If you are looking for an easy way to clean the autumn carpets in front of your home, a leaf blower is the perfect solution to your problem.
If you equip yourself with such a tool, you can forget about the broom and shovel. The leaf blower will do everything necessary and with its help, you will be able to quickly and conveniently deal with the accumulated autumn leaves.
Whether you have trees in your yard, or you just want to keep clean the area where you live, the leaf blower will surely be your faithful helper.
We have prepared this guide to help you choose the best leaf blowers and vacuums for your needs. If you are in a hurry and don’t want to read the reviews, we say get the BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 VACPACK (BEBL7000).
A Spotlight on Some of the Best Leaf Blowers and Vacuums 2022
Best Leaf Blowers and Vacuums Reviews
Greenworks 7 Amp Single Speed Electric 160 MPH Blower
- 160 MPH wind speeds for helping remove debris and dust from hard surfaces
- Lightweight design for better handling and less user fatigue
- Virtually no vibration when compared to gas blowers
- Convenient cord lock to prevent accidental unnplugging
- Extension cord is not included. Refer to pg. 9 in Owner's Manual for proper extension cord selection
In most people’s minds, a blower with only a 7-amp motor won’t be able to accomplish the job. However, that’s not the case with this blower; it appears that this blower sufficiently refutes that claim.
You will be satisfied with the Greenworks 24012 if all you want is a blower for simple maintenance. The device performs an excellent job for the price, and you’re sure to be pleased with the results.
There’s no fun in pulling a bulky piece of equipment out and moving it around the yard. That will never be an issue with this blower. It weighs only 4.5 lbs when fully assembled, which is a reasonable amount of weight for most people.
You can comfortably handle the Greenworks 24012 over a long period because of the compact and lightweight design; it’s also incredibly easy to move about in any direction!
Although it’s a “no-frills” design, it doesn’t require much of your time or attention to operate. Storage in a safe location away from moisture is all you need regarding routine maintenance on this item. A manufacturer’s guarantee of four years is included, which is significantly greater than the industry norm of three years.
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 VACPACK (BEBL7000)
- 3IN1 DESIGN – Easily converts into a corded leaf blower, leaf vacuum, or mulcher for versatile...
- POWERFUL AIR SPEED AND AIRFLOW – Air speeds up to 250 mph and airflow up to 400 cfm deliver the power...
- BACKPACK STYLE – Easy-to-wear backpack with up to 2x the bag capacity allows for hands-free operation.
- POWERBOOST – More power at the push of a button.
- FLEXI-TUBE – Allows for enhanced maneuverability when vacuuming leaves and debris.
The BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 VACPACK can collect leaves instead of raking them around your yard, making cleanup a breeze. Rather than using a zipper, the collecting bag on this backpack-style leaf blower/vac changes to a large aperture for emptying.
This three-in-one model has a maximum airspeed of 250 MPH and a POWER BOOST button. Its flexible tube may be used as a leaf vacuum, mulching leaves, and other waste to save space inside the large storage bag while cleaning your yard.
WORX WG520 Turbine 600 Corded Electric Leaf Blower
- [TURBINE FAN TECH] Worx engineers figured out how to get a jet engine-type motor inside of a leaf blower....
- [TWICE AS FAST AS PRO BLOWERS] Professional-grade gas blowers rely on outdated tech. The Turbine is...
- [2 SPEEDS FOR DIFFERENT JOBS] Go slow for pavement or tight corners. On the open lawn, switch to speed 2...
- [600 CFM] We named the Turbine 600 after the 600 Cubic Feet per Minute of high-capacity air volume that...
- [DO IT YOURSELF. DO IT BETTER. DO IT WITH WORX.] WORX tools are engineered with cutting-edge technology,...
The WORX Turbine 600 has a unique look that many will like. The key features include variable speed control, a large hyper stream nozzle, and a nicely built extension cable retainer.
In addition to a three-pronged outlet, this leaf blower comes with a 1-foot length cable. Because of the small length of the wire, it is necessary to use an extension cord with this corded leaf blower.
Overall, the WORX leaf blower is considerably more environmentally friendly than a gas-powered one. According to WORX, the jet engine-inspired architecture of this model makes it twice as efficient as the average gas-powered blower. Make sure you’re taking the right precautions to maintain your yard properly while using all that air force.
Last but not least, the WORX Turbine 600 is simple to disassemble for storage or transportation. The item has a small footprint and barely weighs 6.4 pounds, so you don’t have to disassemble it. You may not border dismantling it if you have enough workspace.
But it’s wonderful to have the option of disassembling it if you’re planning on storing it in a closet or a congested storage place, as we are in this situation.
Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum
- Superior blowing and mulching proven by controlled laboratory testing.This bag is designed to capture...
- Powerful up to 250 mph degree. 350 CFM blow mode and 410 CFM Vac mode
- Vacuum tube, bottom-zip bag, cord storage hook, shred-all shred ring and time-saving oscillating tube...
- Variable speed control for better control in both blower and vac mode
- This bag is designed to capture leaf particles not dust. Product needs air flow to work properly.
The Toro 2-in-1 leaf blower/vacuum is a hit among customers. The metal shredder in the tool lowers mulched material to less than a half-inch, slicing leaves into a fine mulch with a reduction rate of up to 97%. Put another way; it can reduce 33 bags of leaves to only one.
In addition to the standard tubes, the leaf vacuum includes an oscillating nozzle kit, which allows you to sweep the air back and forth. With this oscillating approach, the user may operate without hurting their wrist because the blowing route is larger on hardscapes. Also, you may hold the leaf vacuum’s handle in several positions for more convenience.
With its Quick-Release Latch, the Toro 51621 can transform into a leaf vacuum in seconds. Furthermore, the device’s long cord eliminates the problem of wires interfering with your job.
The cable of the leaf vacuum is kept in place by a hook integrated into the cord lock mechanism. As a result, the cord should be kept out of the way when picking the leaves.
Echo ES-250 Leaf Vacuum
- Price For: Each Engine: 2 Stroke Fuel Type: Gas Speed Control: Variable Includes: Powerhead, Pipes, Bag,...
The Echo ES-250 was able to eat dry and uniform garbage at full speed, filling its bag swiftly. Switching from a blower to the vacuum feature is simple. That’s why it stood out over other gas-powered devices in this category.
You may detach the vacuum tube by gripping the huge plastic hooks that have been formed into the tube and twisting it out of the way.
The Velcro-strapped debris bag is simple to attach and empty. Only one minor flaw was found in the machine: the fixed-position sliding power switch.
Momentary rocker switches are superior since the switch would automatically reset to the Start position once the machine is turned off, which is not the case here. To restart the Echo ES-250, you have to switch it off before starting again manually. It may not matter much initially, but the stress will be noticeable over time.
Leaf Blower and Vacuums Buying Guide
How do leaf blower vacuums work?
Whether the leaf blowers blow or suck in the leaves for which they are used, they work in the same similar way.
In any case, they use centrifugal force to direct huge air energy in a certain direction.
The inner housing of these tools is a motor and fan with many blades (often called “impeller”). When working, they use the outside air and rotate it thanks to their fan.
The rotation of the air itself uses centrifugal forces to send the air through the smaller exhaust pipe. As a result of the enormous pressure in the housing, accumulated due to the centrifugal force, the air exits the tube of the leaf blower at a very high speed.
The suction system works in basically the same way, only in the opposite direction.
No matter what kind of leaf blower you decide to get, these devices will do a great job in any case.
Not only are they more convenient to use than a broom and shovel, but with their help, you will certainly be able to clean the leaves from the area you serve, many times faster.
Leaf cleaning could even turn from a tedious task into a fun pastime.
It can be said that with the help of such an instrument you become something like air lords. You can do with it pretty much anything you want.
It is up to you to choose the right product to use at will. However, the choice is not always an easy task, and the wide variety of offers on the market can certainly confuse you.
Well, fortunately, we are here to help you in your search.
What types of leaf blowers are there?
You are already aware of the mechanism by which these tools work.
However, as we hinted above, modern manufacturers have taken care to offer a wide variety of models that are as comfortable as possible in different situations.
That is why we will now introduce you to the main types of leaf blowers. This way you will be able to be aware of their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the peculiarities of their applications.
These devices are mainly divided into handheld leaf blowers, backpack leaf blowers, and wheeled leaf blowers. Inform yourself carefully to know exactly what appliance you need.
Handheld leaf blowers
Handheld leaf blowers are divided into three subtypes – powered by cable, cordless, and fuel.
Cable-powered appliances are quite light, comfortable, and designed for use with one hand. They are undoubtedly the most affordable models of leaf blowers.
They start smoothly at the touch of a button and do not emit any harmful emissions. At the same time, however, they are quite powerful due to their constant power supply.
Their biggest drawback, unfortunately, comes from their connection to a constant power source. The cable often becomes a restriction of movement and can be especially problematic around trees or other obstacles.
In addition, the cable creates a range limit. We recommend that you refer to such a model only if you have a socket or power strip at a distance from the working area according to the length of the cable.
Cordless leaf blowers are a great alternative that again does not emit harmful emissions and at the same time relieves you of the obligations to service a fuel model.
