Leaf Blower Buying Guide

Gas or electric?

There are three types of leaf blowers: gas, electric and cordless. Take inventory of your needs in order to pick the right power source. For example, if you have a large property it might be difficult to stay near an outlet for a corded electric leaf blower.

Gas leaf blowers

Gas leaf blowers are powerful and ideal for large yards and heavy-duty leaf blowing needs. Gas leaf blowers come in 2-cycle engines or 4-cycle engines. A 4-cycle engine is more efficient but can weigh a lot more than a 2-cycle engine. A 2-cycle engine requires a mixture of oil and gas where a 4-cycle engine has a separate location for gas and oil. They both require the regular maintenance that comes with gas engines such as cleaning out old gasoline at the end of the season, cleaning the carburetor, replacing the spark plug and keeping the oil at the right level.

Gas leaf blowers tend to make more noise and are heavier than the electric options. These are also important factors to keep in mind when making a selection.

Electric

Electric leaf blowers are a great choice for smaller yards and lighter leaf-blowing needs. A key benefit of electric blowers is lighter weight. A lighter product is easier to hold for longer periods of time and maneuver around objects. They also tend to be quieter and require less maintenance compared to a gas leaf blower. But electric doesn't necessarily mean less power; there are some products that can handle big jobs as well.

Within the electric blower family you'll find corded and cordless options.

• Corded: The obvious downside to this is that you have to deal with a cord. This can be inconvenient as you move throughout your yard. On the plus side, you never have to worry about a dead battery when it's time to get to work. Corded leaf blowers are generally a bit more powerful than cordless.
• Cordless: Cordless leaf blowers are very convenient and a great portable option. Just remember to charge the battery after each use. If you have a larger property and are worried about battery life, you can consider buying a second battery. That way one can be charging while the other is in use.

A buyer's guide to leaf blower features

Here are some features to look for and what they mean so you can choose the right blower:

• Adjustable air deflector: This gives you better control of where the leaves are blown. It's useful when you need to create piles or push debris to a specific location as opposed to just clearing off an area.
• Backpack: Backpack models provide comfort by taking the weight of the leaf blower off your arms and wrists. Like the name says, you wear it like a backpack. This can be helpful when working on larger properties.
• Battery packs: Voltage and amp hours are the two main features of battery packs. Think of voltage as the amount of power that the unit can create, while amp hours are how many gallons are in the tank. A 20V with a 5 Ah pack will be average power, but longer run time, while an 80V with a 1.5 Ah pack will provide a lot of power for a short amount of time.
• Cubic-feet-per-minute (CFM) ratings: This measurement tells you how much air the blower moves. This is the number to look for when comparing how much debris each product will actually be able to move.
• Handheld: Many smaller leaf blowers are handheld. If you are considering handheld, think about how long you will spend using the leaf blower each time. Carry it around the store and make sure it doesn't get too heavy too quickly.
• Miles-per-hour (MPH) : This measures how fast the air is moving out of the nozzle. This number can be deceiving because it is easily manipulated by changing the size of the nozzle.
• Mulching: Some blowers include a mulching feature. This means you can vacuum up the leaves and they are mulched right into the leaf blower bag.
• Mulching blade: Available on any blower/vac with mulching capabilities. Mulching blades come either in plastic or metal. Metal blades can handle the occasional rock vacuumed in and have a quick release base that turns off the motor to remove the stuck debris.
• Noise level: Gas blowers tend to be louder than their electric counterparts. Consider your neighbors and any noise ordinances before selecting your leaf blower.
• Nozzle design: Leaf blowers can come with round, rectangular, oblong or curved nozzle designs. The nozzle design can impact the force with which the air is blown.
• Power outputs: Different types of blowers have different ways of measuring power output. Gas blowers are measured in cubic centimeters (cc), corded blowers are amps and cordless blowers are volts.
• Speed control: Some blowers are simple and have just one speed while others have multiple speed settings. Variable speed models typically have a trigger dial choice. A cruise control feature can significantly reduce fatigue.
• Vacuuming: Along with blowing leaves, some products can also vacuum them. This is great when your project requires bagging or removing the leaves from the property.
• Vibration control: A large amount of vibration can make leaf blowing uncomfortable. Look for products that offer antivibration or vibration-resistant design if this is a concern for you.
• Wheeled: For ease of use a wheeled leaf blower can be a great option. They are used like a push lawn mower. Consider your terrain and choose one with wheels big enough to easily navigate your property.

A leaf blower is a great addition to any tool shed. The convenience of quickly clearing away leaves without spending hours raking just can't be beat. There's a leaf blower to fit everyone's needs whether it be a quiet and compact handheld or a large powerful blower with a high CFM rating.