Although the popularity of battery powered tools has been soaring in recent decades, there are still plenty of applications for gas powered equipment. This is especially true when you’re dealing with lawncare equipment, especially leaf blowers.
Battery powered tools can often be limited by either their charge running out or a lack of power when you need it most. Gas powered tools are optimal to have when you’re in the middle of a project and need to get it done.
No need to wait for a charge or rely on lesser power. Just fill it up with fuel and get the project done.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the top options available on the market today.
Our Top Pick
Best Gas Leaf Blower
ECHO 63.3cc BACKPACK BLOWER
- Awesome power at a great price. The echo leaf blower handles any job and is easy to use.
The Echo backpack blower is the best all-around gas powered leaf blower on the market today.
As a backpack unit with its powerful 63.3cc engine, the Echo leaf blower puts on the most amount of air and at the highest speed of any other comparable leaf blower. That means you can easily tackle any job in your way.
With a slew of other great features as well such as padded straps, a damage-resistant design, cruise control, and more, this leaf blower from Echo should be at the top of anyone’s list!
Gas Leaf Blower Comparison Table
Use the table below to quickly compare the specifications of each model side by side. Keep scrolling past the table to read more detailed reviews of each model!
Our Best Gas Leaf Blower Reviews
Echo 63.3cc Backpack Blower with Tube-Mounted Throttle
Key Features
- Tube-mounted throttle with cruise control
- L-style frame for damage resistance from impacts
- Leaf guard for keeping debris out of the intake
- Flexible tube ideal for cold weather use
As our pick for the best gas leaf blower on the market, there is certainly a lot to love about the Echo 63.3cc backpack blower.
One one of the biggest draws of this leaf blower is the fact that it’s a backpack unit. This means that the operator straps it over their shoulders and wears it just like a backpack rather than having to hold it in their hands. This allows for the blower to have a larger displacement engine to produce higher volumes of air at faster speeds as well as larger capacity fuel tanks to run longer per session.
This unit from Echo employs an innovative tube-mounted throttle with cruise control to make it as easy as possible to adjust the fan speed as needed and then lock it in where you want to. The frame of this blower is designed in the L-style manner to prevent damage from occurring due to impacts and has a leaf guard on the intake to block debris from entering the fan and causing all sorts of havoc.
Capable of producing 756 CFM of air at 234 MPH, you can rest assured knowing that no leaf blowing job is too big for this Echo leaf blower. All of that power is produced from a large displacement 63.3cc 2 cycle engine but is still a lightweight package at only 24.3 pounds.
Making it even easier to carry the lightweight blower is the specially-designed padded shoulder straps and backrest to make the unit easier to use than you’d think. Combine all of this with a 5-year consumer warranty, and it’s tough to beat this product from Echo.
Husqvarna 125B 28cc Handheld Blower
Key Features
- Engineered to keep air stream inline with the handle to reduce stress on the wrist
- Adjustable tube length for optimal performance
- LowVib technology reduces vibrations
- Stop switch automatically resets to ‘on’ for consistent starting
Coming from one of the biggest names in lawncare products is the top handheld blower on our list — the Husqvarna 125B 28cc Handheld Blower.
Although this unit is handheld and understandably has a lesser output than a backpack blower would, it offers plenty of features that make it ideal for most applications. Being a handheld unit, it’s preferable to be lightweight and this blower from Husqvarna nails that. Weighing in at under 10 pounds — 9.4 pounds to be exact — this blower is easy to carry and maneuver anywhere and everywhere that you need it to go. Although it’s lightweight, Husqvarna packed it full of features for optimal performance.
It has been engineered to keep the air stream inline with the handle of the blower which prevents rotation of the unit and therefore lessens the strain on the operator’s wrist and arm.
The tube length of the Husqvarna 125B is adjustable so that it can be made the perfect length for any job or operator.
Husqvarna has also featured their LowVib technology in this leaf blower to reduce vibrations and make it even easier for the operator to handle.
As mentioned previously, this handheld unit still packs a punch and is able to output 470 CFM and 170 MPH of airflow from its powerful 28cc 2 cycle engine. With airflow like that, this blower is perfect for residential use and even many commercial applications, so don’t let the handheld nature fool you!
Husqvarna also offers a limited 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on this product similar to many of their others, so you know you’ll be covered.
