Best Backpack Leaf Blower Reviews 2024

What does it feel like to have a hurricane strapped to your shoulders? Donning any of the best backpack leaf blowers will give you a close representation. With air velocity exceeding 200 MPH and CFMs reaching four digits, these monster air movers make short work of leaves and mower shrapnel.

Lots of manufacturers make leaf blowers. Those include handheld, backpack, 2-stroke, 4-stroke, gas, and battery-powered (AKA electric or cordless). However, when it comes to the backpack blowing beasts, this list narrows pretty quickly. We’ve spent plenty of trigger time with some of the top performers from high-end Pro to homeowner levels, and our recommendations are the ones we’re confident will do the job for you.

Editor’s Note: Want more? Take a look at our best leaf blower article to get our top picks.

Best Backpack Leaf Blower Overview

• Best Overall: Stihl BR 800 C-E Magnum – Buy from Ace Hardware
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• Most Powerful: Echo PB-9010T – Buy from Acme Tools
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• Best 4-Stroke: Senix BLB4QL-M – Buy from Amazon
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• Best Lightweight: RedMax EBZ6500RH – Find a Dealer
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• Best For the Money: Echo PB-580T – Buy from Acme Tools
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• Best Battery-Powered: Greenworks Commercial BB361 – Buy from Greenworks Commercial
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• Best For Homeowners: Troy-Bilt TB51BP – Buy from Home Depot
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Also In this Article

• Best Backpack Blower Brands
• Best-Selling Backpack Blowers
• More Recommendations from Brands We Trust
• Backpack Blower Buying Guide
• Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Related Content

• Leaf Blower CFM vs MPH vs Newton Force
• Gas vs Battery Powered Leaf Blowers

Best Gas Backpack Leaf Blower Overall

Stihl BR 800 C-E Magnum

A few years back we ranked the Stihl BR 700 at or near the top of our best backpack leaf blower list. The Stihl BR 800 C-E Magnum backpack blower improves upon that model in two very important ways. First, it blows about 20% harder. In fact, it nets around 41 Newtons of force and blows an impressive 239 MPH of average air velocity with 912 CFM.

You might find the second improvement even more impressive. Stihl integrated the Easy2Start system. Rather than having to take the blower off your back to pull the cord, a quick pull of the side handle overcomes the engine’s compression and starts up the blower. Yes, you heard that correctly—you can start the blower while wearing it. Take my money!

And that might be the only downside to this blower. While it starts easy, blows hard, and runs forever on the 2000cc (over 1/2-gallon) fuel tank, it’s expensive. Even so, we still think this is the best commercial backpack leaf blower around and it has a large dealer network for service after the sale.

Key Stats

• Best For: Professional use
• Engine: 79.9 cc
• Airspeed: 239 MPH
• Airflow: 912 CFM
• Blowing Force: 41 Newtons
• Noise Rating: 78 decibels
• Dry Weight: 25.8 lbs

Price: $699.99

Best 4-Stroke Backpack Leaf Blower

Senix BLB4QL-M 4-Stroke Backpack Blower

Our top recommendation in the 4-cycle class has been Makita’s EB7650TH for a couple of years. However, with Makita phasing out its gas-powered equipment, they’re hard to find. With Pros having limited options available (aside from walk-behind blowers), we turn our attention to the residential sector.

As an emerging player in the residential lawn care market, Senix’s 4QL earns our pick as the best 4-stroke backpack leaf blower currently available. Troy-Bilt also has one, but it operates at a lower performance level and has a smaller engine.

Senix’s 4QL sports a 49cc engine that can produce up to 18 Newtons of blowing force. For most residential properties, that’s fine for both post-mowing cleanup during the summer and leaf management in the fall. With a dry weight under 20 pounds, it’s reasonably lightweight, even for a 4-stoke model, though it’s more than 2-stroke models in the same power class.

While it doesn’t have the power of Makita’s professional MM4 models (and we didn’t expect it to), the lower price tag, higher fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and lower vibration make it an attractive option over 2-stroke models.

Key Stats

• Best For: Residential use
• Engine: 49 cc 4-stroke
• Airspeed: 200 MPH
• Airflow: 600 CFM
• Blowing Force: 18 Newtons
• Noise Rating: Not listed
• Dry Weight: 19.4 lbs

Price: $299.99

Best Lightweight Backpack Leaf Blower

RedMax EBZ6500RH Backpack Leaf Blower

In finding the best lightweight backpack leaf blower, we didn’t want to completely sacrifice performance. Most professional brands have a sub-23-pound dry-weight blower that balances the weight and blowing force but drops the blowing force down in the low to mid-20s for Newton force. Our top pick is the Redmax EBZ6500RH.

