The Best Leaf Blowers

Pros:

• Very powerful for an electric leaf blower this cheap; 250 mph air speed with 340 CFM air volume in blow mode.
• Infinite-adjust variable speed lets users choose just the right amount of power for the job.
• Easy, tool-free conversion between blowing and vacuuming modes.
• Durable metal impeller does a very good job of mulching leaves and clippings, reviewers say.
• At 8.5 pounds, light enough to manage without strain.

Cons:

• Vacuum bag isn't the most durable; there are reports of the zipper splitting and complaints of debris leaks at the connection and seams.
• Vacuum is prone to clogging, some owners say.
• 2-year warranty is shorter than some competitors'.

Takeaway: At less than $100, the Toro Ultra blower vac is an affordable, versatile option for anyone who doesn't mind dealing with an extension cord. Consumers are enthusiastic for the most part, and there is no shortage of positive comments posted on retailers' websites. Earning an average of 4.4 stars from almost 6,000 reviews at Home Depot, the Toro Ultra is described as an easy-to-use blower that also performs reasonably well as a mulcher and lawn vacuum (although there are some complaints of clogging with the latter function). Homeowners looking for a little extra power and finer mulching capabilities might consider the nearly identical Toro 51621, which does an even better job in expert testing and sells for about $10 more.

Pros:

• Very inexpensive for an electric leaf blower
• Sufficient power (180 mph air speed) for smaller yard tasks.
• Weighs just 4.4 pounds, about half as much as similar models.
• 2-year warranty is on par with competitors.

Cons:

• Speed is not variable; simple on/off control.
• Built-in cord holder does a poor job keeping an extension cord connected, some owners say.
• Does not come with an extension cord, much to the annoyance of some buyers.

Takeaway: Despite its extremely low price, the Black & Decker LB700 is an effective piece of outdoor power equipment, at least according to the very positive average rating it receives from more than 12,000 Amazon customer reviews. This corded electric leaf blower isn't really designed for big yards, but for small household tasks — clearing the driveway of grass clippings, whisking dead leaves from a patio, even blow-drying a freshly washed car — it does just fine, a majority of buyers say. We read a number of positive reviews from older people, saying the LB700 is a cinch to use because of its light weight. Like similarly cheap leaf blowers, this model lacks vacuum and mulching capability and doesn't come with extra nozzles or attachments. There's also no cord included, which means that buyers could end up spending as much for an extra-long, heavy-duty, three-prong extension cord as for the machine itself.

Pros:

• Excels at blowing, vacuuming, and mulching dry debris, according to owner feedback.
• Outpowers many electric rivals with 250 mph air speed (variable) and puts out a comparatively high volume of air, at 400 CFM.
• Easily converts between blower and vacuum.
• Weighs just 8.1 pounds, slightly less than similar models.

Cons:

• Underperforms on wet or compacted leaves and clippings.
• Included reusable bag can be prone to ripping or splitting, some owners report.
• Relatively short 2-year warranty.

Takeaway: The Black & Decker BV6600 is equally capable in an open yard or fussy flower beds, and scores of fans say it produces nicely shredded mulch. This corded electric model also has variable speeds and a durable metal impeller, features that users appreciate. One slight drawback: There are no nozzles included for gutters or other tight spots, a potential deal-breaker for people with lots of landscaping. On the plus side, given numerous complaints about the quality of the leaf bags on this and other blower vacs, Black & Decker has disposable leaf bags available that can be used instead. Considering the relatively high cost of standard replacement bags, this option could yield serious savings in the long run.

Pros:

• Relatively cheap for a battery-powered blower that also vacuums and mulches.
• Included 40-volt battery and charger are compatible with other Black & Decker tools.
• 6-speed variable air control.
• Weighs less than 6 pounds; fairly lightweight for its class.

Cons:

• Roller-style power switch is hard to adjust for some users.
• Scattered complaints that the vacuum tube clogs on thick debris.
• 2-year warranty is on the shorter side.

Takeaway: Battery-powered leaf blowers in this price range don't often do double-duty as a lawn vac and mulcher, but this Black & Decker cordless leaf blower does it all. It earns top billing at Top Ten Reviews, where editors say that its overall performance, versatility, and ease of use make it a standout. With enough power to handle most yard tasks — despite its relatively low 120 mph airflow — it was also one of the lightest and quietest models they tested. Most users report about 30 minutes of run time on a fully charged battery, which is on par with other cordless leaf blowers, and recharge time is less than an hour. Just note that some owners say the vacuum bag's zipper is prone to breaking.

