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There is no substitute for a gas snowblower. While battery-powered models get more and more attractive every season, they still can’t match the runtime and power of the biggest gas-powered models, especially for storms that dump a lot of snow in a short amount of time, like we've seen with recent storms in the Northeast.
Gas-powered snowblowers can carve a wide path through as much as 2 feet of snow. As long as you keep gas in the tank, they’ll run until the job’s done, making them indispensable for homeowners with large driveways and property, or those who live in an area that sees heavy annual snowfall. If you have a lot of snow to clear, the best gas snowblowers will come in handy every winter.
Get Ready for Winter: Best Snow Boots ● Best Sidewalk Scrapers ● Best Salt Spreaders
The Best Gas Snowblowers
- Best Overall: Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI Two-Stage Gas snowblower
- Best Value: Yard Force 24-inch Dual-Stage Gas Snowblower
- Best Single-Stage: Toro Snowmaster 824 Single-Stage Gas Snowblower
- Best Dual-Stage: Craftsman SB630 30-inch 357cc Two-Stage Gas Snowblower
- Best Easy to Use: Cub Cadet 2X 30-Inch Max Two-Stage Gas Snowblower
- Best for Large Areas: Toro Power Max HD 1232 OHXE Two-Stage Gas Snowblower
The Expert: I’m a freelance writer who has written about landscaping, home improvement, gardening, and home security for publications like Bob Vila, U.S. News and World Report, Popular Science, Pro Tool Reviews, and Futurism. As someone who spent many years in rural Pennsylvania, I’ve seen my fair share of heavy snow and cleared my fair share of driveways and sidewalks. A powerful gas snowblower was always my saving grace after a heavy snowfall.
What to Look for in a Gas Snowblower
Gas snowblowers are designed to move lots of snow. They’re effective against snowbanks piled up to 2 feet high, and can clear out larger zones, including wide driveways and walking paths. If you live somewhere that sees lots of snow fall each season, and you’ve got a considerable sized area to clear, then this is what you need.
Not everyone needs a gas snowblower, though. For homes with smaller needs, it may feel like more trouble than it’s worth. Gas-powered machines require more maintenance. Plus, they’re usually quite heavy, which makes them hard to use on tiered walkways with steps. If heavy snow is a rare occurrence, we’d recommend going with an electric snowblower instead, which will be more nimble and won’t produce any fumes.
Single-Stage or Dual-Stage
Most gas snowblowers feature either a one-stage or two-stage mechanism, depending on how the snowblower collects, processes, and expels snow.
Single-stage snowblowers, also known as “snow throwers,” use an auger to pull in snow, break it up, and throw the snow out through the chute in a single action.
Dual-stage snowblowers also use an auger to pull in snow, but send it into a spinning impeller that mashes it up before spitting it out through the chute. Separating the snow pulling and snow crushing/throwing mechanisms allows the dual-stage snowblower to move snow more quickly and throw it a longer distance, which can be helpful when clearing larger driveways. These robust machines also work better on gravel, since their augers are slightly elevated and won’t draw rocks into the tines.
With an extra component that requires a more powerful engine to operate properly, dual-stage snowblowers are larger, making them more difficult to maneuver around tight spaces. If you have a small walkway or gardens with uneven ground to avoid, operating one may feel unwieldy. As you might expect, dual-stage snowblowers also cost more than their single-stage counterparts.
As with deciding between electric and gas snowblowers, consider the size of the area you normally clear before picking a single- or dual-stage model. Single-stage snowblowers work well for clearing walking paths and the average-sized two to four car paved driveway. Dual-stage models are ideal for clearing deep snow from long paved or gravel driveways.
Clearing Width and Intake Height
A snowblower’s clearing width and intake height determines how much snow it can move with each pass. The larger the snowblowers intake, the more quickly you can get the job done.
Most single stage gas-powered snowblowers have intakes that range from 22- to 24-inches wide, while dual-stage snowblowers can have intakes that are up to 32-inches wide. The height of the snowblower’s intake, which is sometimes referred to as “clearing depth,” indicates the maximum snow depth it can handle. The intake height for a gas snowblower ranges from 18- to 21-inches.
Purchasing the snowblower with the widest, tallest intake may seem like a no-brainer, but keep in mind that there’s a correlation between intake dimensions and the overall size of the snowblower. The largest gas snowblowers will have a harder time maneuvering through tight turns. Ultimately, you should choose the smallest option that can effectively clear the paths you need and the amount of snow you expect to see.
