How to Choose The Best Snow Blower for Your Needs? Which is The Best Snow blower For You?
Buying the best snow blower is not as simple as picking out the most durable-looking and the most affordable machine you find.
Snow blowers come in many different types and there is a right snow blower for your specific needs.
Before you buy a snow blower, first consider the extent of usage you expect from the machine. To determine this, check out the profile of your driveway and gauge the usual snow coverage you get so you can match the usage requirements to the snow blower you buy.
But the best tip in buying the best snow blower is to check out reviews regarding the different types and brands of snow blowers around. Here are some of your best options depending on your different needs.
There is no one best snow blower model. Snow blowers differ in many ways, so there are a lot of what can be considered as “best snow blower” models depending on which factors are most important for you.
Consumers have different takes on which are the best, while some lesser popular ones actually have great undiscovered potential. Here are what are considered to be the best models in the market based on consumer popularity, features, and overall value.
The Toro 1800 is unquestionably one of the most popular snow blowers around. This 18-inch electric snow thrower is beloved in the market although it is not one of the powerful machines.
The 12 amp motor of the Toro 1800 can throw up to 30 feet with its 160-degree adjustable chute.
Power Curve technology ensures that it does a great job of clearing out snow. All these offered in a compact but extremely durable plastic body with a sturdy metal handle and a price of $333.
Poulan Pro is a well-known manufacturer of snow blowers which focuses more on quality rather than on popularity. But due to the dependable nature of its offers, Poulan Pro is fast becoming more and more popular. Its two-stage snow thrower model PR624ES now has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon. For a two-stage, the model, which is $699, is already one of the most affordable dual stage snow blowers around.
The Poulan Pro has a 24-inch clearing width and is equipped with a 208cc LCT engine with electric start. It is also constructed specifically for use in heavy snow. It also has an EZ power steering system to make things easy for you. It also optimizes its discharge speed depending on the snow load to ensure safety and performance. It can definitely turn your mountainous snow job into an easy task.
The Ariens Prosumer 305cc model is a 27-inch two-stage snow blower enjoying great response from consumers. It is highly recommended and enjoys many bestselling awards. It stands proud in an all-steel housing and chute covering a powerful Briggs and Stratton OHV engine.
It has an electric start, and the chute can turn 20 degrees. It has a powerful six-speed Disc-O-Matic drive system and dual handle interlock so you can easily change directions.
The Toro Power Max 1128 is definitely the winner when it comes to features. It has an 11 hp Tecumseh 4-cycle OHV engine that can clear up to 2,200 pounds of snow in a minute and throw it 45 feet away. It can clear 28 inches wide passes with 6 forward and reverse speeds.
Toro’s special Power Max Auger system provides maximum impeller speed, an expanded chute, and a non-stick surface. The Quick Stick Chute Control can easily change the direction of the chute. It also comes with a pivoting scraper and a freewheel steering system for effortless maneuvering.
2. Craftsman 88999 – A Popular Choice
The Craftsman 88999 is one of the top selling two-stage gas snow blowers around. It is affordable yet built for heavy duty use. It comes with a joystick chute control supported by an independent wheel disengagement feature. It can clear up to 28-inch paths and is great for those with big driveways.
If you need a single stage snowblower, you can depend on the performance of the Toro CCR 2450 GTS, another great offer from Toro. It can clear 20-inch wide paths with its 12-inch impeller and serrated augers that offer great snow clearing results. It comes with a 4-way adjustable chute and 6 forward plus 2 reverse speeds.
The 12.5-inch Snow Fox from Yard Machines is another consumer tested product. Its 8.5 amp electric motor offers just enough power to meet most needs. At $137, this is an affordable alternative in case you don’t want to spend $300 for the Toro model.
The Snow Fox can throw snow up to 25 feet away. It has molded plastic housing and a light aluminum handle. This is an affordable and well-performing machine for light snow clearing needs in patios or small driveways.
The 4-star 12-inch 6.6 amp 322 electric snow thrower from Snow Joe is also one of the best snow blower models around based on consumer reactions. Its $89.99 price is just one of the many reasons why.
The Snow Joe has a clearing width of 12 inches and a cut of 4 inches, which are not much, but with the price, it’s a great package especially if you only get very mild snow in your location. The Snow Joe is ergonomic, light, and environment-friendly.
Yard Machines offers a $779 two-stage snow thrower model, which is fairly affordable compared to the over $1,000 models offered by other brands. The model features a 179cc OHV 4-cycle engine that can tackle up to 22 inches of paths and 16-inch high snow coverage.
Its 9-inch steel auger and 10-inch impeller offer solid performance along with a 180-degree E-Z chute rotation. All in all, it is one of the best snow blower offers for two-stage snow clearing needs.
Best Electric Snow Blowers for Light Snow
Toro is one of the best snow thrower brands around. It is known for the durability of its snow blowers. For electric snow blowers, the Toro Power Shovel is an affordable machine that can save you from a lot of trouble.
The easy-to-use machine is great for light snow clearing needs. The Toro Power Curve is also a top-rating electric snow blower that’s great for clearing light snow on short and flat driveways, but unlike the Power Shovel, the Power Curve has wheels, so it is much easier to use.
Troy Built also has some good snow blowers for light to moderate snow coverage. Check out the Troy Built Squall 2100 with a 21-inch clearing path, Auger-assist drive, a polymer chute that can be rotated 180 degrees, and a compact, easily manageable design.
Best Gas Snow Blowers for Moderate Snow Coverage
If you prefer a gas snow blower, the Toro CCR 2450 GTS is an excellent choice for a single-stage gas blower. It is light but is highly capable in clearing snow up to around eight inches for short to average driveways and with a 20-inch clearing path.
Another snow blower brand, MTD, offers affordable gas snow throwers such as their 26-inch mtd 2-stage gas snow blower with a 12-inch impeller, a serrated Auger design, a 4-way chute control, and six forward as well as two reverse speeds.
Best Long-Throw Snow Blowers for More Aggressive Usage
But if you have a pretty wide driveway, you will do better with a long-throw snow blower, such as the Toro Power Max 828 LXE with its 28-inch clearing path. This machine also comes with powered wheels, making it powerful enough even for hilly and gravel driveways.
When you buy a Toro product, you can be assured of its quality, durability, and performance. But if you are looking for slightly more affordable products since some Toro snow blower models tend to cost more than other brands, you can check out Troy products.
The Troy Bilt Storm 2840 Snow Thrower is a more affordable alternative to the Toro Power Max model. It also has a 28-inch clearing path, but is priced at only $915.
It has a one-hand operation system, an all-wheel drive, a 4-way joystick chute controller, and highly durable X-Trac snow tires. It even comes with in-dash headlights and reflective accents.
Pros: Toro snow blowers are popular for their durability, exclusive five-year warranties for some of their products, and their variety. Troy Built is the best snow blower brand when it comes to features. Cons: Toro snow blowers can be quite expensive, especially the long-throw kinds.
The Verdict
You will find Toro snow blowers in most reviews of the best snow blowers around.
Toro is undoubtedly the top name in the industry, but that’s no reason for you not to try other equally popular brands like Troy Built, Honda, Craftsman, MTD, and the likes, especially if you are looking for more affordable products.
- A Reasonable Choice
- For Lighter Needs
- Two-Stage Snow Thrower