Echo 25.4cc Handheld Blower
Key Features
- Commercial-grade engine which ensures a long life for the blower
- Posi-lock connections make assembly a breeze
- Low noise output (64dB), perfect for residential use
- Engineered rotational control makes the air easy to handle
Echo is making their second appearance on this list in just three spots, this time with their handheld blower.
The Echo 25.4cc Handheld Blower is a great competitor to the Husqvarna unit previously detailed, with a few similarities and a slew of differences between the two. To start, just like the backpack unit detailed above, this handheld blower from Echo comes with a 5-year consumer warranty to offer one of the best warranties on the market for a leaf blower. You can buy Echo products with confidence that the company stands behind what they sell.
One of the key features of the Echo 25.4cc blower is that the engine used is a commercial-grade 2 cycle engine. So although handheld units are often purchased more for residential use, the engine in this blower is built to last and will be sure to handle all of your leaf blowing needs. Thanks to commercial-grade manufacturing, the small 25.4cc engine is able to output 354 CFM at a blistering 191 MPH, so you know it could blow the leaves right off the trees if you wanted it to!
With Echo’s posi-lock connections, assembling this unit out of the box is a breeze, so you’ll be ready to start blowing in minutes.
Just like their backpack unit, the tube has been engineered for rotational control so that it’s easy to control and blows exactly where you expect it to. Although the engine is commercial-grade, it’s specially designed for low noise output, ringing it at only 64 decibels. This makes it the quietest blower on this list.
Makita 24.5cc 4 Cycle Leaf Blower
Key Features
- 4-stroke engine prevents the need for a gas/oil mixture
- Oversized 17.7-ounce fuel tank allows the blower to run longer between fill-ups
- Starts easily due to the Mechanical Automatic Engine Decompression
- The low-emission output is compatible with CARB and EPA regulations
Coming in as the third consecutive handheld blower on this list is the Makita 24.5cc 4 Cycle Blower.
One of the first things that may jump out at you as being different from the other units detailed so far is that this unit uses a 4 cycle engine. This means that it can be run using regular fuel instead of having to mix fuel and oil like you would for a 2 cycle engine. This combined with the oversized 17.7-ounce fuel tank makes filling up a breeze and it can run longer than other handheld units between fill-ups.
Not only does it run on standard fuel, but the Makita handheld blower has also been designed with emissions in mind, and it’s one of the few options on the market that is certified to be compatible with both CARB and EPA regulations. So you can rest assured knowing that your leaf blowing activities will be doing little to no harm to the environment at all, even though it puts out a powerful 358 CFM column of air at 145 MPH.
As the second quietest blower on this list, the Makita 25.4cc handheld blower operates only slightly louder than the Echo unit above, at just 67 decibels. For those who don’t know how loud that is right off the bat, typical human conversation is around 60dB and a lawnmower is around 90dB — so a blower in the mid-60s is pretty quiet!
With all of this combined with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty and easy-start operation, this unit from Makita is a great choice.
Hitachi RB24EAP 23.9cc Handheld Gas Powered Leaf Blower
Key Features
- Features a PureFire low-emission engine to protect the environment
- Lightweight (8.6 pounds), reduces the strain and stress on the operator
- Two-finger throttle lever makes operation as easy as possible
- Certified to EPA’s highest useful life rating of 300 hours
For the fourth handheld unit in the first five spots on this list comes the Hitachi RB24EAP 23.9cc Handheld Gas Powered Leaf Blower. One of the specs that might be jumping off the page with this unit from Hitachi is the industry-leading 7-year warranty that comes with it. You read that right, a 7-year warranty. No other option on the market even comes close to this, so you can have confidence that your leaf blower is covered for likely the entire time that you plan on owning it.
In conjunction with its 7-year warranty, the Hitachi RB24EAP is certified to the EPA’s highest useful life rating of 300 hours. This means that the PureFire low-emission engine used in this blower will last you just as long if not longer than any other engine on the market. Not only will the engine last a long time, but it also discharges air at a whopping 441 CFM and 170 MPH to tackle almost any job you put in front of it.
With its lightweight 8.6-pound frame, the Hitachi blower is easy to carry to anywhere you need to take it. Once you get to the job site, simply use the two-finger throttle level to get the air going and you’re off to the races.
Although the Hitachi brand might not be as well known as Echo or Husqvarna, don’t shy away from giving this handheld blower a try!
