Shovels work for snowy stairs and walkways, but on a wide-open driveway or patio, you can’t beat a fast, effective, easy-to-use snow blower. After seven New England winters of testing, the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE 24-inch snow blower is the first tool we reach for, even with larger, pricier machines in the same shed. Its speed blows away everything else we saw in our tests, and its simple, intuitive controls make clearing deep snow a job you can (almost) enjoy.
Our pick
Two unusual features—a high-capacity auger and a drive system that matches your pace as you walk—make the SnowMaster faster and easier to maneuver than any other snow blower we’ve tested.
The Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE even worked faster—and did a better job—than larger, more expensive competitors, thanks to the distinctive design of its auger and drive control. Unlike the cumbersome manual-shift speed controls of typical blowers, Toro’s intuitive Personal Pace drive system synchronizes the speed of the blower’s wheels with how fast you’re walking. This model also has a convenient electric start and a smooth joystick chute control that lets you easily direct snow where you want it. It can toss snow up to about 40 feet, and it’s the ideal machine for a paved two-car driveway (up to about 80 feet in length) and for snowfalls that are consistently in the range of 6 to 18 inches. It does not have a reverse drive, so it requires more physical maneuvering than more traditional two-stage snow blowers. It’s also not the best pick for unpaved surfaces, so if you have a gravel driveway or a large lawn area to clear, the Cub Cadet, an also-great pick, is a better option.
Runner-up
Like our pick but with a slightly smaller engine, the 724 QXE shares the other unique snow-clearing abilities that make the 824 QXE so effective.
The Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE, a slightly smaller version of the 824 QXE, was our previous top pick. The 724 QXE is a great machine, and the only difference between it and the 824 QXE is that it has a 212 cc engine instead of a 252 cc engine and it costs a little less. In our tests it could easily handle up to 12 inches of wet snow with little issue. It can fit the needs of many, and is a great option if our top pick is sold out.
Also great
This traditional two-stage blower, ideal for 6- to 12-inch snowfalls, is heavier and slower than our pick but offers a great combination of features for the price.
If the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE is not available, or if you have a gravel driveway (up to about 80 feet in length), consider going with the more traditional Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPower Snow Blower. It’s not as fast or intuitive as the 824 QXE, but this 26-inch model is a well-done version of a standard two-stage blower, and it stands out for offering nice features at an excellent price. It has power steering—a must for a heavier two-stage blower like this one—a durable metal chute, a convenient electric start, and large, 15-inch tires that help give it good grip in the snow. This combination of features is usually reserved for blowers costing hundreds more. This replaces the Cub Cadet 2X 26 HP, our previous 26-inch pick, which is being discontinued. The new model has a digital throttle that matches the engine output with the task at hand, making for a more efficient engine and less bogging down. This new model costs about $100 more than the older one.
Also great
The battery-powered Ego SNT2405 eliminates the need for gas and engine maintenance. It’s quiet and easy to use, but it will struggle in deeper, heavier snows.
If you would rather avoid the use of a gas-powered engine and all of its noise, exhaust, and maintenance, we recommend the Ego Power+ SNT2405 24-inch Self-Propelled 2-Stage Snow Blower. Although it’s not strong enough for every situation, it should be sufficient for anyone who deals with lighter snowfalls and doesn’t have an extensive amount of clearing to do. In our tests, the Ego SNT2405 provided about 26 minutes of run time, which was enough for us to clear a 150-foot driveway in addition to a three-car parking area. We used the Ego SNT2405 in 6 inches of light and fluffy snow—a forgiving test—and we would not expect the same performance if the snow were wet, heavy, and dense. The controls are nice, and the adjustments are easy. Compared with the other cordless snow blowers we’ve tested, the SNT2405 is easier to use and has a longer run time.
