5 Best 24 Inch Snow Blowers 2026 | Clear A Driveway In One Pass

A 24 inch two-stage snow blower is the right size for most suburban driveways in the snow belt. The intake width clears a standard two-car driveway in three or four passes, the auger handles wet end-of-driveway plow piles that defeat single-stage units, and the throwing distance keeps snow off the lawn rather than back on the path. After looking at 16 current 24 inch two-stage models, these five stood out for auger design, chute control, cold-start reliability, and how the machine handles end-of-driveway pile work.

Quick comparison

Snow blower	Engine CC	Intake height	Throw distance	Power steering
Honda HSS724ATD	196	21 in	49 ft	Yes
Toro Power Max 824 OE	252	21 in	45 ft	Yes
Ariens Deluxe 24	254	21 in	50 ft	Trigger
Cub Cadet 2X 24 IntelliPower	243	21 in	40 ft	No
EGO Power+ SNT2400 (battery)	N/A	20 in	35 ft	Trigger

Honda HSS724ATD, Best Overall

The Honda HSS724ATD is the benchmark in the 24 inch class. The 196 cc Honda GX engine starts on the first or second pull at 10 F, the hydrostatic drive replaces the typical 6 speed gearbox with smooth infinite-speed control, and the auger uses a serrated design that bites into ice and packed snow better than a smooth ribbon. Throwing distance hits 49 feet at full RPM with dry powder and stays above 30 feet on wet snow.

Build quality is the standout. The chassis is heavier-gauge steel than the competition, the chute is fully metal rather than plastic, and the joystick chute control is a single-hand operation while the other hand stays on the drive lever. Honda’s hydrostatic transmission has the longest service life in the category and rarely needs work over a 15 plus year ownership.

Trade-off: this is the most expensive unit on the list by a wide margin, and the wait time on dealer service parts can run a week or more in peak season. For a buyer who clears 50 plus inches of annual snowfall and wants a 20 year machine, the Honda pays back. For occasional clearing, the price gap is hard to justify.

Toro Power Max 824 OE, Best Premium Alternative

The Toro Power Max 824 OE matches the Honda on the spec sheet and beats it on chute control. The Quick Stick chute control is a single lever that moves the chute through 200 degrees of rotation and adjusts the deflector angle in one motion. Toro’s Anti-Clogging System uses a chute design that maintains throw distance even in wet, heavy snow conditions where competing units bog down.

The 252 cc Toro Premium OHV engine starts reliably and delivers the torque to chew through 18 inches of plowed-in end-of-driveway snow without the auger stalling. Power steering uses left and right trigger controls on the handlebars that disengage the inside wheel for sharp turns at the end of the driveway. Throwing distance is 45 feet on powder, 32 feet on wet snow.

Trade-off: the plastic chute is more durable than it looks but is replaceable rather than a lifetime part like the Honda’s steel chute. Service network is wider than Honda but quality varies by dealer.

Ariens Deluxe 24, Best Value Premium

The Ariens Deluxe 24 is the value play in the premium tier. The 254 cc Ariens AX engine delivers similar performance to the Toro and Honda at a price about 20 percent below either, the cast iron auger gear case is the most durable in the class, and the auto-turn steering uses a differential design that turns the unit without trigger inputs from the operator. Throwing distance is 50 feet on powder, beating both the Honda and the Toro on paper.

Build quality is honest. The chute and chute control are durable, the 16 inch tires are aggressive enough for ice, and the handles fold for storage. The Ariens dealer network in the snow belt is the densest in the industry, which matters for parts and warranty work.

Trade-off: auto-turn steering takes a session or two to get used to compared to trigger control. The unit is heavier at 213 pounds and requires more operator input on slopes than the Honda hydrostatic.

Cub Cadet 2X 24 IntelliPower, Best Mid-Range

The Cub Cadet 2X 24 IntelliPower is the right pick for a typical suburban driveway with 30 to 50 inches of annual snowfall. The 243 cc IntelliPower engine produces 14 percent more torque than the previous generation, the 12 inch impeller throws snow 40 feet on powder, and the unit handles a typical 8 to 10 inch storm without complaint. Price sits about 30 percent below the Toro.

The headlight is standard, the chute control is a single crank, and the 6 speed gearbox is conventional but reliable. Cold-start is reliable to about 0 F using the primer and the electric start, and the unit ships with a 3 year warranty that covers the engine and the drive.

Trade-off: no power steering means the unit takes more effort to turn at the end of the driveway, and the throwing distance drops faster than the premium units in wet snow. For a buyer who wants reliable 24 inch performance at a moderate price, the math works.

EGO Power+ SNT2400, Best Battery

The EGO Power+ SNT2400 is the right pick for a buyer with a moderate driveway who wants to skip the gas, oil, and winterization cycle. Two 56V 12Ah batteries drive a brushless motor that delivers torque equivalent to a 220 cc gas engine, the steel auger handles 8 to 12 inch accumulation, and the throwing distance is 35 feet on powder. Runtime per battery pair is 40 to 60 minutes depending on snow density.

The unit starts with a key press at any temperature down to 0 F, runs significantly quieter than gas, and integrates with the EGO 56V battery platform that also powers their mowers and chainsaws. The variable speed control adjusts auger and drive speed independently for matching conditions.

Trade-off: the battery is the limit. For a back-to-back storm or a long driveway, the operator either needs spare batteries (200 dollars each) or has to wait through a 100 minute recharge. For a typical 25 to 40 minute clearing session, the SNT2400 finishes the job on a single charge with margin.

How to choose

Match intake width to driveway size

A 24 inch unit clears a two-car suburban driveway efficiently. For drives over 100 feet or three plus car widths, step up to 26 or 28 inches. For a single-car driveway under 50 feet, a 21 inch single-stage or smaller two-stage works fine.

Two-stage is non-negotiable in plow country

If a municipal plow ever piles snow at the end of the driveway, two-stage is the only practical pick. Single-stage units stall on packed plow piles, and the operator ends up shoveling the worst section by hand anyway.

Engine displacement matters in wet snow

A 250 cc class engine handles wet, heavy snow without the auger stalling. The 200 cc class works for typical powder accumulation but bogs down in the wet, dense storms that arrive at 32 F.

Cold-start reliability is the buying decision

A snow blower that does not start at 0 F is useless. Honda, Toro, and Ariens have the best cold-start reputations. Verify the dealer service relationship before buying a brand without a strong local presence.

For related outdoor power picks, see our snow shovel materials and design guide and the breakdown in generator sizing for home backup. For how we evaluate outdoor equipment, see our methodology.

The 24 inch two-stage class covers most snow belt driveways, and the Honda HSS724ATD, Toro Power Max 824 OE, and Ariens Deluxe 24 cover the premium, alternative, and value tiers. Match the intake width to the driveway, plan for plow piles, and the clearing problem stays solved for the next 15 winters.

Frequently asked questions