list format is awesome! It’s a perfect reference list for the excellent information you provide. I’ve flagged the email in which it arrived and use it as my starting point for all things snowblower.
EasyE
Not sure it i posted it correctly the first time, but here is what i wrote:
Hi Paul,
I’ve decided to get a new machine this year and was very fortunate to come across your site – wealth of information! However after spending a couple (a few) hours reading all of your articles and questions/responses/recommendations I developed a severe case of Paralysis by Analysis, so I decided to ask you for, yet, another recommendation.
I live in Muskegon, MI (which was mentioned in one of your articles), where we average about 100” of snow a year. Sometimes it’s only a couple to a few inches, sometimes it’s several and sometimes it’s quite a bit. My driveway is about 40 feet long and 30 feet wide. There are times, after being away from home for the weekend I have around 20” or so of snow (not to mention the issue with the city plow as so many people described) waiting to be cleaned up. To make matters more complicated I need to have a blower that would able to throw snow from one side of the driveway to the other (30+ feet) So, to sum-up I need a blower to:
1) be able to handle anything from 5 to 20 plus inches of snow,
2) Deal with the early morning city snow plow “present” (sometimes it’s “snowcrete and sometimes it’s just slush,
3) throw 30+ feet, and
4) would like keep my budget under $1,200.
Is there anything that would work for me or am I too delusional about my expectations?
Thank you in advance.
Paul
Hi EasyE, My first choice is the Ariens Platinum SHO 24 but it’s out of your price range. It will handle any type of snow and throw it more than 30 feet ALL the time. My second choice is the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO. This dealer only model is slightly over your budget but has the power and clearing width to quickly get your snow off your driveway and way out into your yard.
Finally, the Ariens Deluxe 24 will throw the snow 30 feet or more and handle heavy/wet snow. It’s well within your price range but… it won’t be quite as fast as the other two models.