10 Best Backpack Leaf Blowers of 2023 [Reviews]

As leaves pile up on your front lawn, a backpack leaf blower can save you the backache and time of raking them. To help you choose the right tool for your fall-cleanup needs, we scouted the market and gathered our 10 best backpack leaf blowers. 

We ranked each leaf blower in various performance categories that homeowners find most important. Shopping on a budget? Find out which backpack leaf blower will give you the best bang for your buck. Need a leaf blower that isn’t too heavy? We have you covered there, too. 

Check out our list of the 10 top backpack leaf blowers — 3 best overall backpack leaf blowers and 7 best backpack leaf blowers in various categories. We’ll weigh the pros and cons of each backpack leaf blower, review the specifications, and even show you how we measured their performance. 

Top 3 Backpack Leaf Blowers [Reviews]

1. Husqvarna 570BTS

This commercial backpack leaf blower packs a punch. Its price may raise an eyebrow or two, but once you start up the gas engine and feel the power run through this popular piece of equipment, you’ll be glad you made the investment.  

The Husqvarna 570BTS is perfect for homeowners who need a powerful machine to do the hard work with little effort. Live near a deciduous forest, have piles of wet leaves, or battling hills that make yard work harder? Then this monster may be the leaf blower you need to strap to your back. 

Specifications: 

• MPH: 236.2 mph
• CFM: 768 cfm
• Weight: 24.5 lbs
• Noise: 110 dB (A)
• Engine: 65.6 cc
• Fuel capacity: 74.4 fl oz

Pros: 

✓ 2-cycle engine has a 50:1 gas to oil mix ratio that increases fuel efficiency by up to 20%
✓ Delivers 60% fewer exhaust emissions
✓ Has a large fuel capacity at 74.4 fl oz
✓ Easily adjustable soft-grip handle for comfort
✓ The dual-stage air filter ensures extended operations in dusty conditions.
✓ Has cruise control

Cons:

✗ Expensive
✗ Noisy, at 110 dB
✗ May be too powerful for some homeowners to operate.
✗ Heavy, at 24.5 pounds

2. Echo PB-770T

Keeping $50 more in your wallet, generating less noise, and performing almost as well as our top pick, the Echo PB-770T Backpack Leaf Blower is sure to turn some heads. And did we mention it’s nearly a pound lighter too?

This powerful backpack leaf blower — with a 234 mph and a 756 cfm — is so much fun to use you may volunteer to clean up your neighbor’s yard. And with this backpack leaf blower’s flexible tube and wide-angle tube rotation, you’ll have an easier time blowing away the leaves hiding behind your own tool shed or compost bin. 

Invest in the Echo PB-770T Backpack Leaf Blower and you’ll be buying from a company that values environmental awareness. ECHO is committed to reducing emissions and contributing to conservation initiatives. ECHO also offers a 5-year consumer warranty and a 2-year commercial warranty. 

Specifications: 

• MPH: 234 mph
• CFM: 756 cfm
• Weight: 23.8 lbs
• Noise: 73 dB (A)
• Engine: 63.3 cc
• Fuel capacity: 68.3 fl oz

Pros: 

✓ Padded straps and backrest for comfort
✓ Vented back pad for comfort in hot weather
✓ Cruise control
✓ Low decibel level relative to its impressive power

Cons:

✗ Heavy at 23.8 pounds
✗ 756 cfm may be too powerful for some users
✗ Expensive 

3. Husqvarna 360BT

The Husqvarna 360BT is the perfect backpack leaf blower for homeowners who don’t want to enter the commercial zone. With a 631 CFM, this leaf blower brings you to the cusp of professionalism without blowing you into the neighbor’s vegetable patch. As Goldilocks would say, it’s just right!

Like our No. 1 performer Husqvarna 570BTS, the Husqvarna 360BT increases fuel efficiency by up to 20% and delivers 60% fewer exhaust emissions. Its air purge also removes air from the carburetor and fuel system to make for an easier startup.

How we measured: For our top three performers, we ranked their performances using a performance index formula: (MPH x CFM) x .0001 = Performance Index. The higher the index, the better the performance rate.

