Although shovels are great for snowy stairs and walkways, when it comes to clearing a wide-open driveway or patio, a fast, effective, and easy-to-use snow blower is unbeatable. After testing several machines over seven New England winters, we found that the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE 24-inch snow blower is the first tool we reach for. It outperformed larger, more expensive machines in our tests, and its simple, intuitive controls make clearing deep snow a task that can almost be enjoyable.
Our top choice
The high-capacity auger and a drive system that matches your pace as you walk make the SnowMaster faster and easier to maneuver than any other snow blower we’ve tested.
The Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE worked faster and more efficiently than larger, more expensive competitors due to the distinctive design of its auger and drive control. Unlike the manual-shift speed controls of typical blowers, Toro’s intuitive Personal Pace drive system syncs the speed of the blower’s wheels with your walking speed. It also boasts a convenient electric start and a smooth joystick chute control for easy snow direction. This model can throw snow up to about 40 feet and is ideal for a paved two-car driveway (up to about 80 feet in length) and consistent snowfalls ranging from 6 to 18 inches. However, it lacks a reverse drive, requiring more physical maneuvering than traditional two-stage snow blowers. Additionally, it’s not the best choice for unpaved surfaces, so if you have a gravel driveway or a large lawn area to clear, the also-great Cub Cadet is a better option.
Runner-up
The 724 QXE shares the unique snow-clearing abilities that make the 824 QXE so effective, with a slightly smaller engine.
The slightly smaller Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE was our previous top pick. It is a great machine and can easily handle up to 12 inches of wet snow with little issue. It may be a suitable option if our top pick is unavailable.
Also great
This traditional two-stage blower offers a great combination of features for the price, ideal for 6- to 12-inch snowfalls.
If the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE is not available, or if you have a gravel driveway (up to about 80 feet in length), consider the more traditional Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPower Snow Blower. It may not be as fast or intuitive as the 824 QXE, but it offers great features at an excellent price. This 26-inch model comes with power steering, a durable metal chute, a convenient electric start, and large, 15-inch tires for good grip in the snow. These features are typically found in more expensive blowers. This model replaces our previous 26-inch pick and costs about $100 more than the older one.
Also great
The battery-powered Ego SNT2405 eliminates the need for gas and engine maintenance. It’s quiet and easy to use, but it will struggle in deeper, heavier snows.
If you prefer to avoid a gas-powered engine and all its noise, exhaust, and maintenance, consider the Ego Power+ SNT2405 24-inch Self-Propelled 2-Stage Snow Blower. While it may not be suitable for heavy, deep snow, it should suffice for lighter snowfalls and smaller clearing jobs. In our tests, the Ego SNT2405 provided about 26 minutes of run time, enough to clear a 150-foot driveway and a three-car parking area. However, its performance may not be the same in wet, heavy, and dense snow. The controls are user-friendly, and it offers a longer run time compared to other cordless snow blowers we’ve tested.
