The best snow blower we tested is the Ariens Classic 2-Stage 24 in. Snow Blower. We found it incredibly easy to assemble and use—even for first-time snow blower users—and an excellent value for its power and maneuverability. While it is a two-stage snow blower and might be more than you would need for a small driveway, we think it’s a great solution if you tend to get deep snow fairly often and require a powerful snow blower.

We were able to assemble it relatively quickly and found the instructions to be clear. We also found Ariens’ instructional videos to be extremely helpful. Once we had it ready to go, we had no trouble getting it started! This gas-powered snow blower offers both a manual, recoil start and an electric, push-button start (a must-have on cold days!). And thanks to the self-propelled feature,

 

we found that this blower tackled even deep, wet snow (over a foot deep) at the end of our driveway with ease. In fact, we didn’t insert the wheel pin at first (one wheel must be locked for the self-propelled feature to work), and we used it without the self-propelled feature and noticed a difference once it was self-propelled. The self-propelled feature includes six forward speeds and two reverse, so you can pick the right speed to match your pace.

_{Clearing Width: 24 inches | Power Type: Gas | Stage Type: Two-stage | Maximum Throwing Distance: 40 feet | Number of Speeds: 6 forward, 2 reverse}

Buy Snow Blowers Online

Dimensions
Auger Diameter (Inches)	11.0	Ideal Snow Depth	Up to 12 inches
Clearing Width (Inches)	24.0	Intake Height (Inches)	20.0
Cord Length (Inches)	0	Oil Capacity (oz.)	16.0
Depth (Inches)	53	Tire Diameter (Inches)	13
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)	0.375	Weight (lbs.)	187.0
Height (Inches)	44	Width (Inches)	24

Features
Adjustable Chute	Yes	Engine Type	4-cycle
Adjustable Handle	No	Fuel Mix Ratio	Gas only
Amperage	0	Fuel Type	Gas only
Application	Paved	Gear Case Material	Cast aluminum
Assembly Required	Yes	Grade	Residential
Auger Material	Steel	Gross Torque (Foot/lbs.)	9.5
Battery Amp Hours	0	Headlight(s)	No
Battery Included	N/A	Heated Handles	No
Battery Recharge Time (Hours)	0	Lowe’s Exclusive	No
Battery Run Time (Hours)	0	Maximum Throwing Distance	40 feet
Battery Voltage	N/A	Number of Batteries Included	0
Brushless	No	Number of Forward Speeds	6
Charger Included	N/A	Number of Reverse Speeds	2
Chute Control	Crank	Pitch Control	Crank
Chute Material	Steel	Power Source	Gas
Chute Rotation (Degrees)	205	Power Steering	No
Color/Finish Family	Orange	Recommended Engine Oil Type	5W-30
Cord Lock	No	Refurbished	No
Drift Cutters	No	Series Name	Classic
Drive Type	Self-propelled	Skid Shoes	Yes
Engine Brand	Ariens AX	Stage	Two-stage
Engine Displacement (Cu. Centimeters)	208	Start Type	Push-button electric start
Engine Horsepower	223	Tire/Track	Tire
Engine Oil Included	Yes	Type	Snow blower
Engine Torque	9.5	Variable Speed	Yes

Warranty
Commercial Warranty	90-day	Warranty	3-year limited

Certifications
CA Residents: Prop 65 Warning(s)	Prop 65 WARNING(S) –	Safety Listing	Not safety listed

Miscellaneous
UNSPSC	22101500

Snow Blowers

If you find yourself digging your sidewalk and driveway out from many snowstorms each winter, you may want to put down the shovel and get a snow blower. A great snow blower takes care of the backbreaking work for you, moving even the heaviest snow quickly and easily, so you can keep the shovel around for handling smaller tasks.

“When choosing a snow blower, consumers should consider: the type of snow (heavy/wet, powdery, etc.); the accumulation amount they plan to clear; and the surface type they’ll be clearing (not all snow blowers should be used on gravel surfaces for instance). Also, understand dealer support in terms of replacing wearable parts and pre- [and] postseason maintenance,”

With Higley’s insights in mind, we researched the most popular two-stage, single-stage, gas, and battery-operated snow blowers. We then tested seven of those options on our own driveways and sidewalks after snowstorms, evaluating them on their design, performance, size, usability, safety, and value.