They are also quite light and comfortable to use, without being limited by the power cord. Unfortunately, such models are more expensive, low-power, and run on batteries, whose life is another limitation.
Most cordless leaf blowers typically run for about an hour, so if you don’t fit in this interval, you’ll need to interrupt the work and recharge or get a spare battery.
Fuel leaf blowers are available at a wide variety of prices and stand out with distinctive efficiency.
They are quite powerful and also do not limit your work in terms of movement or battery life.
These devices weigh more, and although the new models are quieter than the previous ones, such leaf blowers remain quite noisy and should be used with hearing protection.
Two-stroke engines require a mixture of fuel and oil, but four-stroke engines do not have this problem.
Backpack leaf blowers
Backpack-type leaf blowers usually run on fuel. This means that, in general, there are still relatively noisy models that need regular maintenance.
They are larger and this allows them to operate at higher power. With such a tool you will certainly gain strength and, accordingly, speed in the fight against the leaves.
Although they weigh almost twice as much as handheld fuel leaf blowers, these appliances remain quite comfortable to use. This is because they are placed on your back like a backpack and your whole body maintains your weight and not one of your arms.
With such a leaf blower you may not be so maneuverable, but on the other hand, you will have more serious power capabilities.
Unfortunately, these appliances cannot vacuum or shred the leaves. They work only in blowing mode.
In addition, backpack-type leaf blowers cost more than their handheld competitors. However, convenience comes at a price.
Wheeled leaf blowers
If you need something really powerful, then in any case you should turn to the wheel leaf blowers.
The capabilities of these devices are certainly the greatest. However, we recommend that you focus on them only if you need to serve a huge area with many trees.
These leaf blowers run on fuel, so you can already guess the noisy conditions and maintenance you need to take care of.
Although they are really powerful and functional, however, such leaf blowers have several major drawbacks. First of all, you should keep in mind that such models can not vacuum or shred the leaves, so they work only in blowing mode.
In addition, you will certainly need to think about the place where you will store such a leaf blower.
However, these models are not only bulky but also quite heavy, so despite the help of the wheels, it can sometimes be difficult to maneuver or push them uphill.
Of course, these machines are the most serious. That is why their prices are the highest among other models.
The most important thing, if you are planning to get a wheeled leaf blower, is to consider the space you need to take care of. Carefully consider both the area and the features of the terrain that you will have to deal with.
Except for specific cases, we would not recommend a wheeled leaf blower.
What else to consider when choosing a leaf blower?
Different models have a bunch of features and characteristics that you need to consider. Knowing them well, you will be able to choose the best product.
Design
Among leaf blowers, as mentioned earlier, there are two main work designs. In one case, the centrifugal force of the air is used to blow the leaves, and in the other case for suction (vacuum).
Vacuum models work on the same principle as leaf blowers. The only difference is that in their case the airflow is usually directed to a special bag for collecting leaves.
On the other hand, you should keep in mind that there are also leaf blowers that have a leaf shredding system. Thanks to the shredding of the leaves, you can afford to collect more of them before you have to empty the bag.
However, keep in mind that depending on the size to which the leaves are shredded, their further applications may be limited.
In turn, leaf blowers, which shred the leaves, are divided into two subtypes. Some work with the help of the so-called “clean fan”, and others – with the help of a “dirty fan.”
The difference comes from the fact that when working with a clean fan, the leaves are crushed with the help of special cutting lines. Only then are they collected in the bag provided.
In the case of the dirty fan, however, the leaf blower uses the fan itself to shred the leaves. In this case, you will certainly get much finer crushed leaves.
However, you should be aware that this mechanism of operation may be more dangerous for your leaf blower. If you are not careful enough, there is a chance of damaging the fan, especially if you collect the leaves in areas with various hard objects.
In any case, before you turn your attention to a particular leaf blower model, you should be aware of what you want to use the leaves for, as well as the characteristics of the terrain.
Of course, you need to take into account the size of the bag to be able to collect all the leaves in it.
Power
When it comes to the power of a leaf blower, many factors must be taken into account. In any case, you can find the potential of a product in its description.
As you already know, all types of leaf blowers use the same mechanisms of operation. You should be aware that fuel models are generally more powerful than their electric competitors. In any case, they manage to rotate the fan at a higher speed, and this ultimately produces more power.
On the other hand, as you already know, electric leaf blowers are much lighter and easier to use. They are ideal when you need to serve a smaller area with fewer trees in it.
In addition, it is now far easier for a household to obtain electricity than to have to supply fuel and oil to an engine that requires more care.
However, regardless of the power supply of the leaf blower, as we have already mentioned, information about its power can be obtained from the product description.
In the case of fuel blowers, the volume of the cylinders is decisive. You guessed it, the larger the volume of the cylinders, the more power a device will have.
