Echo Vs Stihl Backpack Leaf Blowers (Key Differences Compared)

There’s a wide variety of leaf blowers out there, and it's not always clear what separates them. Echo and Stihl are two well-known brands, but it isn’t immediately obvious what the differences are between them. This guide will give you a breakdown of Echo vs. Stihl backpack leaf blowers help you determine which is the best backpack leaf blower for you.  

Overview of the Echo Backpack Blower Range 

Echo has been operating for over 40 years and specializes in handheld electrical tools. Innovation is at the heart of the company, and every 5 years or so, they launch a new product that helps to make life easier for their customers.   

Their blowers are some of the most user-friendly on the market, with key features like padded backrests, unique straps, and improved controls. They also have some of the most powerful handheld and backpack blowers on the market, which use a high air volume pushed through at high speed. This is why Echo backpack blowers are some of the most popular on the market.  

Echo backpack blowers are ideal for people who have to deal with a lot of leaves and debris. The extra boost of power makes it well suited for dealing with wet leaves, so it works well in cooler, wetter climates. It’s one of the easiest blowers to use, so it's often purchased as a first blower.   

man leaf blowing the street

Pros & Cons Of Echo Backpack Blowers 

Benefits 

  • Powerful
    Echo backpack blowers are some of the most powerful available, with higher MPH and CFM than similar brands.
  • Comfortable
    Echo has put a lot of time into creating a user-friendly blower with padding and straps to make it more comfortable for the user. The harness that comes with the blower helps to distribute the weight effectively.
  • Large Fuel Tank
    Echo blowers have large fuel tanks so that you can use them for longer. This does make them heavier, though.
  • Good Value
    Overall, Echo blowers are pretty affordable and offer a good balance of power for the price you pay.
  • Easy Controls
    Echo prides themselves on simple devices that anyone can use.

Drawbacks 

  • Heavier
    Echo backpack blowers can be heavier than competitors, which is only natural because they have more power. This may make it more challenging to use for some people.
  • Less Efficient
    Echo models are less fuel-efficient than other manufacturers, which means you’ll spend more on fuel.
  • Louder
    The extra power in Echo backpack blowers does make them slightly louder.

Overview of the Stihl Backpack Leaf Blower Range 

Stihl has a long history dating back almost 100 years. They started as a company specializing in forestry equipment, taking large devices and turning them into 1 or 2 person tools. They developed over time until they started making handhold electrical items for all over the home.  

Stihl has built their company on quality, and they have some of the most durable and reliable products on the market. They haven’t always been the most innovative brand on the market, but they’ve taken advantage of developments to improve their products every few years.  They make both handheld and backpack leaf blowers which you can purchase depending on your needs.

Stihl backpack leaf blowers offer a mix of quality, practicality, and durability. They are often used by professionals and are a good investment because of their longevity, and they back that up with a longer warranty than other manufacturers offer.  

STIHL blower

Pros & Cons Of The Stihl Backpack Leaf Blower Range

Benefits 

  • Lightweight
    Stihl backpack leaf blowers are much lighter than comparable products, making them easier to use for beginners.
  • Reliable
    Stihl creates well-made blowers, which are some of the most consistent on the market. They should start up on the first pull almost every time.
  • Durable
    The materials and components of Stihl backpack leaf blowers are all very durable. All of this combines to make a long lasting blower which is one reason it's perfect for commercial use.
  • Warranty
    Stihl protects their blowers with an extended warranty to give you peace of mind as you use them.
  • Efficient
    Stihl backpack leaf blowers have an efficient engine that burns fuel more slowly. This helps provide long term savings on fuel costs.

Drawbacks 

  • Less powerful
    Stihl are reliable, but they’re less powerful than some other brands. However, they have enough power for most jobs, so this isn't a big issue.
  • Small fuel tank
    Stihl backpack leaf blowers have a smaller fuel tank, so you’ll have to refill it more often. This can be annoying for larger jobs.
  • Special Fuel
    Some Stihl leaf blowers use a special type of fuel which is a bit more expensive.

Echo Vs. Stihl Backpack Leaf Blowers (Key Differences Compared) 

There’s a lot of different factors to consider when you’re comparing backpack leaf blowers. Here’s a comparison of the two brands on the key aspects:  

1. CFM & MPH 

CFM and MPH are common measurements that show the power of a blower. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and measures how much air is sucked into the device to blow out the other side. The value is also the one used to measure how strong a backpack vacuum can perform. This indicates how much material your blower can handle. MPH, or miles per hour, is an indicator of how fast the air will be blown, and this shows how quickly material can be moved.  

