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A cordless leaf blower is one of the most useful tools a homeowner can own. It makes quick work of seasonal messes, from fallen leaves and grass clippings to storm debris and light snow. To find the top performers, we’ve spent the past couple of years testing 26 of the most popular and powerful models while cleaning up our own yards.
Battery-powered options keep multiplying as gas blowers fall out of favor, so shopping for one can be confusing. The wrong model can make yard work harder: a unit that’s weak, awkward, or quick to drain turns a 15-minute chore into an hour-long slog.
Our favorite is the Toro 60V Max 900 CFM cordless leaf blower. It delivers tremendous blowing force, has the battery life to clear large properties, and pairs a well-balanced, comfortable handle with intuitive controls. It isn’t the cheapest or lightest pick, though, and it may be more power than a small yard needs.
Read on for our shopping tips and hands-on reviews of the best cordless leaf blowers for every yard size and budget.
- BEST OVERALL: Toro 60V MAX 900 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Greenworks 80V 580 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Stihl BGA 60 Cordless Leaf Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BATTERY HANDHELD: Ego Power+ LB5804 580 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST GAS HANDHELD: Stihl BG 56 C-E Leaf Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BATTERY BACKPACK: Ego Power+ Commercial 800 CFM Backpack Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST GAS BACKPACK: Ryobi 760 CFM Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST RUNTIME: DeWalt 60V MAX High Power Brushless Blower
↓ Jump to Review




Best Cordless Leaf Blowers Compared
| Product | Power source | Max airflow | Weight |
| Toro 60V MAX 900 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower | 60-volt (V), 4-amp-hour (Ah) battery | 900 cubic feet per minute (CFM)/165 miles per hour (mph) | 11.4 pounds |
| Greenworks PowerAll 48V 600 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower | (2x) 24V, 4 Ah batteries | 600 CFM / 150 mph | 8.5 pounds |
| Ego Power+ 880 CFM Cordless Blower | 56V, 4 Ah battery | 880 CFM / 200 mph | 9.8 pounds |
| Husqvarna 350iB Leaf Blaster | 40V, 7.5 Ah battery | 800 CFM, 200 mph | 10 pounds |
| Milwaukee 3017-21HD M18 Fuel Blower Kit | 18V, 12 Ah battery | 500 CFM / 120 mph | 8.5 pounds |
| Skil 40V 650 CFM Leaf Blower | 40V, 6 Ah battery | 650 CFM / 170 mph | 9.7 pounds |
| DeWalt 60V MAX High Power Brushless Blower | 60V, 4Ah battery | 760 CFM/160 mph | 10.5 pounds |
| DeWalt 60V MAX 855 CFM Cordless Backpack Blower | (2x) 60V, 5 Ah batteries | 855 CFM, 160 mph | 35.6 pounds |
| Greenworks 80V 580 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower | 80V, 2.5Ah battery | 580 CFM/145 mph | 9 pounds |
Our Top Picks
Cordless leaf blowers come in many shapes and sizes. Whether you need a compact blower or a heavy-duty backpack model, the lineup ahead has you covered. Check out these reviews to find out more about each model and why we recommend it.
Best Overall
Toro 60V MAX 900 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower
See ItWhat We Like
- Impressive blowing force
- Plenty of running time per charge
- Variable-speed trigger with turbo mode and cruise control
- Well balanced and easy to maneuver
- Competitive price point
What We Don’t Like
- Heavier than other cordless leaf blowers
- Slight delay after triggering
Product Specs
- Power source: 60-volt 4-amp-hour battery
- Maximum airflow: 900 cubic feet per minute (CFM)/165 miles per hour (mph)
- Weight: 12 pounds
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 5/5 | Ergonomics | 4/5 | Performance | 5/5 | Noise | 5/5 | Value | 4.7/5 |
Not everyone needs top-end blowing force from a handheld leaf blower, but it’s nice to have a little extra power at your disposal when you need it. The Toro 60-volt MAX 900 CFM cordless leaf blower delivers massive air-moving power to maintain landscapes up to 1 acre or larger. It’s also built to take on heavy-duty cleanup projects. It comes with a charger and a 4 Ah battery that delivers up to 120 minutes of runtime and recharges in 120 minutes.
In addition to air movement that rivals some of the best gas-powered leaf blowers, we really like the design of this model. Although this battery leaf blower was the heaviest handheld we tested, it was perfectly balanced, so the blow tube naturally rested at the right working angle with zero effort. The handle was comfortably shaped, with a secondary forward handle for two-handed operation, and covered with a slip-resistant overmold that provided a little bit of cushion.
