The Most Powerful Leaf Blowers On The Market

Fall is here and so are the leaves! They’re in the gutters, on the porch, in the yard, and even in your landscaping rock. The best thing to rid those leaves this fall is to use a leaf blower. The leaf blowers are designed to make leaf clearing an easy and time-saving task.

For leaves on walkways, porches, deck and small lawns, a handheld blower with an affordable price would be the right for you. Lightweight, easy to maneuver, and a maximum time of 1 hour. For large amounts of leaves, large properties that will require driving leaves into large piles, you will need a very strong leaf blower to do the job. This is where time comes into play. The more powerful the blower, the faster you’ll get the job done. We looked at some of the most powerful leaf blowers available, all of these units produce massive amounts of CFM and MPH that will help you to clear a lawn full of leaves very much faster and easier.

CFM vs. MPH – Which One Is More Important?

When it comes to leaf blowers, measuring the bang can be a little tricky. You will often times see two numbers describing the power or air flow of a certain blower, the CFM or Cubic Feet per Minute and MPH or Miles Per Hour. Which one should you be looking at and which one is more important?

CFM (or Cubic feet per minute): is probably the first number you will want to look at. It measures the air volume velocity moved through the blower in one minute independent of its density. The engine of the leaf blower powers an impeller, or set of spinning blades in the housing that draws air in one end and forces it out through the tube. The volume of air that exits the tube of the specific model determines the CFM. Leaf blowers with a higher CFM rating will blow more air and are more capable of moving heavier debris. However, the volume of air is meaningless if it is not moving fast enough, which is why MPH is also an important number to determine the most powerful leaf blower.

CFM Comparison Chart

MPH (or Miles Per Hour): could be looked at similarly to horsepower, indicates the speed by which air escapes from the tube in an hour. A lot of manufacturers will boast the MPH of one of their models as the benchmark for power. It makes sense as we are more familiar with this unit of measurement and it tends to hit home with us. When we hear a leaf blower has an airspeed of 200 mph we can relate that to a NASCAR driver flying around the track. But measuring the power in terms of MPH does little to describe how well a leaf blower will perform. Try to imagine blowing a little amount of air through a small tube at 200 mph… You’re not going to get much accomplished.

MPH Comparison Chart

So, if you want to buy a powerful leaf blower, you’ll have to look at both CFM and MPH ratings of the model. The higher each of the numbers, the more work will get done in less amount of time. But, what would happen if you have to decide between two different models, in which one has a lot of CFM but little MPH and one has a lot of MPH but lower CFM? You can create a blowing performance index by multiplying the two together (CFM x MPH) then dividing by 1000. For example:

The Husqvarna 580BTS Backpack Leaf Blower moves 908 CFM @ 206.2 MPH. If you multiply 908×206.2 and divide by 1000, you get an index of 187.2. The EchoPB-770T backpack leaf blower moves 765 CFM @ 234 MPH. If you multiply 765×234 and divide by 1000, you get an index of 179. Now you know the Husqvarna 580BTS is the more powerful unit. This index may not be the perfect measure, but it is a quick way to closely estimate one leaf blower’s performance against another.

Another important thing you should keep in mind is that manufacturers can easily increase MPH by making the pipe smaller but this will decrease CFM. And they can easily increase CFM by making the pipe bigger but this will decrease MPH. It’s not unusual to see manufacturers list CFM at the housing or MPH at the end of the pipe with some tip that reduces the outlet. These are cheats to artificially inflate the specs to look better than they really are. Beware when you see words like “housing” or “Max” or “with attachment”. What matters and what you are looking for is CFM and MPH measured at the same point at end of the pipe.

Now let’s look at some of the most powerful leaf blowers that we’ve found.

The Most Powerful Leaf Blowers For You

1. Husqvarna 580BTS Backpack Blower Review – Most Powerful Backpack Blower

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 908 CFM
  • Max Air Speed: 206.2 MPH
  • Weight: 25.8 lbs

When your landscape calls for professional-grade tools, turn to the Husqvarna 580BTS backpack leaf blower. This is the most powerful commercial backpack blower we’ve ever seen. Its powerful and fuel-efficient gasoline-powered engine provides enough rugged power to tackle heavy debris, while delivering exceptional fuel economy and lower emissions than most other backpack blower models on the market.

