When it comes to blowing leaves and other yard debris, you need lots of airflow. While gas-powered blowers excel in this category, they can be very loud, and not everyone appreciates breathing in exhaust fumes while they’re outdoors.
If you prefer to reap the benefits of wind power and zero emissions or just want a more pleasant experience when dealing with leaves, there is an option out there: cordless blowers. The best cordless blower can fit your needs with a compact design, no exhaust, and reduced noise. These models are battery-powered, and they sacrifice almost nothing over stinky gas models. Keep reading to learn more about these eco-friendly blower options and check out our top recommendations across a range of categories.
- BEST OVERALL: Makita Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Worx 40V Power Share Turbine Cordless Blower
- UPGRADE PICK: Ego Power+ 650 CFM Variable-Speed Leaf Blower
- BEST HIGH-SPEED: Greenworks 80V Jet Electric Leaf Blower
- BEST WITH VACUUM: Black+Decker 40V Cordless Leaf Blower Kit
- BEST VARIABLE-SPEED: Dewalt 20V MAX XR Leaf Blower
- QUIETEST OPERATION: Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper Series Blower
- BEST BACKPACK: Greenworks 80V 610 CFM Cordless Backpack Blower
How We Chose the Best Cordless Blowers
We chose the best cordless blowers after thorough research of the top brands and hands-on testing. We also considered desirable features that shoppers look for when choosing a leaf blower. The selections mentioned include various models with unique specifications such as powerful batteries, airflow, thoughtful features, and lightweight designs.
These power tools boast unique features like trigger locking, comfort-grip handles, and airflow attachments, enabling them to perform various yard tasks effectively. Some options provide two-in-one functionality as a blower and vacuum, but they may not include their respective chargers or batteries, which should be considered before purchasing.
Read a review of the following tested product in our Best Leaf Blowers guide:
- Makita Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower
Read a review of the following tested product in our Ego Leaf Blower review:
- Ego Power+ 650 CFM Variable-Speed Leaf Blower
Read a review of the following tested product in our Best Backpack Leaf Blowers guide:
- Greenworks 80V 610 CFM Cordless Backpack Blower
Our Top Picks
There’s a lot of information available about choosing and using a cordless blower, but don’t feel overwhelmed. The following list should help streamline the shopping process as it consists of some of the best cordless blowers on the market. Just be sure to keep the top considerations in mind when comparing these machines. Most of the weights listed are without a battery.
Photo: amazon.com
When a company uses an established battery system to power a quality tool, it’s worth taking a look. Makita’s cordless blower uses the company’s popular 18-volt (V) battery system to power it. Though the 4.0 amp hour (Ah) battery that comes with it supplies only 30 minutes of runtime, users already invested in the line will have a host of fresh batteries on hand for plenty of additional blowing time.
This cordless blower produces up to 459 cubic feet per minute (CFM) at speeds of up to 116 miles per hour (mph), offering plenty of wind power for larger yards. This model has a variable-speed trigger that allows you to throttle back airflow for better battery life and light-duty projects, as well as cruise control that holds the trigger in place for continuous airflow. And even with all those features, it weighs just 6.5 pounds (with the battery attached), reducing the amount of fatigue you might experience with a similarly powerful gas-powered model.
What Our Tester Says: Mark Wolfe, Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, says about this cordless blower, “In our trial, this blower exceeded our expectations. With only 18V of power, it generated airflow comparable to the 56V blowers we tested. At low speed, it was as quiet as listed. At higher speeds, it made more noise, but noticeably less than the competition.”
Product Specs
- Weight: 5.1 pounds
- Airflow: 459 CFM
- Additional features: Variable-speed trigger, speed lock, cruise control setting
Pros
- Compact, high-quality all-around blower from a brand renowned for their battery technology
- Variable speed allows users to maximize runtime; cruise control and speed lock for convenience
- Engineered to provide better dust and water resistance and offer overheat, overcharge, and overload protection
Cons
- Quite expensive, and although various attachments are available, they all cost extra
- No narrow nozzle; difficult for concentrated blasts
Get the Makita cordless leaf blower at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Photo: amazon.com
The Worx leaf blower is an all-around quality model that many DIY lawn-care aficionados might want to check out. This affordable unit features three speeds, including 69 mph and 350 CFM, 80 mph and 390 CFM, and 90 mph at 430 CFM. Users have the ability to choose between battery life and sheer force.
This model from Worx uses two of the brand’s 20V batteries to produce up to 40V of power. It also comes with a dual-port charger that will charge both batteries at the same time. Even with both batteries plugged in, the leaf blower weighs just over 7 pounds, so it’s easy to handle—especially coupled with the ergonomic rubber-overmolded grip.
