Snow Blowers Compared: Single Stage vs Two Stage
The EGO Power+ SNT2405 is our overall pick, giving two stage clearing power without petrol maintenance. The Toro Power Clear 721 E is the best value single stage machine for paved drives, while the Snow Joe SJ627E covers budget electric clearing for short paths.
For a mid size driveway that gets real snow, the EGO Power+ SNT2405 is the machine we would choose, because it delivers two stage clearing on batteries with no fuel stabiliser or spring carburettor cleaning. Paved drives under a foot of snowfall are handled well by the Toro Power Clear 721 E, and the corded Snow Joe SJ627E covers short paths for very little.
Snow blower shopping goes wrong when people buy on engine size rather than matching the machine to their surface and their snowfall. Single stage units scrape paved surfaces clean but cannot be used on gravel, while two stage machines handle gravel and deep drifts but leave a thin layer behind. We compared clearing width, intake height, drive systems, stated throw distance, starting method and, for cordless models, the battery capacity supplied, then weighed those against what owners report about heavy wet snow.
What we recommend
EGO Power+ SNT2405 24-Inch Two Stage Snow Blower
The SNT2405 gives you a genuine two stage auger and impeller system running on EGO’s 56V battery platform, with self propelled drive and a heated hand grip option. That means gravel drives and end of drive plough piles are on the menu without a petrol engine to winterise. Owners report runtime is the main planning consideration rather than clearing ability.
Pros
- Two stage power with no fuel maintenance
- Starts instantly in deep cold
- Self propelled with variable speed
Cons
- Runtime limited by battery count
- Heavy to manoeuvre when stored
Toro Power Clear 721 E
The Power Clear 721 E is the benchmark single stage petrol machine, using a rubber edged paddle that pulls the unit forward and scrapes pavement close to clean. Electric start removes the pull cord anxiety on the coldest mornings. Based on specifications it throws further than most single stage units, which matters on wide drives.
Pros
- Scrapes paved surfaces very clean
- Paddle assist pulls itself forward
- Strong throw for a single stage
Cons
- Cannot be used on gravel
- Struggles past about a foot of snow
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO
The Deluxe 28 SHO is built around a cast iron gear case and a high output engine, aimed squarely at long drives and heavy lake effect snowfall. Its 28 inch width means fewer passes on a wide drive, and the tall intake handles end of drive piles without stalling. It is the machine to buy if snow is a serious annual problem rather than an occasional nuisance.
Pros
- Handles very deep and wet snow
- Cast iron gear case built to last
- Auto turn makes it easy to steer
Cons
- Large and heavy to store
- Overkill for a short driveway
Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE
The SnowMaster uses a single stage style auger with a personal pace drive that matches your walking speed, letting you clear a driveway noticeably faster than a conventional two stage machine. The 24 inch width covers a two car drive in reasonable passes. Owners report it is the most enjoyable machine here to actually use.
Pros
- Clears far faster than similar sizes
- Personal Pace drive feels natural
- Tall intake for a single stage design
Cons
- Not rated for gravel surfaces
- Chute control could be sturdier
Greenworks Pro 80V 20-Inch Cordless Snow Blower
This 80V single stage machine is light, quiet and quick to bring out for a few inches of overnight snow. A 20 inch clearing width suits a single car drive, walkway and steps without feeling unwieldy. It is the sort of machine people actually use for small snowfalls instead of leaving the big one in the garage.
Pros
- Light and easy to store
- Very quiet compared to petrol
- No fuel or oil maintenance
Cons
- Limited to shallow snowfalls
- Runtime drops sharply in wet snow
PowerSmart PSSAM24 24-Inch Two Stage Snow Blower
PowerSmart offers a two stage petrol machine with skid shoes and a serrated auger at a notably lower cost than the established brands. That makes it the accessible route to gravel drive capability, which single stage units cannot provide at any price. Owners report assembly quality is where the savings show.
Pros
- Two stage capability at a low outlay
- Adjustable skid shoes for gravel
- Electric start included
Cons
- Fit and finish below premium brands
- Parts support is thinner
Snow Joe SJ627E 22-Inch Electric Snow Thrower
The SJ627E plugs into a household outlet, so it never runs out of charge and never needs fuel. A 22 inch clearing width is generous for a corded machine, and a headlight helps on dark evenings. It suits short paved paths and decks where dragging an extension lead is not a problem.
