The Top Performing Two-Stage Snow Blowers, According To Consumer Reports

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As winter drags on and the white stuff piles up, you might be ready to swap out the shovel for a snow blower. Unfortunately, however, trying to determine the best snow blower stage for your property, choosing between power sources, and shopping around for a product that's the right size can make this outdoor power tool a confusing purchase. A two-stage snow blower is the most popular option for areas with tough winters, as it can successfully handle deep piles. The two-stage design uses an auger to pull in the snow and an impeller to blow it out of the way through a chute. For comparison, a single-stage design works for light, dry snow, only using an auger. A three-stage machine uses an auger and impeller, but it adds an accelerator that allows it to chop and remove ice. Commercial properties are the primary customers for three-stage machines.

If you're unsure which two-stage snow blower to buy, Consumer Reports aims to help. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that samples its members and performs hands-on testing reviews of products. It recently released a list of the highest-rated snow blowers, separating its rankings based on the number of states each machine offers (one, two, or three). Consumer Reports ranked 41 gas-powered, two-stage snow blowers, and three models sat near the top of the list, including the Toro Power Max HD 1030, the Honda HSS724AWD, and the Ariens Deluxe 30. The organization did not rank electric two-stage blowers. Regardless of which product catches your eye, always follow snow blower safety tips before using these powerful devices.

Consumer Reports gives the Toro Power Max HD 1030 Snow Blower ($2,149) high marks in areas of removal speed, pile removal, throwing distance, and overall handling. It receives a CR Recommended designation, which is reserved for models that Consumer Reports decides are among the best in the industry in performance and owner satisfaction.

Toro is one of the most reliable snow blower brands, building on its reputation as one of the best outdoor power equipment manufacturers. Consumer Reports says the Power Max HD 1030's best features include its electric start, heated handgrips, and multiple-speed control options. It clears snow in a 30-inch width path and can direct it up to 49 feet away with the chute. It uses a four-cycle engine, which is more fuel efficient than two-cycle engines found with some single-stage snow blowers. The four-cycle engine lasts longer and doesn't require mixing oil with the fuel like a two-cycle engine.

The only area where the Toro Power Max HD 1030 receives poor marks from Consumer Reports involves noise generation, and the reviewers recommended using hearing protection when operating this Toro machine. High levels of noise are common with these machines, as they often generate 90 to 100 decibels during operation.

Two other two-stage snow blowers rank just behind the Toro model on Consumer Reports' list. The Ariens Deluxe 30 ($2,199) holds a CR Recommended designation. It receives high rankings from Consumer Reports for snow removal speed, removal of piles, throwing distance, and handling. It receives a below-average rating in the noise generation category, and the reviewer recommends wearing hearing protection when using it. Some of its top features are an electric start and heated handgrips, according to CR's reviewers. It has a four-cycle engine and clears snow in a width of up to 30 inches per pass.

Consumer Reports ranks the Honda HSS724AWD ($2,949) as the best compact-sized two-stage snow blower, giving it a CR Recommended designation. With its compact design, the Honda model has a narrower clearing width path (of 24 inches) than the Ariens or Toro models. It's a little easier to maneuver because it weighs just below 200 pounds, about 75 pounds less than the Ariens model. Consumer Reports gives the Honda model the highest ratings in the categories of removal of piles, throwing distance, surface cleaning, and operational handling. It receives a below-average rating for its noise generation, and CR recommends wearing hearing protection when using it. The Honda snow blower has an electric start and features a four-cycle (or four-stroke) engine, but it does not have heated handgrips like the Toro and Ariens models.