Pros:

• Comfortable to hold and operate; also fairly quiet, according to reviewers.
• Included battery and charger can be used with other Ryobi lawn tools.
• Variable-speed trigger.
• 3-year warranty is longer than many cordless competitors'.

Cons:

• 15- to 20-minute battery life is too short for some jobs.
• Tends to scatter leaves, not sweep neatly, owner feedback indicates.
• May not have the power for tougher duties, like loosening stubborn wet leaves.
• No vacuum/mulch feature.

Takeaway: Most professional reviewers overlook this cheap battery-powered electric leaf blower, but it's a very popular cordless model at Home Depot, where more than 3,600 consumers have contributed reviews. This Ryobi cordless blower isn't quite as powerful at other models in this report, but its variable-speed motor can generate 100 mph and 280 CFM of air power, which is definitely sufficient for patios, driveways, and light yard debris, users say. Anything more demanding, however, and you're likely to be disappointed. It weighs 9 pounds, making it heftier than other cordless leaf blowers, yet few reviewers complain about the weight. One thing some owners do gripe about is the lack of a nozzle or similar attachment for clearing debris in tight spaces.

Pros:

• Very low price for a gas blower.
• Trigger-controlled, variable-speed ignition with cruise control.
• See-through gas tank so you can monitor fuel level.
• Nozzle extension to concentrate blowing power included.
• 2-year warranty is on par with competitors.

Cons:

• Leaf blower only; no mulching or vacuuming functions.
• Weighs 10 pounds, which some users say is too heavy.
• Some owners say the ripcord can snap if pulled too hard.

Takeaway: If you’re looking for a cheap gas-powered blower, you won’t find many that are as powerful as this Craftsman for the price. The two-stroke engine produces 200 mph of blowing power (430 CFM air volume), and buyers say it makes short work of dislodging wet, matted debris, and sweeping away dead leaves. It’s rated at 72 decibels (about on par with a vacuum cleaner), which isn’t as loud as some other gas-powered models, but it's not as quiet as the battery-powered blowers in our roundup, either. On Amazon, it earns a 4.3 rating from nearly 3,000 shoppers. As with other gas blowers, some reviewers complain that the Craftsman can be hard to start. Other owners note that the leaf blower, which weighs 10 pounds, can be cumbersome to hold for long periods of time. In general, however, this gas-powered leaf blower packs a punch for one so inexpensive.

Pros:

• Adjustable blower tube length keeps the nozzle close to the ground to maximize power.
• Well-balanced and easy to maneuver, according to professional testers.
• Easy to start compared with some gas blowers, users say.
• Variable-speed throttle and cruise control setting.
• Relatively lightweight for a gas leaf blower, at 9.4 pounds.

Cons:

• Many say this model can be hard to start and prone to stalls.
• Some users report durability issues, such as gas lines that clog easily and early demise.
• Does not vacuum or mulch.
• 2-year standard warranty is shorter than some competitors'.

Takeaway: When an electric leaf blower simply can't get the job done, the Husqvarna 125B is a good pick for clearing significant yard debris without spending a slew of cash. This entry-level Husqvarna gas leaf blower can produce an air speed of 170 mph (425 CFM air volume) and, even better, it's designed to do an effective job while keeping user comfort a priority — not true of all cheap blowers. The most common complaint comes from buyers who say their leaf blower's engine either began running rough or stopped working entirely after the first season's use. A likely cause, say professional testers, is using fuel that's blended with ethanol or not using fresh gas before running it after a period of disuse. While its slightly higher price tag keeps it out of our top spot for best handheld gas leaf blower, all in all it's a decent choice, at an affordable price, from a trusted brand.

Pros:

• Cheaper than many other backpack blowers.
• Battery and charger included.
• Two-speed throttle with turbo boost and cruise control.
• Weighs less than 9 pounds; lightweight for a backpack-style gas blower.
• 5-year warranty is longer than average.
• Rated at 59 decibels, which is relatively quiet.

Cons:

• Does not vacuum or mulch.
• Larger jobs may require a second battery.
• A minority of buyers say it is difficult to assemble.

Takeaway: Backpack leaf blowers like this one are designed for homeowners with larger yards, trees, and landscaping to maintain. The battery-powered Ryobi RY40440 comes in under the $300 mark; gas-powered models can sell for twice the price. This backpack blower doesn't get the same wildly enthusiastic reviews that pricier, more powerful models do — such as the gas-powered Husqvarna 350BT ($330 from Amazon) — but with an air speed of 145 mph and 625 CFM airflow in the pipe, most owners say it'll get the job done. The backpack is comfortable to wear for most users, according to online feedback, and it's much quieter than gas-powered backpack leaf blowers: Rated at 59 decibels, it is about as loud as a normal conversation.