Best Leaf Blower Reviews
If you are wondering why we decided to write about the best leaf blowers, you might want to consider this scenario.
Fall comes, you are again in your garden, raking away as if you do not have more important things to do with your life. Dried up leafs and garden debris are the
The Best Leaf Blowers
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Types of Leaf Blowers
There are different types of leaf blowers on the market, each type fulfilling a distinct customer need. Some are more suitable for around the house work, cleaning decks and patios, while others clean acres of land in a day or two, depends on how good of a blower you are! Here we will take a look at the most common home-variety leaf blowers and explain for which type of job they are best suited for! Keep in mind that all comes down to what you need and what your yard looks like. There is no need in buying the biggest and strongest one if you have only a few square meters of land around your house.
Battery-powered handheld blowers
These are probably the most user-friendly blowers on the market. They are powered by Lithium Ion batteries and most manufacturers include a charger in the packaging as well. They are less powerful than other types of blowers but that’s ok since their primary use is in small gardens and around the house.
The great thing about these is that they are typically very lightweight and portable. You are not lugging around a heavy machine nor are you limited with a cord so you can move about completing small tasks in your garden easily. The only drawback is that the battery only lasts for so long before you have to recharge it. Buy this one if you have a small garden that requires tending once or twice a week.
Black and Decker LSWV36 Review
For homeowners with small backyards and little gardens, sometimes buying a large, backpack blower simply doesn’t make any sense. And we totally agree it is not sensible, especially if you can get your hands on this battery-powered Black and Decker Sweeper/Vac that will make your life easier at a fraction of the cost you would incur if buying a large, bulky backpack blower!
Features of Black and Decker LSWV36
Some light assembly is required with this machine, but it’s nothing that a reasonably adept homeowner can’t handle. You will get a very thorough manual with it. Make sure to follow the instructions closely and you will be set to go. It is also a relatively strong machine, with the very great performance considering its price range. We definitely agree it is a great value for money!
- Compact design – This blower is a prime example of smart design. It is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for around the house use, especially if the area you need to cover is not very large. It can get to all the nooks and crannies and it is very easy to maneuver, you garden furniture will not become an obstacle on your cleaning rounds.
- Variable speed control – Adjust the speed and the airflow to your circumstances! If you need to move around large piles of wet leafs, set the blower on high and be done with it quickly. Set it on low to move dry leafs a short distance to the bin!
- Battery operated – It comes with a Lithium Ion battery that is rechargeable, making it a very cost-efficient purchase. You will also get a charger with the package so there is one less thing to worry about in that respect!
- Blower and Vacuuming function – This blower combines to useful functions; it acts both as a blower and as a vacuum. You can vacuum up to 6 bags of leafs that will be mulched down to a size of one bag. This is perfect for picking up dry leafs and grass clippings and disposing of them.
Advantages of Black and Decker LSWV36
- Easy to store – Thanks to its great design, this machine is easy to store when not in use. The nozzle comes off and the small body size allows you to pack it up easily and store it away in a cupboard or a workshop.
- Low noise levels – At around 86 decibels this is one of the quietest blowers on the market. This is extremely important as noise can be very harmful to your hearing. Also, high noise levels annoy your neighbors and this blower helps you avoid that!
- Eco-friendly – The great thing about battery operated blowers is that they have no emissions at all. This makes this machine a great alternative to gas powered blowers and a prime choice of eco-conscious buyers!
This is without a doubt a great purchase for people who need to take care of a small patch of land over the weekend. It is not the best solution if you have a large backyard or tons of foliage to move. Keep that in mind when buying this one. It is not a commercial grade blower, but if you need it for working around your house than it is a great choice.
Bottom Line
Hands down, a great handheld blower that is also affordable and eco-friendly. Black and Decker LSWV36 40V Lithium-Ion Sweeper/Vac is a perfect choice for small home gardening operations and will help you work wonders in your backyard, moving leafs and debris in no time!
Electrical corded handheld blowers
These types of blowers are also made for smaller gardens, but ones that see heavy leaf-fall come autumn. They are very practical as you do not have to think about the power source at all, there is no battery to worry about or gas you need to top up to continue your work.
They are limited by their cord, however, so they are not at all suited for large areas at all. Getting an extension cable will also be a good idea, as most cords are not more than 12 feet long. Still, they are a great addition to any home with a small or reasonably sized garden and are usually powerful enough to get the job done.
Toro 51621 Review
When we are talking about multi-purpose monster machines that are designed for blowing, vacuuming and mulching leafs, the conversation inevitably turns to Toro 51621, the king of handheld blowers that does all that, and more. This excellent machine packs a hell of a punch and is a great addition to every garden. It comes with a myriad of add-ons, such as various different nozzles and mulch bag that all come in handy in the garden.
