Picking the right Stihl blower can feel like guesswork. We tested the full 2024 lineup with a simple goal, find out what actually saves time, which models punch above their weight, and where spending more really pays off. We set up a 1,000 sq ft test square, spread 10 even scoops of stall bedding to mimic leaves, and timed how fast each blower cleared the area. We chose key models across gas handheld, battery handheld, battery backpack, gas backpack, and blower attachments so you get clear data points tied to Newton ratings, ergonomics, and real use. The biggest surprise,  power jumps did not always deliver big time gains, but when they did, the difference was real for pros.

We wanted answers to the questions buyers actually ask:

• How much faster is commercial than homeowner?
• Battery vs. gas, who wins on time?
• Is a blower attachment good enough?
• When does it make sense to step up to a backpack?

Thirty seconds on a 1,000 sq ft driveway may not feel big for a homeowner. Multiply that across 50 or 100 jobs a week and it becomes real money for a landscaper. Slower blowers also run longer, which means more wear and shorter service life.

All blowers cleared dry material just fine, but backpacks shine once you hit wet leaves, heavy clumps, water, or gravel.

Newtons measure air force. Higher Newtons usually mean faster clearing, but there are diminishing returns depending on the task. Weight and rotational force matter too. Bigger blowers twist your core, and that gets tiring over time.

Key factors we measured:

1. Time per job
2. Runtime and fuel use
3. Material type and conditions

• BG 50, 13 N: Lightweight, low-frills, great price.
• BG 56, 13 N: Easy start, bottom handle, accepts kits like flat nozzle, gutter, and vacuum.
• BG 66 L, 13 N: Quieter variant of the 56 with a built-in silencer, great for noise-sensitive areas. Not every dealer carries it.
• BG 86, 15 N: Strongest gas handheld in the lineup. Commercial features like better filtration, anti-vibration, throttle lock, and elastostart handle.
• BG 86 C, 15 N: BG 86 with easy start.

Here is a quick look at ratings and highlights.

Shop the full gas handheld lineup on our site under Stihl gas handheld blowers.

This entry-level unit surprised us. It beat some pricier models despite being the cheapest option. If you want the best bang for your buck on a small property, this one still gets it done.

The BG 86 was the fastest among the gas handhelds we tested, as expected. The flat nozzle helped, and the comfort features made it friendly for longer work sessions. It is the strongest gas handheld at 15 Newtons, so it is a natural pick for pros who prefer handhelds.

• BG 50: Best budget choice. Strong performance with fewer comforts.
• BG 56: Great for long-term flexibility. Accepts vacuum and gutter kits, and the easy start is great for families.
• BG 66 L: Ideal for quiet neighborhoods, early mornings, or around hotels and schools.
• BG 86 or BG 86 C: Best for max handheld power and comfort. Easy start on the C model is handy for mixed users.

Pros and cons at a glance:

• BG 50 pros: Cheap, light, effective. Cons: Basic starting process, fewer comforts.
• BG 56 pros: Easy start, kit options. Cons: Slightly heavier than BG 50.
• BG 86 pros: Strongest handheld, commercial features. Cons: Higher price.

• BGA 57, 9 N: Smallest unit, sold as a bundle with battery and charger. About 24 minutes of runtime. Priced at $199.
• BGA 60, 15 N: New, strong, and comes bundled with a larger battery. About 15 minutes of runtime. Priced at $299.
• BGA 86, 15 N: Pro handheld in the battery line. Same output as BG 86.
• BG-KM Blower Attachment, 15 N: Blower head for gas or battery KombiMotors. Matches 15 Newton output and performed well.
• BGA 100, 17 N: Hip-corded grip, pairs with backpack battery. Very light in-hand.
• BGA 200, 21 N: More output than the 100, same hip-corded setup, still light in the hand.
• BGA 300, 26 N: Battery backpack blower. Heavy, but built for commercial duty. Matches the BR 430 in output.

Battery direction is shifting away from corded backpacks and toward slotted, swappable batteries. More batteries, fewer cords, easier days.

The BGA 57 ran quiet and cleared better than it felt in the hand. It landed close to the BG 50 in time. The BGA 60 hit harder and moved material quickly, which cut the work time despite its shorter runtime.

The 15 Newton Kombi blower attachment was a standout. It matched dedicated 15 N tools and made sense for crews already invested in Kombi. The BGA 300 brought backpack-level power at 26 N, similar to the BR 430, and felt designed for commercial use. It is heavy at around 36 pounds with the pack, so plan your battery strategy.

Recommended runtimes from the tests:

1. BGA 57, about 24 minutes per charge for light tasks.
2. BGA 60, about 15 minutes per charge, but faster clearing on each pass.