Specifications: 

• MPH: 232 mph
• CFM: 631 cfm
• Weight: 23.2 lbs
• Noise: 111 dB (A)
• Engine: 65.6 cc
• Fuel capacity: 74.4 fl oz

Pros:

✓ Large gas tank
✓ High engine cc 
✓ Allows for full blowing force with minimal arm strain. The offset handle makes the equipment easier to control by preventing the blowing force from pulling the operator’s arm downward.
✓ Increases fuel efficiency by up to 20% and delivers 60% fewer exhaust emissions.
✓ The air purge removes air from the carburetor and fuel system to make for an easier startup.
✓ Cruise control
✓ Controls placed for easy access.
✓ Adjustable blow tube length

Cons:

✗ Noisy at 111 decibels
✗ Expensive

7 Backpack Leaf Blower Category Champs [Reviews]

1. Husqvarna 130BT

If you’re a homeowner with a small yard or prefer to avoid the force that comes with high CFM leaf blowers, it’s best to opt for a leaf blower with a CFM between 200 and 400. Equipped with a 360.21 CFM. The Husqvarna 130BTT is a handy leaf blower for removing a light blanket of dry leaves or grass clippings off the sidewalk or driveway. 

The Husqvarna 130BT is also lightweight, which means you can get plenty of work done without the fatigue that comes with heavier equipment. Combine its weight with its lower CFM, and you have a leaf blower perfect for easy use and simple leaf removal. 

Specifications: 

• CFM: 360.21 cfm
• Weight: 14.7 lbs
• MPH: 145 mph
• Noise: 102 dB (A)
• Engine: 29.5 cc
• Fuel capacity: 28.74 fl oz

Pros: 

✓ Lightweight
✓ Cruise control
✓ Removes air from the carburetor and fuel system for easier starting
✓ Controls are easy to access
✓ Adjustable tube length
✓ Adjustable handle
✓ Padded harness shaped to fit the contours of the operator

Cons:

✗ Noisy at 102 decibels
✗ Not designed for demanding projects

2. RYOBI RY40440

Finally, a backpack leaf blower that lets you work without the exhaust fumes, gas, and obnoxious noise. Say goodbye to refilling your old leaf blower’s gas tank, and say hello to a more eco-friendly option: battery-powered leaf blowers. 

You may prefer gas backpack leaf blowers for their mighty horsepower, but the battery-powered Ryobi RY40440 offers a high performance — even better than some gas leaf blowers on the market. 

And it’s among the quietest leaf blowers too, at only 59 decibels. With a 145 MPH and a 625 CFM, you’ll be surprised by what this quiet battery-powered backpack leaf blower can do. 

And if you already have Ryobi products or batteries in your garage, this leaf blower comes with a 40V 5ah lithium-ion battery that is compatible with more than 40 tools in the Ryobi 40V system. And if you already have the 40V lithium-ion battery handy from another piece of Ryobi equipment you bought, it will be compatible with this leaf blower.  

Specifications: 

• MPH: 145 mph
• CFM: 625 cfm
• Weight: 27 lbs
• Noise: 59 dB (A)

Pros: 

✓ Among the quietest leaf blowers on the market
✓ Cruise control
✓ Better for the environment than a gas leaf blower
✓ Variable speed throttle
✓ Full power until the end of the battery’s charge (no fading performance)
✓ Adjustable shoulder straps 
✓ Contoured back
✓ Battery and charger included
✓ Brushless motor

Cons:

✗ Heavy at 27 pounds
✗ Short battery run time
✗ Not as powerful as high performing gas leaf blowers

3. Greenworks BPB80L00 80V

Want an eco-friendly battery leaf blower but don’t want the 27 pounds that comes with the Ryobi RY40440? The Greenworks BPB80L00 80V may be what you’re looking for. 

Weighing in at only 11.7 pounds (and that’s including the battery), the Greenworks BPB80L00 80V will fit comfortably on your back. And you won’t need to sacrifice its overall performance for the added comfort. 

Specifications: 

• MPH: 145 mph
• CFM: 580 cfm
• Weight: 11.7 lbs
• Noise: 60 dB (A)

Pros: 

✓ Remains lightweight even with the battery
✓ More eco-friendly than a gas-powered leaf blower
✓ Variable speed trigger and turbo button
✓ Cruise control
✓ Compatible with 80V Battery Model 2901302 

Cons:

✗ Battery and charger not included on Amazon (though this is subject to change). 
✗ Cannot take on the same heavy-duty jobs as a high performing gas leaf blower

4. Echo PB-770T

Need a gas leaf blower that’s easy on the muscles but still puts on an excellent performance? Take a look back at our runner-up performer: the Echo PB-770T. 

Most high performing gas leaf blowers are going to be between 20 and 25 pounds. You may be thinking a couple of pounds’ difference won’t be noticeable, but when the sun beats down on you and effort is necessary to control a powerful machine, that added weight becomes noticeable fast. 

The Echo PB-770T weighs in at 23.8 pounds, and though not the lightest gas leaf blower on our list, it’s the best lightweight gas leaf blower if you don’t want to sacrifice performance and power. 

