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For those who despise the annual chore of raking leaves during the fall season, the solution lies in investing in the best cordless leaf blowers. This smart choice not only simplifies your autumn yard work but also grants you the freedom to move around your property without the hassle of cords. Deane Biermeier, a distinguished member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board and a Certified Lead Carpenter, extols the virtues of cordless leaf blowers, particularly those powered by batteries.
He emphasizes that while they might not match the sheer power of their gas or corded counterparts, the best cordless leaf blowers demand minimal maintenance, primarily involving the simple task of recharging the batteries. These remarkable tools are especially well-suited for efficiently managing fallen leaves in smaller yards or properties with fewer leaf-dropping trees.
In our Des Moines, Iowa, lab, we tried 27 electric leaf blowers, 17 of which were cordless. We looked at how easy each one was to put together and use, how long the battery lasted, how loud it was, and how well it worked. We timed how quickly each leaf blower removed dry leaves from a patch of grass, dry leaves from a patch of concrete, and wet leaves from a patch of grass to see how well they worked.
We also tried each blower to see if it was strong enough to move 0.25-, 0.5-, and 1-ounce fishing line weights and if it was accurate enough to move leaves easily into a box we drew with chalk on concrete. After our lab tests, we kept trying 10 models for another six months in our homes across the country to see how well they held up over time and how well they worked.
Best Cordless Leaf Blowers Comparison Table
Product Name | Type | Max Air Speed (mph) | Max Air Volume (CFM) | Power Source | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryobi ONE+ 18V 100 MPH 280 CFM Cordless Battery Variable-Speed Jet Fan Leaf Blower | Cordless Handheld | 100 mph | 280 CFM | 18V battery | $100-$150 |
EGO Power+ LB6003 600 CFM Variable-Speed 56-Volt Cordless Leaf Blower | Cordless Handheld | 145 mph | 600 CFM | 56V battery | $250-$300 |
Greenworks BL80L2510 Cordless Leaf Blower | Cordless Handheld | 125 mph | 500 CFM | 80V battery | $250-$300 |
CAT 60V 800 CFM Leaf Blower | Cordless Backpack | 142 mph | 800 CFM | 60V battery | $250-$350 |
HART 40V Brushless 550 CFM Leaf Blower | Cordless Handheld | 110 mph | 550 CFM | 40V battery | $150-$200 |
Ryobi ONE+ 18V 100 MPH 280 CFM Cordless Battery Variable-Speed Jet Fan Leaf Blower
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Power source | 18-volt ONE+ Lithium-Ion battery |
Maximum air velocity | 100 MPH |
Maximum air volume | 280 CFM |
Speed settings | Variable-speed control |
Weight | 4.5 pounds |
During a test at home, the Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Leaf Blower quickly got rid of leaves, spider webs, grass, sticks, and other debris. It was also small and light enough that we could use it with one hand. After putting it through several tests, we don’t think there’s anything it can’t move. We also like that we can use the battery with other Ryobi tools. This keeps you in the Ryobi environment and even got one of our testers to switch from a competitor’s line of tools.
We found it interesting that the battery lasted longer when we used it at home than when we tried it in our Des Moines lab. During lab tests, we found that the battery only lasted 30 minutes, but this wasn’t the case when we used it over and over in one of our houses. We also heard different things about how loud this leaf blower was. We thought it was too loud in the lab, but when we used it at home for longer, we didn’t find the noise to be too much.
The Good
- The cordless design makes it easy to use without having to deal with cords or gas engines.
- Easy to move and not too heavy.
- With variable speed control, you can change the flow of air to fit the job at hand.
The Bad
- Some gas-powered models may be more powerful.
- Depending on how you use it, the battery life may be short.
EGO Power+ LB6003 600 CFM Variable-Speed 56-Volt Cordless Leaf Blower
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Power source | 56-volt Lithium-Ion battery |
Maximum air velocity | 110 MPH |
Maximum air volume | 600 CFM |
Speed settings | Variable-speed control |
Weight | 7.4 pounds |
As a backpack, the EGO POWER+ 600 CFM Backpack Blower bears most of its weight and the Best Cordless Leaf Blowers. Two implications: First, your arms and wrists are spared from bearing the full load, which may reduce fatigue. Second, its 16.2-pound weight—much heavier than the other models on this list—shouldn’t worry you. We liked the backpack’s lightness and mobility. Adjustable chutes were also convenient. It was entertaining, easy, and not too loud.
The machine can deliver 280 CFM or 600 CFM at 145 mph. This range lets you use your leaf blower in a variety of ways and reach leaves from afar. We removed dry leaves off the grass in 17 seconds and damp leaves in 15 seconds. This machine truly shined on the concrete, where it removed the pile of leaves in seven seconds and moved the fishing weights without us having to be close. If you have a smaller yard, the power range may be too much, therefore you may want a cheaper, less powerful model.
