The main difference between handheld vs. backpack leaf blowers is that weight feels better on your back than your arms. Hence, backpack blowers have bigger engines/motors, making them more potent and pricey.
We researched leaf blowers from leading retailers, including Home Depot, Tractor Supply, and Ace Hardware. After carefully comparing handheld and backpack leaf blowers, we break down the differences.
Handheld Vs. Backpack Leaf Blower:
Handheld Vs. Backpack Leaf Blower Specs
| Average Handheld | Average Backpack |
|---|---|
| $175 | $445 |
| 465 CFM | 695 CFM |
| 155 MPH | 200 MPH |
| 73 dB | 80 dB |
| 9 lb. | 22 lb. |
Handheld leaf blowers are cheaper and quieter, but aren’t as mighty as backpack models. Although handhelds are lighter, it’s more comfortable to carry weight on your back.
Handheld Vs. Backpack Leaf Blower Prices
| Handheld Prices | Backpack Prices |
|---|---|
| Most: $70 – $280 | Most: $285 – $600 |
| Average: $175 | Average: $445 |
| ↓ $28 | ↓ $175 |
| ↑ $600 | ↑ $800 |
As shown in the table above, the average backpack leaf blower costs 2 1/2 times as much as the average handheld model.
Handheld Leaf Blower Prices
| Power Source | Cost of Most Handhelds |
|---|---|
| Corded | $50 – $100 |
| Battery | $110 – $340 |
| Gas | $125 – $250 |
Corded electric handhelds are the cheapest, with 70% costing $50 to $100. In contrast, battery-powered handheld leaf blowers are the most expensive, with an average cost of $225.
Backpack Leaf Blower Prices
| Gas Backpacks | Battery Backpacks |
|---|---|
| Most: $275 – $570 | Most: $330 – $700 |
| Average: $425 | Average: $530 |
| ↓ $175 | ↓ $270 |
| ↑ $700 | ↑ $800 |
Most battery-powered backpack blowers cost $330 to $700, making them the most expensive leaf blowers. On the other hand, gas-powered backpack models give homeowners with heavy debris the best bang for their buck, usually costing $275 to $570.
CFM & MPH: Handheld Vs. Backpack Leaf Blowers
| Average Handheld | Average Backpack |
|---|---|
| 465 CFM | 700 CFM |
| 155 MPH | 200 MPH |
The average backpack leaf blower has a much stronger airflow, beating the average handheld in both air density (CFM) and speed (MPH).
CFM
A leaf blower’s air volume measures the amount of air flowing through its tube in CFM (cubic feet per minute).
| CFM – Handheld | CFM – Backpack |
|---|---|
| Most: 300 – 630 | Most: 515 – 875 |
| Average: 465 | Average: 700 |
| ↓ 80 | ↓ 375 |
| ↑ 930 | ↑ 1,110 |
Backpack leaf blowers average 50% more air volume (CFM) than handhelds. Leaf blowers with heartier air clear debris quicker because they push more of it with every blow. So, homeowners with large yards usually prefer backpack leaf blowers.
Handheld Vs. Backpack CFM by Power Source
When comparing electric vs. gas leaf blower CFM:
- Gas-powered backpack leaf blowers have the greatest air volume.
- Among handhelds, battery-powered leaf blowers have the greatest air volume.
- Corded electric handhelds tend to have the least air volume.
MPH
| MPH – Handheld | MPH- Backpack |
|---|---|
| Most: 115 – 190 | Most: 165 – 235 |
| Average: 155 | Average: 200 |
| ↓ 70 | ↓ 135 |
| ↑ 260 | ↑ 270 |
The average backpack leaf blower has an airspeed 30% faster than the average handheld. Since faster air pushes heavier debris, homeowners with pine needle build-up or mud typically prefer backpack leaf blowers
Handheld Vs. Backpack MPH by Power Source
Gas backpack leaf blowers have the fastest airspeed, and battery-powered handhelds have the slowest.
Noise Level of Handheld Vs. Backpack Leaf Blowers
| Noise (dB) – Handheld | Noise (dB) – Backpack |
|---|---|
| Most: 65 – 92 | Most: 70 – 100 |
| Average: 73 | Average: 80 |
| ↓ 50 | ↓ 59 |
| ↑ 130 | ↑ 120 |
On average, backpack leaf blowers are 7 dB louder than handhelds. Since a 10 dB increase doubles loudness, the sound difference between handhelds and backpacks is usually noticeable.