Specifications: 

• MPH: 234 mph
• CFM: 756 cfm
• Weight: 23.8 lbs
• Noise: 73 dB (A)
• Engine: 63.3 cc
• Fuel capacity: 68.3 fl oz

Pros: 

✓ Padded straps and backrest for comfort
✓ Vented back pad for comfort in hot weather
✓ Cruise control
✓ Low decibel level relative to its impressive power

Cons:

✗ Heavy at 23.8 pounds
✗ 756 CFM may be too powerful for some users
✗ Expensive 

5. RYOBI RY40440

The RYOBI RY40440 ranks No. 1 in yet another category. In addition to being our top-performing battery pick, it’s going to give you the best bang for your buck. Shopping on a budget and searching for an environmentally friendly product? Then the RYOBI RY40440 ought to be at the top of your list. 

With a strong performance of 145 MPH and 625 CFM, the RYOBI RY40440 will cost you around $300 on Amazon. 

So what do we mean by the best bang for your buck? Well, for starters, we didn’t award this category to the “cheapest” battery leaf blower. Why? Because sometimes, when you buy the cheapest of any product, you’ll be sacrificing a whole lot on quality. 

Instead, we gave this category to the battery leaf blower that offered the best performance at the best price. We want you to keep your wallet full without losing out on quality performance. 

Specifications:

• MPH: 145 mph
• CFM: 625 cfm
• Weight: 27 lbs
• Noise: 59 dB (A)

Pros: 

✓ Among the quietest leaf blowers on the market
✓ Cruise control
✓ Better for the environment than a gas leaf blower
✓ Variable speed throttle
✓ Full power until the end of the battery’s charge (no fading performance)
✓ Adjustable shoulder straps 
✓ Contoured back
✓ Battery and charger included
✓ Brushless motor

Cons:

✗ Heavy at 27 pounds
✗ Short battery run time
✗ Not as powerful as high performing gas leaf blowers

6. RYOBI RY38BP

With a 175 MPH and a 760 CFM, the gas-powered Ryobi RY38BP will run you about $275 on Amazon –– about half as much as some gas leaf blowers on this list. 

And just as with the “best battery leaf blower for your money,” we made sure not to rank the Ryobi RY38BP purely based on “cheapness.” We don’t want you to break your piggy bank, but we also don’t want those leaf piles to be stronger than your actual leaf blower. 

Specifications: 

• MPH: 175 mph
• CFM: 760 cfm
• Weight: 24 lbs
• Noise: 75.5 dB (A)
• Engine: 38 cc
• Fuel capacity: 30 fl oz

Pros: 

✓ Variable speed trigger
✓ Cruise control
✓ Adjustable straps 
✓ Contoured back
✓ Engine positioned for increased efficiency.
✓ Not too loud compared to other gas leaf blowers

Cons:

✗ Heavy at 24 pounds
✗ MPH not as high as other gas blowers with a similar CFM

7. Echo PB-770T

Our runner-up performer Echo PB-770T is making another appearance here on our list. We told you before it has a low sound measurement relative to its high CFM and MPH performance, but what we didn’t tell you is the Echo PB-770T ranks No. 1 in best performance and best sound combined. 

So what does that mean? It means you and your neighbors won’t be complaining about leaf blowers generating over 100 decibels of noise. And you don’t need to lose out on high performance just because you need a quiet leaf blower. 

It’s difficult to make high performance and low sound go hand in hand. After all, the harder the equipment needs to work, the more sound it’s naturally going to make. But the Echo PB-770T seems to do it all and is designed just right to deliver highly in both. 

Specifications: 

• MPH: 234 mph
• CFM: 756 cfm
• Weight: 23.8 lbs
• Noise: 73 dB (A)
• Engine: 63.3 cc
• Fuel capacity: 68.3 fl oz

Pros: 

✓ Padded straps and backrest for comfort
✓ Vented back pad for comfort in hot weather
✓ Cruise control
✓ Has a low dB (A) relative to its impressive power

Cons:

✗ Heavy at 23.8 pounds
✗ 756 CFM may be too powerful for some users
✗ Expensive 

Buyers Guide

We’ve just shown you our top 10 picks and what makes each leaf blower a winner. The next step is figuring out which backpack leaf blower meets your needs. 

How do you choose between a battery-operated or gas-operated leaf blower? Does that high powered battery leaf blower really have a 60-minute run time? Let’s go over the basics to finding the right backpack leaf blower before laying down the big bucks. 

Yard size and project size

First, consider how demanding your project is and your yard’s size. If you have a small yard that only receives a few dry leaves every autumn, we recommend a leaf blower that isn’t going to blast you over the moon. 

A backpack leaf blower with a CFM between 200 and 400 will get the job done with ease for small yards or small projects.

