Cub Cadet Vs Honda Snow Blowers - Who Makes the Better Snow Blowers?

Cub Cadet Vs Honda Snow Blowers – Who Makes the Better Snow Blowers?

Choosing the right snow blower is imperative because you never want to be trapped in your own driveway due to heavy snowfall. If you live in an area that gets more than 6 inches of snow in the winter, you need a reliable means of clearing it.

To help you choose the right machine for your needs, we will be taking a look at a series of snow blowers from two of the best brands in the industry: Honda and Cub Cadet.

Cub Cadet Vs Honda Overview & Brief History

While both companies have been known to make high-quality snow blowers, they tend to be known for different things. For example, Cub Cadet snow blowers are commonly associated with ease of use and operation whereas Honda snow blowers are known for having long-lasting motors.

The roots of each company are also very different. Cub Cadet is an American company that was founded in 1960. Cub Cadet began as a division of International Harvester – a manufacturer that specialized in agricultural vehicles and equipment.

Honda of course, is a Japanese company and was founded in 1946. Apart from outdoor equipment, Honda is most known for making automobiles and engines for all kinds of other vehicles.

What is Each Company Known for?

People probably associate Honda with automobiles but as far as their snow blowers go, the company is known for making long-lasting engines. Cub Cadet is known for making affordable snow blowers that are also easy to operate.

The Best Single Stage Snow Blowers

Cub Cadet 1X 21 LHP Vs Honda Power Equipment HS720AMA

Cub Cadet 1X 21 LHP

Quick Facts:

208cc engine
4-cycle engine
13” intake height

Key Features

Rubber Augers – The rubber augers are safe to use on delicate surfaces like wooden decks and paths.
LED Headlights – Bright, in-dash headlights make clearing in the wee hours or the evening safer.
Adjustable Chute – You can control the pitch and the direction that the snow is ejected.

First Impressions

At first, we didn’t think the reinforced rubber augers would cut it. However, the 1X 21 LHP proved to be a versatile little snow blower. Not only was it safe for wooden decks, the 9 inch auger worked well in concrete and of course, driveways.

It’s a 21” snow blower and it only has a 13” intake height so don’t expect it to work well in snowfall any deeper than about 7 inches. But for light snowfall, this is a very reliable blower.

Who Should Buy it?

The Cub Cadet 1X 21 LHP is a good snow blower for 1-2 car garage driveways. It’s also ideal for anyone who normally only deals with light, fluffy snow. It is also one of the most affordable snow blowers on our list so don’t overlook it if you are on a budget.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Auger is safe on all surfaces
Affordable snow blower
The chute can be rotated 190 degrees

Cons:

Not self-propelled

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Honda Power Equipment HS720AMA

Quick Facts:

33’ maximum throw distance
187cc engine
20” clearing path

Key Features

Semi Self-Propelled – The auger helps move the snow bower along but it’s not fully self-propelled.
4-Cycle Engine – Among other things, having a 4-cycle engine means the operator doesn’t have to mix oil and gas.
20 Inch Clearing Path – The 20” clearing width is a good choice for clearing 2-3 car garage driveways and small paths.

First Impressions

Our first impression of the Honda Power Equipment HS720AMA was that it was pretty scant in terms of features. While the auger offers some pushing assistance, the Honda Power Equipment HS720AMA doesn’t have periphery features like in-dash LED headlights or electric start. Speaking of starting, keep in mind that the Honda Power Equipment HS720AMA is a pull cord snow blower; but it starts up very easily anyway.

Who Should Buy it?

If you don’t have any problem operating a pull cord and you need a good snow blower for medium driveways, the Honda Power Equipment HS720AMA would be a good choice for you.

Pros & Cons

Starts up easily
Easy to get the hang of
Overhead Cam engine

Cons:

More expensive than the Cub Cadet 1X 21 LPH

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

The Best Two Stage Snow Blowers

Cub Cadet 2X Intellipower Vs Honda 660780

Cadet 2x Intellipower

Quick Facts:

26 inch clearing path
243cc engine
227 pounds

Key Features

Adjustable Steel Chute – The snow chute can be rotated up to 200 degrees and is made of durable steel.
Trigger Steering – The 2X Intellipower offers nearly effortless steering with power-steering trigger controls.
Variable Speed – This snow blower also offers 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds.

First Impressions

At first we were a little intimidated by the Cub Cadet 2X Intellipower because it has various levers and control handles. But we soon found ourselves piloting it with no issue. The best part about this big blower with a 26” clearing path is that it’s self-propelled so you don’t have to struggle with it even in thick snowfall.

Who Should Buy it?

The Cub Cadet 2X Intellipower has a 21 inch intake height so it’s good for about a foot of snowfall. It would be a good choice for anyone who deals with thick, hard snowfall because it has steel, serrated augers that chew through all kinds of snow nicely. The impeller is 12 inches and also helps to process thick, chunky snow. Overall this is a great fit for anyone who needs a snow blower capable of handling all kinds of snow.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Self-propelled
Don’t need to mix oil and fuel
Turning is easy

Cons:

Runs a bit loud

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Honda 660780

Quick Facts:

196cc engine
24 inch clearing path
220 pounds

Key Features

Key Start – The Honda 660780 features an electric start with turn-key activation; but it has a pull cord as well for emergencies.
Serrated Auger Blades – The auger has serrated blades to help slash up tough snow.
196cc OHV Engine – The engine is powerful enough for large driveways and can tackle hard snow.

First Impressions

We liked the compact design of this 2-stage snow blower right away. The Honda 660780 is 58 x 26 x 43 inches so it’s easy to push and pretty easy to store too. We also liked that the controls were very intuitive. Even if you have never used a two-stage blower before, you should be able to get the hang of this one pretty quickly.

