Leaf blowers can help you clear anything from your yard or driveway from dust and debris to leaves. Many have the power to handle either large stretches of grassy land or a small backyard. We tested leaf blowers that work for both commercial landscape workers as well as homeowners who want help getting rid of the fallen leaves that come with autumn. Depending on how large of a space you need to cover, you have a range of blowers to choose from.
Top 10 Bestseller Leaf Blowers
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Top 7 Best Leaf Blower Reviews
BLACK+DECKER 40V Leaf Blower/Leaf Vacuum Kit, Cordless (LSWV36)
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PROS: It produced the least amount of noise – 86.2 dBs – out of the 10 leaf blowers we tested.
CONS: The warranty is a little short, three years; other manufacturers offer a seven-year warranty.
This lightweight leaf blower is powerful enough to clear your yard and keep the noise down at the same time. The Black & Decker LSWV36 leaf blower makes clearing your yard of debris easy. Its noise level is low enough to not annoy your neighbors, it weighs little enough to give your arms and back a break, and it blows leaves far enough away to make yard work go quickly.
When we tested how far the Black & Decker could blow a pile of debris, we measured 17.5 inches. Even though it was not the farthest distance of the products we tested, it is still an impressive distance. It also did so at an air speed of 120 mph.
The Black & Decker is an electric battery-powered leaf blower, so you do not have to worry about having a sufficient length of cord in order to reach all of the tight spots and corners in your yard or driveway. It comes with a battery charger, which liberates you from the confines of an electrical outlet. You also do not have to worry about the environmental harm done by a gas-powered leaf blower.
The Black & Decker LSWV36 is the lightest of the leaf blowers we tested, weighing a mere 5.4 pounds. Having a leaf blower that does not put a lot of strain on either your arms or back can save you a lot of uncomfortable time in the warm sun. If you have a large property to cover, then having this lightweight product can work well for you. You can move the blower back and forth quickly and easily since it is light enough to be maneuverable.
One of the biggest complaints about leaf blowers is the amount of noise they generate, which can be disruptive to neighbors. The noise level on this leaf blower is the lowest of any product we tested, and one of the determining factors in giving it our Gold Award. In our tests, the Black & Decker produced 86.2 dB. With the Black & Decker, you don’t have to worry so much about disturbing your neighbors or others nearby while using it.
The Black & Decker LSWV36 makes leaf blowing easy and smooth, whether you have never used one of these devices before or you’re experienced and looking to upgrade. We strongly recommend this leaf blower because it’s quiet, very maneuverable, and extremely easy to carry.
WORX WG505 TRIVAC 12 Amp 3-In-1 Electric Blower
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PROS: Between its light weight and its soft-grip handle, you can use this leaf blower for an extended period of time.
CONS: This leaf blower lacks some features that would make it more convenient to use, like a built-in scraper.
While this leaf blower is missing features that would improve its usability, it still effectively blows and vacuums leaves and debris. The Worx Trivac leaf blower serves as a multipurpose machine that blows, vacuums, and mulches leaves. This is an electric leaf blower. As such, you do not have to worry about gas, oil, or recharging batteries. The blower has a 14-inch cord that connects to outdoor extension cords so that you are not restricted by a short cord. It has great power, a high air speed, and a durable metal design. For all these reasons, we consider this one of the best leaf blowers we tested.
This leaf blower weighs 9.7 pounds, which is heavy for an electric leaf blower, though still lighter than many gas-powered blowers. It comes with a shoulder strap on the collection bag, though, which takes care of a lot of that burden. If you prefer, the Worx Trivac can be connected to trash can instead, reducing the amount of time you spend cleaning up. Still, the compact device is designed so that you can use it with only one hand, so carrying around the bag isn’t burdensome.
In terms of noise, the Worx measured 97.4 decibels, which is standard for leaf blowers, though still quite loud. We recommend wearing ear protection when using this or any blower or piece of equipment that produces 85 or more dB.