Throwing Distance
A snowblower's job is to take snow in front of you and move it somewhere out of the way. With a more powerful snowblower, you can send the snow further away. That’s crucial when you’re clearing out a large space and you need to pile it up dozens of feet from you.
Single-stage gas snowblowers can launch snow up to 40 feet, while dual stage snowblowers have a snow throwing range of 50 feet or more.
Some gas snowblowers come equipped with a throttle on the dashboard that allows you to adjust the throwing distance by changing the speed of the impeller, allowing you to target a specific snow-piling plot.
Additional Features
Beyond the basics, many gas snowblowers have additional features that make them easier to use. Since they weigh hundreds of pounds, many are self-propelled so you don’t have to push them forward. Most also have electric starters that eliminate the need to pull a starter cord. Some even have built-in power steering that automatically slows one wheel for easy turning.
Other quality of life features abound: You may find dashboard controls that allow you to change the chute direction and snowblower speed with one hand, LED headlights for late-night (or early morning) jobs, and handlebars that heat up to keep your hands nice and toasty as you work.
How We Selected the Best Gas Snowblowers
I consulted with the editors of the Popular Mechanics test team, which has spent years reviewing dozens of snowblowers, to highlight their favorite gas snowblowers. I also have a fair amount of experience using them, and included my observations. Lastly, I consulted dozens of customer reviews from online retailers to see what customers have loved and hated.
Pros
Wide intake- Power-assisted turning feature
- Durable construction
- Handlebar hand warmer
Cons
- May be difficult to start at times
With its 306cc engine, the Arien Deluxe 30 EFI can clear a path that’s 30 inches wide through up to 21 inches of snow, hurling it up to 50 feet through the air. In other words, it can handle almost any job you’d ever try to tackle on your own.
It’s made from a heavy gauge steel and has a cast iron crankcase, so it’s built to last through tough winters, season after season. Along with its sturdy build and the ability to clear a lot of snow, we also like the bevy of additional features that make it easy to operate. Its auto-turning functionality helps this 275-pound behemoth handle reasonably well for its size. Knobby 16-inch tires add traction to help it push through deep snow.
It also doesn’t hurt that the hand grips are heated, so your hands won’t go numb while steering. These pairs well with the LED headlights, minimizing the pain of going out to deal with the snow in the dark. These thoughtful additional features, coupled with a two-stage design and a broad clearing width, mean the Ariens Deluxe snowblower has all the features you need to take on deep, post-blizzard snow.
Key Specs
| Stages | 2 |
|---|---|
| Clearing width | 30 in. |
| Intake height | 21 in. |
| Throw distance | 50 ft |
Pros
- Self-propelled with electric starter
- Chute controls on dashboard
- Wide intake
Cons
- Relatively weak engine
If you’re willing to compromise a bit on power and special features, Yard Force makes a decent dual-stage snowblower with an attractive price tag. It costs about half as much as our other dual-stage picks, but is still capable of clearing a 2-foot-wide path through up to 21 inches of snow. Its 208cc engine is small compared to that of the top two-stage snowblowers, but you still get a good throwing distance–up to 40 feet away.
You won’t find power steering or heated grips, but this unit has all the features you really need in a heavy snowblower, like self-propelled drive, dashboard chute controls, and an electric starter. It isn’t the most powerful option, so it may not be right for very large properties, but it’s a smart, frugal pick for homeowners with decently sized driveways and walks who expect to get buried by a few big snowstorms each season.
Key Specs
| Stages | 2 |
|---|---|
| Clearing width | 24 in. |
| Intake height | 21 in. |
| Throw distance | 40 ft |
Pros
- Easy-to-use chute direction controls
- Self-propelled wheels match walking pace
- Electric push button start
Cons
- Struggles with wet, heavy snow
The Toro Snowmaster 824 QXE stands apart from other single-stage gas snowblowers because of its intuitive controls and powerful engine. With a 252cc engine, it chews rapidly through snow, carving a 24-inch path through up to 18 inches.
With a lighter, more compact frame and automatic steering, it’s easier to maneuver than its dual-stage counterparts. And, unlike most single-stage snowblowers, the 824 QXE’s auger is slightly elevated, so you can use it on gravel surfaces without having to worry about sucking rocks into it.
This machine also brings lots of special features to make the clearing process easier. Not only is it self-propelled, but it features a “personal pace system” that automatically adjusts the snowblower’s speed to match your walking pace, so you don’t have to fumble with speed controls. If you're familiar with Toro's self-propelled lawn mowers, this system should be familiar.
The snowblower also has a push-button starter and joystick-operated chute control, which makes it easy to adjust your snow output on the fly. If you’re looking for a snowblower to clear up to 18 inches of snow from a small to medium-sized driveway, the SnowMaster 824 QXE is a worthy choice.
