Best gas single-stage in snow blowers
A compact gas single-stage with push-button electric start and an auger that pulls it along, for paved drives that get more snow than a battery machine likes. Light, fluffy snow is its range; gravel and heavy wet snow are not.
Our score: 7.5/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Stages
- Single-stage
- Clearing width
- 21 in
- Intake height
- 12.5 in
- Throw distance
- 35 ft
Is it right for you?
Pros
- 212 cc Toro engine with 120 V push-button electric start
- Power Propel auger pulls the machine forward as it clears
- 12.5 in intake, 35 ft throw and a 210° joystick chute
- 2-year residential warranty plus Toro's first-or-second-pull GTS guarantee
- Same model and UPC on Toro's US and Canadian sites
Cons
- Paved surfaces only; Toro pitches it at light, fluffy snow up to about 9 in
- Engine upkeep: oil check each use, yearly oil change, plug every 100 hours
- Electric start needs an outdoor cord to a GFCI outlet
- Paddles, scraper and belts are wear parts the warranty does not cover
- Best for
- Paved driveways up to about nine car lengths where storms bring light to moderate snow, and owners who want gas run time without a big two-stage machine.
- Not for
- Gravel drives, heavy wet snow or deep plow ridges, and anyone who wants no fuel or oil to look after.
Our verdict
The Toro Power Clear 721 E is a 21 in single-stage gas blower for paved driveways. Its 212 cc engine starts with a button once a cord is plugged in, and its Power Curve rotor clears down to the pavement while the Power Propel drive pulls the machine along. Toro lists a 12.5 in intake, a throw of up to 35 ft, a 210° joystick chute and a weight of 84 lb, and pitches it at driveways of up to nine cars and light, fluffy snow up to about 9 in deep.
That makes it the gas alternative to a battery single-stage: no charge to run out, but oil, fuel and a spark plug to look after. For gravel, heavy wet snow or the ridge a plow leaves, the two-stage Toro Power Max 826 OAE is the better tool; our single-stage vs two-stage guide sets out the difference. Toro sells the same model and UPC through dealers in Canada and the US, with two years of residential warranty and its GTS promise that the engine starts on the first or second pull.
Fuel, starting and safety
For the electric start, plug the cord into the machine first and then into a GFCI outlet, using a UL-listed, 16-gauge outdoor cord no longer than 50 ft, and unplug it once the engine runs. Toro limits the starter to 10 tries of 5 seconds on and 5 seconds off. Use fresh gasoline with no more than 10% ethanol, add stabilizer to fuel that will sit, and never mix oil into the fuel.
Safety: Toro’s manual says never to run the engine indoors, because exhaust fumes are dangerous. Fill the tank outdoors with the engine cold and the can on the ground, and wipe up spills. Don’t store it with fuel inside a house, a basement or anywhere near a water heater, furnace, space heater or dryer, and let the engine cool before putting it away. To clear the chute, shut the engine off, wait 10 seconds for the rotor to stop and use the clean-out tool, never your hands.
Upkeep
Check the oil before each use, change it after the first 2 hours and then every year (capacity 0.6 L), and fit a new spark plug every 100 hours, gapped to 0.030 in. Toro’s 138-0699 kit has the plug, oil and fuel treatment. Each year a dealer should check the paddles and scraper. After use, run the engine for a few minutes, swing the chute side to side and pull the recoil handle or press the starter once so nothing freezes. Compare it with the rest on our snow blower page.
Specs
Toro Power Clear 721 E 21″ Gas Snow Blower (38753)
Clearing
| Stages | Single-stage |
|---|---|
| Clearing width | 21 in |
| Intake height | 12.5 in |
| Throw distance | 35 ft |
| Maker's clearing claim | Up to a 9-car driveway (Toro) |
Handling
| Drive | Auger-assisted (pulls forward) |
|---|---|
| Chute rotation | 210 ° |
Power
| Engine size | 212 cc |
|---|---|
| Start | Electric start (120 V cord) + recoil |
| Fuel tank | 2.2 L |
Other details
| Weight | 84 lb |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years |
Maker’s figures, checked 4 Nov 2026.
Toro Power Clear 721 E questions
What fuel does it take?
Fresh gasoline with no more than 10% ethanol, bought in amounts you will use within about 30 days, with stabilizer added to fuel that will sit. Never add oil to the fuel.
Can I use it on a gravel driveway?
Toro rates the 721 E for paved surfaces. For gravel, its two-stage Power Max 826 OAE has adjustable skids that lift the housing so it does not pick up stones.
What maintenance does it need?
An oil check before each use, an oil change after the first 2 hours and then yearly, and a new spark plug every 100 hours. Have a dealer inspect the paddles and scraper each year; they are wear parts the warranty does not cover.
