Updated Sep. 27, 2024
The best gas leaf blowers have the power to clear your yard of leaves, sticks and debris. Here are the top picks according to lawn experts.
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For DIY homeowners with large yards, a leaf blower is a smart investment. A good gas leaf blower clears lawn debris quickly and with less strain on your back than a rake. While gas models are heavier and louder than electric ones, they provide long-lasting power and are the go-to choice for landscaping professionals.
Gas leaf blowers are reliable, time-tested tools with efficiency and consistent performance. Whether you need one for clearing large areas or just tidying up your porch, there are options suited to various needs. After thorough research and testing, we’ve narrowed our list to the top seven gas leaf blowers.
Note: Gas-powered lawn equipment isn’t legal everywhere. More than 100 local governments, including Washington D.C., have enacted partial or seasonal bans on gas blowers and mowers. Always check local regulations before buying.
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Buyers like the maneuverability, lightness and drying power of the Husqvarna two-cycle gas blower, giving it high marks. It has an impressive high air volume of 470 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and velocity of 170 miles per hour (MPH) to make quick work of fall leaves. This best gas leaf blower features a stop switch that automatically resets to the “on” position for convenience. It offers cruise control, and the blowing tube length adjusts for the countless brilliant uses for your leaf blower.
“The Husqvarna two-cycle gas blower’s specifications and reputation within the industry are noteworthy,” says Plant Bible chief editor and gardening expert, Zahid Adnan. “The powerful air volume and speed, coupled with Husqvarna’s dedication to ergonomic design and reduced noise levels, make it a promising choice for efficiently managing garden debris.”
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Make quick work of cleaning up smaller yards and gardens with the Craftsman handheld gas leaf blower. This pick has a two-cycle engine that provides 430 CFM and 200 MPH. It has user-friendly features, such as a lightweight design (just 10 pounds!) to reduce user fatigue, variable speed throttle for plenty of control and translucent gas tank, so you’ll know exactly how much gas you have left. Plus, the extended nozzle with an integrated scraper offers precise blowing to clear debris.
“The Craftsman blower is a solid choice for the majority of homeowners,” Tyler Graham says. “Craftsman is a household name and makes thousands of tools—they know their stuff. With a super lightweight and affordable gas blower, they’ve nailed what homeowners want from a blower: An inexpensive, easy-to-use and reliable lawn tool.”
Graham adds that the Crafstman’s handheld blower knocks out leaves with ease. “”It’s great for around-the-house use throughout the year.”
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If you’re looking for the best gas leaf blower to clean up those fall leaves, and want a model known for being quieter than its competitors, check out the Ryobi 40V Whisper Series leaf blower.
The noise-dampening technology lowers the noise rating to 57 decibels (dB), which is 30 points lower than the industry standard and quieter than a dishwasher. Quiet as it is, it’s just as powerful as loud gas leaf blowers—it has a 730 CFM and can go up to 190 MPH, so it can tackle even the largest yards and most stubborn wet leaves. This unit has a runtime of up to 30 minutes, so you can take care of your front yard or backyard (or both!) in one shot.
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If you’re looking for the best backpack gas leaf blower, the Stihl gas backpack leaf blower gets high marks for its ease of handling and maintainability. It has a fuel-efficient engine with plenty of power when it comes to air volume and velocity (677 CFM and 238 MPH, respectively). A quality choice for heavy-duty yard and garden cleanup, this model is comfortable with an adjustable harness, multi-function control handle and anti-vibration system. And at 22 pounds, it’s lighter than many other backpack gas leaf blowers.
“Good for large yards or clearing a lot of debris,” says professional landscaper Ralph Joed Abundo. Our Shopping Editor Mary Henn, has tested it, too. “While the BR 600 is certainly an investment, it’s a worthwhile one if you do your own yard work and landscaping and like to keep things as tidy and pristine as possible,” she says.
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The Stihl BG 86 C is compact and lightweight at only 10 pounds, “This was the first leaf blower I owned when I bought my first house,” lawn expert Tyler Graham says, “and it launched my leaves into oblivion.” To this day, the handheld blower still runs like a charm and is just as powerful as the day he bought it.
While handheld gas blowers are becoming less and less common these days, there are still some positives to consider, according to Graham. “For starters, they are reliable and long-lasting. With proper maintenance and care, a gas blower can last well over a decade.”
“Additionally, compared to most electric blowers, most gas blowers provide more power,” he adds. “But there are downsides to gas blowers and the Stihl BG 86 C is not immune to being loud, making you smell like exhaust and taking a few tries to get started. Still, the BG 86 C is the most reliable blower I’ve owned, outlasting even some of the most expensive electric tools I have. Plus, it starts up almost instantly, even after a long winter.”
