The Toro PowerJet F700 is like an air bazooka. The electric Toro F700 is light, with an easy one-handed speed control, and it moves leaves with a fury. The big downside is the run time and charge time, and its a dealbreaker if you have a large property or a ton of trees. Compared to the corded blower, theyre heavier, but on the good side, cordless models are generally the quietest blowers. Its light and maneuverable, which we liked, but the wild high pitch squeal is aggressive and not neighbor-friendly. This blower achieves its 40 volts of power through two 20-volt batteries that both attach to the blower. It has a shorter charge time at just under an hour. This blower lacks the power of the Ego and the quiet nature of the Ryobi, but it makes up for it with a nearly 30-minute run time, roughly the same as the Ego. Charging these would be an inconvenience, but the dual port charger is capable of filling both batteries at the same time. The most important factor for a cordless blower is its run time. *At the time of publishing, the price was $57. As for the drawbacks, gas blowers are loud and stinky, and they require proper off-season storage. On the flip side, the handle is small and there is really only one way to grip it, so a lot of strain is put on the forearm, especially at higher speeds. *At the time of publishing, the price was $200. Overall, the control setup is intuitive, and it offers the ability to reduce the airflow quickly if cleaning out a flower bed or around a recently mulched tree. The Toro also provides a second pommel grip at the front of the handle, which is a good thing because the airstream was so powerful in our tests that we sometimes relied on a second hand for better control. Unfortunately, this blower did not hold up well during long-term testing: After only a few months of using this model, Walker reported, his crew began to avoid it due to problems starting a hot engine. Its a nice tool to use and we liked it overall, but the downside is that its heavier than the EGO and more difficult to swing back and forth. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. We tested a number of additional blowers and dismissed others before the testing phase. All of these tools operate on the same battery, making this leaf blower an easier choice if you already have (or plan to buy) those other tools, which you can purchase at a lower cost without a battery or charger. We never considered the other cordless blower to be loud, but after having used the Ryobi for a bit, they sounded squealy. This cordless Ryobi doesnt quite match the Ego LB6504 in terms of run time and power, but its quieter and has an adjustable handle for better ergonomics. Gas blowers, which were once the standard, are falling out of favor as corded and cordless models have begun to equal their power, but with less noise and none of the emissions. We have nozzle and reel recommendations, too. When it comes to low noise, its tough to beat lithium-ion cordless. Dan Pherson, product manager, Stihl. It also has a convenient spot for placing your hand while youre pull-starting. Services in Carlisle, Massachusetts, who conducted some of our testing, and Chad Crosby of West Michigan Lawn Servicesin interviews. This tool is an absolute monster at moving leaves across a yard, but the ergonomics are trickier than with the Toro. To compensate for the Egos weight, we probably switched hands more often than with the other blowers, but at no point were our arms and wrists too exhausted to go on (the Ego does have a spot for clipping a shoulder strap). This blower is actually more powerful than the Toro, but the handle design makes it difficult to wrangle. I have no idea why theyre not in a sleeve like the other wires.. Its a nice feature, but it requires a buy-in on the Ryobi cordless system. This is a notable feature, especially now that more and more of your neighbors are likely spending a lot of time at home. Running the Toro at full speed feels a little like being pulled down a sidewalk by a leashed dog chasing after a squirrelgaining control can take a moment or two. The majority of this cost lies in the large 5.0 Ah battery, the very element that gives the tool such strong power and such a long run time. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). We found the weight noticeable but not unmanageable. Tested against the other corded and cordless leaf blowers, the Toro has impressive air-moving power, lifting and launching wet, matted leaves with ease and blasting them farther than nearly all of the others. But for smaller shifts back and forth, such as under a rose bush, youre fighting the blowers power, and it can get a little tiring. You just have to get used to keeping the blower farther away as you move it around your body. Because it uses two 20-volt batteries, the batteries are compatible with Worxs smaller DIY tools, like their drills and saw, but for lawn tools, the Worx line isnt as robust as either the Ego or Ryobi. At around $200 (in the single-battery configuration) at the time of our testing, the Ryobi is among the least expensive cordless blowers we looked at, and we think its a great value compared with the competition. We also tested the Milwaukee 2724-21 M18 Fuel Cordless Handheld Blower and it doesnt have the run time or power of the Ego, emptying out a battery in just under 15 minutes. The Ryobi does have about a 2.5-hour charge time, on the long side for a cordless blower. Given the immense