Best 2-Stage Snow Blower: Battery-Operated or Gas-Powered? Comparison | Core Features & Trusted Brands
What is the best 2-stage snow blower? There are two options: cordless electric or gas-powered. Let’s see what they have in common and what makes them different.
At present, among two-stage battery-operated snow blowers, there is only one model with a 24-inch clearing width. It is made by only one manufacturer, Snow Joe. Other producers of electric snow blowers make only single-stage models with a smaller clearing width of 16” to 22”.
Gas-powered machines feature a clearing width of 22” to 30”. And, of course, there are many more manufacturers on the market: Briggs & Stratton, Husqvarna, PowerSmart, Champion, Ariens, Poulan, Yardmax, etc.
The main advantage of dual-stage snow blowers is that they have a steel auger and impeller. The auger gathers and pulls snow in. An impeller crushes it and moves it further. An impeller is needed for handling wet, heavy, or icy snow. This allows the auger to spin slower, reducing wear.
Best 2-Stage Snow Blowers
| Snow Joe iON8024-XR | Best 2-Stage Cordless Electric Snow Blower under $1000 | |
| Briggs & Stratton 1530MDS Elite Series |
2-Stage Snow Blowers | Gas-Powered VS Battery-Operated
Core features of gas-powered snow blowers. Featuring a 208-306 сс motor and torque power up to 14,5 ft-lbs, they are obviously much more powerful. If it is more convenient for you to measure in horsepower, then, a 305 cc gas motor is equal to 20 hp, while a 2500W battery = 3,4 hp, so the difference is fourfold.
For this reason, professional-grade gas snow blowers like Briggs&Stratton move around 70 tons of snow per hour, which is really a lot. They travel at a speed of up to 6 mph, and this is pretty good.
For comparison, a battery-powered snow blower has a moving capacity of up to 1000 lbs. per minute. If converted to tons, it still will be around 27 tons per hour. So, as you can see, gas-powered machines deliver almost three times higher capacity. But does everyone need to remove so much snow from their property? Obviously, if you live in a small house, you just do not need such high capacity. Not to mention that gas-powered snow blowers cost more than $1000. So, let’s move on.
Core features of battery-operated. Of course, they are much more lightweight, almost two times, meaning they are more maneuverable and convenient for daily snow removal. Even a teenager can cope with a lightweight machine. Yes, they feature a lower capacity, short runtime — just 30 to 40 minutes, but they are 100% eco-friendly and produce zero CO2 emission, which is important nowadays. They are simpler, more user-friendly, more economical to maintain, and produce less noise. And their price is lower than that of gas snow blowers.
That is why it is the Snow Joe iON8024-XR that can be safely named the best 2-stage electric snow blower under $1000.
Snow blowers can do snow clearing operation in one, two or three stages.
- The term “single-stage” in a snow blower’s description means that its auger not only gathers snow but also crushes it and throws away. To prevent large pieces of snow and ice from getting into the mechanism as well as to ensure a sufficient throwing force, the auger in single-stage models has to spin at a high speed, something that will eventually result in its rapid wear. However, such units are more lightweight, have a simpler mechanism and cost less money.
- Two-stage snow blowers — and these are the most common among gas-powered models — the auger only pulls snow in while a separate impeller crushes it and moves it further. This allows the auger to spin slower, reducing wear. However, since two-stage models are more complicated devices, they have a higher price, weight and failure probability.
- And finally, there are three-stage snow blowers. They are equipped with one more impeller for crushing snow. That said, three-stage snow blowers are rare and it is quite hard to find such a product.
What are the main benefits of the two-stage snow blowers?
Such blowers are capable to handle all types of snow on any surfaces. They can be perfectly used for gravel driveways, as they do not contact the surface like a single-stage snow blower.
In fact, two-stage snow blowers are very popular because they are more effective and faster than the single-stage units and at the same time are not as much bulky or pricey as the 3-stage professional snow blowers. All this makes the two-stage machine is a precious compromise of the high power and the reasonable cost.
