6 Leaf Blowers That Make Clearing Your Yard a Breeze

While all leaf blowers are designed to perform the same task, they come in a variety of formats destined for different levels of use. In general, you’ll need to choose between gas-powered and electric-powered leaf blowers; you’ll also need to consider size and, in the case of electric versions, whether you want battery or corded power.

Handheld Leaf Blowers

Handheld leaf blowers are the smallest type of leaf blower you can get and are generally less powerful than the other types. They make up for this, though, by being lighter in weight and easier to maneuver. This makes them the ideal choice for quick clean ups around your home on a regular basis, for example clearing leaves or grass trimmings from your pathways or driveway. There are three main types of handheld leaf blowers:

• Cordless Electric Handheld Leaf Blowers

  As handheld leaf blowers are often used for quick and easy cleaning, electric battery powered models are often the most preferable choice. This adds to their usability. Electric models also tend to be quieter, making them ideal for smaller outdoor areas with close neighbors.

• Corded Electric Handheld Leaf Blowers

  You can also find corded electric handheld leaf blowers. Typically they tend to offer more power than their battery-powered equivalents; however, you will need to be in the vicinity of a power outlet and have the necessary power cord extensions. Some people prefer to have both a corded and a cordless leaf blower; using the cordless for regular garden maintenance tasks and the corded for longer, heavy-duty, one-off garden cleans.

• Gasoline Powered Handheld Leaf Blowers

  If you want the maneuverability of a handheld leaf blower but extra power without a cord, then a gas-powered handheld leaf blower could be just what you need. These are great for tackling larger cleaning tasks over wider areas – just be careful if you’re using one in a built-up area as they can be very noisy. Naturally, they’ll also produce exhaust fumes which can endanger your health if you’re using them often.

Backpack Leaf Blowers

Backpack leaf blowers are heavier blowers, hence the need to carry them on your back to save tiring your arms out. They have large gas-powered motors which really give them extra punch when it comes to getting your garden in order. They do lack the convenience of handheld leaf blowers, though, and are designed for those big annual or biannual cleanups. With their extra power comes extra noise and exhaust fumes. If you have an extensive garden and you want to tackle it yourself, a backpack leaf blower is going to be your best choice; for those fall leaf piles, though, stick with a smaller, easier to use electric model for localized hard surface sweeping.

Multi-function Leaf Blowers

Some leaf blower designs have evolved to offer you the performance of multiple devices in one. While some leaf blowers require extra add-ons, others can switch between modes at the touch of a button. Ideal for small spaces when you don’t want to invest in a whole host of tools, popular multi-function leaf blowers also provide mulching and vacuuming modes that allow you to bag leaves securely or to shred them for use as mulch.

While most leaf blowers are extremely simple to use with a one-button start, how you use your leaf blower can make the world of difference to its performance.

Here are our top leaf blower tips to keep in mind:

1. Weather – try to clean your garden or yard on dry, still days. Wet leaves are heavier and some lighter-use leaf blowers can struggle with them as they tend to clump together. It also makes sense not to start blowing leaves if it’s windy out. Even when the wind seems to be blowing in the direction you want, sudden gusts can potentially ruin your work.
2. Planning – you may just want to get on with it, but planning how to best to tackle your area can help make your cleanup more efficient.
3. Bigger picture – don’t get too caught up with trying to do a perfect job. Leaf blowers are there to round up leaves faster and more efficiently. Going over one area multiple times early on is going to frustrate you and slow you down. Continue moving across your garden and if you’re a perfectionist you can always go back over certain bits when you’re done, or grab a rake or garden vacuum for those little bits that you missed.
4. Create multiple piles – don’t try to get all your leaves into one big pile, but rather create a pile for the section you’re working on. Clearing up piles as you go can break up the monotony and reduce the risk of a sudden unexpected gust of wind undoing all of your hard work.

Here’s our suggestions for some of the main features that you should look out for when purchasing a new leaf blower:

Power Source

Leaf blowers are available as electric or gas-powered models. Bear in mind that certain usage restrictions may be placed upon the use of gas models, as the exhaust fumes they create can be dangerous to your health. Electric models may be either corded or battery powered. While corded models tend to be more powerful, battery models can offer greater convenience.

Battery (Ah)

If you’re thinking of choosing a battery-powered leaf blower, you should check out its Ampere hour rating (Ah). This determines the battery’s charge capacity, so a larger Ah means your battery will have a longer runtime when used at the same level as a battery with a lower Ah. If you think you’ll need a particularly long runtime, check to see if your leaf blower manufacturer offers any compatible batteries with a higher Ah rating.

