Best Leaf Blowers 2023
If you’re hoping to keep your yard in good condition, odds are you’ve thought about investing in one of the best leaf blowers on the market—especially if your home is at the whim of the changing seasons. Much like our favorite snow blowers, these genius devices can aid in removing nature's cast-offs, and with no real elbow grease required to boot. Plus, leaf blowers don't just tackle leaves; they can also help in getting rid of grass clippings and other unsightly organic debris. Our top pick, the Worx Turbine, churns out an impressive 135 miles per hour of wind power to tackle just about anything Mother Nature can dish out.
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Sure, you could use a rake to gather up leaves, but there's really no need to go that route. "Leaf blowers are a great investment if you’re limited on time—instead of manually raking and removing debris from your yard, you can bust out your leaf blower and get the job done in just a few minutes," says Rupa Mehta, home expert at Angi. Choosing the right leaf blower for you ultimately depends on your personal needs, including what you plan to use your blower for, how large of a space you need to tackle and how much you want to spend. Ahead, find the best leaf blowers out there to help you keep your outdoor space neat and tidy.
Lowe's
Fuel Type: Electric | Weight: 6.6 pounds | MPH: 135 | Noise Rating: 82 dB | Run Time: Limitless
If you’re looking for a solid leaf blower at a low, low price point, look no further than the Worx Turbine—one of the very best leaf blowers on the market, in our opinion. While it may not be the fanciest device out there, it meets the needs of most weekend yard warriors (and with gusts of up to 135 miles per hour, it's all but guaranteed to tackle whatever yard mess you have in mind). The Turbine features an adjustable speed control, and you can also utilize the brand's Hyper-Stream nozzle to ensure that you don't blow away everything in sight. This particular blower is 6.6 pounds, making it lightweight enough for many people to maneuver with one hand.
Note that the Turbine is electric—this means you’ll need to find a nearby outlet and (usually) an extension cord to help you get the job done. But it's easy enough to figure out: A cord retainer helps you keep the whole thing powered up, even if you happen to get caught on a nearby branch.
The Home Depot
Fuel Type: Electric | Weight: 6.6 pounds | MPH: 140 | Noise Rating: 70 dB | Run Time: Limitless
Toro's PowerJet F700 is great for tackling wet yard gunk, like damp leaves, water-logged pine needles and the muck that tends to accumulate after a rainstorm. This device delivers up to 140 miles per hour of power—very impressive—and it also features a special jet fan design that helps you really get into whatever mess you’re interested in obliterating. At just 6.6 pounds, the Toro PowerJet is also easy to use with one hand—and there's a second grip in front of the handle if you prefer to work with two. An adjustable speed feature allows you to get that just-right blowing power. Cool feature alert: The Toro PowerJet also has a cord lock hook to help keep that extension cord in place.
Home Depot
Fuel Type: Battery | Weight: 11 pounds | MPH: 155 | Noise Rating: 67.4 dB| Run Time: 4 Ah
While an electric leaf blower will give you plenty of consistent power, it requires you to be somewhat close to an outlet. If you have leaves that are nowhere near a power source, you need a different option. This battery-powered blower from Ryobi delivers speeds of up to 125 miles per hour, which can move plenty of yard debris and gunk. At 10.4 pounds, it's a little heftier than some of its electric counterparts (you can blame the big battery for that). But it's certainly quieter, and you’re bound to appreciate the ergonomic handle here, too: With a built-in trigger, it can help you get the job done with ease.
The Home Depot
Fuel Type: Gas | Weight: 10 pounds | MPH: 205 | Noise Rating: 74 dB | Run Time: Unspecified
This gas leaf blower from Troy-Bilt isn't playing around in the power department: It delivers speeds of up to 205 miles per hour, and with all that extra wind, it really can tackle just about anything that stands in your way. The blower has an included extended and angled debris nozzle to help you get into tight spots, while a three-step starting system with the brand's Spring Assist technology makes it easy to get going. At nearly 10 pounds, it's not the lightest leaf blower out there, but it's still light enough to feel comfortable.
Lowe's
Fuel Type: Gas | Weight: 22.5 pounds | MPH: 270 | Noise Rating: 78 dB | Run Time: Unspecified
Truth be told, carrying a leaf blower around by hand isn't for everyone—which is why a backpack version is definitely worth considering. This is Husqvarna's best-selling backpack blower, which features a jaw-dropping 270 miles per hour of blowing power. Whether you’re dealing with litter, grass clippings, small branches or leaves, the odds are high you’ll be able to blow whatever is in your path into oblivion. The blower's variable speed control has cruise control, so you can simply set it, forget it and go. It also features a harness and hip belt to help distribute weight and keep you comfortable while you work.
