Buying guide for best leaf blowers
While the uninitiated may still be quick to reach for the rake come autumn, savvy individuals know that they can reduce the time and energy spent cleaning up their property by using a leaf blower.
From the gas-powered backpack blowers worn by municipal street cleaners to compact, cordless models small enough to blast maple seeds and cobwebs off of balconies and patios, these handy tools are available in configurations built to suit a variety of needs.
The wide selection of blowers can make it challenging to determine which one would work best for you. However, the Ego Power+ Variable-Speed Cordless Leaf Blower has what it takes to satisfy almost anyone looking to cut down on elbow grease when clearing debris, no matter the season or location. Thanks to its easy maneuverability and long-lasting battery, you may never sweep outdoors again.
Best leaf blowers
This handheld cordless leaf blower gives you the option to adjust its output from 225 to 500 cubic feet per minute (CFM) using a generously sized dial located near its grip. A turbo button can be depressed to increase its blowing power to a whopping 650 CFM for moving stubborn debris across large areas.
The Ego leaf blower features a high-efficiency brushless motor that can run for up to 200 minutes on a single charge of its powerful 56-volt battery. An LED indicator on the battery lets you easily check your remaining run time. At less than 13 pounds, this leaf blower is easy to carry. Two interchangeable nozzle attachments and a battery charger are included.
This corded leaf blower is lightweight, compact and great for small jobs around your property. Weighing less than 4 pounds, it makes removing sticks, grass clippings, tree droppings, sawdust and other loose debris easy without the risk of arm fatigue or back strain. Two nozzles are included, letting you choose how you want the air to be blown.
The tool’s push-button motor can achieve air speeds of up to 155 mph. Its included power cable is on the short side, so areas larger than the average porch, deck or patio will likely require an additional extension cord.
This blower comes with a 20-volt battery pack, three nozzle attachments and a charger. Its ergonomically designed handle keeps the user comfortable thanks to a variable speed selector that can be easily reached with a thumb and a trigger lock that prevents hand and wrist fatigue.
Able to push air at up to 135 mph, this blower is light and maneuverable enough to blast leaves out of gutters or perform work overhead. While it’s not strong enough for most large-scale and commercial work, many buyers are happy using it to blow clippings off of their lawn care equipment, clean out their truck beds or quickly remove loose dirt and stones from RV interiors.
This electric blower can push leaves, snow and other loose materials with ease thanks to its ability to move air at up to 250 mph. The blower quickly converts into a leaf vacuum, removing debris with powerful suction and depositing anything it sucks up into its included detachable waste bag.
You even have the option of mulching your leaves with it, greatly increasing the bag’s capacity by mincing debris into small pieces that can be more easily disposed of or added to your compost. This blower includes an oscillating nozzle tip that widens its air output, making it easier to clean up large areas.
Using a jet engine-style turbine motor, this affordable leaf blower’s cutting-edge technology lets it deliver exceptional power while remaining surprisingly quiet. Its nozzle tapers, focusing air output into a concentrated stream for dislodging wet material.
A speed selector is located within thumb’s reach, letting you choose from three options on the fly. Despite its power and size, it weighs in at less than 6.5 pounds, making it an excellent lightweight tool for anyone looking to tidy their porch or sidewalk without having to grab the broom.
This cordless leaf blower includes a 40-volt lithium-ion battery pack and a charger. LEDs on the battery let you quickly check its power level at a glance. The pack is attached under the grip for comfortable balance, and at 3.37 pounds, this blower is one of the lightest you’ll find on the market.
A speed selector is conveniently placed on the tool’s padded handle, letting you adjust its power from 135 to 150 CFM. Designed for fast, small cleanups around the home, the battery only lasts for about 15 minutes of continuous use on its highest setting.
This ultra-affordable electric leaf blower from Black and Decker may be a budget tool, but with air speeds up to 180 mph, its 7-amp motor still packs a punch. A cord retainer on the tool’s backside keeps the power cable secure, preventing you from accidentally unplugging it while you work.
