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Stihl SH 86 C-E vs SH 56 C-E - The Differences

Further down the page, you'll find some explanations regarding the key similarities and differences between the Stihl SH 56 C-E and the Stihl SH 86 C-E.

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

Stihl SH 56 C-E	Stihl SH 86 C-E

Lighter Bigger fuel tank Significantly less expensive	Higher CFM Higher MPH

Feel, Fuel & Noise

As the SH 56 C-E and the SH 86 C-E are both Stihl blowers, they benefit from the same level of quality and attention to detail.

Being handheld blowers, these two products ensure exceptional mobility while in use.
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.
At 12.3 lbs, the Stihl SH 86 C-E just slightly outweighs the 11.5 lbs of the Stihl SH 56 C-E, potentially offering a touch more comfort in handling.
Both devices have a noise rating of 70 dB, ensuring they would neither cause significantly more disturbance to neighbors than the other, nor be noticeably louder to the operator's ears.

CFM & MPH

While the difference is slight, the Stihl SH 86 C-E's CFM rating of 444 marginally outpaces the 412 CFM of the Stihl SH 56 C-E, potentially resulting in a subtle improvement in leaf-clearing performance.
The Stihl SH 86 C-E with an MPH of 170 slightly exceeds the 159 MPH of the Stihl SH 56 C-E. Thus, in comparison, the former expels air at a slightly higher speed, and should do a better job at blowing leaves on grass or lifting wet leaves and debris (acorns, etc.).

Engine specs

The Stihl SH 56 C-E boasts a larger fuel tank capacity, with 18.3 fl.oz., surpassing the 14.9 fl.oz. of the Stihl SH 86 C-E. Consequently, you can store more fuel, potentially extending operational time, assuming similar engine fuel consumption rates.
With matching engine displacements of 27.2 cc, these products likely share similar fuel consumption rates per stroke, translating to comparable performance levels. With 2-stroke engines, both leaf blowers mandate an oil/fuel mix as part of their operation.

Other features

Equipped with leaf vacuuming capabilities, both products offer users a practical and mess-free method for leaf disposal. This dual-functionality allows users to seamlessly alternate between blowing and vacuuming modes, making yard work more convenient and efficient. Additionally, both the SH 56 C-E and the SH 86 C-E offer a mulching feature, providing a comparable mulching ratio of 14:1. This allows for the convenient conversion of vacuumed leaves into mulch or compost, making yard cleanup hassle-free.