A leaf blower can reduce your yard’s clutter faster than a rake as fall winds down…
…but prospective buyers should consider the power and features that they need from this lawn tool.
Although gas leaf blowers offer the most power, battery-powered…
…or corded electric models are quieter and easier to maintain…
…making them a good choice for smaller properties.
Keeping an eye on the weight of the model is a good idea too- a long running time isn’t much use…
…if you can’t lift the tool for over 20 minutes.
Besides the unit’s maximum airspeed, the unit’s airflow should also be considered when shopping.
The unit’s airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
The following are the best leaf blowers and vacuums for keeping your yard and driveway clear.
Before we get started, let’s hear Jacob’s story…
Autumn is here, which means I need to rake leaves and grass clippings,
but I could ache in my back like I did last year when I couldn’t get out of bed for several minutes.
The situation was frustrating.
I was so surprised when my son came to visit me yesterday and bought me a leaf blower.
Furthermore, he said that he would be blowing the leaves and cleaning the yard for me.
Let’s get started…
Types of Leaf Blowers
The first thing to know about leaf blowers is that there are several different types…
…which are separated into different categories depending on the fuel they use.
There are gas-powered, corded electric, and battery-powered cordless blowers.
Gas
The most powerful leaf blowers use gasoline, and they’re most suitable…
…for properties of a quarter-acre or more.
It is recommended to always use a gas leaf blower outdoors or in an area…
…with adequate ventilation since the exhaust contains carbon monoxide and other pollutants.
Two-cycle and four-cycle engines are available.
An oil-and-gasoline mixture powers two-cycle engines…
…which offer a good balance between power and weight.
Fueled by gasoline alone, four-cycle engines tend to be heavier…
…than two-cycle engines and require regular oil changes.
Corded Electric
Electric corded units are lightweight, portable, and quieter than gasoline-powered ones.
A light-duty electric sweeper can handle driveways, decks, and patios…
…while a powerful electric blower can cover yards up to a quarter acre.
Corded electric blowers offer steady power without the weight of batteries.
Since the fence is corded, it is used primarily in small yards or near the house due to its limited mobility.
Battery-Powered Electric
A battery-powered or cordless leaf blower offers many of the same advantages…
…as an electric model, including excellent mobility.
Battery-powered leaf blowers, however, add a little weight and must be recharged periodically.
Many cordless leaf blowers use batteries that can be interchanged with other power equipment…
…such as string trimmers, hedge trimmers, and chainsaws.
The best way to ensure your cordless leaf blower never runs out of power is to keep an extra battery on hand…
…so the tool remains powered even when the lawn is particularly big.
If you’re opting for a cordless electric leaf blower, battery life is an important consideration since your clean-up time could be cut short by a dead battery. If you have a small yard, a standard lithium-ion battery may suffice.
Camryn Rabideau – Writer specializing in decorating and design
Here’s the real deal…
Our Top Picks for Leaf Blower
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | WORX WG591 TURBINE 56V Cordless Battery-Powered Leaf Blower with Brushless Motor & TURBO Boost | Prime | Buy Now | |
Top | BLACK+DECKER Electric Leaf Blower, 7-Amp (LB700) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
Top | Craftsman B215 25cc 2-Cycle Engine Handheld Gas Powered Leaf Blower - Gasoline Blower with Nozzle Extension for Lawn Care, Liberty Red | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
Top | Makita EB5300TH 52.5 cc MM4 4-Stroke Engine Tube Throttle Backpack Blower | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
Top | Litheli Cordless Leaf Blower 40V, Battery Leaf Blowers for Lawn Care, Lightweight Axial Blower for Blowing Leaf, Dust, Debris, with 2.0Ah Battery & Charger Included | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
WORX TURBINE 56V Cordless Battery-Powered Leaf Blower
- TURBINE fan technology delivers forceful, high-capacity air volume, Hyper-Stream air nozzle handles extra tough conditions
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
When leaf accumulation is moderately heavy, such as in a small yard or a medium yard…
…the WORX Turbine leaf blower can handle the task with ease.
By rotating the turbine fan (spinning force), the leaf blower delivers up to 125 mph of leaf-churning air…
…which is controlled by a variable speed switch on the handle.
With a weight of 8.1 pounds, this electric blower is easy to carry…
…and the cordless design makes it easy to roam around the yard without extension cords.