However, the disadvantage of larger cylinders is that they will consume fuel much faster.
As for electric leaf collectors, their power is measured in watts. The situation remains the same: the more watts – the more power. However, this again means consuming more electricity and, in the case of battery-powered appliances, will drain faster.
Keep in mind that power is not everything that determines the quality of work performed. Be smart and we are sure that you will find the perfect product for yourself with the right balance between power and energy consumption.
Speed
After all, the air does all the leaf work. That’s why you need to be aware of the total airspeed that a product offers you.
The total air velocity of leaf blowers is often measured in two ways. In one case it is reported in miles per hour (mp/h), and in the other – in feet per second (ft/s). To make it easier to navigate, we will suggest that 1 ft/s corresponds to 0.68 mp/h.
The total airspeed of most leaf blowers exceeds 60 mp/h. However, it is not the only factor that determines the efficiency of a device.
In any case, in addition to it, you must take into account the cubic feet per minute, ie. the flow rate of a leaf blower. The amount of air that your appliance will use per unit time depends on this.
No matter how high the total speed of the air is, if the volume is small, you will hardly witness any results.
In all circumstances, you should pay attention to both indicators during your search. Usually, the more powerful a leaf blower, the higher the speed and more air volume it can achieve. Still, watch out for both specs.
Control
The key to the quality of the work you will be able to do with your new acquisition is how comfortable you are to use it, ie. the control you have over it.
Keep in mind that if you do not control your leaf blower, in the end, you will not be satisfied with it. Some terrains can be particularly challenging, which means that you will have to comply with them.
In any case, think carefully about exactly what you need in relation to the area and leaves you care for. Even when we introduced you to the different types of leaf blowers, we explained that some are easier to control than others.
Wheeled leaf blowers, for example, are suitable for relatively flat terrain and large spaces. This is because you don’t have much control over the flow of air anyway.
On the other hand, handheld leaf blowers are really easy, compact, and convenient to point in different directions. If the leaves in your case like to hide in different places, you will need such precision to deal with them.
However, although they are quite light, in some cases they can exhaust us or not be powerful enough. Then the solution is a backpack-type blower. It guarantees you almost the same air control, but is definitely easier to carry and offers more power.
If you have the opportunity, we recommend that you test all the different models before you decide to buy.
Quality and price
No matter what the products are, quality and price often go hand in hand. We are sure that you want to make the best possible deal so that you do not feel harmed in any way.
Keep in mind, however, that if you decide to save some money at the expense of the quality of a particular leaf blower, you may end up dissatisfied with your new acquisition.
In any case, you want a certain appliance to do the job for you. That’s why you need to be aware of what you can compromise on and what you can’t afford to save.
In any case, the most decisive for the performance of a leaf blower remains the indicators of its power. That’s why you need to be aware of exactly what kind of leaf blower you need to service a specific area.
After all, if you take this into account, you will surely know exactly which products to focus on. Only then comes the search and selection of the best offer with the ideal price-quality ratio.
How to use your leaf blower?
You already know for sure everything you need to get the best leaf blower possible. In any case, this is just the beginning.
In order to be of maximum benefit to you, we have prepared some basic tips and recommendations for the operation of these devices. This way we will be sure that you use your new acquisition as fully as possible.
Choose where you want the leaves to go
In cases where you blow the leaves, you definitely need to decide in advance exactly where you want them to go. This is the first consideration you need to make.
In any case, you will act methodically, efficiently, and purposefully.
If you plan to collect the leaves after you have finished, you can pre-dig various holes in which to blow them with the help of your leaf blower.
It’s a good idea to make a few different piles of leaves or fill in a few holes if you need to serve more space.
Start with fences and buildings
When you start cleaning, we recommend that you first focus on fences and buildings. We advise you to use U-shaped movements in these areas. This way you will be able to blow out the maximum amount of leaves.
Work from the side
If you start blowing the leaves in a straight line, it will just turn out that you have made a path between them.
The right course of action requires you to start from one end. If you walk up and down perpendicular to the direction in which you want to direct the leaves, you will achieve your goal.
Work around the leaves
Once you’ve taken all the leaves roughly to the area you’re aiming for, it’s time to stack them.
Start blowing the leaves as you go around them. This will gradually bring them together in one place and form a pile that will hold them together and make it easier for you to manipulate them afterward.
Do not try to collect every possible leaf.
Think of the big picture. Leaf blowers are designed to blow a large mass of leaves. You may be especially nervous if you try to move every single leaf with the help of such a device.
Find the right angle and use smooth movements. In this case, you will be able to optimize your work to the maximum.
And don’t forget – practice leads to perfection.
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