Everyone knows how rather a lot work it is to scrub up heaps of moist leaves and totally different particles by the use of the cooler fall and winter months, which is why we have now spent rather a lot time researching and testing leaf blowers. We predict the right cordless leaf blowers are hassle-free, with battery-powered or easy-start gasoline motors, so that you probably can cope with your fall backyard care duties additional successfully.
To hunt out probably the most appropriate alternative in your yard, we’ve examined 24 cordless leaf blowers in The Lab and at our private homes (many all through peak-leaf falling season), along with battery-operated, handheld, and backpack fashions, evaluating each for ease of assembly and use, battery life, noise ranges, and effectiveness.
Whereas testing, we found that backpack leaf blowers are best for large yards since they’re comfortable and extremely efficient, with batteries that last a really very long time (as a lot as two hours). Handheld gasoline fashions are extremely efficient nonetheless noisy, and a variable-speed handheld battery model can cope with duties like cleaning delicate yard beds and clearing heavy leaves (nonetheless the batteries don’t last as prolonged).
We predict the right cordless leaf blowers must be useful, easy to cope with, maneuverable, and highly effective enough to maneuver dry and moist leaves and totally different particles. Our favorite is the Ego Cordless Leaf Blower Tools, which encompasses a extremely efficient 670 cfm turbo mode that made fast work of grass clippings in our front and back yards and blasted away leaves that had been caught behind our air conditioner condenser given that earlier yr.
We examined this leaf blower at dwelling to cope with duties we had beforehand handled with a plug-in Ryobi leaf blower. With a variable output of 250 to 530 cfm (plus the turbo mode), we had been blown away by how far more extremely efficient this leaf blower is. We moreover beloved that we might cope with our complete backyard, walkways, and each factor else with out repeatedly unplugging and looking out for a model new outlet.
The controls of this leaf blower are intuitive and easy to utilize. It has a dial that adjusts the power diploma and a button that prompts the turbo mode. It was easy to put collectively, too, with merely two gadgets to snap collectively (plus charging and inserting the battery). The battery is an strange 40-volt Ego battery, which we found to be interchangeable with our mower—a selected bonus in case you’ve gotten one other Ego power devices.
The one issue we weren’t pleased with is that the turbo button isn’t a toggle swap, so it is good to keep up all of it the best way all the way down to protect turbo mode full of life. That will get tiring, nonetheless we predict the extra power was worth it, notably as soon as we encountered hard-to-reach leaves trapped between our house and the air conditioner compressor.
The turbo mode’s roar is just a bit loud, nonetheless the lower speeds had been quiet enough to carry on a dialog whereas wrangling grass clippings and leaves.
This cordless leaf blower is just a bit heavy (nearly 10 kilos, the heaviest hand-held battery-powered leaf blower on our itemizing), so it’s best suited tidying up smaller yards, pathways, and gardens. We didn’t uncover it too tiring to utilize for about 20 minutes at a time, nonetheless you may need thought of attempting one factor lighter or a wearable model like our best backpack leaf blower select in case you’ve gotten better than half an acre of yard to deal with.
Fuel Sort: Battery | Weight: 9.5 kilos | CFM: 250 to 530 | MPH: 180 | Noise Rating: 64 dB
This cordless leaf blower from Greenworks efficiently cleared grass clippings from our terrace and walkways. It moreover has a vacuum/mulch mode, so it presents various value. We predict it’s a superb risk in case you’ve gotten restricted space, as a result of it’s a dual-purpose software program that performs very properly in every modes. We moreover love how quiet (notably on the lower settings), lightweight, and maneuverable it is, making it comfortable to hold for prolonged durations.
We examined this blower at our dwelling sooner than the first leaves of the yr fell, so we primarily used it to scrub up grass clippings and totally different particles. It labored very properly in our small yard, concrete patio, and slate walkway, leaving each factor neat and tidy.
All through our exams, we tried out every the vacuum/mulch mode and the blower mode. The vacuum mode proved very environment friendly at quickly sucking up practically all the grass clippings that had been unfold spherical after mowing and edging, after which the blower mode quickly scattered the remaining particles.
This isn’t primarily probably the most extremely efficient risk available on the market, nonetheless it handles grass clippings merely implausible, even on the underside setting, and we’re assured that the most effective setting is powerful enough to deal with bigger particles like leaves. As a result of it is very easy to maneuver, we predict it’s best for smaller yards, notably in case you’ve gotten various paths or walkways and bushes or bushes that it is good to clear under, or a yard mattress to scrub out.
