Whilst gas power remains the strongest when it comes to leaf blowers, the battery-powered options out there are plenty strong and are great for all your low to medium-duty sweeping clearing work. The beauty of battery power is that they are lighter and more versatile than their bulkier gas-based cousins. To help you find the perfect one for you, here’s my share of battery-powered leaf blower reviews.
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Purchasing a leaf blower - Why battery-powered is a good way to go
When shopping around for a leaf blower, consider that your options are corded, battery-powered or gas-powered. Traditionally, gas-powered models are thought of as the most powerful and the “safe bet”. Whilst the most powerful leaf blowers on the market are still probably your gas-powered models, the power of battery-powered models has improved substantially.
The other big traditional drawback - the battery - has improved too, with most models making use of a lithium-ion battery, which comes with increased durability and battery life. However, a good option for those looking to spend a little extra is to invest in a spare battery for your leaf blower. This will ensure that you always have sufficient battery power to complete your whole job, no matter how big.
The benefits of going battery-powered
They’re a lot more powerful than they’re given credit for
Source: DrWell
Whilst gas-powered models are still, objectively speaking, the most powerful option when it comes to leaf blowers, the improvements in the battery-powered models means that this shouldn’t really be a factor any more. I’ve used a variety of battery-powered blowers over the years and the good ones are all more than powerful enough to get through the work the typical garden throws at them.
Clearing driveways and pools of leaves is obviously done with ease, but even clearing patches of wet earth and blowing away small stones and rocks can be done with your stronger battery-powered leaf blowers.
Say goodbye to that jet-engine noise
Source; HowToThat
If you remember any of your neighbors growing up owning leaf blower, chances are the thing that will stand out to you is how loud it was.
This is one of the real benefits in opting for battery power - the noise level is far less invasive, to the extent that most of your neighbors won’t even notice you’re using one. The majority, in fact, have been measured at 65 dB, which is the same volume range as two adults chatting.
Maintenance and storage is a breeze
Source: MonkeySee
Battery-powered appliances are always a breeze to maintain given the paucity of moving parts and battery-powered leaf blowers are no different. Whilst gas-powered models have an entire start-up motor with several moving parts, all of which can break or become less effective over time, the battery-powered models are designed to work flawlessly again and again.
Maintenance is as easy as a wipe down, whilst their small size and narrow build means they can be stored neatly in any corner of your garage or workshop.
Easy for everyone to use
Source: AzPlantLady
Whilst leaf blowers in general are very user-friendly, this is even more true with battery-powered options. They do not have startup motor which means that you do not need to learn about oil/petrol ratios are what types of fuel to buy or how to use a start up chain.
They are also, traditionally, lighter, meaning that once they’ve been activated by the push of a button, they can be operated efficiently even by children and the elderly. In use, they require only a point in the direction you want the debris to be blown, and you’re away. What could be simpler?
They’re better for the environment
Source: MonkeySee
In 2017, pollution and global warming are key concerns in any pastime and DIY is no different. One of the biggest benefits, therefore, when purchasing a battery-powered leaf blower is how green they are. There are no petrol fumes or other emissions given off from a combustion engine. This is better for you and your family as you won’t be breathing in potentially toxic fumes, but this is also good for the long-term health of the planet.
What to look out for purchasing your battery-powered leaf blower
The two most important terminology when considering a leaf blower is MPH and CFM. MPH stands for miles per hour and is used to measure the the maximum speed that air will be discharged from your blower. Many blowers will sell themselves based on the MPH reading alone. However, a good MPH is irrelevant if the power is not channeled correctly.
Thus, a second reading is necessary - CFM, which stands for cubic feet per minute. In simple terms, it refers to the amount of air that is discharged from the blower every minute. Higher numbers here mean that the blower is more effective. Whilst ideally you’d like both MPH and CFM to be high, a higher CFM is probably the more significant of the two in measuring performance of your blower.
Battery-Powered Leaf Blower Review 2018
The Greenworks motor is known to be one of the best in the business when it comes to battery-powered models and measures up promisingly to the equivalent gas-powered options. The performance figures are excellent, with the Greenworks PRO 80V delivering 500 cfm at a maximum speed of 125 mph. This rivals many gas-powered blowers, but does so at a fraction of the weight and without the need for a difficult to maintain gas motor.
