Stihl Vs Echo Backpack Leaf Blower: What’s The Difference?

Which to get, the Stihl or Echo backpack leaf blower? The Stihl BR 600 has a stronger engine with better fuel consumption. But, the Echo PB-580T has a bigger fuel tank and is less noisy. No matter which one you get, you are guaranteed to get quality!

Are you in the market for a new leaf blower? Can’t decide which one to get – the Stihl vs Echo backpack leaf blower?

The first thing I would say is that you are on the right track! Stihl and Echo are two of the best brands you can buy. They both sell high-quality outdoor power tools with outstanding performance. 

But which is better? The Stihl or Echo backpack leaf blower? 

To determine which is better, I will compare two of their most popular models, the Stihl BR 600 and the Echo PB-580T. 

Through my research, I have found that Stihl BR 600 is overall a better solution for most homeowners. It is stronger, lighter, and has a bigger engine. 

But that is not all! Keep on reading! You can find the whole review below!

The Stihl Vs Echo Backpack Leaf Blower – Up Close

Stihl Backpack Leaf Blower: Review

You have probably heard of the Stihl brand. You may even have one of their powered tools in your garage already! This doesn’t come as a surprise. Stihl is one of the leading brands in the outdoor power tool and equipment industry. 

Stihl has a long history. It is a German company founded in 1926 and they have a major global headquarters in Virginia, employing more than 1,900 locals. Besides leaf blowers, Stihl also manufactures chainsaws, tillers, garden shredders, trimmers, and the list goes on. 

Today, I will focus on the Stihl BR 600 backpack leaf blower. I chose this model because it is very similar to the Echo PB-580T. This way, the comparison will be fair and square. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the features.

Design & Ease Of Use

Stihl is known for making backpack leaf blowers that feel good to use, which is exactly what you want in your leaf blower. You know you will be wearing your backpack leaf blower for an extended period of time time, so you want a unit that feels comfortable on your back. 

The Stihl BR 600 is lighter than the Echo PB-580T and weighs only 21.6 lbs, so it won’t break your back or strip you of your energy just by carrying it around. This is a huge advantage. 

On top of that, all Stihl backpack blowers and sprayers have an adjustable support harness that distributes weight across the back and shoulders, so you will feel comfortable wearing your machine. 

Stihl backpack leaf blowers have a multi-function control handle located on the tube and all of the controls are located on a single handle for easy access, so you can finish a job without having to let go of the handle. This design feature makes the Stihl backpack leaf blower hassle-free and easy to operate. 

Another design quality that you will appreciate is the anti-vibration system. It reduces the vibration of the gas engine when fully operating. This decreases fatigue and ensures a comfortable working experience.  

I do have to mention, though, that the Stihl BR 600 is a bit noisier than its competitor. It produces 75 dB of noise, which is comparable to the sound of a vacuum cleaner. Luckily, this unit won’t hurt your ears. 

Watch this complete review of the Stihl BR 600:

Engine Specs 

The Stihl BR 600 is a gas-powered leaf blower, so the machine requires a combination of fuel and oil to operate properly, just like the Echo PB-580T.

The Stihl backpack leaf blower features a 47.3 fl oz fuel tank and a 4-Mix 4-Stroke engine with a displacement of 64.8ccs. The engine produces 2.8 kW of power, so you can rely on it to get you through some rough cleaning jobs. 

Most importantly, Stihl leaf blowers start quickly, thanks to the purge pump primer. This feature enables you to prime the carburetor with fuel for easier starting. You can’t flood the engine, even if you push the primer button one too many times. It only takes one to two pulls to fire up the engine. 

The Stihl backpack snow blower also has a built-in stop switch, which allows you to turn off the engine with a simple press of the button. The machine automatically returns to the start setting and is ready for the next use. Pretty amazing!

Blowing Power 

All Stihl backpack leaf blowers are well known for their performance. The Stihl BR 600, in particular, puts out 677 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air. CFM is a measurement of air volume and it tells you how many cubic feet of air comes out of the nozzle every minute. 

You also have to look at the speed of air coming out of the leaf blower. The air coming out of the Stihl BR 600 reaches a max of 238 mph. This machine has the power to move large piles of leaves and possibly even small sticks and rocks. 

This leaf blower has many uses. It can be turned into a gutter cleaner and used for snow removal too! No wonder why it is so popular amongst homeowners.  

Click here if you want to know more about the leaf blower CFM vs MPH. 

Watch this video to see the Stihl BR 600 in action:

Pros

• Bigger and stronger engine than Echo’s
• Easy start
• Higher CFM than Echo blower
• Higher MPH than Echo blower
• Multi-function control handle
• Built-in stop switch 
• Anti-vibration system
• Adjustable support harness
• Lighter
• 2 year limited warranty

Cons

• Smaller fuel tank
• Noisier
• More expensive 

Echo Backpack Leaf Blower: Review

Echo is a company that doesn’t need a detailed introduction. They have been manufacturing high-performance products with commercial quality for over 70 years. 

The company started with a simple hand-held crop duster, and now they sell a whole assortment of powered tools on a global level. Today, I will focus on their backpack leaf blower PB-580T. 

Let’s take a look at its features. 

Design & Ease Of Use

The Echo PB-580T is a backpack leaf blower. This means that you can carry the machine on your back, so your hands won’t get fatigued during the intensive work. This is just one of the perks of owning a backpack leaf blower over a handheld model. 