However, if you still have particular concerns about choosing one- or two-stage snow blower, than you should think thoroughly over what type of snow and how much of it you usually deal with and the space to be cleared. If you consider these factors, matching them with the characteristics of the one- and two-stage machines, you will definitely succeed in the selection task.
Best Two-Stage Snow Blowers | Reviews
We will tell you about the two most powerful models to familiarize you with the most top-notch and advanced snow blowers on the market. Not all customers need an expensive and powerful machine. In our comparison table, you will find less sophisticated and more affordable models from the same brands or their competitors.
1. Snow Joe iON8024-CT Cordless Snow Blower | Best 2-stage battery-operated snow blower under $1000
If you decided on an electric snow blower, this option will be the best choice. It does not have the major weak point of corded electric machines, which are limited by the length of their cord. With this cordless model, you are free to move around your backyard or wherever you need, effectively clearing snow from driveways and walkways. Your zeal will be limited only by the battery life, and this is where Snow Joe iON8024-CT is up to snuff. The machine has two 40 V batteries, one of which (5.0 Ah) lasts 30 minutes and the other one (6.0 Ah) ensures the unit’s 40-minute continuous operation.
This is a two-stage snow blower equipped with a reliable serrated steel auger and heavy-duty impeller. It boasts high capacity and is able to remove up to 1000 pounds of snow per minute. Another significant advantage is a wide clearing path of 24 inches. This is essential because, with such a machine, it will take you less time and effort to do the job.
One more feature that adds to the user’s convenience is an integrated digital display. It will let you easily switch between the 4 speeds and check the battery level. You can comfortably use this snow blower in the dark as the display is well-illuminated while the machine itself comes with powerful headlights. With a weight of about 100 pounds, this electric model is more than twice as light as the gas-powered one on our list.
Snow Joe: Check the current price
2. YARDMAX YB5765 Two-Stage Snow Blower, 6.5 HP, 196cc, 22" | Best Budget & Compact 22 inch 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower Under $500
Compact and lightweight, this snow blower is a perfect choice for homeowners who do not have to deal with a lot of snow. Indeed, what is the sense in buying an expensive machine that works like a beast but eats up electricity if you do not need that much capacity? The YARDMAX YB5765 is a good budget option with a high-speed impeller, an extended chute, and multiple speeds. Yes, the engine is not that powerful compared to more expensive snow blowers, but it does the job much better than the single-stage alternatives.
Depending on a clearing width, this machine will cost you $400 to $600. You can choose between 22-inch, 24-inch, and 26-inch models. The cheapest one, the YARDMAX snow blower has a clearing width of 22 inches and a 16-inch intake depth. It features 7 speeds and 6.5 HP 196cc recoil start.
The 24-inch and 26-inch YARDMAX snow blowers are more expensive but have a number of advantages. They have 8 speeds, a large clearing width and depth, and are made with a 208cc (7 HP) LCT electric-start engine. Besides, these models are equipped with a larger auger and impeller with a diameter of 12 inches. If you compare these two snow blowers, you can see a significant difference in price — $468 against $617. This is not just because of the larger clearing width. The 26-inch option is more advanced, has a dashboard with headlight and speed control.
Who makes Yardmax snow blowers?
YARDMAX is the brand you can trust. Founded in Illinois five years ago, the company now runs 4 factories and employs 2,000 people worldwide. It focuses on the production of innovative machines at an affordable price and has a very large product range. In addition to snow blowers, YARDMAX offers mowers, log splitters, tillers, concrete mixers, power barrows, and more.
YARDMAX: Check the current price
3. Briggs & Stratton 30-Inch Gas Snow Blower | Best Heavy-Duty
This machine is simply a beast! Whether you need to clear snow from large areas or have to deal with high snowdrifts, this model will successfully cope with the task. Even in the roughest winters, this powerful two-stage snow blower delivers high-performance and will meet all your needs. While being a gas-powered unit, it comes with electric start for easy and quick starting even at low temperatures.
