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Best Backpack Blowers

Updated May 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Echo PB-755ST Gas 2-Stroke Backpack Leaf Blower with Tube Throttle
Echo
PB-755ST Gas 2-Stroke Backpack Leaf Blower with Tube Throttle
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Easiest to Use
Bottom Line

An easy-to-maneuver backpack blower that is designed with professionals in mind.

Pros

Tube throttle features cruise control for ease of operation. Professional-grade 63.3cc 2-stroke engine uses a 50:1 fuel-to-oil ratio. Features adjustable speed and anti-vibration technology. Translucent fuel tank makes it easy to know when to refill.

Cons

Not as comfortable to wear as other models.

Best Bang for the Buck
Greenworks Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower
Greenworks
Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower
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Most Eco-friendly
Bottom Line

A battery-powered backpack that is easy to use.

Pros

At just over 14 pounds, this backpack leaf blower is easier on your back than gas-powered models. It has a comfortable fit and enough power to handle even wet leaves. The variable speed trigger is easy to use.

Cons

The battery life can be rather short.

Husqvarna 360BT 65.2 cc Backpack Blower
Husqvarna
360BT Backpack Blower
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A powerful option that handles most jobs for a good price.

Pros

The 65.2cc engine really moves the air for quick cleanups. Has a compelling list of features, including emission-reducing X-Torq, adjustable fan speed, and a comfortable harness.

Cons

Challenging to start at times, and pretty heavy.

Husqvarna 2-Cycle Gas Backpack Blower
Husqvarna
2-Cycle Gas Backpack Blower
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Simple Operation
Bottom Line

An easy-to-use backpack leaf blower that has lots of power.

Pros

This feature-packed unit has a cruise control so you can set the fan speed for better handling. The air purge ensures quicker starts while the blowing tube is adjustable so you can fine-tune the machine to your specific needs.

Cons

A few users have noted that this model tends to go through fuel quickly.

RYOBI 38cc Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
RYOBI
38cc Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

Ideal for residential users, this model boasts comfort, power, and energy efficiency.

Pros

Impressive power for a residential backpack blower. Features adjustable straps and a contoured back for exceptional comfort. Powerful 38cc engine also boasts gas-saving energy efficiency. Equipped with variable speeds and cruise control.

Cons

Some plastic components are flimsy and prone to breaking.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
60
Consumers
Consulted
14
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best backpack blowers

Keeping leaves, sticks, and grass off your lawn can be a constant challenge. Blisters and backaches are a common side effect of hours spent clearing your yard. Backpack blowers offer you an easier way to keep your yard and driveway looking its best. Many have the power to clear large debris, in a relatively short amount of time.

However, finding the right backpack blower can be a challenge. Wading through all the choices and reading consumer reviews takes precious time. 

We’ve put together a shopping guide to give you the information needed to narrow down your choices, and to help you decide what features are most important to you.

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Backpack blowers work by driving outside air through a small opening, using a fan. The difference in size between the intake and tube, as well as the force of the fan, pressurizes the air, making it come out of the tube a lot faster than it went in.

Types of backpack blowers

Gas-powered, two-stroke engine

Two-stroke engines pack more power in a lighter package than a four-stroke engine.

But, they are harder to maintain. You have to use a mixture of gas and oil in the fuel tank. You can either make this mixture yourself, or buy premixed fuel at a home improvement store.

Gas-powered, four-stroke engine

Four-stroke engines take the same kind of fuel you put in your car. There’s no need to buy special fuel or do any mixing. They are very efficient, which means you’ll get more work out of every tank of fuel. Four-stroke engines can produce significant overall power, but that also means a bigger engine and more weight.

Battery-powered

Battery-powered, or electric engines, are relatively new to the backpack blower market. There are very few of them, but they are growing in popularity for a number of reasons. They are quieter and don’t put out any harmful emissions like a gas engine. Battery-powered backpack blowers can be used in areas that have restrictions on noise and air pollution. These blowers aren’t as powerful as a gas-powered blower, and you’ll probably need a backup battery.

