Best Commercial Battery Backpack Blower

The Tool Box Buzz Crew seeks to crown the best commercial-grade battery backpack blower in this most recent Head-to-Head comparison test. In 2023 our crew tested and chose the best Handheld Cordless Blower. Building on that success, we are now examining battery backpack blowers. However, this Head-to-Head will primarily be geared towards commercial users. Backpack blowers are synonymous with the landscaping and property maintenance trades. We aim to determine which blowers are ready to keep up with demanding commercial use and provide the best options for pros looking to purchase a battery-powered model.

Are Battery Blowers Ready for Prime-time?

The demand for rugged, commercial-grade, battery-powered OPE is constantly growing. This demand is being fueled by technological improvements as well as legislative requirements. As of June 2024, more than one hundred cities in the United States, and the entire state of California, have banned or restricted the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Contractors are now forced to look for battery-powered options to stay in business. These restrictions have forced OPE companies to step up their game.

Direct Comparison to Gas Powered

One common question with all battery OPE is how the tools perform compared to traditional gas-powered models. While gas vs. battery is not a true even comparison, we elected to include a gas-powered model in some of our testing to provide an additional data point. The gas-powered model will not be included in any of our rankings, but we felt the information collected is of interest.

Echo provided a sample of their model PB-770T X Series backpack blower. This blower features a 63.3 CC professional-grade two-stroke engine. This is Echo’s smallest commercial-grade backpack blower and is a close comparison to our battery-powered options in terms of power and output. Its technical specifications are as follows:

• Max Air Volume: 756 CFM
• Max Air Speed: 234 MPH
• Max Blowing Force: 33
• Fuel Capacity: 68.3 Fl./Ozs.
• Warranty: 2 Year Commercial

Best Commercial Battery Backpack Blower  | Test Criteria

We selected eight categories to determine our best commercial battery backpack blower of 2024. The tools were ranked in each category and an overall score was later used to determine our winner. The evaluation categories are:

• Measured Maximum Air Speed (MPH)
• Calculated Maximum Air Volume (CFM)
• Total Run-time on a Battery Charge (Minutes)
• Power Sled Performance Test
• Measured Noise Output (Decibels)
• Assembled Weight
• Features and Ergonomics
• Price

In addition to our overall winner, we selected a tool as our Best Value. This category highlights a single backpack blower that may not be our top-performing tool but offers an excellent overall value based on its features and performance compared to its price.

Battery Backpack Blower Lineup

Once our testing criteria were finalized, we identified the current available pro-grade models. Invitations were sent to the manufacturers to participate in our Head-To-Head. A total of six companies agreed to participate and provided us with samples of their products. Not every company that was invited chose to participate however our sample size is an excellent representation of the pro-user market.

Our participating companies provided us with the backpack blower unit, a battery, and a charger. Additionally, manufacturers were invited to include any accessories or optional parts that improve the overall user experience. Only one company elected to do this. Stihl provided us with an upgraded waist belt to enhance user comfort.

Echo eFORCE

• Model: DPB-5800T
• Battery Platform: eFORCE 56V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Batteries Tested: (3x) 8.0 Ah
• Max Air Volume: 795 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 195 MPH
• Max Blowing Force: 25 Newtons
• Warranty: 2 Years Commercial

Greenworks Commercial Optimus

• Model: BB361
• Battery Platform: 82V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Batteries Tested: (2x) 8.0 Ah
• Max Air Volume: 755 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 225 MPH
• Max Blowing Force: 36 Newtons
• Warranty: 2 Years Commercial

Husqvarna

• Model: 550iBTX
• Battery Platform: 36V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Battery Tested: BLi950X
• Max Air Volume: 551 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 148 MPH
• Max Blowing Force: 21 Newtons
• Warranty: 2 Years Commercial

Kress Commercial

• Model: KC500.9
• Battery Platform: 60V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Battery Tested: KAC810 CyberPack 11 Ah
• Max Air Volume: 900 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 190 MPH
• Max Blowing Force: 35 Newtons
• Warranty: 3 Years or 750 Hours of Use Commercial

Milwaukee M18 FUEL

• Model: 3009-24HD
• Battery Platform: 18V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Battery Tested: (4x) M18 FUEL 12.0 Ah
• Max Air Volume: 650 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 155 MPH
• Max Blowing Force: 20.5 Newtons
• Warranty: 3 Years Commercial

Stihl

• Model: BGA300
• Battery Platform: 36V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Battery Tested: AR3000L
• Max Air Volume: 571 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 192 MPH
• Max Blowing Force: 26 Newtons
• Warranty: 2 Years Commercial

Backpack Blower Battery Systems

Determining the best battery backpack blower requires testing tools with the largest battery packs available. We requested each manufacturer provide us with the largest battery pack(s) currently available for their platform and the corresponding charger system. As a result, our charging stations look much different than in previous H2H tests! To provide performance and run-time comparable to gas-powered blowers, the battery models we tested rely upon either a large suitcase-style battery or a combination of smaller packs. Here is a breakdown of the batteries and chargers we used.

Echo

The Echo DPB-5800T is powered by any combination of up to three 56V batteries. While the kit version of this tool features two 5.0 Ah eFORCE batteries, we tested the tool with three 8.0 Ah batteries. We have a full review article of the Echo backpack blower available here. Additionally, Echo provided us with an eFORCE Rapid Charger to use during testing. The rapid charger will completely charge an 8.0 Ah battery in about 60 minutes.

Greenworks Commercial

The Greenworks Commercial model accepts two 82V batteries. The tool is capable of operating on a single battery. The tool will draw from both batteries simultaneously when two are inserted. We used two 8.0 Ah batteries, the standard offering in the kit configuration for this tool. The GWC batteries feature Bluetooth connectivity and digital display screens indicating charge levels. The charger tested is the dual port rapid charger. It is capable of charging two 8.0 Ah batteries in about one hour.

Husqvarna

The Husqvarna BLi950X battery is a large suitcase-style battery, as previously mentioned. It is a 36V, 31.1 Ah, behemoth! The 550iBTX backpack blower is only compatible with this style of battery pack. However, the battery is cross-compatible with all Husqvarna handheld 36V tools. The battery includes a standalone backpack frame for carrying when in use with handheld equipment. It also includes an adapter plug which is compatible with all Husqvarna chargers. We used a QC500 charger during testing. A full recharge of the BLi950X is approximately three hours.

Kress

The Kress Commercial Cyber System of batteries offers a variety of solutions. We tested the blower with the larger 60V CyberPack battery which is 11.0 Ahs. However, the Kress blower is also compatible with any 60V CyberPack battery, such as the smaller 4.0 Ah battery pictured above, borrowed from a Kress 16″ chainsaw. The graphene cores of the Kress batteries and the high-output Kress chargers allow a full recharge of the large suitcase-style battery in approximately ten minutes. This is an astoundingly short time compared to the other tools tested.

Milwaukee

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL battery platform is a staple of the tool industry. The kit option of their backpack blower includes a total of four 12.0 Ah M18 FUEL batteries. There are four battery ports on the blower and a minimum of two batteries must be inserted to run the tool. Each pair of batteries is drained simultaneously. It will then automatically switch to the second pair of batteries if all four batteries are inserted. We used the Milwaukee backpack blower with all four batteries inserted during testing. The kit option includes two dual-port Milwaukee Rapid Chargers. These chargers will charge two 12.0 Ah packs in about two hours.

Stihl

The Stihl AR3000L battery is the largest battery we tested. It features 41.20 Ahs on Stihl’s 36V battery platform. This large suitcase-style battery is also compatible with all Stihl handheld equipment with an adapter cable. A backpack-style platform is also available for the battery. We used a Stihl AP Adapter to connect the battery to an AL 500 high-speed battery charger during testing. The total recharge time is about three and a half hours using this combination.  Stihl recently announced their new ADA 1000 battery adapter. It allows two smaller AP series battery packs to power a large output tool like the BGA300 backpack blower—an outstanding accessory for any pro user currently on the Stihl AP battery platform.

Pitot Tube Performance Testing

To flush out generous marketing specifications from true performance for each of our tools, we employed a pitot tube test rig. This test is a specialty of Tool Box Buzz Crew member Jeff Deitz. Jeff, also a helicopter pilot, explained that a pitot tube probe measures the pressure difference of an air stream and can calculate fluid flow velocity. The Pitot Tube was invented by a French engineer, Henri Pitot, in the early 18th century.

Pitot tubes are widely used to determine the airspeed of aircraft, the water speed of boats, and the flow velocity of liquids, air, and gasses in various industries.

When manufacturers test their blowers to come up with the MPH and CFM values they follow an American National Standard (ANSI) procedure to measure the force or thrust. This is effectively an electronic scale that measures the force in Newton’s 5 inches from the blower nozzle. You can read more about the theory behind our pitot tube test rig in our Best Cordless Blower 2023 H2H article.

The Pitot Tube was set up 5 inches from each blower in the center of the air stream. Batteries were fully charged and measurements were taken at max speed setting. The data was collected at a 1 Hz sample rate or once per second for five minutes for the first test. Our second test is another five-minute recording, with the battery depleted to 25% charge.

An ExTech HD350 Pitot Tube Anemometer was used to perform this test.

Max Air Speed Winner – Greenworks Commercial

The Greenworks blower produces airspeeds over 176 MPH. We are unable to determine the exact speed because our testing monitor maxes out at 176 MPH! This is another remarkable performance for the big green machine. In second place is Stihl at 160.7 MPH. An interesting data point is that the Stihl produced slightly higher numbers on the second test run with the battery depleted down to 25%  charge. The BGA300 automatically downshifts its battery system to normalize output and performance regardless of charge charge level.

Measured MPH Results

Third place went to Echo at 150 MPH, fourth place Husqvarna at 137.5 MPH and fifth place went to Kress at 137.3 MPH. Milwaukee was our bottom finisher at 117 MPH.

Max Air Volume Winner – Kress

Using the data collected from our ExTech HD350 meter we were able to calculate the max airflow for each tool in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The Greenworks Commercial blower is the only tool that maxed out our anemometer. Therefore we added a value for Greenworks in our calculations of 200 MPH. This is a close representation of the actual value based on the tool’s performance in all of our testing. Greenworks claims that the max CFM on the tool is 225 MPH.

Calculated CFM Results

Kress is our first-place winner for air volume with a max calculated CFM of 808.44. The Kress has the largest nozzle diameter of all of the tools tested at 3.5″. This allows the Kress to move a massive volume of air. In second place we have Greenworks at 779.70 CFM. Greenworks utilizes a smaller diameter nozzle than Kress but has faster airspeed. This combination of factors still results in an impressive amount of air moved.

In third place is Milwaukee at 548.39 CFM, fourth place is Husqvarna at 545.09 CFM, and fifth place is Stihl at 531.47. Our sixth-place finisher is Echo at 220.48 CFM. This surprised our crew given that Echo performed so well in the airspeed (MPH) test. However, the Echo nozzle chokes down to 1.75″ diameter which is half the size of the Kress. Echo favors speed, but a wider nozzle would likely improve CFM output.

Max Run-time Winner-Stihl

Run-time is one of the most discussed and important categories we evaluated with our backpack blowers. Commercial users require a tool that will accomplish most tasks without constantly switching or recharging batteries. We tracked the total run-time on our blowers by combining our five-minute intervals with the pitot tube along with the time spent depleting the batteries completely. All of this was done at the highest power output setting of each tool. Fall cleanup season is quickly approaching and our entire test crew agreed that we all default to the highest setting on our blowers for tasks like this.

Measured Runtime Results

Our winner here is Stihl with a total run-time of 45:23. The crew expected nothing less from the Stihl, considering the monster 41.20 Ah battery pack that was included with the BGA300. Second place went to Echo with a total run-time of 41:15. The three large 8.0 Ah batteries used with the Echo made this a close race with Stihl.

Third place went to Husqvarna at 39:41, fourth place to Greenworks at 38:36, and fifth place to Milwaukee at 25:45. Kress came in sixth place at 19:51, which is less than half of our top two finishers. However, Kress’ lightning-fast recharge times are somewhat of a redeeming quality compared to the short run-time.

Power Sled Test | Winner-Greenworks Commercial

When life gives you backpack blowers, you build a rocket ship! In our previous handheld blower H2H, the crew used a weighted sled to test the total blowing force of the tools. This time we stepped up the test rig to accommodate our larger and more powerful commercial backpack blowers.

The testing site we used for the day provided us with access to some heavy equipment. A twenty-foot-long Hud-Son firewood conveyor was used as a ramp. We set the conveyor at a seven-degree angle with the help of a PTO hitch on a tractor. Then a classic Radio Flyer wagon was used as our test vehicle. We added a large galvanized washtub to the wagon to act as an air collector. This is a textbook example of Swamp Yankee engineering.

With the test rig in position at the bottom of the ramp, our operator held the end of the blower nozzle in line with the edge of the test rig. The operator then activated the tool on the highest output setting and held it for ten seconds. If the sled moved, we recorded the distance traveled using a tape measure on the conveyor belt. Our unloaded sled weighed in at 34.76 pounds.

All of our tools were able to move the unloaded sled. We then added five pounds to the sled (39.76 Pounds) and continued testing. Two of our blowers were completely unphased by the five-pound increase, while the others showed significant struggle. We then worked up to a fifteen-pound weight (49.76 Pounds) with the two strongest performers and repeated the test.

Power Sled Results

Greenworks is our strongest performing tool, driving the fifteen-pound loaded sled to a distance of 13.25 feet and holding steadily. Kress is our second-place finisher driving the same fifteen-pound loaded sled a total distance of 12.17 feet. Both of these blowers greatly impressed our crew during this test. Both had near-instant spooling-up to power and moving the sled. It felt as though the sled began moving as soon as the control was engaged, regardless of the weight.

Power Sled Results

Milwaukee finished in third place driving the five-pound loaded sled a total of 13 feet. Echo and Stihl were also able to drive the five-pound loaded sled. However, Husqvarna was unable to move this sled and maxed out during the unloaded test.

The overall power of a back blower is dependent upon a combination of features like nozzle diameter, maximum airspeed, and the volume of force the tool puts out. Each of our blowers has its own secret sauce approach to creating power. The Power Sled rig is an excellent visual representation of these different approaches. The stats we listed above, such as MPH and CFM, are shown in actual use with the sled. Overall, the tools with larger nozzle diameters and faster airspeeds performed best, such as our top two tools Greenworks and Kress. Conversely, blowers with fast airspeeds and narrow nozzles, such as Echo, struggled to perform well in this test.

Noise Output Winner-Husqvarna

Reduced noise pollution is often cited as one of the primary benefits of battery-powered OPE. Commercial users of backpack blowers also benefit from reduced engine noise while maintaining occupied residences or office buildings, and noise pollution-restricted areas. However, are commercial battery-powered options quiet enough?

We measured the decibel output of each battery-powered blower and our gas-powered sample. Measurements were taken at the ear of the operator and a 15′ offset. The two measurements show what the noise impact would be for both the operator and a possible pedestrian walking by. Readings were recorded at the highest captured decibel level according to our meter while the blowers were set for maximum output. We ranked the tools based on the at-ear decibel level due to the long-term potential impact on the operator.

Measured Decibel Output Results

Husqvarna is the quietest tool tested at 74.7 decibels. This is well below the OSHA threshold for required hearing protection. Furthermore, the Husqvarna has an impressive tone that is almost pleasant to the ear compared to a traditional backpack blower. In addition, Husqvarna is the quietest tool at our 15-foot offset distance.

Our top five finishers are under the OSHA 85-decibel threshold for hearing protection requirements. In contrast, the Greenworks Commercial blower was the only backpack blower over this 85-decibel threshold at the operator’s ear.

Weight Winner-Milwaukee

Weight is a big consideration for commercial users, who will likely be using the tool for eight hours or more daily. Battery-powered backpack blowers are faced with a tough compromise between a large enough battery for commercial use, while not weighing as much as a Volkswagen. We weighed all of our tool samples as a bare tool only and fully assembled with batteries inserted, however we ranked them by the assembled weight.

