Snow Removal
Best Two-Stage Snow Blowers (2026): Intake Height, Throw and Value
Quick answer
The best two-stage snow blower is the Honda HSS928AAWD: a GX270 engine, hydrostatic drive, 28-inch path, 21.7-inch intake and 52-foot throw. For under $1,000, the Husqvarna ST124 pairs a 21-inch intake with a 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. Choose two-stage over single-stage for storms over 8 inches, plow berms or gravel.
A two-stage snow blower uses a slow, serrated steel auger to break up snow and feed it to an impeller, a high-speed fan behind the auger that throws the snow out of the chute. Because the auger never touches the pavement, two-stage machines can ride on skid shoes over gravel and swallow drifts nearly as tall as their intake.
Our top pick is the wheeled Honda HSS928AAWD 28 in. Two-Stage Wheeled Snow Blower at $3,399.00. The value pick is the Husqvarna ST124 ($999.00), and the cheapest two-stage we would buy is the WEN SB209E. Check your width first with the snow blower size calculator.
On this page
- Two-stage vs single-stage snow blower: what is the difference?
- Why does intake height matter on a two-stage snow blower?
- How far should a two-stage snow blower throw?
- Beginner picks: first two-stage machines under $700
- Intermediate picks: better build and warranty around $1,000
- Expert picks: Honda, Ariens and Husqvarna heavy-duty two-stage
- How do these two-stage snow blowers compare on specs?
- How do I choose a two-stage snow blower?
- Is a three-stage snow blower better than a two-stage?
Two-stage vs single-stage snow blower: what is the difference?
The practical differences come down to four numbers and one surface. Two-stage machines have 20 to 21.7-inch intakes against 10.5 to 13 inches on single-stage models, throw 30 to 60 feet against 20 to 45, weigh roughly twice as much and are self-propelled. They also work on gravel, which single-stage machines should not. The trade-off is price, storage space and, on gas models, more maintenance. The side-by-side is in single-stage vs two-stage snow blower.
Buy a two-stage if any of these apply: you regularly get storms deeper than 8 inches, the city plow leaves a berm at the end of your driveway, the driveway is gravel or longer than about 60 feet, or you need to throw snow over a snowbank that builds up along the edge all season.
Why does intake height matter on a two-stage snow blower?
Intake height is the vertical opening of the auger housing. When snow is deeper than the intake, the top of the snow wall collapses over the housing and you have to take half-width bites or make two passes at different heights. A 20-inch intake handles about 18 inches of fresh snow in one pass; a 21.7-inch Honda housing buys a little more room for the dense, compacted snow at the end of the driveway, which is often 2 to 3 feet tall but much narrower. For drifts taller than the housing, drift cutters mount to the housing sides: see the Ariens drift cutter kit and the EGO ADC2400 drift cutters.
| Model | Width | Intake | Throw | Rated capacity | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda HSS1332AATD | 31.9 in | 21.7 in | 56 ft | 2,750 lb/min | Honda GX390 |
| Honda HSS928AAWD | 28 in | 21.7 in | 52 ft | 1,900 lb/min | Honda GX270 |
| PowerSmart 26 B&S | 26 in | 20 in | 45 ft | 2,700 lb/min | B&S 208cc |
| PowerSmart 24 212cc | 24 in | 21 in | 45 ft | 2,500 lb/min | 212cc OHV |
| Yard Force YF24 | 24 in | 21 in | 40 ft | Not published | B&S CR950 208cc |
| Husqvarna ST124 | 24 in | 21 in | Not published | Not published | 212cc |
| WEN SB209E | 24 in | 20 in | 30 ft | Over 2,000 lb/min | 209cc |
| EGO SNT2405 (battery) | 24 in | 20 in | 50 ft | Not published | 56V, two 7.5Ah |
Pounds-per-minute ratings are manufacturer claims with no shared test standard. Honda rates its 28-inch machine at 1,900 lb/min while a 26-inch PowerSmart claims 2,700, which says more about rating methods than about real clearing speed.
How far should a two-stage snow blower throw?
