Ariens Deluxe 28 921046 review (2024)

We've researched the latest snow blowers, asked the experts, and sifted through thousands of specs, features and user reviews to find the best snow blowers around. Here's everything you need to know about the Ariens Deluxe 28 921046.

Ariens Deluxe 28 921046 review: What you need to know

Tackle the worst winter weather with a powerful, reliable model like this beast of a snow blower. The 28-inch clearing width plows through all kinds of snow conditions – from the crisp, fluffy stuff to the heavy, wet piles you’ll otherwise break your back shifting. Its auto-turn steering lends itself to decent maneuverability, too.

Ariens Deluxe 28 921046: Price

It’s not cheap, but then most things that are cheap aren’t worth buying. This model is currently on sale at Home Depot for $1,199. To get a comparable price from Lowes you’ll need to type in your zip code when you add it to your cart – no doubt where they need to ship it is dependent on the overall price. Through Amazon, Hardware & Garden Supplies sell it for $1,470, so it pays to shop around.

Ariens Deluxe 28 921046 review: Features

It comes with auto-turn steering, which means maximum control, precise turns and a pretty smooth operation without having to use levers or triggers.

The clearance width is a decent 28 inches, with a height of 21 inches. You can clear your pathway or driveway with minimal strokes, reducing the time it takes to clear the snow along with taking less physical effort that a less powerful model would require.

The Ariens Deluxe 28 921046 is self-propelled and comes with six forward speeds and two reverse speeds, so you can adjust snow throwing to different clearing conditions.

This model’s 14-inch serrated auger handles compact snow and ice and powerfully pull it into the blower housing. It then blows up snow up to 50 feet.

It has an electric push-button start, so it starts easily even in very cold weather, and the huge halogen headlight means you can get out there at dawn or dusk and shift that snow, without worrying about low visibility.

Ariens Deluxe 28 921046: Design

It’s made in the USA (hoorah!) from heavy-duty steel and is rust-resistant and highly durable. This is a beast of a machine that’s going to last you through many tough winters. The only flaw seems to be that the powerful headlight faces up instead of out, which is a little odd. Hopefully the manufacturer will sort that out if they come up with a new model.

Ariens Deluxe 28 921046: Performance

In high gear you’ll have to be on alert, as the machine can pull away from you. Its exclusive dual belt auger drive system delivers more power from the engine, gives longer belt life and means it blows heavy, wet or frozen snow without any trouble. It’ll get through large frozen chunks of snow and clears high drifts, too.

It’s pretty quiet, given its size, which is another plus point if you want to use it while your neighbours are sleeping.

Although this machine has plenty of muscle, the auto-turn steering, and power reverse/forward make it a breeze to operate. It pull-starts easily, but you also have the option of the push-button start.

Ariens Deluxe 28 921046: User reviews

Home Depot users currently give it 4.4 out of 5, scoring high on features and quality, although some felt it wasn’t particularly easy to use and a little expensive. Of 415 reviews 279 gave it five stars, with one very pleased user describing the machine as ‘far exceeding’ his expectations during a tough Buffalo winter. It scored highly on Lowes too, with 4.6 out of 5 from 1726 customers.

Another user from Sioux Falls says he can ‘blow 16"-18" of pretty wet snow, no problem,’ recommending the Ariens Deluxe 28-Inch 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower not only for its sheer power, but also for its auto-steer which makes it easy to maneuver.

One user – a petite woman – waxes lyrical about the ease of use of this machine, saying that she only had a minute or two of orientation on how to operate it, but found it easy from the off.

One complaint from a handful of users is the fact that the headlight shines upwards, and pretty much in your face. Some users have put tape across it to minimize the glare, others suggest that the manufacture address the issue when coming up with a new, improved version.

Some users also say they don’t like that all the controls are on the left, citing it as awkward if you’re right-handed.

Should you buy the Ariens Deluxe 28 921046 snow blower?

If you’re looking for a quiet, reliable, easy to use blower, yes

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