Our first-place finisher is Milwaukee with the lightest assembled weight of 32.08 pounds. This impressed the entire crew, especially considering that Milwaukee uses four large 12.0 Ah batteries.  A close second-place finish is Kress at 32.12 pounds. This is also impressive given the large suitcase-style CyberPack battery. Third place is Greenworks and Echo in Fourth. Husqvarna finishes in our fifth-place slot at 34.52 pounds and Stihl finishes the category in sixth-place at a hefty 36.16 pounds.

Measured Weight Results

Each of our tools increased by at least fifteen pounds when adding the weight of the necessary batteries. However, our bottom two finishers, Husqvarna and Stihl, saw weight increases of over twenty pounds after inserting batteries.  An interesting comparison to this is our gas-powered model. The gas-powered tool was the heaviest bare (empty fuel tank) tool tested but gained about two pounds when fully fueled. It is still almost six pounds lighter than our lightest battery-powered unit.

Features and Ergonomics Winner-Greenworks Commercial and Stihl

For this category, we focused on six major areas with our tools:

• Controls
• Grip Ergonomics
• Harness Comfort
• Ease of Battery Change
• Tube Adjustment and Storage
• Fit and Finish

Each tool was assigned a point value from 1 to 3 for each category, with 1 point being the most desired. The total score for all six categories was then calculated and the tools ranked based on the lowest total points to the highest.

Features and Ergonomics Results

In this category, Greenworks Commercial and Stihl tied for first place. Echo claimed our second-place slot, Kress in third, Milwaukee fourth, and Husqvarna in fifth.

Controls

Grip Ergonomics

Harness Comfort

Ease of Battery Change

Kress features the easiest battery change system of all of our tools. The large suitcase-style pack slides out easily with an easy-to-reach release button. Echo, Greenworks, and Milwaukee are all very comparable in terms of battery change. The individual packs are slid out or inserted in order to power the tools. Echo has a slight advantage over the other two, due to all the packs being vertically oriented and easy to access. Greenworks has a spring-loaded cover obstructing the batteries, while Milwaukee positions the batteries in different positions on the external frame.

Stihl and Husqvarna utilize more complicated battery change systems due to the size of the battery packs. Stihl features a rotating cam-lock to secure the battery pack once lined up. It is a little tricky to line everything up at first, but it secures the battery completely with no movement once engaged. Husqvarna requires two sliding plastic tabs to secure the battery from the side, which are difficult to align properly. A power cable must then be run from the battery to an adapter plug on the side of the tool housing. Additionally, the battery must be manually turned on before the tool can be turned on. Our entire crew agreed that this is annoying, especially when considering that it is impossible to reach this switch with the backpack on.

Tube Adjustment and Storage

Milwaukee and Stihl both utilize a telescoping tube design that collapses for storage. In addition, the control stick position is easy to adjust using a cam-pock system. This collapsing feature is ideal for shrinking the overall profile of the tool for storage.

All of our tools, except for the Echo, feature a clip or strap system to secure the tube to the tool body for storage. Milwaukee and Stihl feature heavy-duty metal hooks to secure the tube in a proper upright position.  Kress and Husqvarna both secure the tubes across the harness which causes the tube to hang off to the side and is awkward. The Kress hook also does not stay attached and comes off easily, which was frustrating for our crew. Greenworks secures the tube pointing upwards but uses a thin plastic molded clip that pops off easily and likely won’t hold up to long-term commercial use. Echo needs to include some form of attachment to secure the blower tube.

Fit and Finish

All of our tools tested are designed with commercial users in mind. Therefore we expected excellent fit and finish on all of the models that are still rugged enough to survive getting beat up on a job site or in a tool trailer. Overall we were impressed with the majority of the tools.

Echo, Greenworks, and Husqvarna all used heavy-duty fasteners and steel hose clamps in the construction of their tube designs. Milwaukee and Stihl utilized plastic connectors and clamps, however, they are thick and strong enough that they held up well during our testing without issue.

Kress uses a thinner grade of plastic on their tube and connectors than all of the tools we tested. This results in a lighter felt tube in the hand, but our crew expressed concern over this holding up over long-term, commercial use. During testing the plastic connecter that held the control stick in place repeatedly became loose and would not lock in place. We had to repeatedly tighten it with tools during testing to secure it.

Price Winner-Echo/GreenWorks Commercial/Milwaukee

In this category, we ranked all of our blowers based on the total kit price. Kit prices are most applicable as many professional users will be investing in a battery product for the first time. Due to the substitutions in battery packs used for testing, we built our kit pricing to mirror the setups listed above. We used the ACME Tools website to price as many of the tools as possible.

Price Data Results

We ranked our tools based on price and included this category in the overall rankings. Unlike other H2H tests, our entire test sample is made up of commercial-grade tools designed for demanding pro use. This levels the playing field.

First place in this category is a three-way tie between Echo, Greenworks, and Milwaukee. All three options are available as a kit for $1,500.00. However, Greenworks and Milwaukee both include dual port chargers in their kitted options while we priced the Echo out with a single rapid charger, as tested. The Echo is available as a kit with a dual port charger and two smaller battery packs currently. The price point of all three of these blowers is very reasonable when considering the power and performance of each as well as the additional tools available on the battery platform.

Second place goes to Husqvarna at $1,830.00. Stihl is in third at $2,410.00 and finally we have Kress in fourth at $2,680.00. Kress’ innovative battery and charger system comes with a hefty price tag. The Kress charger is almost $800.00 on its own. Husqvarna and Stihl are two of the most well-known brands in the OPE industry. While they represent a high cost of initial investment, they are both of extremely high quality with huge dealer support and other available tools and equipment.

Our pricing breakdown may come as a shock to some of you. Battery-powered options represent a significant price increase compared to traditional gas-powered options. For example, our pro-grade Echo PB-770T bower that was used as a comparison in some of our testing has an MSRP of $550.00. That’s roughly a third of the cost of our cheapest commercial battery-powered option. The initial investment of the Greenworks Commercial model ($1,500.00) would roughly cover the cost of two Echo PB-9010 gas-powered backpack blowers, the current world’s strongest backpack blower.

Best Commercial Battery Backpack Blower Winner-Greenworks Commercial

Greenworks Commercial emerged as the top performer in several key categories, including max airspeed and power output, making it a powerful choice for high-demand tasks. Stihl impressed with exceptional run-time, ideal for prolonged use, while Kress delivered outstanding air volume performance and record-setting recharge times, perfect for those prioritizing quick battery turnaround.

Milwaukee stood out for its lightweight design, striking a balance between portability and performance. Echo and Husqvarna also had strong showings, though they each faced challenges in categories like weight, ease of battery change, as well as some other comfort and ergonomic-related issues.

Overall Rankings Results

Best Value Winner-Greenworks Commercial

Ordinarily, our best value winner is a tool that offers outstanding performance compared to price. However, in this Head-to-Head our overall winner is also one of our most affordable tools! Greenworks tied for first place in our price category. When comparing the amount of performance the Greenworks is capable of, in addition to its features, our entire crew agreed that the Greenworks is the best all-around value of all of our tools tested.

Final Thoughts

Our comprehensive testing of battery-powered backpack blowers serves as a valuable buyer’s guide for professionals in search of the best tools for their needs.

As professionals evaluate their options, it’s essential to consider not just performance metrics but also the availability of local dealer support. Companies such as Echo, Husqvarna, and Stihl excel in this area thanks to well-established dealer networks and support services as well as box store options.

Choosing a brand with strong local representation can significantly enhance the ownership experience, providing easier access to service and replacement parts. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on specific needs—whether that’s raw power, battery life, or ergonomics.

Speaking of service! Follow the Buy Now links below to purchase some of the blowers featured in this article from our friends at ACME Tools.

Best Battery Backpack Blower | Video Review

Best Commercial Battery Backpack Blower Head-To-Head 2024 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

ECHO hosted their annual POWER-ON-ATHON event on September 19th at their headquarters in Lake Zurich, IL. They invited a number of industry and media partners as they announced new products for 2025. This event included a factory tour, product release, and tool test.

Factory Tour

During the factory tour, Ryan Ladley, VP of Operations at ECHO, spoke about a few major focuses for their manufacturing of high end tools. They were safety, vertical integration, continuous improvement, and listening to feedback from their employees and customers. Let me break that down a little further.

Safety:

As ECHO has updated their manufacturing facility, they have made various changes to the assembly line. One of the biggest focuses for them has been the safety and health of their employees. They spend a significant amount of money to ensure that the team has an ideal quality of life and enjoys their work. Some of the improvements to the work line seem simple, but have prevented overuse or work related injuries for employees.

Vertical Integration:

This was a topic that Ryan brought up numerous times throughout the tour. COVID was a challenge for every vendor/supplier. ECHO felt the impact of material and part delays just like every other company. Their response was to bring more processes in house and improve the efficiency of their operations. In essence, they wanted to control their own destiny. This required keen attention to detail. ECHO brought an automation team, molding team, and maintenance team in house. All of this investment allows them to move towards a more self-sufficient supply chain.

Continuous Improvement:

The focus on improving their manufacturing operation was displayed in their quest for quality. For example, ECHO has invested heavily in automation. This investment allowed for improvements in the overall quality of their offering, reduced their scrap rate, and used new, innovative manufacturing methods. They even go as far as regrinding their scrap so that they can reuse the plastic. Today, ECHO has effectively eliminated all manufacturing waste.

Listening to feedback:

ECHO has implemented a few notable ways to gather high quality feedback. Externally, ECHO has implemented their User Advisory Group (UAG). The UAG members are end users (landscapers, carpenters, etc) that they rely on for feedback on their products and suggestions for future development. Internally, they host annual Kaizen events. During these sessions, they invite employees from various levels in the company to collaborate and determine what they can do to improve.

The tour ended with a walk through their warehouse. It was incredible how much product they keep on demand in order to stay ahead of demand.

Product Release

After the tour, the main attraction…the ECHO POWER-ON-ATHON product announcement. For 2025, a total of 10 new products were launched. This includes:

• 4 blowers (DPB-2610, DPB-5900T, DPB-7700T, DPB-2500LE)
• A rapid field charger
• 2 string trimmers (DSRM-225, SRM-2120)
• A hedge trimmer (DSHC-2600)
• A handheld pruning saw (DHS-3006)
• A gas mower (LM-2119SP)

Tool Test/First Impressions

Next up, we were able to test out the new products. Here are our first impressions!

Blowers:

ECHO continues to deliver on high quality blowers for the homeowner and professional alike. The 2610, 5900T, and 7700T are all part of the X Series. The DPB-2500LE is a limited edition blower in which ECHO partnered with Susan G. Komen. All of these blowers put out an impressive amount of power. ECHO’s 56V batteries produce an impressive run time in all of these continuing on the likes of the 5800T.

Rapid Field Charger:

The 6-port Field Charger was designed for commercial landscapers. This comes with awesome features like their trailer/wall mount. With electric tools becoming more prevalent on job sites, this charger allows you to charge 6 batteries at once, ensuring you’re ready for the next job.

String Trimmers:

ECHO’s Speed-Feed trimmer heads make reloading trimmer line a breeze. The DSRM-225 combines this technology with a light, durable carbon fiber shaft and battery power. This makes it a great option for homeowners looking for a low maintenance trimmer. The SRM-2120 utilizes gas and the Rapid-Loader head. And with an incredible price point of $199.99, this trimmer is an unbeatable value.

Hedge Trimmer:

Another addition to the X Series line is the DSHC-2600, however this time with a battery. ECHO designed this to incorporate a 7-degree angle which allows the operator to use the trimmer with added comfort. The blades are also designed to improve cutting efficiency, and the battery allows for quiet operation of a typically noisy tool.

Handheld Pruning Saw:

The DHS-3006 has a 6” bar and cuts through branches with ease. This new tool is one of the lightest, most powerful pruning saws on the market and is a great addition to anyone’s chainsaw collection.

Gas Mower:

Considering battery powered mowers consume a lot of juice, a gas powered saw was a nice return to conventional mowers. The LM-2119SP easily adapts to walking speed meaning you no longer need to fight the controls to find your Goldilocks setting. And the dual-blade design means you get a professional cut.

Recap

All of these great releases continue to improve on ECHO’s established reputation for quality in outdoor power tools. The ECHO POWER-ON-ATHON event was a great success! We look forward to getting our hands on these tools and seeing the ECHO line continue to grow. Check out the ECHO Press Release from the event for more info!

ECHO POWER-ON-ATHON 2024 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Echo DPB-5800T Battery Backpack Blower Review

eFORCE Battery Backpack Blower

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Echo
Model number: DPB-5800T
Price: $349.99 Bare Tool
Power source: 56V Battery System
Weight: 15.0 Lbs. Bare Tool

The DPB-5800T first debuted at the Echo Power Up and Power On media Summit at their US headquarters in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Members of our crew attended this event and participated in product demos.

Echo provided the Tool Box Buzz crew with a sample of the tool for testing. Additionally, our crew had the opportunity to visit Echo’s manufacturing facility in Lake Zurich, Illinois to see where the DPB-5800T is built. All Echo backpack leafblowers sold worldwide are manufactured in this facility!

Specifications

• Voltage: 56V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Max Airflow Output: 795 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 195 MPH
• Newton Force: 17N (High Mode) / 25N (Turbo Mode)
• Weight: 15.0 Lbs. (Bare Tool)
• Tool Warranty: 5 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
• Battery Warranty: 2 Year Consumer / 1 Year Commercial

Echo eFORCE Battery Versatility

The eFORCE battery platform is Echo’s 56V powerhouse for cordless outdoor power equipment. We have covered several tools on this platform before in our reviews of the Echo DCS-5000 Chainsaw as well as our recent Best Top Handle Chainsaw Head-to-Head. Their batteries are available in 2.5 Ah, 5.0 Ah, and now 8.0 Ah sizes. The 8.0 Ah battery packs debuted along with the DPB-5800T. These larger packs are ideally suited for high-demand tools like a backpack blower.

The Echo battery backpack blower features three battery ports on the outside of the housing. Any combination of eFORCE batteries will power the tool. Whether it’s a single 2.5 Ah or three big 8.0 Ah batteries!

Controls

Controls on the DPB-5800T are intuitive and very user-friendly. Echo only offers this tool in a tube-mounted throttle configuration chiefly because all the controls are within the thumb’s reach on the control stick. An LED display provides the user with battery information. The number of battery packs inserted as well as the remaining battery life is prominently visible. My favorite feature of this display is that the fuel gauge shows the total available power remaining from all battery packs inserted. The tool draws from all batteries simultaneously and adjusts itself according to the size of the batteries.

The variable speed trigger is large and has an excellent curved shape that is very ergonomic. It is comfortable and easy to use even with thick gloves on.  A throttle lock-out lever keeps the tool at your desired speed. This feature is common on backpack blowers. For high-demand applications, the Turbo mode button is front and center. Pressing this button shifts the tool into its highest possible output mode. Although it must be pressed again each time the tool is shut off. The DPB-5800T will not default to Turbo mode.

Echo Power and Performance

Leaf cleanup still isn’t fun, but the lack of noise is greatly appreciated by my wife and our neighbors!

Echo’s published data on the 56V backpack blower shows a top potential airspeed of 195 MPH and output up to 795 CFM. These specs are comparable to most homeowner backpack blowers and some smaller commercial models. Overall during testing, I found the DPB-5800T to have plenty of power for small to medium cleanup jobs. While in Turbo mode the Echo will easily blast through heavy and wet leaves as well as move large piles. During our last New England Fall cleanup, the 56V Echo was an excellent complement to a larger gas-powered blower. It was wonderful to use a tool so lightweight, quiet, and fume-free compared to my PB-9010T.

Battery Runtime

Due to the large variation in battery pack configurations for the DPB-5800T, it is hard to quantify the run-time for the tool. Echo posted the following specs on their website:

• 3x 8 Ah Batteries: 45 Min. Run-time on Turbo / 80 Min Wide Open Throttle (WOT)
• 2x 8 Ah Batteries: 30 Min Run-time on Turbo / 55 Min WOT
• 3x 5 Ah Batteries: 26 Min Run-time on Turbo / 50 Min WOT
• 2x 5 Ah Batteries: 20 Min Run-time on Turbo / 35 WOT

Overall these numbers matched my experience during use. Where the Echo excels in run-time in my opinion, is in support of other 56V tools for small sporadic cleanups. For example, I work with an arborist who uses multiple Echo 56V products daily. At the completion of the job, or after the chipping is done, we clean the roadway and property. Having the freedom to grab any combination of charged batteries and plug them into the ports of the Echo blower is a huge benefit. Landscapers on the Echo 56V battery platform will benefit similarly. The power of the DPB-5800T is well-suited for cleanups like these.