If you have a large yard and leaves are falling on your turf left and right, you’ll likely want a leaf blower that will help you get more done with less effort. Aim for a leaf blower with a CFM between 400 and 700 CFM for those more demanding tasks. 

If you need a commercial-grade leaf blower to tackle those heavy-duty projects, call your local lawn care company, or opt for a leaf blower with a CFM over 700. Ensure you know how to safely operate a high performing leaf blower before you strap it to your back. 

Battery vs. gas

Our list includes both battery- and gas-powered backpack leaf blowers. Both leaf blower types have their advantages and disadvantages. 

The advantage of gas leaf blowers is that they can reach higher CFMs and MPHs than most battery-powered leaf blowers. Their high performance makes gas leaf blowers especially useful for moving heavy debris. Users also have more control over the run time because they can refill the tank with gas whenever needed. 

The downsides to gas leaf blowers are that they’re high maintenance and emit exhaust fumes that are unhealthy for the user and the environment. They also tend to be much louder than battery leaf blowers. 

If you want a more eco-friendly option, a battery-powered backpack leaf blower may be a better option. They don’t emit harmful exhaust fumes, and many are designed to be as powerful as some gas leaf blowers on the market. 

The disadvantage of battery-powered leaf blowers is recharging the batteries and the shorter run times. A battery leaf blower running on its highest CFM and MPH may lose juice in about 15 or 20 minutes and need to recharge for about an hour. 

Comfort

When you’re operating a backpack leaf blower all afternoon in the hot sun, the job won’t get any easier when the leaf blower is uncomfortable to carry. 

If a comfortable leaf blower is necessary, consider buying a backpack leaf blower with an ergonomic design, padded shoulder straps, or a contoured back. 

Another comfort factor to consider is weight, especially if back pain is a concern. Battery backpack leaf blowers tend to weigh much less than gas leaf blowers. But if a gas backpack leaf blower is the tool you need, even opting for one that is a couple of pounds lighter can make all the difference. 

Sound 

Before buying your leaf blower, it’s a good idea to check its decibel rating, written as dB (A). 

Several cities and counties have local ordinances in place to limit noise pollution. Your leaf blower may fall under what your local law considers to be too loud. 

As an effort to control noise pollutants, some areas have a noise restriction, complete leaf blower ban, or set time of day that allows leaf blower use. 

To avoid paying a fine, check your local ordinances to ensure your leaf blower’s dB (A) is appropriate for your area.

Run time

When shopping for your new backpack leaf blower, keep in mind that run time can sometimes be misleading, which is particularly true for battery-powered leaf blowers. 

So how do some advertisements exaggerate the numbers? In some cases, they’ll advertise the leaf blower as having a certain run time without specifying at which speed or air volume setting. 

For example, you may spot a powerful leaf blower that’s advertised to have a 60-minute run time. But is that a 60-minute run time at the most powerful setting, or is it only on the lowest setting? Sometimes the advertisement won’t specify. 

Take a closer look at the owner’s manual, and you may find that the leaf blower only has a 60-minute run time at the lowest setting and 15-minute run time at the highest setting. 

So before you swipe the credit card for a leaf blower you believe will run for one full hour on its highest MPH and CFM, you may want to double-check the owner’s manual for accurate run time readings. 

Need assistance operating a professional gas backpack leaf blower? Check out how to safely operate one here: 

Differences in Leaf Blower Performance

When it comes to your leaf blower’s performance, the two most important numbers are miles per hour and cubic feet per minute (check our FAQs at the end for further information on MPH and CFM). 

Commercial grade gas leaf blowers, typically reserved for your lawn care company, will have a CFM of over 700. These leaf blowers are powerful and made for demanding tasks. But they can be challenging to control if you’re not properly trained. High performing commercial leaf blowers usually have a CFM rate up in the 900s or 1,000s. 

For our list of 10 best backpack leaf blowers for homeowners, we’re sticking with leaf blowers that have a CFM below 800. We don’t want you flying across your lawn with a leaf blower you can’t handle. But if you want that extra power boost found behind some lower-performing commercial grade leaf blowers, we’ve ranked a few in that 700 CFM range.

FAQs About Leaf Blowers

When to Call a Professional

Any leaf blower that’s in the hands of a professional while you get to rest and enjoy free time is No. 1 in our books. If leaf blowing isn’t how you want to spend your weekend, then call in a lawn care professional to get the job done for you. 

A lawn care professional can save you time in other ways too. From mowing lawns to installing sod to applying fertilizer, a lawn care professional can help you get the best looking turf in the neighborhood. Leave the hard work to the professionals, so you don’t have to lift a finger. 

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Note: Amazon star ratings and the number of reviews for the products listed above may have changed since that material was collected.