Best leaf blowers 2018

A leaf blower is a gardening tool that uses propelled air in order to move leaves and all kinds of debris. It can be handheld or backpack-mounted as well, but regardless of the model, such a machine is used for its ability to complete various outdoor cleaning tasks. Leaf blowers will turn out to be a huge part of your yard or garden maintenance.

Benefits of buying a leaf blower

One might think that a leaf blower has a single advantage and that’s cleaning your yard or garden of fallen leaves. Well, there is more to a leaf blower than just that.

With the help of a leaf blower, you will be able to clean gutters safely. All you have to do is get a gutter cleaning kit and attach it to your leaf blower to make it larger. Additionally, you can also use a pipe made of PVC to blow all those sticky leaves from your gutter.

You can use a leaf blower to blow off snow as well. After a harsh winter storm, you will definitely see a few inches of snow all over your yard, and you will be able to remove it with a leaf blower. It’s important to remember that you can only use a leaf blower on light freshly fallen snow and you should not forget to clean the snow from the device after you’re done.

A leaf blower can also be used to remove the tree stump. Let’s say that you have to cut down a tree that is extremely weak or sick and it poses a risk such as damaging your home or family if it falls. But, after you cut down the tree, the stump that will remain behind and other debris will make quite a mess. Well, you will be able to clean all this mess using a leaf blower like you would use a vacuum.

With the help of leaf blowers, you can also clean roofs and scatter water puddles that may be hindering your pathway. As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to get a leaf blower, and it will turn out to be a useful investment for homeowners and businesses as well.

Factors to consider before buying a leaf blower

There are a few things that you should consider before purchasing a leaf blower, just to make sure that you make the right decision for your needs. First of all, it’s essential to consider the type of leaf blower that would best suit your needs.

For instance, there are electric leaf blowers that can be either corded or cordless. Both of these options will turn out great because they are quieter and lighter compared to a gas leaf blower. If you have a back problem, then you should definitely consider choosing an electric leaf blower. Cordless electric leaf blowers run on a rechargeable battery, and they are really lightweight. With a cordless electric leaf blower, you will be able to clean your entire yard, and you will not be limited by the length of an extension cord. On the other hand, the battery obviously runs for a limited time only. These are great for the parts of your yard that are harder to reach, and they are ideal for small to medium-sized yards and gardens because these will not take over an hour to clean.

Corded electric leaf blowers run on electricity from the extension cord. These are perfect for smaller yards, and you will not have to worry about recharging the battery or running out of fuel because these machines are powered by the cord. The only downfall is obviously the fact that they have limited mobility due to their cord. If you have lots of obstacles in your yard, the cord might get tangled in them.

The second type of leaf blower is the gas one. There are three types of gas leaf blowers: handheld, backpack, and walk-behind. All of them are more powerful than the electric leaf blowers, but you have to consider the fact that they are also noisier and they create more emissions. They are more portable but, on the other hand, they come with more complex maintenance involving changing the air filters and spark plugs, and mixing oil and gas.

Handheld gas leaf blowers are small and easy to handle and their weight just a bit more compared to the electric ones. These offer you optimal mobility, and they’re great for medium and large yards.

A backpack leaf blower will take a lot of strain off your body, and you will be able to cover larger portions of your yard in less time. This model is ideal for any kind of yard. They weigh around 15 to 20 pounds and they are a bit heavier than handheld blowers.

Walk-behind gas leaf blowers are used mostly in larger commercial landscaping jobs. They are powerful and noisy machines that can also be used in construction work.

Size and speed are other essential features that you have to take into consideration when you’re buying a leaf blower. Gas and electric leaf blowers are usually rated the same regarding these two elements.

To be able to get the right size of a leaf blower, you have to consider air or wind speed. For instance, if you just want to blow off leaves off your pavement, you will not need loads of air speed. Air speeds of about 150-170 mph will work fine for paved areas and 200 and more for grassy and landscaped areas.

You also have to consider airflow volume (CFM) when you are buying a leaf blower. This is a key element, and this should not be assumed only by simply looking at air speed. There can be a high wind speed but not also a high volume, so make sure to compare these elements. To move more leaves, you will need a higher volume.

Another important aspect you should consider is the leaf blower’s ability to switch to a vacuum. Sometimes, the device will also come with a mulch bag attachment, and this will be useful as well. When you are using the machine in vacuum mode, you will be able to suck up all kinds of small debris from your yard, and it will be deposited in the mulch bag.

Safety is out last, but not least element brought into the discussion. Whatever model you will decide to get, it’s essential to use it safely. You have to wear eye protection in order to protect your eyes from the debris. It’s also recommended that you wear hearing protection as well especially if you are using louder models of leaf blowers. You should also make sure that your leaf blower comes with features that are related to the ease of switching its attachments because these can make your device slower or quicker.

