Bob Vila named the EGO POWER+ SNT2405 the best overall snow blower, and SnowblowerGarage called it 'the most compelling gas-replacement option for most homeowners.' The case starts with what you don't have to do: no fuel to buy, no oil to change, no carburetor to clean after it sits all summer, no pull-cord to yank six times in the cold. Push the button, squeeze the trigger, and the auger engages in under three seconds.
The performance closes the argument. With two 56V 7.5Ah batteries, the SNT2405 throws snow up to 50 feet — the same throw distance as gas two-stage machines at twice the price. In the 4–12 inch storm depths that define a typical suburban winter, SnowblowerGarage's real-world testing found no meaningful difference between the EGO's clearing force and that of comparable gas machines. The steel auger handles ice chunks without shear pin breakage.
The warranty is the tie-breaker: 5 years on the tool and 3 years on the batteries, the longest coverage in electric snow removal. EGO's 56V ARC Lithium ecosystem is the dominant cordless outdoor power platform, which means batteries bought for the snow blower work in EGO mowers, blowers, chainsaws, and trimmers. The ecosystem value compounds every time you add a tool.
For the majority of homeowners in the American suburbs — 2-car driveway, 6–10 inch storms, one storm per week at peak — the SNT2405 does the gas machine's job without the gas machine's demands.
What It Won't Do
Runtime is the honest limitation. SnowblowerGarage measured 10–18 minutes clearing plow-pile snow (the dense, compacted stuff at the end of the driveway) versus 30–45 minutes in light powder. For a 200-foot driveway in a 12-inch wet storm, two batteries are enough. For a 400-foot rural driveway in lake-effect snow, they may not be. A second battery pair ($400+) is available and extends sessions — but it's an additional purchase that makes the total cost climb past any gas machine in this comparison. The other gap: at 210 lbs with batteries loaded, it's genuinely difficult to maneuver without power. The self-propelled drive is mandatory, not a luxury.
The Ariens Deluxe 24 (Model 921045) costs $1,499 and SnowblowerGarage rated it 'one of the best 24-inch two-stage snow blowers ever made.' The value argument is built on three things: unlimited runtime, build quality that lasts 15+ years, and performance in the worst conditions.
The runtime comparison is stark. Fill the tank, keep clearing. There is no battery to recharge, no pause in a 14-inch storm to go inside and wait three hours. Homeowners in the Great Lakes snowbelt, upstate New York, or the upper Midwest who face three major storms a week at peak season need a machine that doesn't stop until the driveway is clear. The Ariens Deluxe 24 is that machine.
The 254cc Ariens AX engine and all-steel construction are engineered for a 15+ year service life. Consumer Reports' Recommended designation for the Ariens Deluxe line reflects a long reliability track record. Auto-Turn steering makes direction changes natural. Ariens dealers are widespread enough that parts and service are accessible everywhere snow falls.
At $1,499, the Ariens Deluxe 24 is $150 less than the EGO SNT2405 with no compromises on clearing power — and for heavy-snowfall homeowners, it outperforms the EGO in the conditions that matter most.
What It Won't Do
The Ariens Deluxe 24 requires annual maintenance. Oil change, spark plug, fuel stabilizer before storage — budget $75–125 per year and 60–90 minutes of your time. Skip the stabilizer at the end of the season and the carburetor gums up over summer, turning a $1,499 purchase into a $200 repair bill in October. No heated grips is also a real omission at this price: when it's 5°F and you're clearing your third driveway of the week, numb hands are a genuine problem. Ariens offers heated grips on the Deluxe 30 and Professional line but not the 24.
Who Should Buy Which
EGO POWER+ SNT2405
The cordless two-stage that throws snow 50 feet without fuel, oil changes, or a pull-cord
- Suburban homeowners who face 4–12 inch storms and want push-button start and zero annual maintenance — no oil, no fuel, no spring tune-up
- Homeowners already invested in the EGO 56V ecosystem who want batteries to work across multiple outdoor power tools
- Anyone who stores their machine in a conditioned space (attached garage, basement) and can charge batteries indoors — critical for lithium battery performance in cold climates
- Homeowners with a 2–3 car driveway length who clear the same storm in one battery charge and don't face the runtime limits of wet, plow-pile snow
Ariens Deluxe 24
Commercial-grade all-steel two-stage gas blower built to outlast two decades of storms
- Homeowners in heavy-snowfall regions (Great Lakes, upstate New York, Midwest, mountain states) who face 12+ inch storms and need a machine that runs until the tank is empty
- Anyone with a large driveway (3+ car, curved, or long) where battery runtime anxiety is a real operational concern
- Homeowners who want the longest-lasting machine they can buy under $1,500 — the Ariens Deluxe 24 is built to be rebuilt, not replaced
- Buyers comfortable with annual gas maintenance who prioritize unlimited clearing power over push-button convenience