Craftsman SB230 21" Gas vs Toro Power Clear 518 ZE
Quick take: The Craftsman SB230 21" Gas costs $60 less; the Craftsman SB230 21" Gas clears a wider 21" path per pass.
| Spec | Craftsman SB230 21" Gas | Toro Power Clear 518 ZE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $609 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (1,601) |
| Type | Single-Stage Gas | Single-Stage Gas |
| Power | 123cc 4-cycle OHV | 99cc Toro Premium OHV |
| Clearing Width | 21" | 18" |
| Intake Height | 13" | 12" |
| Throw Distance | up to 25 ft | up to 25 ft |
| Weight | 95 lb | 58 lb |
| Starting | Push-button electric | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | No true self-propel, but the 9-inch rubber auger grips the pavement and pulls the 95-lb machine forward as it works — classic single-stage auger-assist. The 190° chute adjusts from a handle control. No headlight and no heated grips, so dawn clearing means a headlamp and good gloves. | No drive wheels, and it doesn't need them: the Power Curve rotor scrapes to pavement and tugs the 58-lb machine forward on its own, so you mostly steer. The chute turns via a handle mounted on the chute itself with a Zip Deflector for throw height - a reach-down affair, but the machine is so light that repositioning it is effortless. |
| Warranty | 3-year | 2-year full |
Pros & cons
Craftsman SB230 21" Gas
- ✓Cheapest name-brand gas snow blower with electric start (~$549)
- ✓4-cycle engine runs on straight gas — no premix, less winter fuss
- ✓Rubber auger-assist grips pavement and pulls the machine forward
- ✓13-in intake plus gas torque powers through slush and plow piles
- ✓190° chute control adjusts from the operator position
- ✓3-year limited warranty beats the 2-year electric-brand standard
- ✗Owner reviews report spotty QC — missing parts and dead starters out of the box
- ✗95 lbs with no true self-propel gets tiring on slopes
- ✗No headlight or heated grips at a price where rivals add them
- ✗Gas upkeep is real: oil changes, carb care, and off-season stabilizer
- ✗Warranty service through MTD dealers can be slow and hard to find
Toro Power Clear 518 ZE
- ✓Push-button electric start plus recoil backup fires in any temperature
- ✓58 lbs - one person can lift it into a trunk or onto a deck
- ✓Power Curve paddles self-propel the machine and scrape clean to pavement
- ✓Four-cycle engine means no gas-oil mixing
- ✓Compact fold-down handle stores in a 28-inch-deep footprint
- ✓2-year full warranty plus Toro's Guaranteed-to-Start promise
- ✗Chute-mounted handle forces you to reach down to redirect snow mid-pass
- ✗99cc engine bogs in heavy, wet end-of-driveway slush
- ✗12-inch intake height fills fast in storms over 9 inches
- ✗18-inch width means many passes on wider driveways
- ✗Not usable on gravel - paddles will throw stones