ECHO PB-2520 Handheld Gas Blower vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL Cordless Blower
June 15, 2018
Recently, Keith Kalfas of Landscape Employee Trap compared the ECHO PB-2520 handheld gas blower with the Milwaukee M18 FUEL cordless blower.
Powering both up for an individual look first, Keith then compares in a side-to-side match-up to see how they stack up against each other.
As Keith shares, both have their various strengths and are excellent options based on use. But what's Keith's preference between the ECHO PB-2520 and the Milwaukee M18 FUEL? The answer is in the video.
ECHO PB-2520 Blower
Pros
-
Most powerful handheld he's ever used (comparable to the smaller backpack blowers)
-
Could replace Stihl's BR 700
-
Lightweight and easy to use
Cons
-
Big fall clean-ups would probably be better served by backpack blowers
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Cordless Blower
Pros
-
Perfect for quick spot touching up something you might have missed
-
The design allows the velocity of the wind to blow straight ahead
-
Ergonomic, plug-in-and-go operating
Cons
-
Lack of motor could see it as less powerful than gas-powered
Video Transcript
What’s up, this is Keith Kalfas, and in this video, I’m going to be reviewing the ECHO PB-2520 handheld gas-powered blower versus the Milwaukee M18 Fuel electric handheld blower.
Before I get started, I just want to be clear — this is not a sponsored review. So don’t even go there.
Let’s start with the Echo.
Echo PB-2520 Gas-Powered Blower
The Echo PB-2520 handheld blower is gas-powered, state-of-the-art technology. I actually visited the Echo factory in Lake Zurich, Illinois, and it was amazing. The technology — these motors never blow up.
I’ve used Echo, Husqvarna, Milwaukee — all of them. I like them all because they get the job done. So I was really excited to try this one out.
Put in some mix gas — just to be clear, I’m using my mix right now.
Initial Thoughts
I can honestly say, this is the most powerful handheld blower I’ve ever used. It has the same power as some of the smaller backpack blowers — almost.
To be completely honest, this thing is so good I could see myself grabbing this instead of putting on the big BR700. Obviously, if we’re doing big fall cleanups or blowing a lot of stuff, that’s one thing. But this is perfect for a quick blowdown. It’d be badass for a homeowner.
Now for the Milwaukee M18 Fuel
Trying out the Milwaukee now. I’m definitely going to do a side-by-side.
After testing them out in different environments, I really liked the Milwaukee, and I could totally see myself using it all the time. I have it now, so it’s staying on my truck.
Just imagine — you’re cutting grass, and you forgot to blow down the windowsill. Instead of going back to grab the backpack blower, this is perfect. You grab it, spot-touch some areas like the front door stoop, and done.
You could even stick a ball on top — like a beach ball — and the customer comes out like, “Dude, you’re hired.”
Final Verdict: So, which one wins?
I’d say... ECHO, but only by a little bit.
You saw it in the video. When it’s blowing, I can actually feel the difference — the Echo obviously has a gas-powered motor, giving it a little more horsepower to move more mass.
But the design of the Milwaukee? The velocity is amazing. Let me know in the comments — was it the velocity for the win?
The way this port is tuned — it’s perfect. So that makes up for what it lacks in power. They are literally neck and neck.
Gas vs. Electric: What to Consider
The Echo is just a little more powerful. But when it comes to ease of use, ergonomics, and functionality — being able to just pop a battery in, charge it, and go — the Milwaukee is legit.
Honestly, if you’ve been in landscaping or lawn care your whole life, you’re probably ingrained in the habit of using gas — always having gas on hand.
Switching to electric just means building a new habit. Get a power inverter in your truck. Rotate your batteries. It’s simple once you get used to it.
In conclusion: Both blowers are excellent.
- ECHO PB-2520: Slightly more powerful, gas-powered.
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel: More convenient, clean, easy to grab-and-go.