With variable speed control, you can adjust the speed of the blower to fit the job you are working on. This leaf blower has an air speed of 210 miles per hour. With such a high speed, it removes leaves and debris with ease. When blowing away leaves and debris, we measured the blow length at 17.4 feet, which is comparable to our top-rated leaf blowers.
The Worx Trivac leaf blower helps you effectively blow, vacuum, and mulch leaves. We appreciated how comfortable it was to operate, and the angled nozzle was convenient for blowing leaves and debris out from hard-to-reach areas. While it lacks some features that would make it easier to use, such as a built-in scraper or adjustable extension tubes, its high air speed and blowing range make it an effective yard tool.
Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum
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PROS: This air blower has the fastest Air Speed of all the leaf blowers we tested.
CONS: The blower lacks a built-in scraper, which can be helpful for lifting away wet, stuck-on leaves.
The Toro UltraPlus Blower has the capability of three machines in one: a powerful leaf blower, vacuum, and leaf shredder. The Toro UltraPlus Blower Vac serves as a blower, vacuum, and leaf shredder in one compact machine. Powered by electricity, you can clean your entire yard without running out of battery or gas. While this leaf blower’s cord is only a couple of feet long, it is designed to connect with an extension cord so you can cover a greater distance.
The best leaf blowers are lightweight and easy to carry. This model weighs around 7 pounds, making it easy to carry. The 36-inch nozzle is average for leaf blowers but isn’t long enough to put any strain on your back or arms as you use it.
In terms of noise, the Toro produces 96 dB. While this is average for a leaf blower, including the models we tested, it’s important to wear proper protection when using this or any piece of equipment that emits 85 or more dB.
The device does not include a scraper, making it harder to remove stuck-on leaves. When testing the leaf blower, we measured its blow length to be 16.8 feet, which is a similar distance to the other blowers we reviewed. This means you can cover a wider area without needing to move around quite as much.
The Toro UltraPlus Blower Vac serves as an effective leaf blower, vacuum, and shredder. It helps reduce the amount of time and energy you spend cleaning up your yard with its versatile design. While the leaf blower lacks some features that would make operating it easier, it still serves as a reliable and effective leaf blower.
Husqvarna 125BVx, 28cc 2-Cycle Gas 425 CFM 170 MPH Handheld Leaf Blower
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PROS: This leaf blower also functions as a vacuum and mulching unit. It can compress 16 parts of debris down to one part of mulch.
CONS: This model was one of the loudest blowers in our test, measuring 97.9 decibels.
The Husqvarna 125BVx is best for small yards or light loads, plus it also doubles as a vacuum. However, the blower is loud, and it takes several attempts to start it.
Whether you have a large or small lawn, leaf blowers are an essential part of yard maintenance. The Husqvarna 125BVx does more than just push leaves around. This leaf blower has a vacuum function, and it can compress leaves into mulch at an impressive rate.
According to Husqvarna, this model has a power output of 1.1 horsepower from its two-cycle engine. However, in our test, it took 11.86 seconds to blow material 17.5 feet from a distance of 7 feet away. This is to be expected. This model produces airflow at a max speed of 170 mph.
Even though its power and performance are average to that of other blowers, this leaf blower also has some advantages. It comes with interchangeable round or flat nozzle types to direct airflow. Specs say that the round nozzle pumps air out of the blower at speeds reaching 130 miles per hour. The flat nozzle focuses the air into a narrow passage, which increases the speed by 50 miles per hour.
While this model didn’t make it into the top tier, it’s light, weighing only 9.6 pounds. Lefties will benefit from the design of this model, meaning righties have a learning curve adjusting to this garden blower’s handling. However, the inline design keeps the air stream aligned with the handle to reduce stress on your arms and wrists. The fan on the left outside of the body keeps this leaf blower balanced so it doesn’t push back as you try to maneuver.
On the inside, you’ll find a Champion RCJ6Y spark plug, a top-rated component from Amazon and Home Depot. The auto-return stop switch is a useful feature for when you need to take a break. The stop switch automatically resets to On to start the blower easily when you return. Like other gas-powered equipment, the 125BVx has an air-purge bulb. This feature keeps the fuel system running, prevents flooding, and makes starting a snap. Despite the Smart Start engine, quality spark plug and other features designed to improve starting, it took us over 10 attempts before we were able to start the Husqvarna’s engine.
