The Best Snow Blower Isn’t a Cub Cadet, Ariens, or Honda Snow Blower
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 05/23/2023
It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving is coming in hot, and with it means Black Friday sales and snow. Between the last two, you might be thinking it’s time to replace your snow blower. Well, thanks to Insider, we have found the best snow blower around, and surprisingly the Ariens, Cub Cadet, and Honda snow blowers got beat by another two-stage snow blower maker.
What is the difference between a two-stage snow blower and a three-stage snow blower?
Before we get into which company makes the best snow blower, we should establish what machines we are looking at. As one might expect, the one-stage snow blowers are for lighter, intermittent snowfall. These blowers only have one auger to break up and scatter the snow and ice.
According to A Green Hand, 2-stage snow blowers use one auger to crush the snow and ice and an impeller to throw the precipitation up to 50 ft. These snow blowers are capable of handling up to 24 inches of snow. Many 2 stage snow blowers usually have a self-propelling feature that allows them to automatically move around steep pathways with the help of tracks or tires.
Lastly, the 3-stage snow blowers are the most complex and can handle more serious snowfall. These blowers have been around since the ‘60s. To put all three types into perspective, a 1-stage type has one auger, while a 2-stage blower has two collection augers working together with an impeller. In contrast, the 3-stage snow blower has a third high-speed auger, which is 10 times faster than the impeller.
Insider has picked the best snowblower, and it’s not a Honda
Along with Cub Cadet and Ariens, Honda snow blowers are among some of the most popular blowers on the market. However, the number one and two spots go to Toro snow blowers. The Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE and the SnowMaster 724 QXE came in with a 1-2 finish on the Insider best 2-stage snow blower list.
The Toro SnowMaster is the best snow blower, according to Insider
The Toro scored high in all categories in Insider testing. The amount of snow it can clear and the speed at which it can top each category. Reviewers also found that the handling and useability are also outstanding.
In all, Insider appreciated the Toro’s Personal Pace drive system, which detects the speed you’re walking and adjusts the self-propelling motors accordingly. They also noted the ease of the Toro’s electric start system and smooth chute adjustment as reasons for ranking this snow blower as the best.
However, even the best snowblower isn’t perfect. A lack of reverse gear means backing up is physically difficult. And with unpaved surfaces, the Toro has a hard time getting low to the ground without getting stuck.
While Cub Cadet snow blowers were the most reliable, the Toro still won out overall. Between its strong performing 252-cc engine and its $1,149 price tag, the Toro SnowMaster is the best snow blower. Find more technical specs here to make the best snow blower decision for your needs.
