Raking leaves manually can take a long time and a lot of elbow grease. With a good leaf blower, the job can be done in a fraction of the time. Sean Khandker, owner of InsideOut Gardening, Landscaping, and Maintenance Services, suggests choosing a leaf blower based on what you want to do with the leaves afterward. “Fallen leaves can really be useful as mulch,” Khandker says. “So if you want to nourish your flower beds or use the leaves in a compost heap, choose a leaf blower with a vacuum capacity and a collection bag.” Our overall top pick for the best leaf blower is the Ego Power+ Brushless Handheld Cordless Electric Leaf Blower due to its lightweight build, its long runtime, and its high power that rivals industrial-grade leaf blowers. Here are the best leaf blowers. Keep in Mind: It doesn’t have leaf vacuuming capabilities. This cordless electric leaf blower is easy to use on even the largest yards because even if you do use up the 75 minutes of battery life, its battery recharges in just 50 minutes, allowing you to quickly resume right where you left off. It has a noise rating of only 65 decibels, which is quieter than a hair dryer, making your outdoor chores a little less irritating. With an air flow capacity of 540 CFM, this electric model has all the power of a gas leaf blower without the fumes, expensive fuel, or high maintenance needs. We love that it offers three different speeds, allowing you to better control where leaves and debris end up. Plus, it’s as lightweight as a corded model without the limitations of a cord, so you’ll be able to roam freely throughout the yard. It’s priced reasonably for a machine of this caliber, and its build is weather resistant. Even if it’s exposed to rain, ultraviolet light, or moisture, it’ll stay intact. Keep in mind that this electric leaf blower doesn’t work as a leaf vacuum or mulcher, so if you intend to bag the leaves in your yard or mulch them, you’ll have to do that separately. Price at time of publish: $169 Product Details: Type: Cordless electric | Power: 2.5Ah 56 Volt ARC Lithium battery | Runtime: Up to 75 minutes | Weight: 7 pounds | Speed Settings: Three | Noise Level: 65 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: 530 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 110 MPH Keep in Mind: It has a loud operation. This leaf blower is quite compact at 31.5 inches long and 10.6 inches wide, making it easier to store away in a corner of the garage, a shed, or a small storage cabinet than other models on this list. There are two speed settings, depending on whether you need to shoo away heavier debris like wet leaves or target lightweight debris without disturbing mulch in your garden. And while it can’t compete with high-powered gas leaf blowers, it’s a great choice for people with a small yard or someone who plans to use it only occasionally. At under $40, you can’t really go wrong with this lightweight electric leaf blower if you’re looking for something for general outdoor cleanup around your backyard. Its power cord is only 8 inches long, so you’ll have to have an outdoor extension cord on hand in order to use it. The Sun Joe leaf blower is also quite loud at 105 decibels on its highest setting, so if you’re planning on using it for long periods of time, you might want to wear ear protection. Price at time of publish: $30 Product Details: Type: Corded electric | Power: 10 amps | Runtime: N/A | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Speed Settings: Two | Noise Level: 105 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: 240 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 215 MPH Keep in Mind: It has a very short power cord, so you’ll need to use an extension cord with it. It has a soft-grip handle that’s easy and comfortable to hold, and at just 7 pounds, it’s super lightweight and easy to carry for long periods of time. Its strong air speed of 440 CFM means you’ll be able to move wet leaves across the yard easily, and you can use two different air speeds to better control where the leaves end up. The Jet Fan has an ergonomic design with a clear plastic center, and it’s easy to maneuver with just one hand. On its lowest setting, the Ryobi Corded Electric leaf blower is only 65 decibels, according to the manufacturer, which is quieter than a vacuum cleaner. This means you’ll be able to clean up your yard without disrupting the neighbors or damaging your hearing. This machine has a short cord, so you’ll have to use an extension cord to operate it. If you’re looking for a landscaping tool that’ll work as both a leaf blower and a vacuum, you’ll want to skip this Ryobi model, since it can’t suck up leaves and bag them. However, it’s an effective and powerful leaf blower that you don’t have to charge or refuel. Price at time of publish: $64 Product Details: Type: Corded electric | Power: 8 amps | Runtime: N/A | Weight: 7 pounds | Speed Settings: Two | Noise Level: 65 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: 440 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 135 MPH Keep in Mind: Gas leaf blowers have more maintenance