Cordless Leaf Blower Buying Guide

Most battery powered leaf blowers now include a lithium battery (i.e. lithium-ion), which is the best option for these kinds of tools. Although some older models may include a different kind of battery (i.e. Ni-Cad), we suggest using a lithium-based battery to ensure best performance and longevity. Additionally, the battery voltage can range from 15V all the way up to 80V. The higher the battery voltage, the more powerful the leaf blower is usually. The voltage also usually impacts the cost and performance of the blower. Lower voltage blowers work well on light debris or smaller areas. Higher voltage blowers work well when working with large areas or have more substantial debris (think chunks of bark or huge piles of leaves). Depending on the type of job, ensure you have the correct voltage. We recommend at least 20V for smaller jobs/sweeping and 35V+ for larger jobs.

The battery runtime is important to consider when purchasing a new leaf blower. While most have relatively short battery time, an extra battery can be used to solve this problem. Runtime on a cordless leaf blower range wildly. Some models such as sweepers or light-duty blowers often run for 20-30 mins, while more powerful models have been known to run for up to 50 mins on one charge. Changing out the battery on the cordless blower is effortless and some brands even allow for using the same battery on different tools made by the same manufacturer (i.e. Makita). This is incredibly convenient as you can easily interchange the battery between your leaf blower, edger, or other yard tools as needed.

Another common characteristic of a battery leaf blower is that they can be found using a brushless motor to push the air. A brushless motor operates differently than traditional motors. Instead of pushing the battery’s charge through carbon brushes, brushless motors use magnets. Using magnets eliminates losing some of the charge by bringing it into contact with physical parts (i.e. carbon brushes). This allows the brushless motor to put out enormous amounts of power on lower voltage. While it can’t quite compete (mostly) with gas-powered blowers, the performance is impressive.

Did You Know?

It is better to pay attention to the CFM (cubic feet per minute) over MPH (miles per hour). CFM is a much more accurate measurement of how much air is blown out of tube to clear debris. As a rule, blowers rated under 200 CFM are not classified as high-performance blowers. Blowers rated at 200 – 400 CFMs have plenty of power for most jobs. Those in the 400 – 500 CFM range are generally the most powerful cordless leaf blowers you will find. Blowers rated at 500+ CFMs are usually corded electric or gas-powered leaf blowers.

Noise Levels, Ease of Use, and Addons

Battery powered leaf blowers offer numerous advantages over their bulkier gas-powered cousins. The noise levels for a cordless blower are significantly lower and allow for operation that won’t impact your neighbors or family members. While they aren’t silent, they are significantly quieter (earbuds are still recommended to protect hearing). Expect around 60 decibels, which is about as loud as a standard household vacuum. Additionally, the lightweight nature of cordless models makes them infinitely more maneuverable around the home. Unlike corded electric models, there is no need to hassle with a 100 ft cord, or deal with the problems associated with a walk-behind blower. The convenience of just being able to pick up the blower and start going is a breath of fresh air after dealing with all of the setup time of other models.

You can expect to find numerous features and addons for cordless blowers, depending on the model and brand. Some features you may come across include variable speed triggers, speed settings, vacuum, mulcher, extra batteries, push-button start, or various nozzles for specialized jobs. The speed settings when combined with a trigger to control air flow is especially handy in situations where you don’t need the full power (i.e. flower beds). Additionally, being able to quickly switch out nozzles gives users an easy way to approach jobs that require a little more finesse than normal. When choosing your next leaf blower, make sure that the features you want the most are included in the model under consideration.

Quick Tip

One of the most important aspects of choosing a leaf blower is determining what type of blower you will need. Each kind of blower performs better if they are not being asked to do a job that is outside of their capabilities. Cordless leaf blowers are usually better for small everyday jobs such as clearing a deck, workshop, garage, driveway, or small yards. A corded blower has more power than most cordless blowers and are similar in CFM to a gas-powered model. These work well on jobs requiring a substantial amount of power to clear heavy debris. The cord greatly diminishes mobility as most extension cords only reach approximately 100 ft and are a huge hassle dealing with the cord constantly. Gas-powered leaf blowers offer improved mobility and are commonly used on large yards or for commercial leaf blowing. Unfortunately, the pull-start mechanism, smoke, and hassle of mixing/filling gas is a hindrance. Backpack blowers offer exceptional power and mobility. They weigh more than the other models, but the weight is distributed across the back and is hardly noticeable. They often cost more than other models and are powered by gas (usually). Finally, gas-powered walk behind leaf blowers are available for big commercial jobs. These are best used for large yards and provide the strongest wind output of all the models. They are very noisy, expensive, and heavy as they are intended for the most demanding work.

Commonly Asked Questions

How is a cordless leaf blower’s power measured? Is MPH or CFM a better measurement?

Power is often measured by two metrics, MPH (miles per hour) and CFM (cubic feet per minute). MPH measures wind speed and how fast the air blows out of the tube. CFM, on the other hand, measures how much air is moved out of the tube. While these two measurements are similar, they actually work in tandem to measure the performance of a leaf blower.

When determining the power of a blower, look at CFM first as it is a stronger measurement of the tool’s potential. If there is a high CFM, the blower has the capability to move more air. Moving air doesn’t really do much if the wind speed isn’t high enough to move debris. This is where MPH comes into play. For example, moving leaves is fairly easy and doesn’t require a high MPH. If the leaves are wet or mulch is mixed in, a higher MPH will be required to push heavier objects.

How many batteries will I need for my cordless leaf blower?

Most battery powered leaf blowers come with one battery and charger included, although you can purchase them separately. Depending on the size of the jobs that you commonly work on, it may be a good idea to purchase an extra battery that you can quickly switch out to continue working without waiting to recharge. Depending on the model of the blower, you can expect the battery to last anywhere from 15 mins – 60 mins. If you have a small to medium sized yard, an extra battery may be worth it so you can do everything you need in one go.

Will a battery powered leaf blower work for wet leaves?

This depends on the strength of the blower. If it’s a low-power blower (i.e. sweeper), it’s unlikely that it will adequately blow wet leaves. Stronger blowers in the range of 200+ CFMs should work well in moving wet leaves, but obviously the higher the CFM (and MPH), the better it will work on heavier debris.

Should I choose a gas, corded, or cordless leaf blower?

This is entirely dependent on your current situation. If you just need some light work done around the house and don’t want to deal with the hassle of a long extension cord or everything that a gas engine entails, a cordless blower is a no-brainer. Corded blowers work best when you need more power than what most cordless models provide, and don’t really need all the mobility they afford. These usually work best for blowing mulch and the like. Gas powered blowers are usually preferred for commercial jobs due to their power and durability. Additionally, they offer the same mobility as a cordless model. But, be prepared to deal with quite a bit of maintenance and setup in dealing with a gas engine.

Conclusion

Battery-powered leaf blowers offer numerous advantages over other models of leaf blowers. Their lower noise levels, convenience, and ease of use make them a perfect companion for those “around the house” jobs. While there are some drawbacks such as battery life and less blowing power, the convenience these blowers afford more than makes up for it. Some cordless blowers offer more power than others and can compete with the lower end of the gas powered or corded electric blowers. Before buying, make sure you pay attention to the CFM to ensure it has enough power to perform the jobs you want it to undertake. Low-powered cordless blowers are often referred to as “sweepers” and are best used for jobs that you just don’t want to get out a broom to accomplish. Other cordless models have more power and can be used for more strenuous jobs such as blowing leaves across the lawn or even fine-tuning the wind speed to clear a flower bed or garden. As long as you understand the limits and capabilities of your blower, it will be a great time-saving investment that should last you for years.