When is it likely that you would need the most powerful handheld leaf blower? Well, picture this – it’s Fall, and you’re stuck at home, raking an endless amount of leaves away from your driveway, gutter, yard, and sidewalk. It can quickly become an all-day task, but with the right leaf blower, you can easily get your Saturdays back. That and a good chainsaw really helps for lawn maintenance.
After I purchased my first leaf blower, I swear it quickly became my new best friend. Cleaning up my backyard was no longer a day-long chore. If, like me, you want to find the best way to blow leaves and clean your yard fast there are several options to use from. Our top pick is the Greenworks 40V 185 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum, 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included 24322 due to performance and price. We’ve reviewed this below and several other best sellers out there for comparative purposes.
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[lwptoc toggle=”1″ labelShow=”show” labelHide=”hide” hideItems=”1″]Best Handheld Leaf Blower Overall –
Greenworks 40V 185 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum
If you don’t want to deal with nasty gas fumes coming from gas leaf blowers, then an electric leaf blower is the way to go. When of the best options right now is Greenworks 40V 185 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum, 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included 24322. Its a powerful yet light weight cordless leaf blower ideal for 1/4 acre properties.
It has a brushless motor that increases the performance and efficiency of the blower while increasing its lifespan. The rechargeable li-ion battery allows you to move around without worrying about cords and can last over an hour. Even though it is battery powered, it is still quite powerful thanks to its high voltage battery with a 235 CFM at 185 MPH. It has a 6-speed variable sped dial with an easy to push start button, all giving you optimal control over the blower. The brushless motor also reduces the noise output making it ideal for use anywhere.
As it is battery powered, it is not as powerful as gas-powered leaf blowers, but it still gets the job done. It won’t do heavy mulching, but does work well as a vacuum. Switching between the modes is easy too. To use as a blower, have the blower tube installed and the intake gate closed. When you want to use as a vacuum, just put the bag on in place of the blower tube and install the mulch tubes in place of the intake gate. Really easy and effective and will even suck up wet leaves.
To find more information about the Greenworks 40V 185 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum, 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included 24322 click here.
THE GOOD:
- Brushless motor for extended run time
- Variable speed offers up to 185 mph
- Brushless
- Blower/Vac capability
THE BAD:
- Compatible ONLY with GreenWorks G-MAX 40V Battery models, 29472 and 29462 and G-MAX Charger model 29482.Note: 40V G-MAX and 40V Lithium-Ion Batteries are not cross compatible
Best Handheld Leaf Blower For Dry Debris –
DEWALT DCBL722B Handheld Leaf Blower
This is a brushless motor leaf blower. It has the ability to clear debris with an air volume of 450 CFM at over 125 MPH with the concentrator nozzle. This ergonomic design helps tackle wrist fatigue and gives you directional control . The concentrator nozzle helps increase the airspeed, thus increasing performance. DeWalt is known to make quality products and give decent (3 year) guarantees on all their tools which is nice.
On the downside, their batteries are expensive and I wouldn’t recommend using anything less than 5 amps with this tool. This product is sold as a bare tool so no batteries or charger is included. If you already have some you could use, great, otherwise you’ll need to purchase some. But you will be able to use the battery on other 20v toys 🙂
With this leaf blower, the variable speed trigger and speed lock features give you more control and it’s easy to use in either hand. The brushless motor not only increases the efficiency of the blower, but it also reduces the noise it makes. This makes the blower ideal for use in noise-sensitive areas and it’s relatively light weight too.
Admittedly Dewalt’s other outdoor tools are as powerful as their gas competition, whereas this blower does not pack the same punch. Great for dry debris, but doesn’t work well on anything wet. Overall the blower works well for short, limited applications (eg leaves\pinestraw from the pool decking, driveway, porch and sidewalks etc) but this is nowhere near the commercial workhorse prowess you’ll get from other Dewalt tools.
To find more information about the DEWALT DCBL722B 20V MAX XR Lithium-Ion Brushless Handheld Cordless Blower (Tool Only) click here.
THE GOOD:
- Speed lock
- Innovative axial fan design
- Brushless motor
- Up to 450 CFM of air volume and up to 125 Mph with concentrator
- Easy to assemble
- 3 Year Warranty
THE BAD:
- Limited power in the blower
- Limited for dry debris use
Best Budget and High Performing Handheld Leaf Blower –
WORX WG520 Turbine 600 Corded Leaf Blower
Unlike other blowers on this list, the WORX WG520 Turbine 600 Corded Electric Leaf Blower, Black features a turbine fan technology that increases its performance. It weighs less than 6.5 pounds making it easy to move and work with. If you don’t want to spend 3 hours raking half an acre of grass, this beast will get the job done. For a low cost unit, it certainly packs a punch.
I think the turbine fan technology plus brushless motor, has a lot to do with how powerful it is. Plus the blower is able to reach a maximum air volume of 600 CFM at 110 MPH so you can clear up a larger area quickly. It also comes fitted with a hyper stream air nozzle to boost airflow in concentrated areas making it ideal for tough jobs.
