Today we’re going to take a close look at some of the best gas snow blowers on the market.
This article will also help you choose the right snow blower for your particular needs and budget.
Let’s get started.
Our Top Picks For The Best Gas Snow Blowers
There are many great models to choose from, but before we get too far into the in-depth gas snow blower reviews, we thought we’d recommend a couple of our favorites right away for those that are a bit short on time.
Not everyone can afford more than $1000 for a snow blower. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to find a reliable one that fits your budget.
If you have a bit more time to spend on your decision, we encourage you to check our reviews section for more top rated gas snow blowers.
Before we get into the actual gas snow blower reviews here are a few common features you might want to keep in mind as you make your purchase decision.
You probably won’t find all of them necessary, but it’s still nice to know what options are actually available to you.
Contents
Features To Look For A Gas Snow Blower
1. Speed Controls
Not all driveways are created equal. If yours is an uphill battle, you may want to consider paying a little extra for a machine that’s self-propelled with speed controls.
This allows you to hit the higher gears when you hit an incline and can save your back from wear and tear.
2. Chute Controls
If manually cranking the chute on your snow blower just isn’t your thing, you’re in luck!
Some great models allow you to shift the chute in the direction you want with a quick nudge on a joystick.
3. Lighting Up Your Path
As winter drags on the days get shorter and the nights get longer.
There’s a good chance you at some point you’re going to have to drag that snow blower out in the pith dark.
Having a snow blower with headlights is a great option when you’re plowing in the dark.
Several high-end snow blowers are equipped with headlights these days for such an eventuality.
4. Easy Electric Start
Another convenience feature you’ll find on the better models is an electric start.
All you have to do is find a nearby power outlet, plug your snow blower in and it will start with ease.
It sure beats yanking on a pull chord!
5. Assisted Turning
A good gas snow blower can be quite heavy. That makes turning it a bit of a chore.
To help with that manufacturers have included a turn assist feature on some models.
This allows you to simply pull a trigger on the handlebars to turn the wheels without a lot of manual pushing.
6. Cozy Hands
One other feature that has to be mentioned is the option of heated handgrips.
If you have a snow blower equipped with these, your hands will stay nice and toasty as long as you’re gripping the handlebars and you won’t have to worry about warming them by the fire after.
Top 8 Gas Snow Blower Reviews
Husqvarna ST224P
Husqvarna is one of the top manufacturers of snow blowers and the ST224P doesn’t disappoint.
This powerful little machine isn’t the largest one they make, but it has an impressive 208cc engine that gives it lots of power when you need it.
It will handle most snowfall situations without any problems – even some of the heaviest ones you’ll face this winter.
One unique feature that really caught our eye was the adjustable skid shoes that make it easy to continue plowing smoothly even on uneven ground.
It has a 24-inch cutting width, which allows you to get the job done with just a few passes – depending on the size of your driveway of course.
The jagged blade on the auger cuts into thick snow and keeps it churning efficiently.
The chute can be adjusted to the direction you desire and it can throw the snow up to 30 feet so that it’s out of your way and you don’t have to go over the same ground twice.
To top it all off it has heated handlebars and you can adjust the height of the handle so that it’s the most comfortable for you.
Don’t worry about being able to see where you’re going – it has headlights as well!
They only major knock on this one is that the impeller does have a reputation for not holding up to wear and tear.
- 208cc engine
- Adjustable skid shoes
- 24-inch cutting path
- Heated and adjustable handlebars
- Compact size may not be appropriate for larger driveways
- Impeller doesn’t hold up well to wear and tear
Briggs & Stratton 27-Inch Snow Blower
This Briggs & Stratton snow blower is powered by a 250cc 1150 Snow Series engine.
But a snow blower isn’t of much use if you can’t get it started in the first place.
That’s why the electric start feature, which comes standard on the Briggs & Stratton 27-inch two-stage snow blower, is a welcome addition.
It ensures a smooth start just about every time.
It has an impressive 27-inch plowing width and at 20 inches high, the intake housing can hold a lot of snow on each pass.
This combination of features is why we selected it as our overall best gas snow blower at the beginning of this article.
Another thing that really stood out for us with this model is that it has a full metal body and chute.
That means it’s built to last and you should get many seasons of use out of it.
The auger creates air pockets mixed in with the snow, which ensures the machine doesn’t become bogged down.
