Snow Blowers: Reviews

If your snow-clearing needs amount to cleaning off light snow from short sidewalks or a deck, the Toro Power Shovel will save wear and tear on your back. However, since it does not have wheels, you'll still need to do the… pushing. Despite initial skepticism, testers say the Toro Power Shovel actually works surprisingly well for its intended purpose.

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Although it's only appropriate for light snowfalls and short, flat driveways, the Toro Power Curve snow blower has wheels, so it's easier to push than a power shovel. The Power Curve has a movable chute and an 18-inch… clearing path. Reviews say the Toro 1800 Power Curve does a nice job, but definitely isn't built to handle 6 to 8 inches of wet snow on a long driveway. You'll have to contend with a power cord, but you won't have to worry about the engine maintenance and fueling required with gas-powered snow blowers.

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If you need a snow blower for moderate snowfalls of less than 8 inches and you have a flat, paved drive, a single-stage gas snow blower like the highly rated Toro Power Clear 210R is your best bet. You could instead opt… for a low-end, two-stage blower like the Craftsman 88957, but it weighs twice as much (190 pounds compared to 73 pounds for the Toro) and can't clear snow right down to the pavement. The Toro Power Clear 210R has a 21-inch clearing path and a throwing distance of up to 30 feet, but it doesn't have a headlight or a push-button electric starter. Since its rubber auger actually scrapes the pavement, the auger helps propel the Toro Power Clear forward so it's easy to push.

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Two-stage gas snow throwers are the best choice for gravel or sloping driveways. They also can operate in reverse, and they are generally more powerful than single-stage snow blowers. However, they are heavier, and they… can't clean as close to paved surfaces as single-auger blowers. If you do have a long, hilly or gravel drive, reviewers say the budget Craftsman 88957 is a great value, as long as your typical snowfalls don't exceed about 8 inches. Nice features include a push-button electric starter and one-handed operation (which means you can adjust the chute without stopping). Its four-cycle engine is less polluting than two-cycle models, and you don't have to mix gas with oil. There are six forward and two reverse speeds, and big tires means you're not likely to get stuck. For deeper snows, however, you'll need a more expensive model.

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According to reviews, the two-stage Troy-Bilt snow blower has enough oomph to plow though those piles of snow left at the end of your driveway by city snow-removal teams. Plus, it has nice extras like heated handgrips and… a headlight. Its 30-inch clearing path means your drive will need fewer passes. Power steering and six speeds means you won't be struggling to maneuver it, even though the Troy-Bilt Storm weighs 370 pounds. If you have an average-sized driveway and get only moderate snowfalls, then this snow blower is overkill. But if you have a long or sloping driveway and don't want to spend all day plowing it, reviewers say the Troy-Bilt Storm is worth the money. Like the Craftsman 88957, it features one-handed operation and a four-cycle engine.

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