2-Cycle Vs. 4-Cycle Leaf Blower: What Are The Major Differences?
With fall on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about your leaf blower. Now is the time for maintenance and upgrades so they are ready when all those leaves fall.
Leaf blowers have two types of engines: 2-cycle and 4-cycle. It’s important to understand the pros, cons, and inner workings of each engine type so you can give it the proper care.
2-cycle engines are the most common among leaf blowers. They require a mixture of oil and gas which goes directly into the fuel tank. 2-cycle engines are lighter and more powerful than 4-cycle engines. Similar to a vehicle engine, 4-cycle engines have separate compartments for gas and oil. They are more fuel-efficient than a 2-cycle engine.
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2-Cycle Leaf Blower Features
Most leaf blowers will have a 2-cycle engine, particularly if it’s a handheld leaf blower. This is because a 2-cycle engine is lighter, making it easier to hold and operate. Other important features of a 2-cycle engine include its simplicity, lower price, and weight-to-power ratio.
Simple Design
2-cycle engines combine all the actions of a 4-cycle engine in just two piston strokes. The crankcase continuously pumps a mixture of fuel and air. Because of this, the oil and gas must be mixed together in order to keep the piston and cranks lubricated.
A combination of regular unleaded gas (87 octane or higher) and 2-cycle engine oil are added directly to the fuel tank.
Lower Price
Because of the simple design, the cost to build a 2-cycle leaf blower is not very high. That translates to the consumer. Many people choose to purchase 2-cycle leaf blowers because they are typically less expensive than a 4-cycle leaf blower.
Weight-to-Power Ratio
With each rotation of the piston, combustion takes place. This allows the engine to put out more power than a 4-cycle engine. The amount of power it puts out combined with its lightweight (the average leaf blower weighs 10 pounds) gives it an unbeatable weight-to-power ratio!
Cons of a 2-Cycle Leaf Blower
While there are many benefits to a 2-cycle leaf blower, it also has some downfalls, the two biggest being noise and pollution.
Noise
2-cycle engines are just plain loud. They are firing twice as often as a 4-cycle engine. On every stroke, two sound waves leave the exhaust which causes a higher frequency resulting in a louder sound. This can often be a deterrent for buyers.
Air Pollution
While it’s very convenient to mix the oil and gas into one chamber, this is also the reason 2-cycle engines cause more air pollution. The fuel and air become contaminated with the engine’s oil. At the same time, the combustion chamber is drawing in the contaminated air and blowing it out through the exhaust.
4-Cycle Leaf Blower Features
Although 4-cycle leaf blowers are sold less often, we are actually more familiar with how their engines work. A 4-cycle engine runs similarly to a car engine. Fuel goes in the gas tank and oil in the crankcase.
In addition to the familiarity with the engine, 4-cycle leaf blowers are more efficient both in the way the engine runs and the fuel is used.
Fuel and Engine Efficiency
Because the gas and oil are added to separate compartments, you don’t have to worry about getting the mixture exact. Thanks to the circulating pump, the oil is constantly moving, keeping the engine well-lubricated.
In a 2-cycle engine, the oil burns off because it’s mixed with the fuel. But in a 4-cycle engine, the oil is recycled back to the crankcase. Because there is a constant supply of oil, the engine stays lubricated longer and runs more efficiently than a 2-cycle engine.
Fuel is consumed once every four strokes of the pistons. This is half the amount of a 2-cycle engine that consumed fuel once every two strokes. Therefore, a 4-cycle engine is more fuel-efficient.
Cons of a 4-Cycle Leaf Blower
Because of the many parts required for the engine to run, 4-cycle leaf blowers are much heavier. They are bulkier and more difficult to maneuver.
4-cycle leaf blowers are also less powerful. In order for them to be as powerful as a 2-cycle engine, more parts would be required which would make the blower even heavier than it already is.
All the extra parts that comprise a 4-cycle leaf blower mean that manufacturing one is more expensive. Thus, 4-cycle leaf blowers are more expensive for the consumer.
Types of Leaf Blowers
There are three types of gas-powered leaf blowers: handheld, backpack, and walk-behind. For personal use, many people choose either a handheld or backpack leaf blower. Walk-behinds are most often used commercially.
Handheld
Handheld leaf blowers are lightweight and portable. More often than not, they have a 2-cycle engine, though some handhelds are 4-cycle. These are usually smaller and easier to store.
Backpack
These leaf blowers have straps that allow you to carry the bulk of the machine on your back. The blower attachment hangs down much like a vacuum wand. Your hands have more freedom with this model.
