If your garden is piling up with autumn leaves, now is the time to invest in one of the best leaf blowers. These nifty gardening tools enable you to keep your yard pristine with little effort - no need to get the the rake out and do the hard work yourself!
There are plenty of big brands selling leaf blowers, all varying in power, features, weight and capabilities. It can make your decision a bit overwhelming, so we've rounded up the best tools out there to help you make the right choice for you.
If you're unsure what you're after, or what exactly would work for you, we're also full of good advice to help you pick the best leaf blower for your needs. First of all, you'll need to decide whether you would like a gas or an electric model. Gas leaf blowers are generally a bit more powerful than their electric counterparts, but they're also heavier and a bit more high maintenance. Electric leaf blowers are obviously a bit better for the environment, more lightweight, and generally quieter than gas models.
You can also choose between corded and cordless leaf blowers. If you don't have a suitable power outlet near your yard, you'll want to rule out corded models entirely. Cordless leaf blowers are best for larger yards as you're not limited by the cord's reach.
If you're on a cleaning mission in your yard, check out our guide to the best pressure washers to take the hassle out of cleaning hard surfaces like your patio or driveway.
The best leaf blowers
We chose the Black & Decker LSWV36 as the best overall because it strikes a good balance between power, quiet performance and price. While it isn’t the most powerful leaf blower we looked at, it is the easiest to use. Its general functionality and rich feature package make it a strong choice overall.
The Black & Decker is a battery powered leaf blower and so it doesn’t require gas or an extension cord. On a full charge, the battery should last about 30 minutes. This lightweight leaf blower weighs 6.9 lbs, the lightest in our comparison. The average weight of the leaf blowers we evaluated is 8.43 lbs, the heaviest being 10.8 lbs. So, you can use this blower for a full 30 minutes without feeling exhausted.
The Black & Decker leaf blower has handle cushions and anti-vibration functionality to make it more comfortable to use. The overall length of this leaf blower is 37 inches, which is just a touch over the average of 36 inches. This puts it close enough to the ground to effectively blow anything that’s in front of it. While its maximum airspeed of 120 mph lags behind the competition, it performs among the best when it comes to the distance it can push a pile of debris, more than 17 feet. The fastest airspeed we saw was 250 mph, and the furthest push distance was 18 feet. So while it didn’t break the metrics with its raw power, its still impressive.
- Read our Black & Decker LSWV36 review
The Husqvarna 125BVx is a gas powered leaf blower that has a 1.1 horsepower two-cycle motor, which provides the leaf power with a moderate level of power. This gas leaf blower is all about easy use as it has an ergonomic design makes it very easy to maneuver. The inline fan housing reduces stress on your arm and wrist making the machine comfortable to use. The 38.5-inch hose length puts the nozzle closer to the ground than most models we reviewed, lowering the amount of stretching and turning you have to do. There are interchangeable flat and round nozzles that direct airflow at two different airspeeds for a maximum of 170 mph.
This leaf blower doubles as a yard vacuum with a bag that holds up to 17 gallons of debris. It also has a mulching function to reduce material and increase bag capacity. The Husqvarna leaf blower is one of the louder leaf blowers in our comparison, reaching up to 97.9 decibels, so we highly recommend wearing hearing protection while you corral yard debris.
- Read our Husqvarna 125BVx review
The Toro 51621 is an electric leaf blower that doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars - making it a good option for people that don’t have a big budget This leaf blower is compact but extends to a lengthy 41 inches, putting it closer to the ground for maximum blowing and sucking power.
As it is an electric leaf blower, the area it can be used in is restricted by the length of your extension cord. On the plus side, you’ll never run out of gas or battery power as you’re blowing away a mound of leaves. This tool blows air at a maximum of 250 mph, which is the most powerful out of any leaf blower we reviewed. This electric blower can push leaves up to 16.8 feet away which is a very good distance. Although, this does put it a little behind the best leaf blowers in our reviews.
The Toro 51621 is a versatile gardening tool that not only acts as a leaf blower, but can also be used as a vacuum and a leaf shredder. It features a metal impeller that shreds leaves and other debris into small pieces making them easier to gather and haul away. But as it is a budget leaf blower it lacks a couple of the comfort features that more expensive models provide. If you don’t mind a more stripped back and basic leaf blower that doesn’t have anti-vibration technology or a cushioned, then the Toro is a good choice. It’s low cost, powerful enough to the job done, and functional.
- Read our Toro 51621 review
When it comes to value it's hard to beat the Black and Decker LB700. It's a corded electric leaf blower with a seven amp motor that provides a healthy 180 mph of air speed, which means it's ideal for garden paths, back yards and lawns.
At 4.4 pounds it's a small, lightweight blower that you can hold in one hand. A cord retention mechanism means you won't get annoying cord snags as you walk around your property. As well as the electric cord, the main disadvantage is that there's no vacuum option, so only consider the Black and Decker LB700 if you're only looking for a blower to move leaves around your home.
