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Better Homes & Gardens
If you ’re old-hat of noisy , messy gas folio blowers it may be time to switch to electrical leaf blower . galvanic blower are easy to find and have a lot of benefits . Stephen Gault , who run EcoMow , an all - galvanising lawn care companionship , says that there are many advantages to choose galvanising over flatulency - powered cetacean mammal .
“ There ’s a grand reward from a noise pollution perspective — you’re not having to wear upon protective hearing devices , ” Gault say . “ You also do n’t have the smell , the dope , the fumes that you have with a gas - power car , ” he adds .
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
One of the best benefits ? “ Quite candidly , there is no sustenance , ” Gault says . “ There ’s a caboodle few matter to go wrongly with an electric machine since you do n’t ask to change out fuel lines and electric discharge plugs . "
What We Tested
We extensively tested 35 folio cetacean mammal over a period of six months . We appear for top vendor on Amazon and Home Depot in addition to make certain we included democratic brands and a diversity of leaf blowers , vacuums , and mulchers . Each leaf blower was evaluated based on itsease of use , design , carrying into action , andvalue . To learn more about how we tested galvanic leafage blower , assure outour testing processbelow .
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Makita LXT Cordless Leaf Blower Kit
This compendious and easily manoeuvrable leaf blower still has an telling amount of top executive .
It ’s on the pricy side for a handheld fashion model .
The compact and easily maneuverable Makita blower was our choice for the bestcordless folio cetacean mammal . Though this automobile is pocket-size , it packs a lot of power and its max stop number is 116 miles per hour . The Makita expeditiously waste leaves and fall behind no top executive over six months of testing .
Credit: Amazon
We like that this cetacean is exceedingly small and that we were able to easily expend it in slopped spot , like between tree . We enjoy the exemption of social movement they had with a battery - work machine and appreciated that there were no file name extension cords to deal with .
The battery life sentence last a solid 30 minute ; keep in mind this time will be short if you utilize it at full throttle . This cetacean mammal also had a helpful cruise control lever with varying speed initiation for power , which could be locked in plaza so you did n’t necessitate to unceasingly hold it while operating .
The Makita , like all electric leafage cetacean , has a brushless motor , one of the key advantage of an electric blower over gas . Brushless motors provide “ a lot less shakiness and that makes a big divergence … If anyone is have issues with something like carpal burrow where they ca n’t be holding vibrating tools for an extended menses of time , it ’s a good idea to choose electric , ” Gault says .
The only thing we struggled with was blowing wet leaves due to the wide nozzle that lacks precision.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Product detail : Weight:6.5lbs . |Max Speed:116 mph |CFM:459 | Battery Life:30 minutes |Noise Level:96 decibels
Key Terms to Know
CFM ( three-dimensional feet per minute):a measurement of the intensity of air that run past a fixed point in one minute . CFM is commonly used to measure the power of a leaf cetacean mammal .
Best Backpack
Greenworks Pro Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower
This hefty haversack cetacean is comparable in exponent to traditional gasolene powered manikin .
Assembly is more complicated than hand-held models , and the battery can be used up apace .
The Greenworks Pro is the best electric backpack leaf blower we screen . The brawny 180 miles per hour machine easily blasted aside even wet leaves and dirt . We have a go at it the vast amount of office and said this leaf electric fan was fun and fulfil to utilize . Though the backpack is heavier than handhelds , the straps tally nicely and made it easy to carry .
There are multiple ways to control the might ; we liked using the varying speed ascendancy trigger , which was gentle to turn on and off and adjust to improve accuracy . We also like activating the turbo clit for a hike of extra great power .
Keep in mind that assembly is a bit more complicated with this cetacean . The Greenworks had many parts and require the use of a screwdriver to assemble . Figuring out which tubes go in which order was the wily part .
Though the backpack blower can run out of burster quick if used at maximum power , we could leaf blow our thou for multiple twenty-four hour period on a single charge . Fortunately , the battery completely recharges in 45 proceedings with the included rapid courser . However , since the barrage can run out quick , it may be a good mind to buy a surplus battery patronage .
Product Details : Weight:14.64lbs . |Max Speed:180 mph |CFM:610 | Battery Life:18 minutes |Noise Level:98 decibels
Best with Vacuum/Mulcher
Worx Electric Leaf Blower/Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher
This combining machine allow you to easily blow the leaves into a pile and then vacuum them up , saving you form .
The vacuum cleaner does not work effectively unless it is just positioned .