Throw distance matters more than it looks. On a 24-foot-wide driveway you want to clear the full width plus the snowbank along the edge in one arc, which takes 30 feet on the first storm and 40 or more by late season when the banks are shoulder-high. The WEN SB209E's 30-foot rating is fine for a narrow, open lot; the 45 to 52-foot throws of the PowerSmart and Honda machines keep you from re-handling snow on wide driveways and corner lots. Throw ratings assume dry snow at full throttle, and wet snow lands shorter.
Beginner picks: first two-stage machines under $700
For owners moving up from a shovel or single-stage who want two-stage capability on a two-car driveway without spending four figures.
PowerSmart 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Briggs & Stratton 208cc
$699.99A Briggs & Stratton 208cc engine with electric start, handle warmers, LED lights and 13-inch snow tires on a 24-inch self-propelled frame. A Briggs engine means small-engine shops everywhere can service it.
Best for: first two-stage buyers with a two-car driveway
Check price on Amazon
WEN SB209E 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
$493.77A 24 by 20-inch opening, over 2,000 pounds per minute, push-button start, recoil backup, 190-degree chute and 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds, with a 2-year warranty. Its 30-foot throw is the shortest here.
Best for: narrow, open lots where snow does not need to go far
Check price on AmazonIntermediate picks: better build and warranty around $1,000
For households that clear snow 15 or more times a season and want steel chutes, longer warranties and a machine that will last well past the first few winters.
Husqvarna ST124 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
$999.00A 212cc engine with a ribbon auger that mixes air into the snow for easier throwing, a 21-inch intake, all-steel chute and 13-inch snow tires. Husqvarna covers it with a 3-year bumper-to-bumper and 5-year engine warranty.
Best for: two-car driveways where coverage matters as much as power
Check price on Amazon
Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
$1,099.00A Briggs & Stratton CR950 Snow Series 208cc with electric and manual start, a 12.5-inch steel auger and 12-inch impeller, 21-inch intake, 40-foot throw, reinforced steel chute and an LED headlight.
Best for: buyers who want a name-brand engine in a 24-inch frame
Check price on Amazon
PowerSmart 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with 212cc Engine
$899.99A 212cc OHV engine with electric and recoil start, rated at 2,500 pounds per minute and a 45-foot throw, with a reinforced steel housing, 180-degree chute and 13 by 4-inch tires.
Best for: wide 24-foot driveways with tall edge banks
Check price on AmazonExpert picks: Honda, Ariens and Husqvarna heavy-duty two-stage
For large driveways, heavy snow regions and owners who want the longest service life, the best parts support and drive systems that do not need adjusting.
Honda HSS928AAWD 28 in. Two-Stage Wheeled Snow Blower
$3,399.00Commercial-grade GX270 engine, electric key start, hydrostatic drive with no shifting, 21.7-inch intake, 52-foot throw and a 4-direction electric joystick chute. Arrives assembled with a 3-year residential warranty.
Best for: large flat paved driveways
Check price on Amazon
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Two-Stage Snow Blower (ST28DLE)
$1,999.00The Super High Output version of the Deluxe 28 with electric start, from a maker with a deep dealer and parts network, sold and shipped by Amazon. Ariens accessories such as drift cutters and skid shoes bolt straight on.
Best for: heavy, wet snow and plow berms
Check price on Amazon
Husqvarna ST324 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
A 252cc, 7.5-horsepower engine in a narrow 24-inch frame with a cast-iron auger box and impeller, power steering and trigger controls. Check availability, as the Amazon listing has no current price.
Best for: narrow driveways with deep snow
Check price on AmazonWho should not buy this tier: Owners of short, flat, paved driveways in regions with a handful of storms a year. The Honda costs about seven times the WEN SB209E, weighs far more and still needs oil, spark plug and fuel system care. If you will run it five times a season, the extra durability never pays back.
