Not everyone has time for a bunch of heavy lifting, folks. Some people are willing to lug around heavy pieces of machinery while they work on their garden, but MOST people do not want to be burdened with such a daunting task. So what do people do when they don’t want to lift their heavy leaf blowers? The answer is simple:
They buy the best backpack leaf blower, instead!
Contents
Are Backpack Leaf Blowers Worth It?
Oh, absolutely!
Not everybody is blessed with a small, easy to manage lawn. Those of us with medium-sized to large-sized lawns aren’t as easily able to simply use a rake or shovel to do away with our unwanted leaves and naturesque debris. When that’s the case, people can purchase leaf blowers to make the job a lot easier. With leaf blowers, you can simply whisk away all of those unwanted substances from your yard and clean up your yard in a much smaller amount of time than you would just simply doing it manually.
And backpack leaf blowers?
Why, that’s even better!
Just think about it, you can get all of that hard work done in little to no time AND take the strain off your muscles when you do it. With less tension in your arms, you can instead use your back strength to carry the weight for you. Our backs are typically much sturdier, so they can endure much more than arm muscles alone. It’s not a bad thing to consider when you buy one of these things, right?
How To Use A Backpack Leaf Blower?
It’s true that backpack leaf blower controls can vary per brand and model, which is why lists like these are made in the first place. Nevertheless, garden blowers still have a similar framework about them which makes them fairly straightforward to use regardless of model and brand. For instance, all of them have straps for putting your arms through (hence the name “backpack leaf blower”). They also have an elongated rod or hose that you can twist around and blow (or suck) unwanted debris from your precious property.
In order to use these awesome pieces of equipment, first you have to pick the area you want to work at. Normally with other types of leaf blowers, such as corded electric, you’ll need to stay fairly close to your house so you can have an endless supply of power going to your gizmo. Thankfully you don’t really have to worry about that with backpack leaf blowers, as they’re built to be portable. However, you still want to work at a feasible angle so you don’t make any kind of mess.
Next, aim your nozzle down toward the ground before turning your backpack leaf blower on. This will prevent any unwanted debris from hitting all around you before you’re really prepared. Once you ARE ready, however, turn that blower on and slowly raise the nozzle up. Be sure to hold the nozzle to your side so you can get a safe angle for the debris that’s sure to flail around in the whirlwind.
What Makes A Great Backpack Leaf Blower?
Well, we’ve briefly stated already what a couple super important factors are when it comes to buying backpack leaf blowers. Given that these models work a bit differently than standard leaf blowers, there’s a bit more to take in and acknowledge before you make your final purchasing decision. Seeing as how most backpack leaf blowers are cordless or powered by a free source such as gasoline and oil, there’s absolutely no need to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on a CARB Compliant generator. So that’s one burden you can wipe your hands clean of!
What IS important, however, is the overall weight of your garden blower. Even with the straps holding the machine to your back, you still want to be sure it’s not too heavy for you to handle for an extended period of time. After all, the human body can only put up with so much before it gives out completely. The lighter the backpack leaf blower, the more portable it is for you.
Another important quality about backpack leaf blowers is their overall runtime. For gas leaf blowers, this means the fuel capacity in which the blower can run until it runs out. With battery powered leaf blowers, this obviously refers to their battery life. This also ties in with their complete power level, which you can see when the product listing mentions their designed range for CFM and MPH.
Last but not least, you need to consider a backpack leaf blower level of control as well as their noise threshold. How well can you maneuver the nozzle hanging from your back? Can you control the speed level? How loud is the backpack leaf blower? These are all important things to take into consideration!
Who Should Use A Backpack Leaf Blower?
Anybody can use a backpack leaf blower!
Well, just about anyone, anyway.
When looking at the Amazon backpack leaf blowers available to you, you can usually tell by the leaf blower reviews alone whether or not you’d personally be satisfied with the product. Of course, we encourage you to read ALL of the reviews and not just the negative ones. A very common problem when shopping for tools on the internet is that people, despite being met with primarily good reviews for garden tools, will only take stock in the worst reviews. We’re each guilty of this to some degree, which is why we should stop that “glass is half empty” mentality sooner than later!
Some important things to consider before purchasing a backpack leaf blower as its weight, power level, price, warranty, and run time.
Thankfully, we go over all these things in the next section!
