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The seasons have changed, and the leaves have taken over your yard and deck. Time to get out the leaf blower. Unfortunately, gassing up the leaf blower and getting it to crank is always the biggest hassle! Enter battery powered leaf blowers. If you’ve ever had to deal with the hassle of large, heavy gas-powered blowers or those with endless extension cords, you understand the value of a cordless leaf blower. Being able to simply grab the blower and get to work, without all the setup, is infinitely more enjoyable than working with some of the more maintenance heavy tools.
Leaf blowers come in a variety of types and sizes to allow users to accomplish a variety of jobs. Gas powered, corded electric, backpack, cordless, and walk-behind blowers make up the range of common blowers. Each different type is normally differentiated by various characteristics such as power, ease-of-use, power source, and maneuverability. Cordless leaf blowers are easily the most convenient of all leaf blowers to use. While they may not have as much power as the other types overall, their ease-of-use more than makes up for it, if you are using it for the right job. Most cordless leaf blowers are not intended for commercial cleaning or for moving large debris. But, if you need to sweep the deck, clear leaves from the driveway, or clean out the garage, they have huge advantages to the other models. Read below to find the best battery powered leaf blowers and learn what to look out for before purchasing a new blower for your home.
Makita XBU02PT |
Kimo Sweeper/Blower |
Greenworks BL80L2510 |
WORX WG545.1 | |
| Honors | Best in Class | Best Value | ||
| The Good | Interchangeable batteries with other Makita products. Strong warranty, comfortable grip, and numerous features. Power comparable to corded or gas blowers. Drastically outperforms battery voltage. | Small, compact, and very portable. Surprising blowing power considering the size. Included vacuum and fast-charging battery. Numerous convenience features. | Very strong power that can compete with gas blowers. Comfortable grip, fast recharge time, and variable speeds work well. Turbo mode is a life saver for tough jobs. | Small, lightweight, and flexible for a variety of jobs. Multiple attachments add to the versatility. Customer service is top-notch, and it operates very quietly. |
| The Bad | Awkward air intake placement. Expensive and somewhat heavy. | Vacuum bag design can get in the way, depending on the situation. Only useful as a sweeper or blower for hard surfaces. | Not intended for commercial jobs. Turbo mode can quickly drain the battery. Consistently using turbo mode may make getting a second battery worthwhile. | Short battery life and relatively weak blowing power. Doesn’t work well on grass. |
| Overall | Excellent blower that outperforms others in its class. Versatile, substantial power, and hassle-free. Very few drawbacks. | Very good sweeper that completely takes the hassle out of small jobs. Will not have the power for bigger jobs but works well for its intended purpose. | A very good blower that has exceptional CFM/MPH for a cordless leaf blower. One of the strongest cordless models available. Only very minor issues with this blower. | Almost exclusively used for small jobs. Versatile and can be useful in a variety of situations, but the lack of power limits its usefulness. |
| Our Rating | 8.9 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 7.4 |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Makita is a well-known producer of a variety of tools to fit almost any homeowners needs. The Makita XBU02PT 18V cordless leaf blower is another of their offerings that greatly outperforms similar models in their category. The blower proves to be an exceedingly versatile blower that offers enough power to tackle big jobs while also maintaining all the benefits of a battery-powered leaf blower. The Makita leaf blower uses two 18V lithium-ion batteries at 5.0 Ah, to power a very strong 473 CFM air flow with wind speeds reaching up to 120 MPH. The air flow puts this small wonder very close to the same levels as what would be expected from a gas or corded blower. The brushless motor allows for more efficient running when compared to a traditional motor. The dual-battery setup and efficient operation allows for a sturdy 30-45 min runtime that will allow you to do most jobs around the home and some larger commercial jobs.
The features of the Makita XBU02PT offers several features to ensure you are getting the most out of your blower. A variable six-speed selection control when combined with the responsive triggers allows for fine-grain control of wind speeds. This allows for easily modulating your wind speed for those delicate areas such as gardens or flower beds. Additionally, unlike some other models, the Makita line of products offer battery compatibility throughout their tools. Eliminating an endless line of batteries for every tool in the shed is a godsend if you have ever been in this situation. Easily switch batteries from your blower, drill, or tree trimmer as long as the voltage matches up. A 3-year limited warranty and strong customer service provide customers peace of mind and support for any issues that may come along.
