Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO 28 in. Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
Ariens
Best for
Best wide clearing path (28")
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 1 trusted source
Current price
$2,099.00
Updated May 16, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is the pick for homeowners who want a 28-inch path without paying Honda or Platinum money. High-trust r/Snowblowers threads describe it as a strong all-around two-stage, and one community member's value summary — '28 SHO + heated grips for less than a Platinum 24' — captures why it shows up so often in buying-advice threads. movingsnow.com's hands-on writeup says it 'throws 2–3 inches or 15–20 inches of heavy wet snow well' and that snow type basically doesn't matter to the machine.
What reviewers liked
- 28-inch clearing width at a meaningful discount to comparable Honda and Ariens Platinum machines
- movingsnow.com test reports strong throw across light powder and heavy wet snow
- High-trust r/Snowblowers threads consistently endorse it as a long-term reliable two-stage
- Electric start, headlight, and optional heated grips covered in community recommendations
Where it falls short
- AutoTurn steering criticized in multiple r/Snowblowers threads for being hard to control in heavy snow
- Fit and finish a step below the Platinum line, per community comparisons
- Heavy — 267 lb — which some owners flag as awkward for storage and tight turns
- Amazon sample size modest (78 reviews) relative to how long the model has been on the market
Across the reviewers we read, the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is the pick for homeowners who want a 28-inch path without paying Honda or Platinum money. High-trust r/Snowblowers threads describe it as a strong all-around two-stage, and one community member's value summary — '28 SHO + heated grips for less than a Platinum 24' — captures why it shows up so often in buying-advice threads. movingsnow.com's hands-on writeup says it 'throws 2–3 inches or 15–20 inches of heavy wet snow well' and that snow type basically doesn't matter to the machine.
The consensus reasons are the 306cc SHO engine paired with a 28-inch bucket (wider intake, same power class as competitive 24s), electric start, headlight, and Ariens' parts/dealer network. homedepot.com verified-purchase reviewers — treated as medium-trust corroboration — describe it as powerful and well-built for heavy, wet snow.
The recurring high-trust criticism is AutoTurn. Multiple r/Snowblowers owners say it works beautifully in light loads but forces you to muscle the machine around in heavy snow, which somewhat undercuts the convenience pitch. There are also occasional reports of fit-and-finish issues compared to the Platinum line. Neither is a reason to avoid it — they're the honest trade-offs of buying the mid-tier rather than the premium.
- Highlight 1
- Sold on Amazon
I have a Deluxe 28. Auto turn is a plus and a minus. In light load/snow situations, auto turn is great. In heavy load/snow, I have to manhandle the machine to ...
The Ariens worked better as a pure snowblower - easier to maneuver and throws farther. Riding mower is obviously bigger, so less passes, and ...
Trust tier reflects our editorial assessment of the source, not the individual quote. Hover for the rationale. See how we tier sources →
“Ariens Deluxe 28 Inch SHO 4 Year Review” · YouTube
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