Customer feedback on this snow blower is generally positive although it does have its critics.
The customer service can be inconsistent and the warranty isn’t the best on the market.
Other than that the only thing this machine is really missing is power steering.
All things considered, this is the best two-stage gas snow blower under $1000.
- Reliable electric start
- 250cc engine
- 27-inch plowing width
- 20-inch high intake housing
- Full metal body and chute
- Air snow mixture auger
- Customer service isn’t great
- The warranty could be better
- Doesn’t have power steering
Yardmax YB6270
Available for purchase at less than $800, the Yardmax YB6270 is our choice for best budget model.
It might be a bargain, but that doesn’t mean Yardmax has cut many corners.
This is a great snow blower with a lot of nice features.
This snow blower also has a 208cc engine and it comes with an electric start feature.
There is a standard chord for starting if for some reason the electric start fails at any point – it’s nice to have options!
This is a two-stage machine with a 24-inch wide clearing path – that may not be the largest in its class, but it’s more than adequate for most purposes.
It has a solid construction with an all metal body and chute.
The chute is also easily adjustable to direct the snow in the direction you want it to go.
It isn’t all positive though. This is another machine that doesn’t have power steering and that can be an issue if you have to work on a lot of inclines or uneven ground.
The tires are only 13-inch, which can potentially cause some traction issues.
Also you won’t have the benefit of heated handlebars or headlights on this budget model.
If you’re not too worried about the bells and whistles though, this machine will get the job done for you.
- Best inexpensive gas snow blower at less than $800
- 208cc engine
- Electric start and conventional start option
- Two-stage machine with 24-inch plowing path
- Full metal body and chute
- Chute is easily adjustable
- No power steering
- Smaller 13-inch tires
- No heated handlebars
- No headlights
Remington RM2140
The Remington RM2140 single-stage gas snow thrower doesn’t have the power of some of the other top snow blowers in these reviews, but it’s still a very capable machine.
At 179cc’s the engine is large enough to handle most snow clearing jobs you may have in store for it.
It also comes with a much lower price tag than some of its competitors, which the budget conscious consumer will find attractive.
In our opinion, the RM2140 is the best single-stage gas snow thrower for the money.
This snow thrower has a compact design that makes it ideal if you’re pressed for storage space.
It has a decent 21-inch wide clearing path, but the housing around the auger is only 13 inches high, so it may get bogged down in deep snow – at the very least you may need to make several passes to get the job done.
This issue is somewhat offset by its auger drive assist feature, which is designed to push through some serious snow and ice.
Most of the main parts, including the chute, are made of a polymer material.
It’s fairly durable, but it doesn’t compare to the durable metal parts on some of the more expensive snow blowers on the market.
The direction and the height of the chute can be adjusted, but all controls are manually operated.
The handle can be folded down for storage and it weighs under 100 pounds which makes it easier to move and lift than other models.
- Good cheap gas snow thrower
- 179cc engine with enough power for most jobs
- 21-inch clearing path
- Auger drive assist feature
- Lightweight and foldable for storage
- Less powerful than more expensive models
- Auger housing only 13 inches high
- Parts including chute are made of polymer materials, not metal
- Chute controls are all manual
Ariens Compact Track 24
Don’t be fooled by the name of the Ariens Compact Track 24.
This is a powerful machine that’s built to handle just about everything winter can throw its way.
It does have a compact design, but it also has an impressive 223cc engine.
The 24-inch clearing path is comparable to all of its major competitors and the 20-inch high housing allows it to take in a lot of snow at the same time.
One of the first things you’ll notice on this machine is its unique wheel design.
They’re actually not wheels at all – they have more of a track system that will remind you a bit of a tank.
This system makes it easy to plow through a heavy snowfall with ease.
It also allows you to make some tight turns and that’s ideal in a residential setting where you don’t always have a ton of room to maneuver.
The handlebars can be folded for easy storage when the machine’s not in use.
They’ve crammed many great features in a small package and that’s good news for the potential owners of this machine.
The chute can be easily turned with an automated system and it’s able to throw snow an impressive 40 feet in any direction.
The body is a full metal construction and the overall design is solid.
The only serious complaint about this machine is that snow can get lodged in the housing because of the compact design.