The Makita XBU02PT cordless leaf blower gives users a top-notch leaf blower that will last a very long time. There are very few problems with this tool outside of a few minor hiccups. The air intake is placed on the back of the blower, which can lead to loose clothing being sucked into the intake. While it isn’t dangerous, it is annoying. It would be better to have the intake beneath the blower and out of the way. As with all premium products, the cost is higher than other models without the Makita branding. The quality of materials used in construction, progressive technology, and durability of the tool make it well worth the cost. Finally, unlike some of the lightweight sweepers, it weighs similar to a gas-powered model. Weighing in at 9 lbs. (2 batteries), it may be a bit too heavy for those of slight builds to maneuver as easily as the smaller (and less powerful) models. Overall, this is the cream of the crop for leaf blowers. While you may pay a bit more for the durability and performance, it is well worth the price.
Battery powered leaf blowers come in all shapes and sizes, depending on their intended purpose. The Kimo 20V cordless leaf blower falls into the “sweeper/blower” category, but with the power to tackle more strenuous jobs than most sweepers. The size of this little marvel is astounding, as it is approximately the size of a handheld vacuum to allow for maximum maneuverability and ease of use. Lightweight at a mere 4.4 lbs, Kimo has created the perfect tool for those “around the house” jobs to keep the home looking clean and tidy. A 20-volt battery powers the blower for around 30 minutes at high speed settings and allows for fast charge times of about 60 minutes.
In addition to being small and nimble, the Kimo leaf blower offers surprising versatility and convenience. Functioning as a dual blower/vacuum, the Kimo attempts to fill several household needs. The small size of the blower allows for easily handling of the vacuum to easily maneuver it into small areas and odd angles. While it doesn’t function as well as a ShopVac or Dyson, it can be useful at picking up debris in your car, pet hair, or getting those places that give your home vacuum problems (i.e. corners, under cabinets). The leaf blower is approximately the size of a handheld vacuum, which makes it simple to store it in an easy-to-reach area. No more going to the woodshed to get your blower!
The Kimo cordless leaf blower works well as something you can quickly grab to clean up a small area that doesn’t require the power of a full-sized blower. While it can easily function as a leaf blower on most surfaces, blowing mountains of leaves across the lawn may be out of reach. A quick job of blowing sawdust out of the workshop or moving some leaves off of the driveway? The Kimo is the perfect companion to quickly and easily take care of those messes. Furthermore, due to its small size and maneuverability, anyone can easily use it for a variety of tasks or chores. If you are looking to get something that doesn’t cost a fortune, but can still be helpful, the Kimo 20V battery powered leaf blower is a good choice for many.
One of the bigger issues often faced when searching for a cordless leaf blower is getting one with enough power to fit almost any situation. The Greenworks BL80L2510 has power for days and is easily capable of competing with gas or corded blowers. Featuring a whopping 580 CFM and an air velocity of 145 MPH at max speeds, you can be sure it will be able to accomplish all but the most strenuous of tasks. One of the only things holding this leaf blower back from being able to truly compete with commercial blowers is the fact that the battery only lasts around 20 mins at the highest levels. This can be extended by using the variable speeds setting to control your air speeds, but it still won’t be able to measure up to the longevity of commercial blowers for those bigger jobs (think office building) that require extended use. But what about for around the home jobs? The Greenworks blower is a wonder and can do anything you want. If your job requires more time, the fast charge battery only takes about 40 mins so you can quickly replace the battery. Furthermore, using a second battery can come in very handy for these situations so you don’t have to stop hardly at all.
Numerous other features are available that make this blower an excellent option. The variable speeds work well and allow you to fine-tune your wind speeds so you can more easily work in delicate environments (flower beds) when necessary, or really pump out the power for those tough jobs. Additionally, the comfortable grip helps to avoid fatigue and makes maneuvering the blower very easy without some of the awkwardness experienced in other models. A strong 4-year warranty on the blower and 2-year battery warranty give peace of mind. Customer service gets high marks for their fast response and willingness to fix any issue or help as needed.
The Greenworks 80V cordless leaf blower is an excellent choice for a variety of reasons. If you need true power, but want a battery powered blower, look no further! There are only a few drawbacks, primarily a short battery life at max speeds. This can be easily remedied with an extra battery, but most jobs around the home for these kinds of blowers rarely exceed 20 minutes. If you have a very large yard, it may be worth it to look into gas blowers to see if they would fit your situation a little better. Overall, the Greenworks BL80L2510 Jet Blower is one of the best cordless blowers we have reviewed. While it may not be able to compete with the Makita (above) in quality and durability, it will save you some money and put out even more power than the Makita.
