First, how large an area are you looking to work? Will make a difference in what you buy, esp. the width of the auger. Just a driveway and walkway? A 24" wide blower probably will suffice. Lots of area? You're probably going to want to move up to a 30".
I went through the looking stage a couple of years ago up on Cape Cod. Got recommended quite a few brands...seems quite a few are good.
But I heard time and again to avoid track drive blowers. While they'll work great in the snow, they absolutely suck on ice, which you always end up with after a few days post snowstorm.
Cub Cadet seems to make good ones, some Craftsman are good I've been told, Honda is a great choice, Troy-Bilt has some good units, along with Toro, John Deere, Ariens, etc., etc.
Required:
Electric Start
Optional:
Reverse - Heavier unit - harder it is to pull it
Multi-speed - Saves having to hold the unit back when doing heavy/deep
Light - Much easier when doing night work
Chute rotational control - convience
Top two choices are Honda and simplicity IMO. Ariens and toro are good as well. In my experience Honda will throw the snow further than any other machine.
FWIW, I have the big dog honda that I bought a few winters ago. it is a track model. would I buy it in a track setup again? not sure. I am learning those that speak down on the tracks are probably used to using a wheeled machine. You wrestle and pivot a wheeled machine where as you let a track model do the work. it takes some getting used to. the biggest con to track model is turning it around which can take a little muscle or time. they definitely don't spin around like a wheeled unit
I clear a 100'x40' ice rink for my kid with my track model. they do not suck on ice
I would also add in powered turning.
I have huge Toro that has electric start, reverse, multie speed, light (never used it) chute control. the only think i wish i got on it was the powered turning. It was just another $200
I replaced my odl Toro (roughly 15 yr's old) with a new one about 5 years ago. got the unit in the summer for $1200 and am still very hapy.
Was it a expensive unit? yes. but i expect it to last me another 10-15 years. I have purchased cheap units that die in 2-3 years.
Though been thinking of getting a snow thrower addon for my lawn tractor.
lol my toro throws snow a long way. far longer then i really need it to.
I've yet to see anything throw snow like a Honda. That is nkt to put other machines down
Also with a quality machine electric start is a waste. Not to keep going back to Honda but ask a Honda dealer if you should spend the extra money for an electric start unit...
Also keep in mind a top model 2 stage Honda is well in the 3000 buck range so they better be good.
As one gets older, having to use a pull rope when cold is not something to look forward to.
With my electric, I plug the cord into the wall outlet beside the garage door, hit the prime button and then the start. 10 secs, not even time to get cold or break a sweat.
my honda starts in 1-2 pulls and doesn't pull hard. not going to break a sweat. I understand pulling on a machine for a while isn't easy, but on a quality machine, you won't have to.
heck, my old monster bolens had an electric start and can remember only using it 1 time
lol talk to me when you have had shoulder surgery a few times.
electric start is great. Also who gives a flying fuck how far it throws snow? long as it goes at least 10ft everyone is good. My toro does twice to 3-4 times that (depending on the snow).
I was thinking snowblower earlier thios year, but I have a 280ft long driveway plus 4-5 car parking space to clear, how long would that take me to do with the average snow blower?
I can usually get it done in about 2 hours by hand but I'm pretty worked up at the end.