You could spend an hour raking up your yard this fall, but that takes a lot of time and energy — especially when your trees are still dropping leaves. Why would you want to rake when you can use a leaf blower and get the same job done in a matter of minutes? For even more convenience, you can opt for an electric leaf blower, which is cleaner, quieter and requires almost no maintenance compared to a gas-powered model.
Those looking for high power at a low cost should consider the Worx WG520 Turbine. Though this electric leaf blower can move up to 600 cubic feet of air per minute, it is surprisingly affordable. And, because it is a corded model, you’ll never have to worry about running out of battery power midway through a job.
What to know before you buy an electric leaf blower
Corded vs. cordless
Electric leaf blowers come in both corded and cordless options, each of which has its own advantages. Corded blowers can run continuously until a job is done and are usually lighter weight and more affordable than battery-powered models.
However, unlike with corded blowers that keep you tethered to an outlet the whole time, you can roam freely around your property with a cordless model. The caveat here is that if you have a large property, you may have to stop midway through to recharge the battery.
Handheld vs. backpack
Handheld electric leaf blowers are more common for household use and backpack models are more common in professional lawn care applications. This is because the former is smaller and easier to store, while the latter is bigger but tends to be more powerful. Also, backpack blowers are more comfortable to carry for extended periods of time.
Airspeed and volume
Blowers carry an MPH and CFM rating and you need to consider both of these when determining how effective a particular model will be. The MPH rating refers to how fast air moves through the blower and the faster it moves, the better it will be at moving wet or embedded leaves. The CFM rating refers to the volume of air it moves. The higher the volume, the bigger the cone of air and the more leaves a blower can move at once.
Noise
Leaf blowers are notoriously loud, with some gas-powered models getting as high as 115 decibels. Electric blowers most commonly operate between 60-70 decibels, though you can find some models that are as quiet as 50 decibels.
Electric leaf blower features
Nozzle
The shape of the nozzle affects both the airspeed and the volume. Flat, rectangular nozzles help to increase the speed at which air leaves the blower but will decrease the volume of air expelled. This makes them best for moving damp leaves and those stuck onto surfaces or embedded in the lawn.
Conversely, round nozzles allow a high volume of air to be expelled but can decrease the speed. They are ideal for quickly moving large amounts of loose leaves. Some blowers may come with two interchangeable nozzles so you can use whichever best fits your current job.
Vacuum capabilities
Those looking for a multipurpose piece of lawn equipment can find blowers that also double as vacuums, coming with a collection bag. The downside to models that have vacuuming capabilities is that they are often less powerful than dedicated blowers.
Speed control
The most basic leaf blowers only operate at a single speed. If you want more control than that, consider buying a model that has multiple speed settings. On some, these may be fixed speeds while others will have variable speed control.
Cord retainer
If purchasing a corded electric blower, it is a good idea to choose one that features a cord retainer. Cord retainers have different designs on different models, but they all serve the same function to prevent the extension cord from coming unplugged while you work.
Battery life
If buying a cordless leaf blower, pay close attention to the battery life, which may sometimes be described as the run time. How long of battery life you need depends on the size of your yard. If you have a small property, you may be ok with as little as 15 to 20 minutes of runtime. Those with a large property should look for a cordless blower with at least 30 minutes of runtime.
Electric leaf blower cost
Corded electric leaf blowers start as low as $20. However, these often won’t move a very high volume of air. A more reasonable price to spend on a corded model for the average homeowner is between $40 and $100. Cordless models start around $75 and can cost upwards of $200 for the most powerful models.
Electric leaf blower FAQ
Do I need to wear any safety equipment when using a leaf blower?
A. Yes. It is recommended to wear both eye and ear protection when using a leaf blower. Ideally, these should be safety goggles and earmuffs designed for hearing protection. At the minimum, you should wear earplugs and sunglasses.
What kind of extension cord do I need for a leaf blower?
A. When choosing an extension cord for your leaf blower, you want to make sure it is rated for outdoor use and is thick enough to handle your machine’s power needs. For blowers rated at 12 amps or less, a 16-gauge extension cord should be fine. If you have a more powerful blower, it is best to buy a 14- or 12-gauge cord.
Which electric leaf blower should I get?
Best of the best electric leaf blower
Worx WG520 Turbine: available at Amazon
Our take: A 12-amp corded blower that can move up to 600 cubic feet of air per minute, the Worx WG520 will meet the needs of most homeowners.
What we like: It offers two speed settings and has a wide nozzle that expels a wide cone of air.
What we dislike: At 6.4 pounds, it can be heavy to use for extended periods of time.
Best bang for your buck electric leaf blower
Sun Joe SBJ597E Electric Leaf Blower: available at Amazon
Our take: This lightweight and budget-friendly blower is ideal for those with small properties who just need something for light-duty jobs.
What we like: The concentrator nozzle gives it enough velocity to handle wet and embedded leaves. It is comfortable to operate with a single hand.
What we dislike: It only moves 260 cubic feet of air per minute.
Honorable mention electric leaf blower
Dewalt 20V MAX XR DCBL722B Leaf Blower: available at Amazon and Home Depot
Our take: From one of the most respected brands in power tools, this heavy-duty leaf blower will last through years of use and has a high MPH and CFM rating.
What we like: Despite being very powerful, it operates at just 66 decibels at the highest setting. The battery is interchangeable with the company’s entire line of 20V tools.
What we dislike: It runs through batteries quickly.
Brett Dvoretz is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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