~ Best Leaf Blower | Top Models in 2020

Contents

1 Top 7 Best Leaf Blowers Reviews
2 Leaf Blower Buyer’s Guide
- 2.1 The Most Important Features to Consider

Looking for the best leaf blowers, whether gas or electric? We spent over 14 hours researching all the available blowers on the market, and have put together a list of the best of the best. We chose a healthy mixture of both gas and electric, including corded and wireless of the latter. While reviewing features, we prioritized air power — denoted by CFM or cubic feet per minute — portability, particularly with lightweight units, and competitive pricing. Almost all of the blowers on the list are ideal for residential properties and small projects. There are a couple that are adequate for commercial use, like with large, sprawling properties.

Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower Vac, 250 mph, Red

Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Powered Leaf Blower,...

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Greenworks 24012 7 Amp Single Speed Electric 160...

Our top pick is the Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower because it’s one of the most versatile with three different usage modes and some impressive performance. Of course, there are other options for those concerned about budget, high-performance and commercial use. The Poulan Pro PR48BT Gas-Powered Backpack Leaf Blower is an excellent tool for professionals, for example. Keep reading to learn more about the rest of our top picks.

Top 7 Best Leaf Blowers Reviews

#1 Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower

Our #1 Pick is the Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower

Award: Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower offers three separate modes and can be used as a blower, mulcher and vacuum. It’s also relatively powerful at 350 CFM per minute in blow mode so you’ll have no trouble cleaning an area.

Pros

3 tools in 1
Includes zip bag for vacuum applications
Durable metal impeller provides excellent power

Cons

Corded, so requires an extension cord
Heavy at 8.5 pounds

The Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower is hands down, the best all-around leaf blower on the list which is why it sits in our top spot. It is electric, although quite powerful at 250 miles-per-hour, and uses a cord as opposed to a battery — so you will need an extension cord if you wish to go far. It not only works as a blower but also as a vacuum with an aggressive suction mode and even comes bundled with the zip bag you’d need to collect debris, dirt and more. Variable speed control allows you to adjust the power in both modes. Furthermore, an additional attachment allows you to use the blower in a third configuration, as a leaf shredder. A metal impeller serves the mulching purpose well and drives a lot of wind power.

Although electric, this is a heavy-duty blower and it weighs 8.5 pounds — even more with some of the attachments on. Those looking for a lightweight option with maximum portability need not apply. It’s best for anyone that absolutely wants to get the job done, and doesn’t mind putting in a little extra work to do so. For comparison, the Toro leaf blower exudes 350 CFM in blow mode and 410 CFM in vacuum mode. It’s not super strong, but it’s more than capable of doing what you need. It gets the job done quick, before you need to turn on the best landscape lighting.

#2 Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Leaf Blower

Our #2 Pick is the Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Leaf Blower

Award: Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Hitachi RB24EAP Gas Leaf Blower is our honorable mention because it’s a well-priced gas blower, with exceptional power at 441 CFM per minute. It’s also the only tool on the list that comes with a commercial-grade warranty.

Pros

Commercial-grade
Powerful with 441 CFM rating
Separate warranties for consumer, commercial and rental applications

Cons

Heavy at 8.6 pounds

If you’re looking for a strong, gas-powered blower with low emissions, the Hitachi RB24EAP leaf blower is your best bet. The 23.9cc 2-cycle engine runs at 170 miles per hour and is capable of producing 441 CFM per minute. Compared to many of the other blowers on this list, that’s impressive and relatively high — especially the electric blowers. It’s also one of the few meant for commercial use and includes a warranty that covers both personal and commercial use. You get 7 years of coverage for consumer or personal use, 2 years of coverage for commercial use, and 1 year if you’re renting out the blower. Most limited warranties only cover consumer use.

Because it’s gas-powered, you don’t have to worry about the limitations of a cord or extension cable, you can move about freely. The 17.6-ounce fuel tank holds enough fuel for several uses. Some additional features include a two-finger throttle for easier startups and an auto-return stop switch — when the machine is off the switch automatically returns to the starting position for easier future startups. With the commercial-grade support, extensive power, and gas design the Hitachi is excellent for professionals. Consumers, using it for personal yardwork, may find the power a little much but it’s more than suitable for that, too. Once your leaf gathering is complete, you can move on to all of those weeds using the best garden root slayer.