Pros
- Never runs out of power
- Very low running cost
- Light enough for decks and steps
Cons
- Extension cord limits range
- Cannot handle deep or wet snow
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Clearing width | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EGO Power+ SNT2405 24-Inch Two Stage Snow Blower | 24 inches | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Toro Power Clear 721 E | 21 inches | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO | 28 inches | Best for deep snow | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE | 24 inches | Best for speed | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Greenworks Pro 80V 20-Inch Cordless Snow Blower | 20 inches | Best for small drives | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | PowerSmart PSSAM24 24-Inch Two Stage Snow Blower | 24 inches | Best budget two stage | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Snow Joe SJ627E 22-Inch Electric Snow Thrower | 22 inches | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
Before you buy
Single stage or two stage depends on your surface Single stage machines use a rubber edged auger that touches the ground, which is why they clear pavement so well and why they will fire gravel at your neighbour’s windows. Two stage machines lift snow with an auger and throw it with a separate impeller, riding on skid shoes above the surface. If any part of your drive is gravel, unsealed or uneven, the decision is made for you. If everything is paved and snowfall is moderate, single stage is lighter, cheaper and faster.
Match clearing width to driveway size, not ambition A wider machine means fewer passes, but it also means more weight to turn at the end of each run and more space consumed in the garage for ten months of the year. As a rough guide, 21 inches suits a single car drive, 24 inches a two car drive, and 28 inches or more earns its keep on long or shared drives. Buying wider than you need makes clearing a light snowfall feel like a chore, which is how machines end up unused.
Cordless has closed most of the gap, with one caveat Battery snow blowers now match petrol machines for clearing power in the mid sizes, start instantly in deep cold and skip every piece of seasonal fuel maintenance. The remaining constraint is runtime. Heavy wet snow drains batteries far faster than the light powder used in marketing figures, so plan on owning more capacity than the machine ships with if you have a long drive. For short and mid length drives that is a small price for never touching a carburettor.
Plan for the plough pile at the end of the drive The hardest snow you will ever move is the dense, partly compacted ridge the street plough leaves across your drive entrance. Single stage machines and light cordless units bog down in it. Intake height is the specification that matters here, since a 12 inch intake simply cannot swallow an 18 inch ridge. If your street gets ploughed regularly, weight the decision toward a taller intake and two stage clearing even if the rest of your drive never needs it.
Common questions
What size snow blower do I need for my driveway?
For a single car drive with moderate snowfall, a 21 or 22 inch machine is enough. A two car drive is better served by 24 inches. Long drives, shared drives or areas with heavy annual snowfall justify 28 inches or wider, mainly to cut the number of passes.
Can I use a single stage snow blower on a gravel driveway?
No. The auger on a single stage machine contacts the ground and will pick up and throw stones, which is dangerous and will damage the auger. Gravel, unsealed and loose surfaces need a two stage machine with adjustable skid shoes that hold the auger clear of the surface.
Are cordless snow blowers powerful enough?
In the 24 inch class, yes. Modern battery two stage machines clear comparably to similar sized petrol units and start reliably in extreme cold. The limitation is runtime rather than power, and heavy wet snow shortens it significantly, so extra batteries are worth planning for.
How far should a snow blower throw snow?
Single stage machines typically manage 20 to 35 feet, while two stage machines often reach 40 feet or more. Throw distance matters most on wide drives where snow needs to clear the far edge. Wet heavy snow reduces the real distance well below the stated figure on any machine.
What is intake height and why does it matter?
Intake height is how deep a snowfall the machine can swallow in one pass. A 12 inch intake will bog down in an 18 inch drift, forcing you to take partial bites. If your area gets heavy snowfall or your street gets ploughed into a ridge across the drive, a taller intake saves considerable effort.
Do I need electric start on a petrol snow blower?
It is worth having. Petrol engines are hardest to pull start in exactly the conditions you need them, and electric start turns that into a button press. Most models keep a recoil cord as backup, so you lose nothing by having both.
How do I stop wet snow clogging the chute?
Take narrower passes, keep the engine at full throttle and move forward more slowly so the impeller is never overwhelmed. Spraying the chute and auger housing with a silicone lubricant before starting helps snow slide rather than pack. Always use the clearing tool, never your hand, to unblock a chute.
What maintenance does a petrol snow blower need each season?
Fresh fuel with stabiliser, an oil change at the start or end of the season, a spark plug check and an inspection of the belts, shear pins and skid shoes. Draining or stabilising fuel before summer storage prevents the carburettor problems that cause most spring starting failures.
Our take
The EGO Power+ SNT2405 is the machine we would put in most garages, since it gives real two stage capability with none of the seasonal fuel maintenance that makes petrol snow blowers frustrating to own. Anyone facing genuinely heavy snowfall on a long drive should stretch to the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO instead. For a paved drive and a tighter budget, the Toro Power Clear 721 E remains one of the best value machines in the category.