The machine has a number of features that make it amazingly comfortable and user-friendly. Dual-trigger steering facilitates tight turns and easy handling while hands-free control allows the user to operate the machine with one hand. This frees the other hand to change the speed or rotate the chute. As for the latter, the chute direction can be adjusted without the need to stop the snow blower, something that makes it even more convenient to use. And finally, you can switch on handgrip heating and enjoy comfortable driving in the cold winter.
Yes, this snow blower will cost you a bundle — over $1,000. But it is worth it as the machine works like magic. Not only is it highly powerful and equipped with a professional-grade engine. Made of high-quality steel frame and components, this model is also incredibly durable and robust. Rest assured, this snow blower is reliable and will serve you for years.
Briggs & Stratton: Check the current price
Best-Selling 2-Stage Snow Blowers | Comparative Table
Most Popular
PowerSmart Snow Blower, PSSAM24 24-inch 212cc by Amerisun, Inc
- Powerful Engine Performance: 212cc PowerSmart engine offers powerful snow-clearing action, 24 inch clearing width keeps you blasting snow and throwing it up to 40 feet.
- Dual-Stage Snow Blower: powerful auger cuts through tough snow and diverts it away from the chute to prevent clogging and keeps snow blowing stay the course.
- Snow Blower Capability: allows a snow clearing width of 24 in. and a clearing depth of 20 in. clear driveways that can hold 10 parked cars and 6 in.-10 in. of snow.
Products with 5 star rating
Other Popular
Husqvarna ST327, Husqvarna ST327, 27 in. 291cc Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Power Steering
- High capacity belt system for extra capability in heavy snow
- 4 steps height adjustable handle for ergonomic operation
- The robust and durable auger housing gives sturdy operation, efficient snow clearing and long product lifetime
- The robust auger gives first-class results operating in frozen as well as in extremely wet snow.
- The impeller has four blades, which is unique on the market! The cast iron ensures maximum durability.
- Tie strap auger support for fast and easy change of the chute direction with a lever on the panel
- Auger with covered ball bearings for smooth running and long product lifetime
- Boron steel scraper for high-strength scraper for optimum durability
- Connect to a power outlet and start the engine by pressing a button. When the engine is warm, it's easy to get going with the starter handle
Husqvarna ST330, Husqvarna ST330, 30 in. 369cc Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Power Steering
- High capacity belt system for extra capability in heavy snow
- 4 steps height adjustable handle for ergonomic operation
- The option of disconnecting the differential lock and choosing which wheel/track should drive (power steering) makes the machine easy to maneuver and operate
- The robust and durable auger housing gives sturdy operation, efficient snow clearing and long product lifetime
- The robust auger gives first-class results operating in frozen as well as in extremely wet snow
- Heavy-duty auger gearbox for maximum durability (10-year warranty)
- The impeller has four blades, which is unique on the market! The cast iron ensures maximum durability
- The ribbon auger mixes air into the snow, which makes the snow easy to handle and thereby ensures efficient clearing
- Tire strap auger support for improved stability and durability
Husqvarna ST324, Husqvarna ST324, 24 in. 254cc Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Power Steering
- Loop handle for improved grip and control
- High capacity belt system for extra capability in heavy snow
- 4 steps height adjustable handle for ergonomic operation
- The option of disconnecting the differential lock and choosing which wheel/track should drive (power steering) makes the machine easy to maneuver and operate
- The robust and durable auger housing gives sturdy operation, efficient snow clearing and long product lifetime
- The robust auger gives first-class results operating in frozen as well as in extremely wet snow
- Heavy-duty auger gearbox for maximum durability (10-year warranty)
- The impeller has four blades, which is unique on the market! The cast iron ensures maximum durability
- The ribbon auger mixes air into the snow, which makes the snow easy to handle and thereby ensures efficient clearing
Troy-Bilt Storm 2625 243cc Electric Start 26-Inch Two Stage Gas Snow Thrower
- Powered by a dependable 243cc 4-Cycle Electric Start OHV gas engine with 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds for optimal control while operating
- Clears snowy walkways up to 26 inches wide and 21 inches deep in one pass and equipped with deluxe reversible skid shoes for more control
- Equipped with an extended 2-way manual discharge chute that propels snow farther away from you before the wind can catch it
- Durable 15 x 5-inch airless tires provide good traction in snowy conditions
- Equipped with Just One Hand operation that allows you to adjust the 200 degree chute direction control without stopping
Briggs & Stratton 1530MDS Elite Series 30-Inch Dual-Stage Snow Blower with Push Button Electric Start, Heated...
