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Use your electric leaf blower for yard cleanup to remove leaves this fall, then bust it out again next spring. China Oem Manufacture Impact Drill
The leaves are starting to fall, which means it's about time to work on cleaning them up ahead of winter. Whether you have a large yard and big trees or are just looking to keep leaves from creating a slipping hazard on decks and patios, the fastest, easiest way to get the job done is with a cordless leaf blower.
For years, the go-to choice in leaf blowers was either a powerful (but heavy) gas model or a lightweight corded electric blower. Early cordless models lacked power and suffered from limited range, not to mention heavy battery packs. But each new development cycle saw these tools gain power and shed ounces. Today, cordless leaf blowers are the overwhelming favorite for homeowners who are looking to balance power with ease of use.
Modern battery-powered leaf blowers rival gas-powered models in terms of power, but make far less noise and don’t produce exhaust emissions. Cordless leaf blowers are more powerful than corded models, and also unburden you from an extension cord. This combination of power and manageable weight makes cordless leaf blowers a perfect choice for tasks outside of yard cleanup, too, like blowing out gutters or clearing vent ducts.
Our test team subjected a selection of cordless leaf blowers to a rigorous testing process. We’ve included a run down on each of the ones in the roundup (along with a few models that have come out too recently to be included in the tests). Read on to find the best blower for your yard.
Popular Mechanics has been explaining how the world works since 1902. In addition to keeping a close eye on science and technology, our publication is a valued resource for gearheads, makers, and every kind of DIY hobbyist looking for gear-related advice and recommendations. Many of our most important product recommendations, including tools and yard machines, come from the Popular Mechanics test team, who thoroughly evaluate all kinds of equipment so they can legitimately endorse the best of the best. Our current test team includes Brad Ford and Matt Crisara.
The majority of cordless leaf blowers recommended here were either tested, selected, or both by test editor Brad Ford, who routinely puts machines through a rigorous testing regimen that's outlined below. In addition, freelancers Dan Stout and Kevin Cortez contributed to this article.
Electric leaf blowers remove a scattering of light leaves from normal-height grass and sweep the pavement of grass clippings. For ankle-deep piles and damp leaves, or to move lawn debris like twigs and nuts, choose one with more voltage and higher airspeed. For anything deeper, or if you frequently contend with wet or semi-frozen leaves, prioritize higher air speed and volume in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
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Remember that a leaf blower’s advertised airspeed and voltage are its best-case scenario at full power and, sometimes, using specific nozzles. For the most potent and efficient blower you can find, we recommend the Cat 60-volt, 800-CFM leaf blower.
Depending on the size of your yard and the leaf cover, some of these machines can run through a couple of batteries in a morning’s worth of work. Most battery-powered leaf blowers last 10 to 15 minutes per battery depending on the power mode. To double your runtime, outfit yourself with two batteries and consider a third for really tough conditions. Consider a backpack-style blower also—they holster stronger batteries and are easier to control.
The higher a blower’s CFM, the larger of a surface area it can blow per minute. Generally speaking, cordless battery-powered leaf blowers are recommended for yards roughly a quarter of an acre in size or less. Few cordless leaf blowers go beyond 800 CFM, while many on this list range in the sweet spot of 400 to 600 CFM—ample power for spring and summer grass clippings, though heavily tree-populated spaces may require stronger blowers.
If your property measures in acres instead of square feet, you’re probably better served with the oomph of a gas engine—but these cordless ones are invaluable for spot-treating areas like your patio or pool deck.
The speed settings on a cordless power blower determine the airflow volume and velocity produced by the blower. These settings allow users to adjust the power to suit different tasks.
Generally, lower speeds are best for light-duty tasks like blowing leaves off flower beds or clearing dust from a garage. Using lower settings also helps preserve battery power. Higher speed settings are for heavier tasks like blowing wet leaves, clearing debris, or quickly sweeping larger areas. Some models have turbo boost modes, which offer maximum power only while you’re pulling a trigger (this is helpful for stuck-on debris, like a few wet leaves at the bottom of a pile of dry leaves).
Many cordless blowers also have speed triggers or dials that let users precisely control speed in real time, either by pulling the trigger harder or by moving the dial as you hold the control trigger. This is especially helpful when moving between surfaces like fragile, wet grass and an asphalt driveway.
We blew leaves and hay off of grass to put these cordless blowers through the gauntlet, employing a small gas-engine leaf blower for comparison. Next, we measured continuous runtime with the machines set to maximum power. Then came our airspeed test—we used an MGL Avionics Stratomaster Vega airspeed indicator for an airplane and built our own testing apparatus, gauging the airspeed 6 inches from the tip of each blower tube.
