Gas leaf blowers are the best option to clear leaves from a large yard, park, or open space in the fall. The best gas leaf blowers deliver high performance and give you the flexibility to go where you need. Unlike cordless or electric leaf blowers, the gas-powered blowers are generally best suited for heavy-duty tasks. So, they can clear a large volume of wet leaves, branches, or stones in no time at all.
The beauty of buying high-quality gasoline leaf blowers is that they are not a one-season gardening tool. You can power up your leaf blower to clear snow, remove debris from paths and driveways, or clean decks in the spring.
There is a wide variety of gas-powered leaf blowers on the market. So, choosing between the large number of models for your needs can be challenging. You need to consider the size of the engine, cubic feet per minute (CFM) capabilities, noise ratings, and weight. Of course, you also have your budget to consider. Some gas leaf blowers are handheld models, whereas others are backpacks.
This review of the best gas leaf blowers of 2023 aims to help you make an informed choice. Armed with this information, you can make the best choice for your gardening needs.
Features of Our Top Gas Leaf blowers —An Overview
| Image | Gas Leaf Blowers | Best Feature | Engine Power | CFM/MPH | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Craftsman B215 | Easy start technology | 25cc | 430 / 200 |  |
  | Poulan Pro PR48BT | Lightweight backpack blower | 48cc | 475 / 200 | |
| Makita BHX2500CA | 4-stroke engine and fuel efficient | 24.5cc | 356 / 145 | |
|
  | Echo PB-580T | Professional heavy-duty operation | 58.2cc | 510 / 210 | |
Review of the Best Gas Leaf Blowers
Which of these top-quality models is best suited for your needs? Read on to find reviews of the top seven gas leaf blowers on sale in 2020.
1. Craftsman B215 25cc 2-Cycle Engine Handheld Gas-Powered Leaf Blower
This gasoline leaf blower by Craftsman is a good choice if you’re looking for performance at a low cost. The powerful gas engine has an impressive 430 CFM and an air velocity of up to 200 mph. The engine start-up is a simple three-step system that makes this unit suitable for novices. Compared to similar models, this has a lightweight unit, weighing only 11 lbs.
Read Our More in depth article: Craftsman 25cc Gas Blower-What you need to know
The quality of parts is similar to more expensive models in the category of handheld gas leaf blowers. With the unit, you get two airflow tubes. One is long with a built-in scraper for difficult jobs. The other has a smaller opening to maximize air velocity. The translucent fuel tank is helpful, as you can see when it needs refueling.
Pros:
- Excellent airflow and velocity ratings
- Two nozzles included
- Lightweight and compact
- Variable speed to tackle any kind of job
Cons:
- Difficult to start
- Very loud
- Can feel heavy after long use
2. Poulan Pro PR48BT 48cc 2-Cycle Gas 475 CFM 200 MPH Backpack Leaf Blower
If you are looking for high performance to clear a large yard or park, then this backpack leaf blower is a top choice. The 48cc engine is designed for heavy-duty work. The model features an impressive 475 CFM with an air velocity of 200 mph. The powerful airflow will easily shift the most difficult of garden debris.
Read Our More in depth article: Poulan Pro PR48BT Backpack Leaf Blower-Buyers Guide
The backpack is comfortable and is ergonomically designed. It has adjustable straps to give a superior fit and minimize back and arm strain. The adjustable speed control trigger is fitted on the air tube to allow for easy one-handed operation. Despite its weight, its high-quality design means it causes less strain than many of the handheld models.
Pros:
- One of the most powerful gas-powered leaf blowers we have reviewed
- High-quality build
- Ergonomic design to reduce strain
- Cruise control and variable speeds
Cons:
- Can get noisy on full speed
- Poor customer support
3. Makita BHX2500CA 24.5cc MM4 4-Stroke Engine Gas Leaf Blower
Makita is a brand leader when it comes to power tools. The leaf blower is well designed, easy to carry, and perfect for small to medium-sized yards. The ergonomic handle design, variable speed, and convenient cruise control make yard cleaning easy. The impressive feature of this leaf blower is its 4-stroke engine. This is one of the most efficient engines of any gas-powered leaf blowers.
One of the surprising things about the Makita gasoline blower is how easy it is to operate. The unit weighs less than 10 lbs. and it has good air velocity and CFM. Also, exhaust emissions meet the strictest standards—so, less impact on the environment. However, compared to other gas leaf blowers, this model isn’t as powerful.
