Echo PB 2620 vs Stihl BG86 – What’s The Better Leaf Blower?

Imagine a crisp winter morning.

You have guests coming over for the holidays and you need to get the house looking clean and spiffy.

That includes clearing your yard of leaves. But there was a light downpour overnight and all the leaves are slightly wet.

You crank up your leaf blower only to find that it is not nearly powerful enough to move the wet leaves that are now sticking to your concrete surfaces.

A chore that should only take about 45 minutes has just turned into one that will take a couple hours.

And to think, this all could have been avoided if you had the right leaf blower. The point we’re trying to make here is that choosing the right leaf blower really matters.

You shouldn’t just choose the cheapest one just to save money.

Conversely, you shouldn’t splurge on the most expensive one because you may not need the features and power that you’re actually paying for.

Choosing the right leaf blower takes careful consideration and knowledge.

In the following comparison article, we will be arming you with knowledge helping you sort through your options.

Echo PB 2620 Vs Stihl BG86 Overview

In terms of power, the Stihl Bg86 leaf blower has the slight edge.

It features a 27cc motor as opposed to the 25cc motor of the Echo PB 2620. However, both blowers produce a blowing force of 15 Newtons and in almost every other performance regard, they are very similar.

Quick Facts

	Echo PB 2620	Stihl BG86
Engine	25.4cc	27.2cc
Blowing Force	15 Newtons	15 Newtons
Weight	9.6lbs	9.7lbs
Decibels	70	70

Key Differences

As you can see, the Echo PB 2620 and the Stihl BG86 are almost identical in the ways that really matter.

What it comes down to is features. For example, the Echo PB 2620 has shoulder strap attachment points so you can essentially turn what is a handheld blower into one with a shoulder strap assist.

The Echo PB 2620 also has a pleated main filter to help protect the engine from particulate matter.

However, both of these blowers have a “cruise control” feature that allows you to set the fan speed to a certain point without having to feather the throttle.

Echo PB 2620 Key Features

• Rubber Handle Grip – Pretty self-explanatory. It makes handling this blower a bit more comfortable and helps dampen vibrations.
• Secondary Handle – Another differentiating feature, the Echo PB 2620 features a secondary helper handle.
• Attachments – The Echo PB 2620 includes both a round and flared tube attachments so you can concentrate the air flow or broaden it to move more light leaves at once.
• Double Grid Air Intake – This feature makes it less likely that your clothes will get sucked up by the fan.

Stihl BG86 Key Features

• Purge Pump Primer – This feature keeps a small amount of fuel in the carburetor so that the motor is easier to start up.
• Anti-Vibration System – A common feature in many Stihl tools, this helps minimize vibration from the motor to enhance comfort.
• Washable Filter – The Stihl BG86 blower comes with a washable HD2 air filter that can be reused and helps protect the motor from particulate matter.
• Soft Grip Handle – Similar to the rubber handle grip of the Echo PB 2620 leaf blower.

Price Comparison

The Echo PB 2620 typically sells for about $280 while the Stihl BG86 usually goes for about $250.

Weight and Handling Comparison

The difference in weight between these two leaf blowers is certainly negligible: the Echo PB 2620 weighs 9.6 lbs while the STihl BG86 weighs 9.7lbs.

However, it was a bit easier handling the Echo PB 2620 thanks to the secondary helper handle.

Power Comparison

The Stihl Bg86 was slightly more powerful and produced air speeds of 190 MPH at the nozzle compared to 172 MPH that the Echo PB 2620 produced.

It should also be noted that both of these blowers are gas-powered.

Available Attachments

You can get a rain gutter kit for both of these leaf blowers. The Echo PB 2620 also comes with a flat tube attachment and a widemouth tube attachment.

Efficiency Comparison

As far as fuel-efficiency goes, both of these blowers performed pretty well. After a half hour of operation, they consumed about the same amount of gas.

The Echo PB 2620 has a 20 ounce fuel tank and the BG86 has a 14.9 ounce fuel tank.

Echo PB 2620 Pros & Cons

Pros

• It comes with helpful attachments
• It’s easier to handle
• It has a see-through fuel tank so you can see how much gas is left
• It can be outfitted with a shoulder strap
• Works well on damp leaves

Cons

• Not as powerful as the Stihl BG86
• Not great for large properties

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Stihl BG86 Pros & Cons

Pros

• Adequate power
• Runs quietly
• Fuel efficient
• Easy to start up
• Cruise control function

Cons

• A bit pricey
• Small fuel tank

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Who Should Buy Each One?

The Echo PB 2620 would be a good choice for anyone who regularly has to deal with damp leaves.

The nozzle attachment makes it easier to blow away wet, adhered leaves. The Stihl BG86 would be a good choice for anyone who lives in an area that experiences very low temperatures because even in cold conditions, it starts up like a dream.

What Size Yard are They Suited for?

Both the Echo PB 2620 and the Stihl BG86 would be suitable for small to mid-sized lawns and gardens about 5500 square feet and smaller.

How Do They Work?

Both of these blowers work well on light leaves and small twigs. You can operate them on a low setting if you need to remove leaves from gravel without displacing the gravel.

Other Blowers to Consider

EGO Power+ LB5302 3-Speed Turbo 56-Volt 530 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower

This is a battery-powered leaf blower that is capable of a max of 530 CFM air speeds.

We thought this blower might be underpowered at first but we were pleasantly surprised to see that at the max speed, it was able to handle damp leaves and heavy debris.

Pros

• No emissions
• 65 decibels

Cons

• Short runtime

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Husqvarna 952711925

The Husqvarna 952711925 is a gas-powered blower with  a 28cc engine. This blower can generate air speeds of up to 170 MPH (425 CFM).

It has a variable speed throttle that can be set in a single position (cruise control).

Pros

• Very powerful
• Lightweight

Cons

• Very loud

Overall Score: 93/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Enhulk Brushless Leaf Blower Cordless

This is another battery-powered blower that  is capable of 430 CFM on the highest setting. It weighs only 7.8 pounds, has a brushless motor and variable speed throttle. We also liked that the battery charges quickly.

Pros

• Charger included
• Battery charges fast

Cons

• Not very durable

Overall Score: 93/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Final Assessment

At the end of the day, we gravitated toward the Echo PB 2620.

Even though it was slightly less powerful than the Stihl BG86, the included attachments made it more effective for blowing tough leaves. It’s also a bit cheaper so we recommend checking it out first.