An oversized ergonomic handle makes the blower comfortable to hold. At 4.4 pounds, it poses little risk of back or shoulder strain, even when used with only one hand. No power cable is included with this blower, so be sure you’ve got an extension cable on hand when you’re ready to get cleaning.
If you demand high blowing speed but want to retain the convenience of a battery-powered tool, DeWalt’s Flexvolt blower satisfies. Its high-efficiency brushless motor churns out wind at up to 600 CFM. Its included wide-mouth tube is great for clearing job site floors, garages, vehicle interiors and exterior rooms of wood chips, leaves, dust and small stones.
A 60-volt battery and charger are included with this device. Users love the ability to blow through wet leaves and grass clippings without having to navigate a clumsy extension cord or deal with the noise and fumes caused by gas-powered blowers.
Types of leaf blowers
If you’ve glanced at the leaf blower market lately, you know there are many types to choose from. Which type of leaf blower should you buy? The answer to that question rests primarily on two factors: how many leaves you need to blow and how quickly you want to accomplish the task.
A person with a large yard and lots of leaves is going to need a more powerful leaf blower than a person with a small yard and few leaves. As you consider which leaf blower to buy, keep in mind the volume of leaves and debris you’ll be contending with.
Handheld leaf blowers
Handheld leaf blowers work for most people. They are lightweight, easy to maneuver and take up little room in storage. Some handheld leaf blowers can vacuum and mulch leaves as well as blow dirt and debris off your driveway, porch or patio.
There are three different types of handheld leaf blowers: corded electric, cordless electric and gas-powered.
Corded electric handheld leaf blowers
These start easily and are lightweight; most weigh about 8 pounds. Some models come with a vacuum attachment and do a good job of mulching leaves. They are relatively quiet compared to alternative options.
The cord may cause you some grief, however. You are limited in range because you must stay within a certain distance of an electrical outlet, and it’s easy to get tangled in the cord or accidentally pull it out of the blower.
Cordless electric (battery-powered) leaf blowers
These run on either lithium-ion (Li-ion) or nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries. Li-ion batteries hold a charge longer and tend to be smaller and lighter, with the leaf blower weighing anywhere from 8 to 10 pounds.
Battery-powered leaf blowers can handle most yards, driveways and patios, but after 30 to 45 minutes, you have to recharge the battery. They are the quietest blowers you can buy.
Gas-powered handheld leaf blowers
These are powerful and fast, able to take on dense leaves, dirt and debris. The gas engine and tank add a bit of heaviness, causing them to weigh around 10 pounds. Two-stroke engine models require a special mix of oil and fuel that you can mix manually or purchase premixed from a home improvement store.
While there are a few gas-powered handheld leaf blowers that come with attachments for vacuuming and mulching, they tend to be slow and not as effective as electric models. They are also noisy and require careful engine maintenance.
Backpack leaf blowers
Backpack leaf blowers are gas-powered and weigh anywhere from 13 to 25 pounds. This type of leaf blower works best in large yards with a high volume of leaves and in commercial scenarios. If it takes you an hour or more to clear your yard of leaves, a backpack leaf blower is probably a good choice for you.
Special care must be taken when using a backpack leaf blower. With the engine mounted on your back, it is closer to your ears, so ear protection is extremely important. Like other gas-powered engines, these leaf blowers are loud, but they can make quick work of a job too difficult for a handheld model.
Features to consider when buying a leaf blower
Power
Power is often the most important factor to consider as you decide what type of blower is best for you. The power of a leaf blower is described in two ways:
- Cubic feet per minute (CFM) is the measure of the volume of air that moves through your leaf blower in one minute. CFM is a great indicator of whether a blower would be up to the task of clearing big swaths of yard or floor. A high CFM means that you will be able to treat a large area in a short amount of time.
- Miles per hour (mph) is the measure of the speed at which air leaves the blower. Fast-moving, concentrated air is great for loosening up debris. If the work you intend to do is concentrated in a small area and mostly made up of wet leaves or clippings, a blower with a high mph rating would perform best for you.
