Stihl BR 430 vs BR 450 – What’s The Better Leaf Blower

Leaf blowers are great machines that can clear organic matter from yards in a matter of seconds.

There are many different options on the market, but you want to make sure you get a machine from a trusted manufacturer like Stihl.

Some of their best all-around options are the Stihl BR 430 and the Stihl BR 450 – but which one of these is the best?

This article will be looking at how these two leaf blowers compare to see which one is the better option overall, as well as which one is better for which situation.

Intro To The Leaf Blowers And Why The Right Choice Matters

There are lots of different types of leaf blowers on the market.

Some are handheld while others are backpacks, some are battery-powered, some are gas-powered, and some work with an electrical cord.

All of these have different pros and cons so the best leaf blower for you will depend on your unique situation.

Overview Of Stihl BR 430 vs BR 450

Both of these machines are backpack leaf blowers that are powered with petrol and manufactured by the iconic brand, Stihl.

They are extremely closely related and many of their features are the same including engine power, air velocity, fuel capacity, and engine displacement.

They only differ in a couple of ways such as weight, blowing force, and features – we will discuss these below.

To see both of these leaf blowers in action you can view video demonstrations for the Stihl BR 430 and the Stihl BR 450.

Quick Facts Comparison Table

	Stihl BR 430	Stihl BR 450
Price	449.99 USD	499.99 USD
Weight	22.3 lbs	23.4 lbs
Blowing Force	26 Newtons	28 Newtons
Sound Rating	76 dB(A)	77 dB(A)
Air Volume at Nozzle	500 CFM	642 CFM
Max Air Velocity	219 MPH	219 MPH
Engine Power	3.9 hp	3.9 hp
Displacement	63.3 cc	63.3 cc

Key Differences Between Stihl BR 430 vs BR 450

Stihl BR 430

Key Features

• Anti-vibrational system
• Purge pump primer
• Stihl Elastostart

Selling Points

• Made is America
• Professional design with additional strap support

Pros

• Multi-functional control handle
• More affordable price

Cons

• Slightly less blowing force and air volume

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Stihl BR 450

Key Features

• Anti-vibrational system
• Purge pump primer

Selling Points

• Made is America
• Professional design with additional strap support

Pros

• Multi-functional control handle
• Puts out additional blowing force
• Higher air volume at nozzle

Cons

• Comes at slightly higher price
• Has extra weight

Overall Score: 97/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

How Do They Compare On Price?

The Stihl BR 430 costs 449.99 USD and the Stihl BR 450 costs 499.99 USD. That is a price difference of 50 USD or 11%.

How Do They Compare On Weight And Handling

Both machines have a similar design so their handling is quite similar.

There is a bit of a weight difference though which will make the heavier machine slightly more strenuous to handle, especially after long hours.

The Stihl BR 430 weighs 22.3 pounds and the Stihl BR 450 weighs 23.4 pounds – that makes it heavier by 1.1 pounds – a slight but noticeable difference.

How Do They Compare On Power – CFM & MPH

Both machines put out a maximum air velocity of 219 MPH.

A difference comes when the Stihl BR 430 puts out an air volume of 500 CFM compared to the 642 CFM of the Stihl BR 450.

This extra amount of airflow with increase the number of leaves that get moved per minute.

Where Do They Get Their Power From

Both of these leaf blowers are gas-powered meaning that they have engines that run on petrol. They both have 57.5 oz fuel tanks on board to keep the engines running.

What Attachments Are Available For It?

There are no additional attachments available for these leaf blowers, but there are recommended safety gear like hearing protection and safety glasses.

How Do They Compare On Efficiency

Both leaf blowers are extremely efficient and in terms of input vs output they are both exceptional. The BR 450 will of course use slightly more petrol because it generates a bit more blowing force.

Who Should Buy Each One?

If you are considering one of these machines, the good thing is that you really cannot go wrong with either.

It comes down to slightly more blowing force for a little bit of extra cash.

So if you do not mind the extra investment to get as much as possible from the machine we recommend the BR 450, but if you want to save $50 and the machine is already plenty strong enough for you then the BR 430 is a better option.

For more comparison between these machines, take a look at the leaf blower guide.

What Size Gardens & Jobs?

These leaf blowers are professional grade so you can use them for big jobs and big yards. We would say that you could clear a soccer field of leaves if you wanted to.

What Items Are They Best For

Both the BR 430 and the BR 450 are leaf blowers so they were designed for leaves, but they have powerful engines with high airflow and strong blowing power so they can almost clear any small particles or debris.

3 Other Similar Leaf Blowers To Consider

1. Stihl BR 800 C-E Magnum

First Impressions

A very powerful leaf blower that is probably the best of the best, but the price tag is also on the higher end.

Key Selling Points

• 41 Newtons blowing force
• 239 MPH air velocity
• 912 CFM air volume

Pros

• A top quality leaf blower that outperforms most on the market

Cons

• High price

Overall Score: 99/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

2.   Echo PB-9010T

First Impressions

Another top choice leaf blower manufactured by Echo, a leader in power tools.

Key Selling Points

• 220 MPH air velocity
• 1110 CFM
• 48 Newtons

Pros

• A well-rounded machine with high performance

Cons

• Relatively high price
• Less trusted brand in gas-powered equipment

Overall Score: 90/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

3.   Makita EB7660TH

First Impressions

The Makita EB7660TH is a 4-stroke engine leaf blower, all the others have been 2-stroke. It is a high-quality machine manufactured by a highly trusted brand.

Key Selling Points

• Advanced cooling technology to keep user cool
• 34 Newtons of blowing force

Pros

• Lower noise tone from the 4-stroke engine
• Powerful and durable

Cons

• Makita will be discontinuing all gas-powered machines in the near future

Overall Score: 92/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

What Is Our Overall Recommendation

Overall we recommend the Stihl BR 450. It comes at a slightly higher price, but the extra blowing force and air volume make it worth the extra cash.

Conclusion

Through this article we looked at the overall use of leafblowers including the different types on the market.

We focussed on comparing the Stihl BR 430 and the Stihl BR 450 to see which of these is the better leaf blower.

Hopefully, after seeing all the ways in which they are similar and all the ways in which they differ, you can make a decision on which one you think is best for your personal needs.

If you need any more info or guidance, reach out to us or to a local expert.