Husqvarna 965877502 350BT 2-Cycle Gas Backpack Blower
Key Features
- Cruise control allows the operator to lock the fan speed in place for easy operation
- Air purge removes air from the carburetor and fuel system for easy starting
- Adjustable tube length for the best performance
- Integrated and ventilated harness for added comfort and less strain on the operator
The second option in this review from mega-brand Husqvarna comes in the form of their backpack option — the Husqvarna 965877502 350BT 2 Cycle Gas Backpack Blower.
As you may expect since it’s a backpack blower, this unit from Husqvarna is capable of putting out a substantial volume of air — 692 CFM and 180 MPH. This large volume of air is typical of moving any amount of leaves that you need, so you don’t need to worry that a job is too big.
With cruise control options on the throttle, the operator can easily lock the speed in place and just go on with the job. Before getting started, the easily accessible air purge enables to operator to quickly remove the air from the carburetor and fuel system for easy startups every time. An adjustable tube length means that the blower can be modified to be perfect for any job that it’s working on.
As a backpack blower with a large displacement 50.2cc engine, the Husqvarna 350BT includes an integrated and ventilated harness that makes its 22.5-pound frame easy to carry and comfortable to use. All of this comes with Husqvarna’s 2-year limited warranty to ensure that you’re satisfied with this great backpack blower.
Craftsman B215 25cc 2-Cycle Engine Handheld Gas Powered Leaf Blower
Key Features
- Powerful engine for a handheld blower makes the job a breeze
- Extended nozzle which allows for more precise and controlled blowing
- Variable speed throttle for more control
- Translucent fuel tank makes it easy to know when it’s low on fuel
- Simple 3-step starting sequence — just prime, choke, and pull
Next on the list to review is the Craftsman B215 25cc 2 Cycle Engine Handheld Gas Powered Leaf Blower.
For a handheld leaf blower, this option from Craftsman really packs a punch. Craftsman was able to take a 25cc 2 cycle engine and use it to output 430 CFM at an astonishing 200 MPH. This airspeed is only topped by our top-rated Echo option from the top of this list; only one other handheld options cross the 200 MPH barrier.
To help the operator control all that power and get the blower to operate how they please, Craftsman included a variable speed throttle for the operator to use. To give the operator even more control over the blower, this unit includes an extended nozzle which allows for more precise blowing so that the air goes right where you need it every time.
Starting up this blower is as simple as it can be with Craftsman’s 3-step starting sequence. You just need to prime the fuel system, choke the throttle, and pull the cord. It’s that easy and should start up every time. Once it’s running, the translucent tank makes it easy to monitor fuel levels so you never have to worry about running out.
Every part mentioned here comes with a limited 2-year warranty from Craftsman to keep your blower running longer.
Poulan Pro PPBV25 25cc 2-Cycle Gas Handheld Leaf Blower
Key Features
- Incredibly lightweight (4.88 pounds) makes it easier on the operator
- Reduced vibration and a soft-grip handle
- Cruise control fan speed lets the operator lock it in and continue with the job
- Trigger-operated variable speed control for optimal performance, Spring-assisted starting system makes firing it up fast and easy
The final blower in this review comes from a lesser-known brand than most of the others that have been detailed here.
Rounding off our top eight blowers comes the Poulan Pro PPBV25 25cc 2 Cycle Gas Handheld Leaf Blower. Remember from the Craftsman review when you read about only one other handheld blower crossing the fabled 200 MPH airspeed barrier? Well this is it.
The Poulan Pro uses its 25cc engine to output 450 CFM of air at a whopping 230 MPH. You read that right, 230 MPH out of a handheld leaf blower. This MPH is similar to what is seen in our top-rated pick with the Echo backpack blower pumping out air at 234 MPH. That should give you an idea about just how fast the air is moving out of this handheld unit; it’s certainly no slouch!
One of the other most astonishing specifications of this unit from Poulan is how incredibly lightweight it is. This leaf blower ways only 4.88 pounds. That’s right, it weighs in at under 5 pounds. This means you’ll easily be able to maneuver the blower around exactly how and where you need it without breaking a sweat.
This unit also comes with the industry-standard 2-year limited warranty to ensure it’ll stay in peak performance as long as you take care of it.
Gas Leaf Blower Buyers Guide
Any time that you’re in the market for a new piece of equipment to make your lawn maintenance easier, there’s a checklist of aspects and features that you should keep in mind. In an effort to make it easier for you to go through the list of things you need to be checking off, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most important.
