The best backpack leaf blowers can make clearing up a yard effortless. The fall is a beautiful time of year. But when the bronze-colored leaves are covering your pristine yard, you have to get rid of them. So, you have to face the difficult task of clearing a mountain of wet and soggy leaves. Backpack blowers are ideal for quickly removing leaves and other debris from large gardens or parks.
Most top-selling backpack leaf blowers are gas-powered. They have either a 2- or 4-cycle engines that produce powerful jets of air. Some of the more modern and Eco-friendly backpack leaf blowers are battery-powered. Many of these units are just as effective as their gas-powered counterparts—only without harmful emissions.
Features of the Top 5 Backpack Leaf Blowers
| Image | Name | Star-Raring | Best Feature | CFM | MPH | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Husqvarna 965877502 350BT | 4.5 | Lightweight, yet very powerful | 692 | 180 |  |
  | Poulan Pro PR48BT | 4.3 | Excellent price | 475 | 200 | |
  | Echo PB-580T | 4.5 | Excellent speed and power | 510 | 215 | |
  | DEWALT DCBL590X1 | 4.0 | Battery operated | 450 | 142 | |
  | Greenworks 80V Cordless Backpack blower | 4.3 | Budget price and battery operated | 580 | 145 | |
Choosing the best model is challenging. There are many models on the market, each with its own pros and cons. Some of these are suitable for residential areas. In contrast, others are more suited to large parks or urban areas.
Top 5 Backpack Leaf Blowers
In this review, we’ve evaluated how effective each model is, we’ve looked at users’ reviews to see if the unit lives up to expectation. We hope that this unbiased review helps you choose the best backpack leaf blower for your needs.
1. Husqvarna 965877502 350BT 2-Cycle Gas Backpack Blower
Husqvarna is a top brand leader when it comes to garden power tools. This compact gas backpack leaf blower has a lot of power for its size. The fuel-efficient engine cuts down exhaust emissions by up to 60 percent. Both the backpack and blower tube have an ergonomic design to reduce back strain and fatigue.
The Husqvarna 965877502 backpack model produces airspeeds of 180 mph, and the powerful airflow easily displaces leaves, debris, and small stones. It is even powerful enough to shift stubborn wet autumn leaves. The handle features a cruise control switch, adjustable speeds, and the nozzle is flexible to suit your yard-clearing needs.
Pros:
- An efficient engine that minimizes fumes
- Ergonomic design
- Air purge for faster starting
- Up to 4-year warranty
- Excellent for large and small yard cleaning tasks
- High-quality Husqvarna design
Cons:
- Requires pre-mixed fuel or mixing oil and gas
- More expensive than similar models
2. Poulan Pro PR48BT, 48cc 2-Cycle Gas 475 CFM 200 MPH Backpack Leaf Blower
This well-designed backpack leaf blower by Poulan uses a 44cc 2-cycle engine to create a powerful airflow. While this isn’t as powerful as the Husqvarna model, it is suitable for shifting soggy leaves without any effort. The lightweight design and padded shoulder pads mean that this leaf blower won’t strain your back.
The blower nozzle on the Poulan Pro PR48BT features a trigger type, ergonomic handle that is common on most blowers. This model has variable speed control, as well as a cruise control setting. The adjustable shoulder straps and light design make clearing leaves from any size of yard an easy task.
Pros:
- Weight adjustable harness
- Speeds of up to 200 mph
- Ergonomic design to reduce fatigue and strain
Cons:
- Can be noisy, so check local regulations
- Creates exhaust emissions
3. Echo PB-580T Backpack Blower
This blower by Echo ranks among the top-rated garden power tools for its power and ease of use. This unit has a 58cc engine that pushes out air at a high velocity—215 mph and 510 CFM. With all this power, you may be surprised to find out that it’s one of the lightest models in this review. The Echo PB-580T makes light work or arduous yard clear-ups
Although this model has a good design, it doesn’t seem as robust compared to the Husqvarna or Poulan models. However, many users highly rate this powerful blower for both residential and commercial use.
Pros:
- Maximum air volume of 510 CFM
- Very lightweight, weighing only 22.6 lbs.
- Price similar to equivalent models in this range
Cons:
- Cheap design
4. DEWALT DCBL590X1 40V Max Lithium-Ion Backpack Blower
This backpack blower is a battery-powered model by the industry leader DEWALT. Battery blowers don’t create any emissions and are much quieter than gas-powered units. However, you don’t need to compromise on power. The DEWALT DCBL590X1 has an impressive 450 CFM and 145 mph—just as powerful as other blowers in this review.
