Are you in the market for a backpack leaf blower? If so, you’re likely wondering which one is the best option for you. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best backpack leaf blowers on the market and help you decide which one is right for you.
So, if you’re ready to find out more about these powerful machines, keep reading!
Our Top Picks
We spent hours searching for the best backpack leaf blower available online. Here’s an overview of the items featured in this article.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Best Overall Pick  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
2nd Best Pick  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Table of Contents
| Topic | Page |
| Quick Intro to Backpack Leaf Blowers | 2 |
| Backpack Leaf Blower Buying Guide – Power Sources – Gas vs Battery – Factors to Consider – CFM and MPH – Engine and Battery Size – Noise Levels – Weight – Start-Up Time – Maintenance & Safety Tips | 3 – 6 |
| Best Backpack Leaf Blower Reviews – Best Overall Pick – Husqvarna 965877502 – 2nd Best Pick – Echo PB-580T – Best Battery Powered – Greenworks BPB80L2510 – Best Budget Backpack Leaf Blower – Poulan Pro PR48BT – Best for Homeowners – LawnMaster NPTBL31AB | 7 – 11 |
| Bonus Products | 12 |
| FAQs | 13 |
| Conclusion | 13 |
Quick Intro to Backpack Leaf Blowers
Whether you have a large property you need cleared of leaves or you do yard clean-up jobs, a backpack leaf blower is gonna make the job so much easier compared to using manual yard tools.
Backpack leaf blowers have been in use for decades in America and have continued to evolve and improve since their inception.
Today there are tons of different models available on the market at a wide range of prices and so, we put together this article to help you get a better understanding as to how a backpack leaf blower works and which ones might be the best for you.
Backpack Leaf Blower Buying Guide
Power Sources Options
There are two options you have when it comes to backpack leaf blowers. These are the electric and gas powered backpack leaf blowers.
Gas Powered
Gas powered backpack leaf blowers have an engine that turns a turbine which then sucks in air and expels it through a nozzle. To make it portable, the engine has straps on it which make it resemble a backpack. Hence the name, backpack leaf blower.
Most models nowadays run on a two stroke gas powered engine that needs to be lubricated regularly. Starting a gas powered backpack leaf blower requires priming the gas tank and pulling on a start cord although there are some models that bypass this by using electric starters.
Gas powered models are by far the most powerful variant most people can lay their hands on and can blow out hundreds of cubic feet of air at very high speeds. These are great for covering a large area and will run as long as your fuel supply lasts.
Some downsides to gas powered backpack leaf blowers are that they can be heavy, emit harmful fumes and very loud.
Electric Powered
Electric backpack leaf blowers provide a cleaner and quieter alternative but have gone down a somewhat different path than gas powered models.
Electric leaf blowers work similarly to gas powered leaf blowers but because the motors of electric leaf blowers are much smaller, they have the advantage of being lighter and some manufacturers eliminated the need for a backpack altogether.
Although some electric backpack leaf blowers do exist, most brands have taken advantage of the smaller profile and invested more into compact models. While all electric backpack leaf blowers are battery operated, compact leaf blowers have the option of being corded and that gives them an edge in terms of consistent power output while being smaller than backpack leaf blowers.
Electric backpack leaf blowers do have some advantages over gas powered models though such as being lightweight, much quieter, more user friendly and being environmentally and health friendly. Disadvantages include limited battery run time, the price of spare batteries and inconsistent power output. Compact leaf blowers are also becoming increasingly popular, making electric backpack leaf blowers less appealing.
Things to Consider
Airflow and Air speed
CFM and MPH are units of measurement used to describe how fast air is being taken in and at what velocity it is being expelled. These are two important specifications you want to consider before buying a backpack leaf blower.
CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. This is used to measure how much air is being sucked in or inhaled into the machine per minute. Some models can intake as much as 500 CFM or even more depending on the conditions and design.
MPH stands for Miles per Hour. This one is pretty straightforward. MPH is used to measure the velocity at which the air is being expelled from the nozzle. Most models can generate anywhere from 100 to 250 MPH and there are brands that claim even higher numbers.
Both CFM and MPH are important in determining how strong a leaf blower is but which one is more important?
In truth, they both work off of each other and each one should be taken into consideration. But before you go off buying the model with the highest rating you can find, it’s important to know that manufacturers often inflate these numbers. This isn’t to say that they straight out lie to you. We’re just saying, most of these numbers come from lab tests under controlled conditions and you should take some claims with a grain of salt.
Engine and Battery Size
This is another important factor that determines how strong and heavy a backpack leaf blower will be.
Gas powered models have traditionally been two cycle engines, but more powerful four cycle engines were recently introduced and have better performance but are also harder to maintain. The size of engines on gas powered models are measured in CC or Cubic Centimeters. CC refers to the amount of air that can be pushed through the engine’s cylinders and is also known as engine displacement. In general, the higher the CC, the more powerful the engine.
Electric backpack leaf blowers are all battery powered and are measured in volts or amp hour. These are expressed in V for volts and Ah for amp-hour. It’s common to see 50V or even higher batteries used. In theory, the higher the volts and amp-hour rating, the more powerful and consistent the output.
