ECHO Adds Battery-Powered Technology to the Pro-Focused X-Series Backpack Blower Lineup
ECHO’s gas-powered OPE roster runs deep, offering Pro-level landscaping tools for every need. When it comes to high-performance X-Series backpack blowers, the brand’s cast has thus far been limited to gas models, that is until now. I had the opportunity to use the ECHO DPB-5900T Battery-Powered Backpack Blower, and I’m sharing what has to offer and where it stands in the lineup.
Pros
- Comfortable shoulder straps
- Adjustable grip position
- Concentrator nozzle
- Lock-on turbo button
- Sound dampening foam reduces overall noise
- Metal scraper ring
- Long runtime
Cons
- No hip strap
- A little pricey with a full battery loadout
ECHO Battery-Powered Backpack Blower Performance
- Max air speed: 195 MPH
- Max airflow volume: 795 CFM / 25 N
Blowing Force
Echo specs a max air volume of 795 CFM and 195 MPH airspeed. Unfortunately, there’s no easy calculation to compare those values against other blowers, but Newton force gives us a number that shows us how much work a blower does.
This blower produced 14.7N of force on high and 20.1N on turbo. Using the concentrator nozzle, those numbers jump up to 17.6N on high and 23.7N on turbo. That’s a solid amount of blowing force, but it is a bit lower than Echo measured in their performance testing. Environmental factors come into play, though.
Runtime
For my runtime test, I threw in three freshly charged 8.0Ah batteries and set the cruise control to high. The blower ran for 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 15 seconds, which actually exceeded Echo’s runtime estimate of 55 minutes! If you run full turbo, you can expect around 40 minutes of continuous runtime.
| Battery | Number of Batteries | Turbo | WOT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8Ah | 3 | 40 min. | 55 min. |
Getting that much runtime is significant. In recent years, Pro-focused backpack blowers have pushed higher blowing force but still struggled to break the 30-minute mark in their high and turbo modes. Getting more than an hour of working time in high is a major milestone.
Noise Level
When it comes to lawn equipment, we’re seeing municipalities and HOA’s cracking down on acceptable noise levels across the country. This is a great opportunity for battery-powered alternatives to take pole position in these communities.
Echo did a great job reducing the noise level on the DPB-5900T. When measured from my ear, our SPL meter clocked it at just 80dB on high and 86dB with the turbo mode engaged. To help dampen the noisy axial fan, Echo placed a foam liner inside the air intake to mitigate any extra noise. There’s also an integrated heatsink in the intake chamber to help dissipate heat from the motor!
ECHO Battery-Powered Backpack Blower Design Notes
- Model: Echo DPB-5900T
- Power Source: Echo 56V batteries
- Weight: 16.3 lbs (bare tool), 32.2 lbs (with three 8.0Ah batteries)
Size and Weight
This backpack blower has a working weight of 32.2 pounds when using all three available battery slots. Considering that most battery-powered blowers in this Pro-grade category are usually in the 30-pound range dry, you’re not taking a big weight penalty for using batteries.
For added comfort, the DBT-5900T features a padded backrest, adjustable chest and shoulder straps, and a rubber overmold grip.
The only fly in the ointment for me is that it doesn’t have a hip strap to take some of the weight off your shoulders. It’s light enough that it might not matter, but worth noting.
Controls
This blower features a variable speed trigger, turbo button, and a thumb-operated cruise control lever. Additionally, there’s an LED battery gauge on the grip that lets you keep track of battery levels in real time while you work.
Additional Features
- Adjustable grip position
- Adjustable nozzle length
ECHO Backpack Leaf Blower Price
The DPB-5900T retails for $399.99 as a bare tool and $1299.99 as a kit, including three 8.0Ah batteries and two dual-port chargers. Echo backs your purchase with a 5-year consumer and 2-year commercial warranty, as well as a 2-year residential and commercial battery warranty.
Now, the price tag may evoke a little sticker shock, but let me break it down. The 8.0Ah batteries retail for $349 a piece, and the dual-port chargers go for $169.99. So, if you were to buy each component of this kit individually, it would cost $1,789.94!
The Bottom Line
For me, the Echo DPB-5900T backpack blower is one of the top-performing battery-powered models on the market. It has plenty of power for Professional mow and blow crews and our residential folks who need to remove yard debris and seasonal leaf buildup. The price tag may be a hurdle for some crews, but the benefits of on-demand power and no maintenance to worry about make it a compelling option for Pros looking to trade in their gas-powered equipment and switch to battery.
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