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:
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.
Up close view of the Greenworks backpack blower.
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.
Greenworks’ 80V Backpack Leaf Blower is a super interesting tool. These suckers are going to be the next big thing for homeowners and I can’t wait to tell you why.
Bottom Line: While just about any gas powered backpack blower is more powerful, the Greenworks 80V backpack blower is quiet, convenient, odorless, and pretty inexpensive. You can check the price here on Amazon.
My first time using this was an eye opening experience. For starters, I have a Stihl BR600 – one of the most powerful gas backpack blowers on the planet. While this isn’t quite the same amount of power, it is the right amount of power, cost, and ease of use.
But without a doubt – this is the most puzzling and interesting one I have owned. I’m bullish on the battery powered backpack leaf blower market because they are going to become less expensive, last a really long time, and are SO DANG EASY to use. Don’t believe me – check out my experience with this Greenworks 80V backpack blower.
Greenworks 80V Backpack Leaf Blower Breakdown and Review
I was so excited to use this because this was my first electric backpack blower. I took it for a test ride over the course of a couple weeks and jotted down some notes about what it felt like. Here are my thoughts on this blower.
Greenworks backpack leaf blower Power
If you’ve ever used a backpack blower, then you know these suckers are built for absolute power and speed when moving from jobsite to jobsite. I don’t want to frame this blower up as a weakling, but to be honest – most homeowners just don’t need power like that.
At 610 CFMs and 180 MPH, the Greenworks 80V backpack blower is on the lower end for a backpack blower. But in relation to all blowers, this is definitely in the top 10-15%. That is some serious power and airspeed that will blast your leaves across the yard without much problem.
Since I tested this one out mostly on grass clippings, many of which were still wet, I was able to get a good feel for how it did with sticky, wet debris. It crushed it without a problem.
Is it the most powerful thing in the world? No. Will it get the job done for a homeowner? Yes.
This blower is easy to use
When it comes to actually strapping this thing on and getting started, there couldn’t be a better experience. And when compared to gas (both handheld and backpack) – there really isn’t any competition.
Given the fact that I unboxed this, strapped it on, and was blowing around my yard all within five minutes should be a testament to how easy it was to get started.
It has really great adjustable straps, comes with a longer blowing tube add-on, and uses a handheld joystick just like any other backpack blower. With the joystick, you can control the speed of the blower perfectly and aim it all around. It also has a cool turbo button that pumps you up to the maximum amount of CFMs and MPHs for when you need the extra boost.
Compared to gas, this sucker is really light. Eerily light. But that also makes the job slightly more pleasant. Lastly, this blower had a very distinct noise to it. I wouldn’t say it was pleasant, but it was definitely much quieter than a gas-powered blower. With a sleeping baby at home I was very, very happy.
A quick comment on battery life
The most common complaint I get about battery powered tools is the run time. While I agree that battery technology has a long way to go before it can be used for commercial applications, I think it is in a great spot for homeowners.
With this Greenworks battery powered backpack blower, you’ll get about 20-25 minutes of run time with the lowest 2.0 Ah battery. If you want it to go for a full hour, you can upgrade to the 5.0 Ah battery. These also have rapid chargers that get you back to 100% pretty quickly.
Battery backpack blower comparison to gas backpack blowers
Other than looking kind of similar and blowing some air, these two machines couldn’t be more different. Gas backpack blowers are definitely more powerful. They’re heavier, loud as all get out, and can run all day as long as you gas them up.
And honestly – they’re overkill for homeowners. Cool toys, no doubt – but not necessary unless you have multiple acres. They’re also a pain in the butt to maintain and extremely loud.
The Greenworks 80V Backpack Blower is “just right” for the average homeowner with a slightly larger yard or just looking for some comfort and convenience. I’ll always remember when I used to wake up and sit on my front porch (before I had kids). One morning at probably 6 AM on a normal day of the week, my neighbor was out in her front yard using her backpack blower. I about went and slashed her tires…but I didn’t.
Battery backpack comparison to the handheld 80V Blower
I’ve obviously used my Greenworks handheld 80V leaf blower a TON and even made a really long Youtube video about it. The thing is a beast. A freak of nature. And a really good price. They also have a great 60V Blower.
But if you are out blowing your yard for any extended period of time, it is REALLY nice to have a backpack blower that can allow you to just “chill”. As far as power goes, there isn’t a huge difference between the two. This one is just slightly more comfortable and much more fun to play with.
Cost and where to buy the Greenworks 80V Backpack Blower
The Greenworks 80V Backpack Battery Leaf Blower MSRPs for about $350. Right now, it is on an insane sale on Amazon that seems to come and go.
My recommendation would be to grab it on Amazon. If you already have the battery, you can get it for an absolutely crazy price that is totally justifiable to your wife (like under $200) by grabbing the tool-only version.
My recommendation and review: Greenworks 80V Backpack Blower
Is this going to replace your gas powered backpack blower? Maybe. It you’re a homeowner and yours is requiring a lot of maintenance and is mostly overkill – then sure it can. But if you are a pro landscaper – I’d pass on this.
For me, this will be my go-to leaf blower for this Fall. It is super easy and I’d rather it take a little longer or require recharging the battery than have to deal with the headache of a gas-powered blower.
What to look for in a battery powered backpack blower
Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:
CFM
Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
Usability
What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.
Motor type
Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.
These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications.
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Battery-powered backpack blowers are new on the block. They are not the most popular lawn tools, but it feels like every major brand is trying to sell them right now. But are they any good?
Can they keep up with the gas blowers?
Today, we will use our years of experience using battery-powered lawn tools to break down what makes a good blower, list out our favorite backpack leaf blowers and give our final word on whether or not we recommend battery-powered backpack blowers.
Let’s get started. Here’s our ranking of best battery backpack blowers:
I’ve always been a gas leaf blower fan – and I still own two. I own the jetpack AKA Stihl BR 600 backpack blower and the an old Stihl handheld gas blower. Despite being really powerful and always getting the job done, I got sick of the maintenance schedule and the smell. After I had my first baby, the noise became unbearable as well – trying to use the blower around nap schedules.
All of that stopped when I got a battery-powered blower. My first battery-powered blower was the Ryobi 40V blower, which quickly changed my perspective. The truth is, a lot of these electric blowers are super powerful – even more so compared to handheld gas blowers. I’ll walk you through my favorites below.