With 232 MPH and 631 CFM, it’s capable of producing an impressive 30 Newtons. At the same time, the dry weight of this model is 22.5 pounds.

A big reason RedMax outperforms its competition for the weight class is its engine selection. Most other Pro brands have something closer to 50cc to drop the weight down, but Redmax’s is 65.6cc.

Key Stats

• Best For: Professional or Farm and Ranch use
• Engine: 65.6 cc
• Airspeed: 232 MPH
• Airflow: 631 CFM
• Blowing Force: 30 Newtons
• Noise Rating: ANSI rating not listed, 97.1 decibels measured at the operator’s ear
• Dry Weight: 22.5 lbs

Price: $509.99

Best Backpack Leaf Blower for the Money

Echo PB-580T Backpack Leaf Blower

When you’re shopping on a budget, the 50cc class is a great place to look. You can typically find a professional-grade blower for less than $400 and get more than 20 Newtons of blowing force from it.

After considering what professional brands offer, we picked the Echo PB-580T as the best backpack leaf blower for the money. Value doesn’t always equate to “cheapest”, however, the Echo PB-580T ends up giving you a lot of bang for your buck.

Its 58.2cc engine is capable of 216 MPH and 517 CFM, combining for blowing force up to 22 Newtons. The dry weight is still reasonable at 22.7 pounds.

With a price tag of $349.99, it’s well under the $400 mark. To bump the blowing force in the mid-20s, expect to pay more than $400. That’s a big jump in price for just a few more Newtons of force.

Key Stats

• Best For: Professional or Farm and Ranch use
• Engine: 58.2 cc
• Airspeed: 216 MPH
• Airflow: 517 CFM
• Blowing Force: 22 Newtons
• Noise Rating: 70 decibels
• Dry Weight: 22.7 lbs

Price: $379.99

Best Battery-Powered Backpack Leaf Blower

Greenworks Commercial 82V Backpack Blower BB361

Announced for late 2023, Greenworks Commercial turned the battery-powered backpack blower class on its head with a massive 36-Newton blowing force on paper. That’s a huge step up from the mid-20’s we’re seeing right from other brands. We recorded 36.9 Newtons on our force meter, easily making the BB361 the most powerful battery-powered blower we’ve ever tested. While top-tier gas models can hit higher numbers, Greenworks is putting out performance on par with the most popular gas models professionals use every day.

• Best For: Professional use
• Motor: Brushless
• Airspeed: 225 MPH
• Airflow: 755 CFM
• Blowing Force: 36 Newtons (36.9 N tested)
• Noise Rating: <65 decibels in low
• Weight: 14.9 lbs bare, 31.9 lbs with batteries

Price: $449.99 bare, $1499.99 with two 8.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger

Thinking about losing the gas can? See which models made our list of the best cordless leaf blowers!

Best Backpack Leaf Blower for Homeowners

Troy-Bilt TB51BP Backpack Leaf Blower

Homeowners’ needs are very different from professional lawn care crews or farms and ranches when it comes to leaf blowers. They don’t need quite as much power or runtime, giving them the option of lower-cost models.

Most professional brands also make homeowner-level gas backpack blowers with the full backing of their dealer networks. They’re excellent tools, but you can get higher performance for a similar price by shopping around.

When you only need to take care of your property, consider Troy-Bilt’s TB15BP as the best backpack leaf blower for homeowners. While other brands are using sub-30cc engines, Troy-Bilt’s is 51cc with 220 MPH and 600 CFM performance. The result is a much higher blowing force than some brands provide, while the price is much easier on your wallet.

Key Stats

• Best For: Residential use
• Engine: 51 cc
• Airspeed: 220 MPH
• Airflow: 600 CFM
• Blowing Force: Not listed
• Noise Rating: 75 decibels
• Dry Weight: 20.2 lbs

Price: $259.99

Best Backpack Leaf Blower Brand

If you ask a group of professional lawn crew teams who the best backpack leaf blower brand is, prepare yourself for a fistfight between Echo and Stihl loyalists. Both make excellent backpack blowers and they’re by far the top two brands we find on professional trailers. Echo tends to lead in performance while Stihl tends to lead in feature development. Stihl also has the advantage of its well-established servicing dealer network.

Best-Selling Backpack Leaf Blowers

As you’re shopping, it’s always a good use of your time to consider the best-selling backpack blowers. While the most popular models aren’t usually the top-performing, they tend to offer excellent value if you’re looking to maximize the bang for your buck.

