We compare the best gas leaf blowers to see which comes out on top
While cordless leaf blowers may be getting all the attention these days, professional gardeners still rely on gas for much of their work. That could change as battery technology improves. We've rounded up the best gas leaf blowers right now to make sure you know which models stand out from the crowd, perform the best and offer the best value for money.
Check out our article on gas vs. battery powered leaf blowers for our thoughts on the differences and how each can play an important role in landscape management and maintenance.
Best Overall Gas Leaf Blower
Stihl BR 800 CE Universal Backpack Blower
Let's get one thing straight – the ECHO PB-9010T technically has more blowing power than the Stihl BR 800 CE Magnum Backpack Leaf Blower. However — and this impressed us a lot — we can't stress enough how awesome the Stihl's side launch is. Once the BR 800 is up and running, simply pull the side handle (located on the left hip) to resume operation. Need to stop and talk? No problem – stop the blower and restart it at will – without taking it off your back.
Of course, the 41 Newtons of blow force this pack generates doesn't make it slouch either. If you want more than Newton spec, this blower delivers over 900 CFM of airflow, and 230 Exit pipe wind speed MPH! With a 4.4 bhp motor and a rated noise output of just 78 dB(A) (despite distances of 50 feet or more), this blower will get the job done. Do you need blowing forces greater than 41 N? Probably not. Until last year, you didn't really have the option to get more. The only downside is that Stihl doesn't offer any backpack blowers with hip throttles. If you want that feature, you'll need to choose a different brand.
Price: $559.99
Most Powerful Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
ECHO PB-9010T Backpack Leaf Blower
ECHO claims this is the most powerful blower in existence. To achieve this, they started with a 79.9cc engine. They then tuned it to deliver a monster of 1110 CFM and 220 MPH. In certification testing, this translates to a force of 48.0 Newtons.
Our tests did not yield the same value. It is higher . That's a full 4 Newtons higher, peaking at 52.0 Newtons on our gauge. Keep in mind that environmental conditions can affect blower power, we don't have a controlled setup in a lab. Regardless, the ECHO PB-9010T is by far the most powerful backpack blower we've tested.
We love everything about this blower—including the large 83.8-ounce translucent fuel tank, comfortable shoulder straps, and conveniently located air filter. The PB-8010 is no slouch, but if you want that extra "oomph" – this tool has it. You can also find it via the hip throttle (ECHO PB-9010H).
Price: $629.99 (either model)
Best Handheld Gas Leaf Blowers
ECHO PB-2620 Blower
We need to determine our options here. You might prefer the extra airspeed of the Husqvarna 525BX flat nozzles…or the Stihl Easy2Start system on the BG 86 CE. In fact, if you have any arm, shoulder, or elbow issues, be sure to check out Stihl. However, the fact that the Echo PB-2620 costs about $60 less than either of these two alternatives makes it an excellent choice for our best handheld gas leaf blower. In addition to that, the Echo makes maintaining this blower easy. You get a 2 year commercial warranty (5 year consumer).
With a blowing force of 15.8N and 172 MPH (maximum) airspeed at the nozzle. This is a beast and we would buy it over any other handheld gas leaf blower on the market.
Price: $229.99
Best Light Duty Gas Leaf Blowers
Husqvarna 525BX Gas Blower
When we got our hands on the Husqvarna 525BX blower in 2015, it made a big impression on us. It still does, combining a lightweight design with plenty of power into one package. At 9.5 lbs (dry weight), we haven't seen another kit pack this punch while maintaining the weight.
With this tool you can get a respectable 459 CFM airflow in the tube plus up to 192 MPH with included flat nozzle (157 mph with round nozzle). With 15N blown, we also knew they weren't going to fudge numbers anywhere to impress us. That's a solid performance for such a lightweight gas blower. Husqvarna has also done a lot of work to reduce the vibration of this blower, making it more comfortable to use.
Price: ~$289.99
The best gas leaf blowers for home use
Troy-Bilt TB27BH 2 Cycle Gas Leaf Blower
We've picked the Troy-Bilt TB27BH for under $140 as our best gas leaf blower for home use. It has a powerful 27cc engine and manages to hit a whopping 450 CFM/205 Combined every hour. It does so while adding great homeowner features like SpringAssist pull-start and extra flex tubes. That curved tube allows you to get into low-lying bushes and other landscape features that would be more difficult with just the straight tube.
Weighing just 10 pounds with a 14-ounce tank capacity, the Troy-Bilt is a powerful yet lightweight gas leaf blower for any homeowner. The fact that it does this for a premium price makes it even better.
Price: $139.99
Best Gas Leaf Blowers and Vacuum Mulchers
Stihl SH 86 CE Gas Shredder, Vacuum/Blower
The Stihl SH 86 CE picks up where most blowers "leave" (you see what I did there?). It adds a three-bladed steel shroud above the impeller to finely chop incoming leaves and debris into fine particles. We chose this shredder/blower/vac because many other models just let the debris go through the plastic impeller and into the bag. Once you grab a stick or some larger debris by mistake, it can quickly cause the impeller to clog (or even break).
The SH 86 CE also benefits from the STIHL Easy2Start system. It's also made in the USA. In blower mode, you'll get 15 Newtons of power at 170 mph with 444 CFM of air. At 12.3 pounds, it's not the lightest device you can carry around. However, since you can hold it with two hands while vacuuming, it's a very flexible tool. You can buy a vacuum/mulch for a lot less, but if you want it to last, probably not.
Price: $319.99
What Is The Best Gas Leaf Blower For The Money?
Craftsman B2200 25cc 2 Cycle 430 CFM Handheld Gas Leaf Blower
The Craftsman B2200 25cc Handheld Gas Leaf Blower delivers up to 430 CFM of air from the tube. With the concentrator nozzle, you can reach airspeeds of 200 MPH to blow away dust and debris when needed. Craftsman's Easy Start has historically remained Easy Start. We like that they have a tool-like rubber grip on the handle.
Other great features include an integrated metal scraper on the front of the tube to help you remove tougher debris without damaging the plastic. At 10.3 pounds, this blower isn't the lightest blower, but it's within a half-pound of the lightest model we've tested in this class. You also get a Craftsman 2-year limited warranty. For all of these reasons—and at $129—we've chosen it as our best gas leaf blower.
Price: $129
Who Makes The Best Gas Leaf Blowers?
Deciding who makes the best gas leaf blowers is no easy task given the number of makes, models, and styles available. Given our real-world testing of many different brands, it's clear that Stihl, Husqvarna and Echo lead the industry in innovation and performance. Of these, Steele has the best dealer network—at least in the US. The last time we looked, Steele had more than 10,000 authorized full-service dealers.
As for who makes the best gas leaf blowers, there are a few caveats to the answer. Our Stihl recommendations above clearly favor the professional user, rancher, or large homeowner. When we move to homeowner value, you start to see some great products from other manufacturers—even consumer-focused brands like Craftsman.
It comes down to build quality, ergonomics, warranty, serviceability and price. These all seem to "rubber band" together, so when you increase some parameters, others respond. In general, we like to pay more for products that offer more and last longer. However, it doesn't always make sense for those who don't need a lot of performance from a gas blower. For someone who only cares about minimal use, spending less makes a lot of sense.
More Gas Leaf Blower Reviews and Testimonials from Brands We Trust
Most of the time, the best cordless impact wrench for you is the one that uses the batteries you already have. If that's you, here are our top recommendations for other brands we trust to get the job done.
Best RedMax Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
When we tested the RedMax EBZ8500, which was still in production, we got the highest Newton force measurements we had ever seen at the time. With a replacement RedMax EBZ8550 (EBZ8550-RH for tube throttle), you get even more power, speed and airflow. With a round nozzle rated at 1077 CFM and 206 MPH, this gas leaf blower produces over 41 Newtons of blowing force. That's pretty impressive, and fans of RedMax know these blowers are built to last. In fact, the only thing preventing it from being our top pick is the sheer convenience of the Stihl's side-start feature.
Price: ~$589.99
Best Ryobi Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
As the base model of the Ryobi 40V RY40440 backpack blower, the Ryobi RY38BP produces 175 MPH airspeed with 760 CFM airflow. This 20-pound blower features a recoil start and anti-shock system to reduce stress on your back and shoulders. The only thing missing is the belt (which we think is an unfortunate oversight). Professionals generally don't use belts, but consumers who aren't used to wearing backpack dryers can really benefit from the added weight distribution. This is the absolute best Ryobi gas leaf blower as the RY38BP backpack model is 240 CFM and 15 mph.
Price: $229
Best Homelite Gas Leaf Blower
Homelite doesn't make many blowers, but we prefer the Homelite UT26HBV to the smaller UT09525. It adds cruise control and includes the ability to vacuum leaves when needed. For $20 more, the vacuum kit and better build quality make a lot of sense. This blower is great for those who don't need a lot of power and don't intend to use the tool for more than 30 minutes a week. It's not that the tool can't handle more, but overall we think it's a lighter tool.