- Compact design
- 223cc engine
- 24-inch wide path and 20-inch high auger housing
- Track wheel design
- Foldable handles
- Automated chute system
- Throws snow up to 40 feet
- Snow may stick to auger housing
Troy-Bilt Storm 2625
Troy-Bilt is a name that many consumers associate with power and quality and the Troy-Bilt Storm 2625 does a good job of living up to that reputation.
It’s easily one of the beasts of the residential market with a 243cc engine that makes it potentially the best snow blower in terms of raw power in its category.
That comes in handy as you’re clearing a 26-inch wide path with each pass down your driveway.
This is a two-stage snow blower and that makes it capable of dealing with a lot of snow in a short period.
It also comes equipped with 8 different speed options – 6 in forward and 2 in reverse.
You don’t have to worry about the weight of this machine as it does most of the work for you.
The housing and auger are made from durable steel materials and the chute can be turned up to 200 degrees.
That allows you to direct the snow in any direction you like. All controls are automatic.
It isn’t all great news with this model though.
A common complaint is that it has a tendency for the carburetor to clog if not cleared properly of oil when the winter seasons over.
In addition, the chute may come loose after continuous operation, so regular adjustments are recommended after every few uses.
- Powerful 243cc engine
- 26-inch wide clearing path
- Versatile two-stage snow blower
- 8 speeds – 6 forward and 2 reverse
- Chute turns 200 degrees
- Carburetor may clog
- Chute needs regular adjustments
PowerSmart DB7128PA
Just when you think you’ve seen the most powerful residential snow blowers on the market today, another machine arrives to change your way of thinking.
The PowerSmart DB7128PA is quite simply a behemoth.
This snow blower is equipped with an amazing 252cc engine and that allows it to cut through snow like butter.
It can also move a lot of snow with each pass – it has a 28-inch clearing width and a 21-inch high auger housing.
Even with a powerful machine like this, there will be times when you need to switch gears because of an incline or a tight turn.
The 8 different speeds available with this great snow blower are more than enough to get the job done.
There are 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse.
Every feature of the DB7128PA is designed with the purpose of convenience in mind.
It has a push button electric start and a manual pull chord depending on your preference.
It’s also equipped with power steering and headlights.
This is a heavy machine though at just under 200 pounds so you won’t want to lift it.
- Powerful 252cc engine
- 28-inch clearing path
- 21-inch housing
- 8 available speeds
- Push button electric start
- Power steering and headlights
- A heavy machine at almost 200 pounds
Husqvarna ST230P
Considering the diverse range of snow blowers manufactured by Husqvarna it will probably come as no surprise to many that we’re including another of their products on our review list.
The Husqvarna ST230P is probably in a class by itself though.
This machine has a 291cc engine and it has a reputation of handling even the biggest snowfalls of the season with ease.
This two-stage snow blower’s designed to cut through a foot of snow.
In our opinion, this is the best residential snow blower over $1500.
That price tag may be a little too steep for some, but if it’s in your budget, it’s definitely worth a closer look.
The ST230P has a 30-inch clearing path and the auger housing can hold a mountain of snow.
When you combine that with 16-inch tires you should be able to muster all of the momentum and traction you need.
The chute turns up to 180 degrees and it’s operated with an automated system.
This Husqvarna snow blower is also equipped with heated handlebars and headlights.
While reviews are mostly positive for this machine, it does have its critics.
One of the most notable issues is that Husqvarna has a spotty reputation when it comes to customer service.
When you’re paying more than $1500 for a snow blower that’s not what you expect.
The other major complaint is that when the weather gets really cold, this machine may have trouble starting.
A high-end snow blower like this should start effortlessly even in the coldest weather.
At the end of the day, the ST230P is the best heavy-duty snow blower for around $1500.
- 291cc engine
- 30-inch clearing path
- 16-inch tires for extra traction
- Chute operation is automated and turns up to 180 degrees
- Heated handlebars and headlights
- Inconsistent customer service
- May not work as expected in colder weather
Final Thoughts
The snow blowers we’ve reviewed here aren’t the only ones on the market, but we do believe they’re the best gas snow blower options in the residential market for a variety of reasons.
It doesn’t matter whether your main criterion is keeping a tight budget or looking for all the bells and whistles, you’ll find something that works for you here.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article our pick for overall best gas powered snow blower is the Briggs & Stratton 27-Inch Snow Blower and our budget choice is the Yardmax YB6270.
If you don’t have a lot of time start with these two, but any one of the products featured here will help you make sure your driveway is always clear of snow this winter.