Head to head
Champion 100535 27" Two-Stage vs PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S
vs
Quick take: The PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S costs $190 less; the Champion 100535 27" Two-Stage clears a wider 27" path per pass; the PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S throws snow farther (up to 45 ft).
| Spec | Champion 100535 27" Two-Stage | PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,189 | ~$999 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 301cc Champion OHV | 208cc Briggs & Stratton |
| Clearing Width | 27" | 26" |
| Intake Height | 23" | 20" |
| Throw Distance | up to 40 ft | up to 45 ft |
| Weight | 234 lb | 145 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | Yes | Yes |
| Drive & Handling | Six forward and two reverse speeds with Champion's Power Turn steering, which unlocks one wheel to bring the machine round. Dash-mounted chute control and twin LED headlights. | Self-propelled on 13-inch tires with one-handed operation — lock the auger lever and the same hand frees up for the chute. Steel chute with 180 degrees of rotation, which is less than most. |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 2-year limited |
Pros & cons
Champion 100535 27" Two-Stage
- ✓23-inch intake matches three-stage machines costing several hundred more
- ✓Heated grips and power steering at a price where both are usually optional
- ✓301cc is a genuinely large engine for this money
- ✓Twin LED headlights come standard
- ✓6 forward and 2 reverse speeds, not a simplified two-speed drive
- ✗Two-year warranty against three from Cub Cadet and five from Toro's HD line
- ✗Support is a call centre, not a dealer with parts on a shelf
- ✗Published weights disagree wildly — one retailer lists 121.5 lb, which is impossible for a 27-inch two-stage; 234 lb is the credible figure
- ✗Champion's snow line has far less owner history behind it than Ariens or Toro
- ✗A 40-foot throw from 301cc is unremarkable; the Ariens Platinum 30 SHO manages 55 on similar displacement
PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S
- ✓The widest machine here under $1,000
- ✓Briggs & Stratton engine and handle warmers at a value price
- ✓45-foot throw beats several machines costing more
- ✓145 lb makes it easy to store and manoeuvre
- ✗180-degree chute rotation is narrower than most — you will reposition more often
- ✗20-inch intake is short for a 26-inch machine
- ✗Light weight makes it skittish in wet, heavy snow
- ✗Two-year warranty and a support network built around online returns