Review: Stihl BGA 250 Battery-Powered Leaf Blower

Stihl BGA 250 Sets a New Blowing Force Standard for the AP Battery Ecosystem

Stihl is one of the top brands in lawn care equipment, and they know leaf blowers. From the powerful BR 800 Magnum leading the backpack blower class to battery-powered options, they consistently cover the needs of Pros and the residential market. We’re taking a closer look at the Stihl BGA 250 battery-powered leaf blower to give you an idea of what to expect from the high end of the cordless line.

Pros

• Impressive blowing force
• Excellent ergonomics
• Three speed modes
• Plenty of runtime
• Easy to maneuver

Cons

• Expensive

Curious which battery-powered models we rank the highest? Check out our best cordless leaf blower recommendations!

Stihl BGA 250 Battery-Powered Blower Performance

• Max Air Flow: 615 CFM
• Air Speed: 190 MPH
• Stated Blowing Force: 26 N (untested)
• Max Blowing Force w/o Nozzle: 19.2 N (high), 24.3 N (turbo)
• Max Blowing Force w/ Nozzle: 18.8 N (high), 24.3 N (turbo)
• Runtime: Up to 48 min.
• Noise Level: 74 dBA (high), 77 dBA (turbo)

Blowing Force

As Stihl’s current top dog in their battery-powered handheld blower lineup, the BGA 250’s brushless motor generates 615 CFM with a peak airspeed of 190 MPH. On top of that, we measured 24.3 N of blowing force, which is shy of their stated 26 N. This is a noticeable improvement over its predecessor, the BGA 200, which peaked at 21.3 N during our testing.

But did Stihl overstate its numbers, considering we measured a lower blowing force? Not at all. It’s still hot and humid here in Central Florida, and that brings everyone’s numbers down. In ideal conditions, we’re comfortable believing you’ll hit Stihl’s rating.

This blower features three main speed modes and a turbo mode that’s activated by completely depressing the trigger. Here’s a quick breakdown of the blowing force we observed during our testing:

This is further evidence that handheld battery-powered blowers are not only competitive in the marketplace, but they deliver a power level that exceeds what Pros expect from gas models. With these performance levels, wet debris, glass clippings, and seasonal broad leaves won’t stand a chance.

Learn more about the relationship between CFM, MPH, and Newtons here.

Runtime

Runtime can be a challenging number to nail for battery-powered OPE because there are a number of factors that can come into play, such as temperature and humidity. Stihl claims up to 48 minutes of continuous runtime (presumably in low) for the BGA 250, which is pretty impressive for a handheld blower.

During our testing, this blower ran for 14 minutes and 51 seconds on high and 11 minutes and 3 seconds on turbo mode using an AP 500 S battery. Considering the amount of blowing force the BGA 250 produces, these numbers are definitely satisfactory for us.

It is worth noting that I ran these tests with an AP 500 S battery, but the kit is only available with the smaller AP 300 S battery. The smaller pack has roughly 17% lower capacity, so you’ll notice a difference in runtime. More importantly, the AP 500 S pack is capable of 40% higher power output, so you’ll likely experience lower blowing force than our tests revealed.

My recommendation is to go with the AP 500 S or one of the AP backpack batteries if you’re outfitting a Pro crew.

Noise Level

In recent years, HOAs and municipalities have started cracking down on acceptable noise levels produced by lawn equipment. This presents an excellent opportunity for battery-powered alternatives to lead the charge in these communities.

Compared to many of the battery-powered blowers I’ve tested, the Stihl BGA 250 is remarkably quiet. This is partly thanks to the foam insulation that’s inside the air intake, which helps dampen the overall noise level. When measured from my ear, our SPL meter clocked it at 74 dB(a) on high and 77 dB(a) on turbo mode. It’s much lower than that if you’re measuring at the ANSI-recommended 50-foot range, and in this case, Stihl claims the measured noise level drops to 59 dB(a). This is a big deal for landscaping Pros who work in noise-sensitive areas.

Stihl BGA 250 Battery-Powered Blower Design Notes

• Model: Stihl BGA 250
• Power Source: Stihl AP Series battery
• Weight: 5.75 lbs (bare tool), 10.1 lbs (with AP 500S battery)
• Length: 33 in.

Size and Weight

The Stihl BGA 250 weighs 5.75 pounds as a bare tool, 10.1 pounds with an AP 500 S battery, and measures 33 inches from tip to tail. This is right in line with what we expect from a battery-powered handheld blower, but there is a lanyard hook if you’d like to use a shoulder strap while you work.

Ergonomics

As we saw with other models in Stihl’s battery-powered lineup, the BGA 250 has a peculiar design, but it actually serves an important purpose. The curved shape gives this blower a natural forward lean that requires less effort to maneuver.

The grip is coated with a smooth rubber overmold and features a variable speed trigger, a mode selection button, and an electronic cruise control. The beauty of this system is that it allows you to set a constant speed with the cruise control button and use the trigger for short bursts to make the most out of your batteries.

Stihl BGA 250 Battery-Powered Blower Price

The Stihl BGA 250 retails for $329.99 as a bare tool and $768.99 with an AP 300 S battery and an AL 301 charger. Stihl backs this blower with a 3-year limited warranty for residential use and a 2-year limited commercial warranty.

The Bottom Line

Stihl designed the BGA 250 battery-powered blower for landscaping Pros who want the dependability and power of gas equipment without the hassles that come with it. This blower delivers more than enough power to tackle your everyday cleanup tasks and isn’t deterred by stubborn wet debris. On top of that, the high-capacity AP battery pack and speed modes offer plenty of trigger time and flexibility for all-day runtime.

All of these factors come together inside a uniquely designed package that’s lightweight, compact, and easy to maneuver. The only real chink in the armor is the price. While this is a capable blower for Professional use, the price tag may be a little intimidating for smaller crews. However, if you’re looking to make the shift into battery-powered equipment, the growing 36V AP battery-powered ecosystem is a great place to be.