When running at a low setting, the battery (provided it’s fully charged) will give you over an hour of use. Given the power, this should be enough for you to give your entire garden a once over. At full power, the battery tends to run flat after about 30 minutes, which can be frustrating. Luckily, spare batteries are available. Like all of the best battery-powered machines, the Greenworks is whisper quiet, with noise levels of only 60 dB at their peak, which is a little quieter than an average conversation.
The light weight design is complimented by the minimal vibrations delivered by the machine when it is in use. The variable speed trigger offers you three different speeds at the touch of a button, increasing your control over your jobs. Whilst the machine can get a little heavy after extended use, all in all I was very impressed with my experience of the Greenworks Pro 80V.
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DEWALT are one of my favorite brands when it comes to consumer tools and the DCBL 790H1 is no different. Vitally for a good-quality battery-powered blower, the DCBL 790H1’s output stats are fantastic, offering 400 cfm and 120 mph. It also comes with an adjustable 3-speed trigger, with a spectrum of speeds to maximize control.
A nice feature with the trigger is that it also comes with a locking mechanism, allowing you to focus on the job once you’ve found a speed you’re happy with. Battery life is always an issue, but Dewalt has promised 50% more runtime from this model compared to older versions. Whilst the battery life can still be less than you’d hope, the charger does come with a fast charge option, providing a full charge in under a half hour.
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This is the lightest of the battery-powered blowers I’ve examined. The weight saving comes at the expense of power, with the EGO POWER+ LB4803 providing 480 cfm and a maximum speed of 92 mph. Its slim design provides you with increased mobility and this is a great machine for those with smaller properties. However, it does struggle a bit with bigger jobs that some battery-powered blowers handle with ease.
The battery life of the product is impressive when being used at the efficiency setting. The battery life decreases as the power is upped, although the battery can be fully charged in only 30 minutes, which is very convenient. I particularly enjoyed how quiet this machine was and the fact that there were little to no vibrations when in use.
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Worx is another favorite of mine when it comes to outdoor appliances. The TURBINE 56V cordless blower is an extremely powerful machine, offering performance figures of 465 cfm and a max speed of 125 mph, which compares favorably to the other blowers on this list as well as the gas-powered models. The Worx comes equipped with a large air nozzle, which is great for tougher conditions, as it moves all debris in its path quickly and efficiently.
The Worx has been precision-designed to be used one-handed, and all of the controls are intuitive enough to be used without looking. The lightweight minimalist design complements this goal and makes the WORX TURBINE 56V a dream for quick work on smaller properties. The battery has been designed with extended use in mind, although much will depend on the setting being used.
The efficiency setting can deliver a decent runtime, but as your speed increases, the battery life decreases. The boost setting, used for heavier debris, has a battery life of only 5 minutes, which can be very frustrating.
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The Oregon BL300 is a premium product that offers one of the most impressive performances from any of the battery-powered blowers I’ve seen. It offers an output of 507 cfm and a max speed of 132 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Oregon BL300 has a variable speed trigger and a separate turbo button, offering you the control needed for a versatile garden tool. This versatility also means that the battery life is increased, provided the speed setting is selected correctly.
The battery quality is also extremely high, which is noticeable over-extended use. There is no increase or decrease in power, with the setting remaining even thanks to the quality of the lithium-ion battery. The blower is a little heavier than some of the other models which can be a factor for some users, but the added power hopefully means you won’t have to hold it for as long.
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Conclusion
Whilst all of the battery-powered models I reviewed had pros and cons, the clear winner for me was the Greenworks PRO GBL80300. Its 70-minute runtime was one of the best out of those reviewed. This high-quality is repeated in its output performance stats (500 cfm and 125 mph) as well as its noise pollution, which is the lowest of any of the machines reviewed.
Its light weight and high-quality design makes it a dream to use, whilst the 4-year blower warranty and 2-year battery warranty means you don’t have to worry about buying something new any time soon.