The 5 Best Backpack Leaf Blowers for Clearing Your Lawn This Fall

The Echo DPB-5800T impressed us. It delivers pro-level cordless performance, combining strong airspeed and volume to move heavy leaf cover, clear wide swaths of lawn, and pull stubborn debris from weeds and brush. Its long, adjustable tube concentrates airflow near the ground, making it easy to clear leaves from beneath shrubs. Its two included 56-volt, 5.0-Ah batteries provide about 24 minutes of continuous full-power operation, or roughly 30 to 35 minutes in typical use.

At 27.8 pounds, the Echo is reasonably comfortable, with adequate shoulder padding, a chest strap, and a stable frame, though a padded hip belt would improve support. A third battery port allows for extended runtime if you buy or already have a third battery. This blower matches the performance of Echo’s pricier model for considerably less money, though what it gives up is essentially the third battery and runtime as a result. The tube is frustrating to assemble, but that one-time inconvenience is a small trade-off for a powerful backpack blower built to tackle large properties and demanding fall cleanups.—Bradley Ford, Test Editor

Full Echo 56V Cordless Battery Backpack Leaf Blower Review

Key Specs

The Ryobi 40V Backpack Blower pairs strong, quiet performance with a variable-speed trigger that makes its power easy to control. It readily moved wet leaves from river rock beneath some trees and around a shed without scattering the rock, and easily moved the leaves far and fast at full throttle once the leaves were on the lawn. Two operating modes let users prioritize power or battery life, while the included pair of 8.0-Ah batteries delivered roughly 27 minutes of continuous full-power runtime—and should last considerably longer during typical stop-and-start cleanup.

At 21.4 pounds, the backpack is comfortable to wear and has a convenient carrying handle. Its right-side-only tube may frustrate left-handed users, and the limited nozzle mobility inherent to backpack blowers makes it less convenient for quick, precise cleanup. Still, its ample power, usable runtime, and compatibility with other Ryobi 40V tools make it a strong value for homeowners with large yards and heavy leaf cover.

Full Ryobi 40V HP Whisper Series Battery Backpack Leaf Blower Review

Key Specs

The BR 800 is an air-moving monster. In our sawdust test, it swept out a gigantic bulb-shaped pattern that emptied almost half the particulate from the zone. It blew leaves out of the test rectangle and scattered them 20 feet away. It also skimmed the 4.6-pound brick over pavement like a hockey puck. For all its raw power, the Magnum impressed us with how easily it starts—its spring-loaded mechanism is positioned horizontally, so you can yank it while the machine is mounted on your back. As for demerits, the Stihl is much louder at a distance than other blowers. A reason to pass? Only if you have legitimate concerns about disturbing the peace.

Key Specs

The Makita GBU04 combines serious cordless power with precise control, producing up to 675 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at 215 mph, making it capable of moving shin-deep leaf piles and heavier debris. We like its two-speed modes and variable-speed trigger, which make it easy to protect mulch beds or conserve battery life for when full power is needed. With two 40-volt, 8.0-Ah batteries, it runs for approximately 40 minutes under variable-throttle use.

At 19.4 pounds with both batteries installed, the Makita feels light, comfortable, and maneuverable for a backpack blower. The batteries discharge sequentially rather than working together (unlike the Ryobi we tested). Its runtime makes it less suitable for sprawling, heavily wooded properties, but it’s an excellent choice for weekly cleanup in medium-to-large yards, offering easy operation, strong performance, and less noise than a gas model.

—Paul Smith, Test Editor

Full Makita 40V Backpack Leaf Blower Review

Key Specs

We recently received an 800 CFM Greenworks backpack blower similar in design to this 550 CFM model that we plan to test in the coming weeks. Our test model’s dual 5 Ah battery packs are said to deliver up to 80 minutes of runtime, which theoretically gives this blower the capability of long blowing sessions.

Assembly of the machine out of the box took just a few minutes, and we like that the trigger control can rotate on the nozzle, giving you position versatility not offered by every backpack blower.

Given that we are starting to see lots of leaves falling, we’re looking forward to seeing how this blower performs.

As 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.

Power Source

Backpack leaf blowers come in both gas-powered and battery-powered models. As with lawn mowers and other yard machines, a gas-powered blower offers superior power and runtime, making it the better choice for large properties with lots of leaves. Keep in mind that most gas-powered leaf blowers feature 2-cycle engines, which require pre-mixed gas and oil. You can mix your own in the proper ratio, or buy pre-mixed stuff, though you'll pay a premium for the latter.