Key Specs
| Stages | 1 |
|---|---|
| Clearing width | 24 in. |
| Intake height | 18 in. |
| Throw distance | 45 ft |
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Pros
- Large snow intake
- Multiple speeds and power steering
- Electronic starter
Cons
The first thing you’ll notice about this two-stage snowblower from Craftsman is its large intake, which measures 30 inches wide and 20 inches deep. That gaping maw, coupled with a powerful 357cc engine, allows it to gobble up huge piles of snow with each pass and chuck it more than 50 feet away.
This is a big beast of a snowblower, but it’s surprisingly easy to handle. Power steering helps you execute tight turns, and 16-inch tires keep the machine from slipping when you’re tackling deeper snow.
There are plenty of quality of life features, too. One-handed chute control make it easy to change your snow placement on the fly. LED headlights provide plenty of brightness for nocturnal snow clearing.
Key Specs
| Stages | 2 |
|---|---|
| Clearing Width | 30 in. |
| Intake height | 20 in. |
| Throwing distance | 30 ft |
Pros
- Self propelled with power steering
- Easy-to-operate controls
- Heated grips
Cons
Cub Cadet loads this snowblower with a host of features that make it easier to handle than the average two-stage gas snowblower. It features one-handed controls for chute direction, throttle and speed, so you can control just about everything from the grips. It also has built-in hand warmers, which make it easy to keep your hands up and on the controls without going numb. Lastly, it has one of the largest LED lights for night work, giving you plenty of visibility while you clear snow after dark.
Of course, we wouldn’t recommend a snowblower just because it’s easy to use. With a 30-inch clearing width and knobby 16-inch tires, it’s ready to carve a wide path through your fresh or frozen powder.
Key Specs
| Stages | 2 |
|---|---|
| Clearing width | 30 in. |
| Intake height | 23 in. |
| Throw distance | 40 ft |
Pros
- Large clearing width and depth
- Self-propelled with power steering
- One-handed chute direction and speed controls
Cons
- Hard to maneuver through tight spaces
Toro’s Power Max HD 1232 has one of the largest clearing capacities of any two-stage snowblower we’ve seen. It comes equipped with a huge 32- by 21-inch intake, so it can cover a lot of ground with each pass. With its powerful 375cc engine, it’s capable of launching snow up to 44 feet. Toro equips this machine with an anti-clogging system to ensure it won’t get choked up by wet snow and ice.
This machine is generally easy to operate thanks to power steering, an electronic starter, and one-handed controls. It has hand warmers, too, so you won’t freeze on a big job. With its ability to chew through a lot of snow with each pass, the Power Max is a time saver if you’re clearing an extra-large driveway and snow depths of well over a foot.
Key Specs
| Stages | 2 |
|---|---|
| Clearing width | 32 in. |
| Intake height | 21 in. |
| Throw distance | 44 ft |
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Q+A with Yard Machine Expert Tony Carrick
How do I keep my gas snowblower running all winter?
There are a few things you need to do to make sure your gas snowblower runs smoothly through the season:
First, check the oil level between each use and top off as needed, and make sure you change the oil once a year.
Change the spark plug at the beginning of each season to ensure it starts smoothly. A dirty spark plug can make it difficult to get your snowblower going, especially in extreme cold.
Lastly, small gas engines require plenty of airflow to run smoothly, so check the air filter once a season and replace it if it's dirty.
How long can I keep gas in my snowblower?
Snowblowers use unleaded gasoline–the same thing you put in your car–which begins to degrade after about 60 days. Running a snowblower with old fuel can clog the carburetor and make the engine hard to start, so you should never store your snowblower with fuel left in the tank.
Before putting your snowblower to bed for the season, either run the fuel tank dry or add fuel stabilizer, which keeps gasoline fresh for up 24 months, to the tank. If you use fuel stabilizer, run the snowblower for a minute or two after adding it to the tank to circulate it through the engine.
Do I still need a snow shovel if I have a snowblower?
A snowblower should be able handle the lion’s share of your snow removal duties, but you should definitely keep a snow shovel around to clean up whatever the snowblower leaves behind. You may also want to save the gas and dig out with a shovel after a light, soft snowfall.
Tony Carrick
Tony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.
Expert consulted:Bradley Ford
Test Editor
Brad Ford has spent most of his life using tools to fix, build, or make things. Growing up he worked on a farm, where he learned to weld, repair, and paint equipment. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Today, when he's not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he's busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania.
