Buying guide for best greenworks leaf blowers
Greenworks is one of the leading producers of electrical garden equipment. Their blowers range from lightweight budget models for a quick clean of a small yard to powerful backpack tools that can go anywhere and deliver performance to rival gas machines.
Leaf blowers are simple devices, but choosing the right one for your yard depends on several factors, including the actual wind power and miles per hour the leaf blower can generate, whether or not you need it to be cordless, and whether you want it to include a vacuum option to assist with leaf collection.
We’ve taken a closer look at them so we can offer advice that helps with your buying decision, showcasing tools that underline power, versatility, and other valuable features. Continue reading to make an informed choice for your leaf-blowing needs.
Key considerations
MPH and CFM
Leaf blowers have a motor powering a fan blade, often called an impeller. There are two important figures to note: MPH (miles per hour) and CFM (cubic feet per minute).
Higher wind speed — the MPH part — means a greater ability to move leaves that are stuck in long grass, for example. However, a narrow stream of fast moving air isn’t best if you’ve got lots of area to cover.
That’s when CFM comes in. CFM is the volume of air the blower can move. The higher the CFM, the more air is moving around.
It’s not a question of one being better than the other. Usually as speed increases, CFM drops. That’s why two-speed or variable speed motors are beneficial. You can tune performance to the task in front of you.
Corded or cordless
For some time, cordless machines have promised an alternative to loud gas machines that require regular maintenance and pollute the atmosphere. With the 60V and 80V machines now available from Greenworks, much of that promise has been realized. However, these machines require a quite considerable investment.
While the average homeowner might like the freedom a cordless machine provides, they probably don’t need all that power. While 24V and 40V models still offer adequate performance for many, corded equivalents are much cheaper.
So if you can put up with a range of 100 feet — the maximum extension cord length available — a corded model is a very affordable choice. With no battery on board, they are often lighter, too.
Fortunately, although the Greenworks range is focused on high-quality cordless models, they still offer a good variety of corded tools for those with modest yards and smaller budgets.
If you decide on cordless Greenworks leaf blower, you have a choice of a brush or brushless motor. The former is less expensive, but the latter makes more efficient use of the battery and lasts longer.
All Greenworks batteries are now Lithium ion (Li-ion), which deliver consistent power for longer than the older NiCad type and don’t suffer from the same deterioration when charging (known as memory effect). They have two ratings. Volts (V) tell you out-and-out power. Amp hour (Ah) is durability. A 4.0Ah battery runs at the same performance for at least twice as long as a 2.0Ah model. The commonly supplied standard is 2.0Ah or 2.5Ah. If you are thinking of getting a second, we suggest something 4.0Ah or higher.
Features
Greenworks separates their leaf blowers into three general categories: sweepers, blower/vacuums, and blowers.
Sweepers are lightweight and have modest power. They’re great for clearing hard surfaces, but they might struggle on grass, particularly if it’s a bit damp. Rather than variable triggers, these have adjustable tips to give the user some control over air speed.
Blower/vacuums are mostly mid-range models. In addition to blowing, they can collect and mulch leaves, thereby reducing the volume of waste.
Blowers go from those rated for dealing with half-acre yards to powerful 80V backpack models.
If you’re considering a vacuum, bear in mind that sharp twigs can tear them, which dramatically reduces suction. If you’re expecting lots of medium- to heavy-duty use, you might want to order a spare.
Though variable and twin speeds give you flexibility, it can be tiring on your hand to maintain finger pressure for long periods. To overcome this, some of the larger twin-speed models also have cruise control — you can set it and leave it to run on its own.
Several models also have “turbo” power. At the press of a handle-mounted button, you get a short blast a maximum output. It’s great for shifting the stubborn stuff, but it does sap the battery, so it should be used sparingly.
Most Greenworks blowers have plastic nozzle tips. A few high-powered models have steel, so you don’t have to be concerned about damage if you’re rooting around in the undergrowth.
With handheld models, you might want to consider weight, particularly if you have reduced physical strength. They start at under four pounds, so there should be one to suit most people.
Greenworks leaf blower prices
Inexpensive: The least-expensive Greenworks leaf blowers are their corded models, which run from $30 to $55. There’s a lot of variety here, from the lightest sweepers to full-on blower vacuums.
Mid-range: The cordless range starts with 24V sweepers at around $70 and blowers from $120 to $150.
Expensive: Cordless blower vacuums and cordless backpack blowers are premium models. These start at around $250 and rise to around $350.
If you’re buying cordless, it’s a good idea to think about other tools you might need and look at the Greenworks range as a whole. Once you’ve invested in a battery or two and a charger, buying “bare tools” has a big impact on cost.
Tips
Burning leaves can be dangerous and is of no benefit to your garden. Composted leaves, however, add valuable minerals and trace elements to your garden. Here are a couple of tips on leaf composting.
Leaves take a lot longer to compost than green plant matter, and while you can add some to your normal compost heap, too much leaf matter just slows everything down.
A separate leaf bin is recommended. You can speed the process by shredding or mulching or by getting a wormery. Adding nitrogen to the leaves also helps — horse manure is ideal, if you have it. Alternatively, you can buy blood and bone mixes from garden suppliers.
Other products we considered
Big power isn’t everything. Sometimes you just want a fast, lightweight tool for a quick cleanup. That’s when Greenworks 24V Dual Speed Cordless Blower is the answer. It’s very competitively priced. Of course, if you do need big power, at the other end of the scale is Greenworks 80V Cordless Backpack Blower. It produces 145 MPH with a massive 580 CFM, with performance that’s on par with big gas machines. If you’re a contractor or other professional using handheld cordless tools, you might want to consider Greenworks Pro 80V Cordless Battery Waist Pack. This supports the battery on your back, reducing the stress on your hand and arm. It can be used with other Greenworks tools, not just blowers.
FAQ
Q. Should I wear ear protection when using a Greenworks leaf blower?
A. Although Greenworks leaf blowers are among the quietest, the more powerful models do run a little above 80 decibels, which can cause hearing damage. Even with those that aren’t, we still recommend some kind of ear protection for your own comfort.
Goggles or a face shield are a good idea, too, because dust and small particles become airborne when you start blowing things around. It’s also advisable to wear gloves when you’re gathering leaves since there may be sharp twigs among them.
Q. Does my Greenworks leaf blower need much maintenance?
A. One big advantage electric motors have over gas is the lack of engine maintenance. Brush motors may need to have the brushes replaced eventually, but they have a very long service life.
Apart from a quick clean after use and storing somewhere dry, you just have to listen for strange noises, which usually means something has gotten stuck in the fan. Always unplug or disconnect the battery before investigating. Debris is usually easy to remove. If you’re not confident, get it checked by a qualified professional.
Q. I read that a leaf blower is good for drying my car. Is that true?
A. A leaf blower can be an efficient dryer, and because there’s no heat element, it’s perfectly safe. However, if you’re not careful, you could blow up all kinds of dirt and debris from around the car, potentially doing more harm than good.
