5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
If you live in an area where snow is commonplace, you probably laugh at the idea of calling it a winter wonderland. You know firsthand that snow is messy, slippery, and cold; shoveling that mess is not an ideal workout.
Perhaps this is the year that you want to ditch the shovel or upgrade your sluggish snowblower. Do you dig your way out of the driveway at five o’clock in the morning only to have a snowplow go by and create a wall of snow again? You may be interested in a powerful machine to make this chore much easier.
Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, we made a list of reviews of the top five best commercial snow blowers.
A Quick Summary of Our Favorites in 2024:
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Husqvarna 254cc Two-Stage |
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Best Value
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Briggs & Stratton 1696619 |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Premium Choice
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Troy Bilt Arctic Storm 34XP |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Ariens 921046 Deluxe |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Honda HSS13332AAT |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers:
1. Husqvarna 254cc Two-Stage Snow Blower – Best Overall
The Husqvarna ST227P is a workhorse that we’re ranking as best overall. It has a two-stage system that can attack a snow height of 18 inches. It has minimal setup once you pull it off the delivery pallet. With an electric starter option, power steering, and adjustable heated handles, clearing your driveway will be a breeze. It can clear a wide 27-inch path, and the LED headlights will help you see better on dark, snowy days. This model works well on both paved and unpaved surfaces.
On the flip side, this unit has a small gas tank. You may need to stop to refill it depending on the size of the area you’re clearing. It also only has one reverse speed, and users have noted that it’s slow.
This snow blower has a moderate price with practical functionality, placing it in our number-one position.
- 27-inch clearing path
- 18-inch snow intake
- 30-foot throw distance
- Power steering
- LED headlight
- Electric starter
- Adjustable height handles
- Three-year limited warranty
- Some plastic parts
- Smaller gas tank
2. Briggs & Stratton Snow Blower – Best Value
For lighter-duty needs, the Briggs & Stratton 1696619 is a two-stage model with a push-button electric starter that works even when it’s 20 degrees below zero. It’s designed to take on sloped and uneven terrain with a 40-foot throwing distance and a 27-inch clearing path. The freehand control and dash-mounted chute rotation help lessen the struggle. The three-gallon gas tank should allow you to clear without refilling.
This model design is meant for paved surfaces only, so while it can take on a sloped driveway, it may not handle gravel well. Users have also indicated that getting replacement parts may be difficult.
If you need a good machine for your paved driveway or parking area, this may be a great choice for you. With all its options and the moderate price, we rate this machine as the best commercial snow blower for the money.
- Affordable
- 27-inch clearing path
- 20-inch snow intake
- 40-foot throw distance
- Large gas tank
- LED headlights
- Electric start
- Dash-mounted chute rotation
- Three-year limited warranty
- Replacement parts difficult to find
- Paved surfaces only
3. Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm Heavy-Duty Snow Thrower – Premium Choice
Our heavy hitter is the Troy Bilt Arctic Storm 34XP, weighing in at nearly 375 pounds. Although its throwing distance is shorter than others at 30 feet, it can tackle any terrain. With meaty 16-inch tires, six forward and two reverse speeds, and ability to clear a 34-inch path, it may be your ideal companion in the aftermath of a heavy snowstorm.
Unfortunately, with its smaller gas tank, make sure you have extra fuel available for refills. It also only has a single headlight, which may make clearing on dark days more difficult. If you need a budget-friendly option, this machine may not make it on your shortlist.
Although this is an expensive choice, it’s a monster machine that leaves the widest path and ranks as our premium choice of snow throwers.
- 34-inch clearing path
- 23-inch intake height
- Electric start
- Heated hand grips
- Beefy tires
- Four-way joystick chute control
- Power steering
- Three-year limited warranty
- Expensive
- Small gas tank
- Single headlight
- See our reviews on: Oil for snow blowers – Our top picks
4. Ariens 921046 Two-Stage Snow Blower
The Ariens 921046 Deluxe has 12.5 pound-feet of torque and a 21-inch intake height that will make tackling the snow wall at the end of the driveway an easy task. It has six forward and two reverse speeds with auto-turn steering. With an electric start and a halogen headlight, snow clearing shouldn’t be difficult in dark, dreary weather.