Currently, Echo offers this tool as a kit option with two 5.0 Ah batteries. This configuration provides 35 minutes of continuous run-time, however sporadic use will be far longer. Two 5.0 Ah batteries allowed for multiple days of sporadic cleanup use during my testing. Echo will be offering the DPB-5800T in different kit configurations in the future. This will include the new larger 8.0 Ah batteries.

Overall Impressions

The first time I saw the DPB-5800T I was blown away by the slim and svelte profile of it. Picking it up and experiencing the lightweight design of it was another  “Wo!” moment. The power and performance this tool provides is outstanding. Combined with the ease of maintenance and elimination of excessive noise and fumes, this tool is a great addition to Echo’s 56V lineup. The shoulder harness is comfortable and the controls are easy to reach. Furthermore, the throttle control position and tube length can be adjusted to an individual user’s preference.

I do not think this is a complete replacement for gas-powered backpack blowers. While the DPB-5800T has impressive performance, it cannot keep up with its large high-output gas-powered cousins for large cleanups and all-day use. It would be a logistical nightmare to maintain that many batteries. However, it excels for small cleanups and is an excellent complement to gas-powered blowers. Furthermore, it fits right in with commercial users already on the 56V eFORCE battery platform. I see the DPB-5800T as a solution for pros who may be hamstrung by gas-powered bans and noise level restrictions. Residential neighborhoods, large office buildings, and even interior work are all possible thanks to the quiet battery performance.

The DPB-5800T is currently available for $349.99 as a bare tool and $699.99 as a kit with two 5.0 Ah batteries. Overall I think this represents a good value, but I would prefer a kit offering with larger battery packs or even three total batteries and an additional charger. This would be a true one-stop solution for a pro user.

Follow the Buy Now link below to purchase an Echo DPB-5800T backpack blower from our friends at ACME Tool!

Echo 56V Battery Backpack Blower Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Battery-Powered Top Handle Chainsaw Testing

This Head-2-Head will take a look at the best battery top-handle chainsaw for 2023.  Battery technology has evolved to become arguably the king of outdoor power equipment. But does it measure up to what dedicated Pros need? In 2020 the ToolBoxBuzz crew hosted our first Best Cordless Chainsaw Head-2-Head where we evaluated twelve traditional rear handle saws. During that testing it was clear that a battery saw was an excellent option for a homeowner or DIYer, but not for full-time use in the forestry and tree care industry.

Fast forward to 2023 and the battery tool industry has continued to evolve. Additionally, the pro arborist and landscaping trades have seen an increased demand for pro-grade battery offerings. Many communities and even some states, like California, are moving to ban gas-powered OPE altogether. Bearing all this in mind, the TBB Crew set out to find out who makes the best battery top-handle chainsaw.

Top-handle chainsaws are often commonly referred to as climbing saws or bucket saws. They are designed for in-tree use by trained climbers or when working from a bucket truck in the air. These environments require the user to make cuts at adverse angles or from overhead or unsupported positions. They are often hung from the belt harnesses worn by arborists when climbing trees for takedown work. These unique demands require a saw to be compact and robust and move the handle location to the top of the saw to scale down the overall length.

Pro User Feedback

Scott Angelovic of Angelovic Tree Service, LLC.

Pro-user feedback is something we pride ourselves on at ToolBoxBuzz. In order to ensure that our testing protocols catered to tree care pros, we enlisted some local help. Our tests were conducted in Oxford, Connecticut by crew member Wes Bartosik. Additionally, Wes reached out to his friend Scott Angelovic of Angelovic Tree Sevice LLC. Scott is a long-time friend of Wes and a local business owner. Scott provided invaluable feedback on how each of our saws stacked up for pro use.

Jake Pollak better known as @DudeRanchDIY

ToolBoxBuzz was also fortunate enough to work with Jake Pollak of @DudeRanchDIY  for the first time on this project. Jake is an arborist by trade but also sells firewood and operates his own Youtube channel showcasing his firewood operation and equipment as well as arborist and chainsaw-related content. Jake is another Connecticut native and was able to provide us with some excellent feedback on the saws. Check out Jake’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram accounts where he cross-posted a lot of the content we worked on together.

Testing Criteria

In order to keep the sample pool as consistent as possible, we developed a set of selection criteria. First and foremost, the saw must be a purpose-built arborist saw designed for professional tree work. There are several saws on the market that happen to have a handle on top but are not tailored to professionals in any other way. Next, we limited the bar length to between 12″and 14″. Some models that were sent by manufacturers had their OEM bars swapped out to the proper length for testing. While we could not narrow down the pitch or gauge any further amongst samples, the bar lengths were kept consistent. Finally, we limited the battery pack Ah size to the kitted offerings from each manufacturer. Some of our manufacturers offer their saws as an a la carte system with multiple chargers and battery offerings (such as Husqvarna and Stihl). For these manufacturers, we selected the recommended battery offering for the tool.

The above-mentioned criteria provided us with a sample size of eight saws from six manufacturers. Makita and Stihl both had two models included in the testing. Makita with their legacy 36V 18V LXT X2 saw as well as the new 40V Max XGT and Stihl with their legacy pruning saw as well as their newest offering.

Saw Lineup

Echo

• Model: DCS-2500T
• Bare Tool Weight: 3.84 Lbs.
• Battery Platform: 56V eFORCE
• Battery Tested: 2.5 Ah
• Manual Adjustable Oiler
• Bar Length: 12″
• Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
• Chain Gauge:  0.050″
• Tool Warranty: 5 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
• Battery Warranty: 2 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial

Greenworks Commercial

• Model: 48TH12
• Bare Tool Weight: 6.10 Lbs.
• Battery Platform: 48V DualVolt
• Battery Tested: 4.0 Ah
• Automatic Oiler
• Bar Length: 12″
• Chain Pitch: 3/8″
• Chain Gauge: 0.050″
• Tool Warranty: 2 Year Limited
• Battery Warranty: 2 Year Limited

Husqvarna

• Model: T540i XP
• Bare Tool Weight: 5.66 Lbs.
• Battery Platform: 40V
• Battery Tested: Bi200X 5.2 Ah
• Manual Adjustable Oiler
• Bar Length: 12″, 14″,16″
• Chain Pitch: 0.325″ Mini
• Chain Gauge: 0.043″
• Tool Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
• Battery Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial

Makita 36V LXT

• Model: XCU08
• Bare Tool Weight: 6.28 Lbs.
• Battery Platform: (2x) 18V LXT
• Battery Tested: (2X) 5.0 Ah
• Manual Adjustable Oiler
• Bar Length: 14″, 16″
• Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
• Chain Gauge: 0.043″
• Tool Warranty: 3 Year Limited
• Battery Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Makita 40V XGT

• Model: GCU03Z
• Bare Tool Weight: 5.74 Lbs.
• Battery Platform: 40V Max XGT
• Battery Tested: 4.0 Ah
• Manual Adjustable Oiler
• Bar Length: 12″, 14″, 16″
• Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
• Chain Gauge: 0.043″
• Tool Warranty: 3 Year Limited
• Battery Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Milwaukee M18 FUEL

• Model: 2826-22T
• Bare Tool Weight: 7.30 Lbs.
• Battery Platform: M18 FUEL
• Battery Tested: 8.0 Ah
• Manual Adjustable Oiler
• Bar Length: 12″, 14″
• Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
• Chain Gauge: 0.043″
• Tool Warranty: 5 Year Limited
• Battery Warranty: 3 Year Limited

Stihl MSA 161T

• Model: MSA 161T
• Bare Tool Weight: 4.86 Lbs.
• Battery Platform: 36V AP Series
• Battery Tested: AP 300S 7.2 Ah
• Manual Adjustable Oiler
• Bar Length: 12″
• Chain Pitch: 1/4″ PICCO Micro 3
• Chain Gauge: 0.043″
• Tool Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
• Battery Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial

Stihl MSA 220TC-O

• Model: MSA 220TC-O
• Bare Tool Weight: 6.10 Lbs.
• Battery Platform: 36V AP Series
• Battery Tested: AP 500S 9.4 Ah
• Manual Adjustable Oiler
• Bar Length: 14″
• Chain Pitch: 3/8″ PICCO
• Chain Gauge: 0.050″
• Tool Warranty: 2 Year Commercial Only
• Battery Warranty: 3 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial

Testing Criteria

Our saws were evaluated and ranked based on the following categories;

• Ability to Stall Out
• Small Diameter Speed Cut Testing
• Large Diameter Speed Cut Testing
• Weight
• Decibel Output
• Price
• Features
• Ergonomics

Based upon this information we named a best overall winner as well as a best value winner.

Safety Considerations

Chainsaws are an inherently dangerous tool by design. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 28,859 chainsaw-related accidents in 2020. The majority of those accidents (11,630) were to users’ legs. Bearing this in mind proper safety gear was mandatory for our testing crew. Each test cutter was required to wear safety toe boots, leg protection, as well as eye protection.

The ToolBoxBuzz crew strongly recommends any user interested in purchasing or working with a chainsaw invest in some quality protective gear. It is a simple initial investment that can save your life.

Ability to Stall Out

Before beginning our performance testing, we wanted to measure the ability of the user to stall out the saw during a cut. Traditionally a pro-grade gas saw can be “leaned into” when cutting to push through tough material, pinching forces of the wood,  or overcome a slightly dull chain. Battery-powered saws are far more temperamental and less forgiving of the user levering them during use. Many manufacturers include overload protections in their battery tools to shut the saw down if the motor or the battery is being overworked. While this is a great idea in theory to protect the tool, it can be problematic for pros in the field.

An arborist may be suspended in the air making an intricate hinge cut on a limb. At that moment, the user needs the saw to be able to power through and not bog down or stall out completely and need to be reset. Based upon this we set up a testing rig using a section of maple log. The test cutter was then instructed to make a crosscut while burying the saw to the nose and leaning into the cut. The test cutter was also instructed to apply the same amount of force each time in order to cause the saws to stall out.

The Two best performers in this test were the Milwaukee and the Stihl MSA220TC. Our test cutter described both as “Beastly” and was unable to stall them out in the test log. Both saws provided outstanding consistent power throughout the cut. In second place was the Greenworks saw, which slowed during the test but continued cutting while being pushed through the cut. All three of these saws demonstrated an excellent low-end torque band that is ideal for demanding cutting tasks.

The Husqvarna and smaller Stihl MSA161T were our next best performers, stalling out only once the bar was at a depth consistent with the full width of the bar. Both Makita saws stalled out once the saw bar reached approximately half the width of the bar into the cut. Once this occurred, both saws had to be lifted up and then re-engaged to begin cutting again. The Makita XGT then stalled a second time before completing the cut. It seemed to our test crew that the Makitas were stalling in order to preserve the electronics, but this additional stop/start represents wasted time and productivity for professional users.

The Echo struggled the most in this test. The saw stopped multiple times and struggled to perform when being leaned on by our cutter. The Echo is also the smallest saw we tested and appears to be ideally suited for cutting smaller-diameter limbs or pruning work. Our test crew all agreed that the saws with larger full-size chains were preferable for commercial work and that reset buttons belong in video games and not on chainsaws.

Speed Cut Testing

In order to determine our fastest cutter amongst the sample group, we designed two speed-cutting tests. The first was a smaller diameter cut to simulate a limbing or pruning job and the second was a larger diameter cut to simulate a full takedown job. For both tests, we used a green hardwood log from a tree species native to New England. We focused on green wood with this H2H in order to simulate the conditions that pros would encounter in the field. To keep it as green as possible, we dropped some trees on the day of testing!

Scott using a Stihl MS400 to drop our test log tree.

Both tests were performed on sugar maple logs. Maple was selected as a medium-grade hardwood to offer a compromise between some harder species like oak which is plentiful in the Northeast and some of the pine species that are common on the West Coast. The Janka scale, which is the industry standard for hardness, lists sugar maple at approximately 1,450 Lb./Ft. The smaller diameter piece had an average measured diameter of 4.87″ and the larger diameter piece averaged at 7.75″.

Moving our test log into position with a Vermeer mini-skid machine with a hydraulic grapple.

The test cut pieces were strapped securely to a log stand and the same test cutter performed the cuts with all eight saws. The instructions for the crew member were to guide the saw through the cut without leaning into it and allow gravity and the weight of the saw to do the work. For the smaller diameter test (T1), the cutter performed a down, up, and down cut to make a total of three cookies. The larger diameter test (T2) was limited to a down and up only in order to prevent stall out or thermal overload. This was the first test performed; all eight saws had fresh factory sharp chains.

Small Diameter Speed Cut T1

The winner of T1 was the Stihl MSA220 at 8.47 seconds, finishing almost three seconds faster than the runner-up. Milwaukee came in second at 11.10 seconds and Husqvarna in third at 11.56 seconds. The slowest cutter for T1 was the Echo at 23.35 seconds.

Larger Diameter Speed Cut T2

The Makita XGT saw powering through our larger diameter speed cut test.

The winner of T2 was the Stihl MSA 220 at 10.97 seconds. T2 showed the Makita XGT rising to second place at 11.59 seconds and Husqvarna beating out Milwaukee for the number three spot by 0.01 seconds. The slowest cutter for T2 was the Echo again at 39.29 seconds.

The Stihl was absolutely unstoppable. The saw’s heavier weight and powerful battery system allowed the saw to rip through both tests. This test also demonstrated the capabilities of the new Makita XGT platform compared to the legacy Makita 36V saw. The XGT platform provided constant speed and power throughout the trial.

The Echo was the smallest saw we tested and lagged behind in both tests by a substantial margin.

Weight

Weight is a huge factor to consider when selecting a top-handle saw. By design, these tools are meant to be used at adverse angles and uncomfortable positions. A tree care pro may use one of these saws at shoulder height or above for hours at a time. Therefore in order to paint the complete picture of what each of these saws weighs, we took two measurements.

The first was the bare power-head weight. We weighed each saw with an empty bar oil reservoir and removed the bar and battery. Then we attached the bar and chain, filled the oil reservoir, and inserted a battery. We ranked the tools based on the fully assembled weight but thought that the bare powerhead weight and subsequent increase in weight was a good data point to collect.

The lightest assembled saw was the Echo at 7.46 Lbs. Second place went to the Stihl MSA161T at 9.84 Lbs. and third place to Husqvarna at 10.16 Lbs. The heaviest assembled saw was the Stihl MSA220TC at 12.38 Lbs.

The Echo is an incredibly light saw in the hand at under four pounds as a powerhead. Even fully assembled the Echo is almost as light as the Milwaukee powerhead. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Stihl MSA2210TC powerhead is about one pound heavier than its gas counterpart the MS201T.

Decibel Output

The level of received noise at the ear is a concern for the longevity of all professionals. According to OSHA standards, any exposure for eight hours of 85 decibels or higher requires hearing protection. In order to measure the noise output of each saw, we placed them on a jig with a decibel meter placed in a designated location to measure noise output. We then ran each saw for ten seconds at full speed, while not under load, and recorded the decibel range.

The quietest saw was the Stihl MSA161T at 80.8 decibels. This was the only saw that was under the 85-decibel threshold as well. Second place was Milwaukee at 91.3 decibels and third place went to Husqvarna at 92.4 decibels. The loudest saw tested was the Makita XGT at 100.9 decibels.

An interesting field note from our pro-user testers was that decibel ratings were really not a concern to them. They all wear helmets with built-in hearing protection and radio capabilities for communicating with their ground guys. However, the lower decibel output of all of our battery saws, compared to their gas counterparts, can be beneficial when working in areas with noise-based work hour restrictions, such as residential neighborhoods.

Price

For this H2H we chose to rank the tools based on a kit price. While carpenters, plumbers, and electricians, are likely loyal to a battery platform and heavily invested, the same cannot be said of most tree care pros. A tree care pro is likely buying a battery top handle saw for the first time and has no other tool that runs on that platform. Therefore we chose to select a kit option for the price ranking that includes the battery we used during testing.

