PowerSmart 24" 212cc Two-Stage Snow Blower vs Toro Power Max 826 OHAE Snow Blower

The Toro Power Max 826 OHAE is the better-built machine and the one to buy if you clear heavy, wet snow and want it to last. Its 252cc Toro OHV engine, 26-inch steel chute, hardened auger gearbox and shear-pin-free drive are a step up in durability, and owners of Toro two-stage units generally report fewer breakdowns. The PowerSmart 24-inch is the value pick: it is lighter at 142 lbs, has a wider 24-inch cut for its size, and its 212cc engine and 2,400 lbs/min plowing capacity are respectable, but its 3.6/5 from 1,417 ratings and plastic chute point to a rougher, less durable machine.

• Choose the PowerSmart 24" if you have a modest driveway, want a lighter machine you can handle yourself, and value a lower entry into two-stage gas snow blowing.
• Choose the Toro Power Max 826 OHAE if you face heavy, wet snow, long driveways or gravel, and want the stronger engine, steel chute and longer service life.