Battery-powered backpack leaf blowers: Ranked
Each of these made the list – so they are good blowers. But I’m trying to take everything into account here: power, price, comfort, and usability. We should jump right into our number one blower.
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Battery Powered Backpack Blower
The Ryobi backpack blower has a lot of great qualities – ones you don’t even find on gas powered backpack blowers. For starters, this blower comes with two 6.0 Ah batteries, which means these puppies last. Especially if you swap them out and use them on any of your other Ryobi 40V tools.
Next up, the power on this is pretty impressive. At 730 CFMs and 165 MPH of speed, this blower has almost the exact same specifications of their handheld Ryobi 40V Whisper blower. This is really powerful and is better on your back, arms, and shoulders than lugging around the handheld blower.
As part of the Whisper series of tools from Ryobi, this backpack blower comes in at 59 dB – which is actually pretty quiet considering how big of a machine it is. For comparison’ sake, this is about ½ the noise levels of a gas-powered blower. Lastly – this has really cool features like a turbo button that jacks up the power to big time levels, adjustable speed on the handle, and different nozzle tips for wet leaves, big piles, or really anything else.
Greenworks puts out some pretty sweet products, so it was no surprise to me when they put out this 80V backpack blower. It isn’t quite as powerful as the Ryobi above, but boy does it have some speed. At 180 MPH, it is better suited for stubborn grass clippings and wet leaves than the Ryobi – but can still handle big piles of leaves decently well.
What I love about Greenworks’ backpack blower is that they are super committed to quality. They make great brushless motors in almost all of their equipment and truly nerd out on the engineering side of the house. I’ve used their 80V handheld blower and it was also pretty powerful.
One recommendation I have for this blower is to buy a higher Ah battery for it. It comes with a 2.5 Ah battery, but I would buy it tool-only, then buy a separate Greenworks 80V battery that’s at least 4 Ah. You’ll get much more run time out of it.
EGO’s LB6000 backpack blower is a little bit of a mystery to me. Despite being one of my favorite lawn tool brands, they missed a real opportunity here. This blower was truly designed for a normal homeowner who wants a good blower but more importantly wants a backpack blower.
Why do I say this?
Well, it isn’t quite as powerful as some of their handheld blowers, like the 650 and 765 CFM versions we’ve tested. So, what’s the point? Basically as far as I can tell, it is a comfort thing. The tool itself is really high quality and centered around convenience. Here are a few of my favorite things:
Variable speed control trigger
Adjustable tube length
Not super loud
5 year tool warranty
This battery backpack blower from EGO was truly designed for comfort and usability. I don’t blame anyone for buying it, but just know that there are more options out there that can provide more power if you’re looking for a true beast of a blower.
All-in-all, this is a great option for many and EGO keeps putting out hits. You can grab the LB6000 from Amazon for a really good price (and it is also on sale right now).
Makita ConnectX Battery Powered Backpack Blower
Makita came out of nowhere with their new battery powered backpack leaf blower – the ConnectX. It has a really good combination of power and speed, with 160 MPH and 670 CFMs. Makita is known for making super high quality tools – like their sweet Makita weed eaters and their awesome mowers.
They’ve been masters in the battery game for a long time and this backpack blower of theirs is nothing short of a beast. Here’s how you know: the motor produces as much power as a 64 cc gas backpack blower. BIG TIME.
I also love the other cool features this has, like:
Four hours of runtime with the portable power supply (that’s insane)
60 dB of sound, about half of a gas blower
A telescoping nozzle that can be used for big piles of leaves or wet grass
Power button on control handle (meaning you can turn it on while wearing it, not cranking it while it is on the ground)
The EGO LBPX8004 is illegal in nine countries. Just kidding. But its power is unmatched. Seriously.
At 800 CFMs, it is basically the most powerful electric blower I think I have ever seen. For a backpack blower, it is going to be right on par with a gas-powered blower – or better. One other thing this blower has is really cool digital controls that let you turn on turbo, a battery life indicator, and speed control. Just about everything on this blower is adjustable as well. It is the top of the line battery powered backpack blower.
At only $700, it isn’t all that bad if you grab it at Ace Hardware (or wherever else you can find it).
Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:
CFM
Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
Usability
What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.
Motor type
Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.
These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications.
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Echo vs Stihl Backpack Blowers is like comparing Ferraris vs Lamborghinis. They’re both crazy good options that are elite blowers in the landscaping world.
I have a personal vendetta against backpack blowers because my nextdoor neighbor insists on using them as alarm clocks on the weekends, but I can’t deny how great of a tool they are.
When we first used the Stihl BR600 backpack blower, it felt like a bazooka was strapped to our back. But then we tried the ECHO. Then tried the Stihl again. And honestly, I felt like we had to go write this post to detail our experience.
These are two of the top backpack leaf blowers in the game – so let’s see how they stack up in every category. We chose the Stihl BR 600 to compare to the ECHO PB-770H as they are two of the most popular backpack blowers and the top of the line option from both brands.
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
How we spend our time.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
What to look for in a backpack blower
Backpack blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:
CFMs on blowers
Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
Usability
What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier. One thing I look for here is how the weight is distributed. I also look for things like variable speed control, sound, and how easy it is to reach or change controls like cruise control.
Reliability
It’s important to have reliable equipment – hands down. For homeowners, having a backpack blower that can easily start and requires minimal maintenance is key. The engine doesn’t get as much use as a professional landscaper, so hopefully doesn’t require the same maintenance schedule. For professional landscapers, you need to have a blower that starts quickly and isn’t a headache requiring frequent tinkering and minor replacements.
Rugged. Trusted.
ECHO PB-770H vs Stihl BR 600 Backpack Blower
Now that we know what we are looking for in a backpack blower, we can see how both the ECHO and Stihl blowers stack up. Both brands are known for making super strong products that landscapers and homeowners love, but only one can truly come out on top.
Let’s get started!
Power comparison
When it comes to backpack blowers, power is everything. Power is extremely important to be able to move large quantities of leaves under a quick timeline. Leaf blower power is measured in both CFMs and MPH. With backpack blowers, you really want high CFMs AND high MPH.
With high CFMs, you can ensure that there is a significant volume of air coming out of the tip of the blower. This usually is the “punch” that the blower provides and helps you cover large quantities at a time. MPH gives you the speed to make sure the large burst of air is coming out quickly. Without both, you either get a wimpy but large burst of air OR a small jet stream that doesn’t help move big piles.