#3 Greenworks 24012 Electric Blower

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Our #3 Pick is the Greenworks 24012 Electric Blower

Award: Best Budget

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Greenworks 24012 Electric Blower is the best budget-friendly tool on the list with an excellent price yet a more than reasonable performance rating. It’s capable of producing 150 CFM per minute, which makes it an excellent option for those that want to clean their driveway, sidewalk or yard.

Pros

Very affordable
Lightweight at 4.5 pounds
Cheapest of the electric blowers

Cons

Low power at 160mph and 150 CFM rating

If you have a small yard and just want to move some leaves and debris around, the Greenworks 24012 Electric Blower is right up your alley. It’s a 7 amp, electric and corded blower — you will need an extension cord — with a 160-miles-per-hour engine capable of producing 150 CFM per minute. If you want something more powerful, there is a stronger version of the blower at 9 amps, 130 miles per hour, and 530 CFM per minute, but it’s also double the cost. Compared to most of the other blowers on the list, Greenworks’ tool is not nearly as powerful.

At 4.5 pounds, the Greenworks’ leaf blower is much more portable and lightweight. Of course, the need for a cord makes it less so. It’s not ideal for commercial use, and certainly lacks the power to do more substantial projects. For that reason, we recommend the Greenworks blower for only small projects and consumer applications. Once you get the leaves all gathered, the best wheelbarrow will move them to the perfect spot.

#4 WORX WG520 Turbine 600 Electric Leaf Blower

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Our #4 Pick is the WORX WG520 Turbine 600 Electric Leaf Blower

Award: Most Powerful

WHY WE LIKE IT: If power is your biggest concern, the Worx WG520 600 Electric Leaf Blower is the most powerful on the entire list. It’s capable of producing 600 CFM per minute, despite being electric,corded.and half the price of the commercial-grade options.

Pros

Super powerful
Built-in cord retainer to prevent snags
Competitively priced compared to commercial-grade blowers

Cons

Slightly heavier for an electric blower at 6.4 pounds

If you prefer electric leaf blowers but want the same power as a gas-fueled tool, the Worx WG520 Turbine 600 Electric Leaf Blower is the one for you. There are two modes, with the highest producing 600 CFM of air per minute. That is one of the highest and most powerful ratings on the entire list. Also, the Worx blower weighs 6.4 pounds, which is a little heavier but still light enough to use one-handed.

It is corded, so you will need an extension cord if you wish to stretch its reach. However, the unit has a cord retainer built-in, which makes it easier to use with an additional cord — it won’t detach if it gets snagged. Despite the electric and corded functionality, the Worx offers adequate power for commercial-grade applications so it would be excellent for professional use. It’s lightweight and easy-to-use design also makes it just as suitable for consumer use, merely for cleaning out yards and the like. We recommend it as a universal option if you want electric, high-performance and portability combined. Your yard will look great, which will free you up to use the best compost bin outdoor model for the garden.

#5 Black & Decker LB700 Electric Leaf Blower

Our #5 Pick is the Black & Decker LB700 Electric Leaf Blower

Award: Lightest Weight

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Black & Decker LB700 Electric Leaf Blower is the most lightweight tool on the list and blows at 180 CFM. It is corded, so it’s not completely portable but plenty suitable for consumer and small projects.

Pros

Just 4.4 lbs
Reasonably powerful for electric: 180 CFM
Built-in cord retention unit

Cons

Ideal for small, consumer yard projects

The Black & Decker LB700 7 amp electric leaf blower isn’t the most powerful on the list, but it does offer reasonable performance at 180 miles per hour or 180 CFM. To provide some context, it’s in the mid to high range of electric blowers — the Greenworks model above is less powerful, for instance. It’s also lightweight at just 4.4 pounds, so without the cord limitations, it’s quite portable. It includes a built-in cord retention unit to ensure the connected extension cord doesn’t snag on anything.

