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Snow Blowers Recommendations
Snow Blowers Recommendations
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Three stage gas - best for heavy snow up to 18 inches or more
OVERALL SCORE
Cub Cadet 3X 30" PRO H
Recommended
92 Price: $2400.00
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Type: Three stage gas - best for heavy snow up to 18 inches or more
This three-stage gas-powered Cub Cadet has a 30 inch clearing width and comes with electric start and a hydrostatic transmission. It also has a
headlight.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Cub Cadet 3X 30" HD
Recommended
91 Price: $1650.00
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Type: Three stage gas - best for heavy snow up to 18 inches or more
This three-stage gas-powered Cub Cadet has a 30 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has a headlight.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890
Best Buy
90 Price: $1200.00
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Type: Three stage gas - best for heavy snow up to 18 inches or more
This three-stage, gas-powered Troy-Bilt has a 28-inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has single-lever chute control.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Craftsman 88874
Recommended
89 Price: $1400.00
Add to Compare
Type: Three stage gas - best for heavy snow up to 18 inches or more
This three-stage gas-powered Craftsman has a 28 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has single-lever chute control.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 1/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
Cub Cadet 3X 26" TRAC
Recommended
88 Price: $1600.00
Add to Compare
Type: Three stage gas - best for heavy snow up to 18 inches or more
This Cub Cadet scored excellent for removal speed and was excellent at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a
challenge for some machines. Throwing distance was very good; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow
was left on the surface--was excellent. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was very good. Ease of using the
various controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Requires the use of hearing protection. We found the heated handgrips to be a
nice option.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490
Best Buy
82 Price: $1100.00
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Type: Three stage gas - best for heavy snow up to 18 inches or more
This three-stage gas-powered Troy-Bilt has a 24-inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has a headlight and single-lever chute
control.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Craftsman 88870
Recommended
79 Price: $1200.00
Add to Compare
Type: Three stage gas - best for heavy snow up to 18 inches or more
This compact-three stage gas-powered Craftsman has a 24 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has single-lever chute control.
See Ratings
Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 2/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
Ariens 926060
Recommended
92 Price: $3100.00
Price & Shop
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Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This Ariens scored excellent for removal speed and was excellent at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a challenge
for some machines. Throwing distance was excellent; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow was left on
the surface--was excellent. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was very good. Ease of using the various
controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Requires the use of hearing protection. We found the heated handgrips to be a nice
option. We found the headlight illumination useful when operating at night.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30
Recommended
91 Price: $1500.00
Price & Shop
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Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This two-stage gas-powered Troy-Bilt has a 30 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has a headlight and single-lever chute
control.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Craftsman 88976
Recommended
90 Price: $1600.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This two-stage gas-powered Craftsman has a 30 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has a headlight.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Ariens 921032
Recommended
88 Price: $1300.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
Easy steering via an automotive-style drive differential set this two-stage, 30-inch Ariens apart from other snow blowers. The new system does
away with the usual drive-wheel release triggers and lets the inner wheel in a turn spin more slowly than the outer one. That also means better
traction, since you needn't disengage either drive wheel when turning and steering. And like other top picks, this one cleared quickly, threw snow
heroically, and cleared nearly to the surface. Electric start and a headlight are other perks you'd expect in this large, heavy-duty group. See our
blog for more information.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 3/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
Cub Cadet 2X 28" HP
Recommended
88 Price: $1100.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
The Cub Cadet scored excellent for removal speed and was excellent at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a
challenge for some machines. Throwing distance was excellent; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow
was left on the surface--was only good. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was excellent. Ease of using the
various controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Requires the use of hearing protection.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Troy-Bilt Storm 3090
Recommended
88 Price: $1200.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
We expect this model to perform similarly to the tested Craftsman 88396 although it may differ in price and features.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Ariens AX254 921030
Best Buy
87 Price: $1000.00
Price & Shop
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Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This 28-inch, two-stage Ariens has the same automotive-style steering system as its 30-inch Ariens sibling for a bit less money. The unique feature
allows easy steering without having to disengage either drive wheel by letting the inner wheel turn more slowly than the outer one in a turn.
