5 Best Backpack Leaf Blowers For Gardening
With regards to getting your yard work done, mobility is a very important factor. You need to be able to reach the areas that are inaccessible with mowers and rakes. For this, a backpack blower will prove to be pretty handy with its mobility and reach to all corners of your yard. Many prefer these units since they keep your hands free. Their strength and versatility is also a plus for many.
That said, to benefit from a backpack leaf blower, you will need to have the best backpack leaf blower on the market. Below is a guide on how you should go about choosing the best there is.
You can also read other product reviews such as leaf blower, electric leaf blower, gas powered leaf blower, leaf vacuum, leaf mulcher.
5 Best Backpack Leaf Blowers - Reviews
Image | Product Name | Max Air Speed | Power | Weight | Rating | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Poulan Pro 967087101 Backpack Leaf Blower | 200 mph | 48.0 cc, 2 stroke | 24.4 lbs | 4.3 | |
 | 2. Husqvarna 150BT Backpack Leaf Blower | 250 mph | 50.2 cc, 2 stroke | 22 lbs | 4.6 | |
 | 3. Makita BBX7600N Backpack Gas Blower | 195 mph | 76.4 cc, 4 stroke | 22.6 lbs | 4.2 | |
 | 4. Troy-Bilt TB4BP EC Backpack Gas Leaf Blower | 150 mph | 32.0 cc, 4 stroke | 21.8 lbs | 3.8 | |
 | 5. Echo PB-580T Backpack Leaf Blower | 215 mph | 58.2 cc, 2 stroke | 22.6 lbs | 4.5 |
#1. Poulan Pro 967087101 48 cc Backpack Leaf Blower
Editor's Rating: 
(4.3 / 5)
The Poulan Pro 967087101 cleans with ease and is powerful. Manufacturers of this unit designed it to be used by homeowners who take their job seriously.
The Poulan Pro 967087101 comes with a 2-cycle gas powered 48 cc engine. This engine model is capable of providing high air speeds of up to 200 mph and a maximum air volume of 475 cfm.
Another feature that causes the unit to stand out is the heavy duty frame. The frame is used to protect and provide the unit as a whole with a prolonged lifespan. The frame can withstand constant vibrations and heavy use. Adding to this is a cruise control feature complete with a variable speed control option and soft grip handles for added convenience and comfort respectively.
Being a fairly heavy unit at 24.4 pounds, carrying this unit by hand would have been a pain in the behind. Now, being a backpack, it helps for the unit to come with oversized, contoured padded and adjustable shoulder straps. These work to significantly reduce the load and amount of strain on the body thus offering superior comfort.
Pros
- Comfortable and adjustable shoulder straps
- High volume and air speeds courtesy of the strong engine
- Heavy duty and highly durable
- Variable cruise control for versatility
Cons
- Some buyers reported the unit arrived with missing components
- Pretty heavy even for a backpack leaf blower
Who Should Buy?
Perfect for individuals who have lawns and gardens saturated with leaves and debris and require a powerful unit to get rid of the leaves fast. Persons looking for a convenient and comfortable unit should also prefer this unit
#2. Husqvarna 150BT Backpack Leaf Blower
Editor's Rating: 
(4.6 / 5)
The leaf blower runs on a 2-cycle 50.2 cc engine. The power is enough to get rid of wet leaves on a hard surface. Speaking of power, you might want to note that the leaf blower generates air speeds of up to 250 mph.
Along with the powerful engine is a powerful fan which makes these speeds achievable with great ease. As for the method of starting, Husqvarna did make plans ahead of time. The X-torque engine the unit features is easy to start. All you need to do is prime the carburetor with air pumping system until all fuel starts to flow in and then close the choke and pull on the starter knob.
The unit is created with harnesses that are padded and that distribute the weight on the shoulders evenly even when you take up odd angles, the 22-pound unit will stay on and feel very comfortable and natural. The hip belt also helps to take away some of the load. As if that is not all, on the back, the unit is vented to help keep your back cool even when working in the hottest months.
Last but not least, you will be pleased to note that the unit is CARB compliant; this is to mean that the emissions of the leaf blower are per the rules and regulations set by the governing bodies.
Pros
- Features a powerful 2-cycle engine
- Generates high air speeds and gives out high air volumes
- CARB compliant hence has minimal emissions
- Easy to start courtesy of the new tech X-torque engine
Cons
- Quite noisy which can be distracting
- The price is quite high
Who Should Buy?
This is perfect for the individuals who are looking to tackle large cleaning projects as a homeowner or a professional. These need strong tools. The Husqvarna 150BT is the best backpack blower for these individuals.
#3. Makita BBX7600N Backpack Gas Blower
Editor's Rating: 
(4.2 / 5)
Makita is known the world over for its professional and quality power tools. It is worth noting that Makita is a top brand in the industry. The company has built a reputation that precedes itself and Makita BBX7600N is one of the products that contributes to the reputation and popularity.
A quick glance and the unit and you will need no one to tell you of the quality this it features. To start with, the unit comes equipped with a 76.4 cc 4-stroke commercial grade engine model. While the engine is powerful, it runs significantly quieter than most units and for longer too. The 4-stroke engine design does not require you to mix fuels. This helps to make the unit easier to use and needing little maintenance. When compared to other units in its class, the product provides for a better fuel consumption and comes with lower fuel requirements.
Makita BBX7600N comes with a decompression system that ensures you have a simple start and that the oil filling port and the drain plug are situated in a place that is very easy to locate when maintenance comes knocking. The air filter with the oversized filter is designed to help in extending the life of the unit by controlling the amount of dust. This filter is easy to get to and most importantly replaceable.
