Leaf blowers are essential for keeping your garden clear of leaves or debris. So why do you need to buy a leaf blower if you can rake the garden?
The beauty of any garden lies in the trees, flowers, and grass grown in that compound. When kept trimmed and free from weeds, vegetation completes the beauty of a garden. However, that comes at a price.
The trees in your garden shed leaves on the lawn thereby making it less attractive. The fallen leaves must be cleared from the lawn, or they’ll soon choke the grass to wither.
Although raking removes the debris, it’s time consuming especially on a large lawn. That’s where the leaf blower comes in. A leaf blower is a garden tool for clearing leaves and other debris from your garden.
Here is a quick look at the top leaf blowers we have reviewed.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Leaf Blower
Airspeed
A leaf blower’s airspeed directly relates to its power. A higher airspeed rating means the blower can blow off even heavier particles. Damp leaves, small sticks or seed pods can be difficult to clear with an insufficiently powered blower. At the same time, an adequately powered engine is also ideal for cleaning large lawns and yards. So consider the kind of materials mostly found in your garden. A blower with a variable speed is ideal. Such unit allows you to customize the airspeed as the job dictates.
Power source
All leaf blowers require energy to run. The blower can be gas, battery or electric powered. Electric leaf blowers though simple to use and maintain, limits your cleaning to the length of the cord. Gasoline driven leaf blowers are more powerful than electric. However, they are also heavier and difficult to start. Battery powered leaf blowers are lighter but require constant charging. Consequently, choose the power source that fits you.
Noise level
Leaf blowers vary in the level of noise they produce. Some neighborhood dictates the types of leaf blowers allowed with respect to their decibel rating. You wouldn’t wish to buy a leaf blower that inconveniences your next door neighbor.
Carrying method
Leaf blowers vary in how they can be carried. We have handheld, backpack or walk behind types. Remember you will be using the tool for a longer period. Make sure you can move around with that weight. So choose the garden tool that feels comfortable to carry. If you have back complications, a lightweight leaf blower will be ideal.
Extra features
Determine whether you will require extra features like vacuuming or mulching. Collecting the piled leaves and grass is much easier if your blower can also vacuum leaves into a bag. On the other hand, a mulcher will shred the clippings into tiny bits.
Storage space
Consider the amount of space the leaf blower will require. If you have limited storage space go for models that have some parts that can be dismantled to ease storage.
? Leaf Blower Reviews – Our Top Picks ?
BLACK+DECKER BV5600 High-Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher
The black decker BV5600 is a compactly designed garden tool that plays three roles blower/vacuum/mulcher.
With its high torque 12 amperes rated motor it provides sufficient power to blow both the wet and dry light leaves with ease with an airspeed of 250mph.
The blower vacuum mulcher still feels light at 14.3 pounds.
Thus it provides less fatigue after blowing leaves from your lawn or flower bed.
Outstanding features
1. Variable speed
The variable 2-speed selections allow you to customize the airspeed to particular blow jobs. For instance, blowing damp leaves demands high airspeed and pressure whereas collecting dry leaves is a walk over.
2. Low noise rating
Moreover, you can use the BV5600 early in the morning and still have no neighbor complaining, thanks to its 68dBA rating. With an efficient and powerful mulching feature, it promises to reduce 16 bags into one mulched bag.
3. Turbo action nozzle to loosen damp leaves
Usually clearing damp and stack debris offers a challenge. Not so with the BV5600. With its turbo action nozzle, you loosen the damp leaves for easier blowing. The high impact impeller reduces chances of clogging and works on both leaves and dry sticks.
4. Cord retainer
The built-in cord keeps the cable in place thus negating the need for constant attention.
The package comes with the following
- Blow tube
- Leafblaster nozzle
- Concentrator
- Vacuum tube and bag assembly
- The motorhead
- Has thick high impact metal impeller
- Simple switching from vacuum to blower mode
- Lightweight and convenient to strap on the shoulder
- At times the leaves get sucked into the suction tube.
It’s perfect all in one blower, vacuum, mulcher for those who own small or medium-sized yards, driveways or decks. It will help you to manage the fall leaves conveniently.
WORX TURBINE – WG520 Corded Leaf Blower 12 Amp with Variable Speed Control
The working turbine has managed to strike the right balance between weight and performance. The 6.4 lbs weight means it’s easy to control even single-handedly yet giving you less strain on your muscles once the leaf blowing exercise is complete.
