Best Two-Stage Snow Blowers
The best two-stage snow blowers, gas and battery, compared by clearing width, intake height, engine and throw distance, with a sizing guide.
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The short answer
The Ariens Deluxe 28 is the best two-stage snow blower for most homeowners. It has a 28-inch clearing width, a 254cc Ariens AX engine with electric start, a 21-inch housing and a throw of up to 50 feet. For deep, heavy snow and long or sloped driveways, step up to the Ariens Platinum RapidTrak 28 SHO (369cc, switchable tracks). If you want no gas at all, the battery Toro 60V Power Max e26 and EGO SNT2405 are true two-stage machines. On a budget, the PowerSmart 24″ covers typical suburban driveways.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Model | Power | Clearing width | Intake height | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Ariens Deluxe 28 (921046) | 254cc gas | 28″ | 21″ housing | 2–3 car driveways, regular snowfall | Amazon |
| Best heavy-duty | Ariens Platinum RapidTrak 28 SHO | 369cc gas | 28″ | 21″ | Deep snow, slopes, end-of-driveway plow piles | Amazon |
| Best three-stage alternative | Cub Cadet 3X 26 (3526SWE) | 357cc gas | 26″ | Check listing | Wet, packed snow | Amazon |
| Best battery | Toro 60V Power Max e26 | 60V, two batteries | 26″ | 20″ | Quiet, no-gas two-stage clearing | Amazon |
| Best battery runner-up | EGO Power+ SNT2405 | 56V, two 7.5Ah | 24″ | 20″ | EGO owners, medium driveways | Amazon |
| Best budget | PowerSmart 24″ (208cc B&S) | 208cc gas | 24″ | Check listing | Typical suburban driveways | Amazon |
We compared specs, owner reviews and published reviews to build this list. Snow blower prices swing a lot between fall and late winter, so check the current price.
Why two-stage?
A single-stage blower uses one fast-spinning auger that both picks up and throws snow, and it touches the pavement. It’s fine for light snow on short, paved driveways. A two-stage blower uses a slower steel auger to feed snow to a separate impeller that throws it. It rides on skid shoes rather than scraping the ground, so it works on gravel, and it handles deep, wet snow and the heavy pile the plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Most models are also self-propelled with multiple speeds.
1. Ariens Deluxe 28 — best overall
The Deluxe 28 is a long-running favorite in snow-belt states. Published specs: a 254cc Ariens AX engine with 120V electric start, 28-inch clearing width, 21-inch housing height, 14-inch serrated steel auger, a three-blade impeller, a throw distance of 3 to 50 feet, six forward and two reverse speeds, and 16-inch directional snow tires. Auto-Turn steering makes it much easier to turn a heavy machine at the end of each pass, and it has an LED headlight.
Who it’s for: two- to three-car driveways and regular moderate-to-heavy snowfall.
Good to know: it’s a big, heavy machine that needs real garage floor space. Electric start needs an extension cord to a 120V outlet; otherwise you use the recoil.
Check the Ariens Deluxe 28 price on Amazon
2. Ariens Platinum RapidTrak 28 SHO — best heavy-duty
If you get lake-effect snow or have a steep or long driveway, the Platinum RapidTrak is a serious upgrade. Its 369cc Ariens AX engine, 28-inch width and 21-inch intake are rated to move up to 73 tons of snow per hour with a throw distance up to 55 feet. The RapidTrak system lets you switch between tracked mode (for grip on slopes and ice) and wheeled mode (for easy turning) in seconds.
Who it’s for: heavy-snow regions, sloped driveways, and anyone who regularly fights deep plow piles.
Good to know: it costs considerably more than the Deluxe and is heavier still. For flat driveways with average snowfall, it’s more machine than you need.
Check the Ariens Platinum RapidTrak price on Amazon
3. Cub Cadet 3X 26 — best three-stage alternative
Cub Cadet’s 3X adds a third stage: an induction accelerator in front of the auger that chops and feeds snow faster. Published specs include a 357cc engine with push-button electric start, a 26-inch clearing width, trigger-controlled power steering, heated hand grips, LED headlights and a 200° remote chute.
Who it’s for: wet, heavy or packed snow, where the extra stage helps prevent clogging.
Good to know: three-stage machines cost more than comparable two-stage models. If your snow is mostly light and fluffy, a two-stage blower does the job for less.