Features of Toro 51621
It is very difficult to find a decent handheld blower that also doubles as a vac. The thing is, when machines try to do multiple things, they often end up doing neither well. This is not the case with this Toro model. It excels at all three tasks, which is frankly a small miracle! The quality of materials and the make guarantee that this is a durable, well-balanced product built to last!
- Blower and vacuum – Use this handheld machine to either blow clear your garden of leaves, or vacuum them up so you can easily dispose of them in the trash can. This gives you a great versatility in use, as it can be used to vacuum closed spaces as well as cleaning out the outside of your property.
- Variable speed in both modes – You can adjust the speed of the machine regardless of whether you are running it in blower or vacuum mode. This allows you to fine tune it to your specific needs and the areas you are working on in any given moment.
- Corded, electricity powered – This is a corded electrical model that has many advantages over its gas-powered or battery-powered counterparts. The cord is of sufficient length to not necessitate an extension cable in closed spaces, but a cord will be required while doing yard work.
Advantages Toro 51621
- Balanced and easy to use – The weight of the blower is around 9 pounds, but it can be easily manipulated with one hand since it is well distributed. It also has sufficient hand grabs and it can be operated with two hands.
- Easy to assemble – It is very easy to assemble and disassemble the machine. Replacing nozzles is a breeze as well and is no great feat of engineering.
- Different nozzles for different uses – You will get several different nozzles, three to be more exact. The oscillating nozzle is used to tend to hard to reach places, and the power insert makes the air output even more powerful!
There are several small issues with this machine that are somewhat annoying. To replace nozzles you need to disassemble the machine, which can be troublesome during mid-operation. Also, the mulch bag seems a bit flimsy, and might be prone to ripping if the amount vacuumed in is too great. These are all small issues that can be easily overlooked in an otherwise great machine!
Bottom Line
This excellent blower – vacuum combo is a great buy for home and small business use. If you need a handheld tool that delivers a punch and cuts down the time you spend cleaning your garden, then Toro 51621 UltraPlus Blower/Vac is a great choice for you! It is also very affordable, and in our opinion, a great value for money!
Gas-powered handheld blowers
Gas-powered handheld models are a compromise between the electrically powered blowers and backpack blowers. They definitely pack more punch than either the battery-powered or corded models and are suited for some heavy duty work around the garden.
Consider buying one if you have a large garden that needs tending often, and you think that other handheld models are not well suited for the job. With these, you are only limited by the size of your fuel tank, and since the refueling process is relatively simple, you can count on several hours of continuous use with only minor refueling breaks.
Husqvarna 125BVX Review
This smaller, more compact sibling of the Husqvarna backpack models is a great addition to every homeowner that needs a powerful tool to clean his garden and believes that battery or electrical blowers just wouldn’t cut it. It is also intended for landscaping companies, for those quick and easy jobs that do not require a full-blown hurricane of power to be executed.
Features of Husqvarna 125BVX
This hand-held, gas-powered blower combines strength, versatility and durability in one neat, small package. Husqvarna places great emphasis on the quality of their products and you can rest assured that you are buying the best if you decide to make this your handheld blower of choice. It has plenty to offer, so let us take a quick look at some of it features.
- Powerful engine – This machine has a powerful engine capable of delivering air speeds of up to 170 mph. This is more than sufficient for a handheld blower intended for around the house work, and you will be hard pressed to find others with such excellent performance in this price range.
- Blower–vacuum – It also doubles as a vacuum, so it is easy to gather up any wet leafs to stubborn to be blown away. This means that you can also use it to clean up furniture, gutters, and cobwebs around your house and garden.
- Large fuel tank – Fuel tank fits around 17 ounces of fuel, which, thanks to the conservative usage, allows the machine to run continuously for around 45 minutes, depending on the speed setting. This means that you will have plenty of time to finish up larger projects before you’re left out of steam.
Advantages of Husqvarna 125BVX
- Ergonomically designed handle – The handle is designed with you in mind, so it takes special care of your wrist, making sure that your hand and arm is properly aligned to avoid sustaining injuries. This allows you to operate the blower for longer periods of time without getting tired.
- Several different nozzles included – Several different nozzles are included with the packaging. Some are designed to provide more air pressure while others are there to make it easier to reach some of the nooks and crannies.
- Cruise control feature – If you have a lot to do, but dislike fiddling with the controls, or it’s simply not necessary, you can easily put the blower in the cruise control mode and carry on with your work!
While powerful and great for yard work, this blower is still a little bit noisy. It is compliant with the regulations but it will not make you a very powerful neighbor. Make sure to wear hearing protection and be considerate to your neighbors!
