Ariens Vs Craftsman Snow Blowers - Who Makes the Better Snow Blowers?

Ariens Vs Craftsman Snow Blowers – Who Makes the Better Snow Blowers?

When the weather turns and you have a foot or more of snow trapping your vehicle, you need to have a reliable snow blower on hand. Fortunately Craftsman and Ariens make some of the most dependable snow blowers for home use.

But the trouble is choosing the right brand for your needs. There are key differences between these brands even as they make some of the most popular snow blowers on the market.

To help you sort through these differences and make the best choice for your money, we have put together the following comparison article.

Ariens Vs Craftsman Overview & Brief History

The Ariens company was founded in 1933. They make snow blowers and lawn equipment for both professional and residential use.

You may know their professional equipment under the name “Gravely” which is their dedicated division for commercial-quality machines.

The Craftsman story starts 95 years ago in 1927. The company focuses on a wide variety of power tools and today, they are owned by Black + Decker. The company has won awards for their quality tools and have been acknowledged as a brand that consumers place great trust in.

What is Each Company Known for?

When comparing these two companies, it’s important to note that Ariens is more known for making snow blowers and lawn equipment specifically. Craftsman on the other hand is known for making a huge array of different kinds of power tools.

It’s only in recent decades that Craftsman got into the snow blower game. However, Craftsman is known for making reliable snow blowers. Ariens snow blowers are known for their power and the company is also known for providing machines to professional sports arenas, municipal organizations and even government facilities.

The Best Single Stage Snow Blower

Ariens SS21 Single Stage Snow Blower

Quick Facts:

208cc engine
35 foot max throwing distance
9 quart fuel capacity

Key Features

Electric Start – The Ariens SS21 features an electric start system which makes it much easier to start the engine in cold conditions.
21” Clearing Path – The 21” clearing path of this snow blower makes it a good choice for 2-3 car garage driveways.
4-Stroke Engine – The fact that the SS21 is a 4-stroke blower means that you don’t have to mix oil and fuel to run it.

First Impressions

When we first checked out the Ariens SS21 we were a bit worried that it wouldn’t have the blowing power it was advertised to. It looks pretty small and compact overall. However, when we got it running, we could tell that this thing could move some serious snow.

The SS21 has a 12.2” intake height. The augers are made of metal and it has 8 inch semi-pneumatic wheels. The wheels are a breeze to turn even as this is not a self-propelled snow blower. Another thing that we were quite pleasantly surprised at was the fact that the emissions on this machine are pretty low.

You don’t get choked out by a bunch of exhaust even if you are running it at full capacity. This is also a 4-stroke snow blower so it’s pretty convenient overall since you have separate compartments for fuel and oil.

Who Should Buy it?

The Ariens SS21 would be a good choice for anyone who wants a snow blower that is easy to maintain and easy to start. It features a 120v electric start system so it is incredibly easy to start even if it’s freezing outside.

Just be prepared to spend almost $1000 on this snow blower.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

The emissions are very low
Very easy to start
It can handle about a foot of snowfall

Cons:

A bit pricey

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Craftsman SB230 Single Stage Snow Blower

Quick Facts:

21 inch clearing path
5 pounds
123cc engine

Key Features

Adjustable Snow Chute – There is a large handle near the handlebar that allows you to change the direction of the snow chute up to 190 degrees.
Sweeping Auger – The auger has a flattened, curved shape so it actually sweeps snow up as it rotates.
4-Cycle Engine – Like the Ariens SS21, the Craftsman SB230 is a 4-cycle engine which means you don’t have to bother with mixing oil and fuel.

First Impressions

We were first taken aback at how light and compact this snow blower was. The Craftsman SB230 weighs just under 40 pounds so it’s very easy to manage overall. We were also a little disappointed that the SB230 didn’t come with an electric start system like the Ariens SS21.

The SB230 has a pull-start system so it’s a bit harder and more labor intensive to start. The Craftsman SB230 also has a 13 inch intake height so it’s only good for clearing about 8 inches of snow at a time. However, the sweeping auger was a cool little touch. It essentially leaves your driveway clear of snow better than a standard auger.

Overall the SB230 was easy to manage (minus the starting). It has a 21 inch clearing path which should be good for most residential driveways.

Who Should Buy it?

The Craftsman SB 230 would be a good choice for younger operators who don’t mind putting a bit of elbow grease into starting this machine.

It has a less powerful engine than the SS21 and the max clearing height is ultimately lower as well. So it would also be a better choice if you have a smaller driveway or area to clear.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

It’s very light and easy to push
Clears up fine snow very well
Affordable price

Cons:

It can be difficult to start

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

The Best Two Stage Snow Blowers

Ariens Deluxe 28 Two Stage Snow Blower

Quick Facts:

254cc engine
50 foot max throwing distance
28 inch clearing path

Key Features

Auto-Steer System – The auto-steer system makes this large snow blower easier to turn.
Steel Impeller – Three steel blades make up the speedy impeller of the Ariens Deluxe 28 snow blower.
All-Steel Design – The chassis, skid shoes and handlebars are made of steel which should make this a very durable snow blower overall.

First Impressions

We were very impressed with the fact that the Ariens Deluxe 28 snow blower was actually a zero turn radius snow blower. We were very surprised to find out how easy it was to push and change directions with this snow blower.

The fact that it’s zero-turn is really helpful because this is a big snow blower and it’s made of mostly steel. As you can imagine with such a build, this is a heavy snow blower. But the auto-turn system makes it easy to manage.