While the performance isn’t high enough for commercial use and large projects, it is decent for spot cleans and traditional yard work. Therefore, we recommend the Black & Decker LB700 blower for any consumer applications and small area scenarios.

#6 Dewalt DCBL720P1 MAX Brushless Electric Blower

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Our #6 Pick is the Dewalt DCBL720P1 MAX Brushless Electric Blower

Award: Most Portable

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you hate cords and want maximum portability the Dewalt DCBL720P1 MAX Brushless Electric Blower is what you want. It’s battery-operated and comes with a rechargeable battery that’s good for up to 15 to 20 minutes. It offers plenty of power at 400 CFM per minute.

Pros

Very powerful & cordless
Battery-powered
Very lightweight

Cons

The battery only lasts 15 to 20 minutes
Second most expensive on the list

If you want the portability of a gas-powered blower combined with the sustainability of an electric one, Dewalt’s DCBL720P1 MAX Brushless Electric Blower is the best option. It’s battery-powered and includes a 20V 5.0Ah Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. The battery lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes of use per charge, which is excellent for smaller projects but not ideal for commercial use. The best part is that even cordless, Dewalt’s blower is remarkably powerful. The motor offers 90 miles per hour of speed with 400 CFM per minute air power. That makes it the third most powerful on the list.

The power is plenty high for commercial use, but the limited runtime decreases its practicality. Still, the Dewalt leaf blower is excellent for consumer and home use and should provide ample performance for small to medium size projects. Also, in regards to price, the Dewalt is the second most expensive blower on the list, beaten only by the Poulan Pro commercial-grade blower.

#7 Poulan Pro PR48BT Gas Backpack Leaf Blower

Our #7 Pick is the Poulan Pro PR48BT Gas Backpack Leaf Blower

Award: Best Quality

WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for something commercially viable, the Poulan Pro PR48BT Gas Backpack Leaf Blower is what you need. The backpack and shoulder strap design means plenty of support while using it. It’s capable of producing 475 CFM per minute which is one of the highest on the list, too.

Pros

Commercial-grade blower
Super powerful
Backpack design convenient for long-sessions

Cons

Most expensive on the list

If you’re after a strong, commercial-grade blower that can be used for multiple large projects, the Poulan Pro PR48BT Gas-Powered Backpack Leaf Blower is the best option. Besides the power, the backpack design means it’s suitable for longer sessions, providing added support to hold up the 22-pound system. It is the heaviest blower on the list, but the tradeoff is a 48cc 2-stroke engine capable of running at 200 miles per hour and 475 CFM per minute. It’s not the strongest, but it is much higher than most. A variable speed throttle offers better control over the power. Also, shoulder straps provide even more support for those wearing the blower.

It’s the best option for commercial-grade projects, so if you run a yard business this is the blower to grab. It’s a bit much for consumer and home use, especially if you have a small yard, but it would certainly work well for any project. In regards to price, it is the most expensive blower on the list.

How We Decided

During our selection of the best leaf blowers, the most important feature we considered was their power or performance. Blowers with a higher CFM rating are capable of producing more air, and so they clean a wider area with greater strength. The blowers on this list produce power in the range of about 150 to 600 CFM. The less powerful options are ideal for consumer and small property use, while the more powerful ones are best for commercial-grade projects.

The next consideration was whether they are gas or electric powered. We chose a healthy mix of both types, with the gas-powered options generally offering more power. That said, we also chose some more powerful electric blowers, like the Worx Turbine 600.

Finally, everything on our list is reasonably weighted ranging between 4 and 10 pounds. The exception is the Poulan Pro backpack blower, which weighs 22 pounds and is the heaviest here. Despite that, it has a unique design that allows users additional support from the backpack and shoulder strap features.