This three - in - one political machine from Worx has a blower , folio vacuum , and mulcher . As you vacuum the leaf , the intimate mulcher grinds them up , allowing you to pack more of the folio into the bag .
The vacancy / mulcher function also saves you the extra work of raking together and bagging the leaves . The large zipper on the side of the folio compendium bag made it easy to empty the bag ; we were able to vacuum our grounds three time before involve to empty the old bag . As a fillip , the shredded leaves can be easily impart to compost or spread over garden beds .
Even though this machine had multiple functions , it was surprisingly well-off to assemble . The mulching function clearly knead and we could fit importantly more leave-taking into the attached bag . Even though this three - in - one was on the heavier side , using the wheel while in vacuity mode made it easy to maneuver .
One issue we mention is that the vacuum did not always mold well unless it was pose at a precise angle . When it was positioned correctly , it did a great Book of Job sucking up leaves . One workaround for this was blow the leaf into a pile and then hoover them up . In addition , while the 210 mph fastness provided a lot of power , we did find that we lost some control over the direction of the foliage .
Cartesian product Details : Weight:9.3lbs . |Max Speed:210 miles per hour |CFM:350 |Battery lifespan : Not applicable |Noise storey : Not listed
The Bottom Line
Our favorite electric leaf cetacean we test is the cordlessMakita XBU03SM1thanks to its compact size and light maneuverability . If you ’re look for more great power , Greenworks Pro Cordless Backpack Leaf Blowermight be best . And if you ’re bet for a three in one political machine that does it all , theWorx WG509impressed us .
Our Testing Process
We followed a strict circle of criteria as we testedleaf blowersover a six month period . In totality , we tested 35 different leaf blowers and measured each by four factors .
The first touchstone was ease of use . For this category , we rated how easy it was to set up the machine , maneuver it while doing thousand body of work , and to hold it for an extended period of time . We also take note whether the controls were intuitive andeasy to operate on .
We then rat the machine found on design . We considered factors such as the noise level , how well-to-do it was to empty the aggregation bag ( if applicable ) , and how well-fixed and cursorily the batteries charged .
We also rat the electric fan on overall public presentation , pay special aid to battery run time . This let in how efficaciously the machine moved leaves , including lactating parting . Leaf blowers were also test on a variety of surfaces and it was noted if any blower struggled with certain aerofoil , such as smashed grass . Some testers conducted extra test such as taste to blow leave into a certain field to determine the level of control , or blow a serial of metal weights to test military force .
For void , we note if the simple machine in effect sucked up folio . Mulchers were rated on whether the mulching subprogram actually reduced the volume of parting in the bag .
At the end of the testing period , we decide the economic value of each machine . We register our final likes and dislikes , and wait at the price of the framework . We then determined if the terms reflect the note value of the motorcar . Using all of our ratings and feedback , we compiled a list of the best electric leaf blowers .
What to Know About Electric Leaf Blowers
Speed
Leaf cetacean speed is typically measured in miles per hour ( mph ) , CFM , or both . Gault explains , “ CFM is cubic feet per minute ; it ’s the loudness of air flowing through the auto . It value internally the fan return the baron and force . But that does n’t necessarily translate to mph . Mph is the literal speed of the wind that is derive out of the machine . in the end , I think it does add up down to miles per hour velocity ; that is plausibly the well-fixed bench mark for your average soul to expend when it come to determining how much force a auto has . ”
Battery Life
The political machine we examine with the longest bombardment lifetime is theWorx WG584 Cordless Leaf Blower . However , stamp battery life can diverge depending on a ambit of cistron .
“ stamp battery life straddle due to the top executive of the simple machine and the path the auto is being used , ” Gault pronounce . “ If a leaf electric fan is being used on the high stage setting at all times , the battery deplete quickly . dissimilar company also cook up different barrage fire size . Smaller , more lightweight bombardment have less run time .
“ If somebody knows that they ’ve got a big K and they want to use this dick for more than 20 minutes at a time , it ’s going to make good sense to get a larger assault and battery or second electric battery so they can preserve working and not have to take the battery off and charge it . ”
Maneuverability
free weight is also crucial when considering maneuverability . In world-wide , electric leaf blowers are light than their gas opposite number . hand-held leaf electric fan range in weight from 3.5 to 10 pounds and most of the weight add up from the stamp battery . A blower with a lighter electric battery will provide less force , but will also be easier to carry .
You may notice that backpack blowers will weigh the most , typically between 15 and 20 pounds , though they be given to feel easier to stock as the free weight is dispersed .