The Deluxe 28 is rated to move up to 72 tons of snow per hour. It has a 21 inch intake height and can easily handle a foot or more of snow. It features a 14 inch auger and 14 inch impeller. The impeller works very well and chews up snow very quickly. Together, the impeller and auger make for very smooth operation. In fact, clogging was never an issue in our time with the Deluxe 28.

Who Should Buy it?

The Ariens Deluxe 28 snow blower would be a great choice for anyone with a large 3-car garage driveway. It would also be a good choice for anyone who regularly deals with hard, compacted snow because it is so powerful.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Auger and impeller handle any kind of snow
Very durable design
Easy to assemble

Cons:

No heated handles

Overall Score: 98/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Craftsman SB470 Two-Stage Snow Blower

Quick Facts:

28” clearing path
243cc engine
Gas-powered

Key Features

Electric Start – Electric start eliminates the need for a pull cord and is much easier on the body.
Skid Shoes – The skid shoes make this snow blower much easier to store and prolongs its life.
Self-Propelled Drive – The SB470 has 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds making it very easy to maneuver.

First Impressions

Three words: heated hand grips. The SB470 comes standard with heated hand grips and a lighted dash for easier operation in low-visibility conditions. The SB470 also has a 21 inch intake height so it can handle a foot or more of snowfall.

There’s a myriad of periphery features that enhance operator comfort such as an LED headlight, a snow chute that rotates 200 degrees in just two and a half cranks and a self-propelled drive.

Who Should Buy it?

The SB470 would be a great choice for anyone who wants a snow blower that is powerful yet easy on the body.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Self-propelled
LED headlight
Heated handles

Cons:

No trigger steering

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Ariens Deluxe 24

Quick Facts:

24” clearing width
Self-propelled
21” intake

Key Features

Headlights – The in-dash headlights make for safer operation in low-visibility conditions.
Self-Propelled – The Deluxe 24 comes with a self-propelled drive system featuring 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds.
Electric Start – Makes it much easier to start in cold conditions

First Impressions

We were very pleased with how well this machine chewed up snow. The Deluxe 24 features an all-steel 14” serrated auger so compacted snow and ice are no issue. And even with its heavy steel frame, the Deluxe 24 is still light on its feet thanks to a self-propelled drive.

Who Should Buy it?

The Deluxe 24 would be a good choice for anyone who wants to get a large clearing job done in about half the time.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Clears very quickly
Very durable
Good with ice

Cons:

Expensive

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Craftsman Select 24

Quick Facts:

24” clearing width
Self-propelled
208cc

Key Features

Serrated Auger – The auger diameter is only 12” but it features a serrated design making it capable of heavy clearing tasks.
Adjustable Snow Chute – The snow chute can rotate 200 degrees and is easy to adjust.
Electric Start – Eliminates the need for a pull cord

First Impressions

We found that the Select 24 was very easy to control – even if you have little experience with these machines. It chews up hard snow very well and the 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds allows you to clear at a comfortable pace.

Who Should Buy it?

The Craftsman Select 24 would be a great choice for anyone buying their first snow blower. It’s intuitive, affordable and should last a long time.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Good for beginners
Affordable
Throws up to 40ft

Cons:

Impeller gets clogged

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Ariens Deluxe 30

Quick Facts:

30” clearing width
306cc
Power Steering

Key Features

Push-Button Start – All you need to do to start this blower is push a button.
Auto-Turn Steering – Trigger steering makes it exceptionally easy to change direction.
Cast Iron Gear Case – The cast iron gear case makes this an incredibly durable blower.

First Impressions

Our first impression was that the Deluxe 30 was big. It weighs 275 pounds in fact. However, the self-propelled drive and power steering features still make it easy to maneuver.

Who Should Buy it?

The Ariens Deluxe 30 is for people with large properties to clear or for commercial projects.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Heated handles
Headlights
Great for large properties

Cons:

Assembly required

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Craftsman Performance 30

Quick Facts:

30” clearing width
357cc
4-cycle

Key Features

Powerful Engine – The 357cc engine is enough to tackle hard clearing jobs.
16” Tires – The tires are big and the directional tread gives them excellent traction.
Electric Chute Control – The chute is electronically driven which means no cranking a lever.

First Impressions

The Craftsman Performance 30 has a bunch of great “operator comfort” features including an electronic chute, self-propelled drive and LED headlights.

Who Should Buy it?

This would be a great blower if you need a good combination of power and ease of use.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Adjustable skid shoes
Very powerful
Bright headlights

Cons:

Limited warranty

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

What Does Ariens Do Better?

Ariens blowers do a better job of operating smoothly. They rarely clog and are easy to control.

What Does Craftsman Do Better?

Craftsman is better at making affordable blowers. They’re high-end blowers also have more power.

Which Brand is Better Priced?

In general, you’ll find Craftsman snow blowers to be cheaper than Ariens.

Which Controls & Handles Better

The lower-end Ariens models are self-propelled (as are the higher end ones) and handle easier.

Which Brand is More Reliable

Ariens blowers usually have all-steel chassis and steel parts so they may be more reliable.

Which Brand Lasts Longer

Ariens blowers should last longer than Craftsman.

Who Should Buy Ariens?

Anyone who is looking to make a long-term investment into a reliable snow blower.

Who Should Buy Craftsman?

Anyone on a budget but who still needs a quality snow blower.

Final Assessment

Overall, we were more pleased with the performance and durability of Ariens blowers. While Craftsman blowers have their place as more affordable counterparts, Ariens blowers offer better clearing power and durability.