Product Specs
- Weight: 7.3 pounds
- Airflow: 430 CFM
- Additional features: Variable speeds, dual port charger
Pros
- Well-respected brand for cordless tools, and this model is competitively priced
- 3 speeds and turbo boost provide airflow to tackle all yard conditions
- Includes 2 batteries that combine with efficient brushless motor to extend runtime
Cons
- It’s heavier than most, and while 2 batteries are included, their power is limited
Get the Worx cordless blower at Amazon, Lowe’s, Walmart, or Worx.
Photo: amazon.com
Those looking for a cordless unit with a bit of a power edge over the competition will want to give Ego Power+’s blower some serious consideration. This model has variable speeds between 225 and 500 CFM with a Turbo button that temporarily boosts output to 650 CFM. Its runtime of over 90 minutes can cover large time-consuming jobs, thanks to the brushless motor and included 5Ah 56V lithium-ion battery.
This Ego Power+ leaf blower comes with a flat nozzle for getting underneath piles of wet leaves and debris, as well as a tapered nozzle that concentrates airflow for long-distance blowing. It has a rubber overmolded grip for improved ergonomics and balance over other blowers. Just be aware that the blower and battery weigh almost 15 pounds, so it’s not a lightweight model.
What Our Tester Says: Mark Wolfe, Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, says about this cordless blower, “The 56V 5Ah ARC lithium battery delivers about an hour and a half of runtime at low speed. At top speed with the turbo boost, it pushes 650 cubic feet of air per minute at about 180 miles per hour. This is more top-end power than the gas-powered blowers that I tested, which maxed out at less than 550 CFM. However, battery life is quickly exhausted at that rate.”
Product Specs
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
- Airflow: 650 CFM
- Additional features: Variable speeds, turbo button, nozzle attachments
Pros
- High-performance model offers class-leading runtime of up to 200 minutes (on low speed)
- 2 airspeed settings plus turbo boost for debris like wet leaves that are hard to shift
- Independent IPX4 rating for weather resistance with ergonomic design for balance and comfort
Cons
- Weighs over 10 pounds with battery attached; may not be ideal for extended use
- Need 2 hands to operate cruise control
- Loud charger fan; not great around busy neighborhoods
Get the Ego Power+ cordless blower at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.
Photo: amazon.com
When it comes to brute force, Greenworks’ electric leaf blower deserves some consideration. This cordless blower uses Greenworks’ 80V battery system and a brushless motor to create 580 CFM of airflow at a top speed of 145 mph, giving you the power to toss large debris across the lawn without issue.
This heavy-duty high-speed model from Greenworks features a variable-speed trigger and cruise control for continuous running, free from cramped trigger fingers. It also features a comfortable rubber overmolded grip, which makes carrying this 5.2-pound blower very comfortable. Do understand that the variable trigger helps users throttle back the flow and battery life and that running it wide open will result in a 22-minute runtime.
Product Specs
- Weight: 5.2 pounds
- Airflow: 580 CFM
- Additional features: Variable speeds, turbo button, rapid charger
Pros
- With its high top speed, this model delivers performance that rivals gas blowers
- The 3 airspeed settings plus turbo button provide power and versatility
- Good balance, rubberized grip, and cruise control all contribute to comfort and convenience
Cons
- The runtime is relatively short compared to similar models
Get the Greenworks jet electric cordless blower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Photo: amazon.com
Some people prefer vacuuming leaves and other debris into a collecting bag rather than blowing it into a pile and picking it up. The Black+Decker cordless sweeper/vacuum does both, so yard work can be tackled in whichever way is most efficient. The vacuum fan also acts as a mulcher, reducing waste to as little as one sixth of its original volume so the half-bushel bag needs to be emptied less often.
Forty volts of power provide a maximum speed of 120 mph with 90 CFM. As a blower, it isn’t particularly strong and is best used for clearing hard surfaces like paths and patios rather than long grass. The Powercommand control dial offers six settings to vary airflow or maximize battery life. The fast charger can recharge the battery in just a half hour, though the supplied model is only 1.5Ah, so those with large yards may want to acquire a spare.
Product Specs
- Weight: 6.9 pounds with vacuum bag
- Airflow: 90 CFM
- Additional features: Vacuum, variable speed, mulching fan
Pros
- Dual-purpose blower and vacuum comes with a budget-friendly price tag
- 6-position variable-power dial provides precise control over runtime and performance
- Has 6:1 ratio mulching fan and 0.5 bushel (4.6 gallon) collecting bag
Cons
- Performance is modest in blower mode, and it struggles with wet leaves or on lawns
Get the Black+Decker cordless blower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Photo: amazon.com
It’s tempting to overlook 20V leaf blowers in favor of something that initially looks more powerful. However, our top pick, the Makita, and this DeWalt show that lower-voltage machines can provide competitive performance while remaining more compact and manageable. DeWalt is highly regarded for the durability and reliability of their power tools, and this leaf blower should be no exception.