The winner of the price rankings is a tie between Greenworks Commercial and Milwaukee. As of July of 2023, both companies are offering a kit with battery and charger for $499.99. In second place is Echo at $549.99 and third place is the Makita 36V at $579.00. Our most expensive saws are the Husqvarna at $1,049.00 and Stihl MSA220TC at $1,169.97 as kits.

While price is important to all users, we chose to not include it when determining our final rankings.

Features

Our entire saw lineup featured outstanding professional-grade features. For instance, all eight saws included manual chain tension adjustment systems. This traditional, tooled, style of adjustment is our preferred method due to its robustness. In order to determine which saw had the best set of features, we outlined nine total evaluation criteria. We then ranked each saw’s feature on a scale of one to three, with three being the best. The saw’s total overall score was used to determine rank. Our evaluation criteria are as follows;

1. Felling Spikes
2. Chain Brake Contour/Response
3. Lanyard Ring(s)
4. Electronic Chain Brake
5. Automatic Oiler
6. Manual Chain Tensioner
7. Additional Modes
8. Standout Features
9. Safety Auto Shut-Off

The saw with the best features is the Milwaukee. The M18 saw has outstanding aggressive felling spikes as well as a large manual chain brake lever that is responsive and has a very positive click action. The steel lanyard ring is in a great position and locks in the open position. It has a very responsive electric chain brake and the chain tensioner features an extra bar stud to lock the mechanism in securely. Our crew agreed that an automatic oiler system is their preferred option, but Milwaukee’s manual adjusting oiler performed well in the highest output setting. The Milwaukee is also the only saw with an onboard saw wrench or “scrench”. While not an absolutely mandatory feature, it is a nice bonus.

Second place went to the Stihl MSA22oTC-O, which has an outstanding billet of professional-grade features. In fact, the “O” designation in the Stihl’s name refers to their electronic bar oil monitoring system. The saw will monitor the flow of bar oil via an internal laser. The system also monitors for dirt and contaminants. When the oil is low or full of debris, a light will activate on the saw’s main control panel to alert the user. This feature was unlike anything our testing crew had seen before.

Where Milwaukee excelled over the Stihl to our crew was with the different safety auto shut-off systems. The Stihl has a push-button activation switch to turn the saw on and off. There is also a warning light to alert the user when the chain brake is turned off as well as a tang safety in the top of the grip that must be depressed. Once the user releases that tang safety, with the chain brake off, the saw shuts off in about five seconds. This was a real annoyance to our crew during testing and our pro users agreed that this was too fast. Conversely, the Milwaukee uses a spring-loaded tang safety in the grip with no additional on/off switches. It is intuitive to use and ruggedly simple. Our pro-user crew agreed that Milwaukee’s system would be more user-friendly and productive for them.

Third place resulted in a tie between the Echo and Husqvarna saws. The Echo is an extremely lean-built saw and doesn’t have many extra bells and whistles. It lost points due to the shorter felling spikes but has a simple and excellent push-button activation switch. The Husqvarna features an excellent digital battery display at the activation switch to show power consumption in real time as well as an Eco mode for battery conservation. However, the Husqvarna chain tensioning mechanism makes it difficult to get seated properly when removing the clutch cover and changing bars and chains. Twice the Husqvarna saw chain completely slacked out during our test cutting. We experienced the same issues in our 2020 Head-2-Head testing.

Rounding out the category, the Makita 36V saw has an impressive feature set, including a high-performance “Turbo” cutting mode. But the mode is difficult to switch back and forth from. The Makita XGT lacks some of the additional features of the legacy 36V saw, but both offerings have excellent felling spikes and chain brake designs. The Greenworks Commercial and Stihl MSA-161T had very basic features compared to the rest of the test sample. The Greenworks saw lost points due to having rounded felling spikes that did not grab into our cutting materials during testing as well as a confusing power activation button.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is one of our most subjective categories, but is one of our favorite and most discussed evaluations. If a tool is not comfortable or works against the user in any way, it is almost worthless. Similar to our Features section, we chose a total of six evaluation criteria to rank our battery top-handle chainsaws. The ergonomics of a top-handle saw are critical to a pro user in the field when working in the air, wearing gloves, or working in inclement weather. That is why we selected the following categories for evaluation;

1. Grip Comfort
2. Grip Contour
3. Forward Handlebar Angle
4. Bar Oil Fillcaps
5. Weight and Balance
6. Ease of Battery Change

The winner of this section is a three-way tie between Echo, Makita XGT, and the Stihl MSA-220TC. All three saws featured well-contoured and comfortable grips. The texture on all of them is excellent and all of the controls are easy to reach with one hand. The forward handlebars are also out of the way but easy to reach with an off-hand. Weight and balance were interesting with these models because they represent the best of our small, medium, and large offerings. The Echo is lighter and more compact, but both the Makita XGT and Stihl are compact in their overall design with no wasted space.

Although all three saws received the same overall score, the Echo had the best and most comfortable grip of the three as well as the nicest bar oil reservoir caps. However, the Makita XGT and Stihl have superior battery-changing mechanisms. The Stihl is the easiest to change batteries thanks to the battery being spring-loaded and inserted from the top of the saw.

Husqvarna took second place in ergonomics for battery top-handle chainsaws with excellent weight and balance as well as very comfortable grip material and handlebar angles. The criticisms of the Husqvarna were that the chain brake lever is too close and can be cramped on the user’s hands. Additionally, the sliding tang safety on the top of the grip was awkward to all of our test cutters. The Milwaukee came in third place with excellent grip materials as well as the most room for your hands of all of the saws test. The Milwaukee is a very big saw though. It sacrificed compact size for more room and feels bulky compared to most of the other saws. The side handlebar of the Milwaukee also bows out further than any other saw and gives it a Beachcomber bicycle feel.

Finally the Makita 36V saw was bulky and more off-balance than its counterparts due to the two-battery system. While they are easy to change, managing two batteries was not something our test crew viewed as desirable. The triple manual grip safeties of the Stihl MSA-161T were our least favorite and seemed almost impossible to use, safely, for lefties. The Greenworks saw felt off-balance and the controls were cramped and on top of each other.

Best Value Battery Top-Handle Chainsaw

One of our favorite categories to name is the Best Value, especially when we are talking about a battery top-handle chainsaw. These are expensive tools and present pro-users with a large financial investment. So which saw gives the best performance while still remaining reasonably priced? It is hands down the Milwaukee M18 Fuel.

The Milwaukee battery top-handle chainsaw finished in the top three of every category except for weight. Additionally, it achieved a first-place finish in the features category while tying for first place in the Stall Out test. Furthermore, Milwaukee also tied the Greenworks saw as our most affordable saw tested.

Overall Best Battery Top-Handle Chainsaw

At the completion of our testing, all of the data we gathered on the saws was compiled. When then used this to create rank structures for every category and finally used those ranks to create an overall final rank structure. The saw with the lowest number of points in this final ranking structure was our overall winner.

With a final overall score of nineteen points, our best battery top-handle chainsaw is the Milwaukee M18 Fuel. The Milwaukee is ergonomic and powerful with well-thought-out features. The safety system on the M18 saw was also one of the most preferred designs by our test crew due to its simplicity and similarity to their traditional gas-powered saws. The Milwaukee is a large saw though and is heavy. Because of that, our pro users weren’t sure if it would be suitable for full-time climbing work. The fact that the Milwaukee battery platform is so widespread and commercially available is a nice bonus but was not a determining factor for our tree care pros.

Second place was a tie between the Stihl MSA-22TCO and the Husqvarna. The two biggest names in the chainsaw world and both companies make an incredible battery-powered top-handle chainsaw. The Husqvarna has been on the market for several years now and has remained mostly unchanged. After testing it we realized that this is because Husqvarna got it right with the first generation. It is a fast, light, powerful, and nimble saw. The Stihl is brand new to the market and focuses more on raw power. We described the saw as “Beastly” earlier and that really is the best word for it. The Stihl is hands-down our top choice for demanding take-down work. Our test crew all greed that the Husqvarna and Stihl would be their top choices as tree care professionals and likely the only choices that would earn a coveted spot in their tree trucks due to the commercial warranties, dealer support networks, and overall reputation of both brands in the industry.

Third place went to the Stihl MSA-161T which shares many of the same perks as its younger, but bigger, brother. However, the MSA-161T has a proprietary bar design and uncommon chain size that make it less desirable. Stihl also does not do online sales, even for parts, making it more difficult to source these bars and chains.

All smiles!

The Makita XGT took fourth place overall. Showing that it is a product-improved version of the legacy Makita 36V saw. The improved battery technology and electronics of the XGT platform make for a saw that is really enjoyable to cut with. The legacy Makita and Echo tied for fifth place. The Echo struggled in our performance cutting tests but was a crew favorite thanks to its lightweight, great ergonomics, and professional-grade features. For smaller-diameter cutting tasks, the Echo is definitely worth a look. The Greenworks Commercial came in sixth place overall. While powerful, our crew agreed that it lacked some of the features and ergonomics they want in a saw.

Final Thoughts

Overall our test crew was impressed by the evolution and capabilities of all of the battery top-handle chainsaws tested. The saws discussed above are true professional-grade tools and are capable of performing a variety of tasks common with the Arborist and tree care industries. We would strongly encourage any user out there considering a battery-powered option to give it a chance. The ease of battery-powered electric motors versus traditional gas-powered engines is well discussed and documented. They make for an exceptional user experience and will only get better with time.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the saws mentioned in this article, please check out our Buy Now links listed below. These links will bring you to some of our preferred industry partners such as ACME Tools. Additionally, you can find Echo, Husqvarna, and Stihl battery-powered OPE at your local outdoor power equipment dealerships.

Best Battery Top Handle Chainsaw Head-To-Head Video

Best Top Handle Chainsaw | Head-to-Head | 2023 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Cordless Blower | Head-To-Head

What would the perfect cordless leaf blower be? Wait…can we even call them leaf blowers? I certainly don’t use mine for leaves, I use them to blow sawdust on my job sites, my tools, out of my van and tool shed, or to clean off my patio and porch. They’re just blowers!

Comparing 15 Blowers

Fifteen manufacturers sent us their best handheld cordless blower. The majority of these blowers can be found in kit configuration and are sold at most common and online retailers. In past testings, we’ve received comments that we should include Harbor freight tools, so in this head-to-head test, we’re happy to welcome Harbor Freight’s Atlas blower to this test.

ATLAS

Model – 56994
Voltage – 80V
Battery Watt Hour – 288 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 150
CFM’s – 605 CFM’s
Length – 35-⅜”
Weight – 4lbs, 6oz
Price – 274.99 (when added kit components)

CRAFTSMAN

Model – CMCBL730P1
Voltage – 20V
Battery Watt Hour – 100 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 110
CFM’s – 410 CFM’s
Length – 33-½”
Weight – 5lbs, 7oz
Price – $149.00

DEWALT

Model – DCBL772X1
Voltage – 60V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 125
CFM’s – 600 CFM
Length – 36-¾”
Weight – 6lbs, 2oz
Price – $299.00

ECHO

Model – DPB-2500
Voltage – 56V
Battery Watt Hour – 252 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 158
CFM’s – 549 CFM’s
Length – 36-¼”
Weight – 5lbs, 6oz
Price – $199.99

EGO

Model – LB7654
Voltage 56V
Battery Watt Hour – 280 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 200
CFM’s – 765 CFM’s
Length – 36-½
Weight – 4lbs, 11oz
Price – $329.00

GREENWORKS

Model – BLB489
Voltage: 80V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 170
CFM’s – 730 CFM’s
Length – 37-1/8
Weight – 5lbs, 8ozs
Price – $342.99

HART

Model – HLB07VNM
Voltage: 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 180 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 155
CFM’s – 600 CFMs
Length – 37-⅜”
Weight – 6lbs, 12ozs
Price – $138.00

KOBALT

Model – KLB 1040A-03
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 160 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 120
CFM’s – 520 CFM’s
Length -33-¾”
Weight – 5lbs, 4ozs
Price – $169.00

MAKITA

Model – GBU01M1
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 160 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 143
CFM’s – 565 CFM’s
Length – 33-1/2″, 35-1/2″, 37-1/2″ (ADJUSTABLE)
Weight – 5lbs, 5ozs
Price – $439.00

MILWAUKEE

Model – 2824-20
Voltage 18V
Battery Combined Watt Hour – 288 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 145
CFM’s – 600 CFM
Length – 37-⅜”
Weight – 6lbs, 1oz
Price – $707.00 (not kit)

RIDGID

Model – R01601K
Voltage – 18V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 130
Battery Watt Hour – 288 Wh
CFM’s – 510 CFM’s
Noise dB – 83.1
Length – 34-¼”
Weight – 5lbs, 7ozs
Price – $241.53

RYOBI

Model – RY404100
Voltage – 40V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 190
CFM’s – 730 CFM’s
*Battery Watt Hour – 144 Wh
Noise dB – 84.6
Length – 37-⅞”
Weight – 6lbs, 4ozs
Price – $269.00
*Wh based on one battery

SKIL

Model – BL4713-c-11
Voltage 40V
Battery Watt Hour – 100 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 193
CFM’s – 500 CFM’s
Length – 36”
Weight – 4lbs, 3ozs
Price – $159.00

STIHL

Model – BGA 86
Voltage: 36V
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 154
Battery Watt Hour – 337 Wh
CFM’s – 459 CFMs
Length – 38-½” (ADJUSTABLE)
Weight – 6lbs, 5ozs
Price – $839.97 (not kit)

TORO

Model – 51822
Voltage – 60v
Battery Watt Hour – 216 Wh
Max Air Speed (MPH) – 157
CFM’s – 605 CFMs
Length – 37-½”
Weight – 5lbs, 8oz
Price – $290.03

Cordless Blower Testing | 7 Criteria

Our goal was NOT to verify marketing claims, instead, we used ANSI testing standards as a guide, to create consistent, repeatable, and measurable data that you can make intelligent decisions on.

Our team scored the blowers on seven criteria, each ranked independently, and the “Overall Best Cordless Blower” was determined using the combined test results.

We include but did not rank price and best value categories, but list them here for your own informational purposes.

7 Scoring Criteria

1. Pitot Tube Run-time Testing – Directly measure air speed with a pitot tube and calculate MPH and CFM during a runtime performance test
2. Weighted Sled Test – tested the thrust performance with a sled rig on rails.
3. Ergonomics and Features – Ergonomics is really important to users and an important category to consider when purchasing any power tool.
4. Balance – Measured the balance and resulting rotation in the off and full throttle states.
5. Noise -Measured Decibels at full throttle
6. Best Value – Not ranked.
7. Price – The kit price at the time of publishing. Not ranked.

Anemometer | Pitot Tube Air Test

I’ll be honest, I had to ask Jeff what a Pitot tube was. Jeff, also a helicopter pilot, explained that a pitot tube probe measures the pressure difference of an air stream and can calculate fluid flow velocity. The Pitot Tube was invented by a French engineer, Henri Pitot, in the early 18th century.

Pitot tubes are widely used to determine the airspeed of aircraft, the water speed of boats, and the flow velocity of liquids, air, and gasses in various industries.

When manufacturers test their blowers to come up with the MPH and CFM values they follow an American National Standard (ANSI) procedure to measure the force or thrust. This is effectively an electronic scale that measures the force in Newton’s 5 inches from the blower nozzle.

Using fluid dynamics theory and measured environmental parameters like temperature, pressure, and humidity, the average and peak MPH and CFM values can be calculated.

We replicated this ANSI procedure to validate the measured MPH values gathered from our pitot tube instrument. Both measurements aligned. Here’s a summary of that procedure:

1. We used a 13.8 in ± aluminum plate as a force plate for our electronic scale.
2. We vertically mounted and centered the blowers in our rig and off the force plate 5”.
3. The blower was operated for 10 seconds, and the result was recorded.
4. Three tests were performed for an average measurement.
5. Barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity were recorded
6. Used ANSI blower performance equations to calculate theoretical peak and average blower speed

Anemometer and Pitot Tube | Testing

The Pitot Tube was set up 5 inches from each blower in the center of the air stream. Batteries were fully charged and measurements were taken at full throttle. The data was collected at 1 Hz sample rate or once per second until the battery was drained.

