Best leaf blower

The right leaf blower makes all the difference when clearing leaves from yards and pathways. You can also extend its uses, removing debris off a job site or grass clippings after mowing. Handheld electric units are perfect for quick cleanups, while gas-powered backpack models are great for tough jobs. Check out this list of the best leaf blowers that cover all the bases.

Ensuring you never miss a beat, this powerful corded blower allows for easy debris cleanup on lawns, driveways, sidewalks, and decks. It's powered by a 7-amp motor that provides efficient blowing performance, perfect for clearing leaves and more quickly. This model is lightweight at only 4.4 pounds yet produces speeds of up to 180 MPH for fast cleanup. The built-in cord retention system will prevent unnecessary tangles and the need to chase after the extension cord once you are done cleaning.

Lightweight, powerful, and easy to use, this electric blower makes quick work of even the toughest yard messes. At the press of a button, the powerful 6-amp motor roars to life and generates up to 155 mph of air velocity, perfect for clearing fallen leaves, dusting off patios, decks, garage floors, or even sweeping away light snow in a jiffy. Weighing in at about 3.9 pounds, it's great for simple one-handed operation. Also, the chute can be removed for convenient storage or cleaning. 

The Greenworks 40V cordless axial blower is a handheld, relatively quiet cordless model with high speeds and instant start. Besides removing leaves, it can easily handle clearing up to 30 centimeters of snow and is also perfect for removing cobwebs from hard-to-reach places. The unit has a soft rubberized grip and variable speed control to help you adjust the gust and should last up to 24 minutes per charge. You can purchase additional batteries to have ready when tackling big jobs. 

With high-velocity air speeds of up to 200 mph, this backpack leaf blower is built to take on all your tough blowing tasks like clearing wet and heavy leaves or stubborn debris. An easy-to-use cruise function allows you to regulate airspeed based on the conditions of the ground and mess. A padded harness and contoured breathable shoulder straps ensure a comfortable fit, while the large, rubber molded handles allow easy one-handed operation. 

This handheld powerhouse runs on a 25cc, 2-cycle gas engine that kicks out airspeeds of up to 200 mph for quick cleanup. A weight reduction system ensures that blowing even at hurricane force feels smooth and natural. The extended nozzle and variable-speed throttle make clearing the most stubborn leaves and debris easy, while its squeeze trigger was crafted with user comfort in mind. You can easily peep fuel levels thanks to a translucent fuel tank complete with a gauge. 

If you've lugged a heavy vacuum or extension cord around for hours, you know the relief of simply strapping on lightweight and ergonomically designed equipment. This blower is built for medium-sized groundskeeping, and it features a powerful X-TORQ engine that delivers dependable performance with reduced toxic emissions and better fuel economy. With a 42.27-ounce fuel tank capacity and up to an hour of run time with a throttle trigger lockout, this model will give you the power you need.

Bottom line

Having a leaf blower is an essential part of maintaining your yard, and the best ones are designed to get the job done quickly. Handheld models like the Sun Joe SBJ597E leaf blower are a favorite because they are typically lighter and offer excellent maneuverability, especially in tight spaces. This tiny unit runs on electricity, so you can be sure it pushes out enough power for different cleaning tasks.

When you have a big blowing job to get done, comfort is key. You can trust the very ergonomic Husqvarna 965877502 350BT gas backpack blower. It has a powerful X-TORQ engine that offers enough oomph to take on those tough jobs but with better fuel economy. 

The battery-powered Greenworks 40V cordless axial blower is great for light-duty blowing. That means that just about anything can be done, from quick cleanups under the BBQ grill to driveways and patios. 

Choosing a leaf blower

Which is the best leaf blower—gas or electric?

When buying a leaf blower, you need to determine whether you'd prefer a gas-powered or electric model. If you select a gas leaf blower, you’ll need enough strength and mobility to rev up the engine by using a pull cord, since it often requires a hard yank. In addition, many gas-powered blowers consist of a two-stroke engine, which requires a mixture of gasoline and oil that you'll need to prepare and keep on hand.

If you choose an electric leaf blower, you must either remember to charge the battery before use (if it has a battery) or, for corded models, find an outlet that gives you the best access to your yard. Another consideration before you buy is the issue of a cord getting tangled around objects like sprinkler heads and shrubs.

If you prefer total control over the leaf blower's speed and you have a big area to cover, choose a unit that offers substantial power and maneuverability. If you have a smaller yard and only plan to do the occasional simple cleanup, then one with less power and maneuverability will work nicely.

Corded or battery-powered leaf blower?

There are two types of electric leaf blowers: battery-powered and corded. One advantage of battery-powered leaf blowers is that they're portable; they don't require you to be tethered to an electrical outlet. On the downside, it takes hours to fully recharge the battery on these models, and they require additional storage space for the charger.

Corded leaf blowers may be good for you if you don’t blow leaves very often or if you have a smaller yard. Even though corded blowers have basically unlimited runtimes, the length of the extension cord will limit you.

How powerful is the leaf blower?

We evaluated both gas and electric leaf blowers. We investigated how far each blower could move a pile of sawdust or lawn debris, such as grass clippings or leaves, and how quickly it moved it. The best leaf blowers could blow debris more than 17 feet. The more powerful the leaf blower, the easier it will be to remove debris from your yard.

How easy is the leaf blower to handle?

We also assessed the weight and noise level of each model since both influence how long you can comfortably use the leaf blower. We also checked whether the leaf blower has other beneficial features, such as variable speed settings, and whether it has a vacuum function. In addition to evaluating the power, weight, and noise level of each leaf blower, we also judged the maneuverability of each leaf blower.

Does the leaf blower have convenience features?

The best leaf blowers offer variable speeds, which allow you to set the speed of the blower for the job at hand, usually through numbered knobs near the blower’s handle or by how far you squeeze the handle lever. A vacuum function, while not essential, can be quite helpful. If the blower comes with a vacuum function, then look for vacuuming accessories, like attachments, for more specific jobs.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.