We like how easy this blower is to put collectively and the best way easy the controls are to know and use. It snaps collectively quickly with none devices and swaps between vacuum and blower modes merely as merely. We noticed that the controls are awkwardly positioned when configured as a vacuum/mulcher, nonetheless that was easy enough to work spherical.
Fuel Sort: Battery | Weight: 5.6 kilos | CFM: As a lot as 340 | MPH: 185 | Noise Rating: 70 dB
The Echo Gasoline 2-Stroke Handheld Leaf Blower is our favorite gasoline model because of it’s delicate enough to utilize with out an extreme quantity of fatigue, easy to maneuver spherical bushes and bushes, and has enough power to maneuver piles of moist leaves effortlessly.
We had been critically impressed with the best way it blew away all the particles from our brick patio that we had struggled to brush and hose off before now. One transfer from this extremely efficient leaf blower was all it took, and our terrace was as clear as a result of it’s ever been.
We moreover used this leaf blower to cope with dry leaves, moist grass clippings, and totally different particles spherical our yard, and it handled each factor properly. The extremely efficient airflow is larger than enough to cope with moist leaves, so we predict it’s a superb risk in case you’ve gotten a medium or large-sized yard with various bushes.
This blower is heavier than {most electrical} handheld fashions nonetheless surprisingly delicate for a gasoline leaf blower. When completely fueled, it’s roughly the similar weight as our best complete (which itself is already certainly one of many heavier battery-powered selections). That, combined with the vibration of the gasoline motor, will are inclined to tire you out as a result of it doesn’t embody a shoulder strap, which is why we favor a backpack risk like our best for large yards select in case you’ve gotten various land to cowl.
Whereas we’d have hottest a shoulder strap on this leaf blower, Echo included mount elements. Must you uncover it tiring or have an notably huge yard, you can purchase a appropriate shoulder strap to cut back the load.
Fuel Sort: Gasoline | Weight: 8.6 kilos | CFM: 453 | MPH: 170 | Noise Rating: 70 dB
-
Lightweight however extremely efficient
-
Handles moist leaves properly
-
Intuitive controls
-
Prolonged battery life
Normally, it is good to pick between power and quiet operation or power and a lightweight assemble, nonetheless this leaf blower has all of it. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel is the quietest model we’ve examined (every gasoline and electrical), whereas nonetheless providing enough power to deal with moist leaves.
We used this leaf blower in our huge yard stuffed with bushes which can be inclined to drop leaves all over, and it was very environment friendly at clearing every huge leaves and grass clippings. We moreover used it to clear our driveway and walkway after mowing, and the extremely efficient airflow allowed us to complete the job quickly and with little effort.
We found the airflow to be considerably spectacular, merely transferring leaves and totally different particles. However, the draw again is that it’s strong to utilize this blower precisely. It has a great deal of raw power, nonetheless the big wall of wind didn’t allow us to maneuver leaves fast distances or to a selected area.
If you need additional precision, you can purchase M18 nozzle attachments that help with that. It’s already pricier than a lot of our totally different selections, even with out the separate purchase, nonetheless we predict it’s properly undoubtedly well worth the worth for a manner quiet, extremely efficient, and lightweight it is.
We love the prolonged battery life supplied by this blower. A number of our options, like our best complete, use a 4 Ah battery, nonetheless this one makes use of Milwaukee’s heavy-duty 6 Ah batteries, which can be enough to cope with giant yards filled with moist leaves.
We examined a mannequin that included two batteries, nonetheless in case you buy merely the blower, you’ll need in order so as to add a Milwaukee M18 Fuel battery (or two) to your cart as properly.
Fuel Sort: Battery | Weight: 5.4 kilos | CFM: 500 | MPH: 120 | Noise Rating: 57 dB
Backpack leaf blowers current distinctive power with out excessive arm fatigue. Whereas testing the Ego Vitality+ LB6003 inside the lab and at dwelling, we found it delicate and comfy to utilize with out hindering our mobility the least bit. We moreover love that it choices variable airflow velocity with a cosy joystick-style administration stick. As soon as we examined this leaf blower in our lab, we had been so impressed with its velocity and power that we wanted to try it out at dwelling too.
We used this leaf blower at dwelling for about six months in a yard stuffed with 20 bushes, and we didn’t uncover rather a lot to dislike. It helped make fall cleanup actually really feel like a lot much less of a chore (and sped points up pretty a bit as compared with raking). We moreover found it useful for clearing sticks, leaves, and even delicate snow from our driveway and sidewalk.
Since this generally is a backpack model, most of its weight is distributed in your once more as you use it. Regardless that it’s fairly heavy, your arms and wrists are spared from bearing the whole load, so you’ll probably not really feel fatigued as fast. Whereas it weighs nearly twice as rather a lot as our best complete select (a handheld risk, moreover by Ego), it is best to use it longer and actually really feel a lot much less drained.
