Quick verdict
A 24-inch two-stage gas blower with a 212cc engine, a 21-inch intake, six forward and two reverse speeds, and both electric and recoil start. It suits a two-car driveway and sidewalks in a climate that sees several real storms a year. The caveat is that PowerSmart is a value brand: expect to tighten bolts, adjust cables and handle parts yourself.
Strengths
- 212cc engine on a 24-inch two-stage machine
- 21-inch intake height for plow ridges
- Six forward and two reverse speeds
- Electric and recoil start both fitted
- 13 x 4 inch tires with real tread
- 180-degree chute rotation
Weaknesses
- Value-brand fit and finish; owners report loose fasteners on arrival
- Chute controls are manual rather than remote
- No stated warranty term in the listing
- Throw distance of 45 feet is a best-case figure
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Who this snow blower is for
The step from a single-stage machine to a two-stage one is about depth and density: once the plow ridge is knee high and the snow is wet, a paddle auger stops being enough. The PowerSmart 24-inch 212cc two-stage is the entry point to that class, aimed at a two-car driveway and a length of sidewalk in a part of the country that sees several real storms every winter, bought by someone who would rather spend less and do a little wrenching than pay for a dealer brand.
This review is based on the maker’s published specifications and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run this product ourselves.
What you get
The listing describes a 212cc OHV engine, a 24-inch clearing width, a 21-inch intake height, a steel auger and impeller, six forward and two reverse speeds, 13 by 4 inch snow tires, a chute that rotates 180 degrees, and both electric and recoil start. PowerSmart quotes a clearing rate of up to 2500 pounds per minute and a throw of up to 45 feet, and rates the machine for up to 12 inches of snow. Not stated: the weight, the chute control type, whether a starter cord is included, headlight, heated grips or a warranty term. Assume manual chute controls and no extras unless the product page says otherwise.
Clearing power and throw distance
A 212cc engine on a 24-inch deck is the standard pairing in this class and it is a sensible one: enough power to keep the impeller spinning in heavy snow without the fuel and weight of a 28-inch machine. The 21-inch intake is a touch taller than some competitors at this width and it is what lets the machine bite the compacted ridge a plow leaves. The 45-foot throw is the maker’s maximum; count on it in cold dry powder with the chute aimed high and downwind, and on something like half that in wet March snow, which is still plenty to clear the driveway without re-blowing. The 12-inch depth rating works the same way: a foot of dry snow goes in one pass, and a foot of wet snow goes in two half-width passes.
Drive, speeds and traction
Six forward speeds give a slow crawl for deep snow and a brisk walk for the light stuff; two reverse speeds back the machine out of the ridge. The 13 by 4 inch tires are properly sized for a 24-inch two-stage and give traction on packed snow, though no tire holds on glare ice, and the listing does not mention a differential or trigger steering, so turning at the end of a run is done by muscling the handlebars like any basic two-stage.
Build, controls and ergonomics
The housing is described as reinforced steel, and the auger and impeller are steel. PowerSmart is a value brand and the recurring theme in owner feedback is assembly: fasteners that need tightening, cables that need adjusting, and a chute crank that wants a shot of lubricant before the first storm. Owners who do that out of the box tend to be satisfied with the machine; owners who do not tend to report rattles. The starting setup is good for the class, with the plug-in electric start for cold mornings and the recoil as a backup.
Living with it
Fill the engine oil before the first start, because it ships dry, and change it after the first few hours. Use fresh fuel with stabilizer and run the carburetor dry at season end. Keep a set of shear pins in the garage, and spray the chute with silicone before each storm so wet snow slides. No warranty term is given in the listing; check the product page and register the machine.
Alternatives to Consider
The Troy-Bilt Storm 2420 is the established name at this size with a published two-year warranty and a dealer network. The Husqvarna ST124 adds a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and ribbon auger for more money. If storms are lighter and the driveway is short, the Toro Power Clear 721 single-stage is cheaper to buy and far easier to store.
Verdict
Buy the PowerSmart 24-inch 212cc two-stage if you want real two-stage capability for a two-car driveway at a value price and are willing to check fasteners and adjust cables yourself. Skip it if you want a dealer behind the machine, remote chute controls or a published warranty, where Troy-Bilt and Husqvarna cost more and ask less of you.
Full specifications
PowerSmart 24-Inch 212cc Self-Propelled Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start and 13-Inch Tires FAQs
PowerSmart rates it for up to 12 inches of snow with a 21-inch intake height. In practice a 212cc two-stage handles a foot of dry snow in one pass and heavy wet snow in half-width passes.
Electric start on gas two-stage machines of this class is typically a 120V plug-in starter, so you run a cord from the garage to start it and then unplug. The listing does not say whether the cord is included. The recoil pull start is there as a backup.
A 21-inch intake and a steel auger are the right tools for it. Take it slowly in low gear and in half-width bites; the chunks the plow leaves are denser than fallen snow.
Owners of value-brand snow blowers consistently report fasteners that need tightening and cables that need adjusting out of the box. Go over the handle bolts, auger belt tension and chute linkage before the first storm, and fill the engine oil to the mark.