Noise Levels
Backpack leaf blowers in general are very loud machines. Particularly gas powered models. The sound levels of leaf blowers are measured in decibels or simply, dB.
There are some gas powered models that are about 70 dB loud but on average, they can reach upto 100 dB or even higher. In comparison, that’s the average decibel level of a jackhammer. This is obviously a cause for concern and there are laws in place that restrict you from using specific leaf blowers in residential areas.
Electric models on the other hand, are quieter than their gas powered counterparts but not by much. The quietest electric backpack models we’ve found were about 60 dB loud with compact electric models being the quietest variant by far.
Weight
Backpack leaf blowers can be quite heavy. Gas powered models can easily weigh 20 lbs or more. This can be painful on the back after a while and manufacturers have tried to fix this issue by making thicker straps and smaller engines.
Electric backpack leaf blowers on the other hand are lighter averaging at around 15 lbs although the introduction of compact models completely nullifies this. On electric backpack leaf blowers, it’s not so much the motor that takes up the weight but rather the size of the battery needed to power said motor.
Start-up Time & Preparation
This is another factor where electric and gas powered backpack leaf blowers differ greatly.
Gas powered backpack leaf blowers require several steps before you can start up the engine. Preparing the engine for start up is important especially if it hasn’t been used in a while. These steps include priming the engine, getting the fuel mixture right, checking fuel filters and more.
On the other hand, electric backpack leaf blowers do away with all of that and power up almost instantly. As long as you keep the battery fully charged and use it a couple of times a month then the battery should last you for years.
Maintenance & Safety Tips
- It’s always a good idea to read the users manual first. If the manufacturer has any specific instructions on how the model should be operated and maintained then you should follow what they say.
- It’s essential you wear the appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) specifically eye and hearing protection whether you’re operating a gas or electric backpack leaf blower. These are very loud and can cause permanent hearing damage and/or loss.
- For gas powered backpack leaf blowers, be sure to conduct the necessary inspections especially when starting it cold. These include:
- Examination of the spark plug and replacing it with a fresh one as needed.
- Flushing the old fuel out of the blower’s gas tank.
- Checking out the fuel line, fuel filter, cables and connections for any issues and the repairing them as needed
- For electric backpack leaf blowers, keep the batteries charged after every use and away from moisture.
- For gas powered backpack leaf blowers, make sure to check that the fuel mixture is correct.
- Refrain from always using it on full blast. Using a backpack leaf blower at full throttle all the time puts a lot of strain on the engine or motor and should be avoided.
- Be considerate. Backpack leaf blowers can be damaging to the hearing of those around you. There are also laws in some states that ban the use of leaf blowers that go above a certain decibel level.
- Each time you’re done using your leaf blower, take some time to wipe it down with a damp cloth. Make sure to clean the area around the air filter, the fan blades and the area around the carburetor.
- Store it in a dry, safe place. A leaf blower should be stored in a well ventilated area far away from dangerous chemicals or anything that could ignite the gasoline.
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Best Backpack Leaf Blower Reviews
Best Overall Pick
Husqvarna 965877502 350BT
Specifications:
- 50cc, 2 stroke engine
- 692.17 CFM air intake rate
- 180 MPH max air speed
- 42.27 oz fuel tank
- 22.5 lbs
104 dB max sound level
Features:
- Integrated comfortable and ergonomic harness
- Tube mounted throttle control
- Cruise control
- Adjustable tube length
- Air purge system
- Vibration reduction technology
- 1 year warranty
Overview:
Husqvarna is well known for their chainsaws and other gas powered power tools. They brought their quality to this backpack leaf blower and it shows in its features and the quality of construction.
It has a powerful 50cc 2 cycle X-torque engine design that pumps out 180 mph air and reduces harmful exhaust emissions by up to 60% and increases fuel efficiency by up to 20%.
It has several ease of use and comfort features such as an ergonomic padded harness and hipbelt that has vents on either side allowing for active cooling. It’s throttle and cruise control buttons are all mounted on the adjustable tube allowing for users with short or long arms to easily operate it.
This backpack leaf blower was made with large property owners or groundskeepers in mind and Husqvarna has delivered on that goal with a Husky that howls with the lungs of a hurricane. Check out the Husqvarna Husqvarna 965877502 350BT here:
2nd Best Pick
Echo PB-580T
Specification:
- 58.2cc, 2 stroke engine
- 510 CFM air intake rate
- 215 MPH max air speed
- 62 oz fuel tank
- 27.5 lbs
- 111 dB max sound level
Features:
- Padded backrest and harness
- Anti vibration system
- Tube mounted throttle
- 2 year commercial & 5 year consumer warranty
Overview:
This backpack leaf blower from Echo comes in at a very close second. This blower has some features that both contractors and homeowners will like.
For the price, you get a cooling system built into the padded backrest which also has thick straps making this very comfortable to use and you also get an adjustable tube mounted throttle that’s easy to work with.