You may not usually use hearing protection when blowing leaves, however, we highly recommend it. In our sound test, this model reached noise levels of up to 97.9 decibels (dB), making it one of the loudest blowers in our lineup.
This leaf blower also doubles as a yard or shop vacuum. The vacuum bag holds up to 17 gallons of yard debris. This may seem impossible for a unit weighing less than 10 pounds. However, the mulching function has a mulch ratio of approximately 16:1. Tiny mulching knives inside make quick work of leaves, leaving more room in the vacuum bag.
CRAFTSMAN BV245 27cc 2-Cycle Full Crank Engine Gas Powered Leaf Blower
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PROS: The Craftsman 27cc has a durable metal design and a comfortable grip.
CONS: At 105 decibels, it’s one of the loudest blowers we tested.
The Craftsman 27cc Gas Blower has a strong motor and a good design, but the strong motor isn’t efficient and has trouble blowing leaves a far distance.
The Craftsman leaf blower has a 27cc full-crank engine that produces good power and a solid air speed of 200 mph. However, this doesn’t translate into blowing power. In our tests, the leaf blower could only blow a little over 11 feet. By comparison, the best gas blowers in our lineup blew leaves over 17 feet, a difference of up to 50 percent.
Like all gas leaf blowers, the Craftsman requires more maintenance. You’ll have to pull the cord to start the engine, but the cord doesn’t require a lot of force. It weighs 10 pounds, which is the second heaviest model we tested. It doesn’t help that you can feel a pull from the spinning of the engine. Operating this blower for extended periods of time could be a strain on even the strongest users.
We measured the noise level of this leaf blower and got a reading of 105 decibels (dB), which is very loud. We recommend using ear protection when using this tool.
The Craftsman 27cc has a good vacuuming function, though, in order to use it, you’ll need to purchase an additional leaf bag accessory that is sold separately. The blower only has one speed, so you can’t adjust the speed for smaller jobs.
One positive with the Craftsman is its design: The base of the motor is a strong metal and should last over time. Even though it’s a gas-powered blower, this model doesn’t vibrate as much as other blowers we tested because of its anti-vibration system. The handle also has a nice cushion that reduces strain on your fingers and hands. We would have appreciated it if Craftsman would also include a shoulder strap to make it more convenient to carry this blower.
Craftsman offers a two-year warranty on parts and labor, which is lower than the other blowers on our lineup. The website has a link to download the owner manual if you lose the one it came with, and a full level of support is available online, including a customer service phone line and email.
Makita BHX2500CA 24.5 cc MM4 4-Stroke Engine Blower
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PROS: The Makita produces very little vibration; in fact, it was barely noticeable.
CONS: It lacks the ability to blow debris very far.
While it isn’t the most powerful leaf blower, it is very easy to manage and comfortable to operate.
The Makita 24.5cc MM4 Leaf Blower is gas-powered. Gas-powered blowers typically require more maintenance than electric models. In addition, they can be harder for some individuals to start. In order to start the engine, you’ll need to yank hard on the pull cord, which can be a strain for some individuals, such as those with shoulder injuries. The Makita MM4 weighs 9.8 pounds, which isn’t unbearably heavy nor especially light too. In our tests, its noise level was 96.7 decibels (dB), which was in line with other blowers we tested, but you’ll still want to use hearing protection when operating this blower.
The best feature of the Makita MM4 by far is the lack of vibration we felt when we tested it. When the engine was on, the machine was stable and had little of the jumpiness that other models had. It remained smooth and consistently comfortable during the time we tested it.
We tested how far the Makita could blow leaves and grass. We clocked a distance of 16 feet, which was on the lower end of the scale. For those with smaller yards or who plan to use the blower occasionally, this may not be a problem. The blower has a max air speed of 145 mph.
