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A backpack leaf blower is one of those machines you can’t truly appreciate until you use it.
These machines can make clearing leaves incredibly easy, and you don’t even need to be a pro to use them.
The best backpack leaf blower is one that doesn’t just pack more power but also provides convenience.
As compared to hand-held leaf blowers, a backpack leaf blower is a lot easier to manage.
If you get tired of clearing the leaves off your backyard or lawn, this is exactly what you need.
Best Backpack Leaf Blower Reviews
1. Poulan Pro PR48BT Backpack Leaf Blower
The Poulan Pro PR48BT is hands-down the best backpack blower, whether it’s the power you’re looking for or the design.
Poulan Pro is a subsidiary of Husqvarna, a Swedish company known for its impressive line of outdoor appliances.
Product Highlights
The PR48BT model is powered by a 48-cc two-stroke engine.
It has a heavy-duty frame paired with a modern ergonomic design.
What makes it stand out, though?
For starters, it’s lightweight, coming in at just 22 pounds.
It is supported with a load-reducing harness that improves the fit and makes it comfortable to wear.
The shoulder straps are adjustable, so you can easily adjust them according to your size.
As a result, it doesn’t cause back strain, even when you are clearing leaves in a large area.
As for the fan power, it has an impressive airflow rate of 475 CFM with a speed of 222 MPH, which is pretty decent.
You can control the speed, too, thanks to the variable speed throttle.
With a heavy-duty frame, it comes with advanced features, such as cruise control.
This ensures you get a steady speed once you have cracked it.
You can then solely focus on directing the nozzle towards the leaves and debris without needing to adjust or change speeds all too often.
What We Like
It has a great design, and if you have struggled with an uncomfortable leaf blower in the past, you would know the difference a good design can make.
Those cleaning big yards or gutters will have an easier time doing their tasks with this leaf blower.
What’s more, it mixes a good ergonomic design with ample power, resulting in easy cleaning.
What We Don’t Like
It is a little loud, so you may need some protective headphones if you plan to work with it for a while.
2. Husqvarna 350BT Gas Backpack Blower
Husqvarna hardly needs an introduction. The Swedish manufacturer produces some of the best backpack leaf blowers today.
This gas-powered backpack blower, in particular, is a premium-quality piece of equipment suitable for both residential and commercial use.
Product Highlights
The Husqvarna 350BT features an X-torque engine, a lower-emissions engine capable of reducing emissions up to 60 percent.
The handle has an offsetting effect, reducing strain on the arm.
This means it doesn’t create a strong push-back as powerful leaf blowers typically do.
Similarly, it is equipped with dampeners that help reduce vibrations.
The airflow is a little over 692 CFM, whereas the max speed is 7200 RPM ( the idling speed is 2200 RPM).
In addition, you have the variable speed throttle and cruise control, which make the entire operation extra-smooth.
The design is pretty ergonomic with a padded harness and hip belt.
It should be comfortable to wear even for long durations, thanks to the natural curves of the harness that fit the body pretty well.
The tube length is adjustable, so you can set it to a length comfortable for you to work with.
It also features a lithium-ion battery and doesn’t have any cords. The fuel tank has a 42.27-ounce capacity.
What We Like
There are so many convenient features, whether it’s the soft harness or the adjustable tube length, that it’s hard not to like this leaf blower.
One can customize the fit and operation to their liking and work comfortably in big areas that sometimes take a lot of effort.
What We Don’t Like
It takes a little effort turning on, which can be a challenge for someone using a leaf blower for the first time.
3. Greenworks BPB80L2510 Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower
Greenworks’ backpack leaf blower is like its name, green.
It uses a battery, so you don’t have to worry about emissions so much.
Plus, if you are really looking for something lightweight, this model is for you.
All in all, we believe that it could make a great leaf blower for your backyard.
Product Highlights
This Greenworks leaf blower uses a rechargeable battery to create the airflow.
And the battery lasts for a decent time, around 20 minutes on turbo mode.
The 2.5 Ah battery and its charger are already included in the purchase.
What’s impressive about this unit is that it uses a brushless motor to run the axial fan, comparable to the ones run by a gas engine.
The airflow and speed of this Greenworks leaf blower are 580 CFM and 145 MPH, respectively.
It is the best backpack leaf blower if comfort is the top consideration.
The design is ergonomic with its highly adjustable shoulder straps.
More importantly, it weighs just a little over 14 pounds, so you won’t feel much back strain.
You will like that the blower tube connects with an elbow tube, making it easy to adjust the angle.
It also helps when you are storing it in the garage, as you can point the tube straight up.
What We Like
In a nutshell, it is a contemporary-style leaf blower because it is battery-run and considers the user’s comfort.
Although there are more powerful options out there, it wins when it comes to overall design and user-friendliness.
What We Don’t Like
The battery doesn’t last that long, so you perhaps can’t use it in a big area in one go.
4. EGO Power+ LB6000 Backpack Blower
The EGO Power+ LB6000 is another battery-powered leaf blower going with the times and taking a sustainable approach.
It doesn’t put the battery’s weight on your arms but, instead, your back, making it more manageable.
