The best 2-stage snow blower for heavy snow on most driveways is the EGO Power+ SNT2405, a 56V battery two-stage kit with a 24 in clearing width, a 20 in intake, push-button start, and a listed throw up to 50 ft. We checked Amazon on 2026-09-11; the value pick is the PowerSmart 24 in HB7109A gas at about $700.
A two-stage machine splits the work: a slow auger breaks the snow loose and feeds it to a fast impeller, and the impeller does the throwing. That split is why a 2-stage clears the plow-packed bank that stalls a single-stage. This page is the deep dive under our best snow blower guide, which covers single-stage and corded machines; here we rank only two-stage machines you can order today.
One thing before the list: we make digging spades, not snow blowers, so nothing here is ours. Each pick is judged on clearing width, intake height, throw distance, start type, and the listing specs we verified against each Amazon listing on 2026-09-11.
Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It does not change what we recommend or what you pay. Prices and availability were checked on 2026-09-11 and can change.
Best 2-stage snow blowers at a glance
| Machine | Power | Width | Intake | Throw | Start | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EGO Power+ SNT2405 24 in 56V two-stage kit (best overall) |
56V battery, two 7.5Ah packs included | 24 in | 20 in | up to 50 ft | Push-button | amazon, about $1,649 |
 PowerSmart 24 in two-stage gas (208cc, HB7109A) |
208cc gas | 24 in | Not listed | Not listed | Electric start | amazon, about $700 |
 Husqvarna ST124 24 in two-stage gas (212cc) |
212cc gas | 24 in | 21 in | Not listed | Not listed | amazon, about $999 |
 PowerSmart 24 in two-stage gas (212cc, DB7108B) |
212cc gas | 24 in | 21 in | up to 50 ft | 120V electric start, recoil backup | amazon, about $1,000 |
 PowerSmart 26 in two-stage gas (208cc) |
208cc gas | 26 in | 20 in | up to 45 ft | Electric start | amazon, about $999 |
How we picked
We picked from Amazon listings only. On 2026-09-11 we verified titles, features, prices, and stock for every ASIN on this page, and rejected every out-of-stock, parts-only, or tool-only listing. We did not hand-test them in a storm. Every width, intake, throw, and start type below comes from the listing itself; where a listing says nothing, the table says "Not listed".
Buy in September or October. Two-stage stock thins by the first storm, and the 24 in gas machines under $1,000 go first. Assemble the handle and chute on a dry afternoon, not in the driveway at dawn.
What is the best 2-stage snow blower?
The best 2-stage snow blower overall is the EGO Power+ SNT2405 56V kit: 24 in clearing width, 20 in intake height, variable-speed self-propel, push-button start, two included 7.5Ah batteries, and a listed throw up to 50 ft. It is the two-stage machine that skips fuel and oil without giving up the impeller.
The best 2-stage snow blowers, by job
1. EGO Power+ SNT2405 24 in 56V kit: best 2-stage snow blower overall
The EGO Power+ SNT2405 56V (model SNT2405) is the two-stage we would buy first: a 24 in clearing width with a 20 in intake height, and a listed throw up to 50 ft on Peak Power from any two EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries. The rest of the features list covers a variable-speed steel auger, directional chute control, variable-speed self-propel in forward and reverse, push-button start with no priming or pull cord, and four LEDs. EGO lists up to an 18-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on the two included 7.5Ah packs. At about $1,649 with batteries in the box, it is the most expensive machine here and the only one with no fuel or oil to winterize. Where it loses: runtime is finite, wet snow drains packs faster than powder, and a gas two-stage keeps going when a storm outlasts the charge.
2. PowerSmart 24 in gas (208cc, HB7109A): best 2-stage snow blower for the money
The PowerSmart 24 in two-stage (model HB7109A) is the cheapest real two-stage we could verify in stock. Features list a 24 in clearing width with a two-stage system, a 208cc Briggs and Stratton engine, self-propel on 13 in snow tires, electric start, a handle warmer, and built-in LED lights. At about $700 it costs less than half the EGO kit and buys the same auger-plus-impeller layout for a one or two car drive. Where it loses: no adjustable skid shoes and no reverse speeds are listed, so gravel drives and tight turnarounds should look at the DB7108B; the listing does not state an intake height or throw distance, so we do not claim one.