An ExTech HD350 Pitot Tube Anemometer was used to perform this test. The chart below shows data for all 15 blowers.

Using this data we were able to determine and calculate 4 important metrics for each blower, ranked them separately, and also combined them for an “Airflow Performance” winner.

1. Run-time in minutes
2. Average Speed
3. Average CFM
4. Total air moved

Run-time | Sustained Performance Winner | Stihl

You can see from the chart that the Stihl ran the longest, at 25.4 minutes. Second place was ECHO with 19.4 minutes, followed in third place by Milwaukee at 16.7 minutes.

This is a good time to talk about open and closed-loop battery control and how it relates to sustained performance. One of the biggest complaints with cordless blowers is their poor run-time and tendency to suffer a drop in sustained performance over time, as the battery discharges.

Three blowers Makita, Milwaukee, and Stihl all have closed-loop control on the battery output enabling them to run at a consistent [not peak] speed, for the life of the battery. While these blower batteries may have more power that could be drawn from them, these closed loop controls limit the output so an expected level of sustained performance can be delivered over a longer period of time. This is a feature that appeals to Pro users.

In contrast, most of the blowers, we tested, showed open-loop control.  Their peak performance was delivered within the first few moments of battery discharge, and then a variable level of declining performance results, as the battery discharges.  For example, the Ryobi blower showed a 22% drop in performance when comparing a fully charged battery to one that is half “empty”.

The three closed-loop control blowers we tested, all handle the dwindling voltage of their batteries a bit differently:

• Makita ran at a consistent speed until it quit.
• Milwaukee ran at a consistent speed for over 90% of the battery life before rapidly fading.
• Stihl ran consistently for over 80% and then when the voltage began to drop, it forced a reduction to 75% peak power to continue on for an additional 5 minutes.

As pro tool users, we feel that having a blowers power stay consistent, and maintain its performance over the entire battery charge is really important.

Average Speed Winner | Stihl

Speed is measured in miles per hour and measures air velocity, or more specifically, the rate at which air passes through the blower’s nozzle.

A higher mph rating, results in the ability to push more dense or sticky debris like gravel or wet leaves. One interesting fact is that many tool companies market their blower’s performances by their PEAK measurement. We used average recordings to give you the MOST realistic and honest measurement.

The Stihl performed the best with an average speed of 124.5 mph. Second place was Milwaukee at 119.8 mph and closely followed in third place was Makita at 119.5 mph.

Note – The chart shows the EGO with the highest initial peak speed, but its average performance over time dropped, resulting in a fourth placement.

CFM Winner | EGO

Cubic feet per minute or CFM was calculated by taking the measured speed data and combining it with the area of the nozzle opening, to calculate the volume of air moved per minute.

The EGO came in first with 659 CFM. Second place was Makita with 643 CFM, and third was HART with 628 CFM.

The higher the CFM value, the more air your blower produces, resulting in a wider area cleaned in a shorter time.

Total Air Moved Winner | Stihl

The winner of this category is a combination of run-time and average CFM. This is an indication of the total amount of work performed on a battery charge.

The Stihl performed the best, coming in at 11,550 cubic feet, followed by ECHO with 11,126 cubic feet. Third place was Milwaukee with 10,032 cubic feet.

Overall Airflow Performance Winner | Milwaukee

It’s important to note that two of the above categories are power performance values, and the other two are indications of battery size and runtime. In order to level the playing field between tortoises and hares we combined all four categories to see how the blowers performed in totality.

The winner was Milwaukee, followed closely by EGO and Stihl.

Weighted Sled Test | Power Test Winner | EGO

Who doesn’t like a strong-man contest?  We’ve touched on the importance of MPH and CFM, but the importance of where these two values intersect is the overall “force or thrust” that a blower can produce.

Manufacturers measure this force in Newtons in their development and testing. We developed a test rig to indirectly measure thrust and provide a good visual understanding.

We built a weighted sled that rides on low-friction wheels attached to inclined rails.

Sled Procedure

Prior to each blower test the rails and wheels were cleaned and lubricated with silicone. To perform this test we placed each blower’s tube onto a v-shaped rest, mounted to the sled. We placed the blower body onto a tool rest setting the blower in the same plane as the sled rails. Once set, we ran each blower for a 10-second count and recorded the sled movement on a measuring tape mounted to the sled. Three tests were completed for an average measurement. All blowers were tested with a 5.5 weight placed on the sled rig.

Two blowers maxed this test out, they were the EGO and Ryobi. We then added a second 5.5. lb plate and retested both blowers. The Ryobi was able to move the sled approximately halfway, while the EGO maxed out the rig a second time!

The sled topped out at 70 inches. Our chart below does not account for the additional weighted tests for EGO or Ryobi. EGO was the clear winner, Ryobi was second followed by Harbor Freight’s Atlas blower which was able to move the sled 66 inches.

Blower Nozzle or No Nozzle | What’s Best?

We wanted to see the direct impact of the nozzles on our weighted sled rig. The nozzles are designed to narrow the opening of the chute and increase the speed of air coming out.

Many people don’t realize that manufacturers will often use a nozzle to measure higher peak MPH values and will use the wider chute opening without the nozzle to list their peak CFM number. The same blower, but tested with different configurations.

Most manufacturers supply a nozzle because many users feel it increases performance, and they ask for it. The reality is that adding a nozzle may increase the localized air stream speed, but the added friction and constriction reduce the overall performance.  [E.g Milwaukee reduces from 17.5 to 17 Newtons, but increases from 145 to 155 mph]

Our sled test results showed that adding a nozzle to the blower drastically reduced the blower’s performance on the sled test. For example, the Ryobi which was able to max out the test sled at 70-inches without a nozzle, was only able to achieve 58-inches with a nozzle. Similar results were observed with EGO and Milwaukee nozzles.

Ergonomics and Features Winner | EGO

This category is compiled from the combined opinions of the TBB crew after using the tools. Grip, throttle, battery removal, intake placement, and adjustable chute length were evaluated.

The EGO eked out a win with 10 points, followed closely by Makita and Milwaukee which tied for second place each with 11 points.

Grip

While all blowers had relatively comfortable grips, both the EGO and Milwaukee stood out. They have base stands that can double as a two-handed hold for overhead use or off-balance use.

Throttle | Trigger | Power On

When it came to evaluating the blower’s throttle, the TBB crew favored blowers with a single point of activation. Unfortunately, most blowers employ a boost button, which we feel is an unnecessary hassle and a marketing gimmick.  Some of the blowers, like the Craftsman, have boost features that can be locked on – we preferred that to having to hold the button down. Pro users definitely do not want to have to engage a second button.

The Milwaukee throttle stood out with ambidextrous use and had a very responsive throttle control and no boost button.

Lastly, some blowers have a power-on switch, or safety feature, in order to power on the trigger. Most of the crew found these features frustrating.

Battery Insertion and Removal

When considering the battery removal and installation, the crew really liked those blowers, like the Kobalt, that offer a spring-loaded ejection.

Milwaukee lost points in this category by being the only blower to employ dual batteries.

Adjustable Chutes

Makita, along with Stihl offers an adjustable chute, with several configurations. We felt this may appeal to users who might want to adjust their blower chute to their height.

Air Intake Location

Intakes were also evaluated. The team favored rear-mounted over side-mounted intakes due to side-mounted intakes sucking in the user’s pant legs when held close to the body.

Balance and Rotational Force Winner | ECHO

Too much rotational force can result in a blower that you’re constantly fighting to control, or worse results in a wrist injury like tendonitis. Wrist tendonitis is frequently caused by activities requiring sideways motion of the wrist while gripping. Activities such as using a blower in a side to side motion can lead to Dequervain’s tendonitis.

Rotational Force Rig

We built a rig to hold each blower’s handle to simulate a neutral grip position. The rig allowed the blower to rotate freely on this axis.

We used some image analysis to capture the angle of the blower chute relative to the horizon. The angle at rest with the blower powered off was measured, followed by the blower in the full throttle state.

We considered two values to be the most important when analyzing this data and used their individual rankings to determine the blower with the best balance.

1. Angle under load
2. Difference between no-load and full load

The first was the angle under load relative to the horizon. We found the most strain on the wrist was felt when the blower wanted to pitch down directly at the ground, forcing the user to pull the blower back up to a useful working angle.

The blowers we tested pitched down between a comfortable 40 degrees, to a very uncomfortable near vertical 89 degrees.

The second value we considered important was the change or Delta between the blower at rest and under load. A well-balanced blower should have minimal change in pitch when the throttle is activated. A bower that swings a large amount is likely to be harder to control. The smallest delta observed was 15 degrees and the highest was 57 degrees.

The ECHO took the best Balance category. The Echo had a no-load balance of 19 degrees and deflected to 40 degrees down under full throttle. This comfortable 40 degrees nose-down attitude coupled with the relatively small change of just 19 degrees scored it top marks.

Craftsman came in second with a  no-load measurement of 31 degrees and a full load of 46 degrees. Stihl followed in third place with 19 and 41 degrees.

Cordless Blower Noise Winner | Stihl

OSHA sets legal limits on noise exposure based on a worker’s 8-hour work day. For noise, OSHA’s permissible exposure limit is 90 dB.

To measure relative decibels mounted the blowers. back into our rotational rig, and mounted a decibel meter 24” away from the blower to simulate the distance between a user’s ear and wrist. Three readings were captured and an average was recorded.

The blower that was the quietest was the Stihl coming in at 81.5 dB. The second quietest was the RIDGID averaging 83.1 dB followed by the RYOBI averaging at 84.2 dB.

The blowers that were the loudest were the DEWALT and ECHO averaging 97.9 db.

Best Price Winner | Hart

When purchasing tools, price is unquestionably a crucial factor, particularly for those of you who are just beginning out in the trades or are DIY/Homeowners just starting out.

We ranked pricing as *kits and with blowers that weren’t sold in kit form, we included a battery(s) and charger to even the playing field.

* Ryobi kit comes with 2 batteries.

At the time of testing, the best-priced blower kit was the Hart coming in at $138.00. The second lowest price was the Craftsman at $149.00 and the third was the Skil at $159.00.

The most expensive blower we tested was the Stihl BGA 86, coming in at $839.97.  The majority of these blowers can be purchased at ACME Tool or your local big box store.

Best Value Blower Winner | Hart

Price and quality will continue to be the top deciding factors for consumers. In today’s economy, consumers are looking for ways to stretch their dollars further, and tool companies need a solution to deliver a well-made, powerful tool at a competitive price, without sacrificing quality.

As we have indicated, we do not include pricing in our overall scoring, but we include it and always suggest our pick for best value.

The Hart was an easy decision for us, it performed exceptionally well in our testing, and is priced the lowest, guaranteeing a seat at the “best value” table. Hart scored in the fourth place in noise, and mid-pack on pretty much all the other categories scored, finishing in 6^th place.

Best Cordless Blower Winner | Milwaukee

Milwaukee 36-volt cordless blower came in first place scoring a total of 20 points. It scored tops in airflow performance, second in features and ergonomics, and fourth in balance.

The Milwaukee operates easily in either user’s hand and has a responsive trigger. Its sturdy base plate doubles as a secondhand grip, and the heads-up battery display is a nice touch. The crew appreciated that there was no boost or turbo button to engage, everything you need comes from the trigger. Milwaukee did suffer in the ergonomic battery scoring category due to the fact that it was the only blower in the lineup with two batteries.  That second battery, while inconvenient, clearly helped push the power and runtime up where it needs to be.

The formidable EGO came in second place with 22 points. EGO scored tops in both ergonomics, features, and the sled thrust test. The EGO was clearly the most powerful of the blowers out of the gate.  The open loop battery control and resulting performance drop over time coupled with the mediocre balance numbers pulled the EGO down from walking away with the top spot.

The EGO is a powerful blower but some users will find that they have to fight to hold it in position, it has a recessed throttle control which the team appreciated. Like Milwaukee, the EGO has a base stand that allows the user to place a two-handed hold for overhead use. Ego also has a nice spring-assisted battery removal feature, which one would not appreciate unless you were testing 15 blowers!

Stihl took third place with 25 points. Stihl took tops in noise and third place in both balance and airflow performance. The Stihl is a robust tool with a nicely designed spring-assist battery removal setup. The team liked that it has an adjustable-length chute, but did not like having to manipulate the awkward safety lever to power it on.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re considering purchasing a blower you should first think about the application, you’re using it for, and then performance. A lot of these blower measurements we shared result in a compromise, so if you want our advice, we feel you should choose a blower that is “stronger for longer.”

Our Head-to-Head tests take time to complete and we are ultimately limited in scope as we’re not a professional testing company. We cannot do long-term testing that would shed light on longevity or durability, and we can’t possibly test every application that you might use a blower for.

We receive a lot of comments about how we arrive at our winner.  We’ve openly shared ALL the data from our tests, and you can rank the tools however you want. In this article, if you hover over the line or column in our graphs, you’ll be able to see the actual values. Hopefully, you’ll find this Head-To-Head useful when comparing compact cordless blowers.

If you have a moment, please check out our other Head-to-Head Tests.

Best Cordless Blower | Head-2-Head Video | 2023

Best Cordless Blower 2023 | Head-To-Head is a post from Tool Box Buzz

ECHO DCS-5000 56V eFORCE 18″ Chainsaw Review

Echo‘s latest battery chainsaw offering is a powerful and well-thought-out performance monster. This tool review will examine the Echo DCS-5000 56V eFORCE chainsaw and compare it to Echo’s previous offerings. In 2020 ToolBoxBuzz published our first Best Cordless Chainsaw Head-2-Head. During that testing, the legacy Echo 58V saw shined as our best overall value saw as well as our fastest cutter. However, the 58V saw was clunky and lacked refinement. The new Echo 56V eFORCE saw builds on its predecessor and provides outstanding power and performance with completely revamped ergonomics and design.

Photos courtesy of my 6-year-old. She is awesome.

DCS-5000 Specs

• Voltage: 56v
• Motor: Brushless
• Battery: 5.0 Ah eFORCE
• Recharge Time: 75 Minutes W/ Echo Rapid Charger
• Bar Length: 18″
• Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
• Weight: 14.6 Lbs. W/ 5.0 Ah Battery
• Tool Warranty: 5 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
• Battery Warranty: 2 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial

Echo 56V Chainsaw Features

Using the Echo saw during the testing process showed me that the DCS-5000 was clearly designed by chainsaw people. There is an assortment of features with the Echo that enhance the user experience and cater to professional users.

Clutch Cover With Captive Bar Nuts

The plastic clutch cover of the saw features molded felling guidelines as well as captive bar nuts. Captive bar nuts are a fantastic feature to prevent losing the nuts in the field or shop when doing maintenance or service. I often flip my saw bars when refueling or sharpening to ensure even wear. I have lost more bar nuts in the woods doing this than I care to admit. The Echo’s captive bar nuts prevent this from happening. Additionally, the clutch cover features a molded plastic tab to assist with reinstalling the cover. Battery saws are often awkward to attach the clutch covers. This small tab makes lining up the cover effortless.

Flip Lever Bar Oil Cap

The folding lever on the bar oil reservoir cap is easy to use, especially when wearing thick gloves. One small feature that stood out to me was the sloped front face of the bar oil reservoir. This slope goes away from the handle towards the nose of the saw. It provides a clear path for filling the reservoir from a jug of bar oil. The front handle of many saws partially obstructs this area, making refills somewhat messy. A small detail like this is a great example of how Echo clearly has real chainsaw users helping with the design of their tools.

Chain Tensioner and Bar Mount

A replaceable metal chain catch is another nice, pro-grade, safety feature on the Echo DCS-5000.

The 18″ bar is supported by two steel bar studs. The chain tension adjustment stud is also made out of steel and is stouter than most electric saws I have used. These two features make a very strong and stable mounting platform for the bar. I have not had a chain slack out during use either.

The chain tensioning system requires a tool. Any flat-head screwdriver can be used, however, Echo includes a compact scrench with the saw. The tool is stored in a molded slot on the underside of the saw. Also pictured is a large drain port for the battery compartment to allow dust and woodchips to flow through.