The Good
- Powerful performance with air volume of 600 CFM and air speed of 110 MPH.
- With variable speed control, you can change the flow of air to fit the job at hand.
- The cordless design makes it easy to use without having to deal with cords or gas engines.
The Bad
- Some models of cordless leaf blowers may be lighter than this one.
- Depending on how you use it, the battery life may be short.
Greenworks BL80L2510 Cordless Leaf Blower
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Power source | 80-volt Lithium-Ion battery |
Maximum air velocity | 125 MPH |
Maximum air volume | 500 CFM |
Speed settings | Variable-speed control |
Weight | 9.8 pounds |
The BL80L2510 is one of the lightest and the best cordless leaf blowers, but it can still do the job of a gas-powered machine. With our anemometer, we measured the wind speed to be a respectable 127 mph, which is in the middle of the range for handheld gas fans. The end of the tube is tapered, which makes the air stream a little smaller and more focused. This was clear from the pattern left in the sawdust test.
We also noticed more accuracy when we blew leaves out of our test area, which we did in just a few steps and a few seconds. Compared to other types, the run time is good for a 2.5-Ah battery. Greenworks has 80-volt batteries that go up to 5 Ah, which would make the BL80L2510 last a lot longer on a single charge. And if you already have a battery from one of their other tools, you can use it in the leaf blower and save some money by buying just the leaf blower without batteries.
The Good
- High-performance blower that can move 500 CFM of air at 125 MPH.
- With variable speed control, you can change the flow of air to fit the job at hand.
- The cordless design makes it easy to use without having to deal with cords or gas engines.
The Bad
- Some models of cordless leaf blowers may be lighter than this one.
- Depending on how you use it, the battery life may be short.
CAT 60V 800 CFM Leaf Blower
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Power source | 60-volt Lithium-Ion battery |
Maximum air velocity | 120 MPH |
Maximum air volume | 800 CFM |
Speed settings | Variable-speed control |
Weight | 10.2 pounds |
At first view, CAT’s Cat 60V 700CFM Leaf Blower looks like a strong machine with a wide blower tube and tip. This is usually the case with blowers that move a lot of air, and the stated 800 cubic feet per minute is just that. We measured the speed of the air to be 115 mph. With that much air going that fast, the CAT was able to clear a wider path through the sawdust than most. Like many of the models we tested, the controls have a normal trigger, a dial for the cruise control, and a button for the turbo boost.
The 60V 800CFM blower is a little bit heavier than some other types. This is partly because CAT’s battery format is bigger, which is usually the case with blowers that move air faster. Even though it was easy for the CAT to clean up around the hard surfaces of our trial area, it should also be good at getting rid of leaves that are stuck in or on grass. This fall, we’ll add our thoughts on blowing leaves as soon as we have leaves to blow.
The Good
- A powerful blower that moves air at 120 MPH and 800 CFM.
- With variable speed control, you can change the flow of air to fit the job at hand.
- The cordless design makes it easy to use without having to deal with cords or gas engines.
The Bad
- Some models of cordless leaf blowers may be lighter than this one.
- Depending on how you use it, the battery life may be short.
HART 40V Brushless 550 CFM Leaf Blower
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Brand | HART |
Power Source | 40V Lithium-Ion Battery |
Air Volume | 550 CFM |
Air Speed | 125 MPH |
Weight | 7.3 lbs |
Noise Level | 67 dB |
Battery Life | Up to 30 minutes |
Charge Time | 2 hours |
Warranty | 5-year limited warranty on tool and battery |
Even though you have a smaller budget, that does not mean that you cannot achieve satisfactory levels of performance. The HART HLBL031VNM is this year’s winner of our award for the most effective low-cost cordless blower. It is able to reach speeds of 125 MPH and 550 CFM, and it is powered by a brushless motor that operates off of a 40V battery system.
According to the results of our tests, it reached 14.0 Newtons, which is quite near to the maximum force that can be generated by gas handheld blowers. The price of the kit was once $197.00; however, it has since been reduced to $155.00 and includes everything that is required to get started. In addition, it comes with a warranty that lasts for five years from HART.
The Good
- Light and easy to work with
- High air volume and speed are important for blowing leaves well.
- Low level of noise for easy operation
- A battery that lasts a long time and charges quickly
- Peace of mind comes from a 5-year limited warranty.
The Bad
- Might not be good for heavy-duty business use
- Since the battery and charger are sold separately, the price goes up.
FAQs
A cordless leaf blower is a type of leaf blower that doesn’t need to be put into an outlet or run on gasoline. Instead, it runs on a rechargeable battery.
Leaf blowers that don’t need a power cord or gasoline are light, easy to use, and handy. They are also quieter and better for the environment than leaf mowers that run on gasoline.
Consider the power source, battery life, air speed and volume, weight, and noise level when picking a cordless leaf blower. Also, you should think about the type of blower. Handheld blowers are easier to move around, while backpack blowers are better for bigger jobs.