Check the Cub Cadet 3X 26 price on Amazon
4. Toro 60V Power Max e26 — best battery two-stage
The e26 is a true two-stage blower that runs on Toro’s 60V batteries. Toro’s specs: 26-inch clearing width, 20-inch intake, throw up to 45 feet, an 11-inch auger with hardened gears (no shear pins), six forward and two reverse speeds, hand warmers, LED headlights and a 200° steel chute. Toro rates it at up to 70 minutes of runtime and up to 30 car spaces in up to 10 inches of snow on two 7.5Ah batteries, with a third battery port for more capacity.
Who it’s for: homeowners who want two-stage performance without gas, oil, carburetor problems or engine noise.
Good to know: the linked kit includes a 5.0Ah and a 10.0Ah battery rather than two 7.5Ah batteries, so runtime will differ somewhat from Toro’s rating. Recharging takes hours, so it won’t keep up with an all-day storm the way a gas machine refueled in a minute will. It weighs about 186 lb.
Check the Toro Power Max e26 kit on Amazon
5. EGO Power+ SNT2405 — best battery runner-up
EGO’s 24-inch two-stage blower uses separate brushless motors for the drive and auger, with variable-speed self-propel in forward and reverse. Published specs: 24-inch clearing width, 20-inch intake, throw up to 50 feet, 200° chute rotation, four LED headlights and adjustable skid shoes. EGO says it clears an 18-car driveway in 8 inches of snow on two 7.5Ah batteries, which the linked kit includes.
Who it’s for: EGO tool owners and medium-size driveways.
Good to know: reviewers note it can stall if you push too fast into heavy snow. Slow down and let it work, especially in plow piles.
Check the EGO SNT2405 kit on Amazon
6. PowerSmart 24″ two-stage — best budget
PowerSmart’s 24-inch two-stage blower pairs a 208cc Briggs & Stratton engine with 120V electric start, 13-inch snow tires, a handle warmer and LED lights, at a price well below the big names.
Who it’s for: typical suburban driveways in moderate-snow areas.
Good to know: published reviews say the narrower intake means more passes in deep snow and traction suffers on steep, icy inclines. Fit and finish don’t match Ariens or Toro, and PowerSmart sells several similar listings, so check the engine and features before you buy.
Check the PowerSmart 24-inch price on Amazon
Sizing guide
| Driveway | Typical snowfall | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 cars, paved | Moderate | 24″ two-stage, gas or battery |
| 2–3 cars | Moderate to heavy | 26–28″ two-stage, 250cc+ |
| 3+ cars, long or sloped | Heavy / lake-effect | 28″+ with 300cc+ engine, tracks or three-stage |
| Gravel | Any | Two-stage only (with skid shoes set high) |
Buying checklist
- Intake height: should exceed your typical snowfall. 20–21 inches handles most storms.
- Electric start: makes cold-morning starts much easier.
- Steering: Auto-Turn, power steering or trigger steering makes a big difference on 250+ lb machines.
- Heated grips and headlights: worth having if you clear before dawn.
- Tracks vs wheels: tracks for slopes and ice; wheels for easy maneuvering on flat ground.
- Storage: measure your garage; two-stage blowers are large.
Safety
- Never clear a clogged chute with your hands. Shut off the engine and use the clean-out tool.
- Never run a gas snow blower in a closed garage. Carbon monoxide builds up fast.
- Refuel outdoors with the engine off and cool, and use fresh, stabilized fuel.
- Clear the area of doormats, newspapers, rocks and toys before you start, and keep people and pets well away from the chute.
FAQ
What is the best two-stage snow blower?
The Ariens Deluxe 28 is our top pick for most homeowners: a 28-inch width, 254cc engine with electric start, 21-inch housing and up to 50-foot throw. The Ariens Platinum RapidTrak 28 SHO is the heavy-duty upgrade.
What size snow blower do I need for a 2-car driveway?
A 24- to 26-inch two-stage snow blower handles most 2-car driveways. Go to 28 inches if you get heavy snow or have a long driveway.
Are battery two-stage snow blowers any good?
Yes. Models like the Toro Power Max e26 and EGO SNT2405 are true two-stage machines. Toro rates the e26 at up to 30 car spaces in up to 10 inches of snow on two 7.5Ah batteries. Very large driveways or all-day storms still favor gas.
Can I use a two-stage snow blower on gravel?
Yes. Two-stage blowers ride on skid shoes, so the auger doesn’t touch the ground. Raise the skid shoes so you don’t pick up and throw gravel.
Is a three-stage snow blower better than two-stage?
A three-stage blower adds an accelerator that helps with wet, heavy snow and reduces clogging. For typical snow, a good two-stage model is just as effective and usually costs less.