The ECHO PB-770H boasts a huge 756 CFMs and 234 MPH air speed. The Stihl BR 600 clocks in at 677 CFM and 238 MPH. These are really close figures, despite having some differences at CFM. Since they are nearly the same air speed, the ECHO must have a slightly larger opening and burst of air. Although most folks won’t recognize a difference in power, the ECHO PB-770H has a slight advantage in overall power output.
An absolute beast.
Despite the minor power output differences, these have nearly the same engine displacement at both around 64 ccs.
This one is so close because the engines are just about identical. Stihl has slightly more speed, but ECHO has slightly more air output. As much as I’d like to call it a tie, I actually believe ECHO’s CFM advantage puts this one as the definitive winner of the head-to-head power assessment.
Winner: ECHO PB-770HBackpack Blower
Usability features
When I’m looking at usability, the real test begins at about 15 minutes into using the blower. At that point, I’m wondering if I feel like I have complete control over the tool or if I am having to wrestle with it to get the job done.
Extra padded.
In particular, I’m gauging how my shoulder feels and whether or not my hand has started cramping due to the trigger placement and other control features.
Whereas the Stihl and ECHO blowers were super similar in power, they are much different in usability. Most backpack blowers operate by having a little handle at the midway point of the blower nozzle that allows you to control the direction of airflow.
Stihl and ECHO have major differences in the functionality of that handle. With the Stihl BR 600, the handle that controls the direction of airflow (the steering handle) also has the throttle trigger and setting lever embedded on it. This is super helpful and convenient as it gives you total control of the blower without having to mess with other portions of the blower.
This is super convenient.
On the other hand, the ECHO PB-770H has a separate lever that controls the throttle and speed. While it is something you can get used to after a couple tries, it will never be as comfortable as the Stihl BR 600. ECHO does allow you to purchase the PB-770T, a surprisingly less popular version that has a cord that wraps around and allows you to mount the throttle on the blower nozzle.
Just not as much control.
The winner of the usability competition: Stihl BR 600.
Reliability
When I evaluate a backpack blower for reliability, there are a few things I look for. The first is how difficult the blower is to start. Nothing is more frustrating than cranking the pull cord over and over without the dang blower starting.
The Stihl BR 600 has a purge pump primer, which allows you to prime the carburetor without flooding the engine. Basically, it limits the amount of times the carburetor can be primed, therefore limiting the number of times you pull the cord before it starts. This is a huge advantage because I just know I have flooded my engine a dozen times.
The ECHO PB-770H does not have any specific function that protects the operator from making honest mistakes. Anecdotally, this is the blower my neighbor has and I swear I watched her crank it close to 50 times in a row the other day before it started.
The maintenance schedules on both the Stihl BR 600 and ECHO PB-770H blowers is straightforward. The classic spark plug and air filter replacement as needed and the occasional service.
Reputationally, the BR 600 from Stihl is one I’ve seen completely beaten down, scraped up, and continues to run and start super easily. I own this one and while it takes a dozen pulls, it has a nice foot plate that makes it really effortless to get started around the 10th crank or so.
Looks cooler, too.
Winner: Stihl BR 600.
Price comparison
Oddly enough, the Stihl BR 600 and the ECHO PB-770H come in at exactly the same price: $529.99. Wish I could pick a winner here, but they are exactly the same.
Our winner: Stihl BR 600 vs ECHO PB-770H Backpack Blower
After it is all said and done, this is a really tough battle. These things are super easily matched and even cost the exact same.
But for this battle, there has to be one winner: the Stihl BR 600.
We chose the Stihl BR 600 because it is simply easier to use and more trustworthy than the ECHO PB-700H. The features that come with the BR 600 make it easier to start and easier to control. Plus, not only do we see this every time we walk into our garage, but just about every landscaper in the country has one of these. They are the Ford F150 of the landscaping game because you just can’t go wrong with one.
Continues to last.
They sell these at Ace Hardware or you can buy them pre-owned for a few hundred dollars cheaper.
The Stihl BR200 backpack blower is a smaller backpack blower that can get your residential job done. As the little brother of the BR350 blower and the BR600 from Stihl, the BR200 has all the same features but slightly more manageable power. In fact, most of the commercial landscapers you see will have one of these Stihl backpack blowers on the job.
Backpack blowers are an absolute necessity in the landscaping game. If you don’t have one, you might as well rely on the wind to get your job done. Before you go buy any old backpack blower on Amazon, make sure to know what you are getting yourself into.
When it comes to backpack blowers, there are only a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is power, then comfort and usability, durability and maintenance, then of course price and value. Let’s get started below.
Power
If you are checking out a backpack blower, then you probably need something pretty powerful. The Stihl BR200 backpack blower puts out air at around 150 mph. This is comparable to a lot of other blowers, and definitely on the lower side of backpack blowers. You can find some electric blowers that go this high, but most hover around 100-120 mph.
The air volume at the nozzle is 400 CFM (cubic feet per minute). What this means is that the blower has a slightly more narrow nozzle, making for a targeted, high speed air stream. For example, there are other blowers that have a higher CFM, but a lower air speed. These are ones with big, wide blower nozzles that send a broader air path, but not as quickly.
Copyright: Stihl.
For comparison’s sake, the BR600 boasts almost 700 CFM, but only blows air slightly faster than the BR350. This is due to the wider nozzle on the BR600.
My preference is always having a slightly narrow opening to be able to have focused power. Broad openings are great for folks who are pushing a bunch of air across their backyard indiscriminately.
This engine also boasts 1.1 bhp of power output, which is pretty good for a blower, but on the lower end of backpack blowers.
Usability
Usability is probably the most important feature of any lawn tool. Sure, the blower can have a ton of power, but if it is difficult to use, how on earth are you supposed to get your job done?
I like things that make life easier. The BR200 makes blowing pretty easy. For starters, it only weighs 12 lbs, which is about the weight of a half of a watermelon or a large newborn. Not bad!
To compare it to the 350, it is about 10 lbs lighter. That makes a serious difference if you are carting it around for a longer period of time.
Another thing I love about the Stihl BR200 backpack blower is the backpack feel. Some other backpack blowers like the Husqvarna series have something that looks like a switchboard on the back with each component nailed in. The Stihl BR series has a super intuitive casing that makes the entire device more compact and easier to wear and store.