Top 5 Best Backpack Leaf Blowers Reviews 2021
Comparison Chart
|
Our Rating |
Image |
Product |
CFM/MPH Level |
Powered By |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#1 (Editor’s Choice!) |  | Husqvarna 965877502 |
Gasoline |
692.17 CFM / 180 MPH |
22.5 lbs. |
|
#2 |  | Husqvarna 967144301 360BT |
Gasoline |
Garden Tractor |
23.5 lbs. |
|
#3 | | Husqvarna 150BT |
Gasoline |
Garden Tractor |
22.5 lbs. |
|
#4 |  | Poulan Pro PR48BT |
Gasoline |
Garden Tractor |
22 lbs. |
|
#5 |  | Greenworks BPB80L2510 |
Lithium-Ion Batteries |
Garden Tractor |
14.64 lbs. |
Top 5 Best Backpack Leaf Blowers On The Market Reviews
1 Husqvarna 965877502
While not the most powerful backpack blower, gas leaf blower reviews all state very clearly that this backpack leaf blower model is the absolute best backpack leaf blower that’s being sold across the globe. The Husqvarna 965877502, also known as the 350 BT, is built with unique technology that, despite the garden blower being ultimately powered by gasoline and oil, helps protect the environment. It’s not full-proof, but it keeps about 60% of harmful fumes inside the chamber rather than out in the open air. If you ask us, that’s MUCH MORE than what most gas leaf blower models offer!
The backpack leaf blower can also work very well as a commercial leaf blower due to the bulky packs it can be bought in. However, we personally think that one of our later entrants featured on this list is a better option for commercial, as this model can be a tad expensive. Of course, all of the leaf blowers on this list are fairly pricey. But still, the thought matters here!
PROS
- Can be bought by itself or in packs up to five
- Special technology reduces harmful fume exhaustion by 60%
- Very great at preserving fuel
- Handle helps ease weight a little bit
- Very little vibrations
- Comes with cruise control
- Very powerful garden blower
- 2-stroke engine
CONS
- Expensive even when bought by itself
- Can be heavy
2 Husqvarna 967144301 360BT
As you finish up reading about the number one entrant one this list, you may be thinking to yourself,”What is the best backpack leaf blower for the money?” Well we can tell you right now, ladies and gentlemen. Despite it only being number two on this list, we can say with utmost certainty that the Husqvarna 967144301 360BT is without a doubt the most powerful backpack blower on the market. We’re totally serious when we state this face, folks.
You know how we know that?
Because this bad-boy has THE longest MPH to CFM ratio of all the other options on this list. With an impressive capping level of 631 CFM / 232 MPH, this backpack leaf blower is a total beast. It won’t take any prisoners as every loose bit of debris can and will be obliterated by the forceful winds. Be prepared to work with this force of nature, ladies and gentlemen!
Don’t worry, it’s not strong enough to damage your house.
Well, unless you live in an anthill.
But we’ll assume you don’t!
PROS
- Ultra powerful
- Air purge system makes for easy-breezy start-up
- Special technology reduces harmful fume exhaustion by 60%
- Very great at preserving fuel
- Handle helps ease weight a little bit
- Comes with cruise control
- Great air filter, 2-stroke engine
CONS
- Expensive
- Can be heavy
- Loud
3 Husqvarna 150BT
The 150BT is yet another great option from the geniuses at Husqvarna. This backpack leaf blower is a bombastic choice for those of you who want the same performance as the 360BT, but less power. After all, the sheer massive amount of wind power that can be achieved in the previous model is sometimes considered overkill for years that do not require the force behind their leaf blowing. For the same quality in lower doses, go with this bad boy right here!
PROS
- Comes with cruise control
- Special technology reduces harmful fume exhaustion by 60%
- Very great at preserving fuel
- Very little vibrations
- Has an automatic stop switch installed
- Very powerful garden blower
CONS
- Expensive
- Can be heavy
4 Poulan Pro PR48BT
This gas powered commercial backpack leaf blower is something you can absolutely brag home about to your mom and dad! Being the next best thing aside from a Husqvarna model, the Poulan Pro PR48BT is a great alternative for those looking for something more commercial. True, you can arguably use Husqvarna models for commercialized work, as they dispose of unwanted leaves and debris all the same. However, as far as gas leaf blowers are concerned, this model is the best leaf blower for long term commercial work.
Thanks to the bundle deal transpiring on Amazon, you can get away with buying not one, not two, not even three or four…but FIVE of these backpack leaf blowers! Keep in mind that, while the number one entrant has this feature as well, this can be bought at a MUCH better bargain. You don’t have to do this, of course. However, you can get five of these babies for an awfully good deal considering the typically range of allocated business funds. If you’re a business owner and you want multiple employees working on leaf blowing, look no further than Poulan Pro!
PROS
- Can be bought by itself or in packs up to five
- 2-stroke engine
- Comes with cruise control
- Very easy to operate
- Speed control very easy to operate
- Very powerful garden blower
CONS
- Expensive even when bought by itself
- Can be heavy
5 Greenworks BPB80L2510
Didn’t think you’d see an electric leaf blower on our list today, did you ladies and gentlemen?
The Greenworks BPB80L2510 is, hands down, the best leaf blower for anyone who is sick and tired of having to rely on gasoline to get any results. Despite all all but one of these options today being gas-guzzling beasts, rest assured that you do not HAVE to go with a fuel-supported option to get all of that unwanted debris out of your yard. The aim of Greenworks is very clear, as they make it perfectly clear that their loyalty is to the environment rather than consuming fossil fuels. It may not be the cheapest option today, but it’s very much the safest.
