Cordless Leaf Blower Guide | How to find the right fit for your needs
Every homeowner knows that maintaining a nicely groomed yard can be very challenging, especially during certain seasons. Leaf blowers can be excellent tools that can help you keep your yard and outdoor spaces clean and looking great. However, there are so many cordless leaf blowers to choose from, it can seem like a very difficult task. But fear not, we have identified and reviewed some of the best cordless leaf blower options on the market, and listed some helpful tips to help you find the right one to suit your needs.
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Advantages of a Cordless Leaf Blower
Cordless leaf blowers can be great additions to your tool arsenal. Leaf blowers in general are convenient and can keep your outdoor spaces clean and clear of leaves and other debris. They are also very easy to use. You simple turn them on, point the air into the direction of the leaves and it can clean up your outdoor spaces in a fraction of the time.
There are several types of leaf blowers, including gas, plugin or cordless. Gas blowers are becoming increasingly less popular as they are heavy and are not ideal for the environment. Cordless leaf blowers have several advantages to gas-powered blowers, as they rid of you of messy, limiting power and extension cords, so you can virtually take them anywhere. Not only that, but they are better for the environment compared to gas-operated blowers.
Corded Leaf Blowers Versus Cordless Leaf Blowers
The two major type of electric leaf blowers are corded and cordless. Corded electric leaf blowers are powered by electricity, usually using an extension cord and are suitable for homeowners with smaller lawns. They are quiet and do not produce carbon emissions, unlike gas-powered blowers. They are also lightweight and easy to operate.
The major disadvantage is that they are corded, so if you have lots of obstacles on your lawn, they might make moving around with an extension cord very difficult. You are also tethered to your electrical source, so they are not suitable for those that live in large areas of land, or for professional use.
Cordless Electric Leaf Blowers
Cordless electric leaf blowers are powered by rechargeable batteries instead of an extension cord, so you can move freely around your yard without being limited to your extension cord. Most types of cordless blowers come with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and are also lightweight and easy to use.
The only disadvantage is that the battery needs to be recharged and won't last all day, the duration of charge typically varies depending on the speed that the leaf blower is being operated on. They'll usually last around an hour and most batteries can be fully recharged in as little as 30 minutes to an hour. Like any tool with a battery, top-rated battery leaf blowers will eventually need to be replaced which may incur in additional costs down the line.
Choosing a Cordless Leaf Blower
There are many different manufacturers and models of cordless leaf blowers which might make choosing the right one seem like a daunting task. The key features to look out for while shopping around for a blower is the weight of the item, the blower speed, maximum air volume, charging source, and of course the price.
The weight of the leaf blower can range significantly with some blowers weighing only 3-4 pounds and other blowers weighing as much as 13-15 pounds. You should choose a blower that feels comfortable in your hands and is easy to use and operate.
Key Features
Some of the big names in cordless leaf blowers are DeWalt, Worx, Ryobi and Greenworks, but almost all the big name cordless leaf blowers have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. This makes them extremely convenient to move around outdoor spaces. Most batteries can charge relatively quickly but their duration of charge depends on the air speed and the settings being used.
Some batteries are costlier to replace, so this might also be an important consideration when purchasing a cordless leaf blower, which is why you need to choose the best lithium-ion cordless leaf blower.
While most air speeds vary, they can range up to 150 MPH. Air volume output can also vary with the better, higher-end cordless leaf blowers covering up to 480 CFM. You should choose a leaf blower based on your space and your needs.
The average homeowner will likely not need the maximum air speed and volume output, so you should evaluate the different features and determine how they fit with your budget and yard requirements.
Overall, you should choose a cordless leaf blower that fits your work needs, but that also fits within your budget, as cordless leaf blowers can differ in price by hundreds of dollars. There are some blowers that are less expensive that have great features and can do the regular jobs an average homeowner may need. This will ensure that you make the best purchase for you and your home.