Like the others, it has variable speed controls so you can switch between 60 MPH, 320 CFM. This is great when you don’t need max power. But when you do, you can switch on turbo settings for dynamic airflow that create super-powerful, streamlined motion. It is also easy to start, move around, and requires little maintenance. The extension cord retainer ensures that it doesn’t disconnect when you are using an extension cord even if it gets snagged.
On the downside, it is difficult to control this blower one-handed while on the high power setting (depending on the user), but that’s a small inconvenience for such a powerful machine at a low cost price. It’s also annoying where the placement of the intake is. It should be on the front and away from your body as it can quickly suck your t-shirt in and cut the airflow down. Also, you’ll have to provide your own extension cord as one is not included. It does however have a very well designed extension cord retention mechanism which works great in preventing the cord from unplugging during use.
Overall, this blower is impressively powerful and has enough volume and speed to blow mounds of wet leaves from six feet and dry ones from ten or more.
To find more information about the WORX WG520 Turbine 600 Corded Electric Leaf Blower, Black click here.
THE GOOD:
- Light weight (6.5 pounds)
- Very powerful and perfect for heavy duty jobs
- 600 CFM
- Low cost
- Electrical cord comes with a retainer attached
- Hyper Stream Air nozzle
- 2 speeds for different jobs
THE BAD:
- Overkill for small areas
- You will also need to purchase an extension cord
- Some will find that two hands are needed at full capacity (even though they claim one-handed operation)
- Poor placement of intake
- Corded and lacks convenience of battery powered tools
Best Handheld Leaf Blower for Large Leaf Piles –
EGO Power+ LB5804 580CFM 56V Leaf Blower
Among battery leaf blowers, the EGO Power+ LB5300 3-Speed Turbo 56-Volt 530 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower Battery and Charger Not Included, Black is a monster. At its core is a super powerful brushless motor that generates airflow up to 530 CFM at over 160 MPH without making a lot of noise.
It has a powerful motor that increases its performance and efficiency. The intelligent power management and cooling system help the blower use the battery power efficiently and enhances the motor’s lifespan. Its speed controls allow you to change speeds and adjust volumes as per your needs. The turbo boost feature gives it that power kick needed when dealing with heavy-duty tasks, making it ideal for clearing up large leaf piles. The 56V battery pack takes only 40 minutes to recharge and can run for up to an hour and 15 minutes. It comes with flat and tapered nozzles in case you need to direct the airflow in a particular direction.
The only downside of using this leaf blower is that it is quite heavy and can cause wrist fatigue when in use for a long time as you’ll feel the heft of the heavy battery. Also, since it’s battery-powered, you can only work for about 75 minutes at a time (on slow) before the juice runs out – but that is long enough for most. However, this will be less on turbo mode. Takes about 40 minutes to recharge the batteries – so it may be worthwhile having two. Will note that the batteries are interchangeble with other EGO lawn tools such as the mower and none are included with this purchase.
Overall, the device is very powerful especially in turbo mode. Maybe not as strong as some gas models on the market, however, not having to mix gas and start finicky small engines always sells me on battery powered lawn equipment.
To find more information about the EGO Power+ LB5300 3-Speed Turbo 56-Volt 530 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower Battery and Charger Not Included, Black click here.
THE GOOD:
- Variable Speed Dial: 250 CFM / 400 CFM / 530 CFM
- High-Efficiency Brushless Motor
- Weather Resistant Construction
- Turbine Fan Engineering
- Low noise
- 5 Year Warranty
THE BAD:
- Heavier than other comparable models (7.4lbs with 2.5Ah Battery)
- There’s a noticeable second delay between pulling the trigger and the blower starting (not a big deal – but a bit annoying)
- Tool only (no battery or charger included)
Best Backpack Leaf Blower –
Husqvarna 967144301 360BT Backpack Blower
If you’re considering a different approach to leaf blowing, rather than handheld, the backpack option, is worth considering.
Although handheld leaf blowers are typically lighter in weight and provide the best maneuverability in tight spaces, they don’t quite pack the same punch that backpack leaf blowers provide. Backpack leaf blowers have the added power and air speed needed to clear leaves, sand, gravel and other debris from larger land areas. Sure they weigh more than handheld units, but the ergonomic harnesses spread the weight to reduce fatigue and strain on your back, arms and hands.
A good backpack leaf blower, is the Husqvarna 967144301 360BT Backpack Blower, Orange. This leaf blower is gas-powered, making it quite powerful. It will certainly move more than just air! In fact, this 360BT moves a TON of air. It will clean an entire yard of wet leaves (front and back) in less than an hour.
It has great build quality, with a commercial-style backpack ideal for the most demanding tasks. The 6 cc gas, X-TORQ engine provides excellent performance, good fuel economy, and low greenhouse gas emissions (for those concerned about that).
It has an airspeed of 232 MPH combined with 631 CPM airflow making it sufficient for large jobs. The blowing tube is adjustable with easy to reach controls. The Air Purge feature removes air from the carburettor so you can easily start the engine.
