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Ready to have that picture-perfect lawn? Over the past 4 years, we've tested 15+ of the best leaf blowers, bringing you the top 8 available today. We've cleaned driveways, decks, and patios with these tools, rating and ranking the cleaning power of each. We even bought a specialized anemometer in order to measure air velocity and airflow. We compared the ergonomics and ease of use of each tool, as well as their battery life, noise level, and quality. No matter your yard size or your budget, we've found the perfect leaf blower to help you strive for that debris-free life.
If you've got outdoor projects lined up, we can help. We've tested hundreds of outdoor tools to find the top products on the market. We've watered gardens with the best expandable hoses, mowed with the most promising lawn mowers, and landscaped with dozens of the top string trimmers. No matter what type of yard work is on your list, we've tested tools for it.
Editor's Note: On May 29, 2024, we added a summary of our buying advice and more details on specs.
Operating Voltage: 56 Volts | Included Battery Capacity: 2.5 Ah
REASONS TO BUY
Remarkably powerful
Cruise control setting
Good battery life
Quick charging batteries
REASONS TO AVOID
A little front heavy on turbo
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight w/ Battery
7.8 lb
Blower Model Number
LB6150
Nominal Voltage
56V
Turbo Boost
Yes
Manufacturer Battery Family
Yes
Ego Power+'s specialty is cordless electric yard maintenance tools, so it comes as no surprise that the Ego Power+ 615 CFM Blower earned the top spot. Power is essential when choosing battery-operated tools, and this model delivers plenty of it. The dial allows you to set your desired power level easily and effectively, and the turbo button truly embraces the word “turbo,” providing plenty of extra power on demand. It has a respectable runtime of 16 minutes under normal use with the included 2.5 amp-hour battery. The included batteries also charge faster than any other brand in our lineup. Another notable advantage to the Ego is its battery compatibility; you can upgrade to larger Ego brand batteries or swap batteries between your other Ego Power+ yard tools. Best of all, the Ego 615's price point is below average, even though it performs much better than several models with higher price tags.
Our one minor complaint about this powerhouse is its ergonomics; its high power output creates a slight nose dive on turbo mode, requiring the operator to use a little extra effort that quickly becomes tiring. Still, this is a small tradeoff for the overall excellent performance the Ego Power+ 615 offers. If this leaf blower has more power than you need, a 20-volt version such as the DeWalt Max XR Burshless is a good alternative, especially if you currently own DeWalt 20-volt tools.
A specialized pitot tube and homemade stabilizing apparatus were used to take consistent measurements for each model's airflow and air velocity. The Ego brand versions significantly increase their output on turbo mode.
Operating Voltage: 40 Volts | Included Battery Capacity: 4.0 Ah
REASONS TO BUY
A huge amount of power
Friendly ergonomics
Quiet
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor run time
Large
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight w/ Battery
9.4 lb
Blower Model Number
RY404100VNM
Nominal Voltage
40V
Turbo Boost
Yes
Manufacturer Battery Family
Yes
The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series 730 CFM is like a contained hurricane; it packs an impressive degree of wind force that can push debris fast and far, greatly simplifying your yard clean-up tasks. It also does an incredible job with ergonomics. The Ryobi has near-perfect balance even when operating in turbo mode, which is not something every brand in our review can claim. If all of that is not enough, the Ryobi 40V is also the quietest model we tested, registering only 72 decibels at ear height while on turbo mode.
Despite all these impressive attributes, the Ryobi 40V has some drawbacks. The price is significantly higher than most other cordless leaf blowers we tested, including some that outperformed it in other metrics like battery life and ergonomics. The included four amp-hour battery is certainly adequate for powering the unit, but doesn't last long. If run time is a dissuading factor for you, the Ego Power+ 765 CFM runs significantly longer. The Ryobi is also a relatively large blower and will take up some space in your garage. Still, if power matters most (and power is certainly an important metric), the Ryobi 40V is our top recommendation.
Operating Voltage: 36 Volts | Included Battery Capacity: 5.0 Ah
REASONS TO BUY
Extensive cross-tool battery compatibility
Good power
Impressive battery life
Excellent ergonomics
REASONS TO AVOID
Loud
Requires two batteries
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Weight w/ Battery
9.0 lb
Blower Model Number
XBU02PT
Nominal Voltage
36V (2 x 18V)
Turbo Boost
No
Manufacturer Battery Family
Yes
For the most part, it is an impractical dream to have all of our cordless yard equipment and handheld power tools on one battery system. Many handheld tools utilize a lower voltage battery system than most leaf blowers we have reviewed. Additionally, most lower-voltage leaf blowers tend to perform poorly compared to the models in this review. The exception, however, is the Makita 36V LXT Brushless Blower. It solves this problem by using a pair of 18-volt cordless tool batteries for power. This leaf blower finished close to the top of the group and holds its own with the top products we have tested. If you already have a collection of Makita 18-volt batteries, they will work in this leaf blower too, and extend the life and value of all your batteries.
