We wanted to find the best backpack leaf blower to tackle tough yard cleaning projects. The ones we can use to blow and gather different types and sizes of yard debris, wet and dry grass clippings, fall leaves, pine needles and so on. So our team spent weeks testing as many as we could get our hands on. In fact, we tested more than a dozen backpack leaf blowers, and I’m happy to tell you that we were able to find and list the best ones right here in this article.
There are several types of leaf blowers you can get for your projects, but backpack leaf blowers are arguably one of the most sought after type people go for, because they’re easier to carry around, and thus are more suitable for cleaning large open spaces. You just need to strap it on your back, with the tube and throttle in your hand, and you can go anywhere with it.
They also come in different shapes and sizes, all built by different manufacturers. And like I said earlier, we tested more than a dozen of them to find the best. And we have our results here.
First, here is a comparison table showing the 7 best units we chose.
Backpack Leaf Blowers Comparison Table
| Backpack Blower | Air Volume | Air Speed | Type | Engine Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echo PB-9010T -Best for Commercial Projects | 1110 CFM | 220 MPH | Gas | 2 Stroke 79.9 cc | 26.7 lbs |
| Husqvarna 360BT – Best Battery Powered | 890 CFM | 232 MPH | Gas | 2 Stroke 65. 6 cc | 23.2 lbs |
| Ego Power+ LB6000 | 600 CFM | 145 MPH | Battery | DC Motor | 12.5 lbs |
| Makita EB5300TH | 516 CFM | 184 MPH | Gas | 4 Stroke 52.5 cc | 19.7 lbs |
| PRORUN PBB2884 | 1020 CFM | 240 MPH | Gas | 2 Stroke 75.6 cc | 24.3 lbs |
| Greenworks Pro | 580 CFM | 145 MPH | Battery | DC Motor | 14.64 lbs |
| Schroder SR-6400L | 600 CFM | 220 MPH | Gas | 2 Stroke 63.3 cc | 19.5 lbs |
Our Top Picks
We chose the following 7 backpack leaf blowers as the best because they met all the criteria and conditions we look for when it comes to build quality, performance and ergonomics. While doing our tests we considered how powerful the machine is by comparing the amount of air volume and air speed it produced. We also considered the type of engine, power source (electric or gas), the weight of the machine, and how comfortable the harness during use.
After consideration, we chose the following as the best.
Echo PB-9010T Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
Price: Check Amazon
Of the different models of backpack leaf blowers produced by Echo, the PB-9010T from their X Series is one of the most powerful ones you’ll find today.
If you’re a professional landscaper who needs ones of these equipment on a daily basis to move heaps of both wet and dry leaves and debris on the job, then this is one of the best options to go for.
Whether there’re sticks and other heavier debris in your leaves pile, it will sweep them all off. If you’re using it around your garden, you have to be careful around small plants, as it can even sweep them off or knock them over.
Here are the specs:
- Engine: 79.9 CC 2 stroke gas engine
- Air Volume: 1110 CFM
- Air Speed: 220 MPH
- Weight: 26.7 lbs
- Variable speed throttle
- Harness is ventillated for operator comfort
Pros
- Very powerful
- Fuel-efficient
- Very comfortable vented back pad
- Great build quality
- See-through fuel tank makes it easy to monitor fuel level
Cons
- The 2 stroke engine is quite loud
Related: 6 Best Telescopic Hedge Trimmers to Maintain Tall Overgrown Hedges
Husqvarna 360BT Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
Price: Check Amazon
The Husqvarna 360BT gas backpack leaf blower is the newer model of the already successful and widely used Husqvarna 350BT.
Just like the 350BT, the Husqvarna 360BT comes equipped with a highly powerful and fuel-efficient X-Torq engine which makes it ideal for commercial applications.
The 3.81 horsepower X-Torq engine is designed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent and also reduce exhaust emissions by up to 60 percent, which makes it far better than most other engines especially for the environment.
Here are the specs:
- Engine: 79.9 CC 2 stroke gas engine
- Air Volume: 890 CFM
- Air Speed: 232 MPH
- Weight: 23.2 lbs
- Air purge system removes from from the carburator, making it very easy to start the engine.
Pros
- Easy to start.
- Very powerful.
- Superior build quality.
- Fuel efficient.
Cons
- Pretty loud 2-stroke engine. Make sure you get ear protection.
Related: The Best Loppers for Pruning Tree Branches
Ego Power+ LB6000 Battery-Powered Backpack Leaf Blower
Price: Check Amazon
Most gas-powered blowers weigh up to 20 lbs and above, but this Ego Power+ LB6000 weighs just 12.5 lbs. That’s because it’s battery-powered. There’s no heavy gas-powered engine for you to contend with.
It feels very lightweight when you wear it on your back and shoulders. The harness is very good and comfortable, and most importantly, the blower is really powerful. It’s got good air volume and speed, and it gets the job done.
