Best Leaf Blowers of 2022

Cordless vs. electric vs. gas powered leaf blower. Which to pick?

The first thing to consider before buying a leaf blower is the type of machine you need. Have you used a leaf blower before? What is the size of the area you need to clean? Will you use the leaf blower for casual home chores or more frequent jobs?

• Cordless leaf blowers: Are versatile machines designed with home users in mind. Most models are weaker than gas leaf blowers, but they are also lighter and quieter. Some of the heavier-duty models nowadays come with powerful batteries that can deliver gas-like performance, but you’ll still have to deal with limited runtime. On the bright side, most cordless blowers come with interchangeable batteries, so you could use a battery from your cordless pole saw, weed eater or hedge trimmer to boost runtime.
• Electric or corded leaf blowers: Deliver more power than most cordless models and are easier to operate than the gas ones. However, your range will be limited by the power cord. Depending on the tool you might or might not be able to use with an extension cord – read the manufacturer’s specs before buying if you can’t plug it directly into a wall outlet.
• Gas leaf blowers: Are the most powerful from the three, usually preferred by professionals. They deliver long runtime as well as high blowing power. They are suitable to use anywhere as long as you have a can of gas around, but these machines are loud. They are also heavier, need more maintenance, and produce vibrations that could cause fatigue. However, these are some of the most versatile machines you can get, most of them acting as leaf blower vacuums or leaf vacuum mulchers.

Which leaf blower to get?

With the above in mind, check out the table below to see which is the best leaf blower for you.

Handheld vs. backpack vs. walk behind leaf blowers

Power source aside, leaf blowers can be classified based on their design. You can choose from a handheld, backpack, and walk-behind units.

• Handheld leaf blowers: Are lightweight, versatile, and highly maneuverable but could cause fatigue if the area you have to clean is very large. Typically, these leaf blowers are perfect for casual home use to clean your patio, deck, driveway, or small lawn from fallen leaves, twigs, or even light snow.
• Backpack leaf blowers: If you need a longer runtime or more power, a backpack leaf blower can provide it. This kind of machine can blow much more than dry leaves. Most models are powerful enough to also blow wet leaves, twigs, pebbles, and other heavier debris. Apart from using them in all areas mentioned above, they are also ideal for use on fields or in garages and workshops.
• Walk behind leaf blower: Designed with professionals in mind, these leaf blowers are powerful enough to clean dry and wet leaves, twigs, as well as heavier debris such as cardboard, metal shavings, heavy paper, as well as other kinds of garbage. Similar to push-behind lawn mowers or string trimmers, they come in various sizes and are suitable for cleaning large areas of 1 acre or more.

Best leaf blower brands

Figuring out what type of leaf blower you need is only part of the picture. Once you know that, you should also know what brands are worth your attention for convenience and durability. Below, a list of the most popular leaf blower brands:

• BLACK+DECKER leaf blowers: Are among the cheapest reliable units on the market. Most are designed for domestic consumers, although the brand also has a line of professional leaf vacuum mulchers.
• WORX leaf blowers: Address eco-savvy users interested in cordless or electric machines. They provide superior quality and outstanding cutting power, with levels comparable to the gas units.
• Stihl leaf blowers: Are usually designed with professionals in mind. They are more expensive than BLACK+DECKER, but are more powerful and will last longer.
• EGO leaf blowers: Similar to WORX, the EGO leaf blowers address home users and professionals looking for a powerful and reliable cordless unit.
• Dewalt leaf blowers: Are somewhere in-between the BLACK+DECKER and Stihl, offering semi-professional features at prices that don’t break the bank.
• Makita leaf blowers: Are similar to the Stihl, in that they address landscapers and other commercial users. They are powerful, but can be expensive.

Other important leaf blower brands we can mention include Hitachi, Toro, Husqvarna, and Poulan Pro, to name just a few.

What is a good CFM for a leaf blower?

One of the most important numbers to check when buying a leaf blower is the quantity of air it can move, expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM). This number determines how far the unit can blow the debris, and the higher this number, the most powerful the machine.

Depending on the size of your property, you will need:

What about the leaf blower MPH?

Another number you’ll also notice when shopping for a leaf blower is the air velocity, expressed in miles per hour (mph). While the CFM tells you how far the blower can throw the garbage, the air velocity tells you how fast you can move it.

Just like in the case of the CFM, the size of your yard determines what air velocity you need:

Is CFM or MPH more important in a leaf blower?

Not necessarily. While both numbers are important, whether or not one is more important than the other depends on your circumstances. For instance, if you have a small yard and want to finish your chores faster, you could opt for a unit with lower CFM but higher MPH. On the contrary, if the area is larger, but you don’t mind spending more time cleaning, you could get a unit with high CFM and lower MPH. For commercial use, however, try to get a unit with high CFM as well as high MPH.

What should I look for when buying a leaf blower?

With the above in mind, here are a few things you should look for before buying a leaf blower.

• Nozzle design: Some models have round, largemouth nozzles, while others come with a flattened nozzle. The former is ideal for blowing leaves off your lawn or flowerbeds, while the latter is more suitable for sweeping decks and driveways. If both are important to you, check if the unit you want comes with both nozzle types.
• Ergonomic grip: If you want a handheld or push behind leaf blower, make sure it comes with an ergonomic grip.
• Variable speed: Allows you to switch from lower to higher airflow, adapting the performance to the size of the area. This feature also allows you to prolong runtime when using a cordless or gas unit.
• Cruise control: Maintains the selected speed even if the trigger is not engaged, reducing user fatigue and improving comfort.
• Weight: Whether you want a handheld or backpack unit, check its weight, and make sure it’s comfortable to hold and maneuver.
• Noise level: Leaf blowers can be noisy machines, but just like the lawn mowers or string trimmers, some models are quieter than others. Battery leaf blowers can be as quiet as normal conversation, while some gas units don’t exceed 75 decibels.