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The Husqvarna 150 BT is one of the most powerful backpack leaf blowers, with 765 CFM and speeds of up to 270 MPH. “Husqvarna is known for its super popular and powerful chainsaws and zero-turn mowers. I’m not surprised that the 150 BT is the king of power in the residential leaf blower space,” says Tyler Graham.
“As Husqvarna’s best-selling backpack blower, the 150 BT is still relatively lightweight and comfortable,” Graham adds. “To make it easy to use for extended periods, Husqvarna included a hip belt and extra padding on the back of the blower.” Husqvarna backs up this blower with a 5-year warranty if you buy its preferred fuel.
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For those who find themselves dealing with a lot of leaves and aren’t afraid to shell out for the best gas leaf blower, you’ll want to take a look at the Stihl gas backpack blower with electric start. With a quick electric start, there’s no idling while walking across the yard to the next cleanup area or removing the unit to restart. Plus, it has powerful blowing power (642 CFM and 221 MPH) and a large fuel tank. All of this machine’s controls are on one handle, making it easy to operate.
With so many options, narrowing down the best leaf blower can be tricky. Consider noise levels, maintenance and price, but we consulted 20 gardening experts to determine what they prioritize in a gas leaf blower.
“Look for features like adjustable tube lengths, soft-grip handles and a balanced design,” says Aaron Green, owner of Essential Home & Garden. “Your back will thank you.”
Also, consider a weight you can comfortably hold for long periods. While weight is important, consider whether your leaf blower has a harness or shoulder strap. Harnesses provide more security and comfort for carrying the weight, but they can be slower to put on and more restrictive. Straps, while convenient and quick, offer less comfort and stability but are easy to unsling and set down when needed.
Leaf blowers often vibrate due to the fan inside, leading to discomfort over time and may require breaks. Excessive vibration could indicate a damaged fan blade, and if that happens, stop using the blower and get it checked for maintenance.
Leaf blowers are noisy. A standard conversation is about 60 decibels, while most blowers average 70-75 dB from 50 feet away. Always wear ear protection rated for your blower’s noise level. If it gets louder than usual, something may be wrong, so stop and check for issues.
“Check if the blower features a reliable and user-friendly starting mechanism, such as a primer bulb or a choke,” says horticulturist and landscape designer Jack Hall. “Quick and hassle-free starting can save time and frustration.”
“Look for models with adjustable throttle settings to match the power output to the task at hand,” Hall says.
Remember that a larger adjustable leaf blower, like a four-stroke, may consume more fuel than a smaller two-stroke. The fuel tank size will impact how long you can operate the leaf blower between refills—larger tanks tend to burn fuel more quickly. On average, you can expect about three hours of use per half-gallon of gas, though this varies with usage intensity. Always check EPA and local government regulations (such as California’s CARB) to ensure your leaf blower complies with emissions standards.
Match the blower’s power to your yard size. A smaller two-stroke works fine for small to medium yards, while a four-stroke is better for bigger areas or professional use.
Check the maintenance schedule before buying. Some blowers require more upkeep than others. Stick to the schedule and consider having a professional handle it if needed. Also, review the warranty to know what’s covered and what voids it.
Some extras can make a difference, like cruise control for consistent power output without holding the trigger or various nozzle attachments for different tasks. Variable speed control is another useful feature, although not all blowers have it.
We have personally tested dozens, if not hundreds, of leaf blowers, including backpack, corded electric, cordless and gas-powered handheld models. If it blows air, we’ve likely used it and put it through its paces.
Tyler Graham, a former landscaper with years of daily experience using lawn tools, has developed a deep passion for them—especially leaf blowers. Now a self-professed leaf-blower enthusiast, Tyler tests lawnmowers, string trimmers and leaf blowers. He played a key role in selecting this list, personally testing each product. He also runs The Lawn Review. Family Handyman Shopping Editor Mary Henn also researched and tested products to help select the best leaf blowers.
Beyond our own testing and research, we consulted experts like Zahid Adnan of the Plant Bible (chief editor and gardening expert), professional landscaper Ralph Joed Abundo, Lawn Chick founder Sarah Jameson, Aaron Green of Essential Home & Garden, horticulturist and landscape designer Jack Hall, GreenPal founder Gene Gaballero and Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). Their collective knowledge represents decades of experience in gardening and landscaping with extensive use of leaf blowers.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Family Handyman, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol and HiConsumption.
For moving large amounts of material or dealing with wet leaves, aim for higher CFM. Homeowners with bigger yards should prioritize higher MPH to finish the job faster. For small yards, a gas leaf blower with at least 200-400 CFM is sufficient, while a mid-sized yard with more leaves should have 400-700 CFM.
Generally, gas leaf blowers are more powerful than electric ones, but the power can vary by brand and model.
Gas leaf blowers are known for their reliability, longer run-time, power and durability. However, they are loud, emit gas odors and require yearly maintenance.
After consulting over 20 gardening experts, Husqvarna emerged as the most reliable leaf blower brand.
Originally Published: March 31, 2022
