A leaf blower backpack has the main unit strapped on you in the same way a backpack, The straps over your shoulders make it comfortable to wear and the handheld part does the air thundering and leaves disappearing part.
These powerful but convenient tools are not just for seasonal landscape maintenance; they are useful year-round as you can use them for sandy decks in summer and windblown dusted walkways in spring, as well as for light snow in winter.
We’re going to cover backpack models but there are other types of leaf blowers on the including gas, corded electric and battery-powered handheld units and models with wheels.
Top 3 Backpack Leaf Blowers
[BEST BACKPACK LEAF BLOWER] | 4.4/5
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[BEST FOR THE MONEY] | 4.5/5
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[BEST LEAF BLOWER FOR LARGE AREA] | 4.4/5
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Backpack Leaf Blower Buying Guide
Backpack gas blowers typically cost a little more than handheld blowers, but for a reason: they offer more power while being comfortable to work with. The straps transfer the unit’s weight from your arms to your back and shoulders.
Some models also come with hip belts and load-reducing harnesses meaning they’re even more convenient, especially when the straps and belts are made from breathable materials. This is really a huge advantage if you are going to be handling a lot of leaves.
Selecting the right leaf blower
Your choice will depend on the amount of leaves, the terrain, how powerful you need the leaf blower to be and, of course, your budget. We do advise not to look for a cheap blower and expect a commercial duty machine. Be realistic and consider value for money and your needs.
Gas-Powered Backpack Blowers typically have more power compared to handheld blowers. They also weigh more, so compare the weights and choose a model you’ll be comfortable working with. Since your back and shoulders, rather than your arms, will support the weight you will typically be able to handle heavier units than you may initially think.
Your best backpack blower for the money will be powerful, gas models so you won’t be limited by a power cord and the distance from the power socket. You will need to pull a cord to start the engine and the engine itself will run smoothly, as long as you handle it properly and give it a periodic tune-up. Most models have two-stroke engines, weigh about 20 pounds, and require mixing fuel and oil. The units with four-stroke engines, while cleaner to use, will weigh more.
Specs to look for in both homeowner and professional leaf blower
Most important values you will read in our reviews to compare our top picks will be:
Engine volume in cc (cubic centimeters). This number is approximately the displacement volume of the engine i.e. the volume covered by the stroke of the piston multiplied by the number of cylinders the engine has. The more volume, the more power.

Power output in HP (horsepower). Again, the higher the value, the better. Air Volume in cfm (cubic foot per minute). Logically, this is the volume of air the leaf blower will be pumping out to blow away leaves and other debris.
Maximum Air Speed in mph (miles per hour). Combined with the rated air volume, the higher the speed, the more efficient the blower.
Electric Vs Gas Backpack Leaf Blowers
Out of a few electric backpack blowers out there we included one, for the purpose of comparison and because some of you may find battery operated leaf blower easier to use.
Electric-powered units are generally lighter, easier to maintain, less noisy and more environmentally friendly. They are, however, less powerful.
Gas powered units are more powerful, heavy-duty and you will have to carry twice the weight, on average. For these models CARB compliance is also a specification to look when considering the exhaust fumes of gas models.
A few words about the noise back pack leaf blowers make
Since leaf blowers can be very loud, their labels usually list decibels so you can be aware of what level of noise to expect. Some communities restrict the use of gas blowers because of the noise u can freely use one.
As even blowers which are relatively quiet from a distance can be deafening up close, look after your ears using the right hearing protection, especially with models which are more powerful and therefore noisier.
Also wear goggles and a dust mask and make sure to keep people and pets away from the area you're clearing. Don’t forget to be kind to others and avoid using the blower very early or very late in the day to avoid noise complaints and keep the neighbors happy.
Best Backpack Leaf Blower Reviews
4.4/5
Poulan Pro 967087101 48cc is a great unit for residential homeowners and professional users. This model will blow away everything, from smaller sticks, fallen leaves, dead grass to dust and light snow.
The Poulan Pro unit comes with a powerful two cycle 48 cc engine. Being gas powered, it can handle high-velocity air speed up to 200 miles per hour. It has a maximum airflow of 475 cfm. It’s super efficient even for toughest blowing tasks, including wet leaves.
What makes this model special is the fact that it has high-performance features to reduce the amount of physical strain needed to clean your yard. The notable features are a heavy duty frame, cruise control with a variable speed control, and soft grip handles.
Even ladies will find Poulan Pro manageable. Being not too heavy and comfortable to wear, this model will be easy for you or your significant other to operate and maneuver.