Sometimes we just want something that allows us to do some small jobs without spending a ton of money. Enter the WORX WG545.1 20V cordless leaf blower. This is a budget model blower that is intended for small jobs that would normally be done with a broom (but who wants to sweep?). In situations such as this, the WORX blower works very well at saving a lot of time for users when compared to manual sweeping. While it does output 80 CFM, it isn’t really strong enough to blow leaves across grass and has problems with simply blowing wet leaves. It is much more useful in sweeping dry leaves off the driveway/sidewalk, removing sawdust from a workshop, or gently blowing leaves out of your garden. This blower is a perfect example of how CFM is a more important metric than MPH. The low CFM of this blower greatly hampers a 120 MPH air velocity that the blower outputs.
There are several features that add to the convenience and usability of the WORX WF545.1 such as interchangeable batteries (between other WORX tools), maneuverability, and low noise. Similar to the Makita (above), WORX uses their Power Share platform to allow switching of batteries between tools as long as they are the same voltage (20V). This comes in handy and avoids situations where you may have rows of different batteries and chargers you regularly use for various tools. Reducing the clutter is hard to underestimate. Furthermore, the maneuverability, convenience, and low noise levels make this tools exemplary to perform those small jobs without disrupting the entire neighborhood. It can easily be stored in convenient locations that can be quickly accessed without going to the toolshed.
The WORX leaf blower is not intended to be a strong blower that you can use to clean up a 5-acre yard or take to commercial sites. It works well at cleaning around the home, garage, workshop, or blowing a few leaves off the driveway. The limited power afforded by this cordless blower severely hampers its usefulness in situations that call for more power. What it lacks in performance, it makes up for by offering an affordable option for those who don’t need the “best of the best”, versatile operation with numerous attachments, and great convenience. If you have any problems with the blower, rest assured WORX custom service is well-trained and is very helpful in their response. There are better leaf blowers available but expect to spend a bit (or a lot) more. The WORX WG545.1 20V Blower/Sweeper helps to save you money, but it may be better to spend a little more and get the most bang for your buck in the long term.
Most battery powered leaf blowers now include a lithium battery (i.e. lithium-ion), which is the best option for these kinds of tools. Although some older models may include a different kind of battery (i.e. Ni-Cad), we suggest using a lithium-based battery to ensure best performance and longevity. Additionally, the battery voltage can range from 15V all the way up to 80V. The higher the battery voltage, the more powerful the leaf blower is usually. The voltage also usually impacts the cost and performance of the blower. Lower voltage blowers work well on light debris or smaller areas. Higher voltage blowers work well when working with large areas or have more substantial debris (think chunks of bark or huge piles of leaves). Depending on the type of job, ensure you have the correct voltage. We recommend at least 20V for smaller jobs/sweeping and 35V+ for larger jobs.
The battery runtime is important to consider when purchasing a new leaf blower. While most have relatively short battery time, an extra battery can be used to solve this problem. Runtime on a cordless leaf blower range wildly. Some models such as sweepers or light-duty blowers often run for 20-30 mins, while more powerful models have been known to run for up to 50 mins on one charge. Changing out the battery on the cordless blower is effortless and some brands even allow for using the same battery on different tools made by the same manufacturer (i.e. Makita). This is incredibly convenient as you can easily interchange the battery between your leaf blower, edger, or other yard tools as needed.
Another common characteristic of a battery leaf blower is that they can be found using a brushless motor to push the air. A brushless motor operates differently than traditional motors. Instead of pushing the battery’s charge through carbon brushes, brushless motors use magnets. Using magnets eliminates losing some of the charge by bringing it into contact with physical parts (i.e. carbon brushes). This allows the brushless motor to put out enormous amounts of power on lower voltage. While it can’t quite compete (mostly) with gas-powered blowers, the performance is impressive.
It is better to pay attention to the CFM (cubic feet per minute) over MPH (miles per hour). CFM is a much more accurate measurement of how much air is blown out of tube to clear debris. As a rule, blowers rated under 200 CFM are not classified as high-performance blowers. Blowers rated at 200 – 400 CFMs have plenty of power for most jobs. Those in the 400 – 500 CFM range are generally the most powerful cordless leaf blowers you will find. Blowers rated at 500+ CFMs are usually corded electric or gas-powered leaf blowers.
Noise Levels, Ease of Use, and AddonsBattery powered leaf blowers offer numerous advantages over their bulkier gas-powered cousins. The noise levels for a cordless blower are significantly lower and allow for operation that won’t impact your neighbors or family members. While they aren’t silent, they are significantly quieter (earbuds are still recommended to protect hearing). Expect around 60 decibels, which is about as loud as a standard household vacuum. Additionally, the lightweight nature of cordless models makes them infinitely more maneuverable around the home. Unlike corded electric models, there is no need to hassle with a 100 ft cord, or deal with the problems associated with a walk-behind blower. The convenience of just being able to pick up the blower and start going is a breath of fresh air after dealing with all of the setup time of other models.