Maximum speed is 125 mph with an airflow of 450 CFM. The variable trigger offers great control over power and can be locked in any position, effectively providing a cruise control function. The 5Ah battery has a useful LED battery charge indicator (with three indicator levels) and can be recharged in around an hour. However, despite the high capacity, runtime is rarely more than a half hour.
Product Specs
- Weight: 6.7 pounds
- Airflow: 450 CFM
- Additional features: Variable trigger, speed lock, removable concentrator
Pros
- Superb build quality with variable trigger to control power and speed lock for user comfort
- Offers high performance from a compact device with removable airflow concentrator and built-in scraper
- Comes with efficient brushless motor, high-capacity battery, and rapid charger
Cons
- 0.5-hour runtime is modest compared to similar models
Get the DeWalt cordless blower at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., or The Home Depot.
Photo: amazon.com
The Ryobi Whisper Series is the quietest leaf blower we found and lives up to its name with a 59-decibel sound rating. One common way to limit noise with power tools is to reduce performance, but that certainly hasn’t happened here. The maximum speed from the variable trigger is 125 mph, and with turbo boost, it can run at an impressive 550 CFM.
Another feature of the Ryobi cordless blower is the unique handle design that can be adjusted up and down. This allows users to change the balance and get maximum control for the individual’s physicality. The included battery is a 4Ah model. In theory, it should provide good runtime, though Ryobi doesn’t give an estimate and some users found it to be as little as 15 to 20 minutes.
Product Specs
- Weight: 9.7 pounds
- Airflow: 550 CFM
- Additional features: Variable speed, turbo button, adjustable handle
Pros
- The quietest cordless leaf blower we found with no sacrifice in performance
- Jet fan and turbo button combine to shift wet leaves and stubborn debris
- Unique adjustable-handle designed provides maximum control and user comfort
Cons
- Heavier than most, and some buyers are disappointed with the runtime
Get the Ryobi cordless blower at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Photo: amazon.com
For home lawn maintenance experts, shouldering the weight of cordless blowers might make more sense. This Greenworks backpack leaf blower is the right product for them, as they can strap this 610 CFM 180 mph blower on their backs instead of carrying it around. While this unit weighs around 14 pounds, the thickly padded straps comfortably distribute the load across the shoulders and core.
This model uses Greenworks’ 80V battery system and comes with a 2Ah battery and a 40-minute rapid charger, though the battery life lasts only between 15 and 40 minutes, depending on the power level (this model does have a turbo button to boost airflow temporarily). To extend that time, users can employ the variable trigger and cruise control.
What Our Tester Says: Mark Wolfe, Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, says about this cordless blower, “The Greenworks Pro 80-volt backpack leaf blower showed similar capability to that of the smaller gas-powered models, which is to say it easily handled dry and damp material but struggled with the heaviest matted debris. Operating on the highest power setting, it ran for about 20 minutes, after which it took 45 minutes to recharge the battery.”
Product Specs
- Weight: 14.64 pounds (with battery)
- Airflow: 610 CFM
- Additional features: Variable speeds, turbo button, adjustable shoulder strap
Pros
- Well-padded adjustable straps help support the blower for maximum comfort while working
- Very high performance with variable-speed trigger, cruise control, and turbo boost
- Comfort-grip handle handle provides easy directional control reducing the need to bend or stretch
Cons
- Battery power is modest, and runtime can be under 20 minutes
Get the Greenworks cordless leaf blower at Amazon or Walmart.
What to Consider When Choosing a Cordless Blower
The best cordless blower can reduce the amount of backbreaking work that yard cleanup usually entails, but there are a few points to consider when shopping for one of these blowers. The following sections will outline the most important factors to look at while hunting for the best cordless blower.
Size and Weight
There are two basic types of cordless blowers: handheld and backpack. The majority of blowers on the market are handheld, but there are some backpack versions that help carry the load.
Unlike large gas-powered models, most handheld cordless blowers are compact and lightweight. Although the lengths of the airflow discharge nozzles are comparable, many cordless models weigh less than 4 or 5 pounds. However, the battery can add anywhere from 1 to 5 pounds, depending on capacity. A typical gas-powered blower can weigh up to 15 pounds, but modern models are closer to 10.
For those who would prefer to let their shoulders bear the brunt, there are backpack models. They’re a bit heavier overall, weighing around 14 pounds. They do have heavily padded shoulder straps, however, so they distribute the weight comfortably.