Another thing I love about this blower is the slightly offset handle. If you look closely, you can see this right-handed handle is slightly tilted outwards. This helps offset the kick from the blower, making it easy to walk around and get the job done without having to “fight” against it like a firehose or shotgun.
The offset handle allows for easier maneuverability.
Of course, the Stihl BR200 backpack blower has an anti-vibration system and a multi-function control handle, which is relatively commonplace for backpack blowers.
Maintenance and durability
Not much maintenance is required on these bad boys! You will want to make sure to use a 50:1 oil to gas mixture but otherwise will only have to do the occasional filter and spark plug change.
Stihl BR200 blower – nice and compact (and lightweight).
With proper maintenance, the BR200 should last you a few years or further.
Stihl BR200 price
The Stihl BR200 backpack blower comes in at anywhere between $300. It sounds like a lot, but the money you will keep in your pocket after a couple years makes all the difference. Compared to the BR350 and BR600, this is significantly cheaper (at least $100 cheaper than the 350).
Not to mention, this blower will make you feel like a total badass. It’s truly what is used most often by the pros for a reason. I’d say it’s the F150 of the blower world, but also not too powerful to where your neighbors will cut your head off.
Check out the below summary table to see our review of the Stihl BR200 blower.
Feature
Stihl BR200
Comparable blowers
Difficulty to use
Easier to use due to offset handle
Average usability
Durability
Avg. durability
Avg. durability
Maintenance
Average maintenance
Average maintenance
Value
Moderate value
Moderate value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft
Highly recommended
Less recommended
For lots <1 acre
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre
Less recommended
Highly recommended
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
How we spend our time.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Leaf blowers: Electric vs. gas
Obviously you have two options when selecting a leaf blower: electric or gas.They are worlds apart in just about every aspect. Electric leaf blowers tend to be cheaper, weaker, and only last a few seasons. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I used to have a Ryobi leaf blower attachment that came on their 3-in-1 tool kit. I have now gone through two of the leaf blower heads in which they start making a high pitch scraping noise when I am using it.
A popular battery blower.
There are exceptions in the electric leaf blower world. One of those is the Ryobi 40V Brushless whisper series blower. It is quiet, extremely powerful, and built to last. It is, however, one of the most expensive electric blowers you can buy.
Gas blowers are superior in almost every way. They are super strong, last many seasons, and quickly get the job done. The reason you see every professional lawn care person using a backpack blower is because they work extremely well. Let’s dig into that more below.
Stihl’s reputation
Stihl is an industry leader when it comes to yard products, but is probably most known for chainsaws and backpack blowers. The BR200 backpack blower is one of their best selling products because it is something they have completely mastered.
Stihl makes some great chainsaws!
The Stihl family moved to Virginia in the 1970s and opened up their first factory dedicated to a single chainsaw. They have continued to grow and pioneer the lawn care space, most notably with backpack blowers.
Stihl has a great reputation that many commercial landscapers rely on each day. Many residential owners will be more than pleased with their products.
If you have not heard the news, California is banning all gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers starting in 2024.
Whether or not you agree with this ban is not important, but making sure you have the “approved” tools is.
These will be phased out slowly over time, but our inclination is that this will never get overturned for as long as California votes blue.
About the Gas-powered blower ban in California
Now that Governor Newson has solved global warming, you are going to have to retire or sell your gas-powered blower. Sadly, gas powered blowers are generally the most powerful and efficient tools for blowing leaves, grass clippings, and more.
Let’s start with a reality check: gas blowers can simply not be replaced. From a power perspective, many electric blowers can come close. Unfortunately, they will not have nearly the durability or run-time that is afforded by gas powered blowers.
With gas-powered blowers, anyone can simply refuel the gasoline and continue on with their job for hours. Battery replacements are going to continually slow down people with larger yards. The hardest hit will be commercial landscapers who are going to have to protect their equipment and set up some sort of mass-battery charging station. They will likely burn through batteries pretty quickly, especially when managing places like golf courses.
Electric and battery powered alternatives
For many residential homeowners, the gas ban will likely not be of impact. For neighborhoods with small lots, it may actually be quite the benefit. Gas blowers are loud and do emit some level of air pollution.
Most residential homeowners in California today have smaller leaf blowers that are either corded or cordless (with a battery). These are great for small jobs around the house, but for realllllly moving leaves and grass clippings over larger areas, you are going to need the power afforded by a gas powered blower.
Have hope – there are some electric and battery powered blowers that can give you hope. And to be frank – they are going to continue to improve and innovate in this space to hopefully replace the gas powered blowers we have come to know and love.
Let’s review some of the best blowers for Californians!
The 7 best blowers for Californians
Before we dive into the definitive list of the 7 best blowers for Californians, let’s review some quick definitions:
Brushless – a type of engine that does not rely on friction for generating power. This engine type uses magnets for a longer lasting, more efficient power generation.
CFM – Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
Okay – I think we can get started now.
7. Toro 120MPH 605CFM 60V max brushless blower
The Toro 120MPH 605CFM 60V Max brushless blower is a great blower for most residential properties. As I mentioned earlier, this blower has a high CFM but relatively low MPH. So let’s dissect why this is happening.
The Toro 120MPH 605CFM blower has high air output, but lower MPH. This is due to a wide nozzle that pushes a wide area of air at a lower speed. These types of blowers are great for people moving lighter objects (dry leaves, dry grass clippings) across a large area. For those with large backyards, this is a great tool for getting all of the leaves from one side of the yard to another without too much difficulty.
Decent!
While I can’t find this specific blower in stores in California, you can check out a super similar one on Amazon.
6. Dewalt 125 mph 600CFM Flexvolt blower
The Dewalt 125 MPH 600 CFM Flexvolt blower is very similar to the Toro 120MPH 605CFM blower. While they are almost identical in power and function, we chose the Dewalt product over the Toro product because the Flexvolt battery pack is more versatile.
Dewalt’s Flexvolt battery system can fit a number of other battery-powered lawn tools to help declutter your garage and consolidate batteries. Similar in function to the Toro blower, this one has a wide nozzle that will blow large streams of air at a moderate-to-low speed, best suited for larger yards.
Okay – getting a little repetitive here, but the 125mph 450CFM blower is sort of like the other Dewalt and Toro blowers, this one has the same air speed, but lower air power output.