Battery Power and Performance

The Echo 56V eFORCE battery platform is a great upgrade for their battery OPE. Echo claims that the DCS-5000 is capable of making up to 200 cuts through 4×4 timber on a single charge with the included 5.0 Ah battery. Rather than cutting expensive framing lumber, I took the Echo into the woods and used it to cut up some storm-blowdown maple trees. I found that the 5.0 was capable of bucking an entire tree into rounds that ranged from 6″ in diameter on the top end to 12″+ at the trunk on a single charge. There was enough charge left after this task to fell another smaller maple tree and remove the limbs.

Cutting Speed

The chain speed on the Echo saw is very fast while still maintaining an excellent torque band. I averaged about 6 seconds cutting cookies through the approximately 6″ diameter portion of the tree.

Echo DCS-5000 Intended Users

The Echo DCS-5000 56V chainsaw would make an excellent homeowner general-purpose tool. It is fully capable of felling small to medium-sized trees as well as clearing limbs and brush. When making crosscuts on trunk sections it performs very well in wood up to about 12″. Any larger and there is a major drop in capability due to the extra drain this places on the battery system.

This saw excels as a complementary tool to a larger gas-powered chainsaw. I used the DCS-5000 mainly in conjunction with my Echo CS-7310P saw. Having a smaller, lighter, and easier-to-start saw is such a welcome bonus. The Echo 56V eFORCE also has enough power and performance to keep up with demanding professional tasks like working out of a bucket or cutting limbs to fit in a chipper.

Overall Impressions of the Echo DCS-5000

The DCS-5000 is an outstanding offering from Echo and a great addition to the world of battery-powered chainsaws. The new Echo eFORCE 56V battery platform provides formidable power and cutting performance for a high-demand tool like a chainsaw. Overall this saw really impressed me. It is comfortable and ergonomic, although it does have a very long body. In fact, it is close in length to my CS-7310P saw. Regardless though, it is well-balanced and easy to use in any position or at any angle.

The DCS-5000 compared to the CS-7310P.

The only area of improvement I can suggest for this saw is a more aggressive angle on the felling spikes. Currently, they are rounded points. A more aggressive and pointed tip would allow for greater bite and stability. Larger amp-hour battery packs would also increase the potential capability for high-demand commercial users. Overall the DCS-5000 is an outstanding option for anyone, from backyard lumberjacks to tree care pros, looking to try a battery-powered saw.

The Echo DCS-5000 56V Chainsaw is currently available for $299.99 as a kit or $199.99 as a bare tool. In my opinion, this is an excellent value for a saw that performs on par with some of the high-dollar pro-grade offerings currently on the market. Follow the Buy Now link below to purchase the Echo eFORCE from our friends at ACME Tools.

ECHO DCS-5000 Chainsaw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf Review

CS-590 Timber Wolf

5/5

Manufacturer: Echo
Model number: CS-590
Price: $399.00
Power source: 2-Stroke Gasoline Engine
Motor size: 59.8cc
Weight: 13.2 lbs (powerhead weight)

Specifications and Features

• Engine Displacement: 59.8 cc / 3.64 cu in
• Fuel Capactiy: 21.8 fl oz
• Oil Capacity: 10.2 fl oz
• Powerhead Weight: 13.2 lbs (no fuel, oil, bar, or chain)
• Oiling System: Automatic/Adjustable (Clutch-Driven)
• Starting System: Standard pull
• Carburetor: Butterfly-Valve Diaphragm
• Bar Type: Pro-Lite w/ ProAm material
• Handle: Plastic
• Sprocket Cover: Plastic
• Sprocket Type: Spur
• Available bar lengths (in): 18 / 20* / 24
• Warranty: 1-year commercial / 5-year consumer

*standard offering

First Impression

A friend of mine is an arborist and has been singing Echo’s praises for the past few years. He had a few Echo saws of his own that I had used when I assisted him during climbing and felling jobs. When I first fired up the Echo CS-590, I was immediately impressed. The setup of the chainsaw with the 20″ bar was impressive. The weight is well balanced, the construction is sturdy, the ergonomics are well thought out, and the power…oh the power. It was incredible. Just the right amount of power to take down an impressive tree without being too much to handle.

Safety

First off, safety is always the primary concern. This saw has the standard features that you’d expect from a chainsaw. It has a chain brake with a solid, positive click when it’s engaged. Also, the grip safety is convenient to actuate if you have a good grip on the handle and can be used ambidextrously.

There is a chain catcher which has been effective in protecting the operator in the times I’ve seen an Echo 590 throw it’s chain (seen it happen to someone else, not myself). Also, the location of the on/off switch is somewhat of a safety feature. While it can be accidentally hit (more easily by a righty than a lefty), it’s in a much more convenient spot than some other brands of chainsaws and can be used as a last resort to turn off the saw. While this isn’t a recommended practice, as it could damage the saw, it’s nice that Echo errs on the side of caution with their design.

Echo CS-590 Chainsaw Power

Some chainsaws are overpowered or underpowered depending on the engine-to-bar length ratio. Right away, I could tell that the balance of power to cut capacity was unbelievable. A 20″ bar allows for the felling of pretty substantial trees. During one of the jobs I ran, I was able to fell trees that were 18+” in diameter, then buck them up into firewood length without a drop in performance. It was certainly nice to so efficiently progress through the job site when the hot summer sun was beating down on me.

The power than the Echo 590 brings to the job site certainly helps to prevent fatigue. As jobs progress, it’s natural to feel fatigued which can lead to costly mistakes. Having a saw that makes work quick and easy can reduce this considerably. The saw makes quick work of trees which leads to less time carrying it around and ultimately can help to get you off the job site sooner.

Echo CS-590 Design

The design of the 590 is very similar to most chainsaws, but there are a few features that were particularly pleasing. First off, the saw has a sighting system built into the body. It allows you to line up the saw with where you’re trying to place the tree on the ground for your face cut. In order to get a quick gauge of where you want to put the tree, this sighting system is more than sufficient.

On the bottom of the saw is a screw for the adjustable oil flow system. This is especially nice because it allows you to control the amount of oil used. I personally adjusted the oil flow to completely open and it was fantastic. I’ve never run into an issue of the saw over oiling or running out of oil before gas. The adjustment screw can be a bit tricky as you can’t reach it with a scrench (you need a small screwdriver), but once you have the right tool, it is pretty intuitive with markings on the body about how to adjust it.

The chain tensioner is very simple being on the side plate covering the chain. With a quick turn of the screw, you can adjust the chain for optimal performance. One quick anecdote is to be careful when removing/reinstalling the side plate. I’ve seen a few people break the tensioner when trying to force the pin into the right spot. To prevent this, adjust the tensioner to line up with the bar, then reinstall the plate with the corresponding nuts.

Echo CS-590 Chainsaw Price

This saw is available from a variety of online retailers and hardware stores. The MSRP for the 590 with a 20″ bar is $400 which includes the saw, a chain, scrench, and bar sheath. Everything that you would need (minus gas and oil) comes with the saw.

Overall Thoughts

I am very impressed with both Echo and their CS-590 Timberwolf. While the price point could make a professional question the durability of the saw, I can assure you that it’s tough as nails. Multiple arborists crane climb with CS-590 and they hold up to multiple years of professional use. The saw is extremely comfortable, well-powered, and easy to use. I’d certainly recommend this saw to any professional end user or even homeowner looking for a durable, high-quality saw. You won’t regret getting a 590.

For other chainsaw reviews, check out these other Tool Box Buzz articles.

Echo CS-590 Chainsaw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Cordless Lawn Mower Head-To-Head | 2022

Like Ricky Bobby says ” If you ain’t first then you’re last.” While we love the spirit of that statement, we feel that does not hold true when it comes to the Best Cordless Mower. We feel that there is a place for cordless mowers, whether it is in a small backyard, large backyard, or even a commercial field!

Cordless Lawn Mowers continue to be the most popular OPE (outdoor power equipment) in retail stores. The buzz is real and everyone is competing for a seat at the top when it comes to best in class. The field is ever-changing, even in the 2 years since our last 2020 Cordless Mower Head-to-Head there have been new models and technology improvements.

In this best cordless lawn mower head-to-head we compared 16 cordless mowers from 14 manufacturers. We put these mowers through specific tests against each other to crown the Best Cordless Mower.

Benefits Of A Cordless Mower

Gas-powered mowers require a lot of maintenance, such as oil changes, fuel filters, spark plugs, and air filters. Not to mention rising gas prices. Let’s be honest, most people don’t properly maintain their gas mowers, and put off service until the mower won’t start! Anyone who has had to get a small engine fixed understands how inconvenient and time-consuming it can be.  All of the above-mentioned maintenance, as well as last-minute fuel purchases, are eliminated with cordless mowers, which are also quieter to operate.

Cordless Lawn Mowers Tested

We reached out to 14 of the top cordless lawn mower manufacturers and asked if they would like to participate in our best cordless mower head-to-head article. The models we tested included:

Black and Decker

Model: CM2043C
Voltage: 40V
Deck Size: 20″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/2″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 47 Lbs
Price: $265.95

DEWALT

Model: DCMWSP255Y2
Voltage: 20V x 2 (40V)
Deck Size: 21-1/2″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/2″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 92 Lbs
Price: $669.00

ECHO

Model: DLM-2100SP
Voltage: 56V
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 69.5 Lbs
Price: $499.00

EGO

Model: LM2156SP
Voltage: 56V
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/2″
Number of Blades: 2
Weight: 68 Lbs
Price: $799.00

Greenworks

Model: 2533402
Voltage: 80V
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/2″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight:  74 Lbs
Price: $749.00

Hart

Model: HLPM061US
Voltage: 40V
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 89 Lbs
Price: $498.00

Kobalt

Model: KMP6080-06
Voltage: 80V
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/2″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 87 Lbs
Price: $599.00

Kobalt

Model: Model KSPM-1040A-03
Voltage: 40V
Deck Size: 20″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/4″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 65 Lbs
Price: $429.00

Makita

Model: XML11CT1
Voltage: 18v x2 (36V)
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/4″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 88.5 Lbs
Price: $499.00

Makita

Model: XML08Z
Voltage: 18v x2 (36V)
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/4″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 94 Lbs
Price: $699.00

Milwaukee

Model: 2823-22HD
Voltage: 18V x2 (36V)
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 80.5 Lbs
Price: $999.00

Ryobi

Model: RY401210
Voltage: 40V
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1.5″
Number of Blades: 2
Weight: 74 Lbs
Price: $799.00

Skil

Model: SM4910-10
Voltage: 40V
Deck Size: 20″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/2″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 60 LBs
Price: $449.00

Snapper

Model: 1687982
Voltage: 82V
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/2″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 71.5 Lbs
Price: $658.36

Stihl

Model: RMA 510 V
Voltage: 36V
Deck Size: 20″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 64 Lbs
Price: $699.99

Toro

Model: 21566
Voltage: 60V
Deck Size: 21″
Max Cutting Height: 4″
Min Cutting Height: 1-1/2″
Number of Blades: 1
Weight: 81 Lbs
Price: $799.00

Best Cordless Lawn Mower Head-to-Head Comparison

While this isn’t a professional testing facility and we are not a professional testing crew, we did gather measurements, analyze each mower in a variety of categories, and rank them against one another.

We always strive to figure out how to make our Head-To-Head tool tests uniform, reproducible, and fair when we start putting them together. In order to give you the Best Cordless Lawn Mower, we looked at the following 10 categories.

1. Noise
2. Run-Time
3. Speed Test
4. Ergonomics and Features
5. Handle Comfort & Adjustment
6. Amount of Grass Mowed
7. Maneuverability
8. Deck Height Adjustability
9. Compact Storage

Cordless Mower Cut Quality

There was no BIG discernible difference in the cut quality of the mowers. The grass we mowed was field-quality, green, and approximately 6-7 inches high. As a result, the grass plant type was not particularly uniform. This made the cut quality hard to determine, and since we did not have a sod-quality lawn, we did not rank this category.

Editor’s Note – Both the Ego and Ryobi have multiple cut blades which enhance the quality of the cut. All the other mowers that we tested had single-blades.

Ego has three blade sets included in your purchase. A set of Mulching Blades for shredding grass into fine bits. For all-around performance, the extended runt time blades set provides a perfect blend of cut quality and duration. Finally, they include their “High Lift Bagging Blade” set, which provides greater suction for bagging and leaves your yard free of clippings.

The Ryobi mower comes with stacked, two crosscut blades making the quality of the cut better, by creating smaller grass clippings.

Quietest Cordless Mower Winner  – Stihl

One of the most often asked topics concerning cordless mowers seems to be how much noise they make.

To gain a relative comparison of noise, we ran a basic decibel test to measure the loudness of the mowers in a controlled environment. The test consisted of running each mower in our barn, on a concrete surface with the deck lifted to its full height. Each mower was tested in the same spot on the floor, and the decibel meter was at the same height and relative position as an average user.

Note: the mowers were tested on top of a concrete slab. In practice, when utilized on a lawn, these mowers are significantly quieter.

When the ECO mode is selected, the mower operates at a lower RPM for situations requiring less power. This increases energy efficiency and battery runtime as well as reduces the noise of the mower. To switch the ECO mode on, swing the battery cover open and hit the ECO select button, and then close the lid.

We ran the test for enough time to have the mowers reach a maximum and stable rpm speed. Many of the mower motors start at a high RPM and then cycle down to a slower speed to save energy. The quietest mower we tested was the Stihl which measured in at 79 decibels.

A three-way tie for second at 80 decibels was Greenworks, Snapper, and Toro. Coming in the loudest mowers were the Ego and Makita XMLCT1 at 88.5 decibels.

There are five mowers that have a turbo feature which increased the noise decibels between 3.5 to 5.0 DBS.  Milwaukee, Echo, Stihl, Greenworks, and Toro. When in turbo mode, which Milwaukee calls “High lift mode,” the Milwaukee was the loudest mower we tested at 90.0 decibels. High lift mode uses a higher blade speed to achieve additional airflow and increased grass lift to deliver better quality mulch or bagging results.

Cordless lawn mowers allow you to cut your lawn efficiently and quietly, with none of the noise, gas, oil, or maintenance that comes with gas-powered solutions ~ ROB

Gas vs Cordless Mower  | Noise

For comparison, the average gas lawnmower produces 95–100 decibels. The noise measurements for our test mowers averaged 82.6 decibels. When compared to a loud gas mower, these cordless mowers cut sound energy by over 20 times when compared to a 100 dB noise level.

Many towns have enacted noise ordinances that limit the times of day you can mow with a gas mower. Cordless mowers are unaffected by these ordinances.

Most Grass Cut | Cordless Mower Run-time

Run-time used to be a big question in the minds of people considering the purchase of battery-powered tools. Huge advancements in battery technology have made cordless mowers a viable option for users. The million-dollar question on everyone’s mind is how much grass will a cordless mower cut on a battery charge?  Mowing run time will vary greatly depending on the height of grass, the thickness of grass, and the type of grass.

Best Cordless Mower Run-time Procedure

We measured and marked mowing lanes for each mower and kept track of the time and total distance that each mower traveled.

Grass Conditions: The grass we mowed was field-quality, green and white clover, and approximately 6-7 inches high. Every mower was set at its highest cut setting, 4″. We set each mower to its maximum speed if it were self-propelled. We asked the operators of non-self-propelled mowers to move at a comfortable pace. It was interesting to note that a 40-year-old man in good shape pushing a mower was faster than most of the self-propelled mowers.)

If any mower completed mowing its entire marked lane, we lowered the mower deck by one additional inch and re-cut that lane. Once the mower stopped running, we used a measuring wheel to measure its final resting spot.  Some mowers have dual batteries that will operate separately. In this instance, if the batteries were provided in the kit, we doubled the calculations to come out with our total distance mowed.

Most Grass Cut | Run-time Winner – Milwaukee

The winner of the most grass mowed in this year’s Best Cordless Mower Head-to-Head goes to Milwaukee.  The M18 mower runs on two 18V 12 Ah batteries.  These power banks propelled Milwaukee to run for 14,936 feet or 2.83 miles.  The total cutting area was 26,138 square feet, a truly impressive amount of grass for a battery-powered mower. The final ranking is based on the area the mower can cut with the total batteries on board. We also showed a column of data on area per watt-hour just as additional information. Ultimately what users are most interested in, is how much area can I mow on a single charge.

