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

Manufactured by Stihl, both the SH 56 C-E and the SH 86 C-E should uphold similar standards of quality and attention to detail.
Since both products are handheld blowers, they offer excellent mobility for your convenience.
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.

CFM & MPH

With a marginal CFM advantage (444 vs 412 CFM), the Stihl SH 86 C-E may offer a modest edge over the Stihl SH 56 C-E (412 CFM) in terms of leaf-moving capability.
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 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.

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.
These two products share an engine displacement of 27.2cc, suggesting they might consume comparable amounts of fuel per stroke, potentially resulting in similar performance outputs.
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

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. Moreover, users will find that both the SH 56 C-E and the SH 86 C-E come with a mulching capability, presenting a comparable mulching ratio of 14:1. This allows for the easy transformation of vacuumed leaves into mulch or compost, streamlining the process of maintaining a tidy yard.