We also measured sound levels right at the operator’s position and 75 feet away (to help keep your neighbors friendly). Our last evaluation, the sawdust erosion test, was perhaps the most telling. We taped off a large area of pavement and covered it with a thin layer of sawdust, then set the leaf blowers horizontally over the pavement, leaving an impression of the shape of the air stream.
For the leaf blowers we haven’t tested ourselves yet, we looked at specs like airspeed and CFM, and made sure to prioritize brands we’ve come to trust for their power tools. After all that, the electric leaf blowers below came out on top.
More and more, we’re seeing battery-powered equipment that rivals or exceeds the performance of their gas-powered counterparts. This cordless leaf blower is a case in point. We measured airspeed at 134 mph and found, combined with the volume of air (650 CFM, claimed), that it easily blasted leaves from our test area when we were standing still.
Stepping forward while sweeping back and forth cleared the area in seconds. Our sawdust test revealed a focused air stream with sharp edges extending beyond the end of our test area.
While the runtime may seem short, bear in mind that’s on the turbo setting. In use, we’ve learned that it’s rare to continuously hold down the turbo button or even the trigger. A more realistic runtime (without turbo locked on) is at least 27 minutes. And we could have probably extended the runtime further because the LB6504 features a dial that allowed us to set and hold the airspeed at the lowest setting and use the trigger or turbo button to boost speed when needed. This vastly extends runtime and more realistically reflects typical yard work needs.
The Ryobi should be on your shortlist if your overarching requirement is a quiet handheld blower. Fortunately, that doesn’t come at the expense of leaf-moving power. This bright yellow-green blower has enough for dry leaf cover, removing grass clippings and leaves from paved surfaces, and cleaning out the garage or dryer vent. No, it’s not the most powerful leaf blower we’ve used, but it’s certainly one of the quietest and most pleasant.
Other features that contribute to its ease of use are a well-positioned latch to the left of and above the adjustable-speed trigger, a booster button for more air output, and a detachable nose cone made out of rubber that concentrates the airspeed up to 190 mph.
The cone’s circumference is marked with the airspeeds it will produce at three intervals (from base to the tip): 190, 175, and 160 mph. You could slice the cone at any of the two intervals (175 and 160), shortening it to provide less airspeed.
This cordless leaf blower makes a lot of sense for people that already own tools in Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel platform, since the batteries are completely interchangeable. It’s available as a “tool only” or with a large, 8-Ah battery, which yielded a continuous run time of 14 minutes and 45 seconds during our testing.
The M18 has two ranges indicated by rabbit and turtle icons, each controlled by the same variable speed trigger. It took us longer to clear the leaves in our test area with the Milwaukee, but it was easier to carry, being roughly 1.5 pounds lighter than any other model we tested. It did take a bit longer to move the leaves, the reason for which we discovered in our sawdust test.
While the shape of the air stream was similar to other handheld blowers, it was a little smaller in both length and width. This isn’t really a fault, but a limitation of the lower voltage compared to other models. As such, the M18 might not be ideal for large properties with heavy leaf coverage.
It is, however, great for clearing out gutters, sweeping the driveway, blasting debris tracked into the garage or leftover from projects, and clearing sidewalks, porches, patios, and small yards.
Don’t be misled by this DeWalt’s low airspeed. It’s well-shaped and productive, capable of carving its way through debris. And we found it was easy to use in a sweeping motion to brush leaves aside.
Its brief runtime, however, suggests that the tool is best on small patches of leaves or for jobs like construction-site cleanup or blowing out the garage. Its design for these purposes is clear, judging by the hefty skid plate below the blower housing and battery that should help this cordless leaf blower withstand rough-and-tumble use.
This is a lightweight, low-power blower that’s a solid choice for low budgets or spot cleaning small areas. The lightweight build means you’ll find yourself reaching for it more often than heavier blowers.
The Bosch GBL18V-71N also comes with a needle-nose nozzle and a larger, clear plastic tube that can go around the needle-nose. (This allows you to put the full force of the blower into small holes, and capture any debris in the tube, rather than scatter it over your workspace. It's ideal for clearing out masonry anchor holes.)
This blower’s biggest drawback is the airflow, which is a relatively small 71 cfm. But the two-speed switch does provide a burst of increased blowing power when needed.