The convenience of having a solitary battery system across all your tools is undeniable. However, the batteries of the Makita 36V LXT Brushless still have some downsides. For instance, the two-battery requirement means you must charge two batteries at once (not a huge deal since the included charger features two charging slots), but it also means you'll need two fresh batteries ready to go if you want to work without interruption. That said, the convenience of a unified battery system across your yard tools and hand power tools outweighs this deficiency. We highly recommend this leaf blower to anyone shopping for a single battery system across all their tools. Just note that this model is downright loud. So, if you want to minimize the chance of annoying a neighbor or waking a napping child, the Milwaukee M18 is much easier on the ears than the Makita.
The Makita might not have a turbo mode, but the six adjustable speed settings are good enough to push a lot of organic debris quickly.
Credit: Hale Milano
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Here at GearLab, we believe that hands-on testing is the only way to truly evaluate a product's performance.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
How We Test Leaf Blowers
Over the past four years, we have put more than 15 unique models of leaf blowers through our gauntlet of tests. We test these products rigorously, clearing tens of thousands of square feet of lawn, decks, and driveways of leaves and other debris. To compare and score comfort and ergonomics, we recruited a varied panel of testers with a wide range of hand sizes to try out each product to see how they felt to carry around, examining features such as balance and ambidexterity. We measured the sound levels and qualities produced by each blower at various speeds. We measured their total runtime on various operating settings and timed their recharge speeds. For more details about our testing process, check out our complete testing article.
We divided our of testing into 4 mutually exclusive rating metrics:
Power (50% of total score weighting)
Battery (25% weighting)
Ergonomics (15% weighting)
Noise (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
If you are looking for unbiased expert reviews, you've come to the right place. At GearLab, we buy all the products in our reviews from retailers and manufacturers at consumer prices, so you can be 100% certain that we have no financial interest in picking one product over another. To test out leaf blowers, we recruited yard tool and DIY enthusiast Hale Milano, who has extensive experience with yard tools and battery-powered tools. Living in the woods, Hale has years of experience battling waves of fall leaf clean-up and other yard maintenance activities and was more than up to the task of evaluating our leaf blower lineup.
Testing got technical with a specialized pitot tube and anemometer to measure airflow and velocity, and a sound meter to measure decibels at ear height.
The Ryobi 18v had comfortable ergonomics but lacked the necessary power output to push a high volume of leaves.
An anemometer, pitot tube, digital sound meter, and good old-fashioned leaves were used to test each cordless blower.
How to Pick a Leaf Blower
Finding the right leaf blower can help make your weekend yard maintenance a piece of cake. To help in your search, we compiled four important buying categories, including battery life, noise, and features to help narrow down your options.
Does Power Matter?
Depending on your property size and typical debris, finding a leaf blower with enough power to cover your area will make things go quicker and more efficiently. Consider how large of an area you have to blow and how much time it typically takes. For those in urban settings moving debris from sidewalks and porches, a smaller blower is typically sufficient. But if you own a larger property or live in a rural area with more acreage, finding a blower with adequate power is vital to effectively clearing large areas of debris and clippings.
From pine needles on your deck to swaths of leaves in your yard, finding a suitable leaf blower makes the job easier.
Credit: Laura Casner
How Important is Battery Life?
For folks with large properties or for more professional operations, a leaf blower with a strong battery life is critical to tackling debris effectively. While larger batteries help with run time, consider the charge time tradeoff and added weight on the blower itself. It's also worth noting how many batteries are included when purchasing, as having a backup battery is especially useful for those running their blowers for more than ten minutes at a time.
Do You Need a Quiet Blower?
While electric blowers will already be significantly quieter than their gas counterparts, those concerned about noise should consider options that avoid unpleasant pitches and loud motors. Different blowers will have different sounds and pitches, even with similar running volumes. It's also worth noting that just because a blower is quiet does not mean it will lack in power and blowing capability.
What About Ergonomics?