Nozzle design
Leaf blower nozzles come in different variations and allow you to customize how you want air to flow out of your machine. Flat nozzles are great for blowing loose leaves in a sweeping motion. Oscillating nozzles move air back and forth automatically, performing a sweeping action for you and greatly reducing the amount of physical work you need to do. Round nozzles excel at loosening dirt, debris and wet leaves.
Adjustable speed control
The ability to control a leaf blower’s speed allows you to tailor your leaf-blowing approach to the task at hand. A gas-powered leaf blower with a variable throttle allows you to control the speed in the same way you might control the speed with a dial on an electric leaf blower.
For example, you can turn the speed down in order to safeguard delicate areas such as flower beds and gardens. Concrete patios and similar open areas may not need as much power as grass.
Air intake
The air intake is the place on the leaf blower where the air is sucked in. In general, a bottom-mounted air intake is preferable to a side intake, as a side intake could inadvertently suck in your clothing or other items.
Primer bulb
Some gas-powered leaf blowers have a primer bulb. These leaf blowers are easier to start than some other varieties.
Engine design (gas-powered)
- Two-stroke engines are less expensive and offer an excellent balance of weight and power. However, they require a mix of oil and gasoline to fuel them. You’ll either have to mix it yourself or buy a special premixed blend for a leaf blower with a two-stroke engine.
- Four-stroke engines don’t require mixed fuel. However, a leaf blower with a four-stroke engine is likely to be heavy, and it will require more overall maintenance than a leaf blower with a two-stroke engine.
Balance
With handheld leaf blowers, balance plays an important role in how quickly your arm becomes fatigued. Machines that are imbalanced can put undue pressure on the hand, wrist and arm as you compensate for the extra weight.
Second grip (handheld)
Handheld leaf blowers with a second grip are easier to control and balance, especially when you have a big job to complete.
Easy-access shut-off switch
For the sake of safety, it makes sense to have a leaf blower with easy access to the shut-off switch. No matter what type of leaf blower you have – electric, gas, wheeled, or backpack – quick and easy shut-off is a must.
Clear (transparent) gas tank
A clear, or transparent, gas tank allows you to keep an eye on your gas level while you work. Tanks with wide openings are easier to fill as well.
Leaf blower safety tips
Leaf blowers are loud, powerful pieces of equipment. You should always wear the proper safety gear when you use a leaf blower.
This includes the following:
Read your user manual thoroughly before using your leaf blower, and keep children and pets a safe distance away when you operate the machine.
FAQ
Q. How much do leaf blowers cost?
A. This largely depends on the type of blower you wish to purchase. Corded blowers are the least-expensive options, with most models costing around $100 but some coming in as low as $30. Battery-powered blowers tend to cost $100 to $200, with the price tag often depending on how many batteries and other accessories are included.
If you’re in the market for a gas-powered leaf blower, you can expect to spend at least $200 on a handheld model and up to $500 on backpack blowers suited for commercial use.
Q. Are there any leaf blowers that would be quiet enough not to disturb my neighbors?
A. Cordless electric leaf blowers are the quietest models available. But even with a cordless leaf blower, you should perform a noise check to see how loud the machine gets.
To avoid irritating your neighbors, it’s best to refrain from using your leaf blower early in the morning or late at night when neighbors are most likely to be disturbed.
Q. My yard is surrounded by large trees that cover my lawn with leaves every year. What type of leaf blower would work best for me?
A. Depending on the size of your yard, you have several options. A large yard plagued with a high volume of leaves requires, at the very least, a gas-powered handheld leaf blower. If you have a little more cash to spend, consider a backpack leaf blower or a wheeled gas-powered leaf blower.
For those with relatively small yards, there are some corded electric leaf blowers that might suffice. These leaf blowers are fairly quiet and lightweight, yet they are powerful enough to blow a high volume of leaves off the yard.