How We Tested the Snow Blowers

After researching the top battery-operated, electric, and gas-powered picks on the market, we tested seven snow blowers in our own driveways, sidewalks, and walkways each time after several storms. First, we unpacked and assembled each snow blower, noting how long it took, what tools were required, and how clear the instructions were.

 

After ensuring we fully understood the instructions, charged the batteries, or added the fuel, we tested these snow blowers in conditions of four inches of snow or more and larger snow drifts. We timed and evaluated each snow blower’s performance, design, and ease of use, including how easy it was to turn on (via choke or electric start), maneuver through the snow and when turning, and how easy each feature (including the snow chute) was to use.

 

We also used any included ice scrapers to clear any clogs (always turning the machine off completely before using) and noted their helpfulness. We also noted whether the snow blower’s handles folded for easy storage or if it was bulky and required more storage space.

What to Look for in a Snow Blower

Snow blower/Snow thrower

You may see these terms used interchangeably, but the key to remember is that a snow thrower is not as powerful or efficient a snow remover as a snow blower.

Snow throwers, whether powered by gasoline or electricity, are single-stage machines designed for lighter snowfalls. They have lower-rated engines, snow-scooping augers made of rubber instead of metal, and, most important, scoop up and discharge the snow in a single operation.

Snow blowers invariably are two-stage or three-stage machines. They have engines rated at higher horsepower and augers made of metal and use separate operations to collect the snow and discharge it.

Power

You can find snow throwers and snow blowers powered by gasoline or electricity (corded and rechargeable battery). Gas-powered models, such as our best overall pick, the Ariens Classic 2-Stage 24 in. Snow Blower, generally are more powerful than electric snow blowers but emit fumes.

Also, they require engine oil, which must be mixed with gasoline. Some models may need to start by means of a choke. Gasoline-powered snow blower engines are rated in horsepower or cubic centimeters (cc); a higher number indicates more power. If you prefer to know the horsepower of a product rated in cc, divide by 15. A medium-sized machine, for instance, might have a rating of 300 cc, which translates to about 20 horsepower.

Electric models are lighter and quieter than gas-powered products but generally are better suited for lighter snowfalls and for clearing narrower spaces. Two-stage electric snow blowers, such as our best cordless electric pick, the EGO Power+ 2-Stage Snow Blower, are rated in amps.

According to Cheryl Higley, Education and Content Director at SIMA Snow and Ice Management Association, you should also consider the type of surface you will be clearing when choosing gas versus electric. She notes, “Concrete and asphalt driveways can be cleared with any snow blower; however, if you’re clearing a gravel driveway, you will need to choose a 2-stage blower.

The paddles on electric and 1-stage blowers make contact with the surface, so you risk throwing rocks and gravel with these machines. This poses a hazard to anyone who might come into the path and will also damage the paddles.”

Stage

Snow blowers, whether gasoline or electric powered, are designed as single-stage (sometimes known as “snow throwers”), two-stage, or three-stage machines. “Stage” refers to the number of operations the machine performs.

Single-stage snow blowers are the least powerful and are designed for areas that experience light to moderate snowfalls, generally under 12 inches. These machines have rubber augers that collect the snow and blow it out their discharge chutes in a single motion. You can find single-stage snow blowers in gas-powered, as well as electric-powered models such as our best budget pick, the EGO Power+ Auger-Propelled Snow Blower.

Two-stage snow blowers, such as our top pick for long driveways, the Toro Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower are designed for heavier snowfalls, up to about 18 inches. These machines, equipped with augers generally made of serrated steel or other metal, scoop up the snow and channel it into components called impellers, which shoot the snow out the discharge chute.

The advantage of this type of snow blower is the intake duct can be kept clearer, assisting in more-efficient snow removal. Two-stage machines come in gas- and electric-powered models. Another facet to note about two-stage snow blowers is that, unlike single-stage models, you can adjust the height of the machine’s skid shoes. This can get the scraper bar low enough, even at surface level, to scoop off as much snow as possible.

 

Three-stage snow blowers add another element to the operation: Instead of moving collected snow into an impeller, these models add a halfway component called an “induction accelerator,” which chops the snow up and then moves it into the impeller. These machines are designed to collect more snow than other models, potentially getting surfaces to a stage where the sun can melt what’s left before it re-freezes, making the surface slick. Three-stage snow blowers only come in gas-powered models.