They get everywhere, don’t they?
Blocking drains, making pathways slippery and making your garden, yard, patio, or deck look a mess.
We’re talking about leaves, and a simple solution to getting rid of them is using the best leaf blower you can. To discover which one that is, read on.
One of the first things that may surprise you when you start to research the best leaf blowers is just how many different types there are.
Although it is good that there are choices, it may also be an issue deciding which is the right one for you.
Our buyer’s guide will take you through the various leaf blowers that are available and highlight the features you need to look for to ensure your choice is the right one.
Best Leaf Blowers
Types Types of Leaf Blower
Gas-powered Leaf Blowers
Even within this category, there is more than one option, as gas-powered leaf blowers will use either a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke engine. Two-stroke require a fuel mixture, which not everyone will want to get involved with, whereas as 4-stroke simply uses normal gas.
Gas-powered leaf blowers are very powerful and generally suited for use in larger gardens and yards. As with your gas-powered car, leaf blowers powered by gas need their engines tuned occasionally.
Corded Electrical Blowers
As the name suggests these are powered from an electrical socket and require a cord, so before buying one, you will need to check that the cord length is sufficient for the size of your garden. You also need to consider that a cord may restrict you, especially if you have a lot of trees in the area in which the blower is going to be used.
Electric leaf blowers tend to be quieter and cleaner than gas ones, and normally weigh less too.
Cordless Leaf Blowers
These cordless leaf blowers are powered by rechargeable batteries with the better ones lasting 30-40 minutes on a full charge. These leaf blowers give you the immediate advantage of no restrictions in the distance from your house you can use them. You also do not have to put up with a cord getting in your way, and you also have much greater maneuverability.
On the downside, they tend to be less powerful than corded or gas blowers, however, this is improving as newer models are produced.
What Can They Be Used For?
You might think that is a strange question, given that we are discussing leaf blowers and the answer is obvious. However, leaf blowers can be used for more than just getting rid of leaves.
In dry spells, when there’s a lot of dust and possibly sand in the air, leaf blowers are ideal for keeping decking and paving clear. At the other end of the weather scale, you can also use them for blowing a light dusting of snow off your pathways, and your car. Read more about the backpack leaf blower here which is pretty good at this.
Nozzle Design
Leaf blowers are manufactured with a variety of nozzles, which can influence the flow and the power of the air which is coming out of it. Some machines may come with both, in the same way that a vacuum cleaner has different attachments. The most common are flat nozzles which are best for stirring up leaves which are lying loose on the ground. Round nozzles are more appropriate for disturbing leaves which are trampled in or embedded in the ground.
Speed Control
Many leaf blowers operate at a single speed, however, there are some which have multiple speeds. This will allow you to increase it to loosen more stubborn leaves. Just remember to switch it back to the lower speed when you’re working near plants and flower beds, or you could end up damaging them.
Airflow Output
Most leaf blowers will be rated for either the speed of the air or the airflow volume, and in many cases, the manufacturer will highlight both. The speed of the air is measured in miles per hour (MPH) and can be anything from around 100 mph to over 200 mph. Alternatively airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm). which ranges from 150 cfm to over 800 cfm.
Noise Levels
There’s no getting away from the fact that leaf blowers are very noisy. On the decibel scale, you’ll find that gas-powered models are the worst offenders in that respect. Such is the problem of how loud they are, there are many restrictions, and even bans on leaf blower use, which can vary from state to state.
Before buying, it is essential that you check what your town, city or state’s, rules are in respect of leaf blowers, and whether you are even allowed to use them. If you are, you may find there are certain times of the day, such as early morning, or in the evening, when their use is prohibited.
Personal Protection
With the issue of noise, it is highly recommended that you wear ear protectors whilst using a leaf blower. Even if you are only using it for 15-20 minutes, there is still a possibility that the decibel levels can be harmful to your hearing.
More good advice is to wear goggles and a dust mask. Your leaf blower is going to stir up all manner of dust and debris and do it at a very fast rate. Keeping your eyes from being damaged by these, or your lungs from breathing them in, are both important to your health and well-being.
Leaf Blower Product Reviews
This single-speed electric leaf blower is a very lightweight tool which is ideal if do not want to be using anything that is going to require a lot of physical effort. It weighs only 4.5 lbs., making it one of the lightest leaf blowers available.
It is suited to smaller yards and gardens and should allow you to easily clear leaves and other debris, quickly and efficiently.
At the core of the blower is its 7-amp motor which produces enough energy to blast out air at no less than 160 miles per hour. This should give you all the power you need to move, not just leaves sitting on top of your lawn, but more stubborn leaves which have become entrenched in the ground.
To limit the risk of you accidentally disconnecting the cord from the blower, there is a locking feature which holds the plug in place. Please note that the power cord needs to be purchased separately.