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this blower vacuum combo is an excellent buy for homeowners who feel that battery or electricity-operated machines would struggle to get the job done. Husqvarna 125BVx 28cc 2-Cycle Gas Powered Blower is a strong little beast that will have little to no problems around your garden, and will efficiently shift leafs and small debris.
Gas-powered backpack blowers
These are considered to be the holy grail of leaf blowers. They are heavy-duty machines designed to tackle even the most difficult of garden obstacles. They are large and powerful, so keep in mind that they are not the best solution for you if you are lacking upper body strength. The great thing about them is that they can run for around an hour without a fueling break, and a lot can be done with these babies in an hour! They will shift leafs, debris, and even light snow during winter.
Newer models are more comfortable and the harnesses are ergonomically designed not to put too much pressure on your back. Keep in mind that these are the biggest polluters as well, and the noisiest in the bunch. Wearing proper ear protection is a must when operating a backpack blower.
Makita BBX7600N Review
This Makita backpack blower is one of the best on the market currently, and we say that will full confidence. Makita has long been in the business of manufacturing quality machines, and this one is no exception. The price tag might seem slightly steep, but once you see what you are getting with it, you will agree that it’s definitely worth the price.
Features of Makita BBX7600N
Consistent high ratings that this blower has been garnering from buyers and users, all but vouchsafe the quality features of the machine. Built and engineered with utmost care for both the user and the environment, this blower will exceed and keep exceeding your expectations. It is, however, a bit on the heavy side, weighing around 23 pounds, but since it is well-constructed you will hardly feel the weight. This backpack blower is indented for buyers with large patches of garden and backyard, and will help them cut down on the time needed to clean up and tidy their premises.
- Durable and resilient – The quality of the machine is superb, such that you can rest assured that it is going to last for a long time, both the engine and the casing. Minor damage will not bother it excessively, and it is perfectly capable of toughing out minor beatings and continuing with operation nonetheless.
- Large fuel tank – On a full fuel tank this blower will work continuously for around 80 minutes. That is 80 minutes of raw power that will be sufficient to clear mid to reasonably large areas covered in debris without the need to stop for refueling.
- Powerful engine – The air velocity achieved by it is around 200 mph. This is more than enough for cleaning out the usual stuff you get in your garden and on your patio, and it might even be too much. Use care with it to avoid damaging your plants and property.
Advantages of Makita BBX7600N
- Ergonomically designed backpack – The backpack is designed with the user in mind and features neck and lumbar support. It also has a ventilator to reduce discomfort during long hours of continuous use.
- Fuel efficient – This blower uses unleaded fuel and conserves it rather well, making it very cost efficient. Not only that, but the conservative fuel use means fewer emissions as well, so it is one of the more eco-friendly backpack blowers on the market.
- Reduced noise – Thanks to the added noise muffler, the decibels produced by this machine do not exceed 80. This is relatively low for a blower, but you still want to consider ear protection, as loud noises can be damaging to your hearing.
The most cited drawback of this backpack leaf blower is its price. We agree, it is a bit steep, so if you do not absolutely require an excellent blower feel free to skip it. However, if you will be using it on a regular basis and need to cover a large surface, then the price should not deter you. Also, the warranty is only valid for a year, but if you know anything about Makita, you know that they make quality products, so that should not concern you.
Bottom Line
Makita BBX7600N 75.6 CC 4-Stroke Backpack Blower is a top rated product, the best backpack blower the money can buy. Get it if you need to clear large areas quickly, or if you are simply tired of cheaper options that break down a lot. The price might not be the lowest out there, but you should regard this purchase as a lifelong investment that will keep on giving!
What to Look for In a Good Leaf Blower
here are several things you need to consider when buying a blower. They are not all created equal and you will have to know what you need before settling on a blower that will do the job right. The first thing you need to consider is not a feature of the blower, but rather where will you be using it. For smaller properties a handheld machine will suffice. For larger, you will want to consider a backpack blower. So let’s take a look at the features of the machines themselves:
- Engine power – Consider how powerful the engine is. Do not go out buying weaker blowers just because you are penny pinching. If you have a large property you will want to be able to shift the leafs quickly and you won’t be able to do that with a weak blower. Engine power is directly tied to how much air your blower pushes through. For optimal results, always buy a blower that blows around 150 mph or more.
- Speed settings – Variable speed settings are a lifesaver. Sometimes running the blower as fast as it will go will damage your plants and your property. Try buying blowers that allow you to adjust the speed to the task at hand.
- Versatility – Some blowers are more than that; they are also vacuums and mulches. Decide if you need those functions as well and shop accordingly. Keep in mind that it is a lot easier to vacuum wet leafs than it is to blow them, so this kind of versatility will come on handy once in a while.