The Home Depot
Fuel Type: Gas | Weight: 104 pounds | MPH: 160 | Noise Rating: 85 dB | Run Time: Unspecified
Whether you’re hoping to protect your back muscles or just don't feel like waving a nozzle around, a wheeled leaf blower can be a handy way to chase after lawn gunk without over-exerting yourself. This popular gas version from Champion Power Equipment features three never-flat wheels, including a lockable front wheel so you don't have to worry about it rolling away. The handle has an ergonomic grip and adjustable height to keep you as comfortable as possible while you work. Control the speed with a dial that's easy to reach—and just wait for the backyard compliments to roll in.
Amazon
Fuel Type: Battery | Weight: 13 pounds | MPH: 180 | Noise Rating: Unspecified | Run Time: 90 minutes
The Ego Power+ is one of the most powerful battery-powered options you’ll find. This blower can fire air speeds up to 650 cubic feet per minute (CFM) or 180 miles per hour. Of course, you don't always need to blast leaves into oblivion: Toggle between speeds of 225 to 500 CFM with the use of a handy dial. Then, push the "turbo" button for hurricane-force speeds of 650 CFM. You’ll enjoy 90 minutes of continuous run time, along with flat and tapered nozzles to help you clear debris the way you want. Just a heads up, though: The "turbo" button will drain your battery faster than lower speeds.
To choose the best leaf blowers, we consulted three lawn care professionals for their take on important elements to consider when choosing one of these machines. We also looked at the most popular blowers on the market and narrowed the field by elements like power, weight, noise output and run time. Reviews from real owners were considered as well to see how these machines perform over time and in a variety of households.
Not all leaf blowers are the same, and there are a few different elements to consider when shopping for a leaf blower. Keep these in mind when deciding on the right device for you.
Leaf blowers can generally be divided into three camps: Gas, battery and electric. From there, they can be farther broken down by style—backpack and handheld. Gas leaf blowers are typically what professional landscapers use. These blowers can create impressive gusts to relocate just about any yard debris with ease. However, they tend to be noisier than other blowers and can create exhaust. Battery-powered options are typically quieter than other leaf blowers and run clean. While they can't move as much as their gas counterparts, they tend to work well for most home owner needs. Electric leaf blowers have the benefit of no limitation on run time, but you do need to stay within the vicinity of an outlet. As for the style, handheld is the most popular type. But if have have dexterity issues or a lot of yard to cover, a backpack may be more comfortable for longer sessions.
Most leaf blowers can deliver impressive speeds to move around items in your yard, but some debris can require more blowing power than others. Leaf blowers typically have speeds that can range from 100 to nearly 300 miles per hour, and some offer a turbo boost feature to deliver a targeted blast of air when you need it. Keep in mind that blowers that deliver higher speeds tend to cost more, and not everyone needs the speeds that they’re capable of churning out. If you don't need to move massive piles of wet leaves on a regular basis, it's worth considering a blower with lower speeds to save money.
Everyone's leaf blowing needs are different. If you’re planning to use the machine to move small quantities of leaves or grass clippings, you don't necessarily need something super powerful. If you need a leaf blower to tackle heavy piles of leaves and other yard gunk, you want a model with high blowing power (MPH). While shopping, also pay attention to a model's CFM, which stands for cubic feet per minute and tells you how well the device clears larger volumes. The higher the CFM, the more the leaf blower can handle.
Not necessarily. "Achieving more airflow is essential for a leaf blower, but higher cubic feet per minute (CFM) alone isn't the only factor that determines effectiveness," says Noah James, owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance. "In addition to CFM, factors such as airspeed and leaf size should be considered when selecting a leaf blower."
Airspeed has an impact on how far debris will be thrown, James explains. "While small leaves may need less airspeed to move them away, larger leaves may require more air speed services from higher CFM performance," he says. Having variable speed can also help, since it allows you to adjust the airflow for different tasks.
While CFM is a crucial element, there are others to think of as you shop. "It's important to consider other features such as weight, noise level, ease of use and cost when choosing a leaf blower," says Lindsey Hyland, founder of UrbanOrganic Yield.
Technically, you could use a leaf blower on wet leaves, but it's not recommended. "A leaf blower should always be used on dry leaves to ensure the most effective results," James says. "Wet leaves are far heavier and require a different approach." Using a leaf blower on wet leaves can actually make them stick to surfaces, making clean-up more of a challenge, James explains. Consider this, too, from Hyland: "The air from the blower could inadvertently break up wet leaves and cause them to accumulate in gutters or around landscaping."
James recommends using a rake instead. "The combination of teeth and tines makes it far better suited to collecting large amounts of wet material effectively in awkward areas," he says. "Once you've raked up the brunt of the leaves, a leaf blower can then be used to finish the job."
There are a lot of different popular leaf blower brands that make a quality product. Our favorite leaf blower is from Worx , which is a trusted brand in the lawn equipment and power tools space. Other leading makers include Ego, Husqvarna, Ryobi and Toro. That said, we stand behind all brands featured on this list.
The most important measurements you’ll see on leaf blowers are CFM and MPH. In addition to those two figures, some brands also include CC, which tells you how many cubic centimeters of debris your blower can displace. That said, you probably don't need to pay close of attention to the measurement; CFM and MPH are better indicators of effectiveness.
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