You've decided on a battery blower. Good call. But now there's a second decision: handheld or backpack? They look different, feel different, and serve different kinds of properties. Picking the wrong form factor means either carrying more tool than you need or running out of stamina before the job is done.
Here's how to decide which style is right for your yard.
Handheld Blowers: Light, Fast, and Convenient
A handheld blower is exactly what it sounds like — you hold it in one hand (or two, depending on the model) and point it where you want air to go. The motor, battery, and nozzle are all in one compact unit. Most handheld blowers weigh between 5 and 12 pounds with the battery installed.
The upside: Handheld blowers are lighter, easier to store, quicker to grab for short tasks, and less expensive than backpack models. They're perfect for clearing a driveway after mowing, sweeping a patio, or handling moderate leaf cleanup on a standard suburban lot. You can pick one up, do the job in 10 to 15 minutes, and put it back without any fuss.
The downside: All the weight sits in your arm. On a 5-pound blower, that's nothing. On a 10-to-12-pound unit running at high power for 30 minutes, arm fatigue becomes real. If you're clearing a large yard or tackling heavy fall cleanup, your shoulder and forearm will let you know about it.
The Greenworks 80V 770 CFM Blower is the most powerful handheld in the lineup. At 770 CFM and 180 MPH, it outperforms most gas handhelds.
Backpack Blowers: Built for Big Jobs
A backpack blower mounts the motor and battery on a frame that straps to your back like a backpack. A flexible tube runs from the unit to a handheld nozzle. Your back and shoulders carry the weight; your arm only holds the lightweight nozzle.
The upside: Comfort over long sessions. When you're clearing leaves for 45 minutes to an hour, the weight distribution of a backpack makes all the difference. Your arm doesn't fatigue because it's only guiding the nozzle, not supporting the motor. Backpack models also typically carry larger batteries or more of them, which means longer runtime per session.
The downside: Backpack blowers cost more, take up more storage space, and require more setup — you have to strap in, adjust the harness, and get situated before you start. For a quick five-minute patio sweep, that's overkill. They're also heavier overall (though the weight is distributed better), which matters if you're lifting it on and off a shelf regularly.
The Greenworks 80V 780 CFM Backpack Blower delivers 780 CFM at 205 MPH — nearly identical airflow to the handheld 770 CFM model, but with the comfort of a padded backpack harness. For large properties with heavy tree cover, this is the tool that lets you clear the entire yard without stopping.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Weight on your arm: Handheld carries full unit weight (5–12 lbs). Backpack carries only the nozzle (under 2 lbs).
Total weight: Handheld is lighter overall. Backpack is heavier but distributed across your torso.
Comfort for 10-minute jobs: Handheld wins. No setup, no straps, grab and go.
Comfort for 30+ minute jobs: Backpack wins decisively. Zero arm fatigue.
Storage footprint: Handheld is compact. Backpack needs more space due to the frame and harness.
Price: Handheld is typically 20–30% less expensive than a comparable backpack model.
Performance: At the same voltage tier, performance is very similar. The Greenworks 80V handheld (770 CFM / 180 MPH) and 80V backpack (780 CFM / 205 MPH) are practically interchangeable on airflow and speed.
How to Choose: Three Questions
1. How long are your typical blowing sessions? Under 20 minutes → handheld. Over 30 minutes → backpack. In between → handheld will work, but a backpack would be more comfortable.
2. How big is your property? Under a third of an acre → handheld handles it. Over a third of an acre with significant tree cover → backpack saves your arms and your patience.
3. Do you also use the blower for quick tasks? If you regularly grab the blower for five-minute driveway sweeps after mowing, a handheld's grab-and-go convenience matters. A backpack adds setup time that doesn't make sense for short jobs. Some homeowners keep a lighter handheld for quick tasks and a backpack for seasonal heavy cleanup — the 24V POWERALL or 40V platform covers the light duty, while the 80V backpack handles the big jobs.
The Best of Both Worlds
If you can only buy one blower, match it to your hardest use case. A backpack can handle quick jobs (just don't strap it on — hold it by the frame for a minute). A handheld can handle longer jobs, but can strain your body. But a backpack can't become lighter, and a handheld can't redistribute weight to your back.
For most Canadian homeowners with a standard suburban lot, the Greenworks 80V 770 CFM handheld is the single-blower sweet spot. For larger properties or anyone doing extended seasonal cleanup, the 80V backpack is the upgrade that pays for itself in comfort.
Compare handheld and backpack blowers → Shop the full lineup