As the fall approaches, fallen leaves are about to raid a sneak foray into your garden even before you get a clue. It, then, can make your garden grubby, and we believe it’s not pleasant for you.
Fortunately, Backpack leaf blowers and handheld blowers are there to help you avoid such a situation.
You may think to skimp for a cheaper handheld rather than a keenly priced backpack leaf blower. But do you think the extra money spent is more valuable than the spare time you’ll be wasting with a less powerful blower?
Among different types of gas blowers, backpack leaf blowers and handheld blowers seem to be more demanding. To find the best one for you, you’ve to read the differences from our experience in Backpack leaf blowers vs. Handheld blowers.
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Backpack Leaf Blowers or Handheld Blowers: Which is Higher Maintenance?
Sometimes, it can make you spend more than the actual price of the device. Let me explain how.
Suppose you bought a leaf blower for $300. But after a few days of the purchase, the service started to deteriorate. Either the engine starts making a weird noise, or the device isn’t simply starting; you need to call for a professional.
And you already know how expensive it is to call for professional help unless the device comes with a good warranty. To avoid such situations, you must take good care of the leaf blower, no matter if it’s a backpack leaf blower or a handheld leaf blower.
First of all, any machine in the world needs proper care to function correctly, and the same goes with leaf blowers. It wouldn’t require much maintenance if you want to get an electric or cordless leaf blower.
That’s because it doesn’t contain a fuel tank and gasoline engine as these both need proper care to last for a good time of span.
However, it still needs some maintenance. On the other hand, gas-powered backpack blowers need high care because of their hefty body and several body parts. Also, two or four-stroke engines and fuel tanks are easily damaged.
Difference Between Backpack Leaf Blowers and Handheld Blowers
Every device has its advantages and disadvantages, which makes it different from the other. If we look at the characteristics of both the types of gas leaf blowers, we might find the genuine winner…
Backpack Leaf Blowers
We know someone who was immensely in love with his handheld blower until he tried a backpack blower in his friend’s garden.
Maybe he found it very easy to work with for his long work with it. Why did he choose a Backpack leaf blower instead of a Handheld blower?
Let’s reveal the mystery…
Powerful Blow
This is the most versatile and powerful leaf blower available there. Backpack leaf blowers can blow leaves at 175 to 250(MPH). They’ve also got their CFM very high which is 300 to 900.
This is a nifty device and perfect for someone with a hectic schedule, which may seem absent with a handheld.
Sounds attractive?
But it’s not much fun for people with smaller gardens. It’s more ergonomic and enjoyable when used in a large garden or lawn. Again, keep in mind that its high power is going to help you blow even the heaviest leaves or debris lying around in your garden.
Better for those having trees that produce big fruits and leaves, making it a must-have for smaller gardens with apple trees. These all make vacuum blowers more versatile than others.
Easy to Use
As it’s named after backpacks so obviously it has something which makes them appear like one! A backpack leaf blower has a bag that stores the giant fuel tank and engine to prevent arm, hand, and back pain.
They can be as heavy as 12-37 lbs which is too much for a woman, a child, or an elderly to use comfortably.
As the blowers are usually heavier, they come with padded straps and, as an addition, with a hip belt as well. This feature distributes the whole weight throughout your body so you can do the blowing job effortlessly.
Some of the backpack leaf blowers come with a tube mount, while others with a hip-mount throttle. Want to know what their specialty is? The tube-mount throttle will be accessible on your left hand and the hip-mount on your right hand.
I hope you understand which one to go for if you’re a lefty or a righty.
Backpack leaf blowers keep one of your hands unoccupied, all the while. This is so easy to go with. You’re able to drink water or juice while performing blowing sessions. It also keeps you a lot safer than with the handheld version.
To work with a backpack leaf blower, you must have a large garden or lawn as you’d need a place to make a big pile of leaves. Again, you need ample space to store this device once you’re done with your cleanup this time.
Environmental and Health Issues
As a giant and powerful gas device, backpack leaf blowers cause many environmental issues compared to handheld blowers.
First of all, it causes lots of noise which irritates your neighbors more than you. Don’t be surprised if it deteriorates the relationship between you and your closest neighbor. This is a common occurrence.
However, now we get to see some quieter leaf blowers, which are up to 70% less noisy than those years ago. The other 30% doesn’t seem to be a massive problem for the people around you. But if you still find the noise too loud, would you mind wearing ear protection?
Again, because of the mighty blow, it makes- a big chunk of soil, dirt, and debris starts to fly in the air. This then can enter your body through the respiratory system.
It can be highly hazardous to people with respiratory issues like asthma, hay fever, and all. Please, don’t take a chance if you’re a patient with such a disease.
Handheld Leaf Blowers
These are also known as suitcase leaf blowers. They are known as handheld blowers because you need to hold the blower with your hand all the while.
Then you’re using your free hand to hold the nozzle and blow the leaves. The characteristics of such blowers are….
Blowing Power
Maybe this is where the main difference is between backpack leaf blowers and handheld blowers. Handheld blowers are a lot weaker than backpack blowers.
That’s why handheld ones can’t clean your garden as fast. Also, they can’t remove big piles of leaves or even wet and frozen leaves.
You’re making a big mistake if you clean your large garden with a handheld instead of a backpack blower. It’ll take you decades and lots of effort to clean even a medium to large-sized park.
Your hands would start to swallow, the fuel tank would run out of juice, and still, you won’t be able to finish the task.
On the other hand, with a handheld leaf blower, you’ll be able to clean a smaller yard effortlessly. These blowers tend to be lightweight and attractive, which makes them easy on the hands and body.
In addition, these blowers can go easy on the corners and clean those sneaky regions flawlessly.
So, even if it doesn’t blow as strong as backpack blowers, there’s nothing better than a handheld leaf blower for smaller yards.
Ease of Use
Not as effortless as it is with a backpack leaf blower as the latter comes with a backpack and belt system. Also, you don’t need to occupy both your hands to operate the device as with handheld leaf blowers.
But the handhelds are relatively lighter and easy to work on small gardens. You can also get a cordless or Corded version to work with ease which you can’t with a backpack.
If you’re looking for a blower to perform the cleanup after a hedge trimming session, these types of blowers work exceptionally well. You do not have to take the giant backpack machine out of the storage for the tiny job.
As for storing the device, you need more space for backpack leaf blowers than handheld blowers. Not fun for people with tiny houses.
Environmental and Health Issues
Handheld blowers can be found in gas or electric, even cordless form, unlike the other ones. So, it’s a good choice for those who don’t want to harm the environment further.
However, a gas-powered handheld blower would spoil the atmosphere like a backpack.
The blowing power of handheld blowers is relatively weaker than backpack leaf blowers. So, they shouldn’t cause you any discomfort while cleaning the garden unless you’re not very sensitive to dust.
Covering your nose and mouth with a cloth or wearing a mask should help to eradicate the mild side effects.
Final Thoughts
Choosing and carrying on with the blower is very easy once you learn the basics of backpack leaf blowers vs. handheld blowers.
Remember, no device is completely flawless, and you have to choose the one that doesn’t seem to be too troublesome for you. The machines are convenient, and you need to get your one wisely.