Apart from being lightweight, it’s also very quiet. There’s no noisy gas engine. Just the gentle hum of the electric brushless motor and fan inside.
Here are the specs:
- Type: Battery-powered
- Air Volume: 600 CFM
- Air Speed: 145 MPH
- Weight: 12.5 lbs
Pros
- Very quiet operation makes it ideal for residential use
- Almost zero maintenance needed.
- No fuel consumption.
- Zero gas emissions.
Cons
- Not ideal for commercial use.
Related: 12 Expert Lawn Mowing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
Makita EB5300TH Gas-Powered Backpack Leaf Blower
Price: Check Amazon
Unlike many of the other gas-powered backpack leaf blowers out there with 2-stroke engines, this Makita EB5300TH comes equipped with an MM4 4-stroke engine. Which means no mixing of fuel to run it, and it runs a lot quieter than the 2-stroke units.
With a weight of just 19.7 lbs, the Makita is still a lot lighter than most of the other gas-powered units we tested.
Here are the specs:
- Engine: 52.5 CC 4-stroke gas engine
- Air Volume: 512 CFM
- Air Speed: 184 MPH
- Weight: 19.7 lbs
Pros
- Quiet 4 stroke engine compared to the 2 stroke found in many other units
- No fuel/oil mixture required to run it
- Low gas emission compared to similar units with 2-stroke units
- Anti-vibration mounts makes it very comfortable to wear
Cons
- The backpack straps are a bit difficult to adjust
Related: 8 Best Lawn Dethatchers for Proper Lawn Maintenance
PRORUN PBB2884 Gas-Powered Backpack Leaf Blower
Price: Check Amazon
This is the PRORUN PBB2884 gas-powered backpack leaf blower. And I assure you, from the moment you turn it on, you’d be blown away by the performance.
It’s one of the most powerful units we tested. It’s not as expensive as some of the top brands like Echo and Husqvarna, but it stacks up in terms of power and performance. Build quality is also very good.
You can use it for both personal and commercial projects comfortably without any issues.
Here are the specs
- Engine: 4.2 horsepower 75.6 CC 2-stroke engine
- Air Volume: 1020 CFM
- Air Speed: 240 MPH
- Weight: 24.3 lbs
Pros
- Very power engine
- Start up is easy
- Harness is very comfortable to wear
- Suitable for both residential and commercial use
Cons
- It’s a bit heavier than similar units
Related: 6 Different Types of Lawn Mowers – Which is Better?
Greenworks Pro – Best Electric Model
Price: Check Amazon
We recommend this Greenworks pro for homeowners looking for a backpack leaf blower they can use around the yard that is easy to maintain. It’s battery powered. So you don’t have to deal with fuel mixtures or worry about servicing the engine or carburetor. Since there’s no gas engine inside, you also don’t have to deal with noise. And it’s very lightweight.
As for performance, you don’t have to worry about anything. For around the yard project, this unit rocks. It will get the job done.
Here are the specs:
- Engine: It’s battery-powered (electric motor)
- Air Volume: 580 CFM
- Air Speed: 145 MPH
- Weight: 14.64 lbs
Pros
- Very little maintenance needed.
- Fuel-efficient.
- Lightweight.
- Push button start.
- No engine noise.
Cons
- Reduced run-time compared to gas-powered units. 20-30 minutes.
Schroder SR-6400L Gas-Powered Backpack Leaf Blower
Price: Check Amazon
Air Volume: 600 CFM, Air Speed: 220 MPH, Type: Gas-powered, Engine: 2 stroke 63.3cc, Weight: 19.5 lbs
The Schroder SR-6400L is one of the most powerful backpack leaf blowers we recommend for commercial projects. This unit packs a lot of power and it’s not very expensive.
If you run some kind of landscaping or yard care company and you need powerful backpack leaf blowers to get the job done, this is one of the most budget-friendly units you can go for. Performance is great, and it’s reliable.
- Engine: 63.3 2-stroke gas engine
- Air Volume: 920 CFM
- Air Speed: 230 MPH
- Weight: 19.4 lbs
Pros
- It’s very easy to start
- One of the most lightweight gas units
- The harness feels very comfortable to wear
- For a commercial grade unit, the price is very good
Cons
- The engine is quite noisy
What We Considered To Compile This List
Here are the factors and features we considered while testing and choosing the best backpack leaf blowers in this list. In order to choose the right one for your projects, you should consider them as well.
Performance
In order to get the rough idea of how powerful a leaf blower is, you need to know 3 important specs or specifications about it. They include:
- CFM
- MPH, and
- CC, in the case of gas-powered leaf blowers
The higher these numbers are, the higher the performance usually is. So first, let’s talk about the first one, CFM.
What is CFM?
CFM is an acronym for cubic feet per minute. The CFM of any type of leaf blower simply means the volume of air that comes out of the nozzle of that blower in one minute when you turn it on.