Just behind Milwaukee was the Kobalt 80V, mowing a distance of 14,017 feet and 24,540 square feet in our test. The Kobalt is powered by a single 6 Ah battery.

Rounding out the top three was the EGO mower. A single battery powers the EGO like the Kobalt and this kit came with a 10 Ah battery.  The EGO was able to run for 10,868 feet or 2.06 miles, cutting grass over a 19,000 square foot area.

Watt-Hours

It’s important to note that all 16 of these mowers have different battery Amp-Hour, capacities, and voltages.  Comparing one tool’s battery capacity to another by referencing “Amp Hours” is a common practice but an inaccurate and misleading one.  Watt-Hours is calculated by multiplying the voltage (actual load voltage, not the MAX that some companies advertise) by the battery pack Amp-Hours. This calculation allows us to compare the total energy available to do the work based on both the voltage and size of the battery pack (amp-hours).

For example, we can take a look at the two leaders of the runtime/area mowed test, Milwaukee and the Kobalt 80V.  The Milwaukee uses two batteries at 18V and 12 Ah a piece.  Each battery has 18V*12Ah equaling 216 Watt Hours capacity.  Adding both batteries together yields 432 WH onboard and supplied with the kit.  The Kobalt has a single 80V Battery rated at 6Ah with a Watt-Hour capacity of 480.  The takeaway here is that even though the Milwaukee has two batteries each with an advertised 12 Amp Hour, and the Kobalt has a single with “only” 6 Amp Hour, the Kobalt has a larger/more energy-rich battery.

Since we already gathered the data we went ahead and calculated the Area (sf) / watt-hour mowed for each mower kit in the test.  This value is a crude measurement of the efficiency of the mower at cutting grass given its battery capacity.

While an interesting exercise that helps explain how some mowers with smaller batteries outperformed those with larger ones, we feel that this data and any kind of battery normalized performance is irrelevant in this case.  We set out to find which mower “Out of the Box” could cut the most grass.  If you already own batteries of a particular mower platform, this could greatly swing your decision to invest in a particular mower if run-time and cutting area is a concern.

Speed Test – Winner – Milwaukee and Toro

After performing our runtime test, many of the mower operators shared that they wished that their mower moved faster. We decided to test the highest setting propelled speed of the mowers. We set up a 100-yard dash to see who was the fastest. Two crew members were assigned per mover; one operator and one to record the time.

Because many of the mowers require several feet to ramp up speed, we started every mower 6 to 8 feet in front of our timing line. Once the wheels hit the orange line the timer started. Once the wheels hit the 100-yard mark the timer stopped. We tested each mower twice and recorded the average time. There were two mowers that were not self-propelled, the Black and Decker and the Kobalt 40V. These mowers did not compete in this test.

Milwaukee and  Toro tied as the fastest mowers, with an average time of 51 seconds.

ECHO and Ryobi tied for third place, with an average time of  57.5 seconds, and the turtle in the race was the Snapper mower coming in at 78 seconds.

Ergonomics and Features– Winner Ryobi

All 16 mowers have fairly similar features, we considered the following features for this category…

1. Handles
2. Propulsion
3. Controls
4. Foldability / Storage
5. Deck Adjustment
6. Mulching
7. Bagging

For the ergonomics/features, we evaluated seven areas. These included the adjustability of the handle, the effort of maneuverability, human factor in the ease of foldability and storage, deck adjustment, ergonomics, and propulsion/control ergonomics.

The Ryobi shined in this category with 10-points. This 40V HP brushless whisper series 21″ all-wheel-drive mower, has a super easy push-button start, and an onboard lever to choose from: mulching, or bagging.  The 7-position single point height adjustment quickly changes the height from 1″ to 4″. We thought the handle was super comfortable with no hot spots or pinch points. The self-propelled paddle lever being adjustable is a nice feature allowing the user to pick their desired setting. The variable speed control is in a perfect position to adjust on the go without having to take your hand off the handle.

The external fuel gauge ensures was clear and easy to see the battery charge and the one-touch aluminum folding handles store this mower horizontally or vertically into a more compact package.

EGO came in a close second place at 11-points, with its simple and intuitive adjustments and controls. EGO provides an excellent user experience. Most of the control and adjustment buttons or levers are bright green making them easy to find. Our crew also liked how quick and easy the mower handle folds for storage, as well as, the comfortable rubber over-mold handle grip.

Echo came in third with 13-points, with simple, intuitive, and ambidextrous controls. The contoured handle, while comfortable does not allow multiple gripping positions, and the crew noted that while the controls were easily accessed, they were spread out a bit, requiring the operator to remove the hand from the handle. There is NO variable speed paddle, and it has a separate on/off the headlight switch.

Notable Mentions

The DEWALT mower has an “average ” 45-degree pronated grip. The propulsion control lever has little to no modulation. Fine control is difficult to achieve and appears to be a mechanical clutch mechanism. The auto-adjusting speed slows down the mower blade over easy-to-cut grass, and because the propulsion is based on a mechanical clutch it also slows down your pace (at exactly the time when you want to speed up). Slow speed necessitates the operator to extend and hold their fingers, which is awkward and causes hand fatigue. When walking over gravel while pushing the mower, it cannot be propelled without the blade spinning, which could result in a flying item hazard.

The Makita (not PRO) has excellent controls that are easily accessed on the top of the handle assembly. You do however have to move your hand from the handle to access them. It does have an easily adjustable deck height and the handle is all metal making it very durable.

In the last two years, the biggest upgrade to mowers seems to be in the lower tier mowers – Ethan

The Makita Pro has similar features as the other Makita but is way more solid a build. The crew noted that the speed control is a bit off the reach, making awkward adjustments on the fly.  It has excellent controls, easily accessed on top of the handle assembly, you do have to remove your hand from the handle.

Overall the crew felt that the Makita Pro was easy to use, maneuvered fine and the self-propulsion can be left on its turn as the mower speed is slower.  The mower is a bit slow on the speed-up – ramp-up speed which is one reason many of the crew users did not turn off the self-propulsion on turns.

The crew noted that the mower bogged down in 7” inch clover set at 4” deck height.  Operating on two batteries, this mower has a compartment for 4 batteries with a switch between the 2 with a knob on the motor, so you do not have to open the lid to access it. A battery led shows all 4 battery charges at the same time.

When set at mid-range [or lower] we noted that the front right wheel was not touching the ground. The crew all felt that in terms of cut quality it would have a negligible difference on the cut, as this measurement off was 1/8” strong.

The Makita Pro has two handle height adjustments that require a tool to set.   This is a heavy machine, with front and rear lift points, it is truly built for daily Pro use.

The TORO has what they call a “Personal Pace” self-propel drive, which is a  sliding handle grip that slides along with the handle frame – as you push it forward,  it starts propulsion and controls it. It definitely takes some getting used to. The arched [rounded] shaped handle is unique looking, and comfortable but has side-to-side slop possibly causing it to rack. Other than the propulsion system this mower is no-frills and could use an upgrade. (Cannot be propelled without the blade spinning, requires each wheel lever to adjust the deck height Handle does not telescope).

The SNAPPER has a self-propelled sliding handle similar to the Toro, Snapper calls it “step-sense” The Snapper has a variable speed that is built into the Step-sense handle feature. Unlike the Toro, the variable speed can be locked out with a locking knob on the handle deck. Lightweight. This is a no-frill mower, with no lift points.

Maneuverability Winner – Black and Decker and Kobalt 40V

Because they were not self-propelled, the Black and Decker and Kobalt 40V mowers were more maneuverable than the others. To move tightly with self-propelled machines, the user must disconnect the propulsion. The operator must press against the propelling mechanism to turn the mower tightly.

The Black and Decker is super light, very maneuverable, and great for smaller framed people or folks who might have issues with a heavier mower. Because of the weight and no propulsion, this makes trimming around gardens and trees incredibly easy.

The same can be said about the Kobalt 40v, due to the not having a self-propulsion, this mower is geared to smaller yards or a yard with lots of maneuvering around planting beds.

Milwaukee took 2nd place and was the best maneuverability in the self-propelled mowers. This was due because of the short wheelbase front to back. The mowers with the longest wheelbase ranked towards the bottom.

The maneuverability of push mowers is especially important when trimming around gardens, trees, and other landscaping features. The ease with which the mower turns is largely due to the wheels and mower weight.

EGO took third place, and the crew noted that by applying pressure with your palm you can easily engage the self-propelled system. When mowing, users discovered that easing up on the drive button made for smoother, tighter turns.

The Hart mower lost a wheel on one of our maneuvering tests. It looks like the nut /washer on the wheel could benefit from a Nylock nut. Based on this, Hart received a low score in the fit and finish the scoring. The mower itself once repaired maneuvered well.

Deck Height Adjustability Winner – Kobalt 40V and Kobalt 80V

All of the mowers, with the exception of one, we tested include a single-lever, deck height adjustment feature. This sure does beat adjusting each wheel like the old-style mowers we grew up with.

The winners of this category were the Kobalt 40V and 80V due to a combination of their large lever, they both have a strong return spring and are easy to engage. They both feature a 7 deck-height adjustment option, ranging from 4″ at its highest to lowest at 1-1/4″ setting.

Ryobi, Milwaukee, and Stihl came in a close second due to their large handle levers, spring-assisted, and easy-to-use lifting and lowering levers.

The only mower that still has individually adjustable wheels is the Toro. Due to this, we had no choice but to put it in last place for deck adjustability – that’s just archaic.

“Come on Toro! Individually adjustable wheels? Nobody has time for that… it’s 2022!” – SCOTT

Notable Mention

The crew liked the EGO deck adjustment height lever. It has a nice handle but agreed that it was tough to actuate. We assume in time the spring might loosen up and might be easier to raise and lower. 

Some mowers had knuckle-busting setups that would cause the user to hit the lower part of the handle assembly when adjusting the mower for taller cutting.

Compact Design & Storage Size Winners – EGO and Ryobi,

Garages tend to get taken over by mowers, trimmers, and tools throughout the summer, so foldability and storage are crucial to some people. Furthermore, cordless mowers CAN be stored upright without the worry of spilling gas or filling the engine cylinder with oil.

The entire crew considered factors such as; telescopic handles, pivot points, grab handles, and the ability to stand upright on its own while evaluating how easy it was to set up and fold down each mower.

We examined these aspects and attributes as a group and then scored them on a scale of one to five, with one being the best.

There was a three-way tie for the most compact mower in this category. When folded, the EGO, Ryobi, and Hart have the smallest storage space. They are incredibly compact and can easily be stored vertically or horizontally.

EGO

The EGO mower is easy to fold and store compact. You can hang it from the front handle or store it upright. The handle can be telescoped in and out using two side levers. To fold the handle down horizontally, simply pull a large, easily accessed lever. If needed, the EGO additionally has two handles for easy carrying.

Ryobi

The Ryobi mower has a single pull lever to open to fold the handle. Once folded it is very compact and easily stands vertically. The Ryobi had one rear carrying handle the no telescoping features.

HART

The “fast-fold” feature on the Hart mower is a lever that pulls up for a quick, smooth handle fold. There is no need for a telescoping feature because of the short handle, and it folds up extremely compact.

The one mower that does not fold is the Makita PRO grade. We believe that commercial mowers are not meant to store. They are put in a trailer and come off at every site. With that being said the Makita Pro mower has front and rear lift points and is truly heavy duty! A workhorse for sure!

Best Cordless Mower Price Winner – Black and Decker

One of, if not the most sought question is going to be how much money are these mowers.  We always mention that one big factor is what battery platform you are working off of. Well, we think that for cordless mowers that might not be the case. There are several brands on this list that do not manufacture power tools and the majority of the ones that do have larger voltage systems for their mowers.

At the time of publication, these prices are mowers that come in a kit form. Some of these mowers can be purchased in big box stores, or on the web at Acme Tools, or other retail websites. Below is a chart of how these mower kits are sold and the components in each kit.

Coming in at the lowest cost is the Black and Decker CM2043C which will run you $347.0.0 and is a great mower for someone who is mowing a smaller area. The mower deck is plastic and is a “no-frills” mower that will get the job done for your average homeowner. Cutting at roughly 1/4 acre on a single charge, this mower can handle your weekly lawn cut!

With a price of $399.00, the Skil mower comes in second place as the lowest-priced mower. Powered by Skil’s PWRCORE 40V battery, this mower covered a lot of grass on our tests! Covering more than 1.5 miles of mowed grass, this Skil finished mid-pack. It is lightweight and has a telescoping handle for great storage.

The Kobalt 40V mower is the third-ranked lowest-priced mower at $429.00. This mower also has a steel deck and provides about 45 minutes of continuous cut on a 40V 6.0Ah battery. This is a good choice if you are already using other 40V Kobalt Outdoor Power Equipment!

On the flip side, the Milwaukee 2823-22HD comes in at the highest mower and will run you $999.00. That being said, it shined in our area mowed testing, it won the fastest mower test and has some sick features like multiple LED lights. This mower ships with (2) M18 12.0 Ah batteries which probably make up half the cost of the mower!

Best Cordless Mower – Milwaukee

These tests and evaluations are very difficult, take a lot of time, and are ultimately limited in scope as we’re not a professional testing company. We also cannot do long-term testing that would shed light on durability. In order to choose the best cordless mower, all six [6] evaluated categories were scored and ranked 1 through 16, to define the winner. We then tallied those category numbers to come up with a total number. The lower the number the better.

The Milwaukee M18 21″ Self-Propelled Dual Battery Mower took the crown on Best Cordless Mower of 2022. This mower is powerful, running on (2) M18 12.0Ah batteries! It was super fast in our speed test and it covered over 14, 936 feet mowed. That is 2.83 miles of mowing. It ran at full speed for over 44 minutes which is up at the top of the pack when it comes to run time. The team really appreciated its great ergonomics, foldability, maneuverability, and nicely thought-out design!

The team was impressed with the fit and finish of the handles, controls,  steel deck, and overall durable design of this mower. The rear wheel self-propelled drive allowed this mower to move fast and maneuver well.

Many of the crew members who used the mower commented on how quick the throttle to the motor reaction was.  

Milwaukee claims that its optimized steel deck design, higher blade speed, and airflow deliver increased lift which reduces missed grass blades and clumps for better quality grass cutting. Our team noted that the mower’s higher blade speed helped, and did not stall the mower in taller grass.

The blade and propulsion reached full throttle in under 1 second. The throttle or “Active Speed Management Paddle,” as Milwaukee refers to it allowed us to easily adjust mower speed to walking pace. The Milwaukee delivers 10 ft-lb cutting torque and a variable speed self-propel: 0 MPH – 4 MPH.

Many of the crew liked and commended the futuristic 4 location LED light design, although we all agreed that lights on a mower are not an important feature.

As a Milwaukee cordless tool user, I immediately recognized that the two 12Ah batteries with this unit separately cost $500, and can be used in my other high-demand tools. That makes this mower much more attractive to me and puts it in the $400 range. ~ ROB

Lastly, the single-point height adjustment, 2-point carry handles, and easy vertical storage allowed this mower to rise quickly to the top.  As professional contractors, we also like that the Milwaukee mower batteries will run Milwaukee tools.

Our hats go out to The EGO POWER+ 21″ Select Cut XP Self-Propelled Mower which continues to crush its competitors when it comes to outdoor power equipment. This mower is no slouch and it finished right under the winner. It has great ergonomics, cut just over 2 miles at 10,868 ft on a single 56V 10.0Ah battery. This machine will cut anything you throw in front of it. Having the ability to turn off the self-propel feature avoids accidental flying hazards while moving the mower over non-grass areas. 

The team liked that you can engage the “Touch Drive” self-propel function with the touch of your palm, and control the variable speed with a dial with your other hand.  The Ego delivers 8.3 ft-lb cutting torque and a variable speed self-propel: .9 MPH – 3.1 MPH

The Ego also has a 7-position cutting height adjustment from 1.5″- 4″ and bright LED headlights. Ego’s Select Cut Multi-blade Cutting System is equipped with three, interchangeable lower blades; the Mulching Blade, High Lift Bagging Blade, and Extended Run-time Blade.

Ryobi and Stihl tied for third with 30-points.