This bad-boy weighs around 15 lbs, which can be light or heavy depending on you. Some of you have no issue lifting things this heavy, but others may struggle. This is why we can’t consider this a pro or con for this product. But you know what CAN be considered a pro, regardless of how you look at it?
The level of control this electric leaf blower gives you!
Whether it be speed, power, or even maneuverability, the Greenworks BPB80L2510 is everything a man or woman could possibly want with a backpack leaf blower. Cruise control is there to help you keep your speed and maneuverability in check, speed control is there to help with speed fluctuation, and intensity of air can be altered with your power settings. And with a battery warranty lasting you a good two years, you’re guaranteed to get a great performance out of this guy for a long time coming. It wouldn’t be on this list if we didn’t have utmost confidence in its abilities!
PROS
- Can be bought with battery charger
- Battery warranty is good for two years
- Very powerful garden blower
- Speed control very easy to operate
- Comes with cruise control
- Ideal for the eco-friendly crowd!
CONS
- Expensive (regardless if bought with or without a battery charger)
Additional Tips
Yes ladies and gentlemen, at least a little bit of finesse is required when using a sophisticated tool such as a backpack leaf blower. Aside from strapping it to your back and blowing, you still need to treat the device as any other leaf blower and/or vacuum. A little technique and planning goes a long way when using backpack leaf blowers, and we’re here to give you that little extra push needed for you to shine. Take a gander at five great tips to using your backpack leaf blower:
#1. Dry Up Before Firing Up: If your backpack leaf blower is damp for whatever reason, please do yourself a favor and dry that sucker off before firing it up. If you neglect to do this, you risk short-circuiting your backpack leaf blower and ultimately causing it to malfunction and die. Then you’ll end up leaving a negative review on Amazon or wherever else because your tool died before you could get any real use out of it (okay, maybe you won’t. But you wouldn’t believe how many people have bad-mouthed leaf blowers for this very reason!). Moral of this story? Keep your leaf blower in a secure, dry place and double check for any spontaneous water leaks!
#2. Know Where You’re Blowing: This goes without saying, but be sure you aren’t accidentally making a giant mess all over your yard. Select a proper angle and start blowing that debris away. Don’t deviate from this direction at any point unless you stopped your garden blower long enough to dispose of the unwanted debris in a way that wouldn’t risk it getting all over your grass again. You’ll save yourself much more time and work this way!
If you’re wanting to blow your leaves south of your yard, you don’t want to blow North and risk getting all of that unwanted debris more scattered on your property. Pick a direction and stick to it. We promise that your yard will only benefit from the static flow!
#3. When It’s Too Loud, Attach!: If you’re finding that your backpack leaf blower is a little too loud for you (and your neighbor’s) liking, you can always attach extra rods and tools to your blower. Just about any attachment you can think of will work in suppressing the noise level of your backpack leaf blower. Not only will it help with the noise, it will also make your garden blower even more useful than it was before. Imagine it, your leaf blower could also mulch, bag, vacuum, and so much more! That’s a great deal, if you ask us!
#4. DO Wear Protective Gear: We’re talking gloves, long pants, boots, safety goggles, and possibly a helmet, if you feel the need to wear one. While a lot of you use these tools for what the name suggests, there are also those of you who want to blow away much more than just leaves. Regardless of whether you’re blowing or vacuuming, there’s ALWAYS a possibility that some loose chunks of debris will smack you right in the face. If you aren’t wearing some form of protection, then that simple smack could cause a lot more damage than you think.
Think tetanus, blindness, scratches, cuts, bruises…you get the picture.
Wear protective gear!
#5. DON’T Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing: As much as some of us love feeling fancy with our long coats (it IS Autumn, after all!), it’s not recommended to wear coats or any other kind of loose clothing while using your backpack leaf blower. The reason for this is that your loose clothes could get caught in the whirlwind of air blowing or vacuuming in. Not only could you hurt yourself by letting this happen, but you could also permanently damage your garden blower. So please heed this warning and be careful!
Concluding Thoughts
Leaves aren’t much to be afraid of, but dusty debris full of pricks and thorns?
Nah!
You ain’t gotta be scared of that when you’ve got a nifty backpack leaf blower on your back!
With these five superb choices at your disposal, you can breathe easy knowing that a clean lawn can be attained with just a swish and flick of a light tube attached to a device strapped to your back. With awesome brands such as Poulan Pro, Husqvarna and Greenworks, you just KNOW that you’re only the best hands. While we have our own rating, only you can ultimately decide which of these options is the best backpack leaf blower for you. So what are you waiting for? Go experiment!
Sarah Eberle qualified and became a member of the Landscape Institute in 1980. Over the last 26 years she has practised landscape architecture and garden design, running her own business in Devon.
During the 1990s, Sarah joined Hillier Landscapes as Design Director, where she is still a shareholder but also runs her own practice in Hampshire.
Sarah has an esteemed record in RHS shows, having won eight Gold medals, Best in Show and the George Cook award for innovation twice at Hampton Court. Sarah has also exhibited at Tatton Park and BBC Gardeners’ World Live.