ECHO has a pretty diverse line of lawn care equipment, and they are generally well-respected in the lawn care industry. Its lineup of leaf blowers is no different.
They come in two configurations – backpack and handheld – and have a range of user-friendly features like the Posi-loc tubes for safe pipe connections, padded shoulder straps and backrests for comfort, and ProFire ignition systems for quick starts.
Compared to other leaf blowers in the market, the Echo leaf blower has increased horsepower, longer runtime, vibration reduction, and is lightweight for effortless operations.
Echo Leaf Blower Features and Specifications
This review is going to look at two of the most sought-after Echo leaf blowers on the market right now – the Echo PB-250LN and the Echo PB-580T.
- Engine: 25.4cc 2-Stroke engine
- Air flow: 391 CFM
- Noise levels: 65 dBA at feet level and 85 dBA at ear levels
- Fuel tank capacity: 16.9 oz
- Product dimensions: 12.13 x 17.63 x 15.25 inch
- Product dimensions: 12.13 x 17.63 x 15.25 inch
- Variable speed options: Yes
Most leaf blower manufacturers brag about the CFM (cubic feet per minute) and MPH (miles per hour) output of their products. However, they won’t mention the Newton Force that the blowers generate, which is pretty important.
Echo not only focuses on the CFM and MPH, but also on the force its blowers generate.
The Echo PB-250LN pushes about 36.2 Nm which enables it to easily clean the hard-to-reach areas of your backyard. It weighs 8.8lbs and does not come with vacuum capability. Its powerful 24.4cc, gasoline-powered Power Boost Vortex engine makes it capable of handling any type of debris.
It sports a long, curved pipe that allows easy rotation control to reach nooks and crannies. In addition, its ergonomic handle makes it easy for your hand and wrist to point towards any direction without strain. The controls are grouped together to make operations convenient.
This Echo leaf blower has relatively fair noise levels – at least 85 dBA at ear levels and 65 dBA at feet levels. The industry-standard noise measurements of such equipment are 50 dBA at feet level. This means that it’s safe to use, however, these sound levels are loud enough to warrant wearing ear protection when using it.
Other important features include the positive-locking latch which ensures the blower stays intact even after plenty of use, the front exhaust which keeps your clothes from getting caught by the suction, and a see-through fuel tank that lets you know when you need to refuel.
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- Engine: 58.2cc 2-Stroke engine
- Air flow: 517 CFM, 216 MPH
- Noise levels: 70 dBA
- Fuel tank capacity: 62 oz
- Product weight: 22.9lbs
- Variable speed options: Yes
And if you don’t prefer a handheld blower, you can go for this backpack leaf blower by Echo. The PB-580T delivers an output of 510 CFM and 215 mph for professional grade performance. The vented backrest keeps you from feeling sweaty and the padded shoulders straps ensure that you are comfortable even after long hours of use.
The P-580T comes with a 2-stroke engine and a durable design. It is lightweight, hence, easily portable. Its translucent fuel tank will help you keep an eye on the fuel levels, while the leaf guard will stop debris from blocking the blower’s intake.
It comes with a metal wear ring at the end of the tube and a highly-efficient filtration system that prevents overheating of the Echo leaf blower. These features help to lengthen the life of the equipment.
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How the Echo Leaf Blower Compares to Others
With a 23.9cc 2-stroke engine, the air volume of the Hitachi RB24EAP is about 441 CFM. This means that the blower is capable of removing debris quickly and more effectively. The air blown travels at a speed of 170 mph which gives users the much-needed air pressure to remove even hard-to-reach debris.
The RB24EAP weighs slightly below 9lbs, making it easier to handle compared to traditional gas-powered leaf blowers. Its aerodynamic shape also makes it easier to maneuver with.
Even better, this Hitachi leaf blower is very fuel efficient. This is one of the reasons it’s such a durable product.
However, the blower does not come with an air filter, this might be a deal breaker for people who are concerned about their outdoor air quality. Moreover, unlike most leaf blowers today, you cannot adjust the blowing tube’s length nor the fan speed.
These supplementary features make a huge difference when using the machine.