The noise levels produced by this leaf blower are low compared to gas-powered leaf blowers, and in addition, you should find that the vibration you feel when using it is minimal.
The air outlet tube that fits on the front, comes in two pieces, and when fitted it is 20 inches long. This means you should be able to get the airflow up close to leaves on the ground without having to bend over. The handle is molded to the top of the unit and houses the on/off switch which you can easily operate with just your thumb.
Lastly, the manufacturer gives you a 4-year warranty with this leaf blower which is twice what many offer.
- Weighs only 4.5 lbs.
- 20-inch two-piece air nozzle for longer reach
- 160 mph airflow to move embedded leaves
- Very low noise level
- Only slight vibration felt when using the blower
- Cable lock to prevent accidental disconnection
- 4-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Power cord must be purchased separately
- Rear air intake tends to stick to clothing
- No speed options to increase blowing power
If you are looking for an electric leaf blower with a bit more ‘oomph,’ this one from Worx might be worth looking at.
It uses a turbine to maximize the air flow which it can produce, therefore making it more effective in being able to move leaves that are wet or ground in, as these are the ones most difficult to budge.
The air output is 110 mph, which may at first seem to be on the low end of the performance scale for these types of leaf blowers. However, because of the turbine, this leaf blower pumps out an airflow of around 600 cfm which puts it on a par with some of the more powerful gas leaf blowers.
To take account of different conditions, there is a variable speed controller, which allows you to increase the power for more difficult jobs, such as leaves or debris that have been trodden into your lawn.
When you are merely blowing a few dry leaves from in front of your garage, this can be turned down, although it must be said the air still comes out at quite a rate even at this lower speed.
One aspect of this product which aids the task of clearing leaves is its wide round, nozzle. This means the air that is being blown out covers a larger area, which should make clearing the leaves take less time.
With that amount of air power, you might reasonably think that the price you pay for that, is a heavier unit considering the turbine and the motor. In fact, it weighs just over 6lbs. so you’ll not exactly be working out as you use it, and you can easily use it one-handed.
- Uses a turbine to boost the air output
- Air output can reach 600 cfm
- Large nozzle outlet to maximize coverage
- Weighs only 6 lbs.
- Variable speed control for use on different jobs
- Cable retainer to avoid disconnecting cord
- 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Rear air intake can tug at your clothing
- Low-speed setting is too fast
- Speed switch doesn’t always lock into position
As one of the biggest brands in the world of DIY and gardening tools, you will not be surprised to find that Black and Decker have several leaf blowers within their range. This one is a simple, but effective, cordless leaf blower that should suit those with yards of all sizes.
The reason we say all sizes is that you are not restricted in terms of how far from your house you can use this, as there is no power cord to take into consideration. The battery on this leaf blower should be fully charged from zero in about a couple of hours.
As for how long each charge will last, it should average out to around 30 minutes, which should be enough for most leaf blowing jobs around your home and garden. Also, bear in mind that Black and Decker batteries are interchangeable across many of its cordless tools.
The blower has a single speed, so there’s no way to turn up the power, however, it does blast out the air at 130 mph, which very few leaves are going to be able to resist. For the more stubborn ones simply move the nozzle up close to them, and they should budge.
One of the most impressive aspects of this leaf blower is how light it is. Its weight is only 3.7 lbs., making it one of the lightest we have come across. If you were in way hesitant about getting a leaf blower due to a concern about how heavy it was going to be, then this one should allay that concern.
If there are any local regulations regarding noise then this leaf blower’s low noise emission should keep the authorities, and your neighbors appeased.
- Product is from a well-renowned brand
- Weighs less than 4 lbs.
- Battery and charger are included with purchase
- 130 mph air speed output
- Low noise levels
- Battery interchangeable with other Black and Decker cordless tools
- Cordless, therefore, no limit to the area that can be covered
- Might struggle with embedded leaves
- No variable speed control options
- Battery life not enough for longer jobs
Most leaf blowers simply allow you to blow the leaves from one place to another, but this one also lets you vacuum them up so you can completely dispose of them. In fact, to merely call it a leaf blower does it an injustice, because it should really be classed as a complete leaf disposal tool.
Obviously, this tool blows leaves, but it does it in a more effective way than many other blowers. The first element of that is the airspeed and flow which are 250 mph, and 350 cfm respectively. These are up toward the top end of what you could expect from an electric leaf blower, so you should have no issues when it comes to moving stubborn or wet leaves.
Another great feature is the oscillating nozzle, which means that instead of you having to wave the blower from side to side to target all the leaves, it will do it for you.
So, you have blown all your leaves into a pile, now what? Most times, you’d probably have to burn them or shovel them in to the trash. But with this tool, there is an even better option.
By fitting the shred-all ring attachment and zipable vacuum bag, you can turn your leaf blower into a leaf vacuum cleaner. The tool will suck up all the leaves and shred them down into much smaller pieces. When the bag is full, simply empty it into your trash or compost tank.