How do these two-stage snow blowers compare on specs?
| Model | Price | Clearing width | Intake height | Throw distance | Engine | Electric start | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda HSS928AAWD 28 in. Two-Stage Wheeled Snow Blower | $3,399.00 | 28 in | 21.7 in | 52 ft | - | Yes | self propelled |
| Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Two-Stage Snow Blower (ST28DLE) | $1,999.00 | 28 in | - | - | - | Yes | - |
| Husqvarna ST324 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower | See price | 24 in | - | - | 252 cc | Yes | self propelled |
| Husqvarna ST124 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower | $999.00 | 24 in | 21 in | - | 212 cc | - | - |
| Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower | $1,099.00 | 24 in | 21 in | 40 ft | 208 cc | Yes | self propelled |
| PowerSmart 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with 212cc Engine | $899.99 | 24 in | 21 in | 45 ft | 212 cc | Yes | self propelled |
| PowerSmart 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Briggs & Stratton 208cc | $699.99 | 24 in | - | - | 208 cc | Yes | self propelled |
| WEN SB209E 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower | $493.77 | 24 in | 20 in | 30 ft | 209 cc | Yes | self propelled |
How do I choose a two-stage snow blower?
- Pick the width from your driveway. 24 inches for two-car driveways, 26 to 28 inches past about 100 feet long, 30-plus inches only for very long or wide drives. Use the snow blower size chart.
- Check the intake is at least 20 inches. Every pick here clears that bar.
- Choose the drive. Friction-disc wheels are fine on flat paved driveways. Hydrostatic drive is smoother. Tracks belong on slopes; see track vs wheel.
- Insist on electric start if you are over 60 or have shoulder problems. Pull-starting a cold 208cc engine is real effort.
- Read the warranty and parts support. Husqvarna, Honda and Ariens have established dealer networks; budget brands rely more on mail-order parts.
- Consider battery. If you already own EGO 56V batteries, the EGO two-stage lineup removes engine maintenance entirely.
Is a three-stage snow blower better than a two-stage?
A three-stage machine adds a front accelerator auger that chops snow and pushes it into the main auger, which helps with dense plow berms. For most homeowners, a good two-stage with a 21-inch intake and drift cutters handles the same conditions. Three-stage models are sold mainly by Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt through dealers and home centers, and none are in our verified Amazon catalog; you can search the Cub Cadet 3X line if you want to compare. The trade-offs are covered in two-stage vs three-stage snow blower.
How we chose
We did not test these products in person. Picks are researched from manufacturer specifications and owner manuals, engine and safety certifications where they apply, warranty terms, public recall records, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We favor established brands with large review counts and parts support, match each pick to a real yard size or task, and place it in the tier where its price and capability actually belong.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best two stage snow blower for the money?
The Husqvarna ST124 at about $999 is the best value because its 3-year bumper-to-bumper and 5-year engine warranty is unusually long for the price, and it has a 21-inch intake and all-steel chute. If budget is tighter, the PowerSmart 24 with a Briggs & Stratton 208cc engine adds electric start, handle warmers and LED lights for about $700.
Is a two stage snow blower worth it over a single stage?
It is worth it if you get storms deeper than 8 inches, deal with a plow berm, have a gravel driveway or need to throw snow over tall edge banks. Two-stage machines have 20-inch or taller intakes and throw 30 to 60 feet. For a short paved driveway in a light-snow area, a single-stage is lighter, cheaper and easier to store.
How deep of snow can a two stage snow blower handle?
Most two-stage snow blowers with a 20 to 21.7-inch intake handle about 18 inches of fresh snow in a single pass. Deeper snow can be cleared by taking half-width passes or by making one pass high and a second at ground level. Manufacturers such as PowerSmart publish recommended ranges, for example 1 to 12 inches for its 26-inch model.
What size two stage snow blower do I need?
A 24-inch two-stage fits most two-car driveways up to about 24 feet wide and 60 feet long. Choose 26 to 28 inches for driveways longer than about 100 feet or three-car widths, and consider a 30-plus-inch model such as the Honda HSS1332AATD only for very long or wide driveways where it removes whole passes and cuts clearing time.
Do two stage snow blowers work on gravel driveways?
Yes. A two-stage auger rides above the surface on adjustable skid shoes, so raising the shoes lifts the scraper bar clear of the stones. Leave a thin layer of snow on the gravel, clear after the base has frozen when possible, and walk the driveway first. Honda track models add a thumb lever that sets auger housing height on the fly.
How long does a two stage snow blower last?
Service life depends mostly on off-season care. Owners commonly report that well-maintained two-stage machines from established brands run for many seasons, while neglected ones fail early from stale fuel in the carburetor. Change the oil yearly, run the carburetor dry or use fuel stabilizer before storage, check shear bolts and skid shoes, and store the machine covered.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.