Cordless Leaf Blower Reviews 2018
The Dewalt DCBL720P1 20V Max 5.0 Ah Lithium Ion XR Brushless Blower is one of the best leaf blowers on the market. It has an axial fan design that maximizes its 90 mph maximum speed and air volume at 400 CFM. Weighing about 9.7 pounds, it’s a bit on the heavier side compared to other blowers, it is very sturdy and durable.
It is also equipped with a 20V lithium-ion battery that comes with the charger included. One of the best features on this blower is the variable speed trigger and speed lock.
This is extremely easy to use and allows the operator to have total control of the blower. Although it's a bit expensive compared to some of the other reviewed blowers, this was one of the only downsides to the product. Nevertheless, this leaf blower will not disappoint. It is ideal for the average homeowner and can even work nicely for commercial or professional use.
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Greenworks 40V 150 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Blower has a variable speed control up to 150 MPH. However, its best feature might be that it is extremely lightweight, weighing in at 3.3 pounds which is much lighter than some of the other leaf blowers reviewed.
When the battery is fully charged, this cordless blower operates for 35 minutes before it needs to be recharged potentially longer depending on what speed you are operating the blower at.
The battery takes about an hour to become fully charged. The Greenworks 24252 40v li-ion cordless blower is ideal for both consumers and professionals. It is also inexpensive compared to some of the other reviewed leaf blowers, making this product a great choice for those looking to purchase their first leaf blower.
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The Worx Turbine 56V Cordless Blower with Brushless Motor weighs approximately 9 pounds and provides variable speed up to 125 MPH, giving the operator easy control and access to a variety of speeds.
It also includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that takes approximately 90 minutes to charge. It weighs approximately 9 pounds, which makes it heavier than most of the other cordless leaf blowers.
The Worx WG591 does, however, have a maximum air volume output of 465 CFM which makes it suitable for both professionals and consumers alike. Price-wise, it's a bit more than the other cordless leaf blowers which is one of the only disadvantages of this product.
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The Ryobi P2102 18 volt Cordless Hard Surface Blower is a middle-range cordless leaf blower. In terms of specs, it has variable speed controls up to 120 MPH and its air volume maximum is 120 CFM which is not as much as some of the higher-end blowers but will complete most jobs for the average homeowner or for those looking for their first leaf blower.
The P2102 is best used on hard surfaces and is great for light to medium jobs, but would probably not be suited for professional or heavy-duty use. This cordless leaf blower is equipped with an 18V lithium-ion battery. It also includes the charger for the unit. It is extremely lightweight at about 4 pounds, making it very easy to handle.
Regarding price, it's about middle-range, but it's not as powerful as some of the other lower-end blower models. This cordless blower does have additional tools that are included with the unit to help offset some of its limitations.
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The Oregon Cordless 40V Max BL300 Blower is a great high-end leaf blower that is very powerful. It has a blow length of 17 feet and can handle all types of debris, including dirt and leaves. Equipped with a 40V battery, it provides air speeds up to 132 MPH and a maximum air volume of 507 CFM which is suitable for tough jobs or even for professional use. It also has a convenient turbo button, making it very user-friendly.
The cordless leaf blower with battery and charger comes with a 40V lithium-ion battery that comes with a standard charger. However, the battery takes up to 3 hours to become fully charged and only lasts about an hour, which is one of its biggest limitations.
The BL300 also comes with a larger price tag making it a costlier purchase when compared to some of the other blowers; but, overall, this is a great blower with some top-quality specs.
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Conclusion
Overall, the DeWalt DCBL720P1 20V Max 5.0 Ah Lithium Ion XR Brushless Blower is the winner and the best choice for a cordless leaf blower. Although the DeWalt cordless leaf blower is more expensive than some of the other models, it is very well-rounded in air speed, air volume, battery life and price, making it suitable for both residential and professional use.
The DeWalt DCBL720P1 s a very durable and powerful blower that is also user-friendly and easy to use. It will be able to complete most jobs with relative ease. This cordless leaf blower will not disappoint and would surely be an excellent addition to your tool collection.