Tips for choosing the best leaf blower for your needs

• Before purchasing a leaf blower, make sure to check your neighbor/city regulations because some locations restrict anything louder than a set decibel range, and some areas might even prohibit gas models or leaf blowers altogether.
• Gas-powered leaf blowers are ideal for larger projects and properties, and they’re more powerful and noisier.
• Electric-powered leaf blowers are quieter and require less maintenance, but their power can drain quickly.
• The wheeled models are usually for commercial use.
• Get an ergonomic backpack leaf blower, if you want to keep cleaning for an extended period of time because this model is more comfortable.
• The smallest and less powerful leaf blowers aka sweepers are great for smaller areas such as patios, driveways, and decks.
• Light duty leaf blowers are designed with CFM ratings that range from 200 o 400, and they’re ideal for small cleaning tasks.
• Medium and heavy-duty leaf blowers have CFM ratings between 450 and 500, and they are great for larger yards. 

The best leaf blowers of 2018

Greenworks 24012 7 Amp Single Speed Electric 160 MPH Blower

Lightweight design

The Greenworks leaf blower comes with a simple and lightweight design that makes it easy to use and also easy to maintain.

Quick and efficient

This leaf blower includes a 7-amp motor that can easily get the job done. It features up to 160 mph, and it’s designed to perform the required tasks quickly and efficiently.

Safety Cord Lock feature

The machine comes with a Safety Cord Lock feature that will prevent the cord from getting disconnected. It’s also important to note that this leaf blower does not come with a cable included in the package when you purchase it.

Ergonomic design

The design of this leaf blower is ergonomic for offering the user increased comfort and efficiency.

Pros

What to like:

• This is a perfect leaf blower for a homeowner who wants to clean leaves and pine needles from the walkway.
• This machine is powerful despite its lightweight and compact design.
• With the help of this leaf blower, you can get the job done in just a few minutes if you have a smaller yard.
• All you have to do is plug it in, turn it on and go.
• This leaf blower is less noisy than the gas models.

Cons

What to consider:

• The only downside is that it does not include a cord, but as users know this from the beginning they can purchase a cord separately, and this won’t be an issue considering how great this leaf blower works.

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Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum

Superior blowing and mulching

The Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum offers user excellent blowing and mulching that has been proven by controlled lab testing.

Variable speed control

The leaf blower comes with variable speed control for enhanced controlling abilities in both the blower and the vacuum mode.

Bag for capturing leaf particles

The bag that’s included is designed to capture leaf particles and not dust, and the product needs air flow in order to work correctly.

More accessories included

When you purchase this leaf blower, you will get a vac tube, a bottom-zip bag, a cord storage tube, a shred-all shred ring and a time-saving oscillating tube as well. The pack doesn’t include an extension cord.

Pros

What to like:

• This corded blower will reduce the amount of bags that you will need significantly.
• The Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum is able to mulch your whole yard into just a few bags.
• The leaf blower is extremely quiet compared to other models.
• Even if this leaf blower is small, it’s a real powerhouse.
• It comes with two speeds, and you can use one when you are close to the leaf pile and the other when you are further.
• The oscillating nozzle and the variable speed control will make for excellent leaf cleaning.

Cons

What to consider:

• The cord management is not the best one. There is a hook that you can wrap the cord around, but due to the smooth plastic and the way that it’s angled, the cable might slip out. You just have to be careful so that the leaf blower does not unplug itself and everything will be just fine.

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Sun Joe SBJ601E 10 Amp 215 Max MPH All-Purpose 2-Speed Electric Blower

Ideal for light duty household applications

The Sun Joe SBJ601E electric blower is excellent for smaller household applications such as sweeping porches, garages, decks, patios, and walkways.

Includes a two-speed setting

The leaf blower comes with a two-speed setting for customizing it according to your tasks.

Portable and lightweight

The leaf blower weighs only 4.4 lbs., and you can take it anywhere with you. When you are done working with it, you can easily put it away in the back of your trunk, broom closet or deck box.

More colors to choose from

The Sun Joe SBJ601E leaf blower comes in green, red, purple and blue.

Pros

What to like:

• The leaf blower is lightweight, and it comes with two speeds.
• You can use it to blow all the cut grass from all around your house.
• Even if it’s lightweight, it is still a powerful leaf blower.
• It does not take up much space, and this means that you can easily store it anywhere.
• It can quickly blow leaves off your walkway saving you time and effort.

Cons

What to consider:

• The blowing power could be just a bit stronger, but considering the size and weight of this model, it’s performing great. For smaller yards and more manageable tasks, the Sun Joe SBJ601E is perfect. It’s also a bit noisy, but on the other hand, it’s able to get the job done flawlessly.