Besides working as a blower, the Makita also has a vacuum function. This can be useful for picking up heavy debris in small areas. For example, if you are trying to clear rain-soaked leaves from your porch, setting this leaf blower to vacuum will probably get the job done faster than trying to blow them into a pile. You can also vary the speeds, a benefit that comes in handy when clearing off the dust around flowerbeds or entryways.
A soft-grip handle offsets the Makita’s low vibration and helps you maintain a comfortable, firm grip. Our hands did not get sore, even after holding this leaf blower for several minutes. The blower can also be broken down, making storage a cinch. The air tubes are also adjustable, so if you need to adjust the speed and air stream to suit a particular area, then the Makita is prepared. The Makita is also very small at just 14 inches long.
The Makita comes with an instruction booklet, which is available as a PDF online. A phone number is available for help, and when reaching out to the company, we did not have to wait more than a few minutes before a friendly representative came on the line. There is no email, surprisingly, not even in the form of a one-sided customer inquiry. The warranty is only two years, which is not very long, especially if you live in an area with short summers and long winters.
Greenworks 24352, Blower, Green
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PROS: This unit weighs 3.3 pounds, the lightest leaf blower in our product lineup, which makes it easy to manage and hold for long periods of time.
CONS: The machine vibrates a lot during use.
Although the GreenWorks 24352 is very light, it still has enough power to keep your yard looking meticulous.
The GreenWorks 24352 is an eco-friendly electric leaf blower designed with comfort in mind for its users. You do not need a cord to turn on this blower. It is powered by a 24-volt lithium-ion battery, which offers a few distinct benefits. First, there are no emissions you’re adding to the environment, plus there is no oil and gas that you have to mix and keep on hand. An additional benefit with this leaf blower is that you’re not restricted by a cord. You can move about your yard freely sweeping away leaves and any lawn clippings.
Weighing only 3.3 pounds, the 24352 is the lightest leaf blower of the 10 units we tested. If you are going to be using this blower over a long period of time, it doesn’t put hardly any strain on your body. Still, at 96.3 decibels (dB), the noise level is intense. You’ll want to wear ear plugs or other noise-blocking gear while using it.
This leaf blower also vibrates a lot. When we turned on the machine, it jolted and then pulsated the entire time we had it on. This leaf blower features a soft-grip handle, which helps somewhat with the vibrations, but you may still want to invest in a pair of anti-vibration gloves when using this leaf blower.
In our tests, the GreenWorks blew debris 17 feet across a concrete floor. That is a good length, especially given its air power of 130 mph, even though there are some choices that can move debris further. The 24352 features a curved handle, which allows you to easily carry the blower and point it in the direction you want it without putting additional strain on your arm or shoulders.
This leaf blower doesn’t come with any additional convenience options, such as a vacuum or mulching function. In addition, there are only two-speed settings. The lack of additional features, such as vacuum and mulching features, were drawbacks, causing it to earn a lower score.
GreenWorks warranties this leaf blower for four years. In the event you lose your product manual, you can download one from the website. If you have a question or problem, you can reach the company by phone on weekdays and Saturdays. Unfortunately, there is no email address or live-chat feature, so you can only reach the company by phone.
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Leaf Blowers: What We Tested, What We Found
Top Ten Reviews seeks, whenever possible, to evaluate all products and services in hands-on tests that simulate as closely as possible the experiences of a typical consumer. The manufacturers had no input or influence over our testing methodology, nor was the methodology provided to any of them in more detail than is available by reading our reviews. Results of our evaluations were not provided to the companies in advance of publication.
Power & Performance
We tested both gas and electric leaf blowers. None of the blowers we tested are made exclusively for professionals or homeowners, even though, according to our testing results, some blowers are better suited for large areas while some are better for smaller areas. We measured how far each blower could move a pile of sawdust or lawn debris, such as grass clippings or leaves, and how quickly it moved it. The best leaf blowers could blow debris more than 17 feet.
We also assessed the weight and noise level of each model, since both influence how long you can use the blower. We also checked whether the blower had other beneficial features, such as variable speed settings, and whether or not the blower also had a vacuum function.
