New $795.00
Best Reviewed
Snow Blowers
- Electric snow shovel Toro Power Shovel *Est. $100
- Single-stage electric snow blower Toro 1800 Power Curve *Est. $300
- Budget single-stage gas snow blower Craftsman 88780 *Est. $500
- Best single-stage gas snow blower Toro Power Clear 621 QZE *Est. $750
- Small two-stage gas snow blower Craftsman 88957 *Est. $700
- Large two-stage gas snow blower Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP *Est. $1100
Get info about new reports and updates
- Headlight
- Electric start
- 14-inch auger
- Three-year warranty
- Five-year warranty on cast-iron gear case
- Lacks power steering
- No heated handgrips
- Too much power for some
Experts say this 28-inch two-stage gas snow blower has a lot of power and extra features at a reasonable price. With a 250cc Briggs & Stratton engine and a 50-foot maximum throwing distance, the Ariens Deluxe 28 is well suited to clear moderate to heavy snow from large paved surfaces. If you don't need a blower this powerful and want to spend less, you may want to consider the top-rated Craftsman 88957 (*Est. $700) .
Large but easy to operate
The Ariens Deluxe 28 doesn't have power steering, but a wheel lock on the handle lets you quickly disengage one or both drive wheels to make it easier to maneuver. Owners say they have no difficulty handling it. It also features single-hand operation, so your other hand is free to use the lever that controls the chute. Experts say the Briggs & Stratton engine should run smoothly for years as long as it receives proper maintenance. An electric starter, and six forward and two reverse speeds also facilitate easy operation. The Ariens Deluxe 28 has a halogen headlight, a feature that most owners appreciate, although one says it doesn't provide enough illumination. This snow blower is loud, so hearing protection is recommended.
Excellent snow-removal capability
Experts say the Ariens Deluxe 28 excels at clearing snow quickly with its powerful engine, 28-inch clearing path and 14-inch serrated steel auger. One owner says it works well on grassy areas and slopes; he uses it to clear paths in his yard for his dogs. Another writes that it "cleared 8-14 inches of snow from my sidewalk, parking area and a long driveway in less than an hour." A third says it "works perfectly in 3 feet of snow." The Ariens has a 21-inch intake height, and handles drifts and snowplow piles easily; owners report no problems clearing even wet, heavy snow. The only complaint we saw is it doesn't get good traction in slick, packed-down snow.
Best reviews for the Ariens Deluxe 28
ConsumerReports.org is the best review source we found; the Ariens Deluxe 28 is included in a ratings chart based on comparative tests of this model along with 28 other 26-to-30-inch two-stage gas snow blowers. Owners review this blower at HomeDepot.com and SnowBlowersDirect.com, providing good information about its performance in real-life situations.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1,231 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $1,005.00 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
In all, ConsumerReports.org provides ratings of more than 75 snow blowers, including electric and gas, single-stage and two-stage models. Their rankings are based on the results of objective tests. The Ariens Deluxe 28 is ranked among 19 large two-stage gas blowers.
Review: Snow Blowers Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, As of Dec. 2011
More than 175 owners review the Ariens Deluxe 28 on HomeDepot.com, giving it an almost-perfect rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars; 98 percent say they'd recommend it. One says he used it in "about 16 inches of sticky, wet snow" that were "no match for this machine. It performed fantastically."
Review: Ariens Deluxe Series 28 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower, Contributors to HomeDepot.com, As of Dec. 2011
Just more than 60 owners post reviews of the Ariens Deluxe 28 on SnowBlowersDirect.com. Their ratings average out to 4.8 out of 5 stars and reviews are overwhelmingly positive. A typical comment reads, "Startup is a breeze, and it cut through 18 inches like a hot knife through butter. No going back and forth like with my other blower."
Review: Ariens Deluxe ST28LE (28") 250cc Two-Stage Snow Blower, Contributors to SnowBlowersDirect.com, As of Dec. 2011
Snow Blowers Runners Up:
3 picks including: HomeDepot.com…
2 picks including: Sears.com…
2 picks including: HomeDepot.com…
2 picks including: YouTube.com…