To us, the benefit of a comfortable, balanced design outweighed the slightly heavier weight. And the massive air-moving ability allowed us to do the same amount of work in as little as half the time it would have taken with a lightweight leaf blower. Since this blower shares a battery platform with the Toro TimeCutter electric zero-turn mower and the 60V MAX Recycler self-propelled lawn mower, users have options to share batteries with lawn equipment that best fits their yard.
What our tester says: “I like that the Toro brand introduced a top performer right out of the gate. This blower gives midsize yard owners the required power and runtime to fully embrace battery power. The Toro battery-powered lineup may be narrower than others on this list, but it is well worth the investment for premium performance.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and multimedia reporter
Get the Toro cordless leaf blower at Lowe’s, Acme Tools, or Toro.
Best Bang For The Buck
Greenworks 80V 580 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower
See ItWhat We Like
- Budget-friendly price
- Power and performance suitable for midsize yards
- Good runtime for routine cleanup work
- Fast battery charge time
What We Don’t Like
- Louder than others we tested
- Controls are not as smooth as our top pick’s
Product Specs
- Power source: 80-volt 2.5-amp-hour battery
- Maximum airflow: 580 CFM/145 mph
- Weight: 9 pounds
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 5/5 | Ergonomics | 5/5 | Performance | 4.3/5 | Noise | 5/5 | Value | 5/5 |
One of the best lightweight blowers we tested, the Greenworks PowerAll 48V blower sells for the lowest price in the group. This blower runs quietly and cleans remarkably well with its outstanding power-to-weight ratio. It operates at 68 decibels, pushes 600 CFM at 150 mph, and only weighs 8.5 pounds. It was comfortable and well balanced, and its performance exceeded most handheld gas blowers.
The controls were simple and intuitive to operate, including a variable trigger, a right-handed speed-lock lever, and a turbo button. The trigger had just the right level of sensitivity, and accelerated smoothly from “off” to full power. The blower worked as well as any of the others, (and better than some) on light- and medium-duty cleaning, including grass clippings, dry leaves, sawdust, and drying a car or wet patio furniture.
The battery system uses tabless cell technology to deliver faster charging and a longer working life than regular rechargeable batteries. They pack about 20 percent more wattage than 18V batteries, and it shows in the blower performance. As a bonus, this system features bi-directional USB-C charging. The kit includes a space-saving 100 watt dual USB-charging block that tops up both batteries from zero to full charge in just 60 minutes. The batteries can also be used to power up small electronic devices.
The tool requires two 24V batteries to achieve 48V power, which means that both of the kit batteries are depleted at the same time. If you need backup batteries for extra runtime, you’ll need to buy those separately. That should not be a problem though, since the same batteries work in more than 200 tools within the Greenworks 24/48-volt ecosystem.
What our tester says: “There’s so much to love about the Greenworks PowerAll leaf blower: cutting-edge battery tech, remarkable power-to-weight ratio, fast charging, and dual-purpose batteries to name a few. The affordability factor almost makes it an unfair competition.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and multimedia reporter
Get the Greenworks PowerAll cordless leaf blower at Amazon, Walmart, Lowe’s, or Best Buy.
Best Lightweight
Stihl BGA 60 Cordless Leaf Blower
See ItWhat We Like
- Strong performance from a lightweight blower
- Right size for small to midsize yards
- Great for noise-sensitive areas
- Among the most comfortable blowers we tested
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than similarly equipped blowers
Product Specs
- Power source: 36-volt 5.2-amp-hour battery
- Maximum airflow: 459 CFM/154 mph
- Weight: 7.9 pounds
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 5/5 | Ergonomics | 5/5 | Performance | 4.7/5 | Noise | 5/5 | Value | 5/5 |
The most powerful cordless leaf blower on our list, this beast from Ego beats our top pick statistically in blow force and weighs nearly 1.5 pounds less. But it also costs more. In our tests, the actual performances of the two were very similar. In addition to the blower, battery, and charger, this kit includes a second 4 Ah battery, shoulder strap, and two nozzle extensions.