- Briggs & Stratton 1450 Professional series Engine specially designed to start strong and power through in the toughest winter conditions
- Push button electric start offers quick and easy starting, down to 20 degrees below zero
- Dual-trigger steering releases the left or right wheel to help make tight turns at the end of a driveway or pathway
- Free hand control offers one-handed operation of the snow blower, allowing a free hand to rotate the chute or adjust the speed
- Dash mounted chute rotation and deflector controls allow for easy adjustment of snow throwing direction on-the-go
- Sturdy construction with a durable steel frame, chute and control panel and notched steel auger so it can take on snow and ice with ease
- Heated hand grips with on/off switch keep your hands warmer while clearing away the cold snow
- Large 16-inch x 4.8-inch tires provide superior traction
- LED headlight provides better visibility
YARDMAX YB5765 Two-Stage Snow Blower, 6.5 hp, 196cc, 22"
- Easy to start engine – YARDMAX 6.5 HP 196cc recoil start.
- Multiple speeds offered by self-propelled drive – 5 forward and 2 reverse.
- Easily slice through hard-packed snow and ice with the serrated steel augers.
- Axe-shaped housing further chops through ice and snow.
- Aluminum gear case with alloy steel gears and synthetic gear oil extends performance.
- High-speed impeller consumes more snow and extended chute maintains a tighter discharge, engineered for maximum snow throwing and minimal blowback.
- Control crank easily allows chute adjustments on the fly.
- Simplified assembly.
- Standard pin-lock axle provides 2-wheel drive for better traction and 1-wheel drive for increased maneuverability.
EGO Power+ SNT2110 Peak Power 21-Inch 56-Volt Cordless Snow Blower with Steel Auger Battery and Charger Not...
- Peak Power technology combines the power of 2 EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries
- Throws snow up to 40 ft.
- Steel auger cuts through ice & snow 50% faster*
- Recommend for use with two EGO 56V 5.0 Ah ARC Lithium batteries to clear 8” of snow on a 12 car driveway
- High-efficiency brushless motor
- 21 in. clearing width
- Variable speed auger control
- Weather-resistant heavy-duty steel and composite construction to handle challenging conditions
- 2 bright LED headlights for increased visibility for nighttime snow removal
- Convenient, handle-mounted chute adjustment
What is a two-stage gas snow blower?
Snowblowers come in a variety of power sources, including gas, electric and battery. These all have their trade-offs but can be supplemented by a secondary stage, which can mean one of two things, depending on the snowblower. In one case, this simply means two power settings for heavier, icier snow, and in another case, it can mean a secondary pass to get compacted, ice bonded snow off of the pavement.
All snowblowers pretty much work the same way, with a Caterpillar powertrain lifting the snow off of the ground, and the second blower or projector stage throwing the snow away somewhere else. While they don’t quite match the perfection of cleanliness at a shovel can create, they are a very convenient way to do away with one of nature’s greatest annoyances, and the leading reason that people move to Florida or California.