Pros
- Ideal for small to medium yards
- Variable speeds
- Cordless
Cons
- Battery will not last long periods
BLACK+DECKER Electric Leaf Blower
- 7 Amp motor provides a powerful and efficient blowing performance
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If the blower will be used for more than an hour at a time…
…the lightweight Black & Decker electric leaf blower is a great option.
Due to the corded electric tool’s ability to run as long as an active electrical connection exists…
…users don’t have to wait for a battery to recharge or make a trip to the gas station.
Movement is limited by the extension cord, so it’s best to invest in a cord that can cover the entire yard.
With a 7-amp motor and just one speed setting, users can focus on the task at hand…
…instead of having to switch speeds throughout the job.
In addition to 180 CFM of airflow at 180 mph…
…the leaf blower is equipped with a built-in cord retainer to ensure the extension cord stays attached…
…even when it’s caught on a deck, tree, or other obstacle in the yard.
Pros
- Low cost
- Ideal for long-term use
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- May require an extension cord
Craftsman 25cc 2-Cycle Engine Gas Powered Leaf Blower
- POWERFUL ENGINE: High performance 25cc 2-cycle lightweight engine with air volume and air speed up to 430 csm/200 mph. Work more efficiently and effectively on yard work, lawn care, and other projects.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
With a volume of 430 CFM, the blower is impressive, but even more impressive is the top airspeed of 200 mph…
…which is only possible due to the 2-cycle gas engine.
The 25cc leaf blower engine generates enough power to handle large piles of leaves without a problem.
With a pair of swappable nozzles…
…users can narrow the focus of the airflow as needed to deal with heavy leaves, grass, and other debris.
Craftsman’s leaf blower is a lightweight gas-powered unit, weighing just 11 pounds.
In addition, it has a variable speed control that lets users control both fuel consumption and noise level.
Pros
- Powerful engine
- Suitable for heavy work
- Swappable nozzles
- Adjustable speed to control noise and fuel consumption
Cons
- Vibration can make hands go numb
- Noisy
Makita 4-Stroke Engine Tube Throttle Backpack Blower
- Mechanical automatic engine decompression for quick and easy starts
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
An impressive 52.5cc four-cycle engine in this Makita backpack blower produces 2.5 horsepower…
…and it has a maximum air flow rate of 516 CFM and speeds of 184 mph with a noise level of 70 decibels.
Although the operating weight of this machine is 26.5 pounds…
…with its large fuel tank and padded straps, it is comfortable to use.
Makita backpack blowers feature a tube-mounted throttle with cruise control…
…automatic decompression for easy starting, and anti-vibration mounts to reduce vibration.
It comes with interchangeable nozzles and an adjustable discharge tube.
Pros
- Anti-vibration features
- Energy-efficient
- Quieter than other gas units
Cons
- Pricey
Litheli 40V Cordless Leaf Blower
- 【Powerful Axial Turbine】The blowing speed is up to 85 MPH (125 ft/s) with max. air volume at 350 CFM, thanks to the upgraded axial turbine that generates the airflow with higher strength.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Its lightweight design makes it an excellent choice for cleaning up small to medium yards…
…with a low to moderate amount of leaf coverage.
Leaf blowers operate at speeds between 45 and 76 mph, which can be adjusted…
…or maintained by rotating the variable speed dial on the handle.
Push the turbo button for maximum airspeed of 92 mph when needed.
With the turbo button engaged, the leaf blower can produce a maximum airflow volume of 480 CFM…
…allowing the blower to handle large piles of leaves and wet leaves with ease.
The blower has a battery and charger, as well as a metal scraper around the mouth of the tube…
…to help remove wet leaves, dirt, and other debris.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Turbo button for added power
- Fast charging
Cons
- May struggle to move wet leaves
Sum Up!
It may take a long time to rake leaves and grass clippings, and it may cause an aching back…
…and sore muscles for a few days.
With the best leaf blowers, it is easy to move leaves and grass clippings…
…that would otherwise need to be raked up, saving time, energy, and preventing muscle fatigue.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a lightweight and powerful cordless leaf blower…
…that is capable of handling heavy yard work…
…look no further than the WORX TURBINE 56V Cordless Battery-Powered Leaf Blower.
Consider the Craftsman 25cc 2-Cycle Engine Gas Powered Leaf Blower…
…if you have a large yard and are concerned about battery life…
…and want a blower that will last longer in wet conditions.