The aspects of a leaf blower that are most important to understand include:
- Handheld or backpack
- Air volume and speed output (CFM and MPH)
- Weight
- 2 cycle or 4 cycle engines
- Fuel types
- Maintenance
- Features
Handheld or Backpack
One of the biggest aspects of leaf blowers that you should keep in mind when you’re shopping for a new one is if it’s a backpack blower or if it’s handheld. Backpack blowers are understandably bigger and heavier, and also capable of outputting more air. Handheld units are smaller and easier to quickly use and carry around, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for.
Both units are capable of handling most any residential jobs, but backpack units are typically used for large-scale commercial uses. This doesn’t mean that all homeowners should use handheld units and all landscaping companies will choose backpack blowers. Both designs have their pros and cons, and you should have an idea of which type you’re looking for before you start shopping.
CFM and MPH Ratings
When it comes to leaf blowers, one of the most important specifications to keep in mind is the amount of airflow that comes out of the blower. That is of course important because the more airflow there is and the faster that the air is moving, the more leaves that it can blow in a shorter amount of time. The two most common ratings you’ll find when looking for a leaf blower are CFM and MPH.
If you’re not familiar with these acronyms, CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of the volumetric flow rate of the air, or how much air is moving through the blower.
MPH is likely a bit more familiar to you, and it stands for miles per hour. Just like when you’re driving down the highway and check your speedometer to see how fast you’re going, MPH here refers to how fast the air is moving. In general, the higher these numbers are, the faster you’ll be able to get the job done.
To learn more, see our post on CFM vs MPH.
Weight
As you may expect, one of the biggest considerations when shopping for a leaf blower is how much it weighs. No matter if it’s a backpack unit or a handheld, you want to have an idea of how much the blower is going to weigh before you buy it. Keep in mind that backpack units are usually bigger and heavier than handheld ones, but they are much easier to carry and hold since they mount on your back.
When it comes to a handheld leaf blower, you’re typically going to find units weighing around the 10-pound mark. Some will be lighter, some will be heavier. You don’t want to have to be lugging around a unit that weighs 20+ pounds, as you’ll get worn out quick. For backpack units, anything between 20-30 pounds is considered normal due to how much easier they are to carry.
If you are finding that gas models are just too heavy, then you may want to consider a battery powered blower.
2 Cycle or 4 Cycle Models
One of the recurring specifications you may have seen pop up through this review is whether the engine is 2 cycle or 4 cycle.
While this distinction makes a difference in terms of how they work mechanically to make power, the main reason this is of interest is because of the fuel they need.
For 4 cycle models, you can use regular old gasoline to fire it up. With 2 cycle engines, you’ll need to mix gasoline with oil to get the right type of fuel you need.
Other Fuel Types
When it comes to power sources, this article of course focused on leaf blowers that are gas powered, but that is not the only power source that leaf blowers can run on. Two of the other most common sources of power that you’ll see while searching for leaf blowers are batteries and electricity.
Battery powered leaf blowers are gaining more and more in popularity in recent years as battery powered appliances across the board become more common. They’re convenient and easy to use, but typically will offer less power than their gas powered counterparts. With electric leaf blowers — those that you plug into an outlet — you will typically face the same decline in power that you see with battery powered units.
You’re also heavily limited when it comes to range because it has to always be plugged in. So keep that in mind when you’re looking!
Maintenance Required
Just like with any appliance or piece of lawncare equipment, you’ll need to maintain whichever unit you buy. Some of them will require more maintenance, and some will require less maintenance.
The length and coverage of the warranty may also affect how much maintenance you are required to do and what the manufacturer will cover for you.
It’s always good to have an understanding of the required maintenance before you buy anything.
Features to Look For
Just like when you buy anything else, you want to get all the features you can get! With leaf blowers, there are certainly a few features you’ll want to have in mind.
Some of these include:
- variable fan speed
- cruise control
- vibration reduction
- leaf guards
- rotation control
- and more.
Of course, you don’t need all of these features. Just choose the features that you know you want and find the perfect leaf blower for you!
The Wrap Up
When it comes down to it, there’s a lot to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a new gas powered leaf blower. We hope that taking the time to read this article has made the process a lot simpler for you!
Again, we recommend the Echo 63.3cc Backpack Blower as the best gas powered leaf blower out there. If that one isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, we’re confident that you’ll be happy with any of the other options on this list!