In addition to evaluating the power, weight, and noise level of each cordless leaf blower, we also judged how maneuverable each blower is.
Gas or Electric?
When buying a leaf blower, you need to determine whether you’d prefer a gas-powered or electric model. There are a number of considerations with each type. If you select a gas-powered model, you will have to make sure you have the strength and mobility to rev up the engine by using a pull cord (which often requires a hard yank). In addition, many gas-powered blowers consist of a two-stroke engine, which requires a mixture of gasoline and oil that you’ll need to mix up and keep on hand.
If you choose an electric leaf blower, you will have to either remember to charge the battery before use (if it has a battery) or, in the case of corded models, determine the closest, most convenient electrical outlet outside that gives you the best access to your yard. (There also is the issue of the cord getting tangled around objects like sprinkler heads, shrubs, etc.)
If you prefer to have total control over the blower’s speed and you have a big area to cover, choose a leaf blower with high marks in both power and maneuverability. If you have a smaller yard and only plan to do a simple clean-up occasionally, then one with less power and maneuverability can suffice.
Conveniences
The best leaf blowers offer variable speeds, which allow you to set the speed of the blower for the job at hand, usually through numbered knobs near the blower’s handle or by how far you squeeze the handle lever. A vacuum function, while not essential, is also an added benefit. If the blower comes with a vacuum function, then look for vacuuming accessories, like attachments, for more specific jobs.
What Else is Important in Selecting a Leaf Blower?
Blower Design: How Comfortable is the Blower to Hold?
Most blowers feature a soft-grip handle, and it should be at a good angle and made with a soft, cushiony material to ease the strain on your hands. The rest of the design should fit your needs. If you plan to use the blower for several different functions, look for a blower designed with adjustable extension tubes. Also, the overall size of the leaf blower, and how easily you are able to carry it, also influence your ability to use it.
All power tools, and lawn care machines are no exception, produce vibrations. The more the leaf blower vibrates, the harder it can be for you to use it over an extended period of time. Anti-vibration technology is also a large part of comfort, and it makes the leaf blower easy to maneuver with less annoyance. Look for blowers with specific features that reduce the amount of vibration the machine produces.
Noise Level: Should You Use Ear Protection?
Most leaf blowers are unavoidably loud, so it is important to choose one that has the least potential for disturbing people. We measured the noise level of each leaf blower in our lineup, and most of them were pretty close to one another, but a few were quieter than others. The quietest machine in our lineup, our Gold Award winner, the Black & Decker LSWV36, measured 86.2 decibels (dB).
Remember, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) recommends wearing hearing protection any time you’re exposed to sounds louder than 85 decibels.
Warranty & Support: What If Something Goes Wrong?
The best leaf blowers should also be backed by great support and service. An instruction manual is essential for every leaf blower because many require some form of assembly. Brands that provided both a physical copy and an online one (in the event the physical copy is misplaced) received higher marks. Having support through email and phone is also preferable.
Last but not least, a multiple-year warranty is also ideal, especially if you use your leaf blower frequently. Some machines come with different commercial and home-use warranties as well, such as the Tanaka 23.9cc. Be sure to check out our comparison matrix for the warranty periods for the 10 brands of leaf blowers we tested.
Verdict & Recommendations
The Black & Decker LSWV36, the Worx Trivac, and the Toro 51619 are all solid leaf blower models for regular use. The Black & Decker combines a comfortable design with great power, and as we mentioned, it’s the quietest blower of the 10 we tested. The Worx has a durable, metal design plus it’s lightweight and features a soft-grip handle, so you can comfortably handle bigger, longer jobs with it. The Toro lacked comforts like an anti-vibration, cushioned handle but made up for it with a powerful airspeed of 250 mph.
All of the leaf blowers in our lineup are fine choices for anyone who needs to clean a yard or property, and they reflect the range of options available. Choosing one with a warranty, noise level and weight that suits your needs and capabilities is simple when you see the range of choices on our comparison chart. Also, be sure to read our product reviews for more information about each leaf blower.
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