Power is from a 40V battery, and the unit has storage space for a second battery to extend working time. Because this unit is battery-powered, the engine requires less maintenance—no spark plugs or filters to change. However, it doesn’t operate as long as gas-powered blowers.
Pros:
- Much quieter than gas-powered leaf blowers
- The engine is virtually maintenance-free
- Good quality, robust design
- Two battery wells to extend work time
- Batteries are interchangeable with other DEWALT power tools
Cons:
- Expensive
- No rapid charger options
- You need to buy a second charger if using two batteries regularly
- Only works for up to 20 minutes on full power
5. Greenworks 80V 145MPH – 580CFM Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower
For being a battery-powered backpack leaf blower, this Greenworks unit packs a punch when it comes to power. The engine creates a powerful 580 CFM at 145 mph—similar to many gas leaf blowers. One of the benefits of this model is that there are no harmful exhaust emissions to deal with. So, it’s better for your health and the environment.
This unit features an ergonomic design that helps make light work of clearing pesky, wet leaves. The trigger handle on the nozzle has variable speed control and cruise control to reduce fatigue when clearing leaves, snow, debris, or small stones.
Pros:
- Good airspeed and velocity for a battery-powered leaf blower
- Quiet operation
- No pollution or harmful emissions
- Quick start
Cons:
- Short battery life of between 12 and 30 minutes on full power
- May need to buy a second battery to extend working time
What to Consider when Buying a Backpack Blower
All types of backpack leaf blowers are designed to do the same thing—push air out from a nozzle at a speed to displace debris. They are not just one-season garden power tools. Apart from clearing leaves in the fall, you can use blowers to clear snow, garden debris, grass clippings, small stones, and dust. So, when choosing the best for your needs, there are a few things to consider.
1. Weight of blower
One of the crucial factors to consider is how much it weighs. Depending on the size of your yard, you may have the leaf blower on your back for a long time. They can range in weight from 20 to 30 lbs. Remember that the weight the manufacturer states for gas-powered blowers is without a full tank of fuel.
2. Loudness
If you live in a residential area, then the noise is a vital consideration. Some gas-powered blowers can be very noisy and may even break local regulations. Battery-powered units are quieter. However, they have a short operational time. Generally, look for one that are around 65 decibels (dB).
3. Power of blower
Motor power is one of the factors that affects how efficiently your leaf blower operates. With gas-powered blowers, look for the “cc” rating. The higher the number, the more power the engine delivers. However, more powerful engines tend to be noisier.
Also, with battery-powered models. Look for the voltage rating. A battery that is 80 volts will operate better than a 40-volt battery.
4. What sort of jobs you are going to need it for
The main factor that usually determines the right type of blower to buy is the type of jobs you have. For example, if you have a large yard with several trees, you will need a heavy-duty model that shifts a large volume of leaves. Also, if you will use the blower throughout the year, you should invest in a good-quality, robust model.
5. Straps comfortable and easy to adjust
Backpack leaf blowers cause less strain and fatigue than handheld models. However, carrying around a 30-pound engine can be tiring. So, pay attention to the unit’s ergonomic design. The straps should be padded and adjustable. Straps should also be wide and allow some airflow to prevent chaffing.
FAQ’s About Backpack Leaf Blowers
Are They Worth it?
Backpack blowers are worth it if you have a large area of leaves to clear. Backpack units are more powerful than handheld models, and you will get the job done faster. Due to their design, they cause less muscle strain and fatigue.
What should I look for in a backpack blower?
The best type of backpack for blowing leaves should be light enough to carry around for an hour or so, yet powerful enough to shift wet, soggy leaves. Make sure that the trigger has adjustable speed controls, cruise control, and comes with a range of attachments.
Which is better, a 2- or 4-cycle?
Four-cycle blowers tend to be for clearing commercial properties and are more expensive. However, they only require gas for fuel, so they are generally easier to operate. Two-cycle blowers are more common for residential use. They are cheaper, don’t make as much noise, and can be as powerful as 4-cycle engines.
Which is more important when choosing a leaf blower — MPH or CFM?
To understand if CFM or mph is more important, it’s vital to know what each means. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and is the leaf blower’s strength. Miles per hour is the speed at which air comes out of the nozzle. You could think of the difference between the work a tractor can do and the speed of a racing car. The tractor may not move as fast as the car, but it can do more heavy-duty work. A fast vehicle may reach dizzy speeds but will have problems plowing a field.
When picking the best leaf blower for your yard, aim for a balance between CFM and MPH. If you have to clear a lot of leaves, then go for a higher CFM, rather than concentrating on the mile per hour rating.