Leaf Blower Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

CFM Rating
Many of the blowers on the market have a couple of power listings, including miles per hour for the motor and something called CFM. CFM refers to the volume or amount of air — in cubic feet — that escapes the end of the blower. A higher number means stronger airflow and more power. For example, a blower with 441 CFM can move 441 cubic feet of air through the nozzle per minute. Generally, the higher the number the stronger the blower. If you’re interested in strength alone, it’s the number you want to look at. Every blower on this list is capable of producing an excellent range of power from about 150 to 600 CFM.
Electric versus Gas
Generally, gas-powered blowers are more powerful and more portable, despite being heavier. That’s because they are not limited by the reach of an electric cord. For that reason, they tend to be the go-to for commercial and professional applications. Electric blowers, on the other hand, are much more lightweight and easier to handle. In recent years, they’ve become more powerful and you can easily find one on par with gas-powered options — many on our list have excellent power ratings. So, just because you choose electric, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sacrifice performance. There are battery-powered blowers, which offer complete freedom, but most batteries will last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes at a time. That’s ideal for home and consumer projects, but not large and commercial ones, especially for teams that spend all day outside at various homes and properties.
Weight
On paper, it may not seem like much of a difference, but weight determines how easy and bulky a particular blower tends to be. The heavier the blower, the more difficult it’s going to be to carry around. If you’re doing smaller yard projects at home it’s going to be less of a concern, because you’re not going to be lugging around the tool for long. If you run a lawn or yard business and you spend all day moving from property to property, however, weight is going to play a huge role. Luckily, most of the commercial-grade blowers have additional forms of support like shoulder straps or a backpack design to accommodate the heavier loads. The point is, just spend a little time considering the weight of the blower before you choose one. Usually, there’s going to be a tradeoff between power and weight, although that’s not always the case.

Leaf Blower FAQs

What Is the Best Leaf Blower for the Money?

As with most things, what you might consider the “best” depends on various factors. Most important is, how will you be using the leaf blower? If you’re just looking for something to clean your driveway and yard — during smaller projects — then corded, electric blowers are plenty adequate. If you’re part of a yard business that moves from property to property during day-long sessions, gas-powered is the better option. For the most part, gas leaf blowers tend to be more portable despite being heavier. Even when electric blowers are wireless thanks to a battery, the usage times are limited. Consumers have a lot more freedom and can genuinely go with whatever they want because their usage requirements are always going to be less demanding. You don’t need a blower that can last as long so battery-powered will be just fine and so will corded options. Also, you don’t need as much power, so you can choose from a range of options. Ultimately, the Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower, our top pick, is one of the best and most versatile. If you have other requirements, go from there. If you want something a little cheaper, for example, you might pick one of the other electric blowers. If you want something more powerful and don’t care about price, something like the Poulan Pro or Worx Turbine would be better.

Are Leaf Blowers Worth It?

Have you ever tried to sweep a driveway, street or sidewalk after mowing and similar projects? Even with a push broom, the work is tedious and frustrating. Blowers, no matter the type, are so much easier and faster. Plus, when you’re already sweaty, tired and just want to be done with the project, the speed of cleanup matters much more. Yes, leaf blowers are worth it.

Should I Go with a Gas or Electric Leaf Blower?

When choosing between gas and electric leaf blowers, you’ll want to consider the function, as in what you hope to achieve with the tool. Electric blowers tend to be less powerful, and unless they have a battery, they are limited by cord travel — although you can get an extension cord to stretch their reach a little further. Gas is the winner if you’re looking for power alone. Gas blowers also tend to be more portable, despite being heavier in weight, merely because they are untethered. All of that aside, electric blowers are much quieter and offer smoother operation with fewer vibrations. That means they’re much easier to handle and, often, much more lightweight. Electric blowers are ideal for consumer and home use, especially for smaller projects with limited work areas. Gas blowers are the go-to for commercial applications, as the fuel provides more power, more reach, and adequate portability. Keep in mind, most gas-powered blowers require a unique mixture of fuel, you need to include an additive and cannot just pour gas directly from a station inside.

What’s the Difference Between Consumer and Commercial Use?

Technically, there isn’t much difference between commercial and consumer use. Both types of projects require the same tools. What sets them apart, however, is the length and amount of work involved. Commercial relates to a business, which, in this case, would mean a yard or lawn business. Most yard companies service and clean multiple properties, with professionals doing several places in one day. Consumers, on the other hand, only spend a few hours or so servicing and cleaning their properties or homes. For that reason, consumer applications tend to have a lot fewer requirements and so there’s much more freedom to choose a tool.

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