Best-Selling Backpack Blowers at Acme Tools

• EGO Commercial Backpack Blower 10Ah Kit–$1299.00
• Echo PB-770H Backpack Blower–$549.99
• Shindaiwa Backpack Blower EB910RT–$649.99

Home Depot

• Shindaiwa EB600RT 517 CFM Backpack Blower–$379.99
• ECHO 651 CFM Backpack Blower PB-755ST–$499
• Troy-Bilt TB51BP Backpack Blower–$259.99

Lowe’s

• Husqvarna 150BT Backpack Blower–$349
• Craftsman BP510 Backpack Blower–$279
• ProRun 1020 CFM Backpack Blower PBB2884–$399

Tractor Supply

• Husqvarna 972 CFM Backpack Blower 570BTS–$589.99
• ProRun 570 CFM Backpack Blower PBB2417–$249.99
• Husqvarna 40V 340iBT Backpack Blower–$449.99

Best Backpack Blower – More Recommendations From Brands We Trust

EGO Commercial Backpack Blower

The race for the best battery-powered backpack leaf blower is heating up, big time. Pros now have options from EGO, Greenworks, Husqvarna, Milwaukee, and Stihl, and there are others with models launching not too far down the road. That doesn’t even include residential models from brands such as Ryobi and others.

Among the models currently available, EGO is our top pick with its recent Commercial model. Opting for the same batteries as its residential lawn care tools rather than the backpack battery we saw several years ago, it’s a powerful blower. Rated at 26 Newtons, this model hit 27.9 Newtons on our meter.

It’s highly maneuverable thanks to a design that essentially places an inline blower on a pivot and adds a flexible tube. Convenience features such as the digital display and a comfortable harness design put the icing on the cake.

Key Stats

• Best For: Professional use
• Motor: Brushless
• Airspeed: 190 MPH
• Airflow: 800 CFM
• Blowing Force: 26 Newtons
• Noise Rating: 65 decibels
• Dry Weight: 16.3 lbs without batteries

Price: $399 bare, $699 kit with two 6.0Ah batteries, $1299 kit with two 10.0Ah batteries

HART 40V Brushless Backpack Blower HLBL041VNM

HART has just one backpack blower. If you’re on the 40V system (or looking to buy into it), it uses up to two of those batteries to offer increased performance and longer runtimes.

• Best For: Residential use
• Motor: Brushless
• Airspeed: 145 MPH
• Airflow: 625 CFM
• Blowing Force: Not listed
• Noise Rating: 59 decibels in low
• Weight: 21.8 lbs with battery

Price: $226

Husqvarna 580BTS Backpack Blower

While Husqvarna’s BT150 is undoubtedly the most popular model in the line, professional crews looking for a high-powered alternative to Stihl or Echo should take a close look at the 580BTS. Its strong 47-Newton blowing force is near the top of the charts while offering a low-vibration design with a comfortable harness and generous fuel capacity.

• Best For: Professional use
• Engine: 75.1 cc
• Airspeed: 220 MPH
• Airflow: 1000 CFM
• Blowing Force: 47 Newtons
• Noise Rating: 79 decibels in low
• Dry Weight: 26.8 lbs

Price: $639.99

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Backpack Blower

Milwaukee is pushing its leaf blower category forward with its first backpack model. Requiring two batteries for operation and sporting four active ports, the kit comes with four 12.0Ah High-Output batteries that help the brushless motor deliver up to 155 MPH and 650 CFM. While there’s no Newton force rating, Milwaukee tells us it matches up the performance of a 60cc gas model.

• Best For: Professional use
• Motor: Brushless
• Airspeed: 155 MPH
• Airflow: 650 CFM
• Blowing Force: Not listed
• Noise Rating: 62 decibels
• Weight: Not listed

Price: $499 bare, $1499 kit with four 12.0Ah batteries and a charger

RedMax EBZ8560/EZ8560-RH Backpack Blower

RedMax doesn’t get as much love as other brands in the gas sector, but Pros should consider the 47-Newton blowing force of the EBZ8560. One thing to note is the blower’s generous 77.8-ounce fuel tank. If the numbers look familiar, it shouldn’t be a surprise. RedMax is a member of the Husqvarna group.

