Craftsman 88394 (Sears)

Two-Stage Gas Snow Blowers / Two-Stage Gas: Best for heavy to medium snow up to 16 inches

This two-stage gas-powered Craftsman has a 28 inch clearing width and comes with electric start. It also has single-lever chute control.

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CR Expert Take

How did it perform in our owner surveys and expert lab testing?

Overall Score

The Overall Score for this model incorporates our expert lab test results, as well as ratings for that brand’s reliability and owner satisfaction from our annual product owner survey of members.

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Current Range of Tested Two-Stage Gas Snow Blowers

What goes into the Overall Score?

OWNER SURVEYS

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Removal speed

/ 5

Plow pile removal

/ 5

Throwing distance

/ 5

Surface cleaning

/ 5

Handling

/ 5

Noise

/ 5

Controls

/ 5

Width (in.)

/ 5

Detailed Test Results

The Craftsman 88394 scored only good for removal speed and was very good at removing the plow pile at the end of the driveway, which can be a challenge for some machines. Throwing distance was only good; this matters most if you have a wide driveway. Surface cleaning--how much snow was left on the surface--was very good. Handling, which is how easy the machine is to maneuver (including turns), was excellent. Ease of using the various controls--such as speed, chute, and auger--was excellent. Hearing protection required. The single-lever chute control speeds up changing the discharge direction.

About

The Craftsman 88394 (Sears) is part of the Snow Blowers test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Two-Stage Gas Snow Blowers models like the 88394 (Sears) are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Width: The snow blower's clearing width, or swath, in inches.

Removal speed: How quickly models could remove snow without laboring; We push single-stage machines as quickly as possible before the machine labors.

Plow pile removal: How quickly the snow thrower can remove a simulated pile of snow left by a municipal plow at the end of a driveway.

Brand Reliability & Satisfaction

#? in Reliability of all Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower Brands

Did the brand perform consistently well over time?

PREDICTED RELIABILITY SCORE

/ 100

Predicted brand reliability ratings are based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased snow blowers, adjusting for the status of extended warranty or service contract, within the first five years of ownership. Ranked #? of 11

Would our members recommend this brand?

OWNER SATISFACTION SCORE

/ 100

Owner satisfaction ratings are based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their electric wall oven brand to their friends and family. Ranked #? of 11

Source: Consumer Reports' 2023, 2024, and 2025 Spring Surveys

Features & Specs

Features

Electronic Fuel Injection

Electric start

Yes

Multiple speeds

Yes

Single lever chute adjustment

Yes

Freewheel steering

Yes

Headlight

Yes

Heated handgrips

Single hand controls

Yes

Specs

Engine size (cc)

243cc

Warranty (yrs.)

Engine type

Four cycle

Color

Price & Shop

Craftsman 88394 (Sears)

CR Expert Take

Overall Score

What goes into the Overall Score?

Detailed Test Results

About

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