BEST BACKPACK LEAF BLOWER REVIEWS 2022
What does it feel like to have a hurricane on your shoulders? Putting on one of the best most powerful backpack blowers will give you an accurate idea. With airspeeds in excess of 200 MPH and CFM in four figures, these giant air thrusters make short work of blade and mower separators.
Many manufacturers make leaf blowers. These include handheld, backpack, 2-stroke, 4-stroke, gasoline and battery (AKA electric or cordless) powered. However, when it comes to backpack-blowing beasts, the list quickly shrinks. We've spent a lot of time with some of the best performers, from high-end professionals to homeowners, and our advice is one we're confident will get the job done for you.
Best gas backpack leaf blower overall
1. STIHL BR 800CE Magnum
We put the Stihl BR 700 at the top of our list of the best backpack leaf blowers a few years ago. The Stihl BR 800 C-E Magnum Backpack Blower improves this model in two ways. First, it's about 20% stronger. In fact, it brought about 41 Newtons of force and achieved an impressive 239 MPH average airspeed at 912 CFM.
You may find the second improvement more impressive. STIHL integrates the Easy2Start system. No need to remove the blower cable from the back, simply pull the side handle quickly to overcome the engine compression and start the blower. Yes, you heard that right - you can start the blower while wearing it. take my money
That's probably the only downside to this blower. While it's easy at first, it can run forever on a 2000 cc (over 1/2 gallon) tank, and it retails for about $659. That said, we still think this is the best commercial backpack leaf blower, and it has a huge network of after-sales dealers.
2. Most Powerful Backpack Leaf Blower - Echo PB-9010T Backpack Blower
Echo's X-Series is packed with power, and the Echo PB9010T is the most powerful backpack blaster on the market. It has a maximum flight speed of 220 MPH and the airflow from its 79.9cc engine is capable of 1110 CFM. The Echo rates the blower at 48 Newtons, but we actually saw a higher number in testing - 52 Newtons. None of the other blowers we've tested.
In addition to the "T" model with hose gas, there is also an "H" model with hip mounted gas if you prefer.
3. Best 4-Stroke Backpack Leaf Blowers - Makita EB7660TH Backpack Blower
The best backpacking 4-stroke blower is the EB7660TH from the Makita MM4 series. In a very small field of competitors, it gets the job done and sounds quieter than a typical leaf blower.
This Makita 75.6cc 4-stroke blower has a softer sound. It's very different from a high-revving, screaming 2-stroke. Not only does the Makita show great blowing performance, but it also has the best active cooling we've ever experienced. At full load (WOT), you can feel a strong wind moving between the back and the fan.
We also appreciate the real numbers Makita claims the blower actually hits. Not only were we able to match their claimed CFM and MPH to the same nozzle/tip, but we actually exceeded one of their metrics. We measured a respectable 33.9 Newtons of force on this beast.
While we're excited about Makita's MM4 lawn care equipment, get it when you can. They plan to phase out petrol and become a completely petrol-free brand by April 2022. However, we can't wait to see what they have in store for a professional-grade battery-powered device.
4. Best Lightweight Backpack Leaf Blower - RedMax EBZ6500RH Backpack Leaf Blower
When looking for the best lightweight backpack leaf blower, we didn't want to completely sacrifice performance. Most pro-brand blowers have a dry weight under 23 pounds, which balances weight and blowing power, but reduces blowing power in the mid-to-low 20s. Our top recommendation is the Redmax EBZ6500RH. It is capable of producing an impressive 30 Newtons at 232 MPH and 631 CFM.
A big reason the RedMax outperforms the competition in the weight class is its engine choice. Most other specialty brands have close to 50cc to save weight, but the Redmax has 65.6cc.
5. Best Battery Backpack Leaf Blowers - Cordless blower Stihl BGA 200
Choosing the best cordless backpacking hair dryer isn't as specific as other categories. By transferring the weight of the battery pack to your back, or making a high-capacity battery pack on a backpack strap, you're essentially making a battery pack with a hand-held fan. Of course, there's also the more traditional backpack-style blower form factor that swaps out the gas motor for a battery terminal and brushless motor.
Best Backpack Leaf Blower Buying Guide | What We're Looking For
Performance
Most people turn to backpack blowers for higher performance, and that's our top priority. Big MPH and CFM numbers are great, but Newtonian forces tell a more complete story. See this article for a discussion of airspeed, air volume, and blowing power.
Weight and padding
The padded shoulder straps make a difference if you're carrying the blower on your back, but let's face it, it's mostly a weight issue. The longer you carry the blower, the heavier it will be. It's not just the weight of the blower, though. Large-capacity fuel tanks provide longer runtimes, but with greater fuel weight.
Noise level
If you're using a backpack hair dryer, cover your ears! All the great performance found in our backpack leaf blower review comes at a price. Pneumatic leaf blowers are loud no matter how you cut! The ANSI test requires measurements from 50 feet away, but you are not a bystander, and the noise at ear level is much higher—more than 100 decibels in most cases. In other words, you need hearing protection.
Value
The value is in getting the best backpack leaf blower that fits your budget, not just the cheapest you can get. When considering the value of a blower, it is most important to weigh the price you are getting against your highest priority.
Have $400 to spend and evaluate performance? Find the highest Newton force that fits your budget. Are you more worried about your weight? Start there.
Labor efficiency, not just fuel efficiency or tank size
Fuel efficiency directly affects your bottom line and is an important part of the equation. Also work efficiency. Find the best balance between fuel efficiency and runtime. The more times your crew has to stop to refuel, the more time you will spend on the property. A larger fuel tank combined with an efficient engine makes your team more efficient.
See more:
Features to look for
So far, we've talked about meat and potatoes. Now let's take a look at what makes the operator experience better. Here are some of the key features we looked for:
Harness design actively pulls air down the back for cooling
Belt takes the weight of the fan off the shoulders
chest strap
effective padding
Engine Design to Reduce Emissions
Vibration damping design
air lock open
Side recoil firing (Stihl BR 800 Magnum C-E is the only blower we've tested with this feature)
Hip and tube throttle options
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