Weight of Handheld Vs. Backpack Leaf Blowers
| Weight – Handheld | Weight – Backpack |
|---|---|
| Most: 6 – 12 lb. | Most: 18 – 27 lb. |
| Average: 9 lb. | Average: 22 lb. |
| ↓ 3 lb. | ↓ 13 lb. |
| ↑ 17 lb. | ↑ 38 lb. |
Weight is a lot easier to handle when carried on your back. Thus, comparing the weight of handheld vs. backpack leaf blowers is like comparing apples and oranges.
Weight of Handheld Leaf Blowers
Heaviest to lightest handheld leaf blowers:
- Gas leaf blowers are the heaviest handhelds, averaging 11 pounds. Around 70% weigh between 9 and 12 lb., but some are as heavy as 16 lb. and others as light as 8 lb.
- Next, battery handhelds average 9 pounds. Although 70% are 6 to 12 lb., some are as heavy as 17 lb. or as light as 4 lb.
- Lastly, corded electric handhelds are the lightest, averaging just 7 pounds. About 70% are 4 to 10 lb., but some are as light as 3 lb. or as heavy as 16 lb.
Weight of Backpack Leaf Blowers
Although gas and battery backpack blowers average the same weight (22 lb.), gas backpacks also average higher MPH and CFM. Thus, gas backpack leaf blowers provided higher power at a lower weight class.
Engines, Batteries, & Motors
Leaf Blower Engines
When engine air increases, so does power potential. Since engine displacement describes cylinder volume, engines with more also have room for more air. Mechanics measure engine displacement in cubic centimeters (cc).
However, 2-stroke engines have higher volumetric efficiency (VE), meaning they need less cc to reach the same power potential as 4-stroke engines. Consequently, 2-stroke leaf blowers tend to be lighter.
| Handheld Engines | Backpack Engines |
|---|---|
| Most: 25.4 – 27.2 cc | Most: 48 – 76 cc |
| Median: 26 cc | Median: 61.5 cc |
| ↓ 25 cc | ↓ 25 cc |
| ↑ 31 cc | ↑ 31 cc |
⚠️ Higher cc doesn’t always mean more power. Although that’s often the case, some manufacturers make oversize engines to fool buyers. As a result, the blower is inefficient.
Leaf Blower Batteries
Both handheld and backpack leaf blowers run on 18 to 80-volt batteries, but their Amp-hours vary. Backpack batteries tend to have 4 to 12 Ah. In contrast, most handheld leaf blower batteries are 1.5 to 6 Ah.
What’s Ah?
Batteries with more Amp-hours (Ah) have a longer runtime. However, higher voltage batteries need more Ah to reach the same battery life. Also, leaf blowers with efficient engineering last longer on each charge.
| Max Runtime – Handheld | Max Runtime – Backpack |
|---|---|
| Most: 15 – 80 min. | Most: 30 – 60 min. |
| Average: 50 min. | Average: 45 min. |
| ↓ 5 min. | ↓ 20 min. |
| ↑ 300 min. | ↑ 120 min. |
⚠️ Higher voltage doesn’t always mean a more potent leaf blower. Although that’s sometimes the case, some manufacturers make their blowers run on an excessively high voltage. Consequently, these blowers have shorter runtime.
Corded Electric Leaf Blower Motors
Although most corded leaf blowers have an 8 to 12-amp motor, some have motors as mighty as 13 amps or as weak as 5.
FAQ: Handheld Vs. Backpack Leaf Blowers
1. What’s the most powerful backpack leaf blower?
The gas-powered Echo PB9010T is the most potent leaf blower, with 1,110 CFM and 220 MPH.
2. What’s the most powerful handheld leaf blower?
The battery-powered ENHULK LBL1493J is the most potent handheld leaf blower, with 930 CFM and 200 MPH. Additionally, it’s the most powerful electric leaf blower.
3. What’s the cheapest backpack leaf blower?
After searching the shelves, the Ridgeland 97032 is the cheapest backpack blower we found.
Learn to Love Leaf Blowers
Howdy, I’m Leah. After years of writing about power tools, I started Lawn Lobby to share my insight.
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