I like the Dewalt 125mph CFM 20V MAX brushless blower for a few reasons. The first reason is that this engine is brushless. This means that it will have a longer life, won’t get super hot, and will hold a better battery life.
Nice!
The next reason I love this blower is that it has a 20V battery. Similar to the Flexvolt battery that has cross-functionality with several different tools, the 20V battery is almost ubiquitous among Dewalt products. They have over 200 products that you can use with this battery, making it a clear winner for saving time and money.
The last reason I like this blower is that it has a more narrow nozzle. For me, I prefer more narrow nozzles because they provide a focused stream of air. This takes care of wet grass, wet leaves, and all the other things that are super annoying and stick to your deck or driveway.
Love this blower! I bought it recently and have absolutely loved it. It is super light, super duper easy to assemble, and relatively inexpensive. Because I have other Ryobi 40V tools, it is simple for me to just swap out the battery and keep going from tool to tool.
This blower has pretty high speeds despite a lower CFM, meaning it has a nice, more narrow nozzle that can get all of the wet pine needles and leaves stuck to my deck.
Me assembling the 155mph Ryobi 40V blower.
I have used a few other Ryobi blowers before and frankly, they kind of sucked. Ryobi has really stepped up their game with these new 40V blowers and dominated this space.
Me sliding on the nozzle.
I got this one off of Amazon because the price was insane for the amount of power and I already had the battery.
3. Greenworks PRO 170mph 700CFM 80V handheld leaf blower
The Greenworks PRO 170mph 700CFM 80V blower is a beast. I mean look at those numbers. If you wanted to replace the power of a gas blower, heck even a BACKPACK blower, this thing can do it. And the most impressive part is that its handheld.
I picture using this blower like a child using a firehose. I will turn it on and it will launch me to Pluto. Greenworks has a great reputation and this is honestly one of the most powerful handheld blowers in the universe.
One DOWNSIDE to this bad boy is that Greenworks is simply not established enough to make the battery-change worth it. Unless you are a Greenworks loyalist, you will have to create an additional space in your garage for this plug and charger.
Kind of a trippy picture, but this blower is slick!
2. Ryobi 40V brushless 190mph 730CFM Whisper series
Okay, I am going to just put my cards on the table. I love this blower. Nay, I am obsessed with it. And I will tell you why.
Simply a beauty. Behold.
Close your eyes and what do you hear? Maybe a humming of your computer or some children playing outside. Maybe you are in the car and there is a slight vibration.
All of those noises are about as loud as this blower. It is so quiet, so powerful, and an incredible innovation. On top of all of this, it has a Ryobi 40V battery which is highly interoperable with other Ryobi tools AND….is brushless. This thing is the greatest GOAT of all time.
From a specs perspective, this only packs 145MPH 625CFM, but has all of the functionality you will remember from your backpack blower.
Basically this will make your backpack blower jealous. This thing also runs off of a Ryobi 40V battery, and is very inexpensive relative to other backpack blowers.
You will recognize the offset handle, trigger, and cruise control that comes with most other backpack blowers like Husqvarna and Stihl. While it won’t deliver the same power, it will be the most familiar.
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
How we test tools.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
What the future holds for lawn equipment in California
I don’t know. But what I do know is that battery powered lawn equipment has grown by leaps and bounds over the past ten years. Now that the government has given a strict deadline for the retirement of these gas powered tools, innovation will yet again arise.
Don’t see a blower on this list? Feel free to recommend one for us to review.
The Stihl BR350 backpack blower is a mid-sized backpack blower that pumps out some serious air. While probably not the most practical tool for a homeowner in a close neighborhood, the Stihl BR350 can get the job done at farms, ranches, and large properties. In fact, most of the commercial landscapers you see will have one of these Stihl backpack blowers on the job.
The big brother!
Backpack blowers are an absolute necessity in the landscaping game. If you don’t have one, you might as well rely on the wind to get your job done. Before you go buy any old backpack blower on Amazon, make sure to know what you are getting yourself into.
When it comes to backpack blowers, there are only a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is power, then comfort and usability, durability and maintenance, then of course price and value. Let’s get started below.
Stihl BR350 backpack blower looking NICE.
Power
If you are checking out a backpack blower, then you probably need something pretty powerful. The Stihl BR350 backpack blower puts out air at over 200 mph. Holy cow.
The air volume at the nozzle is 436 CFM (cubic feet per minute). What this means is that the blower has a slightly more narrow nozzle, making for a targeted, high speed air stream. For example, there are other blowers that have a higher CFM, but a lower air speed. These are ones with big, wide blower nozzles that send a broader air path, but not as quickly.
For comparison’s sake, the BR600 boasts almost 700 CFM, but only blows air slightly faster than the BR350. This is due to the wider nozzle on the BR600.
The BR600 is even MORE powerful.
My preference is always having a slightly narrow opening to be able to have focused power. Broad openings are great for folks who are pushing a bunch of air across their backyard indiscriminately.
You can see the relatively narrow tip on the BR350.
This engine also boasts 2.8 bhp of power output, which is pretty impressive.
Usability of the Stihl BR350 backpack blower
Usability is probably the most important feature of any lawn tool. Sure, the blower can have a ton of power, but if it is difficult to use, how on earth are you supposed to get your job done?
I like things that make life easier. The BR350 makes blowing pretty easy. For starters, it only weighs 22 lbs, which is about the weight of a watermelon. Not bad!
Another thing I love about the Stihl BR350 backpack blower is the backpack feel. Some other backpack blowers like the Husqvarna series have something that looks like a switchboard on the back with each component nailed in. The Stihl BR350 has a super intuitive casing that makes the entire device more compact and easier to wear and store.
Another thing I love about this blower is the slightly offset handle. If you look closely, you can see this right-handed handle is slightly tilted outwards. This helps offset the kick from the blower, making it easy to walk around and get the job done without having to “fight” against it like a firehose or shotgun.
You can see the offset handle in this picture, making it more natural to hold.
Of course, the Stihl BR350 backpack blower has an anti-vibration system and a multi-function control handle, which is relatively commonplace for backpack blowers.
Maintenance and durability
Not much maintenance is required on these bad boys! You will want to make sure to use a 50:1 oil to gas mixture but otherwise will only have to do the occasional filter and spark plug change.
With proper maintenance, the BR350 should last you a few years.
Stihl BR350 price
The Stihl BR350 backpack blower comes in at anywhere between $350 and $400. It sounds like a lot, but the money you will keep in your pocket after a couple years makes all the difference.