Walk-behind
Walk-behind leaf blowers are heavy-duty and high-performance. These machines are often used by commercial landscapers because they provide commercial-grade air-blowing power. That being said, they are very heavy and as such, are mounted on wheels. To operate, you walk behind it and push the leaf blower wherever cleaning is needed.
Top-Rated 2-Cycle Leaf Blowers of 2022
So what are the best 2-cycle leaf blowers? Below is a list of some of the best-performing handheld and backpack leaf blowers.
1. Hitachi Gas-Powered Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful engine | Cannot use Ethanol fuel |
| Strong airflow | Can be difficult to start |
| Lightweight and natural to maneuver | |
| Various speed options |
2. Echo Backpack Gas Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Enough airpower for medium/large yard | Noisy |
| Comfortable shoulder straps | Plastic material feels cheap |
| Fuel-efficient engine | |
| Protection for overheating |
3. Remington Hero 2-Cycle Gas Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Operation is simple | Small yards only |
| Motor performs well | Vibrates a lot at higher speeds |
| Relaxed pull-start due to QuickStart technology | |
| Leaf scraper included |
4. Husqvarna 2-Cycle Gas Backpack Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful airflow | Loud |
| 2-in-1 design; handheld but includes a shoulder strap for wearing | Gets heavy after long usage |
| Multipurpose in its functions | |
| Changeable speed and cruise control |
5. Poulan Pro Backpack Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Best blower for under $300 | Loud at high speeds |
| Good for large yards | |
| Designed for comfort | |
| Well built |
6. Craftsman Handheld Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Best gas leaf blower under $150 | Unclear manual |
| Quality air power | Feels heavier after long periods |
| Changeable speed and cruise control | |
| Quieter overall |
Top-Rated 4-Cycle Leaf Blowers of 2022
We know there aren’t as many choices of 4-cycle leaf blowers. Still, they are out there. Check out some recommendations below.
1. Makita BHX2500CA 4 Stroke Engine Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| One of the lightest weight blowers in its category (9.8 lbs) | Awkward for left-handed people |
| Designed for user comfort | Lacks that extra power |
| Large gas tank | |
| Spark plugs and air filters are easy to reach |
2. Bilt TB4HB 4 Cycle Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Budget-friendly | Vacuum pack must be purchased separately |
| Starts up easily | Heavy |
| Can vacuum leaves as well as blow them | |
| Extendable nozzle to avoid bending |
3. Makita EB5300TH 4 Stroke Backpack Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Engine is large and powerful | Noisy for a 4-cycle engine |
| Lightweight and comfortable to wear | Lacking wind speed |
| Large fuel tank | |
| Easy start-up |
4. SENIX BL4QL-L 4 Stroke Gas Powered Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight and low vibration | Puts out less power |
| Affordable price | Lacking wind speed |
| 3-year warranty | |
| Starts easier due to the auto-choke system |
5. Craftsman 4 Cycle Leaf Blower
| Pros | Cons |
| Ergonomic design | Not as powerful as other models |
| Starts up easily | On the heavier side |
| Good wind speed and air displacement | |
| Features cruise control and changeable speeds |
Related Questions
There’s a lot to think about when deciding between a 2-cycle and 4-cycle leaf blower. We covered a lot already, but maybe you have more questions. Below are some things others asked regarding 2-cycle and 4-cycle leaf blowers.
Which is faster: a 2-cycle or 4-cycle?The acceleration of a 2-cycle engine happens quicker, which can make the leaf blower initially harder to handle if you’re not expecting it. A 4-cycle engine can get to higher speeds, but they do so less quickly than a 2-cycle.
Can I use 2-cycle fuel in a 4-cycle engine?The fuel used in both a 2-cycle and 4-cycle is the same: regular unleaded gas that’s 87-octane or higher. However, you should never mix 2-cycle oil with gas and put it in a 4-cycle engine and vice versa. Oil is designed specifically for either a 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine because of lubrication requirements. Using the opposite one will damage the engine.
What happens if you put straight gas into a 2-cycle engine?The gas and oil mixture is necessary for a 2-cycle engine to run properly. Without the oil, the gas will burn too quickly and damage the engine.
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Conclusion
Both 2-cycle and 4-cycle have their merits. You’ll find many more options for 2-cycle leaf blowers than you will 4-cycle because of their simple inexpensive design. 2-cycle leaf blowers put out more power and are lighter while 4-cycle engines are more fuel- and engine-efficient.
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Brigid Levi is a wife, mother, and freelance writer who enjoys a good DIY project and creating beautiful spaces within her home. From cleaning and organization hacks to home decor ideas, she loves helping people in their quest to turn a house into a home. Her hobbies include pretending to be Joanna Gaines while updating her home with her husband and performing in local theater productions.
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