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If you have an oversized yard, driveway, or patio to clear off, you’re probably going to need a gas-powered leaf blower. These machines provide the power and portability needed to tackle serious landscaping projects.
Capable of blasting leaves and debris quickly and easily, a leaf blower is one of the most useful and time-saving machines you can have in your power tool collection. Gas-powered models—as opposed to corded or battery-powered models—provide the power, portability, and extended running times usually not found in their electric counterparts. They do require a bit more maintenance, and fueling them isn’t as convenient as popping in a fresh battery, but for customers that have to tackle large yards, or have heavy leaves and debris to blast away, a gas-powered blower could be the perfect fit.
The first factor to think about when choosing a gas leaf blower is whether or not you need a handheld or backpack model. While handheld options are typically lighter, and feature a nice large handle to aim and swing them around, they wouldn’t be practical for tackling extra-large spaces. Backpack blowers are more comfortable to wear over longer periods of time, and their larger fuel tanks mean you won’t be stopping as often to refill.
Two other factors to think about are the amount of air that flows out of the tube, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), and the actual speed of the air leaving the blower, measured in miles per hour (MPH). These metrics can be a bit complicated to understand, but you can simplify them by thinking of the CFM number as a measure of how much debris it can move (the higher the number, the more volume you'll get), while the MPH number represents how heavy of objects it can move.
The type of engine in your blower is something else to think about. Two-cycle engines are the more common type of blower, and require a mix of fuel and oil to run. These tend to be cheaper than four-cycle models, but are also usually noisier and less fuel efficient. Four-cycle engines are more like a car engine, where you put regular gas into the fuel tank, and the oil into a separate crankcase. This design makes these blowers more fuel efficient, although their additional components typically make them heavier.
We spent years working on the landscaping crew of a large state park, which required us to use and maintain a variety of gas leaf blowers, including handheld and backpack models. This experience, in addition to significant leaf blower testing by the Popular Mechanics staff, has provided the insight needed to assemble this list of the best options you can buy. We made sure to only include brands that we know to be of high quality, and since potential readers may plan on using their blowers in California, we decided to exclusively choose blowers that were CARB-compliant. This designation simply means that they meet the current emission requirements by the state of California.
It might be on the higher end of the price spectrum, but this commercial-style blower from Stihl packs a serious punch, and with an air speed of 239 MPH was even able to skip a brick across the pavement during our testing.
The location of the rope pull on this specific model is also really convenient, and allows you to start the machine when it’s already on your back. It does weigh a bit more than most of our other picks, at 25.8 pounds, but if your priority is powerful air flow, it might be worth the extra weight.
This Remington blower might lack some of the air volume and speed found in the more expensive models, but at this low price, it could be worth the trade-off. Despite this budget-friendly price, this blower still has a lot of useful features, like a variable throttle and cruise control, allowing you to dial in the precise power and speed you need for the job. At 9.7 pounds it's also one of the lightest options we chose, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to cut down on arm and hand fatigue.
This handheld blower features an oversized handle for comfortable transport, and at just 9.4 pounds, is a perfect choice for those who don’t require the bulk and weight of more powerful models. The cruise control feature makes it even more convenient, allowing you to set the speed you want, and simply carry it around, suit-case style, as you work.
Since this is also one of the most affordable blowers we featured on our list, it’s also great for those who want the reliability of a brand like Husqvarna, but don’t have the budget for an expensive model.
The optional shredding capability of this Echo blower makes it more versatile than other standard blowers, and the 4-blade impeller reduces leaves and other debris by a ratio of 12:1. These shredded clippings are then deposited directly into a zippered bag for easy storage and disposal. We also appreciated the little design features of this blower, like the clearly marked power switch, color-coded choke positions, as well as an offset blower tube for easier control, all of which make operating it just that much easier for first-time users. The 70 dB(A) noise level is also lower than most.
If you have an extra-large yard, or heavy debris that needs to be moved like wet leaves or pine cones, then this powerful Echo blower could be just what you’re looking for. It delivers an impressive 1110 CFM air flow, and our testing showed that it’s easy to start, and usually fires up with just one or two pulls.
It also features an intake system that’s designed to pull cool air across you back while you use it, making this a great option for those in warm or humid climates. At $600, it’s definitely on the higher end, so make sure you need all this power before you buy.
This Makita backpack blower could be ideal for anyone who wants the convenience and fuel efficiency of a four-stroke blower, but without the heavy weight and loud operating noise. Its gas tank can hold up to 60.9 ounces of fuel, and combined with the relatively low 516 CFM air flow, makes this a great choice for large areas with relatively light debris to blow, like dry leaves or pine straw.
The most interesting feature of this blower is the fact that it's able to weigh only 19.62 pounds, which is significantly lower than the other backpack options on our list.
If you have close neighbors who value their peace and quiet, this handheld Stihl blower could be just what you’re looking for. Despite this relatively low, 70 dB(A) output, this blower still boasts a maximum 170 MPH air speed which should be more than sufficient for medium-sized blowing tasks. Plus, since it converts into a vacuum, you can easily gather up your leaves and debris into the attached storage bag.
The light weight of this blower also makes it ideal for older users, or those who just don’t feel like lugging around a heavy machine.
A single swiveling front wheel makes this blower easy to maneuver around the yard, and the all-terrain rear tires are capable of rolling over rough terrain. Its 7 HP engine helps generate its impressive 2000 CFM output, and the side-mounted blower allows you to easily encircle your leaves and gather them in a central location. Plus, the blower vent features an adjustable discharge plate, so you can even customize the angle of the air flow.
This combination of power and versatility make this model just as effective at blowing snow as well, which could make it a useful choice for those in cold-weather climates.
If you’re looking for a leaf blower that can also handle the task of bagging up your loose leaves -- and without breaking the bank -- this vacuum model from Craftsman could be a good fit. Its 1.5 bushel capacity bag can hold nearly 2 cubic feet of leaves, and the included instructions clearly explain how to switch from blower to vacuum modes. A second handle also allows you to maintain control when using it as a vacuum, and combined with the light 102.-pound weight of the unit, makes it comfortable to operate and transport.
This Husqvarna blower hits a nice sweet spot by combining commercial quality with the smaller size and weight that’s valued by residential users. The variable speed throttle fits nicely in your hand, and makes it easy to dial in the precise amount of power you want to apply to your job.
You’ll definitely appreciate the shoulder, waist, and chest straps that keep the weight evenly balanced as you work, although with a maximum air flow of 434 CFM, you’ll probably be wearing it for less time than you think. Its 42.27-fluid-ounce fuel tank is larger than most, which makes this a great option for larger lawns.