In terms of blowing power, the Ego cordless blower delivered the muscle needed to clean up tough messes. It had no problems with wet, matted leaves, pine cones, and other heavy debris that traditionally call for a gas-powered backpack blower. We mostly used it without the shoulder strap, which we found to be more restrictive than helpful. This model is better balanced and felt less fatiguing than earlier Ego models that we tested. We won’t describe it as “lightweight,” but using it for 30 to 40 minutes at a time was not overly taxing.
We really liked the wide support base on this blower. It enabled us to set the unit down on the ground without worrying about it rolling over. The digital display made it easy to monitor battery life while operating as well.
On the downside, we didn’t love the awkward speed lock; setting it requires squeezing the trigger with your forefinger while simultaneously pressing a button with your thumb. Not impossible, but not well refined either. We also found ourselves tapping into the second battery earlier than expected, after only 20 minutes on “high.” All that being said, for raw power, and with two batteries that combine for at least 40 minutes of runtime per charge, you’ll want to consider this one.
Get the Ego cordless leaf blower at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or Northern Tool & Equipment.
Best Battery Handheld
Ego Power+ LB5804 Cordless Leaf Blower
See ItWhat We Like
- Right size for midsize landscapes
- Compatible with a wide variety of yard care tools
- Competitive price point
- Kit includes flat and tapered nozzles
What We Don’t Like
- One of the loudest battery-powered blowers we tested
- Less comfortable to operate than the others
Product Specs
- Power source: 56-volt 5-amp-hour battery
- Maximum airflow: 580 CFM/168 mph
- Weight: 9.75 pounds
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 4.7/5 | Ergonomics | 4.5/5 | Performance | 5/5 | Noise | 4.5/5 | Value | 4.5/5 |
When you have a yard full of leaves to clean up, a leaf blower with plenty of power and an extended range makes the job manageable. In our tests, the Husqvarna 350iB Leaf Blaster, one of the most powerful handheld cordless leaf blowers available, delivered an average of 38 minutes of runtime per charge on the included 7.5 Ah battery.
This blower felt lighter than its actual weight thanks to its balanced design. It was easy to maneuver and less tiring than some of the models with similar blow force ratings. It also includes a handy scraper built into the tip of the blow tube that helped dislodge wet, matted leaves. From an operational standpoint, we didn’t love the push-button cruise control–a thumb lever would have been simpler and more intuitive.
After clearing the yard, we finally had to recharge the battery while we shredded and bagged the mountain of leaves. The only mediocrity we found with this kit was the modest charging rate. Although the blower runs a long time, when the battery finally runs down it needs to sit on the charger for about 90 minutes to recharge.
Get the Husqvarna cordless leaf blower at Amazon, Lowe’s, Walmart, or Tractor Supply Co.
Best Gas Handheld
Stihl BG 56 C-E Leaf Blower
See ItWhat We Like
- Lightweight gas leaf blower
- Easy-start engine technology
- Adjustable blow-tube length
- Good for small-to-medium-size properties
What We Don’t Like
- Requires 2-cycle mixed fuel
Product Specs
- Power source: 27.2 cubic centimeter (cc) 2-cycle gas engine
- Maximum airflow: 412 CFM/159 mph
- Weight: 9 pounds
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 5/5 | Ergonomics | 5/5 | Performance | 4.7/5 | Noise | 5/5 | Value | 5/5 |
If you’ve ever tried to use a leaf blower in a small space, you’ll appreciate the quiet, easy-to-control performance of the new 3017-21HD blower. With the included 18V, 12 Ah battery installed, the unit only weighs 8.5 pounds. It also features a comfortable handle and balanced design for easy maneuverability. At full power, it produces 12.2 newtons (N) of blowforce, and emits just 54 decibels–significantly quieter than any of the others we’ve tested.
This lightweight unit excelled when it came to controlled cleaning inside the garage and basement. Instead of blasting a cloud of debris into the air, it pushed dirt and sawdust across the floor and out the door. It also did a great job clearing grass clippings from the front porch and dried flowers and leaves off the deck. The sound was so quiet that we were able to use it early in the morning and late at night without disturbing the neighbors.
One of our favorite features was the sliding airspeed lock. No need to squeeze the trigger and operate the lock at the same time–simply slide the control forward with your thumb and it stays in position. The slider worked equally well for right- and left-handed users, which was unique among the models we tested. The 3017-21HD blower is part of Milwaukee’s popular M18 Fuel battery ecosystem, featuring interchangeable batteries among hundreds of power tools.
Get the Milwaukee cordless leaf blower at The Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Northern Tool & Equipment.