Price: $119
best makita blower
Makita announced in 2020 that it will stop producing engine products on March 31, 2022. Anyway, we really like the performance of their Makita MM4 4 cycle backpack blower, it has very low vibration. If you really want to get a teal gas blower before you can no longer buy one, the Makita EB7660TH 4-Stroke Backpack Blower is in stock. 75.6cc engine produces 706 CFM and 206 Pipeline space velocity MPH. Thanks to the muffler and four-stroke technology, this blower sounds quieter than most backpack blowers. Since they discontinued the BBX7600N, the EB7660TH is the best Makita gas blower you can buy…if you can find it.
Price: $599
Best Poulan Pro Blower
Poulan Pro offers a variety of leaf blowers including backpack and handheld. There's a lot of competition in this space, so shop around and focus on some of our recommendations above first. We actually prefer the Poulan Pro's handheld blowers for their lower price and features. For around $115, you can pick up a powerful PRB26. This is an excellent price if you don't need to blow off an acre of maple leaves. If you want a blower/vac combo, the 25cc PPBV25 is your ticket for about $50 more.
Price: ~$163 (PPBV25) and ~$115 (PRB26)
Best Shindaiwa Gas Leaf Blowers
When we were trying to find the best backpack leaf blower, we liked the Shindaiwa EB802. The Shindaiwa EB910RT puts that model to shame. Not only is the EB910RT (or EB910) the best Shindaiwa leaf blower, it's a 1110 CFM (48N) beast that can blow out air at speeds up to 220 MPH. Best of all, it offers an air-cooling system through the back pad to keep you cool while you work—something you don't often find among professional brands. You get a carbon fiber frame and a wear ring for scraping debris without damaging the plastic tubing. You can also get blowers with hip or tub throttles. This Shindaiwa backpack runs loud – but you'll also get a lot done while using it.
Price: Starting at $379
What We Look For When Evaluating And Testing Gas Leaf Blowers
Newton force
Like it or not, a blower really comes down to two things: air volume and airspeed. The thing is, you can change one at the expense of the other. We've found that a good way to balance it and get an idea of the real blow force is to measure the ANSI Newton force at the end of the nozzle. This allows us to establish a standardized test that we can replicate across all manufacturers and models. It works with battery blowers, gas leaf blowers, backpack blowers, and any combination of the former.
When we started measuring Newton force using force gauges and ANSI specifications, we quickly realized the difference between battery operated and gas powered leaf blowers. Gas leaf blowers still hold the lead – by a considerable margin. For this reason, professional gardeners prefer to blow leaves with gas, although more and more people are using battery-operated products "strategicly".
Air volume (CFM)
While Newton's force gives us an idea of overall blowing power, air volume (expressed in CFM, or cubic feet per minute) tells you how much work the hair dryer is doing. We think of CFM as a measure of how much material you can move with this blower. A thick layer of dry leaves on a beautiful green lawn. All things being equal, a leaf blower with a higher CFM should blow leaves faster and more efficiently than a tool with a lower CFM rating.
Airspeed (MPH)
The other side of the equation is air velocity. Measured in miles per hour (MPH), this rating tells you how much air is expelled from the tip of the nozzle. Why is this important? A higher wind speed should help you move sticky or wet foliage more easily than a tool with a lower wind speed. Combine a high wind speed with a relatively high CFM and you have yourself a very powerful leaf blower.
size and weight
For professional gardeners, heavier backpack blowers may not bother them too much. However, if you could get more air volume, speed and power from a lighter package… wouldn't you want to? We consider overall weight and size when making our selections, and pay special attention to handheld leaf blowers that would really benefit from the reduced weight.
Of course, less powerful blowers are usually lighter and smaller. As a result, the spec tends to be more aggressively weighted toward home owners and hand-held tools.
easy to start
As you can probably tell from our top picks above, the ease of use really impressed us. Over time, overcoming the compression of a 2-stroke motor can cause repetitive stress injuries in some people. We like the spring-assisted start system that helps with this process.
Most gas leaf blowers use a more complicated clogging process for the first start, then subsequent starts are easier. Stihl takes advantage of this with its side-mounted starter handle. Once the knapsack leaf blower is started, subsequent starts can be done without removing the tool from your back. We cannot stress enough how convenient this is for professional operators who may need to stop and talk to co-workers or customers while operating a backpack blower.
fuel efficiency
While not a big deal, one thing we check when possible is the fuel efficiency of the blower. We also combine this with the size of the gas tank so we can calculate how long you'll be running before you need to top up. A knapsack leaf blower with a small fuel tank and poor fuel efficiency wastes time refueling too often throughout the day.
price and value
As always, value is an important part of what we see with any tool. It's not about which one is the cheapest, it's about doing a good job while getting the most bang for your buck.
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