Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Considering the blower by itself, we particularly liked that the handheld unit is only 6.4 pounds. When the leaf blowing is done, the Stihl SH86E does double duty, converting to a vacuum, with included parts. Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. We measured the swath that each blower cut out of a uniform patch of wet playground sand on porous asphalt. Instead it has a hip-mounted arm on the left side, with a lever that stays where it is set. | Battery: 120 V, 6.0 AhRun time: 32 min., 52 sec. Don’t be misled by the DeWalt’s low air speed, the slowest in the test. In use we found the backpack fairly comfortable, although it lacked a hip strap, or one across the chest—this did make it simpler to adjust, as well quicker to put on and take off. Either gas or electric should work. All the blowers in this review were subjected to the same group of tests to get a clear impression of performance and usability. There are a couple improvements on this model that make starting a little easier. We easily cleared the leaves in our test area, scattering them beyond the perimeter while standing at one end. Here are the ones that came out on top. Gas or Battery PoweredWe know from experience that the run time of handheld cordless leaf blowers is brief, but we never measured it until this test. Once charged, you plug the tool into a receptacle on the blower and spin start its engine. We easily cleared the leaves in our test area, scattering them beyond the perimeter while standing at one end. Unlike other backpack blowers, the BLH120VX uses an actual backpack, the type worn to school or on a hike, to house the battery. Note: MSRP is $1,100 as tested, with a BX650 battery and BPBXOR01 backpack. This Troy-Bilt posted the third fastest air movement, and it performed well in the tests with sawdust and leaves. A leaf vacuum-mulcher-blower is an amazing 3-in-1 power tool, that performs just as described. The cruise-control lever, however, is difficult to pivot, and the flexible blower tube seems a bit too short, also making for a difficult pivoting motion. What is a Leaf Vacuum Mulcher Blower? | Engine: 32 cc, 4-cycle | Sound levels: 99 dB / 74 dB. Goofing around, we found the biggest of the bunch could skim a brick over a parking lot. One advantage is that we could put other things in the pack, rather than our pockets, when using the blower. It blew the leaves out of the test rectangle faster and farther than every blower except the Stihl BR 800. Moving to our test area, it took just a few sweeps of the blower and a couple steps to dispatch the leaves. Heavy duty backpack straps for all-day comfort. Oregon’s backpack battery and handheld blower were designed to stand up to daily use by landscape professionals, as well as provide the performance they require. A reason to pass? Bottom line: The machine is effective with leaves on grass and should have more than enough power for hard-surface sweeping over moderate distances. Product Description. For laughs, we found that it can skim a 4.6-pound brick over pavement like a hockey puck. At that setting, the blower’s air stream forms an effective leaf-moving zone (even if it appeared to be weaker on the outside edges). Instead, it has a hip-mounted arm on the left side, with a lever that stays where it’s set. 5 Backpack Leaf Blowers to Dominate the Backyard, Non-turbo mode too slow for deeper leaves. | Sound levels: 94 dB / 66 dB. We liked its fast starting and the easy-to-use shoulder strap (though the blower does rock a little at full throttle). | Battery: 56 V, 5.0 AhRun time: 12 min., 9 sec. The machine also scored high marks for its comfortable and highly adjustable shoulder straps, handle comfort, and the 90-degree elbow that connects the impeller housing to the flexible blower tube. It’s tethered to the battery by an electrical cord instead of a tube, which allows you to switch hands, something you can’t do with many backpack blowers. The Husqvarna 150BT is a commercial grade backpack leaf blower in the 50 cc mid-size range. We evaluated traditional gas-engine models and two-stroke models that take the familiar 40:1 and 50:1 fuel-oil blends. This was verified when we performed our sawdust test, where it blew a rounder, broader bulb shape. Our sawdust test showed that the LB6002 had an effective turbulent zone similar to several of the gas-powered handheld units. | Engine: 27 cc, 2-cycle | Sound levels: 99 dB / 73 dB. After further testing, the Worx WG521 Turbine 800 Leaf Blower is our new runner-up pick. The time to clear leaves from our test area was within one second of other gas handheld blowers we tested. Our leaf blowers are all ergonomically designed and will save your back and arms