- Compliance – A lot of laws govern the use of blowers in the open across the States. Those laws tackle everything, from acceptable noise levels to emissions. Make sure that the blower you decide to get is in compliance with your local regulations.
10 Advantages of Using a Leaf Blower
If leaves have taken over your backyard and raking isn’t your cup of coffee maybe it’s time to blow them away. Using a leaf blower not only helps you avoid the physical strain that comes with using a rake and a broom but also helps you complete the job twice as fast. You also get the luxury of selecting models with features that work best for you. We take a look at 10 advantages of using a leaf blower.
You Get All the Convenience You Need
There are many different types of leaf blowers, each one of them optimized for your convenience. For instance, if you are planning to blow away leaves in a small yard, then you can opt for a small battery powered unit. If you are considering going commercial then a wheeled gasoline unit may just be what you need. In a nutshell, depending on your unique needs, there is always a leaf blower that offers you the best bet.
No Worries About Storage
Unlike other appliances that require large rooms for storage, leaf blowers offer you quite a few space saving features. The electric powered, battery powered and portable gasoline models have a removable nozzle allowing you to fit them into small spaces within your house. The only exception here is the wheeled gasoline which takes up quite some space (you would only need it if you are taking up leaf blowing as a business, though).
Manageable Noise Level
Leaf blowing and noise are like Siamese twins. You want to clean your backyards but your neighbors think that you should let them have some quiet time. So what do you do? Thanks to modern technology you can always find blowers that emit less noise. Some electric motors cannot even be noticed beyond a 50 feet radius. The only thing you need to be aware of is that, the less noisy a leaf blower is, the less powerful it’s likely to be.
Easy to Carry Around
Carrying a leaf blower for more than 30 minutes is by no means a mean feat. Fortunately, depending on the kind of task ahead, you can always go for a unit that is light and portable. A wheeled leaf blower is particularly easy to move around due to its wheels – moving it uphill is however a challenge. For small projects, you can always go for a backpack carried leaf blower which offers you the same energy as a gasoline unit and rests on your back and shoulders.
Additional Debris Clearing Benefits
There are three different kinds of nozzles you can count on to reap more debris clearing advantages. For instance, you can go for a flat-end nozzle to sweep leaves over a large surface area. At the same time you can opt for a round nozzle if you want to loosen dirt. Wondering how to remove leaves from your gutter? You can always find a long nozzle with a special ending ad adjustable height to allow you access these hard-to-reach areas.
There's Something for Everyone
How many leaves you want to clear and how fast you want to do it should determine the kind of leaf blower you go for. It could be uncomfortable to hold a handheld blower if the job takes longer than an hour to complete. This is where wheel-powered blowers come in. On the other hand, if you are dealing with a small household yard, investing in an energy efficient handheld or backpack blower could be a good idea. You can’t run out of options as far as leaf blowers are concerned.
Flexible Powering Methods
The question on which type of leaf blower is best is always prevalent especially when issues of power come into play. Gasoline powered blowers, though powerful, are loathed by some because of their annoying screeching noise. Electric leaf blowers on the other hand are known for being light-weight and expensive. They however limit the radius you can clean to about 100 feet of the power outlet, they also come with an electric cord which may limit your movement. Battery units are light, easy to move and flexible but they required to be recharged after every 30 minutes of use. Choose a powering method that enables you to maximize on your productivity.
You Can Mulch the Leaves
Some blowers come with a vacuum bag that enables you to mulch leaves. Mulched leaves make for good bedding around shrubs. You simply need to fill your blower’s bag with leaves and then empty it into your lawn. That’s a win-win strategy especially given the fact that you don’t have to worry about where to dispose this waste once your collect it.
Flexible Speed and Added Safety, Work as Fast or as Slow as You Want
Depending on the nature of job you want to handle, you can always find blowers that operate at adjustable speeds. This allows you to reduce power near delicate areas such as your garden. Moreover, due to the fact you can switch through different speed settings, some blowers allow you the flexibility to choose the kind of air-intake you settle for. Side intake can pull in your clothes disrupting your working. If you are going for a gasoline powered model, you can always find one that is built with a premier bulb for easier starting. You also get the benefit of a clear fuel tank which allows you to see the gas level. Also, most advanced leaf blowers come with an easy-access shut-off switch for extra safety.
Easy to Use and Time Saving
Spending long sessions hunched over a rake constantly pumping your arms can prove to be an extremely exhausting affair. A leaf blower on the other hand is a lot easier to use and it helps you only spend your body energy where it is needed most. Of course, these machines work twice or even thrice as fast as the fastest raker in town. You can therefore save lots of time and energy by simply investing in these power tools.