Echo 56V Battery Backpack Blower Review

Echo DPB-5800T Battery Backpack Blower Review

In September 2023 Echo Power Equipment unveiled their first battery-powered backpack blower. The Model DPB-5800T is built around Echo’s 56V eFORCE battery platform. This model is designed from the ground up with professional users in mind. It features outstanding power and performance as well as battery versatility.

The DPB-5800T first debuted at the Echo Power Up and Power On media Summit at their US headquarters in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Members of our crew attended this event and participated in product demos.

Echo provided the Tool Box Buzz crew with a sample of the tool for testing. Additionally, our crew had the opportunity to visit Echo’s manufacturing facility in Lake Zurich, Illinois to see where the DPB-5800T is built. All Echo backpack leafblowers sold worldwide are manufactured in this facility!

Specifications

• Voltage: 56V
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Max Airflow Output: 795 CFM
• Max Airspeed: 195 MPH
• Newton Force: 17N (High Mode) / 25N (Turbo Mode)
• Weight: 15.0 Lbs. (Bare Tool)
• Tool Warranty: 5 Year Consumer / 2 Year Commercial
• Battery Warranty: 2 Year Consumer / 1 Year Commercial

Echo eFORCE Battery Versatility

The eFORCE battery platform is Echo’s 56V powerhouse for cordless outdoor power equipment. We have covered several tools on this platform before in our reviews of the Echo DCS-5000 Chainsaw as well as our recent Best Top Handle Chainsaw Head-to-Head. Their batteries are available in 2.5 Ah, 5.0 Ah, and now 8.0 Ah sizes. The 8.0 Ah battery packs debuted along with the DPB-5800T. These larger packs are ideally suited for high-demand tools like a backpack blower.

The Echo battery backpack blower features three battery ports on the outside of the housing. Any combination of eFORCE batteries will power the tool. Whether it’s a single 2.5 Ah or three big 8.0 Ah batteries!

Controls

Controls on the DPB-5800T are intuitive and very user-friendly. Echo only offers this tool in a tube-mounted throttle configuration chiefly because all the controls are within the thumb’s reach on the control stick. An LED display provides the user with battery information. The number of battery packs inserted as well as the remaining battery life is prominently visible. My favorite feature of this display is that the fuel gauge shows the total available power remaining from all battery packs inserted. The tool draws from all batteries simultaneously and adjusts itself according to the size of the batteries.

The variable speed trigger is large and has an excellent curved shape that is very ergonomic. It is comfortable and easy to use even with thick gloves on.  A throttle lock-out lever keeps the tool at your desired speed. This feature is common on backpack blowers. For high-demand applications, the Turbo mode button is front and center. Pressing this button shifts the tool into its highest possible output mode. Although it must be pressed again each time the tool is shut off. The DPB-5800T will not default to Turbo mode.

Echo Power and Performance

Leaf cleanup still isn’t fun, but the lack of noise is greatly appreciated by my wife and our neighbors!

Echo’s published data on the 56V backpack blower shows a top potential airspeed of 195 MPH and output up to 795 CFM. These specs are comparable to most homeowner backpack blowers and some smaller commercial models. Overall during testing, I found the DPB-5800T to have plenty of power for small to medium cleanup jobs. While in Turbo mode the Echo will easily blast through heavy and wet leaves as well as move large piles. During our last New England Fall cleanup, the 56V Echo was an excellent complement to a larger gas-powered blower. It was wonderful to use a tool so lightweight, quiet, and fume-free compared to my PB-9010T.

Battery Runtime

Due to the large variation in battery pack configurations for the DPB-5800T, it is hard to quantify the run-time for the tool. Echo posted the following specs on their website:

• 3x 8 Ah Batteries: 45 Min. Run-time on Turbo / 80 Min Wide Open Throttle (WOT)
• 2x 8 Ah Batteries: 30 Min Run-time on Turbo / 55 Min WOT
• 3x 5 Ah Batteries: 26 Min Run-time on Turbo / 50 Min WOT
• 2x 5 Ah Batteries: 20 Min Run-time on Turbo / 35 WOT

Overall these numbers matched my experience during use. Where the Echo excels in run-time in my opinion, is in support of other 56V tools for small sporadic cleanups. For example, I work with an arborist who uses multiple Echo 56V products daily. At the completion of the job, or after the chipping is done, we clean the roadway and property. Having the freedom to grab any combination of charged batteries and plug them into the ports of the Echo blower is a huge benefit. Landscapers on the Echo 56V battery platform will benefit similarly. The power of the DPB-5800T is well-suited for cleanups like these.

Currently, Echo offers this tool as a kit option with two 5.0 Ah batteries. This configuration provides 35 minutes of continuous run-time, however sporadic use will be far longer. Two 5.0 Ah batteries allowed for multiple days of sporadic cleanup use during my testing. Echo will be offering the DPB-5800T in different kit configurations in the future. This will include the new larger 8.0 Ah batteries.

Overall Impressions

The first time I saw the DPB-5800T I was blown away by the slim and svelte profile of it. Picking it up and experiencing the lightweight design of it was another  “Wo!” moment. The power and performance this tool provides is outstanding. Combined with the ease of maintenance and elimination of excessive noise and fumes, this tool is a great addition to Echo’s 56V lineup. The shoulder harness is comfortable and the controls are easy to reach. Furthermore, the throttle control position and tube length can be adjusted to an individual user’s preference.

I do not think this is a complete replacement for gas-powered backpack blowers. While the DPB-5800T has impressive performance, it cannot keep up with its large high-output gas-powered cousins for large cleanups and all-day use. It would be a logistical nightmare to maintain that many batteries. However, it excels for small cleanups and is an excellent complement to gas-powered blowers. Furthermore, it fits right in with commercial users already on the 56V eFORCE battery platform. I see the DPB-5800T as a solution for pros who may be hamstrung by gas-powered bans and noise level restrictions. Residential neighborhoods, large office buildings, and even interior work are all possible thanks to the quiet battery performance.

The DPB-5800T is currently available for $349.99 as a bare tool and $699.99 as a kit with two 5.0 Ah batteries. Overall I think this represents a good value, but I would prefer a kit offering with larger battery packs or even three total batteries and an additional charger. This would be a true one-stop solution for a pro user.

Follow the Buy Now link below to purchase an Echo DPB-5800T backpack blower from our friends at ACME Tool!