Finding a leaf blower that's comfortable to handle and easy to operate makes the task more enjoyable and can help you avoid fatigue and pain. Attributes such as the balance while holding your machine, as well as the trigger function and controls, all affect the ergonomics of a leaf blower. Consider options like trigger speed and auto-locking triggers if you prefer a more comfortable experience.
Control settings are worth considering if you plan to leaf blow for an extended time or need more control over your blower.
Credit: Laura Casner
Analysis and Test Results
We began by researching dozens of different blowers, then picking out the products to buy and test that look like the best, the most popular, and the most promising models on the market today. We conducted many types of tests, grouped into four weighted rating metrics: Power, Battery, Ergonomics, and Noise. We discuss the results from our detailed comparative analysis of each leaf blower below.
What's the Best Value?
In an interesting turn of events, there was not a strong correlation between price and performance. Some of our highest-scoring models are also priced the most economically. The Ego Power+ 615 CFM, our favorite model, was also one of the least expensive options — a double win. The Makita, another high-performing model, was slightly more expensive. While it is not a value pick, you could factor into your purchasing decision the potential savings of conveniently adopting a single battery system across all your tools. On the other hand, sometimes you get what you pay for. And if it's power you're after, the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series 730 CFM is a costly but extremely powerful option that may be worth the investment for anyone blowing heaps of heavy wet leaves or thick pine needles.
We were impressed by the high-power of the Ego models.
Credit: Laura Casner
Power
This section has the biggest impact on each product's final score and ranking, accounting for 50% of each cordless blower's score. To test this, we measured two common data points in blowers - airflow and air velocity. Both were measured with a specialized anemometer and pitot tube attachment. Airflow, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), is the volume of air being pushed out and is an important indicator of performance. Air velocity is just as important - that is, the speed at which the air can be pushed away, and it is measured in miles per hour (mph). While raw data is nice, real-world performance is what matters, so we also used each blower to clear the same area with similar amounts of debris. We noted how close the nozzle had to get to move the debris and the length of time it took to clean a set area with every model.
While there was no clean sweep across our three power tests, several devices stood out. The Ryobi 40V, boasting 730 CFM by the manufacturer, delivered some of the highest amount of objective and real-world power results, pushing 880 CFM on high in our testing and clearing our leaf-strewn test patch in 44 seconds, almost 10% faster than the next fastest model.
The Ryobi 40V packs a punch blowing leaves, and completed our test with the fastest overall time.
Credit: Hale Milano
During our power measurement tests, we measured both airflow and air velocity in a few different ways, in order to account for variances during measurement. We assessed each model's power at both the highest standard setting and turbo mode, if available. Readings were taken with a pitot tube at both five inches and 30 inches away from the nozzle.
The Oregon BL300 produced the highest airflow measurements on standard high power. However, this was likely the result of a small and targeted air stream from its focused nozzle. In real-world testing, the Oregon failed to perform as well as most other models we tested.
When measuring each blower's airflow on Turbo Mode, we noticed a slight shift in the rankings. The Ego models, specifically the Ego Power+ 615 CFM, lived up to its name and then some. It delivered a whopping 860 CFM at a distance of 30 inches from the nozzle. This earned it top marks in both our objective power tests and scored highly in real-world testing.
The Ego Power+ 615 was one of our favorite leaf blowers; it was easy to use and could push heavy debris with no trouble.
Credit: Hale Milano
The Ego Power+ 615 CFM was also a top performer in our air speed tests and, in fact, scored higher than its beefier cousin, the Ego Power+ 765 CFM, in both air flow and air velocity measurements. The Ego 615 also finished four seconds faster in our real-world testing. Notable for these models was a large jump from standard high power to the turbo boost; Ego turbo mode almost doubles this model's overall cubic feet per meter output. Most other models only see a modest boost on turbo mode. While this power is able to blast heavy debris like sticks, pine cones, and pebbles out of the way, it is also powerful enough to expose bare dirt in mulch or scatter a bed of pebbles by accident.
The Ego Power+ 615 CFM Blower has the power and the reach to make short work of a pine needle-covered driveway.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Ego Power+ 765 CFM is certainly powerful, and if you want to clear heavy or wet debris, this model may be a top choice. However, we feel that for a handheld blower, there may just be such a thing as too much power. On turbo mode, the Ego 765 tends to nose dive, making it difficult to hold the blower at an optimum angle and position for extended periods of time.
This Ego has really high power capabilities, but its high weight makes it tiring to use as a hand-held leaf blower.