Echo backpack leaf blowers are more powerful than Stihl and will generally have slightly higher CFM and MPH. This makes them better suited for larger jobs or dealing with wet leaves or debris requiring more power to shift. Stihl blows still have plenty of power, though, and it’s more than enough for most homeowners.  

2. Weight & Noise Rating 

The weight of the leaf blower directly impacts how user friendly it is. You need to have a comfortable weight that you can handle so that you can move freely and use the blower well. 

Stihl backpack leaf blowers are generally lighter than Echo models because they have slightly less power and smaller fuel tanks. This makes them better suited for those who need to use a blower a lot and don’t wait to put any strain on their arms or back.  

Echo blowers are a bit louder than Stihl blowers for the same reason, because they’re a bit more powerful. This makes Stihl a bit better suited for residential areas.  

3. Fuel Efficiency 

Leaf blowers need fuel to operate, and they all burn it at different rates. Over time the cost of this fuel can add up, so it’s worth getting a blower that's as efficient as possible. Stihl backpack leaf blowers have a better fuel efficiency, and that means they won’t burn through it so quickly.

This is better for regular users because it means you won’t spend a fortune filling it up. Some Echo leaf blowers also take specialized fuel, which adds more to the cost. One plus point for Echo is that they have much larger fuel tanks, though, so you won't need to refill it as often.  

While both Stihl and Echo have reasonably efficient blowers, Stihl is better suited for those who will use the blower more regularly and want to save on fuel.  

4. Power & Speed

We mentioned the CFM and MPH of the two manufacturers, but it’s worth talking about the overall power and speed of the different blowers. Echo has put more of a focus on power, and they definitely offer more in this category. Stihl has some more powerful models, but generally, Echo is the one for big tough jobs.   

5. Ease Of Use 

Blowers are used by all kinds of people, from homeowners using them casually to professionals providing a service. Leaf blowers, therefore, need to be easy to use, but you’d be surprised how often this is overlooked. Ease of use comes down to two things, comfort and simplicity.  

Both Echo and Stihl have very easy to use devices. They have clear instructions and simple buttons that make it obvious what you need to do. Stihl is probably a little clearer, and you will normally only need to pull the cord once to switch it on. 

Echo definitely leads in terms of comfort. They have extra padding, comfortable straps, and additional features to support the user. This helps offset the burden of the extra weight.  

Echo and Stihl are both easy to use and reliable, and suitable for any users. 

6. Price 

Echo and Stihl leaf blowers are similarly priced and have a range of blowers for different budgets. Overall, Echo blowers are $50-100 more expensive than Stihl, but that’s understandable because of the extra power. Stihl offers a great deal of value because their products are really well made, making them more of a long term investment.  

7. Overall 

Overall, both Echo and Stihl leaf blowers are quite similar, with only a few differences that set them apart. Echo has more power and is probably of more use to experienced blowers who know the scale of the job they have. Stihl has more beginner friendly blowers with less power that offer you more control.  

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What Should I Look For When Buying A Leaf Blower? 

This isn’t always straightforward, and the blower you need will depend on the job you have to do. The main things to consider are always power (CFM/MPH), efficiency, price, and durability. These will help determine if it can do the job and whether it’s a good investment. It’s often a good idea to consider noise levels, too, especially if you live in a quiet suburban area.  

What Is The Highest CFM Leaf Blower On The Market? 

Blowers come in all shapes and sizes, but you can find backpack blowers with over 700 CFM, which is really high.  

How Do These Brands Compare With Other Top Options? 

Echo and Stihl probably aren’t the standout brands for backpack leaf blowers, but they have a solid reputation. They’re not the most expensive or powerful blowers, but they combine a mix of quality and unique features, making them pretty good value for money.  

Echo Or Stihl - Which Is Best? 

Both of these brands offer suitable, solid leaf blowers which will do the job. Echo has more powerful products with excellent user-friendly features, but Stihl has greater durability, and they're more affordable. The overall quality of Stihl leaf blowers is probably better, but Echo will be best for you if you need an extra kick.  

Conclusion

There are many leaf blowers out there, and it's not easy to tell them apart. Echo is slightly more expensive than Stihl, but they offer a bit more power and comfort for that. Stihl, on the other hand, offers greater durability, which makes them a sound investment for professionals. Truthfully, they’re both good brands with well-made products, but hopefully, this guide has helped you determine which is best for you. 

  • Updated November 6, 2021
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