This tool has variable speed options for both the blowing function and when vacuuming, so you can set it to the optimum speed for whatever the leaf clearing job requires.
One point to note is that it does do not come with a power cord, so this will need to be purchased separately.
- Variable speed options
- Very high airflow/speed
- Oscillating nozzle to make clearing leaves easier
- Vacuuming function to remove leaf pile
- Shredding ring to minimize size of debris
- Reusable vacuum collection bag with zipper for emptying
- Multiple attachments included
- Cord is at front when vacuuming which is awkward
- Handle locations could be more conveniently positioned
- Cord needs better securing to prevent disconnecting
One of the issues that can sometimes arise with cordless leaf blowers is that they lack the power of some electric and many gas-powered blowers. This cordless leaf blower appears to be an exception to that disparity with its powerful output.
Although the airspeed is only 90 mph, an airflow rating of 400 cfm should mean that when you are trying to clear away leaves you have more than enough power to get the job done.
Helping to produce that airflow, is DeWalt’s axial fan whose design enables air to flow straight through the unit rather than through a series of hose or flues. This is more efficient, and as a result, it reduces the power drain on the battery.
The battery used is a lithium ion battery that should normally give you 20-30 minutes of runtime when fully charged. This should be enough time for a normal leaf clearing job around your garden or yard.
A nozzle with a large round aperture should provide a wide enough outlet for the airflow to move most leaves, and if any prove to be more stubborn to move than others, then simply moving the end of the nozzle closer should dislodge them.
As regards to moving around with this leaf blower, it weighs less than 10 lbs., which might be more than many cordless leaf blowers, but it is still a lot lighter than comparable gas-powered ones.
Operating the leaf blower is no more complicated than pressing the trigger which is housed in the ergonomically designed handle.
Finally, the good news is, unlike some, this cordless leaf blower comes with both the battery and the battery charger included.
- Axial fan for more efficient airflow
- Easy operation using trigger switch
- Battery and battery charger supplied
- Powerful airflow of 400 cfm
- Weighs less than 10 lbs.
- Up to 30 minutes runtime from fully charged
- Large nozzle for a wider range
- Louder than many electrical blowers
- No attachments or alternative nozzles included
- Battery does not always click into place at first
For those who are looking to find the power that a gas leaf blower can provide, but do not like the idea of a heavy unit to carry around, you may just have found the answer.
First, in terms of its weight, this leaf blower only weighs 8.6 lbs. which is especially light for a gas-powered leaf blower. With it being as light as it is, and you not being restricted by a power cord, this should also appeal if you have a larger garden that needs leaves removed frequently.
Once you have started the engine using the pull cord, operating this leaf blower is very much the same as it would be on an electric blower. There is a trigger within the handle section, which you simply press or release, to increase or decrease the blower’s speed.
If you stop for any reason and release the trigger, the blower has an auto return stop switch, which will make starting it up again simpler.
In terms of speed, the blower’s low-emission 2-stroke engine will produce an air speed of up to 170 mph, and the airflow is around 440 cfm. Both specs mean you shouldn’t ever be lacking any blowing power when trying to move leaves, whether they are stuck to the ground or not.
The blower’s nozzle is designed to taper towards the air outlet, so you can point it and focus the flow of air exactly where you need it.
Given that this blower is manufactured by a brand such as Hitachi, it may come as no surprise that they give domestic users an impressive warranty of no less than 7 years, which is one of the longest of any leaf blower currently available.
- Low-emission two-stroke engine
- Lightweight, especially for a gas-powered blower
- 170 mph/440 cfm for powerful airflow
- Tapered nozzle to direct airflow where needed
- Easy operation thanks to trigger throttle
- Auto return stop switch for simpler re-start
- 7-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Vibration level is relatively high
- Nozzle material is too thin and rather flimsy
- If right-handed, clothing is sucked onto the air intake
Best Leaf Blower – Editor’s Pick
We’ve looked at 5 leaf blowers which all differ in many ways, such as how they are powered, the speed and flow of the air they blow out, their weight, and how easy they are to operate. They’re all great tools, but we have concluded that the best leaf blower is the Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower.
Firstly, it makes it easier to blow the leaves on your lawn or yard, thanks to its oscillating nozzle. It also has excellent specifications in terms of air flow and speed which you can adjust to suit.
Best of all, it allows you to clean away all the leaves and debris you have piled up, thanks to its vacuuming function. With a shredder ring to make that even more effective, and a reusable zipped bag, which you can use to dispose of the leaves, there is not much more we would look for in leaf blower.
- Best Lawn De-thatcherReviews and Buying Guide - October 27, 2023
- How To Grow The Sky Pencil Holly(Ilex crenata) - September 22, 2023
- Best Watering Can Reviews - July 16, 2019
Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API