A powerful corded blower that doubles as a leaf vacuum with a large bag, for small to medium yards near an outlet.
Amazon $89The Craftsman CMEBL7000 is the better leaf blower overall, rated 3.4 to 2.4. The Craftsman CMEBL7000 leads on value, warranty and speed. The STIHL BG 56 C-E wins on weight. The Craftsman CMEBL7000 costs $150.99 less ($89 vs $239.99).
The BG 50 with an easy start system, for owners who find pull starting a chore and want a dealer backed gas handheld.
STIHL $239.99Prices were last checked October 31, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Craftsman CMEBL7000 for value ($0.20 per CFM ($89, 450 CFM) vs $0.58 per CFM ($239.99, 412 CFM)), warranty (3-year warranty vs 2-year warranty) and speed (260 mph air speed vs 159 mph air speed).
- Choose the STIHL BG 56 C-E for weight (9.3 lb (dry) vs 13.7 lb).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every handheld leaf blower; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Craftsman CMEBL7000 | STIHL BG 56 C-E |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.4/5 | 2.4/5 |
| Value 30% | 100 $0.20 per CFM ($89, 450 CFM) | 27 $0.58 per CFM ($239.99, 412 CFM) |
| Airflow 25% | 12 450 CFM | 3 412 CFM |
| Speed 10% | 100 260 mph air speed | 70 159 mph air speed |
| Weight 15% | 0 13.7 lb | 39 9.3 lb (dry) |
| Warranty 20% | 50 3-year warranty | 25 2-year warranty |
Specifications
| Craftsman CMEBL7000 | STIHL BG 56 C-E | |
|---|---|---|
| Blowing | ||
| Airflow | 450 CFM | 412 CFM |
| Air speed | 260 mph | 159 mph |
| Blowing force | - | 13 N |
| Noise | - | 70 dB(A) |
| Power | ||
| Power | Corded electric | Gas |
| Engine or battery | 12 A corded | 27.2 cc, 2-stroke |
| Brushless motor | No | - |
| Build | ||
| Style | Handheld | Handheld |
| Weight | 13.7 lb | 9.3 lb (dry) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