We like that this blower encompasses a extreme airspeed and variable airflow functionality. The adjustable airflow fluctuate permits for a great deal of flexibility in how you use the leaf blower and means it’s best to have the power to achieve leaves all through a giant distance.
One amongst our favorite points about this leaf blower is that it presents two operation selections. The default mode requires you to press a button all the time, nonetheless chances are you’ll as properly select to set the dial to your required power diploma to place a lot much less stress in your arms.
We did usually uncover ourselves grabbing our small handheld model for smaller or additional detailed duties, nonetheless complete, we predict that’s the best suited alternative for tackling larger fall cleanup duties or for these with larger outside areas.
Fuel Sort: Battery | Weight: 12.5 kilos | CFM: 260 to 600 | MPH: 145 | Noise Rating: 64 dB
The Worx WG584 is our favorite variable-speed leaf blower because of it means that you can choose from an airflow velocity of 60, 69, 80, or 95 mph (with airflow capacities of 300 and 470 cfm). This presents you tons of flexibility to cope with completely totally different jobs with not one of the guesswork that comes with some variable-speed fashions. We moreover found it lightweight and surprisingly quiet for the amount of power it presents.
We examined this leaf blower in our lab to see the best way it handles quite a few frequent particles on completely totally different surfaces, and it cleared every dry and moist leaves in file time. It carried out merely as properly as soon as we took it dwelling to test it in real-world conditions.
We beloved how quickly this leaf blower cleared leaves from our deck and totally different areas spherical our house. It immediately diminished the time period we wanted to spend on repairs throughout the yard, which is why we predict this leaf blower is sweet for sustaining your yard and diversified outside areas attempting good.
This unit is made up of three gadgets, and we had a bit of little bit of problem connecting the third half. That’s primarily worth mentioning because of we rarely see a leaf blower that’s strong to put collectively. It didn’t take prolonged to assemble, nonetheless it was trickier than we most well-liked.
We moreover need this unit allowed us to have greater administration over the airflow given that huge tube doesn’t allow for lots precision. However, we had been pleased with its fluctuate of power.
Fuel Sort: Battery | Weight: 7.3 kilos | CFM: 300 to 470 | MPH: 60, 69, 80 or 95 | Noise Rating: 65 dB
Variable-speed leaf blowers are useful because of they will let you administration the amount of airflow, nonetheless they’re usually tiring. Certainly one of many causes we like this characteristic from Makita rather a lot is that it incorporates cruise administration, which lets us set the power diploma wherever we want after which let go of the set off, giving our hand a pleasing leisure.
We examined this leaf blower at our lab, and it carried out exceptionally properly in all of our exams, blowing dry and moist leaves from a patch of grass with out rather a lot effort and clearing leaves from laborious surfaces even faster. It moreover carried out exceptionally properly in exams of raw power, transferring weighted fishing nets an unbelievable distance with ease, so we predict you’ll be hard-pressed to go looking out particles in your yard that this blower gained’t switch. It tops out at a formidable 116 mph, which will probably be as compared with a lower most of 95 mph from our best variable velocity select.
Together with raw power, this leaf blower moreover presents variable wind speeds with the beforehand talked about cruise administration attribute. The variable velocity risk works like many various variable fashions, requiring you to squeeze the set off more durable to increase the speed. We like how that gives you immediate one-handed administration over velocity modifications, nonetheless it could probably get really tiring.
Not like various totally different variable velocity blowers, this one supplies you the selection to let go of the set off altogether. One of the simplest ways it actually works is that you simply simply flip the blower on, set the speed you want, then activate the cruise administration. You probably can regulate the speed using the lever nonetheless don’t should squeeze the set off anymore, so your wrist muscle tissues gained’t be so sore the next day.
We like that this blower combines power with ease of use and luxurious. At merely 6.5 kilos, it is delicate and user-friendly enough to hold and performance with one hand adeptly whereas using the other hand to control the controls and perform totally different duties.
Fuel Sort: Battery | Weight: 6.5 kilos | CFM: 459 | MPH: 116 | Noise Rating: 60 dB
-
Easy assembly
-
Comfortable harness
-
Ergonomic design
-
Long run time
The Husqvarna 150BT is our favorite leaf blower for large yards as a consequence of its extremely efficient airflow, comfortable and ergonomic design, and run time that will’t be matched by battery-powered selections. We examined one on 800 sq. toes of flat terrain coated in grass clippings and leaves, and we had been impressed by its effectivity and luxurious.