Credit: Hale Milano
Air speed, or velocity, can be just as important as airflow when it comes to effectively blowing leaves. We measured airspeed the same way as volume, with a pitot tube at both high and turbo mode, at distances of five inches and 30 inches from the nozzle.
The Makita 36V LXT Brushless earned a high score for its airspeed in our raw power tests. It's worth noting that once we measured models using turbo mode, the Makita didn't score quite as well. While not all models have it, we generally found that we used turbo mode most of the time when it was an option. Utilizing turbo, the Oregon, Ryobi 730, and Ego 615 produced some of the fastest air speeds.
Despite a lack of turbo mode and generally feeling underpowered, the Makita cleared our leafy yard in 56 seconds, just one second behind the Ego 765. We also were pleased to note that the Makita did not overblow, meaning push leaves and debris past where we intended or remove mulch from a flower bed.
The Makita was not the most powerful, but it still did a great job during our tests, and was very ergonomic.
Credit: Hale Milano
Battery
Lithium-ion battery technology has made huge strides in the last decade, though none of the cordless blowers here come close to matching the runtimes of their gas-powered cousins. A “great” run time for a cordless leaf blower is generally just 15+ minutes, which pales compared to gas-powered blowers. But consider the reasons you're interested in a battery-powered model in the first place: quieter operation, unlimited range (compared to corded models), lack of fumes, and never having to fill up the gas tank. We scored and ranked performance off of the measured maximum run time in our tests and the time it took the included charger to recharge a fully depleted battery. We also considered what other battery sizes in the given voltage a manufacturer provided and what other tool platforms the batteries would fit in.
Choosing Your Battery Family
Each of the products that we tested has other tools that share battery compatibility across a variety of platforms, spanning from yard tools like lawnmowers, string trimmers, and snow blowers to hand tools such as impact drivers, circular saws, and grinders. Consider what other tools you already have or plan on having as you factor in battery compatibility and benefits.
It is worth noting that the models we tested came with batteries ranging from two and a half amp-hours to eight amp-hours, and this generally defines the overall runtime of each model. Larger batteries naturally perform longer at the cost of weight (and additional purchase). For consistency, we assessed each model with its included battery.
The Ego Power+ 765, with its five amp-hour battery, achieved an outstanding run time of 25 minutes and 19 seconds on high power. This is almost five full minutes longer than our next closest model and almost double the average run time of the models we tested. This is not surprising, given Ego's specialization in battery technology. The Ego batteries also charge rapidly, and there are also several models of chargers available to further expedite charging.
The 5Ah Ego Power+ battery fully recharges in about 70 minutes using the 320W Charger.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
The Oregon BL300 also had an impressive run time and was the only other model to last over 20 minutes. Unfortunately, the Oregon also had a slow charge time, taking 2 hours and 23 minutes to reach a full charge from empty.
While the Oregon batteries have a run time that is almost as long as the top competitors, they take much longer to achieve a full charge.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Makita 36V LXT Brushless employs two five amp-hour batteries to achieve an excellent runtime of 18 minutes and 11 seconds. It balances battery life and rapid charging to minimize downtime. Another advantage of this model is for those who own other Makita cordless tools (or those who would plan to own them); the two 18V batteries are interchangeable with other Makita handheld cordless tools, like cordless drills, impact drivers, portable wet-dry vacuums, and more.
The XBU02PT1 is unique in that it uses two, 18-volt batteries to equal 36-volts instead of one large battery like most other blowers.
Each battery takes about an hour to charge.
The Makita uses twin 18V batteries that are compatible with their other 18V tools.
While larger batteries tended to correlate with a longer run time, they are also directly linked to larger charging times. Some brands provide different types of chargers for larger batteries to reduce the overall charge time. Having multiple compatible batteries is one way to cut down on wait time while your battery charges.
Our favorite model, the Ego Power+ 615 CFM, ran a respectable 16 minutes without using the turbo setting before expiring. This model's charge time is remarkably fast for a battery of this amperage and voltage.
Charge time does not always correlate to the amount of time these tools will run.
Credit: Ross Patton
The Oregon BL300, which ran for an impressive amount of time, also took the longest to recharge. In addition to the run time and charge time, consider battery weight as well. The Ego 615's small 2.5 amp hour battery is considerably lighter than larger options.
While the 2.5 Ah battery from Ego did not last that long, there are much larger batteries available.
Credit: Laura Casner
Ergonomics
This metric focuses on how comfortable and easy to use all of these cordless tools are and accounts for 15% of each product's final score. We evaluated how balanced each blower is, its weight, and the comfort of its grip while in use.