Product Highlights
The EGO Power+ LB6000 leaf blower offers variable speeds and airflow, ranging between 320 to 600 CFM.
The maximum speed is 145 MPH, thanks to the turbine fan technology.
Another great highlight is that it has a weather-resistant construction, so you can use it even in wet conditions.
The tube length is adjustable, which, along with its lightweight, makes for a very easy leaf blowing operation.
The weight of this model is just 12.5 pounds.
It doesn’t come with a battery, but you can choose which battery to use.
It requires a lithium-ion battery, but you can pick a higher voltage if you want a longer operation duration.
A 5.0 Ah battery would typically last for less than 15 minutes, which should be enough to clear a backyard, especially on a turbo mode.
What We Like
The padded straps and belt are very easy to adjust and sit comfortably on your back.
It also sits straight when kept on a surface.
Besides comfort, it is also one of the quietest leaf blowers on the market, thanks in part to its brushless motor.
What We Don’t Like
The battery and the charger are sold separately, which can be confusing for some.
Obviously, it also adds to the overall cost of buying this blower.
5. Powerworks BPB60L510PW Leaf Blower
This leaf blower gives you great value for your money.
It comes in a complete package perfect for you if you want to get a battery-run leaf blower.
You can choose from two variations: one with a 2.5 Ah battery and the other with a 5 Ah battery.
Product Highlights
This particular model powered by the 5Ah lithium-ion battery produces a max airflow of 540 CFM.
This is comparable with some of the other more expensive models on the list.
Though cheaper, it features variable speed and cruise control to make the process smooth and manageable.
The 60V 5Ah battery provides up to 27 minutes of airflow on a full charge.
Speaking of charging, the charger is included in the purchase.
You would appreciate that it has an ergonomic design paired with lightweight construction.
The weight, with the battery included, is about 14 pounds.
What We Like
The battery you get with this blower also works with other Powerworks tools.
So, if you have those, you can really just use a single battery for them all.
What We Don’t Like
Although it’s less noisy than gas blowers, it does have a high-pitched whining sound, which can be annoying for some.
Buyer’s Guide
Here are some of the essential things to consider when looking for the best backpack leaf blowers:
1. Gas vs. Electric
The main question to ask yourself is whether you should get a gas leaf blower or an electric one with a battery.
There are pros and cons to each.
It’s just a matter of which pros are more attractive for you or which cons are a deal-breaker.
For instance, gas ones are cheaper, but they do require a lot of maintenance.
On the other hand, electric models are lightweight, but they don’t last very long, even on a full charge.
Electric leaf blowers are becoming increasingly popular even though they are pricier.
2. Airflow and Speed
The airflow and speed is the real indication of the power of the leaf blower.
The more airflow and speed it offers, the more powerful it is.
Airflow is measured in CFM, so pay attention to how much CFM it offers.
3. Comfort
Backpack leaf blowers are generally easier to handle than hand-held blowers, but comfort should still be an important consideration.
Ideally, it should be lightweight and designed ergonomically to distribute weight on the back evenly.
The harness and shoulder straps, as well as hip belts, should be padded and offer adjustability for a comfortable fit.
Backpack Leaf Blower FAQs
1. Are backpack leaf blowers worth it?
Backpack leaf blowers can come in very handy in clearing fallen dead leaves from a backyard or any other outdoor area.
They are more powerful than hand-held blowers and sit on your back comfortably.
You can maneuver the tube easily, blowing the leaves in the direction you want.
2. Are backpack blowers better than hand-held?
Hand-held blowers can be tiresome after a while, as all the weight is being carried by your arms.
On the other hand, backpack leaf blowers distribute the weight between your arms and back.
If you ask us, they are simply more convenient to use.
3. Are gas or electric leaf blowers better?
Gas leaf blowers are some of the cheapest, but they are also the loudest and require a lot of maintenance in terms of oil, plugs, detergents, etc.
On the other hand, electric battery-powered leaf blowers are less noisy, have less or no emissions at all, and are lightweight.
The problem with battery-powered units is that they are not as powerful as their gas-run counterparts, at least the ones with smaller batteries.
They typically last anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour on a full charge.
If we compare both, electric leaf blowers are better, as their high price is offset by the less maintenance they require.
4. What is better in a leaf blower CFM or MPH?
CFM (cubic feet per minute) represents the airflow or how much air comes out of the nozzle
MPH (miles per hour) measures the speed of that airflow.
With a high CFM, you can blow a larger pile of leaves.
Similarly, with a higher MPH, you can blow the leaves farther.
So, both are important in their own way and bolster each other when it comes to clearing leaves.
5. How much do leaf blowers cost?
Quality leaf blowers typically cost over $100 and can go as high as $500.
Backpack leaf blowers that use gas engines are typically cheaper, and you can easily find one under $200.
What Is the Best Backpack Leaf Blower on the Market?
As the backpack leaf blower reviews indicate, the Husqvarna 350BT is the best backpack blower because of its quality construction and impressive performance.
It is a gas engine leaf blower, so it is quite powerful.
Both the CFM and MPH are high, while the fuel consumption is low.
The gas emissions are also very low for a gas leaf blower, making it eco-friendly to some extent.
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