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The Husqvarna 125B offers well-focused airstream for powerful clearing performance that does not put pressure on your hands and arms. It comes with an adjustable blowing tube length and fan speed for convenient operations. It also automatically goes into default mode when not in use to save on fuel.
The light weight gives you the feeling of a compact, well-balanced equipment and makes it easy to move around with. To add to that, it comes with a cruise control system that optimizes its operations and enables it to run longer than other leaf blowers.
However, this Husqvarna blower lacks a muffler and produces a lot of noise. It also needs constant maintenance, otherwise, it will break down easily. And due to its fan position, left-handed individuals may find it difficult to use.
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The Makita BHX2500CA’s engine runs very smoothly. This results in minimal vibrations, making it very comfortable to use for long hours.
The blower also comes with a nice soft grip handle which not only complements the minimal vibrations, but also makes holding and operating the blower easier.
For its small size, it has a good level of performance and easily blasts through the regular debris. With a maximum air volume of 358 CFM and air speed of 145 mph, it may not be as powerful as other blowers on the market, but it will certainly get the job done nicely.
Moreover, with a light weight of just 9.8lbs, it won’t apply a lot of pressure on your arms and you can work for longer periods. You also have the ability to increase and reduce the air speed as you please.
And when it comes to noise levels, you don’t have to worry about a thing with the Makita BHX2500CA. Its sound output is reported to be 67dBA only.
On the downside, the On-Off Switch of this blower is quite difficult to get a hang of. It is located on the opposite of the trigger lever’s bar, hence, difficult to access. You should be extra careful of the switch’s position so that you don’t start it accidentally.
The switch is not the only thing located unconventionally – the air intake is located on the side. This means that you can’t rest the blower on its side as it may start to overheat.
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Considerations When Buying an Echo Leaf Blower
Apart from the Echo PB-250LN and PB-580T, there are other reliable models that you can consider including the PB-255LN Handheld leaf blower, PB-580H Backpack leaf blower, and PB-770T X-Series Backpack leaf blower.
When buying an Echo leaf blower consider the following:
Backyard Size
Before choosing the model that’s right for you, it is important to consider your backyard size and the number of trees you have on your property.
If you have lots of trees, then you will need a leaf blower with more power. Echo blowers with 25.4cc 2-Stroke engines and above are adequate. They make cleaning easier even with heavier debris like wet leaves.
Model Type
Many homeowners go for corded electric blowers because they are more affordable. Corded blowers will limit the extent to which you use the unit in your backyard. On the other hand, cordless electric models will easily run out of battery and require constant charging.
Basically, an electric blower is never the best option. Gas-powered models get the job done with no limitations. They offer the much-needed freedom, making them perfect for large yards.
Noise Levels
Many handheld, gas-powered models have a lot of complaints about noise levels. However, all the Echo models are not very loud. You don’t have to worry about hurting your ears or driving your neighbors crazy. Regardless, it’s always recommended to wear ear muffs.
Convenience
Echo leaf blowers also provide convenient functions that allow you to complete your work easily with no hassle. The combined trigger and set control are especially useful when you need to add more power to your machine.
Additionally, it is difficult to overlook the trouble that many users go through when starting gas-powered blowers. Fortunately, all Echo leaf blowers come with ProFire ignition systems for quick starts.
Pros and Cons of the Echo Leaf Blower
PROS
- It emits low noise levels compared to other leaf blowers in the market.
- It has enough power to move heavy, wet debris, twigs, and leaves.
- Uses a gas motor, meaning that you can walk freely, without being limited by a long electric extension cord.
- The set and trigger controls are combined for easy and convenient control.
CONS
- Some users have complained that this Echo leaf blower is hard to warm up and generate the desired power.
- Some models can be quite sluggish when operating.
Final Thoughts of the Echo Leaf Blower
All in all, the Echo leaf blowers are easy to use and have low noise emissions. Even with the small models, you will have very little trouble operating them.
Moreover, with their light weight, they are easy to maneuver around your backyard. They are also easy to start and will tremendously reduce the time you spend on cleaning. We give an overall star rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 stars.