Let's be clear - this is a no frills product, but what it lacks in features it makes up for in value. The Black and Decker LB700 does the job well, and the air speed is high enough that you'll have no problems with debris of any sort.
- Read our Black & Decker LB700 review
This Poulan leaf blower has a powerful 25cc two-cycle gas motor capable of air speeds up to 230 mph, which makes it the best gas-powered leaf blower for air speed we reviewed. If you are looking for a gas leaf blower that offers raw power, this is the machine for you.
This gas powered leaf blower has a cruise control feature and trigger-operated variable speed control attached to the soft-grip handle. Those features along with the anti-vibration capabilities built into its design reduce muscle fatigue and make it comfortable to operate.
At 10.8 lbs it’s a bit heavier than other gas blowers we evaluated, but the 38-inch length puts the tube at a comfortable distance from the ground, easing the burden on your arms a little. The Poulan PPBV25 has vacuum and mulching capabilities for cleaning up wet leaves. The mulch ratio is 16:1, meaning it reduces material that would normally take 16 bags into a one-bag load. This is the loudest gas blower in our review at 106.7 decibels. That’s well above the threshold for permanent ear damage, so definitely wear proper hearing protection.
- Read our Poulan Pro PPBV25 review
This lightweight cordless leaf blower comes with an extra battery, so it will even suit larger yards. The batteries can also charge in an hour, which is handy if you ever run out of juice. The total running time on one charge is estimated at 15 minutes on max power, which should do the job in most yards.
With a top air speed of 117 mph, it's not the most powerful out of the lot, but it performs just fine in medium yards and smaller jobs without heavy debris. The set up and use could not be easier; it's simple to assemble and take the battery off when it needs a charge. It's also designed to be operated using only one hand, and weighs just 3.6 lbs.
Another appealing factor of this leaf blower is its small price: just $79.99 for the blower and two batteries. PowerSmart also provides a 2-year warranty and free lifetime tech support for peace of mind.
Leaf blower FAQs
How much does a leaf blower cost?
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Whatever your budget, there is a leaf blower out there for you. Both gas and electric models come in a range of prices. The best electric leaf blowers offer good value for money and are typically cheaper than gas, with prices ranging between $60 and $110.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about maintaining the device. For these reasons, they're a great choice if you’re using the blower for light work in small yards. Bear in mind though, that they are not as powerful as gas alternatives. If they break, they’re difficult to repair so you’ll likely have to buy a replacement.
If you’re regularly maintaining a larger yard, a gas leaf blower may be worth the additional investment. They offer more power than electric models so can blast through huge piles of leaves. Our top picks range in price from $130 to $180. The options we reviewed require a mixture of gas and two-stroke oil. Remember that you will need to refill the fuel periodically so be sure to keep some on hand.
Which is the best leaf blower - gas or electric?
When selecting your leaf blower, the most important decision you need to make is whether you want an electric or a gas-powered model. This will depend on your personal preferences and the one best suited to your plot.
Electric leaf blowers are ideal for tidying a smaller plot where you don’t necessarily need the power of a gas model. They’re also much lighter so make a good choice if you think you’d struggle with carrying a gas blower for long periods. From a sustainability perspective, they’re also kinder to the planet as they don’t use up fossil fuels.
Looking for maximum power? A gas blower is a good choice to keep a larger yard looking pristine. While gas blowers may make short work of huge piles of leaves, you’ll need to be strong and mobile enough to rev up the engine with force. Most gas models run on a two-stroke engine which means you’ll need a supply of a mixture of gasoline and oil for refills.
For corded models, you’ll need an outlet by a door or window to give you access to your yard. Bear in mind that you’ll need to be careful with a corded device to avoid it getting tangled in sprinkler heads and shrubs. Alternatively, you could opt for a cordless model though don’t forget to charge the battery first.
When comparing other features, consider what’s important to you. For greater control over speed, look out for devices with good maneuverability. If however, you’re covering a large area, it may be better to opt for a model with more power.
How much do leaf blowers weigh?
Don’t overlook weight when choosing the best leaf blower for you. Clearing leaves is physical work and you’ll want to opt for a model that you can handle easily. It boils down to a trade-off between power and weight — the more powerful models tend to be heavier.
If you’re worried about your leaf blower being unwieldy, then go for an electric model as these tend to be more lightweight. Bear in mind that the latest generations of gas leaf blowers are lighter than they used to be so check the product descriptions.
Our round-up of the best leaf blowers includes models with a range of weights. The lightest option is the Black & Decker LB700, weighing in at just 4.4 lbs. The heaviest option is the Poulan Pro PPBV25, which is a weighty 17 lbs — a big difference. You’ll want to factor in how you’ll use your leaf blower and for how long. Opt for a size that you’re capable of maneuvring around your plot. Remember too, that the heavier models tend to be more powerful so may clear leaves more quickly than a less powerful option so you won’t have to carry them for as long.