System Compatibility

Some power tool manufacturers group their products into certain ranges with compatible, interchangeable batteries. This can work out well if you need to increase your runtime, and it can also save you money when you purchase tools all in one range.

Top Air Speed (mph)

You should check out the top speed of your leaf blower, which is measured in miles per hour (mph). You’ll need a decent rate to be able to blow leaves any distance. Fast moving air alone isn't enough, though, as you’ll also need to make sure that the air flow rate is high. A small quantity of fast moving air isn’t going to achieve much.

Air Flow Rate (cfm)

You should also focus on the leaf blower’s air flow rate, which is the quantity of air displaced by the blower and is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm). The more air that moves through the machine, the greater amount of leaves it will be able to move. You also need speed to move those leaves, so you also need to consider the top air speed alongside the air flow rate.

Weight

Weight matters more than you’d think, especially if you’re planning on using your leaf blower for frequent clean-ups. For ease of use, a lightweight leaf blower will be more convenient for you to use rather than struggling with a heavy one, especially if you have a lot of debris to contend with. Bear in mind, though, that in some cases reduced weight can equate to reduced power, so be sure to take all aspects into consideration as well as your individual needs and capabilities.

Noise Level

If you live in a suburban area, noise level should be one of your top priorities. In certain cities there are usage restrictions on noisy leaf blowers; even if this isn’t the case where you life, you don't want to upset the neighbors. The good news is that many convenient, light-use leaf blowers are also ultra-quiet, so you can use them on an as-need basis without upsetting anyone.

Attachments

If your leaf blower has plenty of extra attachments that you could purchase at a later date, then you may be able to further extend its uses. This is also a sign of a good product from a knowledgeable manufacturer. Take a look at any additional add-ons that could be useful for your needs before making your choice, even if you don’t intend on purchasing them right away.

PROS:

• Easy to Use: Generally speaking, leaf blowers are easy to operate, even for complete beginners.
• More Effective: Leaf blowers offer a faster and more efficient solution to raking up fallen leaves.
• Cordless Options: Cordless leaf blowers are also available. These are very convenient if you have a large yard or prefer not to be tethered to a power outlet when clearing your garden.
• Multi-functional: Some models incorporate vacuum and mulching features in one machine, so you won’t need to purchase multiple tools.

CONS:

• Weight: Some leaf blowers can be heavy which makes them tiring to use for long periods.
• Noise: Some models can be very noisy, which may upset your neighbors.
• Cumbersome: Large or corded models can be awkward to use.
• Battery Life: Cordless, battery operated models may have a short battery life per charge. This can be problematic if you have a large yard to clear.

Here’s a selection of some of the most frequently asked questions all about leaf blowers.

• Are leaf blowers safe?

• Yes, leaf blowers are one of the safest power tools you can use provided that you always follow the usage instructions and keep your device in good working order. It is recommended that you use eye protection when using your leaf blower. This will protect your eyes from any debris and make it easier to get on with the job, so you can focus ahead of you even when there’s dust and dirt blowing all around.

• Can I use a leaf blower to clear snow?

• Yes, for light, powdery snow, a leaf blower can work relatively well. For deep, heavy snow you’ll find that you’ll need to resort to a shovel, if you don’t have a snow blower, to recover your driveway.

• Are leaf blowers legal in all states?

• While you can legally buy leaf blowers, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers is banned in a small number of states across the country, so check your state’s regulations if you’re uncertain. For electric leaf blowers, there may be some usage restrictions in place. In some cities you’ll be restricted to using your leaf blower between certain hours if its noise level is above a certain threshold. Note that these restrictions are generally only valid in certain built-up areas and are aimed at reducing emissions and noise pollution. Always check before you purchase, although a battery-powered electric leaf blower with a quiet noise level is unlikely to be affected.

• How do leaf blowers work?

• When you press start on your leaf blower, the motor starts up to turn the internal fan or impeller. As this turns, air from outside is sucked in through the air inlet and forced into a rotational motion. This creates a centrifugal force from the spinning motion of the fan. Thanks to the blower long, relatively narrow tube, the fast-moving air is forced to slowly move down the tube, creating pressure. This pressure causes the air to exit the tube at a high speed, blowing your leaves.

• Are leaf blowers bad for the environment?

• Gas-powered leaf blowers produce exhaust fumes that are, as we all know, bad for the environment. Electric leaf blowers don’t directly create any pollution, but they do still use electricity. For most people, however, it just isn’t viable to hand rake their garden or sweep out their porch and driveway on a regular basis. As long as you use them responsibly and only when required, any impact is likely to be minimal.