Not to mention, this blower will make you feel like a total badass. It’s truly what is used most often by the pros for a reason. I’d say it’s the F150 of the blower world.
Check out the summary table below for our review of the Stihl BR 350.
Feature
Stihl BR350
Comparable blowers
Difficulty to use
Easier to use due to offset handle
Average usability
Durability
Avg. durability
Avg. durability
Maintenance
Average maintenance
Average maintenance
Value
Moderate value
Moderate value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft
Less recommended
Less recommended
For lots <1 acre
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
How we spend our time now.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Leaf blowers: Electric vs. gas
Obviously you have two options when selecting a leaf blower: electric or gas.They are worlds apart in just about every aspect. Electric leaf blowers tend to be cheaper, weaker, and only last a few seasons. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I used to have a Ryobi leaf blower attachment that came on their 3-in-1 tool kit. I have now gone through two of the leaf blower heads in which they start making a high pitch scraping noise when I am using it.
A powerful battery blower.
Gas blowers are superior in almost every way. They are super strong, last many seasons, and quickly get the job done. The reason you see every professional lawn care person using a backpack blower is because they work extremely well. Let’s dig into that more below.
Stihl’s reputation
Stihl is an industry leader when it comes to yard products, but is probably most known for chainsaws and backpack blowers. The BR350 backpack blower is one of their best selling products because it is something they have completely mastered.
Super well made!
The Stihl family moved to Virginia in the 1970s and opened up their first factory dedicated to a single chainsaw. They have continued to grow and pioneer the lawn care space, most notably with backpack blowers.
Stihl has a great reputation that many commercial landscapers rely on each day. Many residential owners will be more than pleased with their products.
Many people seeking to understand various lawn tools need a frame of reference for cost and power comparisons across types of lawn equipment. In this post, we will reference all types of residential lawn equipment to gather a reference resource for all savvy shoppers. Let’s get started!
When it comes to push mowers, there are really three main types of power sources:
Battery-powered push mowers: These mowers are powered by a battery and can be easily re-charged and stored. Battery-powered mowers are typically less expensive, easier to store and maintain, and better suited for small yards.
Gas-powered push mowers: These mowers are gasoline-powered and rely on refills, just like a car. Gas-powered push mowers tend to last much longer than electric mowers, but require yearly maintenance.
Corded electric push mowers: Corded push mowers tend to be very similar to battery-powered mowers, except require a long extension cord for power. Be careful not to run it over with the blade!
The average cost of push mowers in 2022
Push mowers range in cost depending on how they are powered, the size of their engine, and the width of their cutting deck. Push mowers are one of the most popular types of mowers because most folks have relatively small yards.
As the rise of townhomes have grown, the small little yards associated with them can be easily taken care of with a small electric mower. Sun Joe offers a ton of these, but also has competition with Greenworks, Ryobi, and a handful of others.
Battery powered mower cost 2022
The average cost of a battery-powered push mower in 2022 is about $300, but can range from $75 – $550 depending on size and features.
Some of the battery powered push mowers we have reviewed are:
The Troy Bilt TB160 was my first mower and still runs like new.
Average cost of an electric mower in 2022
The average cost of a corded electric push mower in 2022 is about $150, but can range from $70 to $200.
The average cost of a riding mower in 2022 (Lawn Tractor + Zero-Turn)
Riding mowers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The two you will recognize the most are lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers.
Lawn tractors vs. zero-turn mowers
Lawn tractors tend to have a steering wheel where the engine sits between your legs. Zero-turn mowers have levers that help steer the mower.
Lawn tractors are best for yards that are between ½ of an acre and 1.5 acres. Zero-turn mowers are great for those with 1.5 acres and above.
Lawn tractor costs in 2022
The average cost of a lawn tractor in 2022 is about $2,300, but can range between $2,000 and $4,200.
Most lawn tractors sit right around the $2,000 to $3,000 range, but some newer electric lawn tractors can cost over $4,000.
Lawn tractors vary in price depending on their engine horsepower and their cutting width. As you would expect, larger engines and larger cutting decks increase the price of the lawn tractor.
Some of the lawn tractors that we have reviewed are:
The average cost of a zero-turn mower in 2022 is about $4,500, but can range from $2,900 to $5,300. Zero-turn mowers range in price depending on the features and the size of the mower.
Commercial zero-turn mowers can run as high as $10,000 in 2022.
Some popular zero-turn mowers that we have reviewed include
The average cost of a lawn mowing service in 2022 is about $60 for lots < 10,000 sq. ft.
The average cost of a lawn mowing service for yards between 10,000 sq. ft and ½ acre is about $100 in 2022.
The average cost of a lawn mowing service for an acre is $150-200 in 2022.
As a reminder, lawn service usually comes every week or every other week during peak season. These costs can add up extremely quickly, making do-it-yourself lawn mowing easily the most affordable option.
Leaf blowers: A 2022 guide to cost and choice
Leaf blowers come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from some that seem to have the power of a hair blower to others that can send a sailboat across the Atlantic. When it comes to leaf blowers, there are three main types: handheld electric, handheld gasoline, and backpack blowers.
Handheld electric blowers are slightly more expensive than gas blowers and are often the least powerful. There are a few exceptions, but these hold true.
Who should buy an electric blower?
Electric blowers are great for those looking for quick, small jobs around the yard. This would include blowing out the garage, blowing off the driveway or back deck, or collecting leaves for a smaller yard.
Electric blowers have a huge upside in that they are very easy to start and maintain, only requiring a charged battery to begin the work
Average cost of an electric leaf blower in 2022
The average cost of an electric leaf blower in 2022 is $175, but can range from $70 to $350 depending on the quality.
Some of our favorite electric leaf blowers include:
Handheld gasoline blowers provide a step up in power, but often require air filter changes and other minorly inconvenient maintenance. Gas blowers are great for people who have up to an acre or so of land and feel comfortable walking around and using the blower.
Likewise, gas blowers are great for folks who receive a significant amount of leaves, regardless of lawn size. Gas blowers can help move leaves off of your yard much more quickly and will leave less wet leaves stuck behind.
Average cost of a gas leaf blower in 2022
Gas blowers cost about $150, but range from $100 – $250 depending on size and power.
One of our favorite handheld gas blowers that we have reviewed is the Husqvarna 125B. This blower has an attachment on the end that can provide a super concentrated stream of air, with the ability to blow anything away.
