Stihl BGA 200 Leaf Blower Leads The Line In Blowing Force
Stihl is one of the top brands in lawn care equipment and they know blowers. From the powerful BR 800 Magnum leading the backpack blower class to battery-powered options, they consistently cover the needs of professionals and homeowners. We’re taking a closer look at the Stihl BGA 200 battery-powered leaf blower to give you an idea of what to expect from the high end of the cordless line.
Pros
- Excellent blowing force
- High-capacity battery options offer long runtime for professional crews
- Design takes the weight of the battery off the blower
- Physical design maintains a natural wrist position while keeping the nozzle aimed down
- Lightweight at 7.1 pounds
Cons
- Expensive setup
Stihl BGA 200 Battery-Powered Leaf Blower Performance
As Stihl’s current leader in battery-powered blowing force, you get 553 CFM with up to 188 MPH that combines for an impressive 21 Newtons of blowing force. It hit slightly higher (21.3 Newtons) in our testing.
You might notice that the blowing force number is one of the few that exceeds 20 Newtons but Stihl isn’t claiming CFM numbers in the 700+ range like some brands. That’s because this blower puts a higher priority on high air speed, meaning it’s going to do a better job of getting heavier and/or wet debris moving than blowers with lower airspeed ratings with higher CFMs.
Learn more about the relationship between CFM, MPH, and Newtons here.
Stihl BGA 200 Battery-Powered Leaf Blower Design
Right from the start, the blower looks different. As it moves forward from the intake at the back, it curves down at an angle that other brands don’t. It keeps the nozzle pointing at the ground in front of you while your wrist remains in a more natural position, reducing fatigue.
One of the differences between this and other cordless blower designs is that the BGA 200 doesn’t use a battery directly installed on the unit. It tethers to either one of Stihl’s backpack batteries or battery belt. While it’s a different way of doing things, it makes the blower lighter in your hand, weighing just 7.1 pounds.
For control, Stihl uses a control dial that’s easily accessible on the fly. As you press forward to cycle through the levels, the dial springs back to its original position rather than simply rotating around.
Discover our top cordless leaf blower picks here.
Additional Highlights
- Rated at 59 decibels (measured from 50 feet per ANSI standards)
- Rubberized soft touch handle
- Hanging slot
- Indoor-friendly with no emissions
- No gas and oil to mix
- No gas engine maintenance or winterizing
Stihl BGA 200 Battery-Powered Leaf Blower Price
Visit your local Stihl dealer or Stihl’s website to order this blower. It runs $449.99 as a bare tool, and you’ll need to add a battery and charger if you’re not already on Stihl’s cordless platform.
The Bottom Line
Stihl designed the BR 200 battery-powered leaf blower for professionals who want or need to move away from gas-powered blowers. As such, it’s highly effective and meticulously designed. Combined with a high-capacity backpack battery, your crew has plenty of trigger time for post-mowing or fall leaf cleanup. It’s the highest-performing battery-powered option in the line… at least for now. At the time we’re writing, Equip Expo (formerly GIE) is next week and we’ll see what Stihl has in store next.
