Head to head
PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S vs Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPOWER
vs
Quick take: The PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S costs $310 less; the PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S throws snow farther (up to 45 ft); the PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S has heated grips for the January mornings this all exists for.
| Spec | PowerSmart 26" Two-Stage B&S | Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPOWER |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$999 | ~$1,309 |
| Rating | — | 4★ (307) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 208cc Briggs & Stratton | 243cc Cub Cadet IntelliPOWER OHV |
| Clearing Width | 26" | 26" |
| Intake Height | 20" | 21" |
| Throw Distance | up to 45 ft | up to 40 ft |
| Weight | 145 lb | 270 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | Yes | No |
| Drive & Handling | 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. | 6 forward / 2 reverse speeds through a friction disc, with trigger power steering on each grip for one-hand pivots. Overhead-crank chute spins 200 degrees in about 2.5 turns, and a single remote lever sets pitch. Dual LED headlights cover the bucket for pre-dawn runs. |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 3-year residential, 5-year auger gearbox |
Pros & cons
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
Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPOWER
- ✓Excellent feature set for the money — power steering, dual LEDs, remote pitch
- ✓Throws cold dry snow a genuine 40 feet
- ✓21-inch intake height handles end-of-driveway plow piles
- ✓5-year auger gearbox warranty is unusual at this price
- ✓Serrated steel augers self-feed well into crusted drifts
- ✗243cc engine gets bogged down running full-width in deep wet snow
- ✗Chute clogging in slushy conditions is a recurring owner complaint
- ✗No heated grips — Ariens Deluxe models include them at similar money
- ✗MTD-built; forum consensus is Ariens/Toro outlast it long-term
- ✗Skid shoes and scraper bar are thin and wear quickly on gravel