Stihl SH 56 C-E VS SH 86 C-E - Spec & Feature Comparison

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
Show Buying Options	Show Buying Options

Common specs comparison

Make & handling

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.
Since both products are handheld blowers, they offer excellent mobility for your convenience.
Both products, gas blowers, offer a swift refill system, saving you time on refueling and allowing you to efficiently manage large outdoor spaces.

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, making it more effective at blowing leaves on grass or lifting wet debris (acorns, etc.).

Weight & Noise rating

Weighing 12.3 lbs, the Stihl SH 86 C-E tips the scales slightly above the 11.5 lbs of the Stihl SH 56 C-E, implying that while it's marginally heavier, users may still experience a touch more convenience in operation.
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.

Engine specs comparison

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.
Both products boast an engine displacement of 27.2cc, hinting at similar fuel consumption rates per stroke and potentially yielding comparable performance outcomes.
Both of these leaf blowers are equipped with 2-cycle engines, meaning they require an oil/fuel mix for operation.

Other features comparison

Vacuum ability

With the capability to function as leaf vacuums, both products provide users with an efficient and tidy solution for managing leaf piles. This dual-purpose design empowers users to switch between blowing and vacuuming modes with ease, simplifying their gardening endeavors. 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.