Shovels work for snowy stairs and walkways, however on a wide-open driveway or patio, you may’t beat a quick, efficient, easy-to-use snow blower. After seven New England winters of testing, the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE 24-inch snow blower is the primary instrument we attain for, even with bigger, pricier machines in the identical shed. Its velocity blows away all the pieces else we noticed in our exams, and its easy, intuitive controls make clearing deep snow a job you may (nearly) get pleasure from.
Our choose
Two uncommon options—a high-capacity auger and a drive system that matches your tempo as you stroll—make the SnowMaster sooner and simpler to maneuver than some other snow blower we’ve examined.
The Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE even labored sooner—and did a greater job—than bigger, costlier rivals, because of the distinctive design of its auger and drive management. In contrast to the cumbersome manual-shift velocity controls of typical blowers, Toro’s intuitive Private Tempo drive system synchronizes the velocity of the blower’s wheels with how briskly you’re strolling. This mannequin additionally has a handy electrical begin and a easy joystick chute management that allows you to simply direct snow the place you need it. It may possibly toss snow as much as about 40 toes, and it’s the best machine for a paved two-car driveway (as much as about 80 toes in size) and for snowfalls which can be persistently within the vary of 6 to 18 inches. It doesn’t have a reverse drive, so it requires extra bodily maneuvering than extra conventional two-stage snow blowers. It’s additionally not the most effective choose for unpaved surfaces, so you probably have a gravel driveway or a big garden space to clear, the Cub Cadet, an also-great choose, is a greater choice.
Runner-up
Like our choose however with a barely smaller engine, the 724 QXE shares the opposite distinctive snow-clearing talents that make the 824 QXE so efficient.
The Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE, a barely smaller model of the 824 QXE, was our earlier prime choose. The 724 QXE is a good machine, and the one distinction between it and the 824 QXE is that it has a 212 cc engine as a substitute of a 252 cc engine and it prices rather less. In our exams it might simply deal with as much as 12 inches of moist snow with little subject. It may possibly match the wants of many, and is a good choice if our prime choose is offered out.
Additionally nice
This conventional two-stage blower, excellent for 6- to 12-inch snowfalls, is heavier and slower than our choose however provides an important mixture of options for the value.
If the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE isn’t out there, or you probably have a gravel driveway (as much as about 80 toes in size), contemplate going with the extra conventional Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPower Snow Blower. It’s not as quick or intuitive because the 824 QXE, however this 26-inch mannequin is a well-done model of a typical two-stage blower, and it stands out for providing good options at a wonderful value. It has energy steering—a should for a heavier two-stage blower like this one—a sturdy steel chute, a handy electrical begin, and enormous, 15-inch tires that assist give it good grip within the snow. This mixture of options is often reserved for blowers costing a whole lot extra. This replaces the Cub Cadet 2X 26 HP, our earlier 26-inch choose, which is being discontinued. The brand new mannequin has a digital throttle that matches the engine output with the duty at hand, making for a extra environment friendly engine and fewer bogging down. This new mannequin prices about $100 greater than the older one.
Additionally nice
The battery-powered Ego SNT2405 eliminates the necessity for fuel and engine upkeep. It’s quiet and simple to make use of, however it can battle in deeper, heavier snows.
For those who would slightly keep away from the usage of a gas-powered engine and all of its noise, exhaust, and upkeep, we advocate the Ego Energy+ SNT2405 24-inch Self-Propelled 2-Stage Snow Blower. Though it’s not sturdy sufficient for each scenario, it needs to be ample for anybody who offers with lighter snowfalls and doesn’t have an intensive quantity of clearing to do. In our exams, the Ego SNT2405 offered about 26 minutes of run time, which was sufficient for us to clear a 150-foot driveway along with a three-car parking space. We used the Ego SNT2405 in 6 inches of sunshine and fluffy snow—a forgiving take a look at—and we might not count on the identical efficiency if the snow have been moist, heavy, and dense. The controls are good, and the changes are simple. In contrast with the opposite cordless snow blowers we’ve examined, the SNT2405 is simpler to make use of and has an extended run time.