• Homeowners: BGA 57 if you want price and runtime, BGA 60 if you want speed. The BGA 60 matches BG 86 power and is ideal for 3 to 4 minute driveway sessions, even on longer drives.
• Commercial battery: BGA 86 with plenty of batteries for swapping across tools, or go big with BGA 300. If you use a Kombi system, the blower head is better than expected for driveways and small sites.

Battery is the right call for quiet neighborhoods or areas with noise rules.

• BR 200: Slowest in the test, but comfy. Feels like a handheld on a backplate. Great if you have shoulder or arm issues.
• BR 350, 17 N: Heavy-duty homeowner or farm and ranch.
• BR 430, 26 N: Where Stihl’s commercial gas backpack range starts.
• BR 450, 28 N: Adjustable tube and handle for fit and reach.
• BR 500: Low-noise model under 64 dB. Uses the 600 engine tuned down to 3 hp and quieted with foam and a silenced tube.
• BR 600, 32 N: Fuel efficient with strong output. Light for its performance. A proven favorite for many crews.
• BR 700, 35 N: More volume, wider path. Excellent on big leaf fields and large properties.
• BR 800 X and 800 C, 41 N: Highest output. The X is the lighter trim. The C adds features like a hip start, larger tube, and belt.

Important differences called out in testing:

• BR 350 to BR 450 use simpler engines with fewer moving parts, which means less maintenance over time.
• BR 600 and up save fuel, and those savings can cover the upgrade year after year. They do have an exhaust screen to clean sometimes.

Shop the gas backpack range on our site under Stihl backpack blowers.

The BR 200 finished last on time, but it was the most comfortable to wear. It is a smart fit for light driveway chores if you want a backpack without the torque and twist of bigger models. The BR 350 delivered a clear bump over handhelds, though it was not a night-and-day difference on light debris.

The BR 430 had a major time drop compared to the 350. This is a sweet spot for many buyers. The BR 600 clocked very similar times to the 430 in dry conditions. It is efficient, lighter than it looks, and a great daily driver.

The BR 700 gave a wider, high-volume path. In our dry test, it landed close to the BR 600 and BR 430, sometimes within a second. On large blowouts, that extra width could pay off.

The BR 800 X was the clear hammer. It posted a 25 second time on the 1,000 sq ft square, which translated to roughly a 35 percent gain over mid-range units. If you work big sites or lots of parking lots, productivity jumps here.

Here is a quick reference of the models, output, and key notes.

• BR 500: If your customers care about noise, this one sells jobs. It sounds closer to battery than gas and avoids fines in strict zones.
• BR 700 and BR 800: Volume kings. The 700 favors width and open areas. The 800 is the time killer for heavy work.

• Gas handheld: BG 50 if you want a low price and reliable power.
• Flexible gas option: BG 56 if you want easy start plus the ability to add a vacuum or gutter kit later.
• Battery: BGA 60 for speed and power, especially if your driveway takes 3 to 4 minutes. The power saves time, even with a shorter runtime.
• Quiet focus: BGA 57 if you value price and runtime over speed.

If you have a single driveway, any of these will work. Choose based on ease of use, noise, and whether you want to add kits later.

• Best balance: BR 430. It hits hard without beating you up.
• No regrets power: BR 800 X if you want maximum speed and do not mind the weight.

Homeowner quick guide:

• Small yard, light cleanup: BGA 60
• Standard suburban lot: BG 56 or BG 86
• Large property: BR 430
• Rural or heavy debris: BR 800 X

• Daily route, mixed sites: BR 600 or BR 430. Both are strong, efficient, and durable.
• Big parking lots and blowouts: BR 800 X for speed and productivity.
• Noise-sensitive jobs and early starts: BR 500, or go battery.
• Battery contracts: BGA 86 with lots of batteries to swap across tools. For backpack battery power, the BGA 300 matches BR 430 output and feels built for pro work.

Pro tip: Time adds up. Lighter units like the BR 600 save your back. The BR 800 X finishes jobs faster by a wide margin, which can offset its weight on large sites.

• Moving from handheld to backpack: Jump to the BR 430. You will feel the gain.
• Attachments: The BG-KM blower attachment at 15 N is better than expected for residential driveways. Use it if you already run a Kombi setup and want to keep your kit tight.

Want more side-by-side tests and tips, check our Ultimate Leaf Blower Playlist. Ready to browse models, see our Stihl blowers collection.

This test showed that power, comfort, and task type all matter. Handhelds like the BG 50 and BG 86 still shine. The BR 430 is a standout step into commercial power, and the BR 800 X is the productivity king. Battery models, led by the BGA 60 and BGA 86, are strong picks for quiet zones and quick jobs. Tell us your favorite and where you saw the biggest gains. Big blower content is coming next, so stay tuned.

Final picks to keep it simple:

1. Homeowner handheld: BG 56
2. Homeowner battery: BGA 60
3. Pro backpack all-rounder: BR 600
4. Max power: BR 800 X

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