So, if a backpack leaf blower has a cfm of 250, it simply means it produces 250 cubic feet of air per minute when you turn it on.
The CFM is probably the single most important specification you want to check out for, because it affects how much material, dirt or leaves the blower can move.
You need more air volume to move more leaves. Small air volume moves small amount of leaves. Large air volume moves larger amounts of leaves.
So, the more the CFM, the more power that machine has.
What is MPH?
MPH is the next specification you want to look for. It’s an acronym for miles per hour. And it stands for how fast the air is coming out of the blower nozzle.
Now matter how much air volume your backpack leaf blower is pushing out per minute, if it’s not moving it out fast enough, it will still do almost no good.
You want it to blow out a large volume of air, at a very high speed as well. That combination produces a very large wind force that moves large piles of leaves off the ground.
So, the larger the MPH is, the more powerful the backpack leaf blower is.
What is CC?
CC is usually associated with gas-powered leaf blowers and it stands for Cubic Centimeter. The CC is talking about the volume inside the engine block containing the piston.
Put simply, it can also stand for the size of the engine. A higher CC means a larger, heavier, and more powerful engine. Larger CC also means less noise produced.
Now, with those terms out of the way, let’s talk about the features you should look for when choosing a backpack leaf blower.
Noise
Gas-powered leaf blowers can be very noisy, with some even producing as much noise as some chainsaws. Especially those with 2-stroke gas engines with smaller CC. 4-stroke engines are less noisy.
Battery-powered backpack leaf blowers on the other hand are almost silent. All you hear is the sound of the breeze coming through the nozzle.
Weight
Weight is also very important when it comes these machines. Backpack leaf blowers are easy to carry around because they have harnesses with which you can wear them on your back and shoulders.
That however, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about the weight. The heavier the unit is, the quicker you’ll get tired of carrying it around.
Engine Emissions
This is where you have to choose between a gas powered backpack leaf blower and a battery powered backpack blower.
With a battery powered unit like the Ego Power+ LB6000 listed above, you don’t have to deal with fumes or emissions from a gas engine.
Gas powered units however produce lots of fumes, although some manufacturers like Husqvarna has found ways to minimize the emissions from these engines.
But, if you really want to go green and forget about gas emissions entirely, then you should just go for a battery-powered unit.
Run Time and Fuel Consumption
Let’s face it, buying a gas powered leaf blower means you have to continually buy gas to keep it running. Whereas, you don’t need to spend any money for gas when you get a battery powered model.
So, in the long run, you incur more overhead cost when running a gas powered unit, which you don’t with a battery powered unit.
Run time is another issue you have to face. With a gas powered leaf blower, you don’t worry about run time. As long as there’s gas in the fuel tank, you’re good to go.
With battery powered backpack leaf blowers, the batteries will run out, and you have to wait for it to recharge.
Variable Speed
Some backpack leaf blowers come with a variable speed speed trigger. That means, the more force you apply to the trigger, the higher the speed and volume of the air that comes out through the nozzle. That means you can reduce it or increase it around certain areas using your discretion.
For instance, going full throttle around delicate plants can damage the plants. If your blower has a variable speed, you can go gently around delicate plants in your garden, making sure you don’t cause them any harm.
Maintenance
Gas-powered backpack leaf blower usually require more maintenance. If it has a 2 stroke engine, you have to mix up the fuel and oil you’ll pour inside the gas tank correctly in the right proportion, else it the engine will build up more carbon, produce more smoke and eventually, the engine will become difficult to start.
You can buy premixed fuel for your gas powered backpack blowers, but they don’t come cheap.
Battery powered units however require none of that additional maintenance. All you need to do is charge the battery, plug it in, and get blowing.
Type of Application
Depending on the size of your yard or what you want to use it for, you might have to choose between a consumer grade backpack leaf blower and a commercial grade backpack blower.
Talking about consumer grade and commercial grade. I would say any backpack leaf blower producing less than 600 cfm of air can be called consumer grade.
While those that produce above 600 cfm of air can be used fairly comfortably for commercial jobs without any problems.
Also, battery powered are okay for small homes, lawns and yards. But if you’re dealing with a very large yard or area of land, maybe a whole street or park, you can’t go with a battery-powered unit. The battery will run down, and you’ll have to wait several minutes or even an hour to recharge it.
With a gas powered unit, you can cover as much ground as you want, as long as you have enough gas to go.
Ergonomics – Strap Design / Balance
Some backpack leaf blowers come with better harness than others. The type or condition of the harness that comes with your backpack blower will determine how comfortable you are wearing it on your back and working with it.
A good harness should have wide shoulder straps which helps distribute the weight across your shoulders.
A thin shoulder strap concentrates the weight on tiny parts of your shoulder which can cause pain and discomfort in that area.
Some shoulder straps are even ventilated to dissipate any heat or sweat buildup on your back as you work with it. So, you might want to check for this when making your choice.