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BLACK+DECKER BV5600 High Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher

3-in-1 blower

The 12-amp motor of this leaf blower operates as a blower, vacuum and, mulcher at the same time.

2-speed selections

The BLACK+DECKER BV5600 High-Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher has two speeds that it can be adjusted according to the tasks that you are performing. You will be able to use it both on your flower beds but also on matted leaves using different speeds.

Grinds up to 16 bags down to one

The leaf blower has the ability to grind up to 16 bags of mulch down to only one.

Portable and lightweight

The BLACK+DECKER BV5600 High-Performance Blower/Vac/Mulcher is both lightweight and portable so that you will be able to carry it around in your yard effortlessly to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Pros

What to like:

• The leaf blower can perform powerful sucking and blowing.
• It is built with solid plastic components for an extended lifespan.
• The mulching blade is thick enough to mulch even branches that are smaller.
• The leaf blower is light enough to hold, and the handles are really well placed.
• It’s easy to use and maintain as well.
• You can switch it really simple from vacuum to a blower.
• If there is a clog, you will be able to easily snap it apart to get it out and then put it back together.

Cons

What to consider:

• Sometimes it may have leaves stuck in the suction tube, but this is not a severe issue because you can get them out effortlessly and quickly without having to interrupt your work for an extended period of time.

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WORX TURBINE 12 Amp Corded Leaf Blower

TURBINE fan technology

The WORX TURBINE 12 Amp Corded Leaf Blower comes with a Turbine fan technology that delivers powerful and high-capacity air volume up to twice as fast as professional blowers.

Dynamic airflow design and Hyper-Stream nozzle

The leaf blower comes with Dynamic airflow design and Hyper-Stream nozzle that will offer maximum performance and also variable speed control to adapt the machine to your every outdoor cleaning challenge.

Lightweight and easy to control

The leaf blower is lightweight and compact, and it weighs only 6.4 lbs. You will be able to control it effortlessly without getting tired even if you have never used a leaf blower before.

Includes a power cord retainer

The WORX TURBINE 12 Amp Corded Leaf Blower comes with a power cord retainer for hassle-free leaf blowing and other cleaning tasks that you may have in your yard or garden.

Pros

What to like:

• The patented TURBINE technology is able to offer robust airflow and gas blowers cannot match this leaf blower.
• The hyper-stream air nozzle is able to cope with the harshest conditions.
• The speed control feature offers you the ability to switch between lighter and tougher tasks.
• The WORX TURBINE 12 Amp Corded Leaf Blower is lightweight enough to operate it with a single hand.
• It saves time, effort and energy because you will be able to get things done quickly and effortlessly.
• It’s very small, and it takes a small space in your storage location.
• Even if it’s so small, it can blow leaves across your yard with enhanced power, and it will clean up in just a few minutes.
• It comes ready to use out of the box, so you don’t have to worry about assembling it with difficulty in hours.

Cons

What to consider:

• You will need an extension cord to use it, and you have to buy that separately. It could also come with a more secure method to keep the extension cord in the blower because sometimes it can become quite annoying to have to reconnect the cable when it goes loose. On the other hand, this can be easily fixed by holding its cord in your hand or looping it around the leaf blower.

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BLACK+DECKER LB700 7-Amp Corded Blower

Powerful and efficient blowing

The BLACK+DECKER LB700 7-Amp Corded Blower comes with a 7-amp motor that offers powerful and efficient blowing in your yard.

Fast and easy cleanup

The leaf blower moves up to 180Mph/180CFM for speedy and easy cleanup of debris and leaves from the yard or anywhere around the house.

Includes a built-in cord retention

The built-in cord retention that is included will prevent interrupting your work due to cord related issues.

Lightweight and portable

The BLACK+DECKER LB700 7-Amp Corded Blower weighs only 4.4 lbs. and this means that you’ll be able to carry it around effortlessly.

Pros

What to like:

• It’s lightweight and easy to carry around.
• It’s less noisy compared to other similar models.
• The BLACK+DECKER LB700 7-Amp Corded Blower is ideal for smaller and medium yards.
• Its size is perfect and the electric drive as well.

Cons

What to consider:

• The BLACK+DECKER LB700 7-Amp Corded Blower is excellent for cleaning the steps and driveways and even smaller yard, but it won’t be the best option if you have a more massive yard with tons of debris and leaves because you would need more power.

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Top recommendation

My top recommendation for the best leaf blower of 2018 is definitely the WORX TURBINE 12 Amp Corded Leaf Blower with 110 MPH and 600 CFM Output and Variable Speed Control – WG520 because of its amazing set of features and high value for the price. The most impressive features and functionalities that are packed in this leaf blower include the TURBINE fan technology, its dynamic airflow design and the Hyper-Stream nozzle for flawless performance. I would recommend this leaf blower to anyone who needs a great machine to keep the yard clean all the time with minimum effort and time.