Ariens Sno Thro Compact 20

The two-stage Ariens Sno Thro Compact 20 (formerly the ST20E) is a heavy-duty snow blower in a small package. It lacks some amenities such as power steering and a headlight, but in terms of performance and durability, reviews say it's hard to beat. It has a 17.5-inch snow cut depth and a crank mechanism controls the chute, which rotates 205 degrees. The other model in the Ariens Compact Series is the Compact 24 (*Est. $800), identical to the Compact 20 but with a 24-inch clearing width. If you want to clear a great deal of snow more quickly, experts recommend the Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP (*Est. $1,100).

Paul Sikkema at MovingSnow.com reviews the Compact 20 based on its features and price. A review at Wise4Living.com recommends both Ariens Compact models, as do the editors at SnowBlowersDirect.com, an online retailer.