Outstanding features
1. Handles tough blowing jobs
Despite its compact and portable design, it matches if not overpowering most gas driven blowers. It drives a large volume of air, 600CFM at a forceful airspeed of 110mph. Thus it promises to deliver superior performance even on the toughest blowing requirement.
2. Variable speed
Considering its dynamic airflow construction and the hyper stream air nozzle, the blower will adapt to your outdoor cleaning requirement. It gives you the ease to switch from lighter to tougher blowing jobs. For instance, the variable speed feature is useful when switching from blowing damp leaves to piling light
3. Has a power cord retainer
When using electric corded blowers, you have put up with the trailing cord. The WG520 makes handling the power cable much easier. It gives you the power cord retainer and therefore supporting the hassle-free blowing.
- Portable but delivers on blowing jobs
- Extremely light in weight, 6.4lbs
- It adopts the variable speed design
- Complains have been registered on the poor construction of the cord retainer. It falls often.
Conclusion
If you crave for the lightweight leaf blower yet uncompromised performance for your outdoor cleaning, then the WG20 fits you.
Greenworks Single Speed Electric Blower 24012 7 Amp 160 MPH
The Greenworks is a light and environmentally friendly leaf blower. At just 4.5lbs it offers you minimal strain and fatigue as you move freely cleaning your yard.
Outstanding features
Lightweight and Sufficiently Powered
Considering its light weight and ergonomic design, it’s a leaf blower that promises much comfort plus efficiency.
With its 7amp rated motor, it delivers sufficient power and forces air out at 160mph. Meaning, it will collect dry leaves and grass clippings in your yard very fast.
Safety lock cord
Most corded electric leaf blowers have to bother cords that come loose often during the blowing exercise. To check on such an occurrence, the Greenworks 240 12 incorporates safety cord lock feature. Thus it gives you the hassle-free yard cleaning.
Disassembles for easy storage
For the ease of storage, the blowing tube disassembles into two pieces thus becoming compact. This leaf blower still fits even the noise restricted neighborhoods due to its minimized noise pollution.
To confirm its durable and quality design, it boasts 4-year warranty.
- Delivers outstanding performance on dry surfaces
- It runs quietly considering it is an electric corded blower
- Incorporates a safety lock, to prevent power cable disconnecting while on job
- The blowing tube disassembles for easy storage
- You will have to buy the extension cord separately
- Not suitable for cleaning dump wet surfaces.
Conclusion
The blower fits the gardener who has a medium or small sized yard to clean. Also, if your lawn is often dry, consider the lightweight Greenworks 24012 ideal for your lawn. Like all electric corded leaf blowers, it will require very minimal maintenance from you.
Toro 51619 Ultra Blower/Vac, Red (Corded)
The Toro 51619 leaf blower packages three features into one body. The corded garden tool functions as a leaf blower, shredder, and a vacuum. Despite the twin role, it has a lightweight of just 8.5lbs. Strap it over your shoulder or carry it single-handedly and feel a very minimal strain.
Outstanding features
Variable speed:
Toro 51619 offers you the variable speed control, up to a maximum of 250mph. Thus you can tailor its speed to fit light or tough jobs as condition demands.
Sturdy metal impeller
As leaf shredder, it has a sturdy metal impeller that delivers high performance. It promises to reduce 88% of the mulched debris into just ½ inch thick!
Built-in lock cord feature
Electric cords tend to disconnect from most vac/blowers/mulchers. Fortunately, the Toro 51619 check against that through the built-in lock cord. Its vacuum bag is strategically placed at the bottom for efficient collection.
Easy switching from vacuum to blower mode
The quick release latch provides for quick switching from blower to vacuum mode in seconds. When you are through with the yard cleaning, the cord storage hooks helps to store the extension cord conveniently.
- Requires very minimal assembly
- Combines three duties leaf blowing, shredding and vacuum
- Switching from blowing to vacuum mode takes seconds
- High reduction ratio
- Has a strong and large metal impeller unlike other plastic models
- Has alight weigh 8.5 lbs
- An ultrasensitive power switch
- Moderately hard to control at the high-speed setting
- The positioning of the vacuum bag needs adjustment to keep it off the ground
Conclusion
If you are looking for a pocket-friendly, lightweight but powerful leaf blower, then Toro 5169 takes that crown. It works delivers excellent performance on both wet and dry leaves cleaning. The vacuum/blower/shredder suits your small or medium lawn.