It also is worth mentioning that the shoulder straps of the unit are padded and the back is ventilated and complete with back support for improved comfort. Also, the unit meets the EPA and CARB rules and regulations on emissions.
Pros
- Can run for 2 hours on a single full tank
- The design is EPA and CARB compliant
- The 4-stroke engine is strong to get rid of matted leaves
- Large capacity fuel tank at 64 ounces
Cons
- One of the most expensive models available
- Pretty noisy at 74 dBA (even when using ear protectors)
Who Should Buy?
If you are a sucker for products that are from top grossing brands, you will surely love this unit from Makita. In addition to being from a top brand, the unit is also powerful, comfortable and highly efficient.
#4. Troy-Bilt TB4BP EC Backpack Gas Leaf Blower
Editor's Rating: 
(3.8 / 5)
This blower is a highly powered backpack blower that comes needing no mixing of gas and oil. The unit comes packing high in torque courtesy of the 32 cc 4-cycle engine. The engine produces about 500 cfm in air volume and about 150 mph in air velocity. The engine spins the fan at highs of 8,500 rpm which makes these speed and volume ratings possible.
The unit features a QuickStart technology that makes it very easy to start its engine. You will not need to expend a lot of your energy into starting the unit since this new technology makes everything easy and effortless.
The unit weighs 21.8 pounds. This is relatively heavy even for a unit that is designed to be carried on the back. The manufacturing company knows this and as such, has taken steps to help ease the weight on your back. The unit features a Coolflex design not to mention highly padded and wide straps and belts. These help to distribute the load of the unit evenly thereby reducing the fatigue and ultimately increasing comfort. The Coolflex material use allows for cooler air to circulate on your back to reduce the build-up of heat.
Adding to this is a flex tube that allows you, the user, to maneuver under, over and around objects with great ease. Also, the unit comes with a speed control dial. While the maximum blowing speed is 150 mph, you can vary it depending on your application and use of the unit.
Pros
- Features a patented JumpStart technology
- Lighter than most units at 21.8 pounds
- Extended flexible tube for easy manoeuvrability around objects
- Variable throttle that is fixable at any speed
Cons
- The 150 mph air speed is relatively low
- Features only a single tube attachment
Who Should Buy?
Perfect for individuals who are on a budget but still want to have a powerful machine to help them clean out the huge amounts of leaves on the lawn.
#5. Echo PB-580T Leaf Blower
Editor's Rating: 
(4.5 / 5)
This unit is designed to take anything that you can desire to use on it. The frame is rock solid and designed to support the entire weight of the blower as well as sustain the unit for a long time against wear and tear.
As for being simple, the unit has been designed to be easy and painless to maintain. Running on a 50 cc engine, the unit effortlessly delivers maximum air speeds of up to 215 cfm and air volumes of 510 cfm. With such speeds, you can be sure that the unit will most definitely even when you are working and trying to get rid of matted leaves.
The unit measures a whopping 22.6 pounds. The straps have been padded enough to provide added comfort to the unit. Carrying the unit will be easy even with the heavy nature of the unit. With the high performance of the unit, you expect the unit to be very loud and noisy. Well, while it is loud at 70 dBA, this is fairly lower than what many inferior units in the industry sport.
Pros
- Padded shoulder straps and backrest
- Easy to reach the adjustable throttle
- Strong 58.2 cc 2-stroke engine
- Mechanism for locking the pipe connection
Cons
- Quite loud at 70 dBA
- The filter needs to be changed every so often to remain clean
Who Should Buy?
If you are a professional and need a dependable and high quality blower, one that will help you clear out layers and layers of leaves and help prepare the site before you start on your concrete or asphalt job, this is the unit for you.
Things to Care When Buying Backpack Leaf Blower
#1. Ergonomic Design
Backpack leaf blowers are designed to fit and hug your back perfectly. They are designed to provide more support and make it even easier to use the heavier backpack leaf blower. You should note that while many may be listed as backpack leaf blowers, not all are comfortable enough to handle prolonged periods of cleaning while resting on your shoulders.
The unit that you choose should have strong, padded and wide shoulder straps and even hip straps. All these help to evenly distribute the load of the bag and provide better comfort.
#2. 2-Cycle vs. 4-Cycle Engines
The 2-cycle engines run on a mixture of oil and gas and are often lighter than the 4-cycle engines. The 2-cycle engines also can come packing twice the power a 4-cycle engine has. For the 4-cycle engines, however, they are more similar to car engines in that the gas flow through the tank and the oil into the crankcase. The mode of operation is similar to car engines as well. As such, they tend to be more fuel efficient than the 2-cycle engines and provide more mileage with every full tank.
#3. EPA and CARB Compliant
As a result of environmental pollution, the California Air Resource Board passed a legislation that requires all small engines to meet some rules and regulations with regards to emissions. Leaf blowers and other lawn tools fall under this law. As a California resident, you will need to ensure that the unit you choose meets the CARB rules and regulations.
#4. Price
You obviously have a budget that you are working with. On the market, there are all kinds of units. There are those tagged as expensive and those that are cheap. Before you even head out to shop for a backpack leaf blower, you should know what you have and are willing to spend.
Note that getting the most costly unit does not guarantee you of the best and neither does a cheap unit imply low quality. While making your choice, make an informed decision based on quality compared to the price tag.
Conclusion
Backpack leaf blowers are efficient and powerful enough to get rid of leaves and other debris on the lawns or gardens. They are perfect for use on large pieces of lawns or gardens and sport varying features making each and every unit unique. Equip and arm yourself with the relevant knowledge if you are to enjoy your search and land a powerful and efficient backpack blower.
Resources: popularmechanics, husqvarna, consumerreports
Last Updated on November 21, 2019 by Tom Bradly