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Stihl BG 86 vs BR 200 - The Differences

Further down the page, you'll find some explanations regarding the key similarities and differences between the Stihl BR 200 and the Stihl BG 86.

But before checking out these explanations, here's a table that summarizes the main pros of each of these 2 leaf blowers:

Stihl BR 200	Stihl BG 86

Higher CFM Bigger fuel tank	Higher MPH Lighter Leaf vacuum Less expensive

Feel, Fuel & Noise

Belonging to the line of Stihl blowers, both the BR 200 and the BG 86 should have a shared standard of manufacturing and attention to detail.

The Stihl BG 86 is handheld and provides you with further mobility over the Stihl BR 200, as its backpack design is by far bulkier. However, the latter can utilize a more powerful engine.
Both products are gas-powered blowers - gas is a reliable power source which you can refill in a matter of seconds, offering you the freedom of movement to tackle larger outdoor spaces with ease.
The Stihl BR 200, weighing 12.6 lbs, edges above the Stihl BG 86's 9.7 lbs, which may give the lighter unit a slight advantage in comfort and fatigue.
At 70 dB, both devices are equally neighbor-friendly, ensuring that neither would cause undue disturbance, and equally gentle on your ears during operation.

CFM & MPH

While the difference is slight, the Stihl BR 200's CFM rating of 400 marginally outpaces the 365 CFM of the Stihl BG 86, potentially resulting in a subtle improvement in leaf-clearing performance.
The MPH of the Stihl BG 86, at 190, modestly exceeds the 150 MPH of the Stihl BR 200, allowing it to blow leaves on grass or lift heavy debris (acorns, etc.) and wet leaves more effectively.

Engine specs

With its ample fuel capacity of 35.5 fl.oz., the Stihl BR 200 surpasses the Stihl BG 86's 14.9 fl.oz. tank. This larger reservoir means more fuel on hand, potentially extending runtime, provided both engines consume fuel at similar rates. The lower fuel tank capacity of the Stihl BG 86 can be accounted for by its handheld handling. In contrast, the Stihl BR 200's backpack design allows you to comfortably carry a larger fuel tank’s weight and dimensions.
Both products boast an engine displacement of 27.2 cc, hinting at similar fuel consumption rates per stroke and potentially yielding comparable performance outcomes. Both leaf blowers come with 2-stroke engines, which necessitate an oil/fuel mix for operation.

Other features

While the Stihl BR 200 lacks this feature, the Stihl BG 86 serves as a versatile leaf vacuum, simplifying leaf cleanup with its convenient and less-messy approach, especially useful when tackling extensive leaf piles.