Rather than just being useful in the fall to get rid of leaves, Poulan Pro 48cc backpack leaf blower is ideal for year round use. It can be used to clear driveways and sidewalks of light snow during the winter.
We find it to be a great option for homeowners and small business owners with ½ acre of area to be cleared or even a little larger. The affordable price tag, coupled with the standard two-year, manufacturer’s warranty, makes this an attractive product for your first backpack style leaf blower or as an upgrade.
A few minor cons are outnumbered by all the useful features, ergonomic design and the power and performance that this model provides.
Things We Liked
Heavy duty frame
200 mph/475 cfm
Cruise control
Variable speed throttle control
Things We Didn't Like
The gas tank is easier to fill if you buy a special funnel
4.5/5
Husqvarna 150BT is a commercial grade backpack leaf blower in the 50 cc mid-size range. It features a powerful X-Torq® engine. The harness and controls are ergonomically designed for high capacity and ease of use.
The powerful and easy to start X-Torq® engine in combination with efficient fan design delivers high air speed and air flow. The X-Torq® engine design also reduces harmful exhaust emissions by up to 60% and increases fuel efficiency by up to 20%.
Air Purge feature removes air from carburetor and fuel system for easy starting. The Air flow in housing is 692 cfm and the air flow in the pipe is 434 cfm. The air speed is 251 mph and with the round nozzle the air speed is 214.75 mph.
This powerful and reasonably quiet leaf and debris blowing machine does need a certain degree of caution when using. If you aren't careful, it will blow the decorative rocks from the shrub beds across the walkway and into the grass. Just let it work on idle and you’ll remove the leaves in the rock beds with no problems.
Also, don’t try to operate this model in full throttle while blowing the leaves off a gravel driveway if your cars are in it. It blows so hard that the gravel might scratch your car. With great power comes great responsibility, as the saying goes.
Things We Liked
Powerful and easy to start X-Torq engine
High air speed and air flow
Ergonomic padded harness and hip belt
LowVib dampeners between the engine and chassis
Stop switch automatically resets to the ON position for easier starting
Variable speed throttle with cruise control
Things We Didn't Like
Problems with getting into full throttle with a few units
4.4/5
Husqvarna 350BT is another model from a trusted manufacturer of yard tools designed for homeowners who have a lot of area to deal with. This unit is also popular with professional yard maintenance workers as well.
Built from durable and sturdy materials, Husqvarna 350BT comes with many features which will make your lawn, yard and driveway maintenance much easier and faster.
The newly redesigned 2.1 HP X-Torq engine does the job. With the power this engine provides, your blower can create gusts of air measuring up to 180 mph.
Apart from blowing cut grass and leaves, it can also move small to medium clumps of different debris with ease. Since the new engine offers better fuel efficiency, you will be able to cover more ground with one full tank of gas.
The variable speed settings allow you to control how much air the blower is gusting out. Use it on lower speed settings to move loose leaves, or crank it up to full throttle to move heavier debris.
If you need to put in more hours of work, 350BT’s cruise control will keep your chosen settings locked into place until you’re ready to change them. This eliminates the need to constantly readjust the power settings.
It is one of the best choices available for a homeowner who has a larger property or for small businesses. With its two to four year warranty, you can expect it to provide years of serviceable use and every purchase of this model includes three, 32 ounce cans of Husqvarna pre-mix fuel as a gift.
Things We Liked
2.1 HP X-Torq engine reduces harmful increases fuel efficiency
Comfortable, ventilated and load-reducing harness with hip belt
Fan speed can be set for easier handling
Air purge removes air from carburetor and fuel system for easy starting
Things We Didn't Like
Fuel primer position is a bit inconvenient
4.5/5
Echo PB-580T comes with a 58.2cc professional-grade, 2-stroke engine which delivers superior power and guarantees durability. A few interesting extra features make this unit stand out.
To start with, a leaf guard is installed for keeping debris out of the fan intake. A metal wear ring protects blower pipe from damage. Pleated, automotive style air filter provides superior air filtration for long engine life and Posi-loc™ pipe connectors are designed for a secure connection.
The padded backrest and shoulder straps for comfortable operation will allow you to work as long as it takes to blow leaves and debris away from your lawn, yard or paths.
On top of this, a vented back pad allows air to circulate around the user for greater user comfort in hot weather.
The power is enough for heavy wet leaves and the backpack allows you to use it for long periods of time without wearing you out. It’s very well built and fires up in one or two pulls. Echo is renowned for putting out top notch lawn equipment and this model is no exception.
