Head-to-head · Best Snow Blowers

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO vs Toro Power Max 824 Snow Blower

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.0 vs 3.8). The gap is mostly about heavy-duty users needing maximum power — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #5 in Best Snow Blowers

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO

4.0

$2,099as of May 27

The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is praised for its powerful 306 cc engine and exceptional snow throwing capability, particularly with heavy wet snow. Reviewers noted the Auto-Turn steering system as intuitive and easy to use, though it takes some time to adjust to. The snow blower offers good traction and is built to last, making it a solid value at around $1200. However, some users reported issues with initial setup, including insufficient lubrication and misaligned components that required dealer attention. It's recommended for those seeking a high-capacity, durable snow blower rather than users wanting premium features or a less expensive option.

Strengths

— 306 cc engine with plenty of power for the size
— Excellent snow throwing distance and performance with heavy wet snow
— Auto-Turn steering is easy to use and makes turning simple

Watch-outs

— First gear is faster than expected, requiring adjustment time
— Chute rotation control requires reaching over the dash to operate

$2,099 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Snow Blowers

Toro Power Max 824 Snow Blower

3.8

$1,299

The Toro Power Max 824 OE 24-inch Snow Blower delivers strong performance for heavy snow removal, according to Top Ten Reviews' testing in Utah's demanding conditions. It features a powerful 252 cc engine, self-propelling mechanism, and intuitive controls. The review noted that while the machine is durable and effective, assembly requires significant time and the joystick chute control needs adjustment period. This snow blower is ideal for users needing reliable performance in substantial snow conditions.

Strengths

— Powerful snow-clearing capability
— 24-inch clearing width
— Self-propelling feature

Watch-outs

— Assembly took about an hour
— Joystick chute control sensitivity took some getting used to

$1,299 · Buy at toro.com Full review →

How they stack up

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO

The Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO delivers the most powerful engine in the group with 306 cc, outperforming the Toro Power Max 824 and EGO models. However, it lacks the lightweight, user-friendly features of the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE and is not as versatile in terms of chute control compared to the Ariens Deluxe 24, which offers better maneuverability.

Toro Power Max 824 Snow Blower

The Toro Power Max 824 offers a self-propelling feature and electric start, similar to the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE, but lacks the intuitive Quick Stick chute control and Personal Pace system that make the SnowMaster 824 QXE more user-friendly. It also doesn't match the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO's powerful engine or throwing distance, though it's more straightforward to assemble than the Ariens model.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO	Toro Power Max 824 Snow Blower
Type	2-stage	Two-stage
Clearing Width	28 in	24 inches
Engine	306 cc	252 cc
Drive Type	Disc-O-Matic	Self-Propelled
Chute Control	In-Dash Remote Chute/Deflector Control	Quick Stick®
Weight	267.5 lbs.	184 lbs
Clearing Height	21 inches	12 inches

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