Who Should Buy it?

Because the Honda 660780 features a familiar turn-key ignition and is generally easy to handle, we would recommend it to anyone who may not have a lot of experience with snow blowers. It can handle about a foot of snowfall and is rated to move about 1500 pounds of snow per minute.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Intuitive controls
Good clearing power
Very easy to start

Cons:

Very few periphery features

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Cub Cadet 2X Intellipower Vs Honda HSS928AT / HSS928ATD

Cub Cadet 2X Intellipower

Quick Facts:

28 inch clearing path
272cc engine
21 inch intake height

Key Features

Self-Propelled Drive – The self-propelled drive system offers 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds.
Electric Start – Plug the 2X Intellipower into an electrical outlet and start it with the push of a button.
X-Trac Tires – 16 x 6.5inch tires give you plenty of traction when plowing through thick snow.

First Impressions

This snow blower has a wide, 28” clearing width so we thought it would be a bit clumsy and cumbersome at first. And to a certain degree it is because there’s simply no getting over the fact that this blower weighs 285 pounds.

However, the self-propelled drive system will handle most of the pushing burden for you. There are 6 forward speeds so you can pretty much clear at a pace comfortable to you or one that is optimal for the kind of snowfall you are dealing with.

Who Should Buy it?

Because the Cub Cadet 2X Intellipower 28” is a self-propelled snow blower, it would be a good choice for anyone who has a hilly property or a sloped driveway. At the top two forward speeds, the Cub Cadet 2X Intellipower 28” is easy to get up gentle inclines (about 20 to 25 degrees). The trigger steering system also makes it a good choice for anyone who has a lot of objects and obstacles on their property.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Performs well on small hills
Easy steering
Half-gallon fuel tank capacity

Cons:

It’s heavy

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Honda HSS928AT / HSS928ATD

Quick Facts:

28 inch clearing width
52’ max throwing distance
270cc engine

Key Features

Electric and Recoil Start – The Honda HSS928AT / HSS928ATD snow blowers feature electric start and recoil start as a backup.
3 Gallon Fuel Capacity – A large fuel tank is ideal for larger properties.
Track Drive – The Honda HSS928AT / HSS928ATD features tank-like treads on both sides.

First Impressions

We thought this thing looked like a tank at first. The dual track drive wheels help you glide through heavy snowfall so in the end, the resemblance to a tank was a good thing. The Honda HSS928AT / HSS928ATD blowers have 21” clearing heights and adjustable auger height so they can handle around 18” of snowfall.

Who Should Buy it?

The large gas tank means that you can clear a big property without refueling so we would recommend it for anyone who has a large area to clear.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Hydrostatic drive
Safe for various surfaces
Joystick chute control

Cons:

Expensive

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Cub Cadet 2X 30 Max Vs Honda HSS1332AT / HSS1332ATD

Cub Cadet 2x 30 Max

Quick Facts:

30” clearing width
357cc engine
23” intake height

Key Features

14” Auger – The auger diameter is 14 inches and has a serrated design with covered ball bearings.
All-Wheel Drive – The drive system gives you control in virtually any terrain.
Soft-Grip Handles – The handles are soft to the touch and heated.

First Impressions

While the Cub Cadet 2x 30 Max seemed large and intimidating at first, the 16” x 6.5 tires and the all-wheel drive made it much more manageable.

Who Should Buy it?

The intake height is good for clearing about 19 inches of snow so it would be a good choice for anyone who deals with heavy snowfall.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Cheaper than the Honda HSS1332AT / HSS1332ATD
Not too loud
Steel shave plate

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Honda HSS1332AT / HSS1332ATD

Quick Facts:

32” clearing path
7” clearing height
Self-propelled

Key Features:

Adjustable Auger Height – The auger housing height can be adjusted to accommodate multiple surfaces.
Hydrostatic Drive – Choose the speed that works best for you with the hydrostatic drive system.
Pneumatic Gas Strut – The pneumatic assisted strut makes it easy to adjust auger housing height.

First Impressions

The first thing we thought was that the Honda HSS1332AT / HSS1332ATD was expensive. And at a minimum price of $3899, it is. But it is decked out with incredible features so it’s worth it.

Who Should Buy it?

The Honda HSS1332AT / HSS1332ATD snow blowers would be great for anyone who wants a blower with top-of-the-line power, clearing width and features.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Works well on all terrain
Easy to maneuver
Throws far

Cons:

Pricey

Overall Score: 98/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

What Does Cub Cadet Do Better?

Cub Cadet makes their controls more intuitive.

What Does Honda Do Better?

Honda does a better job of making blowers that are easy to start.

Which Brand is Better Priced

Cub Cadet blowers are significantly less expensive than Honda blowers.

Which Controls & Handles Better?

The controls on Honda blowers are more intuitive but smaller Cub Cadet blowers handle better.

Which Brand is More Reliable

It’s hard to beat the reliability of a Honda engine – even on a snow blower.

Which Brand Lasts Longer?

Honda snow blowers can last longer than 10 years while Cub Cadet blowers are more questionable in terms of longevity.

Who Should Buy Cub Cadet?

Anyone looking to score a high-quality blower at a very good price.

Who Should Buy Honda?

Anyone with more money to spend and who wants to invest in an engine that will last a long time.

Final Assessment

We like the fact that lower-end Cub Cadet blowers have more helpful features. But if you’re looking at larger blowers, Honda models have incredible features and better clearing capacity than Cub Cadet blowers. For those very important reasons, we would consider Honda to be the better brand – at least for snow blowers.