Best Battery Backpack
Ego Power+ Commercial 800 CFM Backpack Blower
See ItWhat We Like
- Impressive blowing force
- Extended runtime, even on turbo
- Comfortable backpack frame and straps
- Much quieter than an equivalent gas-powered leaf blower
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than a gas leaf blower
- Heavier than other options
- Blow tube not as maneuverable as we would like
Product Specs
- Power source: (2) 56-volt 6-amp-hour battery
- Maximum airflow: 800 CFM/190 mph
- Weight: 28.7 pounds
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 5/5 | Ergonomics | 5/5 | Performance | 4.7/5 | Noise | 5/5 | Value | 5/5 |
No need to blow your budget on a cordless leaf blower for small yard maintenance. This Skil 40V 650 CFM model delivers plenty of air power and runtime to do all the chores without breaking the bank. The kit includes a 40V, 6 Ah battery that powers up to 20 minutes of full blowforce.
For nearly the same price as our “Best Bang For The Buck” pick, this blower moves more air (650 CFM compared to 600 CFM) faster (170 mph versus 120 mph), which equates to a much higher blowforce rating of 19 N. That power is good for clearing all kinds of messes, from moving heavy wet leaves and debris to clearing snow.
Since this blower is a bit heavier, even with its balanced construction, we especially liked the dual-handle design. The supplemental forward handle proved helpful whenever we needed to handle the blower overhead or at any odd angle (drying the car roof, cleaning gutters, blowing cobwebs from window exteriors, etc.).
Another handy feature, the quick-connect stubby nozzle, concentrated the airstream for maximum power. It helped with heavy debris, and the connection held securely, unlike the nozzles on other blowers that didn’t always stay in place.
Get the Skil cordless leaf blower at Amazon, Acme Tools, Ace Hardware, Walmart, or Best Buy.
Best Gas Backpack
Ryobi 760 CFM Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
See ItWhat We Like
- Lightweight backpack blower with a comfortable harness system
- Incredible blowing force from a fuel-efficient engine
- Smooth, responsive engine
- Bargain price point
What We Don’t Like
- Rigid blow tube and sideways engine mount restrict maneuverability
- Position of the fuel filler cap
Product Specs
- Power source: 38cc 2-cycle gas engine
- Maximum airflow: 760 CFM/175 mph
- Weight: 20.2 pounds
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 4.3/5 | Ergonomics | 4/5 | Performance | 5/5 | Noise | 5/5 | Value | 4.3/5 |
A good battery system offers an expertly balanced combination of power, runtime, and flexibility. With the DeWalt FlexVolt battery system, the same battery can be used to power any of DeWalt’s 60V or 20V cordless tools. The 60V MAX brushless blower kit comes equipped with a charger and a 4-Ah battery that provided 30 minutes of full-force runtime per charge during testing. That was not the longest-running battery overall, but arguably the best performance per available watt-hour.
The blower itself produced airflow powerful enough to move heavy, wet debris and large quantities of dry material. And it ran relatively quietly for the amount of power. We recorded 86 decibels at the operator’s ear level on the high setting–significantly lower than other high-powered models.
This DeWalt cordless electric leaf blower had the highest price among the handheld units we tested, but not by much. Brand popularity and the unique battery system might justify the price. The only real drawback we experienced was that the weight of the blower was balanced too far rearward so that it naturally rested parallel to the ground. We had to exert constant effort to angle the blow tube downward toward the debris. A lighter battery pack or longer blow tube could fix that.
Get the DeWalt cordless leaf blower at The Home Depot or Ace Hardware.
Best Runtime
DeWalt 60V MAX High Power Brushless Blower
See ItWhat We Like
- Quiet operation for noise-sensitive areas
- Ample airflow to move heavy debris
- Enough runtime for midsize yards
- Shareable 60V/20V MAX FlexVolt battery
What We Don’t Like
- More expensive than the other handheld blowers
- Weight is balanced too far rearward
Product Specs
- Power source: 60-volt 4-amp-hour battery
- Maximum airflow: 760 CFM/160 mph
- Weight: 10.5 pounds
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 4.7/5 | Ergonomics | 4.5/5 | Performance | 5/5 | Noise | 4.5/5 | Value | 4.7/5 |
Operating a handheld blower gets tiring after a while. DeWalt’s Flexvolt backpack blower eliminates the hand, arm, and shoulder strain that comes with extended use, and it provides up to 82 minutes of cleaning power per charge. The kit includes the blower, a removable nozzle, a pair of 60-volt 5 Ah Flexvolt batteries, and two chargers.