Things We Liked
Genuine OEM Echo Part
58.2 cc engine for more power
Air Volume 510 cfm-pipe, Maximum Air Speed 215 mph
Well built and reliable
Things We Didn't Like
Plastic parts make it lighter but the durability is yet to be tested
4.7/5
Snapper HD is a must-have if you’re searching for a leaf blower that’s convenient to use and provides excessive amounts of air flow for optimum power.
With the Snapper HD, you’re in control, thanks to the easy-to-use settings that allow you to choose your preferred speed control. This makes it perfect for a large pile of leaves or for keeping on top of tidying your garden.
We love a leaf blower that puts you in control and that's exactly what this design helps you to achieve.
This unit conveniently has a battery life of up to 20 minutes, although with its powerful air flow up to 120mph, you’ll be done in no time. You'll probably discover that you don't need to operate this unit for its full battery-life anyway. It’s also expertly designed without a cord so you can get the job done without any wires restricting your movement. The cordless lithium-ion battery is long-lasting and durable, making it great for using in poor weather conditions, too.
Although removing leaves from your garden can seem like a huge chore, the Snapper backpack leaf blower takes the stress out of this task and delivers an efficient job. The fan style enables an optimum amount of air flow throughout its entire operation so you never lose power (unless you want to, and therefore, adjust the settings accordingly).
Despite its power and efficiency, storing this device is easy. Its slim and lightweight design allows you to adjust its size so you can attach it to a backpack for to keep your hands free, or hold in your hands while moving around the garden.
Things We Liked
Slim and lightweight design
The battery-life is reasonable and the device doesn't take long to charge
Cordless power allows you to conveniently move around
Boost mode feature is unique and useful
Things We Didn't Like
Batteries are expensive to replace
4.3/5
Makita 75.6 CC is powered by a 75.6 cc commercial-duty 4-stroke engine which requires no fuel mix and will deliver up to 80 minutes of continuous operation on a 64 oz. fuel tank. This blower has lower fuel and oil consumption than other models in the class, but has commercial duty performance with a maximum air speed of 195 mph and a maximum air volume of 526 cubic feet per minute.
The decompression system ensures easy starting, and the oil filling port and drain plug are easily accessed for maintenance. In addition, the large capacity air filter improves dust control and helps extend the life of the engine.
Another great feature of this backpack leaf blower is that it is CARB compliant. What this means is that this model meets the most stringent industry regulations. Some states, like California and New York, heavily regulate emissions of gases, and this model is compatible with the regulations.
You will be comfortably handling this blower thanks to the oversized, contoured, and adjustable shoulder straps and lumbar support. The load reducing, generously padded harness will minimize the strain put on your body to offer superior comfort while using this unit.
Things We Liked
Powerful and fuel efficient 75.6 cc. 4-stroke commercial duty engine
Air volume (526 CFM) and air speed (195 MPH) for heavy-duty performance
Mechanical automatic engine decompression for quicker and easier starts
Padded shoulder straps and back panel for improved operator comfort
Compact design with less weight for easier operation in confined areas
Things We Didn't Like
4/5
One of the main reasons to purchase this Handee-Air leaf blower is for its low-emission technology. By keeping emissions low, you get peace of mind knowing that you’re not contributing to greenhouse gases while still having a clean and tidy garden to look at afterwards.
Its design is portable and lightweight enough to not hurt your back when in use. Thankfully, it comes equipped with a fitted belt to help you remain comfortable for longer while you’re completing your jobs. This also keeps the unit securely attached to you at all times, so you can bend down and move around your space without any injuries. Plus, it’s suitable for all sizes so everyone can participate with the gardening. Its durable frame is made of polypropylene to keep the unit long-lasting so you can move around without worrying it’ll easily break.
There’s no denying that this unit is powerful, and it’s all thanks to the 80CC displacement. In an average hit of air, this unit will remove all present leaves in seconds. It’s impeller’s design allows you to get the job done quicker than most handheld leaf blowers.
This leaf blower is designed for large spaces but it won’t take a long time to tidy up your outdoor space. With a fuel capacity of 1.7L, you don’t need to stop your job to recharge this device.
Things We Liked
Powerful output of 80CC
Low-emission technology
Comfortable and lightweight to use with no heavy equipment
Automatic engine for quick and easy use
The air filter is designed for extended use and lifespan
Things We Didn't Like
Doesn't feature customizable settings