Head to head
Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE vs Toro Power Max 824 OE
vs
Quick take: The Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE costs $150 less; the Toro Power Max 824 OE handles deep, wet snow and the end-of-driveway plow pile that would stall the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE, which is best kept to paved driveways under ~8 inches; the Toro Power Max 824 OE throws snow farther (up to 45 ft).
| Spec | Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE | Toro Power Max 824 OE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,249 | ~$1,399 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (1,129) |
| Type | Single-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 252cc Toro Premium OHV | 252cc Toro Premium OHV |
| Clearing Width | 24" | 24" |
| Intake Height | 18" | 20" |
| Throw Distance | up to 40 ft | up to 45 ft |
| Weight | 131 lb | 184 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | Personal Pace rear-wheel self-propel with a 210-degree Quick Stick chute — five degrees more rotation than the 724, which matters on a driveway you clear in both directions. | Friction-disc drive with 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds; no triggers and no auto-steer at this trim, so you muscle it through turns - at 184 lbs that's manageable. The Quick Stick joystick moves chute and deflector together in one motion, and Toro's Anti-Clogging System self-regulates intake so you're not stopping to dig out the chute. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential | 3-year limited |
Pros & cons
Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE
- ✓The 252cc engine holds auger speed in wet snow where the 724 has to be slowed down
- ✓Only six pounds heavier than the 724, so it keeps the line's real advantage
- ✓210-degree chute rotation covers both directions of a driveway without repositioning
- ✓$50 over the 724 is the cheapest meaningful upgrade in Toro's snow line
- ✓Lifetime warranty on the chute, deflector and lower chute assembly
- ✗Paved surfaces only, exactly like the 724
- ✗Still no heated grips
- ✗Nearly identical to the 724 on paper, which makes the two models hard to tell apart on a showroom floor
- ✗18-inch intake limits it in drifts regardless of engine size
- ✗At $1,249 it is priced against genuine two-stage machines that will outlast it in deep snow
Toro Power Max 824 OE
- ✓45-foot throw from the proven 252cc Toro Premium OHV engine
- ✓Anti-Clogging System keeps wet snow moving without chute dig-outs
- ✓Hardened gearbox with no shear pins to shear or stock
- ✓Quick Stick beats crank-style chute controls decisively
- ✓Works on gravel and concrete alike with 20-inch intake height
- ✓6 forward / 2 reverse speeds cover crawl-to-jog pacing
- ✗No triggerless steering - 184 lbs is a workout in tight turns
- ✗No hand warmers, headlight, or premium touches at this trim
- ✗Friction-disc speed selection needs occasional cable adjustment
- ✗Engine-stall-on-impact protection alarms first-time owners
- ✗24-inch width means more passes than the 26- and 28-inch trims