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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

As the BR 200 and the BG 86 are both Stihl blowers, they benefit from the same level of quality 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, greatly outweighs the 9.7 lbs of the Stihl BG 86, potentially causing more user fatigue and requiring additional strength to operate comfortably. This significant difference in weight is by design, and due to the fact that the Stihl BR 200 is a backpack blower, whereas the Stihl BG 86 is handheld.
Both devices maintain a noise level of 70 dB, ensuring they're equally respectful of your neighbors' peace and equally pleasant for you to operate without excessive noise.

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.
With an MPH of 190, the Stihl BG 86 moderately surpasses the 150 MPH of the Stihl BR 200, offering slightly superior airspeed for enhanced performance in blowing leaves on grass or lifting heavy debris and wet leaves.

Engine specs

The Stihl BR 200 boasts a significantly larger fuel tank, holding 35.5 fl.oz. compared to the Stihl BG 86's 14.9 fl.oz. This allows for substantially more fuel storage and potentially longer operation, assuming similar fuel consumption rates for both engines. 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.