With its 58.2cc 2 stroke engine, you get a maximum air speed of 215 mph. That’s more than enough to blow away wet leaves and other debris you want out of the way. It also comes with a leaf guard, a 4 point anti vibration system, tool-less air filter cover and a large fuel tank capacity.
All these features make it very user friendly and efficient at general property maintenance. As a cherry on top, Echo includes a 5 year consumer warranty and a 2 year commercial warranty.
Check out the Echo PB-580T here:
Best Battery Powered
Greenworks BPB80L2510
Specifications:
- Cordless electric brushless motor
- 145 MPH max air speed
- 580 CFM air intake rate
- 14.64 lbs
- 64.7 dB max sound level
Features:
- Ergonomic harness
- Variable speed
- Cruise control
- 4 year warranty
- Includes one 80V 2.5Ah Li-ion battery and rapid charger
Overview:
Although the category of electric backpack leaf blowers is slowly giving way to compact models, this model from Greenworks is worthy of recognition as the best electric backpack leaf blower.
Being a battery powered backpack leaf blower, you get the benefit of having a system that’s very easy to start, low maintenance, low vibration, much quieter and free of harmful fumes. It’s also much lighter than gas powered alternatives at just 14.6 lbs making it easy to carry around and maneuver.
This model comes with a hefty 80v 2.5 Ah battery that powers a brushless motor with a max air speed of 145 mph.
Greenworks is well known for their electric gardening tools which share all the same type of battery. This gives you the unique advantage of swapping batteries or bringing several for a job. They have a more powerful 80v 5.0Ah battery available but are sold separately.
Check out the Greenworks BPB80L2510 here:
Best Budget Backpack Leaf Blower
Poulan Pro PR48BT
Specifications:
- 48 cc, 2 stroke engine
- 200 MPH max air speed
- 475 CFM air intake rate
- 96.7 dB max sound level
- 49.3 oz fuel tank capacity
- 22 lbs
Features:
- Variable speed throttle
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Cruise control
- 2 year warranty
Overview:
This backpack leaf blower from PoulanPro offers great benefits of high end leaf blowers at a cheaper price.
With its 48cc 2 stroke engine that’s capable of blowing out a max air speed of 200 mph, it’s more than capable of taking care of your yard clearing tasks. It has features users would appreciate such as a tube mounted variable speed throttle with cruise control, an average sized fuel tank and a comfortable back harness.
Its somewhat complicated set up procedure does make it less likely to be used by beginners but if you’ve had experience with gas powered leaf blowers before, you’ll have little issue with this.
For the price though, you get a mid range model with great features and a 2 year warranty on top of it.
Check out the Poulan Pro PR48BT here:
Best for Homeowners
LawnMaster NPTBL31AB
Specifications:
- 31cc, 2 stroke engine
- 175 MPH max air speed
- 470 CFM air intake rate
- 31.7 oz fuel tank
- 18.51 lbs
Features:
- No Pull starter system
- Auto-choke feature
- Cruise control
- Includes one 7.2 VDC Li-ion 2.0Ah starter battery and charger
- Comfortable back and hip harness
- 3 year warranty
Overview:
This innovative backpack leaf blower from LawnMaster is designed to be as convenient and hassle free as possible while still providing the benefits of being gas powered.
Lawnmaster removed the need to pull a cord and replaced it with a battery instead. This solution along with other features such as an auto-choke make this blower very user friendly even if you’ve never used one before.
It’s smaller 31cc 2 stroke engine makes it more lightweight but also less powerful although with a max air speed of 175 MPH, we doubt that’ll be a problem for the average homeowner.
This is a great pick for homeowners looking for an easy to use backpack leaf blower that’s smaller than average but is just as capable.
Check out the LawnMaster NPTBL31AB here:
Bonus Products
Here are a couple of products that didn’t quite make our list but we thought you might want to check out nonetheless.
FAQs
Q: Are backpack leaf blowers worth it?
A: It’s worth will be determined by how you use it, the frequency you use it and it’s longevity.
If you have a big property that you need cleared of leaves, then yes a backpack leaf blower would be well suited for the job. If you have a smaller backyard, a small path or drive way that you need cleared then maybe a compact model might be better for you.
Backpack leaf blowers are definitely worth it if you are clearing medium to large areas of leaves or debris and are especially useful if you do groundskeeping as a business.
Q: Why should I choose electric or gas powered?
A: There are very clear pros and cons to using either gas or electric backpack leaf blowers.
Gas powered leaf blowers are definitely the better choice for larger properties because of how powerful, rugged and reliable gas engines are compared to battery packs. They’re also very loud, heavier and give off harmful fumes just to name a few cons.
Electric backpack leaf blowers however are the healthier, environmentally and user friendly alternative but definitely the weaker choice because of the limited battery life. As we mentioned before, electric backpack leaf blowers are slowly giving way to compact handheld models and there are rather few backpack variants left in the market.
Conclusion:
Backpack leaf blowers are a great tool to help you with property clearing and we hope that this article has taught you a thing or two about them and that we helped make a clearer decision on which one is best for you.