The 580BTS pumps out a maximum air speed of 206.2 MPH with tube air flow approaching 908 CFM. It is powered by a 2-cycle 75.6 cc X-Torq engine that reduces harmful exhaust emissions by up to 60% and increases fuel efficiency by up to 20%. Because the tank is so big (87.9 oz) on this blower, it can run for well over an hour before it sputters out. You might spend more on the gas to fuel this beast, but at least you won’t have to refill it constantly.

Also, the 580BTS is well engineered and almost vibration free. This is largely in part due to the energy absorbing motor mounts that go between the motor and the backpack frame. There is a handle on the top for easy transport. The harness looks more like something from a race car than a blower. It has ergonomic ventilated padding and is designed to reduce user fatigue when operating the 25.8 lbs blower. This unit also has a choke and air purge for an easy start.

With all things considered, we really dig the Husqvarna 580BTS backpack blower. There are good reasons why the brand has remained so popular over the years. So, if you’re looking for a commercial grade blower that cranks out more power than you’ll probably ever realistically need, and also crams it all into a comfortable package, you won’t be disappointed with the Husqvarna 580BTS.

If you don’t need that much power, consider the Husqvarna 570BTS backpack blower (768 CFM / 236 MPH).

2. RedMax EBZ8500 Backpack Leaf Blower Review

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 908 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 206 MPH
  • Weight: 24.7 lbs

With a 75.6 cc displacement and 4.4 horsepower, the RedMax EBZ8500 Backpack Leaf Blower produces a maximum air speed of 206 MPH with tube air flow approaching 908 CFM. This unit uses the same machine as the Husqvarna 580BTS (2-cycle 75.6 cc X-Torq engine ) so there is simply not very much difference between them in terms of power output – both are two of the most powerful leaf blowers on the market. The fact that Husqvarna owns the RedMax brand, and basically modeled the EBZ8500 after the Husqvarna specs. The biggest difference between two models is that the RedMax EBZ8500 has a smaller gas tank (77.77 oz) and is about 1 lb lighter than the Husqvarna 580BTS.

3. ECHO PB-770T Gas Backpack Leaf Blower Review

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 765 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 234 MPH
  • Weight: 24.5 lbs

The ECHO PB-770T is a monster, simply one of the most powerful backpack blowers on the market today. This blower can generate a maximum air speed up to 234 MPH at 765 CFM air flow in pipe. That’s a lot of power. You can use it to blow grass, sticks, rocks…small children*…nothing stopped this thing. With the PB-770T you will never have to worry about bending down to dislodge something that’s sticking a bit, or getting enough air power to handle damp or wet grass.

The ECHO PB-770T has some nice straps. Of course, all of these manufacturers include padded straps with their blowers, but some are definitely more comfortable than others. The PB-770T has a good amount of padding, both in the wide straps and across the back pad. The end result is a blower that felt relatively comfortable to wear around on longer jobs. It also has a large 68.3 ounce tank, that’s nearly 50% more fuel that can be carried around than what is offered by the competition. When the tank is full of fuel, the blower can run for over 1 hour.

Overall, this is a great choice for those looking for a lightweight, powerful, reliable, and easy to start leaf blower. Plus, the ECHO PB-770T a bit cheaper than other comparable products on the market.

4. Makita EB7650TH Backpack Blower Review

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 670 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 200 MPH
  • Weight: 24.1 lbs

The Makita EB7650TH Blower is the most powerful backpack blower that Makita offers. It is powered by a 75.6 cc commercial-duty 4-stroke engine that requires no fuel mix and will deliver commercial-duty performance with a maximum air speed of 200 mph and a maximum air volume of 670 cubic feet per minute. The mechanical automatic engine decompression is engineered for quick and easy starts, with heavy-duty anti-vibration mounts between the frame and engine for improved operator comfort. An anti-icing system is included in this model in which a dial valve bleeds warm air from around the exhaust towards the carburetor to stop icing in cold working conditions, improving fuel consumption during the winter months.