Electric start and a headlight are part of this heavy-lifter's package--all at a relatively low price. See our blog for more information.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 31AH55Q
Recommended
87 Price: $1100.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This Troy-Bilt was one of the lower-priced models among large, 30-inch two-stage machines. Quick clearing and powerful performance on dense
plow piles are strong points. While you give up a little throwing distance and surface cleaning, both were still impressive enough to make this a top
pick for areas where the snow flies hard and heavy.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 4/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
MTD Pro 31AH65FH
Recommended
87 Price: $1000.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
We expect this model to perform similarly to the tested Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 31AH55Q although it may differ in price and features.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Briggs & Stratton 1227MDS
Best Buy
86 Price: $1000.00
Price & Shop
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Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This Briggs & Stratton scored very good for removal speed and was excellent at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a
challenge for some machines. Throwing distance was excellent; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow
was left on the surface--was only good. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was excellent. Ease of using the
various controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Requires the use of hearing protection. We found the heated handgrips to be a
nice option.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Ariens Deluxe 28 254CC 921046
Recommended
82 Price: $1100.00
Price & Shop
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This two-stage gas-powered Ariens has a 28 inch clearing width and comes with electric start.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Troy-Bilt Storm 2840
Best Buy
81 Price: $900.00
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Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
Hgh-effort steering compromises fast clearing and plow-pile removal for this low-priced, 28-inch Troy-Bilt. Other pluses include electric start,
multiple speeds, single-hand controls (which let you hold down both control levers with one hand), single-lever chute adjustment, a headlight, and-
-a rarity at this price--heated hand grips. Minuses? Not being able to release a wheel when turning means steering this model takes some muscle.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 5/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
MTD Pro 31AH64FG
Best Buy
81 Price: $800.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
We expect this model to perform similarly to the tested Troy-Bilt Storm 2840 although it may differ in price and features.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Cub Cadet 528SWE 31AH54TT
Best Buy
81 Price: $1000.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
We expect this model to perform similarly to the tested Troy-Bilt Storm 2840 although it may differ in price and features.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Craftsman 88694
Best Buy
80 Price: $900.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This two-stage, gas-powered Craftsman has a 26-inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has single-lever chute control.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Cub Cadet 2X 26" HP
Recommended
80 Price: $1000.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This two-stage gas-powered Cub Cadet has a 26 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has a headlight.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 6/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
Troy-Bilt 2860
Best Buy
79 Price: $900.00
Add to Compare
Type: Two-stage gas - best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches
This two-stage gas-powered Troy-Bilt has a 28 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has a headlight.