Greenworks PRO 80V 125 MPH – 500 CFM Cordless Blower
The Greenworks 80V cordless blower features a cordless leaf blower with a rechargeable battery to last you 70 minutes of runtime. As a tool made by one of the leading industries, Greenworks you are assured of quality performance.
Outstanding features
Long life battery
The extended life 80V, 2AH lithium-ion battery gives 70 minutes of run time on a single charge. That provides more time for fumeless and cordless yard cleaning.
Lightweight design
At only 8.9lbs the cordless leaf blower is very portable and convenient to carry either on your back or with one hand.
Durable brushless motor
The brushless motor experiences less wear and tear. Also, it’s powerful enough to drive 500CFM volume of air at 125mph. Blowing dry leaves and debris, therefore, become very easy.
Runs quietly
With the brushless motor design, the tool runs quietly at 60 dB noise level. Therefore you can wake up at dawn to clean your yard yet still have your neighbor enjoying his sleep.
Simple to maintain
As an electric cordless leaf blower, it presents instant start push button and very little maintenance. Also, it comes complete with the rechargeable battery and charger. You won’t need to worry about oil and constant refueling of gas.
- Offers compatibility with most Greenworks tool batteries
- Requires very minimal maintenance
- Extended life lithium-ion battery; 80V, 2AH
- Portable and runs quietly
- It only functions as a blower
- Lacks shoulder harness
Conclusion
To the gardener who requires a portable, cordless but powerful leaf blower, Greenworks blower fits that use. It gives you a quiet operation also.
How does a leaf blower work?
Toro UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum
A leaf blower will help you to blow leaves or grass clippings from the lawn then heap them together. To accomplish that role, blowers are equipped with a motor.
The rotation of that motor forces a specified volume of air at a specific rate out of the blower.
You can either have a stand-alone blower or 3 in one blower. The 3 in one blower plays three roles, blower/vacuum/mulcher.
The blower/vac/mulcher enables you to collect the leaves, cut them into invisible pieces and channel them into the collection bag.
The shredded leaves can then be used as mulch, added to the compost heap or used for making leaf mold.
back to menu ↑Types of leaf blowers
Leaf blowers are powered using different power sources; we have three types of leaf blowers;
- Gas powered leaf blowers
- Corded electric leaf blowers
- Cordless electric blowers
1. Corded electric leaf blowers
Electricity powers these leaf blowers from a socket outlet. When compared to gas leaf blowers, electric blowers are lighter. Also, they are easy to maintain and run. Unlike their gas-powered counterparts which involve pulling start, these have on/off switch button.
However, you will have to put up with the electric cord. The length of the cord will thus determine how far the leaf blower can reach.
2. Gas powered leaf blowers
Most gas driven leaf blowers utilize gasoline. When compared to the electricity driven blowers, gas blowers are more powerful. In addition, once you have fueled it to full tank capacity, you will clean quite a large area before refilling the gas tank. Furthermore, you won’t have any cord that limits the area your blower can cover.
However, the main disadvantage of a gas powered leaf blower is their heavyweight and emission of smoked the surrounding.
3. Cordless electric powered leaf blowers
Rechargeable batteries power these devices. The batteries are mostly lithium ion. Cordless leaf blowers are generally lighter and produce no smoke to the environment. Also, they produce minimized noise. Their light design makes them very portable. When you have several rechargeable batteries, you can swap batteries and thus clean an extensive yard.
Nevertheless, the battery capacity will limit your cleaning time. As such it may require constant recharging. Most of these cordless leaf blowers give approximately 25 minutes of runtime. Also, they attract high price tags.
So between gas, electric and battery powered leaf blowers which is the best choice for the consumer?
To a large extent, it depends on the size of your lawn.
If you have a large garden to clean, go for the gas powered leaf blower. It’s very powerful and once fueled gives longer run time. However, it is wise to pick in a brand with lower decibel rating and produces minimized smoke.
For the small or medium-sized lawn, an electric leaf blower is ideal. It’s easier to find an extension cable to cover a smaller area for instance 100feet. Alternatively, you can choose on the cordless leaf blower. It will give you much power to clean a lawn within 20 or 25 minutes. Moreover, it’s very light in weight!