Corded role model are more hard to maneuver , as you ’ll need to attach an extension cord . front for models with cord retainer , as they help preclude the reference electric cord from losing connection with the political machine .
Other Leaf Blowers We Tested
Worx Turbine 600 Electric Leaf Blower
The Worx Turbine 600 was the dear corded leaf cetacean we test . It comes with a cord retainer which forge well to foreclose the corduroy from becoming unplug while using . The variable speed levels made it well-situated to adapt world power depending on the problem you ’re doing , and we liked the attachments it make out with . However , all twilled models require purchasing an extra extension cord , and when using it in colder temperatures , it can freeze and become difficult to maneuver . We preferredcordless leaf blowersoverall .
Black+Decker 20V Cordless Sweeper
For diminished jobs or those without a net ton of radiocarpal joint strength , theBlack+Decker 20V Cordless Sweeperis an incredibly lightweight cetacean that still performed well . At just 3.7 lbs . , it ’s the lightest foliage blower we tested , and our forearm never well-worn during use . However , there ’s only one big businessman go under at 130 miles per hour which may not be strong enough for every task .
Ego Power+ LB6003 600 CFM Variable-Speed 56-Volt Cordless Leaf Blower
We loved how powerful thisEgo Power+ backpack blowerwas , and the turbo setting was incredibly potent . The battery also go long enough to get the line done . However , this blower could be improved by making the electric fan tube slightly longer or adding an additional attachment for precision blow . Because of the way the blower subway is hook to the backpack , we were not able to blow from different angles to clean house tight spaces or backbreaking to reach country .
Your Questions, Answered
Are electric leaf blowers less powerful than gas?
Gault says that , “ Even just five years ago I would have had a different view . In five class , [ electrical blowers ] have increased in their runtime , decreased in free weight , and galvanizing leaf blowers are just much more muscular … In my professional persuasion , we ’re utilizing backpack cetacean that are equally as powerful as their throttle counterparts . ”
For most households , electric leaf cetacean offer enough power for descent job . Plus , they do n’t require the same amount of sustainment project that gun blowers do . That being said , gasolene - power model have longer runtimes and may be prefer for large plenty .
Can you use a leaf blower for snow?
Yes — though it will depend on the type and measure of snow .
“ We ’ve had some juncture where we ’ve had to blow some snow aside and they are as as capable , ” Gault says . “ If you survive in an country with a passel of snow you might need to get aproper snow - blowing machine , but for lightsnow removal , they do just fine . ”
What is the difference between an electric leaf blower and a gas leaf blower?
When choosing between an electric foliage cetacean and a gas - powered one , many homeowners prefer the former because it ’s quieter to run , does n’t pollute the air , and often requires less upkeep . Gas leaf electric fan tend to be more sinewy than galvanizing leaf blowers , so shopper with big yards with band of leaves may find a gas pedal folio blower to be more in effect at cleaning up their yard .
However , the extra power means that it is double as gravid as an electric model and that it contributes to air pollution . For these reasons , an electric leafage blower will often be the dear pick for most shoppers .
Which nozzles do I need?
Gault commend two attachments : wide - back talk and sewer - cleanse attachments .
“ Wider attachment allow more air travel to get off , which give the machine a more broadcasted compass , ” Gault tell . “ This helps to get as much top executive out of the automobile as we peradventure can , ” which is important for moving large amounts of leave of absence at once .
Gutter cleaning attachment are utilitarian to safely clean gutters without getting on a ladder or ceiling . However , most make need purchasing a toilet fond regard separately .
Who We Are
This article was drop a line byBetter Homes & GardenscontributorRachel Ahrnsen . She is a certifiedmaster gardenerwho covers out-of-door instrument and lawn care . To put together this listing , Rachel analyse the final result of six month of testing our squad perform on 35 dissimilar leaf blowers . We measured each folio blower by the same set of criteria that included design , battery liveliness , and ease of use . She also talk withStephen Gault , father and CEO of EcoMow , an all - electric landscape services company , for his practiced belief on what makes an effective electrical leaf blower .
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the product on this leaning , you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval . Products that garner the seal have been put through strict testing to check that they ’re worth a spot in your home . We buy most of the product we screen ourselves , but on occasion we are provided samples by caller if buying is n’t an selection . In these cases , we employ the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased intersection .
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Lowe’s
During testing, the controls on the Worx Electric Leaf Blower/Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher were straightforward.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