The Ryobi was the only all-wheel-drive lawn mower. It features two interactive battery ports, and a fast and easy  7-position single-point height adjustment from 1″ to 4″. The crew appreciated the external fuel gauge, LED lights, and one-touch folding handles but were impressed by the integrated mulch plug which engages with a simple one-handed lever.

The Stihl RMA 510 V performed exceptionally well in all of our tests with exception of the speed test. Users wished that this awesome mower self-propulsion was a little faster.

The Stihl was highly maneuverable with an easy-to-use variable speed setting control, allowing mowing speed between 0.6 mph to 2.8 mph. Our crew was impressed with this mower’s fit and finish, especially the durable, 10-inch rear wheels and 8-inch front ball-bearing wheels.

Our team liked that it offers seven adjustable cutting heights, and the handlebar adjusts to three height positions for user comfort. The Stihl is priced $100 less than the Ego and Ryobi, and $300 less than the Milwaukee.

Best Cordless Mower Value Winner – Greenworks

The ECHO mower is our best value winner. This mower competed with the big boys for sure. It scored 6th in the overall finish scoring and came in 5th with a cost of $499.00.

The ECHO scored top three in the fit and finish speed, and ergonomics categories.  It has simple, intuitive, and ambidextrous controls. This machine gives you seven adjustments for cutting increments between 1 and 4-inch cutting heights and an auto-switch dual-battery dock.

Overall the team thought you would get the best bang for your buck, or should we say “cut for your green.”  

Final Thoughts

The noise, odor, and maintenance that come with owning a gas-powered mower are no longer an issue for cordless mower owners. Coupled with other cordless outdoor power equipment, you can now keep the gas to your cars. Cordless outdoor power equipment has come leaps and bounds since its inception and it continues to impress us.

Gas mowers have been around for over 100 years but with powerful lithium-ion battery technology, they are really competing with gas-powered mowers!

Thanks for following and please check out our other Head 2 Head tests!

Best Cordless Mower 2022 | Tool Testing Review Video

Best Cordless Mower 2022 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

ECHO CS-7310P Gas-Powered Chainsaw

CS-7310P Chainsaw

5/5

Manufacturer: ECHO
Model number: CS-7310P
Price: $859.99
Power source: 2-Stroke Cycle Engine
Motor size: 73.5cc
Weight: 14.9 Lbs. (Dry)

CS-7310P Features and Specifications

Specifications

• Engine Displacement: 73.5cc
• Bar and Chain Oil Capacity: 12.2 Fl. Ozs.
• Powerhead Weight (Dry): 14.9 Lbs.
• Carburetor: Standard/Adjustable
• Oiling System: Automatic/Adjustable
• Fuel Capacity: 27.1 Fl. Ozs.
• Available Bar Lengths: 20″, 24″, 28″, 32″
• Warranty: 1 Year Commercial / 5 Year Consumer

ECHO Professional GradeFeatures

The CS-7310P is part of ECHO’s X-Series of tools. This line is what ECHO considers their best-in-class professional-grade models. What separates a professional-grade chainsaw from a home-owner model is the materials used as well as the standard features. A professional-grade saw like the CS-7310P is designed with durability in mind to stand up to constant all-day use.

Easy to Use Controls

ECHO saws feature controls that are easy to use and understand. While some users may refer to them as “basic”, I enjoy the simplicity and almost throwback nature of them. A metal toggle on/off switch is located to the left of the rear grip. It is easy to reach with my right thumb while gripping the saw. A choke lever pulls reward to start the saw. A decompression valve is located on the top of the saw housing and makes for an easy starting saw. My sample typically starts on the first two to three pulls, depending on the temperature.

As a kid, my grandfather had an ECHO EVL series chainsaw. Using the controls on the CS-7310P reminds me of that time and learning about saws in general.

Tool-Less Cap Design

Echo describes their fuel and bar-oil tank caps as tool-less. Instead of a folding flip cap, two sturdy lugs are molded into the head of the caps. I can grab the lugs with my fingers to open or close. Or, if stuck or gummed up a screwdriver or saw scrench can be used as a lever to release them. The fuel tank is also semi-translucent allowing a visual reference for the level of fuel available.

A very cool design feature of ECHO saws is that the rubber handle for the pull-start has a molded channel in it. This channel is designed to fit between the lugs of the caps and provide leverage to open or close. This feature is invaluable when cutting in the field and losing/forgetting your scrench. While I have owned and used saws with flip caps in the past, I have come to prefer the simplicity and ruggedness of the ECHO cap design.

Factory Felling Spikes

The inner Spike of the CS-7310P with the bar removed. Pictured also is the inboard clutch which makes removing a stuck or pinched bar extremely easy.

Most saw manufacturers do not include a set of dual felling spikes or “Dogs” on a saw without a full-wrap style handle. They are a factory option that must often be ordered separately for a standard-style saw. However, the ECHO CS-7310P chainsaw comes standard with dual spikes regardless of model configuration. This is a greatly appreciated feature. In the past, I have been forced to order spikes for new saws, or modify spikes to work.

The magnesium outer clutch cover is pictured with the outer felling spike. Also pictured are the captive bar nuts.

The dual-felling spikes are important primarily for leveraging traction on large pieces of wood. The spikes bite into the wood and keep the saw locked in place when making a cut. The ECHO’s spikes protrude far enough forward and are sharp enough to really grab the wood regardless of thick layers of bark or dirt. They also keep the CS-7310P squared up to the cut and keep the bar perpendicular.

4 Stage Air Filtration System

The CS-7310P filters the engine air intake a total of four times during operation. Initially, the air is circulated by the flywheel, which spins out particulates of dust as it passes over the cylinder’s cooling fins. The inertia generated by this process helps remove the bulk of the debris. The cleaner air then passes through the sealed filter box, where it is filtered two more times. This all happens before the air reaches the large pleated air filter.

This multi-stage filtration process greatly extends the life of the air filter. A video is available on the ECHO website that explains this filtration process in greater detail. Removing and cleaning the air filter is also very easy thanks to the large wing-nut screw.

Power and Cutting Performance

OREGON Bar and Chain

I evaluated the ECHO CS-7310P chainsaw with both 24″ and 28″ bars. Regardless of bar length, ECHO includes the excellent OREGON PowerCut chain. This full chisel, 3/8″, .050 gauge chain is designed for professional woodcutting. Between the two bars, I found the 24″ to be my overall favorite. That length seemed to balance the saw out well and made for comfortable cutting, even while standing.

I cut firewood on my property as well as process tree service wood I receive from some friends in the area. The majority of it is ash, red and white oak, hard maple, hickory, and others. These are all species native to my area of Connecticut and they make excellent firewood. During the testing process, I cut primarily during the winter months, fighting freezing temperatures, as well as wood that was frozen solid.

Cutting Power

Right out of the box the saw is responsive and fast to throttle up. Ordinarily, saws take several tanks of fuel to wear in and really “open up”, however my ECHO has been smooth and powerful from the first tank. I am curious to see how the experience improves. The manually adjusting oiler also keeps up well with the saw regardless of length. With the 28″ bar, the saw typically consumed approximately 3/4 of a tank of bar oil per tank of fuel.

My current pile of tree-length wood that I am processing has logs ~30″ in diameter. With the 28″ bar, I buried the saw to the nose and made full depth cuts in frozen oak and ash. The CS-7310P chewed through this wood and spit out big flaky chips in the process. The 73.5cc engine is well suited for such a demanding task. It also felt as if there was power to spare. This kind of power is what really separates a pro-grade saw from consumer or even farm/heavy use saws. By not maxing itself out, the saw essentially prolongs its life.

Manually Adjustable Carburetor

The current trend amongst saw manufacturers is the use of computer-controlled carburetor systems. These smart carbs automatically adjust fuel and air mixtures based upon a variety of factors. I was surprised when the CS-7310P was announced that it featured a traditional manually adjusting carb. However, this decision makes sense given the other features of the ECHO, such as the manual controls. A traditional carb is faster to replace, tune, and get back to work in the event of a failure. Additionally, it keeps the price of the saw lower than other models in the same class.

Who is the CS-7310P Designed For

This is not a saw for the average homeowner. That being said, a saw of this size is ideal for anyone looking to speed up the processing of timber or firewood. Speaking with the development team at ECHO, they shared that the CS-7310P was evaluated by pro arborists and timber cutters across the country. This kind of professional pedigree means that the CS-7310P is designed with performance and durability in mind.

It makes great cookies!

The last couple of years has shown a resurgence in individuals wanting to be more self-sufficient. Examples of this are milling your own lumber to avoid paying twenty dollars for a 2×4 or cutting some firewood to reduce energy costs. A larger saw like the CS-7310P means more productivity and less effort. If you are an amateur woodcutter, there is no replacement for a big bore saw. Large trees can be processed in a fraction of the time compared to using a smaller saw. More productivity with less wear and tear on both the user and the saw.

Overall Impressions of the ECHO Cs-7310P

When ECHO first announced the CS-7310P it immediately caught my interest. Mainly because ECHO saws have always had an excellent reputation as a solid performing product at a reasonable price. With ECHO breaking into the 70+cc pro saw category for the first time in North America, I knew they must have something pretty special. Overall I was very impressed with this new saw.

The CS-7310P combines a ton of brute force cutting power with an excellent set of professionally oriented features. My only criticism is the amount of felt vibration while using the saw. The ECHO uses a series of stiff springs to help reduce the vibration transferred to the user. Overall they do a good job of reducing the vibration, however, I don’t think they are as effective as some other saws in this class. I experienced a good amount of vibration in my hands when performing a full-depth cut in some large trees. A field test of this is to place the saw on a stable surface while idling and see if it walks around or tips over. The CS-7310P does.

Overall one of the best features of this tool is the price. Currently, the CS-7310P retails for approximately $860.00 with the factory 24″ bar and chain. This is anywhere from $200-$300 cheaper than comparable-sized professional-grade saws from some of the other major manufacturers. ECHO was able to keep the price lower by using some of the more “basic” features outlined above, while still delivering a powerful and rugged saw. The ECHO CS-7310P represents an excellent value for saws in this class.

The CS-7310P is available now from ECHO dealers as well as online retailers. The Buy Now button below links to our friends at ACME Tool, who have this impressive saw in stock.

ECHO CS-7310P Chainsaw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

ECHO SRM-410X Professional String Trimmer Review

ECHO SRM-410X Professional Trimmer

4.5/5

Manufacturer: ECHO
Model number: SRM-410X
Price: $549.99
Power source: 2 Stroke Cycle Gas Engine
Motor size: 42.7cc
Weight: 18.4 Lbs.

In December, I attended the ECHO New Product Announcement event. The SRM-410X was first announced during this event and immediately drew my attention. I am a long-time user of the ECHO SRM-410U, which is the handlebar version of this tool. Seeing the conventional handled SRM-410X string trimmer was an “Aha!” moment for me. The power of a brushcutter in a traditional long shaft trimmer.

Pictured left is the new ECHO SRM-410X with a conventional handle. On the right is my SRM-410U Brushcutter with a cutting blade and bicycle-style handlebar.

ECHO SRM-410X String Trimmer Specs

• Engine Displacement: 42.7 CC
• Fuel Capacity: 33.8 Ozs.
• Dry Weight: 48.4 Lbs.
• Shaft Length: 60.2″
• Cutting Swath: 20″
• Cutting Head: Speed-Feed 450
• String Diameter: 0.095″-0.130″
• Warranty: 2 Year Commercial / 5 Year Consumer

The monster 42.7cc powerhead is a commercial-grade 2-stroke cycle engine.

Delivery and Assembly

The ECHO trimmer is delivered with the shaft and powerhead completely assembled. However, the handle and cutter head requires some assembly. This is easy and straightforward thanks to an excellent assembly manual and prepackaged parts from ECHO. Due to the amount of vibration and general abuse that the trimmer experiences during use, I added a thread locking compound to most of the hardware.

Thread locking compound glue stick. Not to be confused with my kid’s actual glue stick.

The handle assembly allows for individual user customization. A total of 10″ of adjustment is available to position the handlebar in the ideal position for user comfort. This became a critical feature during use. The SRM-410X is long and heavy. Having a large range of adjustments was welcome for extended use. A plastic perpendicular Barrier Bar handle is also available for an extra grip.

Distributing the Weight

A full harness system is not something that the average string trimmer consumer considers. However, for a large high-power tool like the ECHO SRM-410X, the option of a weight-distributing harness is back-saving. A steel ring system allows the trimmer to easily clip into a harness.

The rings allow long sweeping passes with the trimmer and make full use of the long 60.2″ shaft. ECHO does include a harness with the trimmer, unfortunately, it is garbage. The provided harness is difficult to get on and off with limited adjustability. The ECHO Brush Cutter Harness is a far superior product with greater comfort but retails for an addition $40.00. If you intend to use a trimmer such as this for an extended period of time, a quality harness is a worthwhile expense.

The provided ECHO harness on the right vs. the superior ECHO Brushcutter harness on the left.

ECHO Speed-Feed Head System

The ECHO Speed-Feed head system is a personal favorite for string trimmers. My trimmers, regardless of brand, have them installed. They are durable, affordable, and easy to reload. The Speed-Feed 450 featured on the SRM-410X allows for 25′ of 0.095″ trimmer line to be coiled at a time. A replacement length of the line is fed through the head to the mid-point. Then simply crank the outer ring of the head to wind the line.

Power and Performance

So how much power does the ECHO SRM-410X string timmer actually have? In all honesty, after using this tool I view it less like a string trimmer and more like a mass grass murder machine. A 40+ cubic centimeter engine is typical with bicycle handlebar cutters, but not as common with string trimmers. The output from such a large powerhead combined with an aggressive trimmer line creates a perfect solution for clearing thick grasses and vegetation.

Bulky boys. SRM-410X on the left and the SRM-410U on the right.

During the product announcement event, a project manager described the SRM-410X as being the perfect tool for contractors who do a lot of brush clearing near delicate or sensitive objects. Such as a property management company for a cemetery. I did not understand that at first and then I started looking at most of the small cemeteries near me. They are all overgrown with thick grass and brush and are only maintained semi-regular. This is a perfect task for a tool like the SRM-410X. The power of a brushcutter with the maneuverability of a string trimmer.

Additionally, fence line clearing is a breeze with a trimmer as capable as this one. I often clear my own property lines and help friends multiple times throughout the year. The power of the SRM-410X will clear the grass and brush with ease and the string line head will easily navigate fence posts and other obstacles.

A cushioned grip and intuitive controls make the SRM-410X extremely user-friendly.

Price and Availability

The ECHO SRM-410X is available now from ECHO dealers as well as online retailers. Currently, the trimmer is retailing for $549.99. This may seem expensive to the average user, but this is not an average trimmer. The majority of homeowners and residential landscaping contractors don’t need a trimmer this larger with this much power. On the other hand, farmers, landowners, public maintenance departments, and site clearing contractors may find a tool such as this invaluable.

A powerful, rugged, and reliable trimmer such as the SRM-410X is an outstanding example of a professional-grade and purpose-built tool. Given that pedigree, the price tag is going to be much higher than a box-store weed eater. Based upon my first-hand experience with the SRM-410X, I can attest that the benefits are worth the cost if the tool fits your needs.

Follow the Buy Now box below to purchase this trimmer directly from our friends at ACME Tools.

Overall Impressions

The SRM-410X is an impressive piece of outdoor power equipment. In a time where cordless is all the rage, it is invigorating to see ECHO pushing forward with powerful new 2-stroke cycle tools. Just like with muscle cars, there is no replacement for displacement. There are many landscaping and property management tasks where gas power is still king. The SRM-410X rises to that challenge with more power and performance than almost any other string trimmer in its class. Backed by the legendary ECHO reputation for reliability.

Is it a tool for everyone? Probably not, but it fits a professional role extremely well. My main criticism is the provided harness system. A more adjustable and comfortable harness system would be a welcomed change. But other than that, I was extremely impressed with the construction and performance of the SRM-410X. For me, this trimmer fits into a system of tools. A bicycle-bar-styled brushcutter with a blade for knocking down the brush and saplings, the SRM-410X for the shorter thick stuff, and a battery option for trimming around the house. If your needs are similar to mine, then the ECHO SRM-410X may be a great option for you.

ECHO SRM-410X String Trimmer Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz