What kind of leaf blower should i buy

It just means that the air shall come out faster. You will also realize that in a tube with an equivalent of up to MPH, not much work will be done. In this regard, CFM refers to the air volume that your leaf blower is capable of exuding. Usually, it is measured in cubic feet for every minute-hence the name, which refers to the air blown out of the machine.

A leaf blower that has a high CFM rating is definitely going to blow more air. It is also capable of blowing off more debris and other additional materials. Pushing those leaves off an area should not be so involved if it takes a shorter time to handle the task.

The values are required to get the job done as quickly as possible. As we mentioned earlier on this blog post, every leaf blower has its drawbacks and advantages. Every blower has the same operating mechanism. But space is an essential element to weigh in on. If you have a small yard that needs cleaning, a handheld leaf blower is always the best.

Typically, this is a light tool, meaning it is pretty easy to store in the garage without it occupying a large area. And although it may be weaker at times when it comes to power issues, it is still one of the best there is on the market. If you have a large yard, then there is an ideal leaf blower for the clearing job- a backpack one will do the job. This leaf blower is one of the best in both worlds.

It does not provide more power coupled with run time. But it has the needed mobility as well as comfort-this is thanks to its straps. And while comfort, in this case, is a relative term, it really does make it easier than holding on to the six-pound tool for hours. This machine can clear snow and leaves on your sidewalk.

Finally, there is the walk behind leaf blower. This is a wheeled leaf blower that works well for people with bigger lawns and yards. Such a blower has power that can easily send debris flying. You can rest assured that you will have that clear yard for people as well as animals.

It is crucial to note that the blower does not have mobility like the other two options of leaf blowers. This implies that the wheels make it easier to maneuver around open space, thereby, making it possible to clean stuffed areas quickly. You can see this in a yard where several leaves have fallen. It could also be at a stadium following a big game.

The fuel your leaf blower needs is a vital element to consider before purchasing it. When looking at fuel types, you can break down the leaf blowers into corded, gas, as well as battery. Each model is useful in this case. It will also get that job done. But your selection depends on the extent of the job that needs to be handled.

One leaf blower can always be more useful than the other. Without a doubt, the appearance of a home speaks volumes about your personality. It is also an important place as one of the first places your visitors will see is your garden. Leaf blowers have been designed to make our lives easier, especially when it comes to yard cleaning. For that reason, it may become challenging to come up with a viable decision on which one is right for your desired task.

According to the extensive research we have conducted, battery-powered leaf blowers are pretty much more advantageous. They work well in different environments and are easy to use as well. In this article, we major on the battery type of your preferred leaf blower. Of course, there are several types of batteries on the market.

If you are a first-time owner of a leaf blower, then you need to be aware that there are a variety of brands coupled with different battery needs too. Perhaps it is important to note that you would find it useful to own a battery-powered machine. If you are a new user, then maybe you have not seen the gas-powered and electric leaf blowers. These are two major brands you also need to take a look at.

With battery-powered leaf blowers, the operation is as precise as inserting the battery into the tool and finally squeezing the trigger. And depending on the type of machine you purchase, motor maintenance can be non-existent.

While at it, you need to note that battery-powered leaf blowers are user-friendly. They are also an ideal choice for first-timers since they have a limited run time. If you are one of those few individuals who do not own a battery-powered brand, then you can go with the corded version. These leaf blowers are the middle ground, usually between the electric as well as gas-powered leaf blowers.

Their drawback is what makes them powerful. That is, they have a cord, which limits your reach to how far an individual can go with the device. If you own an average yard that has a fence, it could be a perfect device. On the other hand, if you own a large yard, you should look for something else. As stated multiple times in this article, gas leaf blowers can be intimidating.

However, those who have had one before understand that it can be one of the most effective tools for yard cleaning. The blower is known for being powerful when it comes to blowing leaves off your yard. It is also louder than the others. For most gas leaf blowers, there is a small ratio between the oil and the gas you need to fill in the tank before starting.

The oil found in the gas is there to assist you in lubricating the engine not just when using it but after clearing the leaves too. This amount can always change depending on the volume your gas tank can hold. The ratio will, however, remain the same. On that note, there is also the premixed fuel that you need to think about.

This can often take you guesswork in case you decide to acquire one. Pure gas leaf blowers also exist. They are as simple to operate as they sound. All you need is to fill the gas tank and closing it. Autumn may be the best of all the four seasons; however, when the trees shed their leaves, you will have to clean the lawn.

To clear the leaves, you may have to acquire a leaf blower. The electric leaf blower is preferable. Apart from ensuring that the lawn is tidy, there are different reasons why people should clear the fallen leaves. For starters, the grass many turn from green to yellow since the leaves shield the sunlight. Even with those drawbacks, however, we think the benefits are there. Not only does the Ego leaf blower offer extended run time and excellent power, but the included 5.

The batteries on these tools are all interchangeable, so once you have a battery, you can purchase the other tools without batteries at a reduced price.

The most important factor for a cordless blower is its run time. In our tests, the Ego LB provided about 27 minutes while set on high. We tested the three head-to-head-to-head and were able to get more done with the LB in the same amount of time. The Ego battery fully charges up in about minutes. Among the cordless tools in our tests, it was the most powerful. The Ego had little difficulty lifting and pushing piles of damp, matted leaves.

A turbo button is available for adding a blast of power, though at the cost of battery life. The nozzle end of the Ego measures just less than 3 inches, which splits the difference nicely between open-lawn leaf blowing and having the ability to clean out a stone wall or a gutter. The controls are nice and slightly changed from the previous Ego models. With the LB, the speed dial turns the blower on and off, instead of just setting the power.

The trigger can still be used independently, but for open yard blowing, we liked just setting the dial and not having to put any energy toward the trigger. Along with the other cordless blowers we tested, the Ego LB proved to be quieter than the electric models we looked at. Although our decibel readings were similar across the two types of blowers, the sound of the Ego was much easier to take than the electric models.

This model is heavier than most other cordless blowers, and it tops the corded Toro by around 4 pounds. We found the weight noticeable but not unmanageable. Looking over the reviews of the Ego LB our previous pick, which weighs about the same , we found similar sentiments, with many reviewers mentioning the weight but still giving the blower a high rating.

Much of this weight comes from the large battery, which leads us to the second downside: the cost. The majority of this cost lies in the large 5. But while no other cordless models we found were priced like the Ego, none of them performed like it either, with such a combination of run time and power. All of these tools operate on the same battery, making this leaf blower an easier choice if you already have or plan to buy those other tools, which you can purchase at a lower cost without a battery or charger.

It was among the least expensive cordless blowers we tested, but it had plenty of power and was in the mid-range for run time at about 18 minutes. As for run time, the Ryobi clocked in at roughly 19 minutes on high , about eight minutes less than the Ego. The Ryobi does have about a 2. The Ryobi is extremely quiet, eliminating all of the whine associated with leaf blowers. This is a notable feature, especially now that more and more of your neighbors are likely spending a lot of time at home.

We never considered the other cordless blower to be loud, but after having used the Ryobi for a bit, they sounded squealy. The handle of the Ryobi is another high point. The Ego tends to tip forward, so wrist effort is needed to tip it up. With the ability to lock in the angle of the Ryobi's body, we could nearly eliminate all wrist strain. This feature also works to offset the heavy weight of the Ryobi, over 10 pounds by our measurement.

For downsides, other than not having the overwhelming power or run time of the Ego, the Ryobi has the rear intake, which can pull in clothing as the blower is passed in front of you. Note too, however, that these volt batteries are not compatible with Ryobi cordless tools such as drills and saws.

This blower achieves its 40 volts of power through two volt batteries that both attach to the blower. Charging these would be an inconvenience, but the dual port charger is capable of filling both batteries at the same time. It has a very long run time and, at almost 29 minutes, it exceeds the run time of our Ego pick. Also, because the volt batteries are so small, the Worx blower is very, very light.

Our measurement put it at a little over 7 pounds, about 3 pounds lighter than the Ryobi and Ego. A last thing to consider with the Worx is that its volt platform is fairly large and includes a lot of smaller hand tools, like drills and saws.

There are some interesting items like a robot mower, but for an overall complete package, Ryobi has more to offer. Of all the gas blowers our landscapers looked at, this was the one model they universally loved.

The fact that the BR moved leaves better than the other backpack blowers set it ahead of the pack, but all of the small touches in the overall design were what especially appealed to Walker and his crew. None of the other blowers we looked at combined such power with such smart features. You can find more powerful blowers than the Stihl BR , but as far as Walker is concerned, this midsize model offers all the blowing power anyone would ever need.

Comparing that blower with models of a similar size, Walker and his crew liked the BT for its ample power, manageable weight, and relatively quiet operation. But it took longer to move leaves than the Stihl BR Walker and his crew have used the Stihl BR for more than four years, and it has continued to be well received. We prefer the low cost and high performance of the Toro F But its leaf-blasting ability was just not on a par with that of the Toro F or the Worx WG in our tests.

On top of that, the variable-speed knob is so far from the handle that you need to operate it with a second hand. There are definite differences between models and we think that the picks above offer the best combination of performance, features, and cost.

But the other models, especially those from reputable companies like DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Toro are all solid tools as well. We value an uncluttered life and the streamlined nature of a single battery system, may outweigh the cost as well as the performance differences found in these dismissed models.

First, it has a very short runtime. In our test, the battery expired at the 13 minute mark, considerably shorter than the Ego and five minutes less than the Ryobi VNM, which we recommend. The price difference is minimal, so we prefer the LB But we think the extra power and convenience of the larger battery is worth the extra cost for most people. We prefer the premium run time of the Ego LB It has two battery ports, so you can drop a second battery in and it will run on them sequentially for a longer total run time.

Some years we go through 2, pounds of leaves in the process. Speed, convenience, budget—all are important considerations when weighing gas vs. In the handheld category, gas and battery blowers can each make quick work of leaves and are still the fastest way to clear a yard full of leaves. Most outdoor extension cords top out at that length. They also require fueling and maintenance. Cordless electric, also called battery-powered leaf blowers, now offer power on a par with gas models, but they have limited run time per battery charge—expect 8 to 30 minutes on a charge.

Some handheld blowers also collect yard debris via a vacuum, a feature that comes in handy for sucking up leaves as they fall or for taking care of stragglers. But their relatively small tubes limit how much you can vacuum at once, making them best for really small yards, where you can bag up the mulched leaves.

Backpack blowers typically cost more than handheld blowers, but they offer more power and transfer weight from your arms to your back and shoulders. Backpacks tip the scales at 22 pounds, but this type can still feel lighter than a pound handheld blower because the weight is better distributed. These are best for large lawns, and you can go with a traditional gas-powered backpack blower or a battery-powered model.

Battery types are relative newcomers to the field, and in our tests, the best of these can hold their own against gas when it comes to sweeping power. Got lots of leaves and a level property? Wheeled blowers pack the most power by far. They also take up the most storage space, can be tough to push and control, and bear the biggest price tags of all these categories.

As anyone with an early rising, yard-obsessed neighbor can confirm, a running leaf blower can get really loud. Product labels list decibels, so you can compare noise levels as you shop. Some communities prohibit leaf blower use during certain hours; others restrict gas blowers altogether because they tend to be louder than electric models. In California, some communities ban all leaf blowers, no matter how quiet their operation.

Then check the foot noise scores in our leaf blower ratings. Models that earn Excellent scores should meet the toughest limits, and those that receive Very Good or Good ratings are likely to meet most restrictions.

But keep in mind, blowers that are relatively quiet at a distance can prove to be deafening up close. Selecting the right leaf blower comes down to your terrain, yard size, and budget. Both gas and electric models take much of the work and blisters out of raking up fallen leaves and other yard and driveway debris.

Corded models typically weigh 8 pounds or less and are designed for one-handed use. But the power cord limits your mobility and can be a hassle around trees and other obstacles. Consider an electric blower if a power outlet will always be within feet of the work area.

These tools, also called cordless electric leaf blowers, are light generally less than 10 pounds and maneuverable. Power can be on a par with the best gas blowers, too. Gas models can go anywhere, and they never require a charge. You do need to yank a pull-cord to start the engine, and gas engines require periodic tuneups. Most models weigh about 10 pounds. The majority have two-stroke engines, which require mixing fuel and oil.

Those with four-stroke engines let you skip that step, and they run cleaner. These blowers typically add power over handheld blowers. Most weigh 17 pounds or more—almost twice as much as gas-powered handheld blowers. But your back and shoulders, rather than your arms, support the weight. And they cost more than handheld blowers.