Gas, Petrol, Electric, Cordless Garden Leaf Blowers and Vacuums

Choosing the right leaf blower means knowing how it will be used. Less powerful blowers (wind speeds of about 120 mph) are light and convenient. They are also known as “hard surface sweepers” or “electric brooms,” meaning that they can be used for clearing decks, patios, steps, garages, pavements and driveways.

More powerful blowers (roughly 170 to 240 mph) are needed for blowing leaves on grass, especially wet leaves and pine needles. The extra power is also useful when converting the blower into a vacuum.

Two-speed blowers are useful for delicate work such as clearing flower beds, and sweeping leaves into a pile. Blowers with continuously-variable speeds allow fine adjustment of wind speed. However their minimum speed can be as high as the minimum speed of two-speed blowers (typically half the maximum speed), limiting their advantage over two-speed blowers.

Wind volume is also important. Gas blowers can have lower wind speeds than electric blowers, yet have higher leaf-clearing power because of a wider airstream. High power blowers can exceed 300 cfm (cubic feet per minute).

Popular brands of leave blowers include Stihl, Toro, Black & Decker, Echo, Husqvarna, Homelite, Poulan, Ryobi, Weed Eater, McCulloch, Troy Bilt, Worx, Shindaiwa, Yard-Man and Tanaka.

Vacuum, Shredder or Mulching Leaf Blowers

Some of the more powerful blowers can be converted into vacuums that suck up leaves for bagging. They will usually shred or mulch too, for composting or just to reduce the volume of bagged leaves (useful if disposal is charged per bag). Models differ in how easily and quickly they can be converted between blowing and vacuuming. Tool-less models can be converted without having to use a screwdriver.

If the vacuum feature is to be used, the durability of the impeller (fan or propeller blades) becomes important. Unlike blowing, vacuuming can cause sticks and stones to be thrown against the impeller. Polymer (plastic) impellers are less resistant to such abuse compared to metal impellers. Whatever the type of impeller, it is important to check that spares are available from the manufacturer.

The best way to use the vacuum feature is to first use the blower to gather up the leaves in piles. The piles are then vacuumed into bags.

Corded Electric Leaf Blowers

Corded electric blowers offer a good balance of price, power, weight and convenience. Most are either 7 amp or 12 amp (at 110/120 volts) models. The 7 amp models are suitable for dry leaves on smooth surfaces, while 12 amp models have the power for clearing wet leaves on grass.

Advantages

• High power. Can be as powerful as gas blowers. Wind volume over 300 cfm (12 amp models).
• Usually high speed, over 200 mph (12 amp models).
• Many can be converted to vacuums.
• Relatively cheap.
• Unlimited run-time.
• Light, less than 5 pounds for 7 amp models.

Disadvantages

• Limited range. Maximum practical range is about 100 feet from the nearest electrical outlet.
• Extension cord might have to be purchased separately.
• Heavy, over 8 pounds for 12 amp models.

Cordless or Battery Leaf Blowers

Battery-powered blowers are convenient, suitable for quick daily clean-ups. Power, weight and run-time vary greatly from model to model.

Advantages

• Safe. No high voltage electricity. Good for use around swimming pools.
• Unlimited range. Not tethered to an electrical outlet.
• Convenient. Suitable for daily use.
• Light, less than 5 pounds for small models.

Disadvantages

• Limited power. Most don’t have a vacuum feature.
• Limited run-time, typically 10 to 30 minutes on one charge.
• Some models aren’t sold with a battery, which has to be purchased separately.
• Replacement batteries are usually expensive. If possible, buying the same brand of blower as other cordless power tools, allows batteries to be shared.
• Heavy, over 7 pounds for more powerful models.

Gas/Petrol and Propane Leaf Blowers

The classic 2-stroke gas blower is still a practical choice. Handheld models start with engine capacities of 25 cc. Larger backpack models can exceed 50 cc.

Blowers that use 4-stroke engines usually have a cleaner exhaust and are a bit quieter, but can be heavier and more expensive. Propane blowers, such as those from LEHR, are claimed by their manufacturers to be even cleaner-burning. They use standard propane canisters designed for portable camping stoves.

Advantages

• Unlimited range. Not tethered to an electrical outlet.
• High power. Wind volume over 300 cfm for handheld models, double that for backpack models.

Disadvantages

• Cord-pull start is not suitable for weak individuals.
• Heavy, 10 pounds (25 cc, handheld) to 20 pounds (50 cc, backpack) or more.
• Noisy.
• Engine requires maintenance (spark plugs, carburetor, air filter).
• Exhaust fumes make them unsuitable for use in enclosed areas, such as garages.
• Usually medium speed airflow, less than 200 mph.

The Best Garden Leaf Blower

Different types of blowers are suited for different situations. A corded blower is a good general purpose blower as long as the garden isn’t too big. A cordless blower is more convenient for small jobs (garage, patio, deck, steps) while a gas blower is the only choice for large multi-acre properties. A dedicated wood chipper or leaf shredder should also be considered. For composting, a tumbling composter can be used.

Some of the information in this article is based on user reviews of leaf blowers on the amazon.com website.