from harm. Greenworks 12 Amp Blower Vacuum features a high impact mulching blade, 2-speed control, 230 MPH, 375 CFM, tool-less blower to vacuum conversion, cord lock, cushioned overmold grip, durable vacuum bag, and 4-year warranty It did well in both the leaf test and when we swept the parking lot clean after the sawdust tests. Air volume is 530 cfm, as claimed by Oregon. Ankle-deep leaves, especially if they are wet, call for a gas or electric backpack blower. We also included some battery-powered backpacks, ranging from homeowner-level to pro-duty. Finally, its nozzle twists on firmly and easily thanks to a large raised tab that helps you get a firm grip on it. In our sawdust test, the air pattern had crisp edges that spread to a flame shape that extended out about 15 feet. The BLH120VX is only available at authorized Oregon dealers. We tested it with a massive 28-amp hour battery and backpack harness that runs $1,400. Further guaranteeing an easy start, the choke markings are clear, and its momentary stop switch prevents you from trying to firing it with the switch in the off position. Given that leaf removal is an autumn priority, we went to work to help you find the right model leaf blower to get the job done. With the success, and knowledge gained, from the initial test, we purchased an MGL Avionics Stratomaster Vega air speed indicator (anemometer), powered it with a 12-volt DC power source, and built out own testing apparatus—air speed was measured six inches from the tip of the blower tube. Air speed: 118 mph | Weight: 19.3 lb. Nothing more quickly relocates leaves to more desirable areas than a leaf blower. Backpack or HandheldBy taking the load off your arm and wrist, a backpack model can enable longer sessions; you may be less tired when you’re done. Air speed: 195.6 mph | Weight: 28.4 lb. Unlike most blowers, this one doesn’t have a trigger throttle. As for gas-engine machines, they often run for an hour or more on a tank of fuel. As for demerits, the Stihl is much louder at a distance than other blowers. The machine also scored high marks for its comfortable and highly adjustable shoulder straps, handle comfort, and the 90-degree elbow that connects the impeller housing to the flexible blower tube. And you may be less tired when you’re done. Unlike other backpack blowers, the BLH120VX uses a backpack (think the type worn to school or on a hike) to house the battery. It blew leaves out of the test rectangle and scattered them 20 feet away. Its design for these purposes is clear, judging by the hefty skid plate below the blower housing and battery that should help this tool withstand rough-and-tumble use. In the sawdust test, it swept out a gigantic bulb-shaped pattern that emptied almost half the particulate from the zone. The trade-off is that it’s slightly less maneuverable with the blower tube attached to the backpack frame. While the Stihl backpack blower produced an underwhelming 173 MPH airspeed, it also finished in the top 3 for volume production with 903 Cubic Feet per Meter. The Shindaiwa is a great blower. Seriously, you could play hockey with it. This Greenworks is the lightest and most compact of the backpack blowers we tested. Handheld, cordless, nor electric blowers even stand a chance to be in this ring. | Engine: 79.9 cc, 2-cycleSound levels: 100 dB / 77 dB. Its run time was a modest 19 minutes (at full or Turbo power). This powerful piece of lawn equipment, vacuums, mulches and collects leaves and other debris into a collection bag, or the power switch can be reversed and used as a leaf blower. It was the quietest blower, a relief to the testers (and to our neighbors). | Sound levels: 87 dB / 67 dB. Ultimately, we purchased an MGL Avionics Stratomaster Vega air speed indicator (anemometer) for an airplane, powered it with a 12-volt DC power source, and built our own testing apparatus, gauging the air speed six inches from the tip of the blower tube. How we test gear. When the leaves start falling, these machines will blow them away. Shin-deep leaves and deeper? The volume of air is higher though, at 470 cfm (claimed), which seems to make up for it. Its spring-loaded starting mechanism is positioned horizontally, so you can yank it while the machine is mounted on your back. | Battery: 40 V, 5.0 AhRun time: 47 min., 31 sec. Jerah R. Cordova, who has been mayor of the city of Belen for seven years, said for the past 18 years, he’s worked to protect our nation in a full-time capacity as a federal contractor with the Department of Defense and agencies of the federal government. | Sound levels: 87 dB / 66 dB. Ego’s LB6002 takes the weight of battery out of your hands and makes for a less fatiguing battle with the leaves, a definite plus versus their handheld models.