It’s a extremely efficient leaf blower (the most effective airflow and wind velocity of any model we advocate), which is why we predict it’s applicable for even the biggest of jobs. We had been able to tidy our yard in file time with no factors transferring even heavy, moist leaves, so it’s the right risk in case you’ve gotten a substantial quantity of land with a lot of bushes.
Whereas this leaf blower is manner heavier than our handheld picks, we found it quite simple to carry and use. The adjustable harness helps distribute the burden evenly, so we in no way felt fatigued. You carry spherical additional additional weight than you may with a handheld model, nonetheless your arms gained’t actually really feel as worn out the next day.
This leaf blower might be pretty loud, with a most noise output of 110 dB, which is manner louder than any electrical leaf blower. We didn’t actually really feel favor it was that loud (our Apple Watch didn’t even current a sound warning), nonetheless this leaf blower is very efficient enough that safety instruments like defending gear in your ears and eyes is warranted. It kicked up rather a lot mud and grit as soon as we used it on concrete surfaces that you may be even want a full face defend.
We primarily advocate electrical leaf blowers because of they’re very easy to utilize and don’t require repairs, nonetheless we predict this one is so extremely efficient and comfy that it’s worth going with gasoline in case you’ve gotten a giant enough yard to want the extra power and run time. You need to to carry out widespread repairs (like altering spark plugs and oil), nonetheless the trade-off is that it runs for for much longer on a gasoline tank than any battery-powered risk.
Fuel Sort: Gasoline | Weight: 22 kilos | CFM: 765 | MPH: 270 | Noise Rating: 110 dB
Final Verdict
After testing 24 battery-powered, plug-in, and gasoline leaf blowers in our lab and at dwelling, we determined that the right cordless leaf blower is the Ego Vitality+ Cordless Leaf Blower Tools. It encompasses a extremely efficient turbo mode that handles even the biggest leaf messes, and it impressed us with its versatile variable power and the best way comfortable it was to utilize. You most likely have extreme territory to cowl, the Husqvarna 2-Cycle Gasoline Backpack Leaf Blower (our biggest for large yards select) is a gas-powered model with a surprisingly comfortable harness, a great deal of power, and a extremely long run time.
How We Examined the Cordless Leaf Blowers
Over the previous two years, we have now examined dozens of varied leaf blowers, principally in our private yards, along with corded electrical, battery-powered, and gasoline selections. Each leaf blower was rigorously evaluated for effectivity, design, battery life, ease of use, portability, noise diploma, and price.
- Effectivity: We examined effectivity in our lab by timing how prolonged it took to blow leaves out of marked areas on quite a few surfaces, and examined power by pushing weighted fishing nets. At dwelling, we measured effectivity by testing how environment friendly the blowers had been at eradicating leaves from our yards and totally different surfaces all through common use.
- Noise ranges: We measured noise ranges with a decibel meter inside the lab, and used the leaf blowers inside the common course of yard repairs at dwelling to see how loud they’d been, and if we wished ear security.
- Portability: We measured each unit’s weight to guage portability and well-known whether or not or not it is likely to be used with one hand. We moreover thought-about measurement and design to learn how easy they’d be to retailer.
- Battery life: Whereas using the leaf blowers, we well-known whether or not or not the power output remained common or if we noticed any lack of power. We moreover checked the battery standing after using the blowers and well-known how prolonged we might use them sooner than recharging.
- Ease of use: We thought-about every setup and customary use, along with how easy it was to entry the controls, change between speeds and quite a few attachments, and maneuver the blowers.
- Value: After evaluating each leaf blower, we checked the value after which in distinction it to totally different fashions to guage value.
- Prolonged-term testing: We proceed testing our favorites at dwelling for as a lot as six months (and typically for for much longer) to evaluate effectivity over time, and via altering local weather conditions and terrains.
What to Look For in a Cordless Leaf Blower
Gasoline or Battery Vitality
Cordless leaf blowers are powered by each gasoline or electrical power, each with strengths and weaknesses. Electrical blowers are inclined to weigh a lot much less and produce a lot much less noise and air air air pollution, nonetheless they usually aren’t as extremely efficient. Then once more, gas-powered merchandise pack a punch with regards to strain, nonetheless they emit a wide range of gasoline air pollution, and their repairs is a little more refined.
Must you’ve in no way used gas-powered yard instruments sooner than, it is potential you may have to consider a battery-powered risk. They’re much less complicated to rearrange and start using, you needn’t worry about mixing oil and gasoline (for two-stroke motors), and there is no refined ongoing repairs to worry about.
