Which Toro Snow Blower Is Right for You?

Toro offers top-tier performance and nice features, too. Models also come without the premium price you’ll find on comparable tools from brands like Honda and Husqvarna. In our snow blower ratings, there’s at least one Toro near the top of the ratings for every type of snow blower, with the exception of three-stage machines, which the brand doesn’t make.

To zero in on your best options, Misha Kollontai, CR’s project leader who oversees snow blower testing, suggests considering the average depth of snowfall for your area (both over a winter and in a typical storm), as well as the size of the area you’ll be tackling. “That approach ensures you can get a great machine that will handle your needs without being overkill,” he says.

Generally speaking, if you typically get heavy snowfall (around 16 inches), a gas-powered two-stage snow blower can get the job done. With moderate snowfall (9 to 16 inches), a one-stage blower may be all you need. You might stick with gas for the occasional storm, but if they’re few and far between, you might prefer the ease of electric. With light snowfall (up to 6 inches), the snow can be managed with a one-stage electric snow blower.

Bear in mind that larger two-stage machines also tend to be wider (they run 24 to 30 inches wide instead of 21 inches for most single-stage blowers). That can have an impact on your total removal time, especially if you have a big driveway, because a wider machine means fewer total passes. Still, typical snowfall should be your primary consideration, and it rarely makes sense to buy an oversized machine to save a few passes when clearing. In this roundup, we’ve highlighted the highest-scoring Toro to suit each scenario.