Backpack blowers are the most powerful, expensive, and loudest blowers on the market. These are made popular by commercial landscapers, but anyone with an acre or above could majorly benefit from these.
Backpack blowers provide very high amounts of power and come with the added comfort of straps, advanced features, and an easy to use handle.
Average cost of a backpack blower in 2022
Backpack blowers will run you about $350 in 2022, but can range from $250 to $750 depending on the size and power.
Some of our favorite backpack blower reviews include:
The Stihl BR600 is a beast and you look like a teenage mutant ninja turtle when you wear it.
Trimmers or Weed Eaters costs in 2022
Trimmers, lovingly known as weed eaters, are tools used to cut grass precisely. These are often used in harder to reach areas, to clear brush, or to fine tune the edges of a property.
Trimmers come in both gas and electric powered forms, with electric becoming more popular. Electric trimmers are very easy to use, but can be less powerful. A plus side to electric trimmers is that they often come with multiple interchangeable heads, allowing for edger, blower, and hedge trimmer attachments to all fit the same body.
Gas trimmers provide relentless, reliable power and are often used by those with bigger yards and of course, commercial landscapers.
Average cost of an electric trimmer in 2022
The average cost of an electric trimmer in 2022 is about $170, but can range from $25 to $650 Some of the more popular brands include Ryobi, Black + Decker, and Sun Joe.
Some of our electric trimmer reviews can be found here:
Pressure washers come in two major forms: gas and electric. Electric pressure washers tend to have less power and lower reliability. Gas pressure washers are more powerful and can get extremely pricey.
Who should buy an electric pressure washer?
Electric pressure washers are great for people who are doing lighter jobs. The perfect person to buy an electric pressure washer is someone looking to clean their windows, their car or boat, or garage door.
Electric pressure washers are less expensive and relatively easy to use. If you are looking to blast away all of the grime from your long driveway, electric pressure washers will not be the best choice for you.
Average cost of an electric pressure washer in 2022
The average cost of an electric pressure washer is about $190, but ranges from $60 to $300 depending on power and size.
Some of our favorite electric pressure washers include:
The Sun Joe SPX3000 is one of the hottest pressure washers on Amazon.
Who should buy a gas pressure washer?
Gas pressure washers are great for all of the same reasons as an electric pressure washer, but can also remove paint, blast dirt and grime off of old surfaces, and more.
Gas pressure washers have serious power, but are also pretty loud. They will be more reliable, but also require a little bit of maintenance.
Average cost of a gas pressure washer in 2022
The average cost of a gas pressure washer in 2022 is about $400, but can range from $250 to $1,000 depending on power.
Some of our favorite gas pressure washers include:
The Dewalt 3400 PSI pressure washer provides intense power.
Dethatcher costs in 2022
Dethatchers are lawn tools that pull up thatch, or dead grass, from the bottom of your yard. Thatch forms over time and can suffocate your soil, leaving poor conditions for your healthy grass to grow.
Many people dethatch their lawns before they aerate and seed in the fall. Dethatchers have grown in popularity. They are often electric, corded devices that replace the traditional dethatching rakes.
Dethatchers typically come corded, meaning you need a long extension cord to operate them in your yard. They are not a danger to your cord like a normal mower, but actually have small metal tines. The tines stick out (kind of like the metal springs in a chip bag clip), and kick up the thatch from the soil.
Average cost of a dethatcher in 2022
The average dethatcher will cost about $150, but ranges from $130 to $200 depending on the width of the machine.
Husqvarna 350BT Backpack Leaf Blower review: Features
The Husqvarna 350BT has a ton to love, while a few things that are less than ideal. Let’s check out each focus area to see what to think of this blower.
Top tier power
The Husqvarna 350BT has a 50cc engine with about 2.1 hp of power output. This has a cfm of just over 494, which puts it in a slightly higher range for gas blowers. The airspeed leaving the pipe is about 180 mph. The Husqvarna 150BT has a little less cfm, but higher airspeed….how is this possible?
The Husqvarna 350BT has a wider nozzle, meaning it blows a wider path at a slightly lower speed. This is what contributes to the 350BT being a large yard blower. The backpack blower simply moves large quantities of air at a time versus being a focused, narrow streamline.
For those looking to move large piles of leaves, the 350BT will likely be better suited for the job. The 150BT will be great for things like cleaning up grass clippings that have a propensity to stick to concrete. This narrow stream of the 150BT allows for focused power in specific areas.
Comfortable experience
Here is an area of the Husqvarna 350BT that is simply unmatched. You can tell when you strap on one of these blowers that the designers and manufacturers have simply done a lot of yard work.
The 350BT comes with an ergonomic handle that is to the side of the blower. The positioning of the handle is important. Some handles are right over the top of the blower arm, meaning you are constantly thrusting against the direct force of the blower. This one is slightly offset, meaning you feel less of that “kick” against your hand while blowing. The handle is also adjustable and has settings right at the tip of your fingers so that you do not have to fidget around making adjustments.
The offset handle on the Husqvarna 350BT.
One downside to this blower is the back. While the straps are comfortable, the back is hard plastic and has the engine parts screwed into it. This makes it feel like you are wearing an engine sitting on top of hard plastic. It does not necessarily feel like a solid machine but more of a conglomeration of random parts. Overall, the back part is just uncomfortable and unnatural feeling – especially compared to some of the competitor backpack blowers.
The blower will last a long time with proper maintenance
As is the usual situation with Husqvarna products, maintenance is super simple. These blowers do not require an oil change or anything like that, simply an air filter change. The air filter is super simple to pop off and replace, so that will be the bulk of any maintenance.
The handle on the 350BT, up-close with functions.
I have mentioned this several times, but my Ryobi blower attachment for my 3-in-1 Ryobi yard tool simply sucks. I have had to purchase a new blower attachment for two straight years because they are cheap and loserish. Husqvarna blowers will last you 10-15 years with proper maintenance. I highly recommend saving some money in the long run, and purchasing one of these today.
Husqvarna 350BT vs 150BT blowers
So basically, these are very similar blowers. The 350BT is going to have slightly more power with less speed, but directed over a larger area. The 150BT is going to be great for smaller yards, or more focused jobs (like blowing off wet grass). Both weigh about the same amount, have the same maintenance, and similar usability.
It’s pretty dang slick.
