Best Cordless Leaf Blowers of 2022

Types of cordless leaf blowers

A cordless leaf blower is perfect for homeowners looking for their way around tendentious raking of the fall leaves. This tool helps you stack dead vegetation and not only in a neat pile, but if you don’t want to scoop up the leaves once you’re done blowing, maybe you need a leaf blower vac. In fact, there are two types of cordless leaf blowers to choose from:

• Standard cordless leaf blower: Blows debris, dirt, and grime into a pile that you will have to get rid of after blowing.
• Cordless leaf blower vacuum: Combines the advantages of a leaf blower with those of a leaf vacuum; you’ll be able to switch between functions and either pile-up or suck up the leaves into a collection bag that is easy to empty in a compost pile or in the bin.

Which one should you get?

Leaf blower vacuums may seem superior to the standard leaf blowers, and in a certain way, they really are. But in real life, they may bring more drawbacks than advantages. Indeed, less is more when it comes to leaf blowers, and the traditional style is your best bet.

This happens because the vacuum bags on these handheld units have a small capacity. You’ll have to constantly empty it, thus spending more time on the job.

Blower vacs are also heavier because they have more parts, and their speed and overall performance are also lower than the performance of a simple leaf blower. It seems that homeowners who have blower vacs usually end up to never turning on the vacuum function. A traditional leaf blower is undoubtedly a wiser choice to replace your old rake.

Best battery and charger

Most cordless leaf blowers are powered by lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries of various capacities. The size of the battery determines both the power and the runtime, and you should check both the voltage and the ampere-hour (Ah) before buying.

What voltage do you need?

To understand how many volts you need on the battery, you must first understand the mechanics behind it.

Li-Ion batteries are typically made up of individual cells with a voltage between 1.2 and 3.6 volts. The number of cells in a battery determines its final voltage, but more cells also mean a heavier battery. That’s why your tool might not be the most convenient just because it has the most powerful battery.

In broad terms, you won’t need more than:

Leaf blower runtime

Many people associate a higher voltage to a higher runtime, but the specification to look for is the ampere-hour (Ah). Metaphorically speaking, this number represents the size of your fuel tank. According to physics, a tool that draws 1 amp from a 1Ah battery will run for an hour.

Beyond this blissful theory, the truth is that batteries rarely come with more than 5Ah regardless of the amperage they actually draw, and that’s how you end up with those scarce 15 minutes of runtime.

When assessing the runtime, the more Ah you have, the better. If the manufacturer discloses the actual amperage (A) of the tool (and they rarely do), you can calculate the rough runtime dividing the Ah by A.

A word on the charger

Like most landscaping cordless tools including string trimmers, pole saws, and lawn mowers, cordless leaf blowers can come with either standard or fast-chargers.

• Standard chargers: Will take a lot of time, usually over six hours, to top up your battery’s energy levels, but they preserve the lifespan of the battery.
• Fast-chargers: Can recharge your battery in as little as half an hour, but by doing so, they may overheat the cells. Because Li-Ion cells are susceptible to heat, your battery will have a shorter lifespan.

Blow speed: CFM and MPH

Moving on to performance, the capabilities of your leaf blower are determined by the quantity of air it can move in a minute, expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM), and the air speed, typically expressed in miles per hour (MPH).

Because CFM determines how far away you can push the leaves while the MPH determines how fast, it is important to check both numbers before deciding which leaf blower is the best for you.

It is easy to understand that the numbers above are ideal, and manufacturers use any mix of CFM and MPH, that’s why you will often have to decide whether you value higher power or higher speed.

Additional features to consider

Besides all the above, the best cordless leaf blowers also come with additional features. Check out the most important:

• Ergonomic design: Most cordless blowers require you to hold down a trigger to operate them, so you should make sure it’s placed within reach. A soft grip and overall balance can also enhance your operation and reduce fatigue.
• Variable speed: Being able to switch between speeds gives you the possibility to choose between longer runtime or higher performance, depending on the surface you’re cleaning. Lower speed and higher runtime will usually suit hard surfaces, whereas you will need higher speed on grass.
• Low noise level: If you like to take care of all outdoor chores early in the morning or late at night, pick a leaf blower that is quiet. Some models are as quiet as normal conversation (60 decibels).
• Low heft: Check the overall weight of the unit when the battery is on. Lighter leaf blowers are easier to maneuver and less tiring to hold for prolonged periods.
• Compact dimensions: Compact cordless blowers can be as powerful as the bulkier units, but they are easier to handle in confined areas and occupy less space in your shed or garage.
• Shoulder strap: Regardless of how lightweight or heavy the leaf blower is, a shoulder strap makes it easier to hold. This improves your overall comfort, and consequently your experience with the tool.
• Interchangeable battery: Most cordless leaf blowers on the market come with interchangeable batteries that are compatible with an array of other power tools in the system.

Best Cordless Leaf Blower for the Money

Best value

Greenworks 24252 40V 150 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Blower

Best domestic cordless leaf blower

Powerful battery and variable speed motor let you adjust output and runtime to match the application.

Check price on Amazon