On the downside, it has a two-stroke engine, so it tends to get really loud. Also, even with the exhaust pointed away from you, the gas fumes can be annoying. It’s easy to assemble and you can be on the job in about 15 mins without waiting for batteries to charge.
Overall, this is a quality machine, and although it’s not cheap, it’s worth investing a little more money to get a tool that makes your work easier and enjoyable. It does go through the fuel a bit though – but still, this tool works like a champ.
To find more information about the Husqvarna 967144301 360BT Backpack Blower, Orange click here.
THE GOOD:
- Powerful commercial-style backpack blower
- The X-Torq engine design reduces harmful exhaust emissions by up to 60 Percent
- Removes air from carburetor and fuel system for easy starting
- High blowing capacity
- Turbine Fan Engineering
- Noise rating (dB) ≤65
- 5 Year Warranty
- Makes previously hard jobs a lot easier
THE BAD:
- High cost
- Too big for small jobs
- Can get heavy on your shoulders
- Noisy
Most Powerful Handheld Leaf Blower – Buyers Guide
Leaf blowers make life so much easier and simpler. They can be used to remove grass, leaves, cuttings, and other garden debris. Just like a chainsaw, they allow you to get a task that would normally take up most of your day done in minutes.
There are so many different leaf blowers available in the market, so it’s crucial that you know what factors to look out for when choosing one. To help you out, here are some of the factors to keep in mind.
Powersource
In general, leaf blowers are either electric or gas-powered, with each type having its pros and cons.
Gas-powered – they are quite powerful and are great or clearing stubborn leaves and debris. Since they are more powerful than electric blowers, they are ideal for use on large areas and on tough jobs. Most are operated with a manual pull start making them hard to operate, especially if you have low body strength. They are quite heavy, emit harmful gases, and require regular cleaning and maintenance to remain in good condition.
Electric – they are great for light to medium-duty jobs such as clearing leaves and debris from your lawn, driveway deck, porch, patio, or working on a 1-2 acre piece of land. They are lightweight and come in two variations, corded and cordless. The corded ones require an outlet and have several limitations. The cordless ones, on the other hand, are powered by powerful batteries. This enables you to work anywhere without being limited by the length of the cable. They do, however, need to be charged periodically.
CFM rating or Air Flow
When picking the most powerful leaf blower, this is probably the most important metric to consider. Cubic feet per minute (CFM), regulates the air quantity coming out of the blower per minute. It’s a reliable way to gauge how powerful a leaf blower is. The higher the CFM rating, the more powerful it is. Blowers with high CFM also have wider nozzles, which allow them to blow out more air volumes. Handheld blowers have a CPM ranging between 200 – 300, backpack lowers range between 400 – 1000 while walk-behind leaf blowers range between 1000 – 2000 CPM.
MPH rating or Air Speed
The pace of the air coming out of the leaf blower is measured in miles per hour (MPH). It’s the measurement of the speed of the air coming out of the blower. The MPH rating indicates how powerfully the blower cleans the targeted area. MPH is vital when you have to blow through massive debris such as wet leaves, cuttings, or metal scraps.
Weight
When working with a leaf blower, its overall weight matters a lot. Since you may be using the blower for prolonged periods, you don’t want a heavy blower that will cause arm and wrist fatigue or even strain your back. Gas-powered models tend to be quite heavy even with padded straps. Before picking a leaf blower, try and get a clear idea of its overall weight as it will help you gauge how comfortable it is to operate.
Variable speed
The variable speed feature comes in handy if you want to control the speed and air coming from your blower. This feature is wonderful as it allows you to work around delicate things such as plants without harming them. By setting the speed to how you want, you have more control over the leaf blower as you work.
Warranty
As with any device, leaf blowers also come with warranties that differ depending on the model. Some come with a two-year warranty while others have a five-year warranty. Similarly, check for build quality. Leaf blowers should be made of durable material, with weatherproof construction that makes it easy to use and last longer.
Most Powerful Handheld Leaf Blower – Frequently Asked Questions
Can a leaf blower be used on wet leaves?
Why, yes, you can. However, the blower needs to be quite powerful. This means going for a leaf blower with a high CFM and MPH rating. However, even a blower with a high MPH will do since the air needs to be fast enough to lift the leaves from the ground.
Do you need to wear safety gear when using a leaf blower?
Even though some leaf blowers are quite small, leaf blowers are powerful machines, and since they are classified as landscaping equipment, you need to wear protective gear when using them. Some of the essentials you will need include earmuffs, heavy-duty gloves, a dust mask, and safety glasses. Ensure that you have your arms and legs covered while using a leaf blower to protect you from debris and dust.
What are bare tool only leaf blowers?
If you find the words bare tool or tool only when picking new models of a leaf blower, this simply means that the blower will not come with a battery. As the user, you have to purchase the battery and charger separately. For the best results and to maximize your outdoor tools, go for models that use the same battery and charger. If you are unsure, pick a blower that comes with the battery and charger included.
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