3. Husqvarna ST124 24 in gas (212cc): the dealer-brand gas pick
The Husqvarna ST124 24 in (part 970710001) was still orderable on Amazon when we checked (one unit left, more on the way). The listing names a 212cc engine and a 24 in clearing width, and the features add a ribbon auger that mixes air into the snow so it moves more easily, 13 in snow tires, a 21 in intake height, a molded console, and an all-steel chute. At about $999 it is the one dealer brand on the page. Where it loses: the listing states no throw distance, no start type and no heated grips, so at about the same price as the DB7108B you give up its listed 50 ft throw, 120V electric start and hand warmers, and get the dealer brand, the 3 year bumper-to-bumper and 5 year engine warranty the listing states, and the 21 in intake.
4. PowerSmart 24 in gas (212cc, DB7108B): the heated-grips and electric-start gas pick
The PowerSmart 24 in two-stage (212cc) (model DB7108B) is the pick for cold-morning comfort: a listed throw up to 50 ft from a 212cc engine rated at 2400 lbs/min, and a 120V push-button electric start with recoil start as a backup. The features also cite a 24 in clearing width and 21 in intake height, a heavy-duty steel auger and impeller, 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds, hand warmers, an LED light, 13 in snow tires, and skid shoes that adjust for paved and gravel drives. PowerSmart lists it at 187 lbs. At about $1,000 it is the gas machine here with the most stated specs. Where it loses: 187 lbs is a lot to turn at the end of every pass, and the extra $300 over the HB7109A buys comfort and a listed throw, not a wider path.
5. PowerSmart 26 in gas (208cc): the wide pick for long driveways
The PowerSmart 26 in two-stage is the widest machine in our price band we found in stock when we checked: a 26 in clearing width with a 20 in intake height, and a listed throw up to 45 ft from a steel impeller. The features also list a 208cc Briggs and Stratton 950 snow series engine, steel in the housing, frame, deflector, and chute, an all-steel auger, 13 in snow tires, variable-speed self-propel forward and reverse, one-hand 180 degree chute control, adjustable steel skid shoes, and a handle warmer; the listing title adds electric start. At about $999 it buys two more inches per pass than anything else here. Where it loses: a 26 in housing wants garage floor space, and you still store fuel, change oil, and live with exhaust.
What about Toro, Ariens, Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt?
Those are the dealer names most readers search first. We checked Amazon on 2026-09-11: the Ariens Deluxe 24 and Deluxe 28 SHO listings were out of stock, and searches for Toro Power Max, Cub Cadet 2X, and Troy-Bilt Storm returned parts and covers. Buy those from a local dealer, or order one of the five above.
What is the difference between a 2-stage and a 3-stage snow blower?
A two-stage machine uses a slow auger to break snow loose and a fast impeller to throw it. A three-stage machine adds an accelerator between them, a third rotating part that chops and feeds snow into the impeller. Every pick on this page is a two-stage, which is the layout most driveways need.
How wide should a 2-stage snow blower be?
Size width to drive length. The four 24 in machines here suit a one or two car drive, where a few extra passes cost minutes. The PowerSmart 26 in earns its width on a longer suburban drive, because two more inches per pass add up over a long run. None of our in-stock picks list a 28 in width.
| Drive length | Width to start with | Picks at that width |
|---|---|---|
| One or two car drive | 24 in | EGO SNT2405 56V, PowerSmart HB7109A, Husqvarna ST124, PowerSmart DB7108B |
| Longer suburban drive with a turnaround | 26 in | PowerSmart 26 in |
| Rural lane or shared drive | 28 in and up | None in our price band on 2026-09-11; the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO was out of stock, the EGO SNT2800 28 in tool-only unit was down to one, and the Honda HSS928 28 in track machine costs about $3,599 |
Is a battery 2-stage snow blower as good as gas?
On listed specs, yes for width and throw: the EGO SNT2405 56V lists 24 in and up to 50 ft, matching the PowerSmart DB7108B gas machine on both, and gives up one inch of intake (20 in against 21 in). The real difference is runtime. EGO lists an 18-car driveway per charge; gas runs as long as the tank does.
- Choose the battery two-stage when your drive fits inside EGO's listed 18-car figure with room to spare, you can charge indoors, and you want push-button start with no fuel or oil. Store the packs partly charged inside the house, because capacity drops below freezing in an unheated garage.
