

In both cases, higher numbers are generally better, but you need to keep in mind that as air speed and volume go up, so does the weight of the leaf blower backpack and the price. The higher the air volume, the faster the air will be blown out of the machine and the more leaves it can move.īackpack leaf blowers generally operate around 600- to 1,000 cfm at speeds of 150- to 230 miles per hour. If the leaf blower produces 500 cfm, that means it blows enough air to fill a 500 cubic foot space in a minute. It is the more important of the two, as it determines how quickly you can work. A leaf blower that can produce greater air speed can move heavier objects, including mulch, stones, and wet leaves.Īir volume tells you how much passes through the backpack leaf blower each minute. Effectively, this determines the power of your blower’s air stream. When assessing the specs of a backpack leaf blower, you’ll see manufacturers list both “air speed,” listed in miles per hour, and “air volume,” which is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm).Īir speed measures of the top wind speed the blower can create. They generally provide anywhere from 20- to 90 minutes of runtime on a single charge, which should be a good fit for most small- to medium-sized yards.

They’re also more quiet, and don't produce any emissions as they run. You can mix your own in the proper ratio, or buy pre-mixed stuff, though you'll pay a premium for the latter.īattery-powered blowers are easier to carry, though. Keep in mind that most gas-powered leaf blowers feature 2-cycle engines, which require pre-mixed gas and oil. As with lawn mowers and other lawn machines, a gas-powered blower offers superior power and runtime, making it the better choice for large properties with lots of leaves. Power Sourceīackpack leaf blowers come in both gas-and battery-powered models. What to Consider When Buying a Backpack Leaf BlowerĪs with cordless leaf blowers, choosing the right backpack leaf blower comes down to balancing the amount of power you need to clear off your property with the amount of weight you can handle carrying around, and the price you can afford. I selected these blowers based on that experience, in conjunction with insights from the Popular Mechanics test team. I’ve used lots of leaf blowers, including backpack models, to clear fall foliage from my yard. As someone who owns property bordered by dense woods, I spend a lot of time clearing leaves. News and World Report, Switchful, and Futurism. The Expert: I’m a freelance writer who has written about landscaping, home improvement, gardening, and home security for publications like Bob Vila, U.S. Best Battery-Powered: Ego Power+ LBX6000 Backpack Leaf Blower.Easy to Start: Husqvarna 150BT Backpack Leaf Blower.

Best Power: Echo X-Series PB-9010T Backpack Leaf Blower.Best Value: Troy-Bilt TB51BP Backpack Leaf Blower.Best Overall: Husqvarna 360BT Gas Backpack Leaf Blower.Best Metal Rakes The Best Backpack Leaf Blowers.Need More Help With Those Leaves? Best Leaf Mulchers

If you’re looking to clear a large lawn this fall, the best backpack leaf blowers will help you get the job done. They can make quick work of scattered leaves, and can move heavier debris like small stones and sticks. You can tackle a modest sized leaf clearing job with a rake or a hand held leaf blower, but you’ll want to use a backpack leaf blower for a large-scale leaf clearing effort.īackpack leaf blowers have larger engines or motors than their handheld cousins, allowing them to blow up to 1,000 cubic feet of air per minute at speeds of up to 250 miles per hour. Depending on the size of your property and the number of trees around it, cleaning all those leaves up can be a massive undertaking. Unfortunately, those fall colors inevitably pile up in wet, messy heaps all over your lawn. Autumn brings with it a dazzling display of nature’s beauty as leaves change from green to yellow, red, and orange.