To get started, you’ll have to assemble the lower blow tube and control unit to the rubber boot with an included clamp. The instructions could have been more clear. We had a little trouble determining how the parts should be aligned, but after a first failed attempt, we figured it out.
In normal yard cleanup duties, the DeWalt backpack blower quickly cleared grass clippings and debris from the driveway, curb, deck, and lawn equipment, with battery life to spare. The harness felt secure and comfortable while we moved, with plenty of padding in the shoulder straps and hip belt and lots of room to adjust the straps. When we were not trying to conserve battery life, it consistently delivered 40 to 45 minutes of runtime per charge.
One of the unit’s standout features was the option to select from three different performance modes in order to limit or boost the base powerload. When we dialed in “eco mode”, we were easily able to push dry leaves, grass, and sawdust for up to the listed 80+ minutes per charge. Switching to turbo mode reduced working time to about 20 to 25 minutes, but allowed us to move substantial quantities of heavier material.
Get the DeWalt cordless backpack leaf blower at The Home Depot, Acme Tools, or ToolUp.
Our Ratings
| Ease of Use | 4.7/5 | Ergonomics | 4/5 | Performance | 4.7/5 | Noise | 4/5 | Value | 4.7/5 |
For small and midsize yards, there’s no need to spend a small fortune on lawn equipment. This Greenworks cordless electric leaf blower delivers ample blowing force and runtime for cleaning up grass clippings and collecting fallen leaves on yards up to a half acre in size. It comes with a battery charger and 2.5 Ah battery that runs up to 19 minutes on “high” and recharges in just 30 minutes.
Right out of the box, we noticed that this model was lighter than many of the others in the group. The Greenworks blower was also one of the loudest in our test group (95.5 decibels at ear level), but it did a great job clearing grass clippings and collecting leaves into piles. It took a few minutes longer than the more powerful models to clear leaves from our 8,000-square-foot lawn, but it had plenty of runtime to get the job done. Also, the lightweight build made it less tiring to use than the bigger blowers.
If you are trying to match with equipment you already have or are shopping for an all-inclusive battery equipment brand, this blower could be a good option. It shares the same 80-volt battery platform with numerous Greenworks push mowers, self-propelled lawn mowers, string trimmers, and other lawn care equipment.
Get the Greenworks cordless leaf blower at Amazon or Greenworks.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Cordless Leaf Blowers
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 26 |
| Time spent testing | 42 hours |
| Tests performed | 5 |
| Price range | $200 to $1,000 |
As new and better cordless leaf blowers come out each year, we frequently test new models and update our recommendations. Through four years of testing, we have evaluated dozens of models. We typically test each of these blowers for a minimum of 2 hours, using them for routine yard cleanup tasks, and running them through an obstacle course that includes matted wet leaves, dry leaves, potting soil, sand, and water. During the test, we record battery charging times and runtimes where applicable and how long it takes to complete leaf, soil, sand, and water removal from a given area. We also note our observations with regard to the user experience: handling, noise, and overall operating comfort. At the end of testing, we score each blower on a rubric to determine the award category winners.
Our Testing Scores
| Product | Ease of Use | Ergonomics | Performance | Noise | Value |
| Toro 60V MAX 900 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Greenworks PowerAll 48V 600 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower | 4.8/5 | 5/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Ego Power+ 880 CFM Cordless Blower | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Husqvarna 350iB Leaf Blaster | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Milwaukee 3017-21HD M18 Fuel Blower Kit | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.3/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Skil 40V 650 CFM Leaf Blower | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| DeWalt 60V MAX High Power Brushless Blower | 4.3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| DeWalt 60V MAX 855 CFM Cordless Backpack Blower | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Greenworks 80V 580 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower | 4.7/5 | 4/5 | 4.7/5 | 4/5 | 4.7/5 |
What to Consider When Choosing a Cordless Leaf Blower

Before settling on any of our recommendations, it’s important to weigh your individual needs against the available options.
Power Source
If you want a cordless leaf blower, you have two options: battery power or gas. The best option depends on your preferences, but it may also hinge on your usage patterns and blow-force requirements.
Battery-powered leaf blowers have come close to the capabilities of their gas-powered counterparts in recent years. But battery-powered models still cost a bit more than gas-powered leaf blowers with equivalent blowing force. That said, battery-powered blowers are quieter, require almost no maintenance, and eliminate trips to the gas station. The average working life of a lithium-ion battery is 300 to 500 charge cycles, or approximately 6 to 10 years, after which you’ll need to replace the battery or buy a new leaf blower altogether.