We also compared the air intake location, penalizing products prone to suck in clothing during our tests. Although you may be tempted to choose the most powerful model out there, solid ergonomics can make yard chores less painful, and you should not have to fight the equipment to accomplish the task.
While not a very powerful model, the Dewalt blower is light and easy to use for greater periods of time.
Credit: Laura Casner
The DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Handheld blower snagged the top spot for ergonomics. Since there were a lot of similarities between the models, it was down to the details here. The DeWalt's low weight and features like variable trigger speed control, auto lock, and true ambidextrous controls, plus a perfect balance during use, solidified its perfect ergonomics score.
The 9.4-pound Ryobi 40V Whisper Series is perfectly balanced and vibrationless (even on turbo). This model also has user-friendly features like adjustable trigger speed, a dial for cruise control, and an ambidextrous turbo mode button.
The Ryobi 40V has an adjustable speed trigger, a dial to lock the speed setting, and a turbo button.
Credit: Hale Milano
The other top-scoring models aren't the lightest or the most ergonomic, but both Ego Power+ 615 CFM and the Makita 36V LXT Brushless are still fairly comfortable to use, and our gripes are minor. The Ego Power+ is a little front-heavy, and the Makita weighs a hefty nine pounds.
The Turbo button is located on top, easily pressable with a thumb.
We liked the grip on this model.
Both the Ego 615 and Makita are comfortable enough to use, although both are on the heavier side.
Noise
We scored each cordless leaf blower based on the amount and quality of noise it produced. After all, part of the reason many people choose these battery-operated tools is because they're quieter than their gas-powered counterparts. Each product's score was assigned based on the measured noise level at ear height when holding the blower normally and operating it at maximum power. We also evaluated their sound quality, noting any high-pitched whines that could be particularly annoying to your family or neighbors.
Hearing Loss is No Joke!
You should always consult the manufacturer and OSHA guidelines regarding proper safety equipment when it comes to operating a cordless leaf blower — or any other power tool, for that matter. Regardless of the noise levels we measured in this test, we strongly encourage you to refer to the manual for specific guidelines and always wear the proper safety equipment, such as hearing protection, eye protection, and a dust mask.
Keeping the volume down and the neighbors happy is the Ryobi 40V Brushless. Despite its massive airflow and air velocity scores, this high-powered model runs quietly, reaching just 72 decibels on high power. We are also pleased to note that the pitch of the Ryobi was very neutral; overall, this model will keep your ears happy.
The Ryobi 40V is a large and powerful blower, and it is also very quiet.
Credit: Hale Milano
To help get a feel for what decibel readings mean, we recorded the volume of both our quietest and loudest models side by side. The Ryobi 40V is not only quiet but also has a pleasant pitch. Other quiet scoring models sounded harsher to our ears. In comparison, the loudest model we tested was the Makita. Between the two is a difference of only 19 decibels. Again, it had a soft pitch despite its objectively louder decibel measurement. It's worth noting that despite the difference in decibel readings, the pitch played a large role in determining how loud each blower sounds.
Side-by-side sound comparison of the quietest (far blower, Ryobi) and loudest (near blower, Makita) reveals that pitch makes just as much an impact on sound perception as decibels.
Credit: Hale Milano
The rest of the models we measured hit their peak decibels in the 80-90 decibel range. What distinguished these models was the overall pitch and sound of the unit while running. Whereas some registered at higher decibels, their low pitch actually made them seem quieter to the ear while operating.
We measured the Oregon BL300 at 86 decibels — the second loudest decibel score. However, this cordless blower also had a very soft sound and was not at all unpleasant. This is in contrast to the Milwaukee M18 and DeWalt 20V, which, despite scoring second and third in the decibel test (81 and 82 decibels, respectively), both felt the loudest to our naked ears.
No matter what sort of outdoor debris you're trying to clear, the right battery-powered leaf blower can make your task easier.
Credit: Laura Casner
Conclusion
Whether you need a high-end powerhouse for extensive cleaning or a budget model for light-duty work, there's a leaf blower for you. We hope that our extensive testing, measurements, and hands-on experience help you to identify the right blower for your needs. Cutting the cord from electricity and leaving behind the noisy, messy, gas-guzzlers of old, your yard can soon be leaf-free with less effort and noise. No matter the size of your space, the volume of debris you need to clear, or the budget you're adhering to, we're here to help you find the perfect model for you.