requirements than electric models. It’s a little bit heavier than a corded electric leaf blower at 9.4 pounds before adding a full tank of gas, so you’ll tire more easily than using an electric model. However, the Husqvarna Two-Cycle gas blower provides superior air volume with 425 CFM and an air velocity of 170 miles per hour, so you’ll be able to quickly move large quantities of leaves across the yard. We love that it has a variable speed throttle with cruise control so you can lock the speed at a rate that suits you. Though it runs on fuel, this is not a gas-guzzling model like other gas leaf blowers on the market. It only consumes 575 grams per kilowatt-hour, and its tank can hold 16.91 ounces at a time, meaning you can use it for almost an hour before needing to refuel. What’s more, the blowing tube’s length is fully adjustable to suit the task at hand, allowing you to lengthen it to clean out your gutters or make it shorter to match your height. There’s also a two-year manufacturer warranty backing the product. Keep in mind that even the best gas leaf blowers will require more frequent maintenance and have a higher noise level than electric models. Though the Husqvarna Two-Cycle handheld gas blower is 94 decibels on its lowest setting, it can reach levels as high as 112 decibels, so we recommend using ear protection when operating it. It may also need out-of-season maintenance, such as cleaning the outside of the carburetor, checking the fuel line and fuel filter, and replacing the spark plug. Price at time of publish: $175 Product Details: Type: Handheld gas-powered | Power: 28cc, 1.1 HP engine, two-cycle motor | Runtime: 60 minutes | Weight: 9.4 pounds | Speed Settings: Cruise control, variable speed throttle | Noise Level: 94 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: 425 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 170 MPH Keep in Mind: Left-handed users will have to operate it using their non-dominant hand. Wet leaves and yard debris are no issue for this machine since it provides a whopping 651 CFM and a maximum air speed of 233 miles per hour, making light work of even the biggest leaf piles. Variable speed settings allow you to adjust the airflow and better control where leaves end up, while cruise control keeps the speed at the desired setting as you work. The large 67.6-ounce fuel tank is see-through so you can always tell how much fuel you have left and when you’re about to run out. This model has a wide-angle tube with a rotation that provides a full range of motion, whether you want to blast leaves on the ground, in the corners of your deck, or up in the gutters. Though it weighs almost 25 pounds, the padded shoulder straps and backrest make the leaf blower comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and there’s a five-year consumer warranty to protect your device for multiple seasons of use. This backpack leaf blower is designed to be used by someone right-handed, and since the tube is attached on the right side of the backpack, there’s no way to change the orientation. Left-handed users will need to use their non-dominant hand to operate this model. Price at time of publish: $479 Product Details: Type: Gas-powered backpack leaf blower | Power: 36.6cc, Two-stroke cycle engine | Runtime: Two hours | Weight: 24.7 pounds | Speed Settings: Cruise control, variable speed settings | Noise Level: 74 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: 651 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 233 MPH Keep in Mind: Its 25 minutes of runtime might not be enough for large yards. At just 3.7 pounds, blowing all the leaves off the patio or deck with one hand is nearly effortless, and its high-speed airflow allows you to quickly form neat leaf piles. We like its power boost function, which provides a short burst of power to help dislodge heavier debris. At just 61 decibels, the Black+Decker 20-V leaf blower is one of the quietest on this list, so you can use it without disturbing the neighbors. The handle has an easy-to-grip shape, too, which adds to less user strain. The leaf blower comes with one battery that provides up to 25 minutes of power, but you can buy an extra battery to swap between if you’ll be needing more runtime. Both the battery and included charger are compatible with all Black+Decker 20V series tools, so you can use them interchangeably between your other tools. The company also offers a two-year limited warranty to protect your leaf blower through multiple seasons. Price at time of publish: $99 Product Details: Type: Handheld cordless electric | Power: 1.5Ah 20-volt battery | Runtime: 25 minutes | Weight: 3.7 pounds | Speed Settings: On, powerboost | Noise Level: 61 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: 100 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 130 MPH Keep in Mind: Each battery only lasts 18 minutes, so you’ll need to swap them out frequently. This leaf blower has cruise control so you won’t have to constantly press on the power button while operating, and a turbo button provides an extra blast of air when you need to