The precept trigger for choosing gasoline over battery is that gasoline leaf blowers are usually additional extremely efficient. So, in case you’ve gotten an exceptionally huge yard or a lot of bushes that carpet your property with leaves, you may revenue from the extra power of a gasoline model. A tank of gasoline moreover lasts tons longer than a battery, allowing you to cowl additional flooring with out stopping to swap or recharge batteries.
The Measurement of Your Yard
When fascinated by how extremely efficient a leaf blower you need, consider the dimensions of your yard. You most likely have a giant space with a lot of bushes, you’ll need a high-powered product with a extreme cfm (cubic toes per minute) rating—this means you’ll have the power to switch leaves and particles faster and further successfully.
Biermeier explains that “cfm measures the cubic toes per minute or amount of air coming out of the blower. You probably can contemplate it as a result of the ‘measurement’ of the airflow. Higher air will switch additional leaves at one time.’” He says a 500 cfm airflow functionality works properly for typical residential yard work however as well as says anyplace between a 300 cfm to 400 cfm airflow functionality is appropriate in case you’re working with a smaller yard that doesn’t have too many bushes.
With an airflow functionality of 765 cfm, our best for large yards select can switch the most effective amount of air as compared with all the other fashions in our itemizing, allowing to peel once more thick carpets of moist leaves and clear huge areas in short order.
Velocity Settings and Cruise Administration
Some leaf blowers have only one velocity—which might work in case you’ve gotten a small yard and principally clear away dry leaves. However, in the event you want to use your leaf blower for more durable jobs, you’re greater off getting a variable-speed blower that you may regulate as wished.
Our select for the best variable-speed leaf blower has a delineated and full fluctuate of settings for airflow velocity and airflow functionality. Our best backpack select generally is a variable-speed model that allows you to choose from completely totally different velocity settings to cope with completely totally different particles on quite a few surfaces.
We moreover advocate considering a model with cruise administration, like our best cruise administration select, which helps you to select a velocity after which let go of the set off. Since squeezing the set off will probably be tiring to your wrist muscle tissues, an environment friendly velocity administration attribute can enhance your comfort and cut back fatigue when using a leaf blower for an extended time-frame.
FAQ
-
The precept benefit of a cordless leaf blower is that you simply simply gained’t be tethered to an extension wire all through operation. With a corded leaf blower, it is a should to worry about discovering {{an electrical}} outlet, discovering an extension wire, and navigating spherical obstacles with the power wire. With a cordless leaf blower, you’re going to get started additional quickly and have limitless mobility. Many cordless leaf blowers are moreover fairly lightweight, making them less complicated to cope with.
-
Normally, most battery-powered leaf blowers will last 20 to half-hour per price. However, there are a selection of variables that will impact how prolonged a cordless leaf blower lasts. Gasoline-powered fashions will naturally final greater than battery-powered fashions, and they’re usually refueled immediately. The type of battery and velocity at which your blower is working will impression the runtime, as properly. (Particularly, working a leaf blower on its highest setting will drain its battery terribly quickly.)
long-term life span. Biermeier warns that “most cordless leaf blowers aren’t thought-about heavy-duty fashions.” He says you probably can “anticipate about an 8 to 10-year life span sooner than plastic elements placed on down,” and for battery-operated fashions, counting on how ceaselessly you use your leaf blower, “chances are you’ll probably should trade the batteries every few years.”
-
You most likely have a battery-powered cordless leaf blower, you’ll typically should price it after every use. Most fashions have a fairly restricted runtime, so it’s best to begin out out with a full price every time—in some other case, you run the hazard of working out of battery power sooner than you finish cleaning your yard. Moreover perceive that you may probably protect battery power by pulling out a leaf rake for smaller, fast-clearing jobs.
One Additional Issue
We used a decibel meter to file the noise diploma of each leaf blower at completely totally different speeds (when related). We found that our experiences of the best way it sounded didn’t always match up with the product itemizing’s noise rating and even the best way it sounded inside the outside lab versus in our backyards—it’d sound louder or quieter counting on the actual individual’s notion.
Why Perception The Spruce?
Jeremy Laukkonen is an updates creator for The Spruce with over a decade of experience masking yard instruments, power devices, and totally different dwelling gadgets. He prefers battery-powered leaf blowers for the comfort of use, though his solely sees use at present to blow sand and totally different particles off his driveway and patio.
For this story, Laukkonen reviewed the testing outcomes from our outdoor lab and the insights from our dwelling exams. He moreover evaluated each leaf blower for effectiveness, power sources, portability, ease of use, and totally different elements. With all of that knowledge, he chosen the right leaf blowers for quite a few circumstances.
Our Consultants: