Both gas and battery powered backpack blowers are absolute powerhouses. I’ve had the pleasure of using a few different types of both and have developed some controversial opinions.
Basically, here are a few of my thoughts (with video evidence to help support it).
- MOST gas powered backpack blowers are more powerful than battery powered blowers
- There are a few battery powered backpack blowers that get close
- Battery powered backpack blowers are a million times more convenient and easier to use than gas powered backpack blowers
- I don’t recommend battery backpack blowers for landscapers or people with massive yards
Read or watch more about my experience with these blowers here:
- My thoughts on my Stihl BR600 gas backpack blower plus my Youtube review
- My experience using the Greenworks 80V Backpack blower
- A ranking of the some powerful battery backpack blowers
Comparing the power output
This is easily the most contentious part of this comparison. Battery and gas powered backpack blowers both move a lot of air. The volume of air flow leaving the blower is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. The speed of the air coming out is measured in miles per hour, MPH. MPH and CFM are often confused, because higher CFM doesn’t always mean higher MPH and vice versa on leaf blowers.
According to my research, gas powered backpack blowers get up to about 800-900 CFMs and around 200 MPH. Battery powered backpack blowers on the other hand, bring about 600-700 CFMs and 175 MPH.
Winner: Gas powered backpack blowers
Usability and maintenance on electric and gas powered backpack blowers
The battle between gas and electric backpack blowers swings in the other direction when it comes to usability and maintenance. Like all other electric blowers, the usability is really far and away MUCH better than a gas powered blower. For starters, you can just walk into your garage or shed, grab the blower, pop on a battery, and get started.
Gas powered backpack blowers are different in that they require the right fuel mixture and anywhere between 3-20 pulls of the starting cord. This can be an awkward process with backpack blowers as you have to keep it on the ground with your foot while cranking away at the cord.
When it comes to maintenance, it is a totally unfair comparison. Battery powered backpack blowers have no maintenance. None. This one is an easy decision.
Winner: Battery powered backpack blowers
Comfort and usability comparison
Both backpack blower types – gas and battery – are worn just like backpacks (duh). They have straps, are made to be worn for a long time, and have a tube that comes around the back and is held in either your left or right hand for blowing.
From a usability perspective, they operate nearly identically once you have them up and running. I will give battery-powered backpack blowers a few points here because they are WAY quieter. And everyone knows the annoying situation where you have a whole loud landscaping crew outside your home or office. Another benefit of battery powered backpack blowers is that they don’t emit any fumes – meaning you have no smell after.
But when it comes to weight, the two are almost the same after you add in the batteries. The average gas powered backpack blower is about 25 lbs with gas. Battery powered backpack blowers are closer to 10 lbs without batteries, but when you add the batteries it gets closer to 20 lbs. Not as nice as I would have expected, but battery powered blowers have a slight edge here.
Winner: Battery powered backpack blowers
Cost comparison
Lastly – comparing the costs between the two, a nice Stihl BR 600 blower will cost about $550. These things are fully loaded and top of the line gas blowers. Battery powered backpack blowers like the Greenworks 80V 610 CFM blower are about $200 less.
That’s a big price difference, but the difference grows as you start factoring in gas and part replacement. The battery powered blower here wins by a wide margin.
Winner: Battery powered backpack blowers
Final ruling: Gas vs Battery Powered Backpack Blowers
The evidence is clear – for the average homeowner – battery powered backpack blowers are a great choice. For landscapers and folks with massive yards, I would go with a gas powered backpack blower.
One thing to keep in mind is that in many states, gas-powered blowers are getting outlawed. It might be time to give battery a try.