The Makita EB7650TH has a great active cooling system that makes up for the slight awkwardness of its weight displacement. Makita designed the fan intake directly behind the user. As the blower runs, it pulls air through the intake, across the users back. The result is a much cooler blowing experience. Other blowers included this feature as well, but Makita’s design worked much, much better than everyone else’s.

This powerful backpack blower includes very comfortable straps and a back pad. The straps were easy to cinch up, and the vibration was such that neither of those things should cause too much discomfort on longer jobs. The design of machine frame includes an improved style of a carry handle and a footplate on the base of the frame that enhances stability when the start cord is pulled. The air tube has an adjustable long reach extension and the application and is supplied with three alternative nozzle shapes.

The Makita EB7650TH is one of the best and most powerful leaf blowers that comes with a great price. The fuel efficiency on this backpack blower is one of the best-in-class that we found, and we love the 4-stroke engine. Not having to mix fuel feels like a huge perk for us, believe it or not.

5. EGO Power+ 580 CFM 56-Volt Cordless Blower Review – Most Powerful Cordless Leaf Blower

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 580 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 168 MPH
  • Weight (with battery): 9.6 lbs

When it comes to leaf blowers, most pros will tell you gas-powered backpack blowers are the way to go. But EGO has made it their company mission to replace gas-powered lawn tools with battery-powered machines that are equal to or better than many gas-powered tools. Their latest blower – the EGO Power+ 580 CFM Blower is no exception and is, in fact, more powerful than a good number of gas-powered backpack blowers on the market. It is also the most powerful cordless leaf blower in the industry.

This cordless leaf blower is powered by a high-efficiency brushless turbine fan motor and the same patented 56V Arc-Lithium battery platform that powers all EGO products. That means you can use all of EGO’s 56V batteries for this cordless leaf blower. The batteries that included when you buy and they are very solid and well-sealed.

The Power+ 580 gives you a whopping 580 CFM of air in a lightweight design. It has a variable speed control which allows users to modulate between 260 and 580 CFM. You can turn the speed down to clean out corners or mulch from flower beds or crank it up to pile up leaves and sweep out the garage.

6. Greenworks PRO 80V Cordless Jet Blower Review

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 580 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 145 MPH
  • Weight (with battery): 10 lbs

Delivers up to 580 CFM and 145 MPH of wind speed and air flow, the Greenworks PRO 80V Cordless Jet Blower is simply one of the most powerful cordless leaf blowers available. This cordless blower is equipped with jet turbine technology, which lets you clean up your yard faster without the hassle of gas exhaust. It’s powered by a powerful brushless motor and an 80V, 2.5 Ah lithium-ion battery that delivers fade-free power and charges in less than 30 minutes, with no memory effect capacity loss. Also, the PRO 80V Cordless Jet Blower comes as a part of the GreenWorks Pro 80V Li-Ion MAX system – so if you acquire the chainsaw, lawn mower or other tools from this lineup, the battery is compatible with all of them.

7. Worx WG591 TURBINE 56V Cordless Battery-Powered Leaf Blower Review

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 465 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 125 MPH
  • Weight (with battery): 8.1 lbs

The Worx WG591 TURBINE 56V is one of the most popular cordless leaf blowers in the world. It features a multi-speed fan control with TURBO boost that allows you to gently clean out corners of the garage and then crank up the power to pile up leaves in the yard. A high-capacity 56V MaxLithium battery powers this cordless leaf blower, which also features an efficient brushless motor for long-lasting performance.

The Worx WG591 blower is a 56V air Turbine blower with a whopping 465 CFM and 125 MPH, plenty of power to push those leaves across the street and into your neighbor’s yard. The blower harnesses a brushless motor which gives a longer runtime and longer motor life. Besides the power, the great thing about this blower is you can use the battery with all your other Worx products such as the lawnmower, chainsaw, and other OPE stuff. The unit weighs 8.1 lbs and comes with a three-year warranty.