See Ratings
Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
OVERALL SCORE
Cub Cadet 2X 24" HP
Recommended
78 Price: $950.00
Add to Compare
Type: Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
This compact-two stage gas-powered Cub Cadet has a 24 inch clearing width and comes with electric start.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Toro Power Max 824 OE
Recommended
78 Price: $800.00
Price & Shop
Add to Compare
Type: Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
This Toro scored only good for removal speed and was excellent at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a challenge for
some machines. Throwing distance was very good; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow was left on
the surface--was only good. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was very good. Ease of using the various
controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Requires the use of hearing protection. The single-lever chute control speeds up
changing the discharge direction.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 7/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
Craftsman 88640
Recommended
75 Price: $800.00
Add to Compare
Type: Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
This Craftsman scored very good for removal speed and was excellent at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a
challenge for some machines. Throwing distance was very good; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow
was left on the surface--was only good. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was excellent. Ease of using the
various controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Requires the use of hearing protection.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Honda HSS724AW
Recommended
70 Price: $2200.00
Price & Shop
Add to Compare
Type: Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
This compact-two stage gas-powered Honda has a 24 inch clearing width and comes with single-lever electric chute control and a hydrostatic
transmission.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Toro Power Max 724 OE 37779
Recommended
69 Price: $800.00
Add to Compare
Type: Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
This 24-inch, two-stage Toro model was impressive nearly across the board and did especially well against dense plow piles. Pluses include electric
start, multiple speeds, an anti-clog bypass in its chute, and single-hand controls (which let you hold down both control levers with one hand). Its
four-cycle, overhead-valve engine should start easily and run efficiently when properly maintained. But the model's slowest speed was a bit fast for
easy operation, and it sometimes made this model ride over--rather than through--snow thrown out in front of the auger by the bypass. Another
minus common for these relatively compact machines: No freewheel steering, which means you'll need more muscle to turn this 171-pound
machine. Noise is low enough that hearing protection isn't required.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Troy-Bilt 2410
Best Buy
69 Price: $600.00
Add to Compare
Type: Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
This compact-two stage gas-powered Troy-Bilt has a 24 inch clearing width and comes with electric start.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 8/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
Ariens 920021
Recommended
68 Price: $900.00
Price & Shop
Add to Compare
Type: Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
This compact-two stage gas-powered Ariens has a 24-inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has a headlight.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Ariens 920025
Recommended
67 Price: $700.00
Price & Shop
Add to Compare
Type: Compact two-stage gas snow blowers
This Ariens scored fair for removal speed and was very good at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a challenge for
some machines. Throwing distance was excellent; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow was left on the
surface--was very good. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was very good. Ease of using the various
controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Requires the use of hearing protection.
See Ratings
Single-stage gas - best for light to medium snow up to 9 inches
OVERALL SCORE
Toro Power Clear 721 QZE 38744
Recommended
73 Price: $700.00
Price & Shop
Add to Compare
Type: Single-stage gas - best for light to medium snow up to 9 inches
This Toro scored only good for removal speed and was excellent at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a challenge for
some machines. Throwing distance was only good; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow was left on
the surface--was excellent. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was excellent. Ease of using the various
controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Requires the use of hearing protection.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Toro Power Clear 721 QZR 38743
Recommended
72 Price: $680.00
Add to Compare
Type: Single-stage gas - best for light to medium snow up to 9 inches
This single-stage gas-powered Toro has a 21 inch clearing width.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 9/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
OVERALL SCORE
Cub Cadet 221 LHP
Recommended
67 Price: $550.00
Add to Compare
Type: Single-stage gas - best for light to medium snow up to 9 inches
This 21-inch, single-stage Cub Cadet gives up some removal speed and distance for a relatively low price. Features for the 92-pound machine
include the four-stroke, overhead-valve engine you'll find on many gas models, along with labor-savers like electric start, a single-lever chute-
rotation control at the handlebar, and a headlight. You won't find single-hand controls (which let you hold down both control levers with one hand)
and heated hand grips, though those features are uncommon in this category. We strongly recommend hearing protection.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Craftsman 88782
Recommended
67 Price: $600.00
Add to Compare
Type: Single-stage gas - best for light to medium snow up to 9 inches
We expect this model to perform similarly to the tested Cub Cadet 221 LHP although it may differ in price and features.
See Ratings
OVERALL SCORE
Honda HS 720AS
Recommended
64 Price: $700.00
Price & Shop
Add to Compare
Type: Single-stage gas - best for light to medium snow up to 9 inches
This single-stage, gas-powered Honda snow blower has a 20-inch clearing width and comes with electric start.
See Ratings
Single-stage battery snow blowers
OVERALL SCORE
EGO SNT2102
Recommended
57 Price: $600.00
Price & Shop
Add to Compare
Type: Single-stage battery snow blowers
This battery electric-powered EGO has a 21 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has a headlight.
See Ratings
https://www.consumerreports.org/products/snow-blower/recommendations/ 10/11
2/11/2018 Snow blowers Recommendations
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