dislodge a wet patch of leaves. The ergonomic handle helps control the unit better and makes it comfortable to operate, and the padded backpack straps are comfortable to wear, even if you’re working in the yard for a long time. The four-year limited warranty on the tool and battery gives you extra peace of mind, too. The 18 minutes of runtime is not ideal for large yards; however, fully recharging the battery only takes 45 minutes. Plus, you could always purchase a spare battery to have on hand to swap in. The battery and charger come with the blower, and the batteries are compatible with Greenworks’ full line of its 80V Pro products. Price at time of publish: $350 Product Details: Type: Backpack cordless electric | Power: 2.5Ah 80 Volt Lithium-ion battery | Runtime: 18 minutes | Weight: 14.6 pounds | Speed Settings: Cruise control, turbo button | Noise Level: 60 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: 610 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 180 MPH Keep in Mind: It’s a heavy machine at almost 100 pounds so if you need to get it in and out of a car trunk, you might need some help. It has a massive air flow capacity of 1300 CFM to make moving sodden leaves from soil a total breeze, and it gives you the choice of adjusting the wind vane to one of three positions so you can direct the air wherever you need it. There’s an adjustable variable speed throttle on the handle, so you can change the airflow speed as needed. The adjustable handle height allows you to find the perfect height, and when you’re done using the machine, the handle folds down for more compact storage. While the manufacturer doesn’t state how long it runs on one tank of gas because this depends on many factors, the 48-ounce fuel tank won’t need to be refilled as frequently as a handheld leaf blower. If you plan to transport this walk-behind leaf blower frequently, it’s important to note that it weighs 100 pounds and can be quite bulky to lift into a truck bed or trunk. You’ll also need more space to store this type of leaf blower, so keep this in mind when considering the best leaf blowers for your needs. Price at time of publish: $499 Product Details: Type: Gas-powered walk-behind | Power: 224cc, 4-stroke engine | Runtime: Not stated | Weight: 97 pounds | Speed Settings: Throttle control (variable speed) | Noise Level: 77 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: 1300 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 160 MPH Keep in Mind: To use it, you’ll need to be within reach of an outlet. This three-in-one unit is lightweight, easy to operate, and doesn’t make much noise either at just 68 decibels. To convert the machine from a blower into a vacuum, release the bottom latch on the underside of the device, and pop on the vacuum attachment in a matter of seconds. When used as a leaf blower, it has an air flow capacity of 350 CFM and 405 CFM in vacuum mode. Its variable speed settings give you better control over where leaves end up, and the collection bag can also serve as a storage bag when you’re done to keep everything neatly together. Unlike other manufacturers that offer limited warranties, Toro provides a two-year full-coverage warranty—meaning that if anything goes wrong within that time frame, you’ll get a whole new machine. As with other corded electric leaf blowers on this list, you’ll need to be within reach of an outlet at all times when using it, making it a less-ideal choice for people with large yards. Price at time of publish: $100 Product Details: Type: Handheld corded electric | Power: 12 Amp | Runtime: Infinite | Weight: 8.5 pounds | Speed Settings: Two | Noise Level: 68 decibels | Maximum Air Volume: Up to 405 | Maximum Air Speed: Up to 260 MPH
What to Know About Leaf Blowers Before Shopping
Type
There are several different types of leaf blowers, and knowing the differences between them can help you determine which is the best leaf blower for your needs.
Handheld: Usually the most affordable option, handheld leaf blowers are compact, lightweight, and easy to use. While less powerful than backpack or walk-behind models, they have a comfortable handle and a long, narrow hose for blowing leaves away. We recommend handheld leaf blowers to people with small- to medium-sized yards, since these models often provide an appropriate amount of power, battery life (if applicable), and lightweight operation for tasks around your yard. Backpack: Backpack leaf blowers are often heavier than a handheld model, but most users will find it more bearable to operate since the weight is distributed evenly on your back instead of being supported by one arm. These units are ideal for people with big yards since the high CFM and comfortable design make them easier to use for longer periods of time.Walk-behind: These are the best leaf blowers for anyone with a large yard and many leaves to clean up since they have an extremely high airflow capacity and can make light work of big leaf piles. Though they’re heavy, the tractioned wheels make it easy to push around on even rough terrain, allowing you to avoid too much strain.