• Best For: Professional use
• Engine: 75.6 cc
• Airspeed: 220 MPH
• Airflow: 1000 CFM
• Blowing Force: 47 Newtons
• Noise Rating: Not ANSI rated, 106 decibels at operator’s ear
• Dry Weight: 25.4 lbs

Price: $649.99

Ryobi RY38BP Backpack Blower

Ryobi’s main focus is on battery-powered outdoor power equipment rather than gas, but they do have a high-value gas backpack blower worth considering. It has a 38 cc engine capable of 175 MPH and 760 CFM with a sub-$300 price tag that makes it a compelling option for residential and small farm use.

• Best For: Residential use
• Engine: 38 cc
• Airspeed: 175 MPH
• Airflow: 760 CFM
• Blowing Force: Not listed
• Noise Rating: 75.5 decibels
• Dry Weight: 20.2 lbs

Price: $259

Shindaiwa EB910/EB910RT

If you have a Shindaiwa dealer in your vicinity, give the EB910 a look. Boasting a massive 1110 CFM and 20 MPH from its 79.9 cc engine, it matches brand group cousin Echo with a 48-Newton blowing force. Plus, the fuel tank is even bigger than RedMax’s at nearly 84 ounces.

• Best For: Professional use
• Engine: 79.9 cc
• Airspeed: 220 MPH
• Airflow: 1110 CFM
• Blowing Force: 48 Newtons
• Noise Rating: 80 decibels
• Dry Weight: 26.7 lbs

Price: $649.99

Best Backpack Leaf Blower Buying Guide – What We Look For

Why Buy a Backpack Blower?

The advantages of a backpack blower are typically higher performance and longer runtime per tank. Gas models can have much larger engines than handheld blowers and generate higher performance. That adds more weight and higher fuel consumption, so we see the shift to a backpack harness to deal with the extra weight and larger fuel tanks.

The size property that’s appropriate to this type of blower varies on how much blowing you need to do. An acre lot with no trees has different needs than one with many trees. In general, though, an acre is a good starting point to consider buying a backpack blower if you’re a homeowner.

Professional crews, on the other hand, rely on high blowing force to quickly clean up before they’re off to the next property, and the size of properties they hit in a day can vary widely. Because of that, they nearly always use backpack blowers rather than handheld.

Performance

Most people turn to backpack blowers for higher performance and that’s the highest priority for us as well. Large MPH and CFM numbers are great, but it’s Newton Force that tells a more complete story.

Runtime and Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency directly affects your bottom line and it’s an important part of the equation. But so is work efficiency. Look for the best balance between fuel efficiency and runtime. The more often your crew has to stop and fill and tank, the more time you’re spending on your properties. A larger fuel tank combined with an efficient engine keeps your team more productive.

Weight and Padding

When you have a blower strapped to your back, padded straps make a difference, and the longer you have to wear the blower, the more weight comes into play. It’s not just the weight of the blower, though. High-volume gas tanks offer longer runtime, but more fuel weight.

Look for a harness design that includes a hip strap to take the strain off your back and has padding to avoid pressure points during use. Models that maintain a gap between your back and the rear plate promote airflow to keep you cooler, and some even actively push air through.

Noise Levels

When using a backpack blower—mind your ears! No matter how you slice it, gas-powered leaf blowers are loud! ANSI testing requires measurements from 50 feet, but you’re not a bystander and the noise at your ear level is much higher—more than 100 decibels in most cases. In other words, you need hearing protection.

The exception is battery-powered models. Some can keep the noise level below OSHA’s threshold for hearing protection. In addition to the lower overall noise, it also lets you hear more of what’s going on around you.

Note on OSHA Exposure Limits for Sound Levels

OSHA allows a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dB (A-weighted) for an 8-hour workday. After that, the OSHA standard has a 5 dB “exchange rate”. That means that when the noise levels increase by 5 dB, the amount of time a person OSHA allows for exposure divides by two. Using this calculation, at 100 dB SPL you could only work for two hours without hearing protection. If you work with the same blower for 8 hours, you need to wear hearing protection with an NRR rating of at least 10.

Value

Value is all about getting the best backpack leaf blower that fits your budget, not just the cheapest you can get your hands on. When you consider a blower’s value, weigh what you get against the price with your highest priorities as the most important.

Got $400 to spend and value performance? Look for the highest Newton force that fits your budget. Are you more concerned about weight? Start there.

Features to Look For

What we’ve talked about so far takes care of the meat and potatoes. Now let’s shift gears to what makes for a better operator experience. Here are some of the key features we look for:

• Harness design that actively pulls air across your back to cool you down
• Hip straps that shift the weight of the blower away from your shoulders
• Chest strap
• Effective padding
• Reduced emission engine design
• Reduced vibration design
• Throttle lock on/cruise control
• Side recoil start (the 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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