So many people discount all gas powered options when looking for a leaf blower because of the drawbacks that are associated with the “gas family” in general. However, in this Makita BHX2500CA review we’re going to show you that it is possible to grab a gas blower without having to put up with the inconveniences that are so often talked about in reference to this type of blower.
The Makita BHX2500CA has been our top placed gas leaf blower on our 10 top leaf blower list over the last few years, and has one of the highest rated consumer satisfaction ratings out of any leaf blower across all of the major retail platforms.
Below we’re going to talk about the aspects of this blower that people rave about, the things that consumers mention could be better, and then explain who we believe this blower is best suited to.
Makita BHX2500CA Review - Specifications |
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Manufacturer | Makita |
Model | BHX2500CA |
Weight | 9.8 lbs |
Air Speed | 145 MPH |
Air Volume | 358 CFM |
Power Source | Gas |
Functions | Blower/Vac |
Type | Handheld |
Makita BHX2500CA Pros: What Do People Love About This Blower?
As you can probably imagine given this is one of the most popular leaf blowers out there, we found that people had plenty of good to say about the Makita BHX2500CA. We’re going to outline and discuss the most widely cited positives below.
- Minimal Vibration – If you’ve ever used a gas powered blower, you’ll know that this isn’t something you should take for granted. Gas blowers can be roughhhh (I had the “pleasure” of using my grandpa’s extensively when I was younger) and the amount of vibration can be insane. And if you haven’t experienced an aggressively vibrating gas blower before, trust me, you don’t want to. So when we say there really is minimal vibration with the Makita BHX2500CA, it’s a very significant check in the “Positives” column, as it makes it much more comfortable to use. The engine is reported to run very smooth when in use.
- Nice Soft Grip Handle – This is a feature that really complements the point we just raised about minimal vibration. You also get a lovely soft gripped handle that makes holding this blower much more comfortable than a lot of other blowers out there. So when you’ve got your work cut out for you and there’s a ton of leaves and other debris to clear up, you’re not going to mind so much.
- Solid Performance – At the end of the day, this is the “bottom line” when it comes to buying a leaf blower. So it’s good that the Makita BHX2500CA does well. For its size, consumers say that it offers a really good level of performance and should blast right through the regular stuff. It won’t blow leaves as far as some of the other gas blowers on the market, but with a max air speed of 145 MPH and a max air volume of 358 CFM, unless you really need to get down in the trenches and take on some really difficult garden mess, this one will do just fine for you.
- Manageable Weight – For a gas leaf blower, you’ll likely find it very hard to pick up one that’s lighter. 9.8 LBS when fully assembled, this is not a blower that’ll make your arms feel like they’re going to drop off after a few minutes of holding it. This means whether you’re male or female, young or old, it’s very likely you’ll be able to manage carrying this around your yard. It also makes it a whole lot easier to move when you decide to reorganize your garage or shed!
- Reasonable Noise Output – No leaf blower is going to be “quiet” in the literal sense of the word, but some models definitely produce a lot more noise than others. And being “loud” is one of the most common complaints made about gas blowers, but it is a bit of generalization as some models are actually comparable to electric models. The Makita BHX2500CA is one of those models. It features a high capacity muffler that brings the noise output down to a reported 67 dB. To put that into perspective, that’s lower than the Greenworks 24012 (our top rated leaf blower), and that’s a corded electric model!
- Great Storage Footprint – It’s not just the practicalities when using the blower that you’ve got to think about before deciding upon which model to buy; you have to think about how you’re going to store it too. I found that many consumers praise the Makita BHX2500CA in that respect, due to the fact that it comes apart quite easily once you’re done, which further reduces the storage footprint. Added to that, its design is already pretty compact anyway. So don’t think you’ll have to buy another rack just to store it on if you buy this one.
- Easy to Start – One of the things I found mentioned over and over by satisfied consumers was that this is one gas blower that won’t do your shoulder in just trying to start it. There were many consumers that said it consistently fires up on the first pull. The little prep routine you need to go through before pulling the cord is easy enough too (just open the choke, push the primer bulb a few times and set the switch to “run”).
- Control Over Air Speed – The max air speed that the Makita BHX2500CA can achieve is 145 MPH, but you also have the ability to control this and reduce it as much as you need. So when clearing areas of your yard that require a bit more tact, such as in and around flowerbeds or freshly planted flowers and shrubs, you can cut the air speed right down and get the job done without causing any damage. There a simple trigger lever that gives you this control.
- Lower Emissions (CARB Compliant) – Some gas mowers produce so many harmful emissions that they’re banned from being used in some parts of the country. But not this one. It’s reported that it produces lower levels of emissions and is CARB compliant. So not only can you use it no matter where you live, but you’re also not doing as much harm to the planet either.
Makita BHX2500CA Cons: What People Didn’t Like So Much
Now we move over to the negative comments that I came across when reading through hundreds of consumer reviews about this blower. And there were a few common ones that cropped up.
- Short Warranty – Most of the time, when you’re buying yard tools, you’re doing so with the intention that they’re going to last a decent amount of time. And that’s particularly true when you’re spending the sort of money that this one costs. And one thing that I always like to see is a manufacturer that is willing to really back their product with a lengthy warranty. So it wasn’t much of a surprise to me to see a few consumers criticizing the comparatively short warranty of 2 years offered on the Makita BHX2500CA.
- Manual Could Be Better – While the vast majority of buyers are very complimentary about the design of this blower, how its controls are laid out and how easy it is to use, there are a number that don’t say the same about the owner’s manual. “Difficult to process” and “poorly written/translated” were the two most common general perceptions that we came across. So if you don’t quite understand something right away when getting yours, just be prepared to do a bit of your own research online!
- On/Off Switch Position – On/Off switches are sometimes hard to get right. They need to be easy get to, but not so easy that you routinely hit it by mistake when you’re using the product. And it’s the latter that we’ve found a few people mentioning in this case. So you’ll need to take a little extra care and be mindful of where that switch is so you don’t catch it accidentally.
- Location of Air Intake – There were a few “righties” that weren’t tool happy with the location of the air intake. This is only really a problem if you tend to let your leaf blower rest on your side as you use it, as if you’re right handed and you do that with this blower, you’ll be covering up the air intake. This can obviously affect performance and also could lead to overheating (never good). It’s an easy fix if you’re aware of this potential issue though; don’t rest it on your leg! Just give it a bit of space so the air intake can do its thing. And if you’re left handed, you didn’t even need to read this.
The Bottom Line
Still undecided whether this is the leaf blower that you need? Below we've outlined exactly who we think this blower is best suited to.
Ideal Match
Leave It on the Shelf
Conclusion:
The Makita BHX2500CA actually proves critics of gas blowers wrong in terms of the noise, weight and comfort factors generally being considered negative, as it performs better than a lot of electric blowers in those areas. On the whole, this is generally considered to be a very well designed product by the overwhelming majority of consumers that have purchased it. Easy to use controls that are simple to navigate, solid performance and functionality (remember, you can vacuum with this too, which is especially useful if you’ve got LOTS of leaves on the ground) and it’s all packaged into a fairly compact frame that is easy and comfortable to carry around. Need I say any more?
Our Rating
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