Power Source
Unlike gas-powered models that use internal combustion engines to power the blower, cordless blowers rely on battery power. These models feature replaceable, rechargeable batteries that you can quickly snap into the unit, eliminating the spillage and fumes related to gas-powered options.
The size of the batteries used for different models varies greatly. Some units feature lower voltages, like 18V, with higher Ah ratings. Other models might feature higher voltages, such as 80V, and lower Ah. Most of the best cordless blowers feature plenty of runtime, between 45 to 60 minutes, but some higher-powered or light-duty models might offer only 30 minutes.
Although a corded electric blower has no restriction on runtime, its working distance is limited to 100 feet, as that’s the maximum safe length for a power cord extension.
Yard Size
Runtime isn’t the only measurement you’ll want to consider when shopping for a cordless blower. A blower’s CFM ( a measurement of volume) and airspeed (mph) both determine the yard size each model is appropriate for.
Smaller yards (one eighth to half acre) might do well with a lighter-duty model, such as one that produces around 75 to 200 CFM and 100 mph airspeed. For medium-size yards (half to one acre), a medium-duty blower is more suitable, with CFM in the 200 to 400 range and speeds around 100 mph. But for larger yards (over an acre) or heavily forested yards, a heavy-duty model that produces more than 400 CFM and wind speeds in excess of 115 mph are better suited for the job.
Adjustable-Speed Settings
Many of the best cordless blowers feature adjustable speeds. This is usually in the form of a low and high speed, and they allow the user to throttle not just the airflow but also the battery life.
For example, when the grass is short or you’re blowing debris across a garage floor, a low-speed setting is often all it takes. And when you’re blowing across a driveway, the lower speed will keep the blower from creating a dust cloud.
For damp leaves, taller grass, or even pine cones, the higher speed might be necessary to get under the debris, lift it, and move it along. But the higher speed requires the motor to work harder, which translates into a reduced runtime.
Additional Features
Some of the best cordless blowers have additional features that might make them a better fit for a particular scenario. Some models have reversible nozzles or switches that allow you to turn the blower into a leaf vacuum so you can bring a high-powered vacuum to a car or garage floor without the extension cord. Also, some models feature mulcher attachments that allow you to suck up leaves and shred them into a bag for easy disposal or composting.
Some models do their best to improve the user’s comfort as well, with specially designed rubber-grip handles and easily manipulated triggers and speed controls. The triggers might even be variable, and many of the best cordless blowers come with a speed lock or cruise control to provide continuous flow without needing to manipulate the trigger.
Tips for Using Cordless Leaf Blowers
Cordless blowers are much quieter than gas-powered models, but some still reach decibel levels as high as 66. Prolonged exposure to decibel levels that high can damage your hearing. For that reason, it’s important to use hearing protection such as a pair of over-ear muffs or insertable earplugs.
If you’re blowing leaves in the yard, dust might not be a major concern. But for those who might use their blower to clear sawdust out of the garage or clean off the driveway, using a cordless blower can create quite a dust storm. Users will always want to wear a dust mask or respirator when kicking up lots of dust.
Trying to blow leaves directly after a rain or snowmelt is a tough job, and it doesn’t matter how much CFM or mph your blower can create. These leaves stick together and become very heavy. It’s best to wait until they dry or have a helper loosen them with a rake before blowing them into a pile.
- Use earplugs to protect your hearing from prolonged exposure.
- A dust mask is necessary for blowing debris across driveways, shop floors, and any other dusty scenario.
- Blowing soaked leaves is difficult regardless of the amount of power a blower has, so wait a day or two until they dry or have a helper loosen them with a rake.
FAQs
Even with all of that background and information about the best cordless blowers, there could be some additional questions blowing around in your mind. The following section aims to answer those questions. Be sure to check for an answer to your question listed below.
Q. How many CFM do I need for a leaf blower?
It depends on the size of the yard and the debris you’ll be shuffling around. In general, light-duty models have outputs up to 200 CFM, medium-duty models offer up to 400 CFM, and heavier-duty models offer 400 CFM or more.
Q. What is a good runtime for a cordless leaf blower?
Runtime is relative, as many of the most powerful models have shorter runtimes and not every manufacturer provides the data. In general, though, 45 minutes to an hour are good runtime amounts.
Q. How well do cordless blowers work?
If you choose a quality model, like any of the ones on the above list, they’ll work just as well as comparable gas models.
Q. How long do cordless leaf blowers last?
Most battery-powered tools can last more than 10 years, but the batteries typically only last between 3 and 5 years.
Why Trust Bob Vila
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