All Echo backpack leaf blowers are designed with comfortability in mind. They are very comfortable, dare I say even more than Stihl blowers. Here’s why …

The Echo PB-580T features a vented back pad that allows air to circulate around the user. This means your back won’t sweat as much in hot weather. 

You also get a padded backrest and shoulder straps with this particular model to keep you comfortable during the whole operation. Rest assured, these straps won’t dig into your skin and leave you sore. 

The Echo backpack leaf blower also features a vibration reduction system that will protect you from the engine shaking. With this machine, you get an opportunity to work safely and comfortably. 

The Echo PB-580T will spare your and your neighbor’s ears too! It’s pretty quiet compared to other leaf blowers on the market and only emits 70 dB of noise.

Just like the Stihl backpack leaf blower, this one, too, features a tube-mounted throttle for easy access and operation. You can operate the whole machine with only one hand and have the other resting. 

Most importantly, this Echo backpack leaf blower is lightweight. It weighs only 22.6 lbs, but this is slightly more than its competitor. The last thing you want is to carry around a heavy and bulky machine that will run you down. You won’t get any work done! 

Check out this video for a visual review of Echo PB-580T:

Engine Specs

The Echo PB-580T has a reliable 2-stroke gas-powered engine with a displacement of 58.2ccs. 

All I can say is, the engine performance won’t disappoint you. It works longer thanks to the bigger 62 fl oz fuel tank, so you can tackle some exhaustive clean-up jobs with this machine just in one go. 

Blowing Power 

Echo backpack leaf blowers have an amazing level of performance — the newer models especially! They are so powerful, they can be used in commercial settings and move heavy piles of leaves, dry or wet. They are also ideal for the maintenance of large properties and public parks. 

But most of us are looking for a solid blower for home use, and that’s why I picked the Echo PB-580T. It is your go-to personal leaf blower. 

Let’s see how well this Echo backpack leaf blower does its job!

The Echo PB-580T puts out 517 CFM of air through the nozzle and can reach a maximum airspeed of 216 mph. This is more than enough for yards one acre in size and bigger. 

Click here to find out if this is a good CFM for a leaf blower! 

Pros

• Cheaper than the Stihl BR 600
• Strong, reliable engine
• Easy start
• Tube mounted throttle 
• Vented back pad
• Padded harness
• Vibration reduction system
• Less noisy
• Bigger fuel tank
• 5-year consumer warranty

Cons

• Lower CFM than the Stihl model
• Less MPH than the Stihl
• Heavier than the Stihl

Stihl Vs Echo: Features Face To Face

Engine Power

It is safe to say that both backpack leaf blowers are equipped with high-quality engines. Their power and performance are almost the same. Almost! The Stihl BR 600 has a slightly better 4-stroke engine with a displacement of 64.8ccs. The Echo PB-580T has a 2-stroke engine with 58.2ccs. 

This means that the Stihl backpack leaf blower is more powerful. The engine’s power instantly translates to a better CFM and MPH, which I will talk about shortly. 

I also can’t go on without mentioning the amazing fuel consumption of the Stihl BR 600. A study conducted by an independent research firm found that the Stihl BR 600 Magnum backpack leaf blower is up to 38.4 percent more fuel-efficient than its competitive peers. This just shows you how amazing the Stihl engine is. 

The clear winner of this round is the Stihl BR 600. Its engine is stronger, more powerful, and has better fuel consumption. 

Winner: Stihl 

Fuel Tank Size

Always check the fuel tank size when buying a leaf blower. You don’t want to buy a unit that can barely hold any gas or the machine will die on you before you are halfway done cleaning your yard. 

You definitely won’t run into this problem if you buy the Echo PB-580T. It has a big fuel tank that can store 62 fl oz of gasoline. You will have enough gas to finish your whole yard without any stops for refills. 

The Stihl BR 600 also has a decent-sized fuel tank measuring 47.3 fl oz. Still, it doesn’t come close to Echo’s reservoir. 

The clear winner of this versus battle is the Echo PB-580T. It has a bigger fuel tank that supports longer clean-up jobs. 

Winner: Echo

Blowing Performance (CFM/MPH)

What’s a leaf blower worth if it can’t blow? Hardly anything! That’s why blowing performance, measured in CFM and MPH, may be the most important thing to look for in a leaf blower. 

You don’t need a unit with the highest CFM number. You should consider the size of your yard and how much organic waste it produces. Both backpack leaf blowers I am reviewing today are ideal for properties up to one acre in size. 

With that said, the Stihl BR 600 takes the cake when it comes to blowing performance. It has higher CFM and MPH. It puts out 677 cubic feet of air per minute and blows at the maximum speed of 238 miles per hour. The Echo PB-580T blows at the rate of 517 CFM and the speed of 216 mph. 

The clear winner of this round is the Stihl BR 600. It has a stronger and faster blow. 

Winner: Stihl

FAQs

Stihl Or Echo: Guaranteed Quality

There is one clear winner in this battle, and that is you! No matter which backpack leaf blower you pick, you are guaranteed to make your landscaping easier and more fun! 

If you still can’t decide between Stihl vs Echo backpack leaf blower, follow these last guidelines.

Buy Stihl if:

• You have lots of trees in your yard.
• You need a stronger leaf blower.
• You would like to save on gas.
• You can afford it. 

Buy Echo if:

• You don’t need as much blowing power.
• You don’t like making too many stops for gas refills. 
• You don’t want to disturb your neighbors.
• You are on a budget.

Last update on 2024-04-19 at 03:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API