Features to consider

Airspeed

Airspeed is how fast the air comes out of the tube. It’s measured in miles per hour. Battery-powered blowers reach about 140 mph, while a powerful gas engine could reach speeds of 250 mph or greater.

How much airspeed you need depends on how large of an area you need to clear, and how much debris and leaves you need to move. The more yard you have, the more airspeed you’ll need.

CFM and tube size

The other measurement used by manufacturers to describe the power of a backpack blower is how much air exits the tube in one minute, measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm).

This number is directly related to the tube size. A narrow tube with a high airspeed won’t clear as well as a wide tube with high airspeed.

Take into account both airspeed and tube size when determining how powerful the backpack blower really is.

Ergonomic throttle design

To prevent injuries from repetitive motion, the throttle should be ergonomically designed so as not to aggravate the wrist, elbow, or shoulder. You should be able to hold your arm in a natural position and use the throttle.

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For your safety
Your ears aren’t the only thing that may need protection when using a backpack blower. Gloves and eye protection are also recommended, to protect from any debris thrown by the blower.
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Shoulder straps and hip belt

The convenience of carrying the blower on your back gives you the freedom to use it almost anywhere, but you’ll be carrying anywhere from 14 to 25 pounds.

Look for backpack blower with an ergonomic design that fits to the body of the person who will use it most often. Adjustable shoulder straps are a must.

Even better are models that include a hip belt. Hip belts take the weight off the shoulders and put it on the hips, where it’s easier to carry.

Anti-vibration system

An anti-vibration system helps reduce user fatigue, yet not all backpack blowers have it. These systems vary by manufacturer, but most use a series of springs and anti-vibration mounts to help absorb the vibrations, so your body doesn’t have to.

Noise reduction

Anything that emits noise louder than 75 decibels requires hearing protection. That includes most backpack blowers, especially because the engine is so close to the ears.

Battery-powered blowers are quieter than gas-powered blowers, but we still recommend wearing hearing protection.

Some blowers are designed to reduce noise. If you have neighbors close by, you’ll definitely want to consider a blower with some kind of noise reduction features, like a large capacity muffler.

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Did you know?
Cfm (cubic feet per minute) and mph (miles per hour) describe the power of backpack blowers. CFM is the volume of air leaving the tube, and mph is how fast that air is moving.
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Price

Inexpensive

Backpack blowers start between $200 and $300. You’ll find two- and four-stroke gas engines, as well as battery-powered blowers as you get close to $300.

As the price goes up, the engines get bigger and more powerful. Some come with 250 mph airspeed and impressive cfm.

Mid-range

For $300 to $500, you’ll find larger, heavier blowers with more sophisticated anti-vibration systems and noise reduction features. They often have adjustable tubes.

Expensive

At $500 to $700 you’ll find commercial grade two- and four-stroke backpack blowers with two-stage intake air filtration systems and adjustable throttle handles, amongst other high-end features.

Large capacity mufflers help to reduce noise, but these machines are powerful, and that much power just brings a lot of noise with it.

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Check your neighborhood rules about noise and pollution before purchasing a backpack blower. Some allow them to run only at certain times of day, while others do not allow them at all.

FAQ

Q. I have a small yard, but I want a blower that can move grass, leaves, sticks, and other debris. How much cfm and mph do I need?

A. Since you don’t have a big area to clear, you probably don’t need a large machine. You could use a small two-stroke or battery-powered blower, and be able to handle a moderate amount of debris. You’ll need an airspeed of at least 175 mph if you’re going to move anything more than leaves. If you have a lot of debris and sticks, you’ll want to look for a model with over 200 mph and a high cfm.

Q. What if my state has special regulations for blowers?

A. To help control pollution, California does have special regulations for small engines, such as those found on backpack blowers. To reduce the effects of small engine emissions, the engine must be California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliant. You can still use a backpack blower, but you’ll need to find one that says it is CARB-compliant. Though they aren’t pollutant free, CARB-compliant models are more efficient and run cleaner.

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