- Choose a gas two-stage when storms run long, the drive is long, or you clear for a neighbor too. All three PowerSmart gas picks list electric start, and the DB7108B adds a recoil backup, so a cold pull cord is not the trade-off it used to be.
- Budget buyers who only need a walk and a short pad should read our best electric snow blower guide first; a single-stage cordless costs far less.
Can you use a 2-stage snow blower on gravel?
Yes, with the skid shoes raised. On a two-stage machine the auger sits inside the housing and the shoes set how high the housing rides, so the auger never scrapes the surface the way a single-stage paddle does. The PowerSmart DB7108B and 26 in both list adjustable skid shoes for exactly this.
What maintenance does a 2-stage snow blower need?
Every gas machine here runs a four-stroke engine: straight pump gas, never a fuel mix. Add stabilizer to the can, change the oil each fall, and keep spare shear pins in the drawer. The EGO SNT2405 56V drops the fuel and oil items from that list; the auger, skid shoes and scraper bar still get the same spring check.
- Fuel and oil. Fresh gas plus stabilizer all season, a dry carburetor or stabilized fuel for summer, and one oil change every fall.
- Shear pins. Buy a bag now. They are the fuse between the auger and the gearbox, and every rock you miss spends one.
- Skid shoes and scraper bar. Both wear. Check them when you put the machine away, not when November snow shows daylight under the housing.
- Battery packs. Store them partly charged indoors, and clear the housing before slush freezes to it overnight.
What stays in the shed after the snow?
The steps and the frozen seam at the apron still want a hand tool; our best snow shovel guide covers those. After the thaw, keep a Spear Head Spade in the shed for the rest of the yard year. Still choosing a stage? Our best snow blower guide lines them all up.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 24 inch two-stage snow blower big enough?
Yes for most one or two car drives. Four of our five picks are 24 in machines, and the EGO SNT2405 56V lists up to an 18-car driveway with 8 inches of snow per charge at that width. Step up to the PowerSmart 26 in only when the drive is long enough that two inches per pass add up.
What is the best two-stage snow blower for the money?
The PowerSmart 24 in HB7109A at about $700 is the best two-stage for the money on this list. It lists a 208cc Briggs and Stratton engine, electric start, a handle warmer, self-propel on 13 in tires, and LED lights, which is the full two-stage layout for less than half the price of the EGO kit.
Do two-stage snow blowers have electric start?
Four of our five picks list one: the EGO SNT2405 56V uses a push-button start, the two PowerSmart 24 in machines and the 26 in list electric start, and the DB7108B adds a recoil backup. The Husqvarna ST124 listing does not state a start type, so we do not claim one.
How much does a good 2-stage snow blower cost?
On this list, a verified in-stock two-stage starts at about $700 for the PowerSmart HB7109A, sits near $999 to $1,000 for the Husqvarna ST124, the PowerSmart DB7108B, and the 26 in, and reaches about $1,649 for the EGO SNT2405 56V kit with two batteries in the box.
What is the best 2-stage snow blower under $1,000?
The PowerSmart HB7109A at about $700 is our pick under $1,000; it lists a 208cc Briggs and Stratton engine, electric start and a handle warmer. The Husqvarna ST124 and the PowerSmart 26 in both sit at about $999, the first for the dealer brand and 21 in intake, the second for the extra width.
Should I buy a two-stage snow blower in the fall?
Yes. Two-stage stock thins by the first storm, because these are the machines people buy after a storm exposes a single-stage. September and October are the months when the 24 in gas machines under $1,000 are all orderable, and an early delivery gives you a dry afternoon for assembly and a first start.
Are heated grips worth it on a two-stage snow blower?
Yes if you clear before dawn or for more than half an hour at a time. Three picks list them: the PowerSmart HB7109A and 26 in call it a handle warmer, and the DB7108B lists hand warmers alongside its LED light. The EGO SNT2405 56V and Husqvarna ST124 listings do not mention heated grips.
The bottom line
Buy the EGO SNT2405 56V if you want the two-stage you can order today without fuel, the PowerSmart 24 in HB7109A if you want a real two-stage for about $700, and the PowerSmart 26 in if the drive is long enough to pay for the width. Gravel wants the adjustable skid shoes the DB7108B and the 26 in list, and a 26 in gas housing takes garage floor space year round, plus a fuel can beside it. Order before the first storm, and keep a shovel for the steps.
