Best Stihl Leaf Blowers (2026)

The BR 700 is Stihl's professional backpack, and the listing quotes a maximum blowing force of 88 m/s and a weight of 10.8 kg. It is built for people who use a blower every working day, such as landscapers and groundskeepers, and for homeowners with large lots who would rather buy once. The adjustable blow pipe lets you set the tube length to your height, which matters more than it sounds over a full afternoon.

A backpack carries the engine and tank on your back, so your arms only guide the tube. That is the main reason it suits long sessions better than any handheld in this guide. Compared with the BG 86 handheld, it moves far more material per pass and spares your wrist, at the price of weight on your back and a much higher purchase cost.

Gas ownership means mixing fuel correctly, cleaning the air filter and running the engine out before storage. Use fresh fuel and the oil ratio in the manual, and have it serviced by a dealer, which is one of the reasons people pay for this brand. I would not buy it for a small yard; it is more machine than most homes need.

The BG 86 is the gas handheld most people mean when they talk about a Stihl blower. The listing gives no airflow or speed figures, so I will not quote any, but it is a two-stroke handheld in the range's middle tier, positioned for large residential lots. It is the tool for someone who wants to walk freely with no cord or battery to babysit.

Compared with the battery BGA 60, it will run as long as you have fuel and can be topped up in seconds. The tradeoffs are noise, exhaust and a pull cord. If your neighbourhood bans gas blowers, this one is out; if not, it stays in service for years with basic care.

Treat it like any two-stroke: use fresh premixed fuel, keep the spark arrestor and air filter clean, and drain the tank for winter storage. It is also a good second tool for owners of a BR 700 who want a lighter handheld for corners and walkways.

The BG 56 line is Stihl's lighter gas handheld, and the listing offers no specifications beyond the product name, so I am describing it by class rather than by figure. It sits below the BG 86 in the range and is aimed at homeowners with medium sized yards who prefer gas.

Its value is in the fundamentals: a simple two-stroke engine, a plain handheld shape and a reputation for being easy to start and easy to service. Compared with the BG 86, expect less power and a lighter body, which is a good trade for people who find a bigger handheld tiring.

Upkeep is the usual gas routine. Mix fuel to the ratio in the manual, replace the air filter every season and store the machine with an empty tank. Because the listing is thin, check the exact model suffix with the seller, since Stihl sells several versions of the BG 56 with different features.

The BGA 57 is a compact battery blower sold as a kit with an AK 20 battery and an AL 101 charger. The listing gives no airflow figures, so I will describe it by role: it is the practical battery handheld for suburban yards, replacing a small gas blower with something quieter and easier to start.

As part of Stihl's AK system, its pack also fits other tools in that range, which makes it a good first purchase if you plan to add a trimmer or hedge cutter. Compared with the BGA 60, it is the older and simpler of the two, and compared with the BGA 30 it is a more capable tool.

Charge the pack after use, store it indoors and keep the intake clear. The AK 20 is a smaller pack, so expect to stop and charge on a bigger job, and consider a second one if you clear for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

The BGA 60 is sold as a set, which the listing describes as including the blower unit and everything needed to start working. It is positioned for effective leaf and debris removal, and no airflow figures are listed, so I will not make any up. It is a newer machine than the BGA 57 and should be read as the step up in the battery range.

For most buyers the choice between the two is between a known compact tool and a newer, more capable one. If you are buying new, the newer set is usually the better long-term investment as long as the pack suits your other Stihl tools. Compared with the BG 86 gas handheld, it trades unlimited runtime for quiet operation and no fuel.

Store it indoors, charge after use and keep the intake clear of debris. Ask the seller exactly which battery is included, because Stihl uses several pack sizes and the kit contents change what the tool can do in a session.

The BGA 30 is the lightest tool in the lineup at 1.5 kg, with a built-in LED light for working in poor light. The kit includes two AS2 batteries and an AL1 charger, and the listing says each AS2 pack gives up to 25 minutes depending on intensity and power setting. That makes it a quick-cleanup tool rather than a lawn tool.

Its purpose is sweeping a porch, a path, a patio or a garage. Compared with the BGA 57, it is lighter and cheaper to run, but it simply does not have the capacity to clear a lawn full of leaves. Do not buy it expecting to replace a gas blower.

Two batteries in the box is helpful, since you can swap packs and keep working. Keep the packs charged and indoors, wipe the nozzle after use and treat it as the broom with a fan it is meant to be.