Video: WORX WG591 56V Cordless Turbine Leaf Blower Comparison

8. Makita XBU02PT LXT Brushless Cordless Blower Review

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 473 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 120 MPH
  • Weight (with battery): 9 lbs

The first thing we really like about Makita, other than their incredible tool lineup and reputation for quality, is they use a compatible set of batteries across virtually ALL of their tools. Some companies will make a really big battery, for a bigger application, but unless you buy other tools that need that particular battery (which may be a few tools), then you are very limited for using that expensive battery… If you have 5 Makita cordless tools or 50, the same batteries work for all of them. If you need more power for an application, you just use 2 batteries is how they engineer their stuff. This makes a lot of sense for efficiencies and costs and organization.

The XBU02PT LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower is one of the most powerful leaf blowers from Makita. It’s powered by two 18-Volt LXT batteries for 36-Volt power and runtime, but without leaving the strongly-preferred 18-Volt battery platform. And with the efficient Makita BL brushless motor, the blower produces a maximum air velocity of up to 120 MPH at 473 CFM. When powered by two 18-Volt 5.0Ah batteries, the brushless motor can run for up to 29 minutes. The XBU02PT blower is also fully compatible with all Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries, meaning you can switch these batteries to another tool after you’ve finished.

9. Echo PB-2520 Heavy-Duty Handheld Blower Review – Most Powerful Gas Handheld Blower

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 453 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 170 MPH
  • Weight: 8.6 lbs

The Echo PB-2520 Heavy-Duty Handheld Blower is a compact gas-powered leaf blower that can do the job nicely and is backed by an impressive five-year consumer warranty. Like most warranties, any negligence, improper use of or incorrectly mixing the gas and oil voids the agreement, but otherwise, you’re covered for an extended time so you can get years of service out of your leaf blower. The length of a warranty period reflects how well a company stands behind the products it sells. The average warranty period among the gas leaf blowers we reviewed is about 3 years.

In addition, this Echo handheld blower can blow debris 18 feet in 15 seconds; this was the farthest distance of any of the gas handheld leaf blowers we’ve found. Interestingly, it is very lightweight, only 8.6 pounds, but it pushes up to 453 CFM at 170 MPH. This makes the PB-2520 one of the lightest yet most powerful gas-powered handheld leaf blowers and can help you clean your large yard faster and easier. It’s also simpler to operate than other blowers, due in part to a variable speed dial that you can control with one hand.

However, the Echo PB-2520 gas handheld leaf blower lacks some of the convenience features we look for in this category. For example, you can’t use this leaf blower as a vacuum, and it doesn’t feature any anti-vibration technology or handle cushioning. None of these things are deal-killers, but the addition of any of these extras would make it a more versatile tool.

10. Worx WG520 Turbine Review – Most Powerful Electric Leaf Blower

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  • Maximum Air Volume: 600 CFM
  • Maximum Air Speed: 110 MPH
  • Weight: 6.4 lbs

The final model and also one of the best corded electric leaf blowers available is the Worx WG520 Turbine Leaf Blower. This unit with patented jet engine technology and a hyper-stream air nozzle delivers extreme blowing force, up to 110 mph with a CFM of 600. The strong air stream is able to easily get under dense, damp, matted leaves, lift them, and move them forward. There are some gas-powered leaf blowers that can’t even boast about this kind of performance and this is from an electric leaf blower that weighs only 6.4 pounds.

Because this corded leaf blower is lightweight and ergonomic, you can easily control it with one hand without getting fatigued. It has a superb handle design and, being electric, has very little vibration. You can clean for hours with the Worx WG520 and feel absolutely no strain on your hands, arms, or shoulders. To make it easier to work with an electric cord trailing behind you, they’ve included a cord retainer that will prevent it from becoming unplugged or damage the cord when you have to give it a pull.

In addition to a lightweight design and high-capacity air volume, the Worx WG520 electric leaf blower runs very quietly, even when it’s running on the highest speed. It’s also affordable, in fact, the WG520 is one of the cheapest leaf blowers on the market.

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