Power
Gas-powered: Traditional gas-powered leaf blowers are the most powerful options on the market, and they’re often seen as the best leaf blowers by professionals. These units have high-CFM engines, allowing them to blow more leaves at a time, but they need to be refueled often and can be loud to operate.They’re also heavier and require more maintenance than battery-powered or corded models.Cordless electric: Super lightweight and easy to use, battery-powered leaf blowers are the best choice for people with small to medium-sized yards. While not as powerful as gas-powered models, they provide enough speed to quickly clear leaves from yards, gutters, and garden beds without being extremely loud or tiresome to carry. However, the battery life on most cordless electric leaf blowers won’t last as long as a gas model with a full tank, but an extra battery pack can usually solve that problem. Corded electric: As a solution to low runtimes, corded electric leaf blowers will never run out of power. However, the cord can prove limiting as you will always have to be within reach of an electrical outlet or a generator. To operate these models, you’ll need a good outdoor extension cord on hand, and these models are best for smaller yards. However, corded electric leaf blowers are often the most economical models on the market and usually the most lightweight, too.
Runtime
Each different type of leaf blower will have a different run time, depending on how it is powered and what speed you operate it at. A corded electric leaf blower has unlimited runtime as long as it’s plugged into an electrical outlet or generator. A cordless battery-powered leaf blower can have anywhere from 20 to 75 minutes of runtime, and a gas-powered leaf blower can go for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
Weight
Walk-behind leaf blowers are the heaviest type of leaf blower, but since they don’t need to be lifted off the ground, you’ll only need to worry about pushing them across your yard. These can weigh anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds. Handheld leaf blowers typically weigh around 10 to 25 pounds, but some of the most lightweight leaf blowers on the market weigh as little as 4 pounds. The lighter the device, the easier to manage, maneuver, and use for long stretches at a time.
Speed
When choosing the best leaf blowers for your needs, you’ll need to consider the motor speed each device offers. This is expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM), which refers to how much air passes through the blower’s nozzle in a minute. The higher the number, the quicker you’ll be able to move leaves around your yard. The rate at how quickly the air is expelled from the leaf blower is measured in miles per hour (MPH). Our list of the best leaf blowers include options ranging from 100 to 1300 CFM and 10 to 260 miles per hour, but you may not need the most powerful model on the market, depending on your yard size. People with small- to medium-sized yards will be just fine using leaf blowers on the mid- to low-end of this range, while people who need to clear multiple acres of leaves will want to purchase high-speed leaf blowers.
Noise Level
Leaf blowers can be quite loud to operate, so you’ll want to keep this in mind as you consider the best leaf blower for your yard. They average around 70 decibels on their quietest settings and particularly powerful models can reach levels above 100 decibels, so you might even need to wear a pair of ear protection headphones to protect your hearing.
Accessories
Leaf blowers can come with an array of accessories depending on your needs. These can include leaf collection systems which could be bags or boxes, shoulder straps for holding the blower more sturdily as well as easing the pressure off the user, and extension tubes for reaching gutters. Speaking of gutters, there are also gutter cleaning kits that come with the necessary bits and bobs especially for the task. You can also get mulching kits to turn the collected leaves into fortification for soil, and extra nozzles in different lengths, shapes, and sizes.
Your Questions, Answered
What else can you use a leaf blower for?
Leaf blowers can be a useful tool to keep your yard clean year-round, not just in the fall when your lawn is covered in leaves. “Leaf blowers are quite versatile,” Khandker says. “From clearing away dust in garden corners or reaching to clear leaves from gutters, they’re quite a handy tool to have.” You can also use your leaf blower to dry off garden furniture that has gotten wet, clear debris out from patio slats and underneath the deck, or to dry off your car after you’ve washed it.
Can I use a leaf blower on wet leaves?
“You can [move wet leaves with a leaf blower], but it’s twice the work,” Khandker says. “If the leaves are sodden, it takes a long time for them to move.” Since wet leaves won’t really start to budge with a leaf blower until they’re dry, Khander recommends raking them first or using a broom before bagging and mulching or removing them.
How do you maintain a leaf blower?
To keep your leaf blower in good condition for many years to come, it’s always a good idea to regularly check its filter, fan blades, and carburetor to ensure nothing is clogged or dirty. We also recommend doing a more thorough yearly check-up at the beginning of every season, including inspecting the hose for cracks, the battery for leaks, and the power cord for fraying or exposed wires. A gas-powered leaf blower will need annual fuel tank maintenance by a professional. To clean a dirty filter, simply give them a gentle scrub in a bowl of warm water and dish soap.
Who We Are
This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over ten years of commerce writing experience. For this article, Kat researched and reviewed multiple leaf blowers, and spoke to Sean Khandker, owner of InsideOut Gardening, Landscaping, and Maintenance Services, for his expertise on this topic. She also researched important factors to consider when shopping for the best leaf blowers including run time, noise level, power, and more.
