Autumn brings a deluge of falling leaves. You could spend hours raking and bagging them or choose a faster, quicker clean-up method. A leaf blower is a very effective, convenient way to clear fallen leaves away from the lawn, hard surfaces and flower beds.
Getting Started
With all the options available on the market, it can be difficult to narrow down the best choice for your needs. The size of the space, cost, type of power, and features are all factors to consider when shopping for the best leaf blower to meet both needs and budget.
Power types
- Corded electric blowers These models tend to be light in weight and best for smaller spaces. Strong enough to blow grass clippings and leaves, they are precise in direction for ease in making piles or lines. The cord limits the blower’s ability to clear areas outside the cord's reach. They tend to be cost-effective and easy to maintain and store.
- Cordless blowers These models are operated by a rechargeable battery. No cord means less limitations on the size of the space. However, the user is limited by time-length of use as a single charge lasts from 45-60 minutes. The type of battery also affects the weight of the blower. The two choices are Ni-Cad and Lithium-Ion. Lithium-Ion is up to 50% lighter and can be recharged more than 3 times as often. Cordless blowers are favored for their ease of use and maintenance.
- Gas blowers These models provide a lot more power than electric models and aren't limited by power cords. They don't require much storage space and are best suited for medium-sized yards. Gas blowers tend to be quieter than electric models. They are heavier and as much as twice the price of a basic electric handheld. They also require engine maintenance and oil mixing. It's important to research laws in your area as gas blowers are banned in some areas of the country.
Special features
Gas and electric leaf blowers are traditionally handheld. However, there are models that have special options or features that offer more power, ease of use and added benefits. Wheeled models are gas-powered and available for residential use, but aren't as effective as commercial-grade models. They can still be very efficient by blowing a high volume of air over large spaces. They aren't as precise as handheld models when trying to blow leaves into a line or pile. Some models are self-propelled for ease of use. Wheeled models require extra storage space compared to handheld blowers. Backpack models are a gas-powered option for powerful clean up and ease of use. They tend to weigh considerably more and cost substantially more than handheld models, but they are very powerful when blowing wet and dry leaves as well as some frozen materials. They don't take up much more space than a handheld model. Vacuums are an add-on feature of some gas and electric-powered blowers. By flipping a switch, the blower can be changed from blow-mode to vac-mode. The leaves are vacuumed up the nozzle and mulched for easy disposal. This option can be helpful for small jobs, but only sparingly as the blades become worn from prolonged use.
Brands
Recommended brands and price ranges: Cordless electric Toro: $120 Greenworks: $135 Core: $350 Handheld electric Greenworks: $64 up to $250 Toro: $90 Remington: $95 Handheld gas Husqvarna: $150 Tanaka: $160 Efco: $185 Backpack Cub cadet: $230 Troy-bilt: $230 Husqvarna: $300-$420 Wheeled Cub Cadet: $600 Little Wonder: $850 Parker: $1,000
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