PowerSmart 26 in Two-Stage Snow Blower Review: Briggs & Stratton 208cc

Delivering most of a premium machine's clearing ability at a mid-range price. The 26-inch path is 2 inches wider than the usual 24, which removes a pass on many 20 to 24-foot-wide driveways: a 24-foot-wide driveway takes about 14 passes at 26 inches versus 15 at 24 inches with 15 percent overlap. The 20-inch intake handles plow berms, and the rated 2,700 pounds per minute is higher than the 1,900 Honda lists for its HSS928, though makers rate capacity differently, so treat it as a rough comparison.

The steel build is the second strength. PowerSmart lists steel for the housing, frame, deflector and chute, and steel skid shoes. Plastic chutes are a common failure point on budget machines in deep cold, so a steel chute is worth having.

Handle warmers and a Briggs & Stratton engine with a broad parts and service network round it out. Gravel owners get adjustable steel skid shoes to hold the scraper bar above stones.

It is a wheeled friction-drive machine with no steering assist listed, so turning a 26-inch housing at the end of each pass takes effort, and wheels lose grip on steep, icy slopes. If your driveway climbs, see the best snow blowers for steep driveways.

The listing also does not state warranty length or weight, two numbers worth knowing before a $999.00 purchase. Ask the seller or check the manual. Throw distance at 45 feet is good but shorter than the 50 to 60 feet of the EGO two-stage kits.

And it is gas: oil checks, fresh or stabilized fuel and a storage routine every spring. Owners who skip the storage step are the ones who fight a gummed carburetor at the first storm.

Praise themes in verified owner reviews:

• Strong performance in deep and wet snow for the price.
• Easy electric starting on the Briggs & Stratton engine.
• Handle warmers on long, cold clearing sessions.
• Steel chute and housing that feel sturdier than plastic budget machines.

Complaint themes:

• Assembly and cable adjustment out of the box.
• Turning effort on a wide, heavy machine.
• Shipping damage or missing small parts on some deliveries; inspect on arrival.
• Shear bolts breaking on hidden objects, which is by design but catches first-time owners out.

Buy it if

• You clear a wide two or three-car driveway, paved or gravel.
• You want a Briggs & Stratton engine and steel chute under $1,000.
• You get storms up to about a foot and a plow berm.
• You are fine with basic gas engine maintenance.

Skip it if

• Your driveway is steep or icy; tracks such as the Honda HSS928AATD grip better.
• You want no fuel or oil; the EGO SNT2405 is the battery option.
• Your budget is closer to $500; the WEN SB209E costs $493.77.
• You regularly get more than 12 inches at once and a long driveway, where a 28-inch machine saves time.

Two-stage machines are the right type for gravel because the auger housing does not need to touch the ground. The adjustable steel skid shoes on the PowerSmart 26 set how high the scraper bar rides:

• Park on a flat, hard surface with the engine off and the spark plug wire disconnected, as the manual directs.
• Place a spacer about the thickness of your gravel under the scraper bar, commonly around a quarter to half an inch; check the manual for its recommended setting.
• Loosen the skid shoe bolts, let the shoes rest on the ground, tighten both evenly and remove the spacer.
• Clear after the gravel base freezes when possible, and aim the chute away from the house and cars.

More sizing detail is on the what size snow blower for a gravel driveway page.

The listing does not state warranty terms, so confirm them with PowerSmart or in the manual before buying, and note that Briggs & Stratton typically handles engine warranty service through its own dealer network. Gas engines sold in the US must carry EPA emissions certification, and in California CARB certification; the label is on the engine.

Check the CPSC recall database at cpsc.gov/Recalls for this model before buying, and before buying used. Keep spare shear bolts matched to the manual, and follow the snow blower maintenance guide for oil changes and fuel stabilizer.