You can expect to find numerous features and addons for cordless blowers, depending on the model and brand. Some features you may come across include variable speed triggers, speed settings, vacuum, mulcher, extra batteries, push-button start, or various nozzles for specialized jobs. The speed settings when combined with a trigger to control air flow is especially handy in situations where you don’t need the full power (i.e. flower beds). Additionally, being able to quickly switch out nozzles gives users an easy way to approach jobs that require a little more finesse than normal. When choosing your next leaf blower, make sure that the features you want the most are included in the model under consideration.
One of the most important aspects of choosing a leaf blower is determining what type of blower you will need. Each kind of blower performs better if they are not being asked to do a job that is outside of their capabilities. Cordless leaf blowers are usually better for small everyday jobs such as clearing a deck, workshop, garage, driveway, or small yards. A corded blower has more power than most cordless blowers and are similar in CFM to a gas-powered model. These work well on jobs requiring a substantial amount of power to clear heavy debris. The cord greatly diminishes mobility as most extension cords only reach approximately 100 ft and are a huge hassle dealing with the cord constantly. Gas-powered leaf blowers offer improved mobility and are commonly used on large yards or for commercial leaf blowing. Unfortunately, the pull-start mechanism, smoke, and hassle of mixing/filling gas is a hindrance. Backpack blowers offer exceptional power and mobility. They weigh more than the other models, but the weight is distributed across the back and is hardly noticeable. They often cost more than other models and are powered by gas (usually). Finally, gas-powered walk behind leaf blowers are available for big commercial jobs. These are best used for large yards and provide the strongest wind output of all the models. They are very noisy, expensive, and heavy as they are intended for the most demanding work.
How is a cordless leaf blower’s power measured? Is MPH or CFM a better measurement?
Power is often measured by two metrics, MPH (miles per hour) and CFM (cubic feet per minute). MPH measures wind speed and how fast the air blows out of the tube. CFM, on the other hand, measures how much air is moved out of the tube. While these two measurements are similar, they actually work in tandem to measure the performance of a leaf blower.
When determining the power of a blower, look at CFM first as it is a stronger measurement of the tool’s potential. If there is a high CFM, the blower has the capability to move more air. Moving air doesn’t really do much if the wind speed isn’t high enough to move debris. This is where MPH comes into play. For example, moving leaves is fairly easy and doesn’t require a high MPH. If the leaves are wet or mulch is mixed in, a higher MPH will be required to push heavier objects.
How many batteries will I need for my cordless leaf blower?
Most battery powered leaf blowers come with one battery and charger included, although you can purchase them separately. Depending on the size of the jobs that you commonly work on, it may be a good idea to purchase an extra battery that you can quickly switch out to continue working without waiting to recharge. Depending on the model of the blower, you can expect the battery to last anywhere from 15 mins – 60 mins. If you have a small to medium sized yard, an extra battery may be worth it so you can do everything you need in one go.
Will a battery powered leaf blower work for wet leaves?
This depends on the strength of the blower. If it’s a low-power blower (i.e. sweeper), it’s unlikely that it will adequately blow wet leaves. Stronger blowers in the range of 200+ CFMs should work well in moving wet leaves, but obviously the higher the CFM (and MPH), the better it will work on heavier debris.
Should I choose a gas, corded, or cordless leaf blower?
This is entirely dependent on your current situation. If you just need some light work done around the house and don’t want to deal with the hassle of a long extension cord or everything that a gas engine entails, a cordless blower is a no-brainer. Corded blowers work best when you need more power than what most cordless models provide, and don’t really need all the mobility they afford. These usually work best for blowing mulch and the like. Gas powered blowers are usually preferred for commercial jobs due to their power and durability. Additionally, they offer the same mobility as a cordless model. But, be prepared to deal with quite a bit of maintenance and setup in dealing with a gas engine.
Battery-powered leaf blowers offer numerous advantages over other models of leaf blowers. Their lower noise levels, convenience, and ease of use make them a perfect companion for those “around the house” jobs. While there are some drawbacks such as battery life and less blowing power, the convenience these blowers afford more than makes up for it. Some cordless blowers offer more power than others and can compete with the lower end of the gas powered or corded electric blowers. Before buying, make sure you pay attention to the CFM to ensure it has enough power to perform the jobs you want it to undertake. Low-powered cordless blowers are often referred to as “sweepers” and are best used for jobs that you just don’t want to get out a broom to accomplish. Other cordless models have more power and can be used for more strenuous jobs such as blowing leaves across the lawn or even fine-tuning the wind speed to clear a flower bed or garden. As long as you understand the limits and capabilities of your blower, it will be a great time-saving investment that should last you for years.