Pros:
- Four-stroke engine with low emissions and high fuel efficiency
- Top-quality design
- Excellent for medium-sized gardens
- Large capacity muffler for quiet operation
- Compact size
Cons:
- Lacks the power of other gas leaf blowers
- Expensive
4. Echo PB-580T 58.2 CC Backpack Leaf Blower Gas-Powered
If you are looking for a powerful gas-powered leaf blower, then the Echo PB-580T is one of the best choices. The 58.2cc two-stroke engine produces a stunning 510 CFM and 215 mpg air velocity. Its powerful performance isn’t noisy at only 70 dB, which is comparable to other leaf blowers that don’t perform as well. The adjustable arm features a trigger that allows you to adjust speeds or switch cruise control.
One of the excellent design features is the cool air cycle between the blower backpack and your body. This intuitive design helps keep you cool while clearing the yard on hot days. Also, the large fuel tank and efficient engine mean that you can get more done in between refueling.
Pros:
- The backpack leaf blower is comfortable and ergonomically designed
- Easy to start with just one pull
- Fantastic airflow and velocity
- Easy to use and maintain
- Relatively silent operation
Cons:
- Has a cheap look despite the large price tag
Guide to Buying the Best Gas Leaf Blower
Gas leaf blowers can help to take much of the hard work out of keeping your garden free of debris. These leaf blowers can also be used in any season, not just in the fall. You can use them to clear snow, blow grass cuttings from pathways, or remove any other debris.
When deciding which is the best type of gas-powered leaf blower to buy, there are many factors to consider. For example, the most important aspect of any leaf blower is its ability to shift wet leaves. So, air speed and velocity are important factors. You have to decide if you need a handheld model or backpack. Then there are noise and emission levels to consider.
Why Buy a Gas Leaf Blower?
There are two main reasons for choosing to buy a gas leaf blower. The first is performance—they are usually more powerful than electric or cordless ones. The second reason is flexibility—your range is not limited by cord length or short battery time. Some cordless, battery leaf blowers may last as little as 15 minutes on full power.
For heavy-duty jobs—clearing large yards or parks—backpack gas leaf blowers are usually the only option. Carrying the blower on your back is easier than a handheld unit that can weigh as much as 11 or 12 lbs.
What to Look for When Buying a Gas Leaf Blower
When comparing the various types of gas-powered leaf blowers, it’s crucial to take into consideration all factors. For example, if you have a small or medium-sized yard, then an easy to carry, lightweight model will be ideal. If there are many trees in your yard or nearby, then a more powerful leaf blower may be required to remove fallen leaves.
Our helpful guide will assist in making an informed choice about the best gas blower for your yard.
Weight—It’s good to consider the weight of the gas blower with a full tank of fuel. A larger tank may sound like a good idea because you have to refuel it less often. However, it will make the unit much heavier that can cause arm strain.
Emissions—The level of emissions is an essential factor to consider. There is both the impact on your health and the environment to think about. So, it’s best to choose a gas leaf blower that uses low-emission technology and fuel-efficient engines.
Blower power—The reason for buying a leaf blower is to take the hard work out of removing debris from gardens. The crucial factors to look at are the cubit feet per minute (CFM) and miles per hour (mph). The CFM rating gives an idea of the volume of debris you can clear in a minute. So, the higher, the better. Checking out the mph can help know if the air velocity is strong enough to shift soggy, wet leaves.
Gardening needs—Only buy the type of gas leaf blower suitable for your gardening needs. Large backpack leaf blowers are excellent for large yards; however, they are bulky and require a lot of storage space. Some smaller, compact gas blowers are easy to store and are just as powerful as their larger counterparts.
Noise rating—Some leaf blowers can get noisy, especially on full power. A blower that measures between 70 and 75 dB can be as loud as 90 dB when it’s near your ears—think how close the backpack is to your head. So, this requires that you also purchase ear protectors.
User-friendliness—Choose a gas blower that easy to carry without causing strain on your arm. Pay attention to the ergonomic design, its weight, and how easy it is to carry for long periods. Also, firing up a gas leaf blower can be difficult on cheaper models. So, look for units that use easy-start technology.
Conclusion –Gas Leaf Blowers
Why should you choose a gas leaf blower? What are the advantages of gas-powered blowers over cordless or electric ones? Here are a few facts to consider:
- Gas leaf blowers allow for a longer, more continuous operation
- They usually have more powerful motors, so they are more suited to heavy-duty jobs
- Have a longer lifespan than electric blowers
- Get the clear gardens faster with a gas-powered leaf blower