PowerSmart 24-Inch 208cc Briggs & Stratton Two-Stage Review
The least expensive way to get a Briggs & Stratton engine, electric start, and heated grips on a real two-stage.
The verdict
If the question is 'what's the cheapest two-stage I won't regret,' this is our answer. The 24-inch PowerSmart pairs a 208cc Briggs & Stratton engine with 120V electric start, 13-inch snow tires, heated hand grips, and a remote chute for about $700 — less than some single-stage gas machines. It's compact, it handles gravel, and it eats a foot of snow. It's not the machine for 20-inch lake-effect dumps, but for a two-car driveway it's more than enough.
Typical price: ~$699 (typical street price — current price shown on Amazon)
Buy on AmazonWhat we like
- +208cc B&S engine with parts available everywhere
- +120V electric start, heated grips, and 13-inch tires at a budget price
- +24-inch width fits through gates and into tight garages
- +Two-stage auger floats on skids — gravel-safe
- +Typically the lowest-priced credible two-stage on Amazon
What to know
- −Smaller intake and less throw than 26–28 inch machines
- −Build quality is value-tier; check hardware torque after assembly
- −No power steering (less of an issue at 24 inches)
- −Manual chute deflector
Full review
Most people buying their first two-stage are moving up from a shovel or a plug-in because of one of three things: gravel, the plow pile, or a storm that buried the single-stage. This PowerSmart addresses all three at the lowest price we'd put our name on. The auger rides on skid shoes above the surface, so gravel is fine; the serrated steel auger chews through the curb ridge; and a 20-inch intake handles anything short of a blizzard.
The Briggs & Stratton engine is what separates this from the no-name machines at the same price. B&S engines are the small-engine equivalent of a Chevy small-block — every shop knows them, every part is a phone call away, and the cold-start behavior is predictable. Add the 120V electric start and you're pushing a button, not pulling a cord. Heated grips and 13-inch tires are bonuses you'd normally pay a few hundred more for.
Keep expectations matched to the price. The intake and throw are a size down from 26-inch machines, the build is competent rather than refined, and you'll want to go over every fastener after assembly. None of that changes the core truth: for a typical two-car driveway, this machine will get you back inside faster than anything cheaper.
Best for: Two-car driveways — especially gravel ones — where a single-stage won't do but the budget stops around $700.
Specifications
| Engine | 208cc Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle OHV |
|---|---|
| Clearing width | 24 in |
| Intake height | ~20 in |
| Throw distance | ~30 ft (mfr) |
| Drive | Self-propelled, multiple forward + reverse speeds |
| Start | 120 V electric + recoil |
| Chute | Remote rotation from the dash |
| Tires | 13 in snow-tread |
| Comfort | Heated hand grips |
| Warranty | 2 years (residential) |
Ready to get one?
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~$699 typical price
Buy on AmazonHead-to-head comparisons
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