Snapper 48V HD 500 CFM
Snapper XD 82V 550 CFM
We compare the Snapper HD 48-volt 450 CFM leaf blower and the Snapper XD 82-volt 550 CFM blowers head to head and tell you what we think.
Snapper HD
- 120 MPH
- 450 CFM
- 48 Volt system
- up to 20 minute run-time
- 7.2 lbs with stock 2Ah battery
- Battery compatible with:
- 20″ Lawn Mower
- 13″ String Trimmer
- 5Ah battery options
Snapper XD
- 130 MPH
- 550 CFM
- 82 Volt System
- up to 40 minutes run-time
- 8.38 lbs with stock 2Ah battery
- Battery compatible with:
- 21″ Lawn Mower
- String Trimmer
- 26″ Hedge Trimmer
- 10″ Pole Saw
- Snow Shovel
- Cultivator
- 18″ Chain Saw
- 4Ah and 5Ah battery option
It becomes clear very quickly that the Snapper XD is far superior to it’s lower-powered Snapper HD brother. The HD’s 20-minute max useful time per charge is 1/2 of the XD. The XD has many more compatible tools for which you can share a battery. And the XD has about 20% more CFM than the HD.
These differences have a lot to do with the different voltage systems. The XD at 82-volts is significantly more powerful than the HD’s 48-volt system with similarly rated amp hour batteries.
Snapper is a brand owned by the venerable Briggs & Stratton. When comparing just the number of compatible yard tools, one might think that the 48-volt system was their first entry into this market and then they saw how low the useful time between charges was and gave up this line for the more powerful 82-volt system.
Conclusion
Between the Snapper HD and XD, we have to recommend the Snapper XD. The XD is more powerful, has more compatible products, and lasts longer than the XD.
If you have other Snapper 48-volt system products, then the Snapper HD leaf blower might be a nice addition to your system. But you may want to give up on the underpowered 48-volt system and move up to the 82-volt system if you feel strongly about the Snapper brand.
But the Snapper XD, with its 40-minute max usage time at low power is not a great measure. At full power, this unit will last about 15 minutes. Will that give you enough time to complete your job?
We’ve seen this in other similar 80 volt systems that push the CFM over 500. They are trading useful time before a charge for a little more push.
If you are sold on Snapper, then we suggest you go with the Snapper XD line. But if you are still shopping, take a look at our comparison review between the Snapper XD 550 CFM and the Greenworks Pro 500 CFM. You may like the Greenworks Pro better.
For more in-depth discussion on features to consider when buying a cordless leaf blower, see our leaf blower buying guide.
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