However, this model is mainly for flat, paved surfaces, so if your gravel driveway is coated with snow, this may not be your best choice. If you try to use it on a slope other than pavement, you will be disappointed with the auto-turn functionality.
This snowblower is a pricey choice for only flat, paved surfaces, which places it near the end of our list.
- 28-inch clearing path
- 21-inch intake height
- 50-foot throw distance
- Heated hand grips
- Electric and pull starters
- Auto turn steering
- Three-year limited warranty
- Pricey
- Flat, paved surfaces only
- Small gas tank
5. Honda Power Equipment Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
The size and features of the Honda HSS13332AAT make this a power player in the game of snowmageddon. With 19.5 pound-feet of torque and ability to throw snow the farthest on this list at 56 feet, this hulk of a machine has a variable speed transmission that allows easy maneuverability. It can easily handle wet, dry, frozen, or slushy snow, as well as both gravel and paved surfaces. To top things off, it can create a 32-inch cleared path.
On the downside, this machine is expensive. While it may cut through snow like butter, it doesn’t have an electric starter or heated handgrips. If those options are important to you, considering looking elsewhere. But if you want a beast that will get the job done quickly, this may be your ideal choice.
This heavy hitter is the most expensive option and the reason it’s in last place.
- 32-inch clearing path
- 22-inch intake height
- 56-foot throw distance
- Variable speed transmission
- Expensive
- No electric starter
- No heated grips
Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Commercial Snow Blower
All the snowblowers we’ve reviewed here are two-stage models. When you first begin your snowblower research, you’ll probably see one-, two-, and three-stage options. Here’s a quick rundown on the differences.
Single-Stage
Think of this as the dustbuster of snow removal machinery. It’s compact and easy to maneuver, has one auger, and is much less expensive than the other stage models. If you live in an area that gets little snow, less than nine inches, this type of machine would be ideal, as it would struggle with a more voluminous capacity.
Two-Stage
This model is self-propelled and designed for a deeper snowfall and throws snow farther. Two-stage equals two augers, which are serrated and designed to destroy chunks of ice. Once broken up, the snow is propelled many feet away. It’s a one-two punch and better at handling rougher terrain with varying slopes and surface materials. A two-stage machine is a true snow thrower.
- Also see: The top snow blower tractor combinations
Three-Stage
This model takes snow blowing up a notch by adding adds an accelerator, the third auger. With a larger engine, it’s designed to take on heavy-duty tasks and large amounts of snow.
Now that you know the differences between all three stages, there are a few things to consider as you weigh your options for the two-stage model—such as ease of use, clearing size, and value.
Ease of Use
When researching a snowblower for your needs, consider where you’ll store it. A garage, outbuilding, or basement is ideal because when it’s time to use it, you won’t have to melt any ice off first. Also, decide if an electric starter is a necessity. If you live in an area that gets heavy snow, you’ll want a model that is practical for the depth. No one wants to fight with an extension cord in freezing weather.
Clearing Size
If you need to clear a large area or long driveway, you’ll want a model that will keep pace without interruption. If the gas tank is small, you may have to stop for refills just to finish the job. Also, consider the terrain. If it’s rugged or sloped or has gravel or dirt, you’ll want a machine that can handle such complications. Good traction, speed options, and auto-turn steering will quickly help you navigate your way home.
Value
You want good value for your money. Whether you plan to spend a lot or a little, you want something that will last multiple seasons. Knowing what you need for your situation is just the start. A three-year limited warranty is typical with a snowblower purchase, so read the fine print to make sure you understand what’s covered.
Conclusion
We hope our reviews help you find the ideal option for the necessary task of snow clearing. To refresh, the Husqvarna ST227P, 27 in. 254cc Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower is our best overall choice, as it works for paved and unpaved surfaces. The Briggs & Stratton 1696619, 250cc Snow Blower is our runner-up and best value choice and works well on paved surfaces only. As the best premium choice, the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34XP 420cc 34-Inch Heavy-Duty Snow Thrower is a heavy hitter that leaves the widest path. We wish you well on this journey, and hope you spend more time by the fire than out in the cold.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
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