Price
The Husqvarna 350BT comes in at about $350 to $400 (or cheaper on Amazon). This is going to be $30 to $40 higher than the 150BT, but can be definitely worth it if you have a larger yard.
This price range is a really great value. Like I mentioned earlier, this blower will last you for 10-15 years if you treat it right. In that time, I would blow (ha) $600 to $800 on electric blowers that failed for whatever reason.
The official review: Husqvarna 350BT backpack blower
Feature
Husqvarna 350BT
Electric blower
Difficulty to use
More difficult to start and store
Easier to start
Durability
Much more durable
Avg. durability
Maintenance
Average maintenance
No maintenance
Value
High value
Low to medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft
Less recommended
Highly recommended
For lots <1 acre
Highly recommended
Less recommended
For lots >1 acre
Highly recommended
Less recommended
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
How we review tools.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Leaf blowers: Electric vs. Gas
Obviously you have two options when selecting a leaf blower: electric or gas. They are worlds apart in just about every aspect. Electric leaf blowers tend to be cheaper, weaker, and only last a few seasons. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I used to have a Ryobi leaf blower attachment that came on their 3-in-1 tool kit. I have now gone through two of the leaf blower heads in which they start making a high pitch scraping noise when I am using it.
An electric blower we own.
Gas blowers are superior in almost every way. They are super strong, last many seasons, and quickly get the job done. The reason you see every professional lawn care person using a backpack blower is because they work extremely well. Let’s dig into that more below.
Backpack blowers
As you may know, I have already reviewed a few other backpack blowers in addition to today’s. This includes the Husqvarna 150BT, a slightly different backpack blower offered by Husqvarna. One thing you need to know about backpack blowers is that they are the ultimate leaf blowers when it comes to medium to large yards.
Think about it – it takes a bit of time to get the backpack blower fired up, strapped on, and comfortable to use. Make sure it is worth your time to get a big, bad blower like one of these before you purchase. If you have a relatively small yard, consider a handheld blower or battery-powered blower. These can save you set-up time despite being weaker and limited.
The Husqvarna 150BT leaf blower is a backpack blower that packs a punch. In fact, if you’ve spent any time driving around during the fall months, you will see professional landscapers wearing these things around. Backpack blowers are great for commercial landscapers, but also fantastic for homeowners as well.
While they aren’t quite as easy to use as electric blowers, backpack blowers have way more power, save you time, and last for years.
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
How we test out tools.
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Leaf blowers: An overview
Obviously you have two options when selecting a leaf blower: electric or gas. They are worlds apart in just about every aspect. Electric leaf blowers tend to be cheaper, weaker, and only last a few seasons. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I used to have leaf blower attachment that came on their 3-in-1 tool kit. I have now gone through two of the leaf blower heads in which they start making a high pitch scraping noise when I am using it.
Gas blowers are superior in almost every way. They are super strong, last many seasons, and quickly get the job done. The reason you see every professional lawn care person using a backpack blower is because they work extremely well. Let’s dig into that more below.
Husqvarna’s reputation
Husqvarna is one of the most respected names in lawn care. Not only are they producers of great, high quality lawn care tools for residential property owners, but they also create really great machinery for commercial use in parks, golf courses, and all over construction sites.
They also make these….
Husqvarna’s bread and butter is the heavier, commercial machinery for sure. For example, they don’t have a huge presence in the push mower space, but have some absolute units in the zero-turn mower space. Likewise, they produce big boy commercial lawn mowers and chainsaws that you will see clearing forests. Even their robotic Automower shows how much innovation they do.
The Husqvarna 150BT Leaf Blower: Features
The Husqvarna 150BT leaf blower has a ton of features that you need to be aware of. Let’s check out how they measure up to their peers and what to look for when picking a backpack blower.
Looks pretty nice!
Power
The Husqvarna 150BT is admittedly a mid-size backpack blower that provides mid-range commercial power. Still blowing leaves at a whopping 251 mph, this blower is enough to get most jobs done.
The 150BT has a 50cc engine with about 434 cfm, which is cubic feet per minute, a measurement used in blowers to indicate the amount of air leaving the blower. 400-500 cfm is pretty standard for a gas powered blower and well above the normal range for an electric blower. While there is a lot left to be desired for commercial blowers, this blower is going to still get the job done. In fact, this blower will be well suited for a residential property as well.
The Husqvarna 150BT blower is pretty slick. It has an ergonomic handle on the right side that will help steer the blower, but also has a trigger and spring-loaded “On-Off” switch for easy starting.
Compared to other backpack blowers that I have used, the expandable, flexible, rubber portion on the right side attached to the handle is a lot shorter. This will not impact the operations that much, but does limit the range of motion slightly. Another thing that sticks out about this blower is the long nozzle. Long blower nozzles are great, especially for talk people like me, but it narrows quite a bit and again reduces the range of motion.
The backpack itself is a little different from other backpack blowers that I have reviewed. It really is an engine and all of the associated mechanical components attached to a plastic board that has straps on it. Compared to some of the other backpack blowers, it feels a little less ergonomic and more like something you would self-engineer.
Not as tightly put together.
Maintenance(the Husqvarna 150BT air filter)
Something beautiful about Husqvarna products is the incredible durability of their products. Unlike lawn mowers, backpack blowers take an oil-gas mixture when you fill up. For products like these, you only really need to worry about the air filter, which should be a straightforward change out process.
This handle is super easy to use and control.
When I first started checking out the Husqvarna 150BT, I heard from so many others that they had owned an older version for 10-15 years. I know the price tag on blowers like these can be intense, but truly – they are an incredible investment.
I have blown through (haha) two electric blowers in the span of one year. Each time I think I dropped close to $150 to replace. I’ll get more into the cost and value of a Husqvarna BT150, but I think you will be able to do the math on how much you can save by purchasing one of these.
Price and value
The Husqvarna BT150 comes in at around $300 to $350. As I just mentioned, this is a reasonable price. While higher than most electric or battery powered blowers, $325 (average) is great for a backpack blower.
Photo cred: Amazon.
This thing is pretty sweet, and will take your lawn care up a huge notch. We got it on Amazon and had a great experience, but it can also be found at other places.
For clarity, most electric blowers are north of $100 and in my experience, only last a few seasons. The BT150 will last you much longer with the right maintenance. In my opinion, it is a great investment.
The official review: Husqvarna 150BT backpack blower
