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I’ve seen people have a little electric battery-powered blower just to blow the dust out of the garage.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Its a bit bulky, and the pieces may be challenging to take apart when initially setting it up.
With zero emissions and lower noise, this Makita model is our top pick for a cordless leaf blower.
It features a compact and ergonomic design, weighing in at only 6.5 pounds and measuring 32.5 inches long.
Credit: Amazon
This leaf blower is easy to set up and use as it only comes in two pieces.
It worked very well overall, efficiently moving leaves and debris around as needed.
Because it completes jobs quickly, it would be ideal for larger landscapes.
However, we didn’t have much precision due to the shape of the nozzle.
The other important attribute of this model is that the quality of the machines power didnt change over time.
It is also simple to charge the battery.
Makitas batteries are known for their fast charge times.
Given its price point, this model provides a high level of value for the investment.
It’s loud compared to other electric blowers.
First of all, only minor assembly is required without any additional tools.
We also found the power switch very straightforward to operate.
The blower is lightweight and can be controlled with only one hand.
The ergonomic design also allows the weight to be evenly distributed so its comfortable to operate.
Also, the blower is designed to funnel the wind in a way so its easy to handle.
This product works extremely well for routinelycleaning up colorful fallen leavesfrom both the yard and patio areas.
The turbine fan technology is super powerful, and one of the louder electric models we tested.
There are two speed levels, which help when managing different types of jobs.
The nozzle is also great for getting into tighter spaces with the leaf blower.
The cordless Makita blower worked quickly to move leaves and debris in our tests.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Product Details: Power:Corded electric|Weight:6.5 lbs.
We ranked it as one of the quietest gas blowers available, compared to others weve used.
We tested it on a yard with mostly rock and tree debris and on a wooden deck.
In addition to blowing leaves, it also has vacuuming and mulching capabilities.
Its also excellent at mulching and shredding.
The vacuum bag was able to hold about three-quarters of a 5-gallon bucket of mulch.
It is also uncomplicated to set up.
It’s also not difficult to swap out the blower for the mulcher or vacuum.
Overall, it’s a well-balanced machine at a reasonable price point, offering multiple features.
It may be too large and wide for some people to maneuver.
For those looking for a more professional-level leaf blower, this model is a fantastic choice.
However, we were able to use the leaf blower for multiple days on a single charge.
While it’s on the heavy side, it fits nicely when wearing it and is easy to carry.
It also contains a high-quality comfort grip that helps provide better control and reduce fatigue.
This blower requires some handy work to set up.
It comes with several parts that need to be assembled using a screwdriver.
It was also a bit challenging to figure out which tubes go in which order.
The power is easily changed using an adjustable lever designed for the users thumb.
As we continued to use this blower over a period of six months, the quality remained the same.
Product Details: Power:Battery|Weight:14.64 lbs.
This inexpensive cordless electric model is easy to carry given that it weighs only 3.7 poundsthe lightest we tested.
Designed with low noise in mind, it operates pretty quietly at 61 decibels.
In fact, the noise level didnt bother us during testing.
This leaf blower is simple to set up; it only consists of two pieces plus a battery.
Its also nearly effortless to operate since it only has one power setting.
At 10.2 pounds, it is on the heavier side compared to other models.
Our testing experts found this model to perform stronger than other models they tried.
It was even powerful enough to clear some small pebble rocks off the driveway.
There’s also a button on top that provides a turbo boost.
Once you attach it to the vacuum piece, it can stay attached until it needs to be emptied.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortok
The bag can be easily emptied by unzipping it and dumping out the debris.
This product includes a battery docking station that plugs into the wall.
Charging the battery takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Product Details: Power:Battery|Weight:10.2 lbs.
If youd prefer a gas unit, we recommend theHusqvarna 125BVx Gas Leaf Blower.
We included products that can do one, two, or all three of these tasks.
We included gas, battery, and electric items to see how their power levels compared.
Our team collectively spent over 50 hours testing the products on their own property.
For leaf vacuums, we also provided feedback on how effectively the product sucked up leaves from our yard.
For leaf mulchers, we evaluated how effective the mulcher was at shredding leaves.
Understanding the differences between the types of leaf blowers can help you find the best fit for your needs.
Handheld leaf blowersare the most popular and affordable option for homeowners.
They are also typically heavier than a handheld model.
They have some big, huge blowers that are more commercial.
These typically have an extremely high airflow capacity, making yard cleanup work much more efficient.
Its important to understand the pros and cons of each to choose the best machine for your yard.
Cordless battery-operated electric leaf blowersare lightweight and easy to use.
When shopping for a cordless electric blower, check out the battery life.
Daly recommends purchasing a couple extra batteries to keep charged so you dont have to disrupt your yard work.
Corded electric leaf blowersare another option, although not as popular these days.
Daly doesnt see much of an advantage to choosing a corded blower.
To me, that’s just sort of a nuisance.
That’s sort of like 15-year-old technology.
These units have high-cfm engines, allowing them to blow more leaves at a time.
However, they are louder and heavier, and contribute to air pollution.
Another downside is they require more upkeep and maintenance than electric battery-powered or corded models.
You will need to verify you have enough gasoline and oil mix to add to it.
CFM is how much air can be generated by your blower, explains Daly.
A higher cfm rating means that your blower will clear a larger area in less time.
MPH is the speed at which the air comes out of the blower nozzle, he says.
The Husqvarna 125BVX comes with an attachable vacuum kit, allowing the blower to double as a vacuum and mulcher.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Steph Hunter
During testing, we found that the best gas-powered leaf blower had a maximum 425 cfm and 170 mph.
The electric leaf blowers ranged from 155 to 610 cfm and 90 to 210 mph.
The average run time for a battery-powered electric blower is difficult to answer,Daly says.
Are you using it on full power?
Some models that contain high-performance batteries will last longer.
On the other hand, a gas-powered blower runs until it’s out of fuel.
That again depends on how you use it, Daly says.
Corded blowers, for example, limit the distance you could use the blower around the yard.
Weight is also a huge factor when it comes to maneuverability.
Gas-powered leaf blowers tend to be heavier than their electric counterparts.
You then have to apply pressure and really hold it in place.
We also were concerned about the battery life.
However, we had several concerns.
It is heavy to use even during short periods of time.
The blower tube was a bit too short, which made reaching different angles quite difficult.
We wished the hose were a little longer or had another extension for more detailed blowing tasks.
Your Questions, Answered
Are electric leaf blowers less powerful than gas?
In general,electric leaf blowershave tended to be less powerful than gas leaf blowers.
[Consumers] want both of those numbers to be as high as possible, Daly says.
Do I need a flat nozzle?
More speed and force can help move leaves and other debris around more effectively.
However, Daly doesnt think its necessary for consumers to purchase an additional nozzle.
I dont think anyones going to take extra time to change a nozzle out.
How loud are leaf blowers?
Daly recommends wearing hearing protection when operating a leaf blower.
She covers lawn and garden, home, sustainability, nature, and wellness.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
The Greenworks Pro 80V backpack leaf blower allowed us to clear leaves and debris without adding strain on our wrists.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
The Black+Decker’s small size makes it easy to control.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
The Greenworks 40V Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower/Vacuum includes an additional handle, which made it easier to control.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Ashley Schaubroeck
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