Our test team confirmed with a Bosch representative that this model is only sold as a “bare tool” and there is no option to purchase this blower bundled with a battery and charger. It’s compatible with any battery in Bosch’s popular 18V line, or any other brand under the AMPShare compatibility umbrella.
If you don’t already have an AMPShare system, you can buy a separate battery and charger, but it’s often much more affordable to buy an 18V drill that comes bundled with a battery and charger.
This Greenworks model is the lightest and most compact of the backpack blowers we tested. Its runtime was a modest 19 minutes (at full turbo power). At that setting, the blower’s air stream forms an effective leaf-moving zone—even if it appeared to be weaker on the outside edges.
The machine also scored high marks for its comfortable and highly adjustable shoulder straps, an ergonomic handle, and the 90-degree elbow that connects the impeller housing to the flexible blower tube. That elbow permits the blower tube to pivot straight up, so it takes up less space when you store this model in the garage or shed.
One of the lightest cordless leaf blowers, even this Greenworks model can replace a gas-powered unit. With our anemometer, we clocked the airspeed at a respectable 127 mph, which falls in the middle of the range for handheld gas blowers. The tube tip is tapered at the end, creating a little narrower, focused air stream, evident in the pattern left in our sawdust test.
We also noted more precision when blowing leaves out of our test area, which we cleared in seconds, taking just a few steps. Compared to other models, runtime is fair—considering the 2.5-Ah battery.
Greenworks offers compatible 80-volt batteries up to 5 Ah, which would significantly lengthen how long you can use the BL80L2510 in one shot. And if you already have a battery from another of the brand's tools, use it and buy just the leaf blower without batteries to save some cash.
At first glance, Cat’s leaf blower appears stout with a wide blower tube and tip. This is usually the case with blowers that move a significant volume of air, and the claimed 800 CFM is just that. We clocked airspeed at 115 mph, and with that much air, moving that fast, the Cat cleared a wider swath than most in our sawdust erosion test.
Like many models in our testing, the controls include a standard trigger, cruise control dial, and turbo boost button. The 60-volt, 800-CFM blower is a bit heavier than some models, partly due to the larger battery format—which is generally the case with higher-speed blowers.
While the Cat easily cleared debris around the hard surfaces of our testing area, it should also do well on stubborn leaves in or on grass.
This budget-friendly model is the 20-volt version of the above BL80L2510, meaning it’s lighter and expectedly weaker. However, it’s the most affordable cordless blower we recommend, and comes with an included battery and charger.
It claims a 120 mph airspeed and 500 CFM. Although we haven’t tested this one, we generally recommend Greenworks products for value-forward power tools, and given the performance of its stronger brother (which we tested and recommend in this guide), we see promise in this model.
Given its weaker power, its battery lasts only 10 minutes at full power, but buying a second one gives it double life. (And if you've already subscribed to the Greenworks family, the tool alone is only $100.)
Several user reviews say it’s great for small jobs and spaces, and it’s powerful enough to tidy a patio or driveway in a jiffy. One major qualm, however, is its noise; though weaker, it’s surprisingly loud, according to many users.
What is the main reason to go cordless rather than corded?
Freedom of movement! Cordless blowers can range farther than the length of your cord, and you can get them behind shrubs, between cars, and pretty much anywhere that a cord would catch, pull, or tug.
How long will a cordless leaf blower last before it needs to be replaced with a new one?
There are really just two things that will wear out on a cordless blower: the blower motor itself and the battery. It will depend on usage, but you should get at least three years of use before seeing any degradation battery capacity. The motor itself should last 10 years or so. If working life is a concern, be sure to check the blower warranty for details.
What else can I use this cordless leaf blower for?
I like to get on my roof and blow out gutter debris with an easy stroll. I’ve also used them to occupy a group of high-energy children. I gave them all cordless blowers, inflated a beach ball, and let them invent a new sport.
Is a molded grip or cruise control function a must-have?
This boils down to personal preference. They’re certainly nice features, but I don’t consider these “must-haves” for cordless electric blowers. In my experience, if you’ll be using the blower for long enough that a grip or cruise control is a deal-breaker, then you’re probably in the market for a corded electric or gas-powered model.
A former residential remodeler and maintenance manager, Dan Stout has worked in nearly every part of the construction and DIY industry, from project planning and permitting to plumbing, drywall, carpentry, and more. He loves to write about the weird history of everyday objects, and to help readers make informed decisions about their homes.
Brad Ford has spent most of his life using tools to fix, build, or make things. Growing up he worked on a farm, where he learned to weld, repair, and paint equipment. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Today, when he's not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he's busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
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