While battery-powered leaf blowers are the winners in terms of low noise and easy handling, power and runtime for the money are the top selling points for gas-powered leaf blowers. With higher usage, replacing lithium batteries at 6- to 10-year intervals could outrun the cost of fuel and gas engine maintenance over the same period. Although gas-powered leaf blowers require ongoing preventive maintenance, they can provide up to 20 years of dependable service.
Yard Size and CFM
A leaf blower is one of the handiest power tools for collecting leaves, clearing grass clippings, light snow removal, and various outdoor cleanup projects. Matching the machine’s air-handling ability to the size of the property will help you work efficiently without overspending on oversize equipment. This is where the cubic feet per minute, or CFM spec, comes into play.
For city and smaller suburban yards up to about a half acre, a blower with a rating of 400 to 550 CFM should be adequate. Compared to more powerful blowers, this may not sound like much, but it really is. These blowers could fill a balloon the size of a studio apartment in a minute or less. That’s plenty of blowing force to keep the yard, driveway, and sidewalks clean. These blowers also work better when you’re working in confined spaces, such as a courtyard, porch, or workshop.
Larger suburban and rural properties need a little more power to reduce work time. A blower that pushes 550 to 650 CFM is a good range for moderate work on areas up to 1 acre. Larger properties with large quantities of leaves will benefit from a 650 to 900 CFM leaf blower that can tackle heavy-duty work.
Speed Settings
A blower’s air-moving ability, or blowing force, is determined by a combination of the volume of air coming out of the blow tube and how fast it is moving. The CFM air-volume rating relates more closely to the area the blower will cover, while mph air speed relates more to power. Faster air speed helps with tougher jobs like dispersing grass clumps, removing wet snow, and pushing wet and matted leaves.
Most cordless leaf blowers feature a variable-speed trigger so that you can use more or less blowing force as needed. Many battery-powered blowers are equipped with turbo, or power boost, buttons that can provide an extra boost of top-end power on demand. Cruise control is a feature that allows you to maintain steady air speed without constantly squeezing the trigger, which helps to reduce hand fatigue on large projects.
Additional Features
Other features to consider include the battery platform, blow-tube configuration, noise rating, and any comfort features included. These minor details add value and may make the deciding difference between two otherwise similar options.
Comfort features include the blower’s weight, balance, handle construction, control placement, noise level, and more. These aspects may have nothing to do with whether the blower will work, but they can strongly affect whether you’ll want to use it. If all of the other specifications are equal between two of your favorite options, comfort could be the deciding factor.
The shape of the blow tube, and any extensions or nozzles that come with the kit, can affect performance in subtle ways. A longer blow tube will make it easier to move leaves and debris from under automobiles, trailers, and low structures. Wider nozzles move more lightweight material, but narrow nozzles do a better job with heavier debris. Some leaf blowers even come with leaf vacuum conversion kits that can suck up and mulch dry leaves.
If you are shopping for a battery-powered leaf blower, be sure to consider the other tools from that brand that run on the same batteries. The best battery-powered brands offer a wide range of tools that all share the same batteries. Sharing batteries and chargers between tools can contribute to huge time, money, and space savings.
FAQs
Now that you have read our reviews, you may have a few lingering questions. We’ve covered some of the most common queries below.
The most reliable leaf blowers come from several brands. For battery power, consider reputable brands like Ego, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Greenworks. Stihl, Husqvarna, and Ryobi dominate gas-powered recommendations.
It depends on the size of the job. A good CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating for cordless leaf blowers ranges from as low as 400 for light-duty cleanup in small spaces to greater than 800 for heavy-duty tasks in larger areas.
A leaf blower can run continuously until its battery or fuel tank is depleted. Actual runtimes vary based on throttle setting, operating efficiency, and fuel capacity. Most battery blowers will run between 15 and 30 minutes per charge on full power, but they might last 90 minutes or longer on the lowest setting.
Yes, battery-powered leaf blowers are worth the money for those who value low-maintenance equipment and gas-free lawn care.
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with a background in the green industry. He’s also an avid DIYer who lives in an older home. When he isn’t writing, he spends his time upgrading, repairing, and replacing anything and everything in his home, yard, and garden. He tests and writes reviews about hand tools, lawn care and home repair products, and outdoor-living goods.