Battery-powered blowers are similar in weight to gas powered models, but they are easier to start, far quieter, and don't produce any emissions as they run. They also require less maintenance. Battery-powered blowers 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.

Blowing power

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).

Air speed is a measure of the top wind speed the blower can create. Effectively, this determines the power of your blower’s air stream. A leaf blower that can produce greater air speed can move heavier objects, including mulch, stones, and wet leaves.

Air volume tells you how much passes through the backpack leaf blower each minute. It is the more important of the two, as it determines how quickly you can work. If the leaf blower produces 500 cfm, that means it blows enough air to fill a 500 cubic foot space in a minute. The higher the air volume, the faster the air will be blown out of the machine and the more leaves it can move.

Backpack leaf blowers generally operate around 600- to 1,000 cfm at speeds of 150- to 230 mph. 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. A leaf blower with an air volume of 600 cfm is sufficient for cleaning a large yard. By 900 cfm, you are looking at a commercial leaf blower for a huge property.

Weight and Comfort

Since you’re carrying the weight of this yard machine’s engine or motor, fan, and gas tank or battery on your back, it’s important to buy one that you can carry comfortably for at least a couple of hours.

Most gas-powered models weigh between 22 and 30 pounds, depending on the size of the engine. Battery-powered models are generally a bit lighter, but still weigh in at around 15- to 20 pounds depending on the size of the battery and motor.

Ideally, a backpack leaf blower should feature an ergonomic design, with thick padded shoulder and hip straps that distribute the weight of the machine, taking pressure off your back. Since backpack blowers produce a lot of vibration, they should also have a dampening system between the back and the motor that helps to absorb the motor’s vibration.

Noise

Leaf blowers are noisy machines and backpack leaf blowers, with their powerful engines, are the noisiest of them all. Most manufacturers measure and share decibel ratings for their backpack leaf blowers, but those numbers can be deceiving. The official tests, taken to meet requirements set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), are measured from 50 feet away. When you use your leaf blower, the motor in the backpack will be inches from your ears, so you can expect to experience decibel levels well above the 60-70 decibels that you’ll find on the spec sheets for most blowers.

During our testing, most gas-powered models easily exceed 100 decibels from 0 feet away. Cordless electric leaf blowers operate more quietly but sacrifice power for quieter operation. Given that the Centers for Disease Control says prolonged exposure to noise levels above 70 Db can cause hearing loss, we strongly recommend wearing ear protection whenever operating a backpack leaf blower.

Are some leaf blowers illegal in certain states?

In recent years, several cities, counties, and states in the U.S. have banned or plan to ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers because they produce a large amount of pollution. Washington D.C. banned the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in 2022. As of 2024, California forbids the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers. Portland, Oregon passed a city ordinance that will begin limiting the use of gas powered leaf blowers in 2026 and phase them out entirely by 2028. Looking forward, New Jersey is considering a state-wide ban after many cities and towns across the state have limited their use.

With that in mind, we recommend checking with your homeowner’s association, along with local and state laws, to see if there are any bans or limitations on using leaf blowers before you invest in one.

Are backpack leaf blowers better than handheld ones?

That depends on your definition of “better.” Yes, backpack leaf blowers are more powerful than handheld models and easier to use on big jobs, as it’s easier to distribute the blower’s weight across your back and torso. That said, handheld models are lighter and smaller, making them more convenient to store. I’d recommend buying a leaf blower with just enough power to clear your yard.

Why does my backpack leaf blower make my back hurt?

If your backpack leaf blower is causing you pain, you should check to make sure the shoulder straps and hip belt are properly adjusted. Loosen the shoulder straps, then put the backpack on. Adjust the hip straps until they’re tight on your waist to ensure the bulk of the blower’s weight is sitting on your hips. Finally, adjust the shoulder straps so the blower is against your back. Lastly, adjust the handle so it points downward at a sharp angle.

What’s the best way to clear a lawn with a leaf blower?

Start at one edge of the area you’re working on and slowly work your way across using a broad sweeping motion. If you’re covering a large yard, divide it into sections and create multiple piles as opposed to one large pile. As you’re moving, keep the tip of the blower pointed down at a shallow angle. This will give you more control over where you’re directing the leaves by keeping them moving forward instead of blowing up in the air.