power of this tool, those added features, which are found on the Toro, go a long way to adding comfort and control to the leaf blowing experience. All of this means faster work and less overall time spent moving leaves. Each has a unique set of trade-offs that make it ideal for different circumstances, but we think corded models are the best fit for most. Walker and his crew have used the Stihl BR 350 for more than four years, and it has continued to be well received. But it took longer to move leaves than the Stihl BR 350. The Worx WG521 is more powerful than the Toro, but the handle design makes it harder to control and more tiring on the arms. These models included the Husqvarna 130BT, Husqvarna 350BT, Ryobi RY08420A (now discontinued), Stihl BR 200, and Stihl BR 350. We prefer the premium run time of the Ego LB5604. In our tests, during normal use with the blower at our side, this wasnt a problem, but when we passed it from side to side or did any other operations that put the blower directly in front of us, a shirt sometimes got sucked against the intake covereasy enough to deal with, but annoying once it happens a few times (dont worry, the cover is substantial enough that clothes wont get pulled into the fan). The BR 350 is chock-full of smart design features, such as an upward-oriented gas fill and a well-protected gas cap. This little bit of added oomph with the turbo button is nice, but only noticeable with the tools side by side. It typically costs $250. Blowers can clean pine needles from a gutter, blow dust out of your garage, clear grass clippings from a driveway, or get leaves out of thick ground-cover plants like vinca or pachysandra. We did the majority of our testing, specifically of the corded and cordless blowers, on a rural property in New Hampshire. The Egos nearly 30-minute run time is among the longest of the cordless blowers weve tested. Services, interviews, September 2014, Chad Crosby, West Michigan Lawn Services, interviews, September 2014. The fact that the BR 350 moved leaves better than the other backpack blowers set it ahead of the pack, but all of the small touches in the overall design were what especially appealed to Walker and his crew. We found the simple one-handed interface easy to use, and the curved handle gave us flexibility in positioning the angle of the airstream. *At the time of publishing, the price was $210. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. We did not test the Makita XBU02PT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower, the DeWalt DCBL772X1 60V Max FlexVolt Brushless Handheld Axial Blower, or the Greenworks BPB80L2510 80V Backpack Blower. At less than $60, its a dealas long as being tied to an outlet works for your property. If raking is more labor than youre willing to deal with, a leaf blower is a better choice. As Stihls Dan Pherson told us, When it comes to low noise, its tough to beat lithium-ion cordless.. With the LB6504, the speed dial turns the blower on and off, instead of just setting the power. But because it doesnt have a gas engine, it sounds more like a really, really loud hair dryer, which, minus the heating coil, is basically what it is. Ryobis system of lawn tools is solid but not as polished as Egosand this tools battery doesnt work on Ryobis drills or other power tools. Before discussing the cordless models we dismissed, we need to state that if you are already invested in a company's battery system, its very likely that the best cordless leaf blower for you is the one that is compatible with your other tools. Toro has put the dial to the right side of the handle (looking at it from the top), which actually makes it a little awkward for a right-handed person but offers benefits when you use a two-handed grip. The intake is protected by a plastic grid, so its not a huge deal, but we found it a slight annoyance. Even with those drawbacks, however, we think the benefits are there. Beyond the fact that the 350BT wasnt as strong as the BR 350, it also had a few design issues that the landscapers pointed out. Most folks should start their search by considering a corded leaf blower like the Toro PowerJet F700, the best blower weve found in our years of researching and testing leaf blowers in the woods of New Hampshire since 2014. The Stihl is gas powered, so youll have to properly use, store, and maintain a two-stroke gas engine (and diagnose and fix any issues that arise). We currently recommend the companys string trimmer, lawn mower, and snow blower. Weve also been very impressed with their powerthe best corded models are on a par with or better than many gas blowers. Lots of people see leaf blowers as loud, fume-spewing wastes of fuelbut newer corded and cordless models offer plenty of power without those drawbacks, which apply to gas-powered blowers that are rarely necessary at home. With both hands on the tool, we found that the positioning of the power dial made more sense (for right-handed people), as its easy for the lead hand to reach and operate. The high point though is that the Ryobi is extremely quiet, eliminating all of the whine associated with leaf blowers. According to Worx, this blower blasts a whopping 800 CFM of air. First, it has a very short runtime. Learn more. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Roy Berendsohn, 5 Backpack Leaf Blowers to Dominate the Backyard, Popular Mechanics, September 11, 2013, Bradley Ford and Roy Berendsohn, The 7 Best Backpack Leaf Blowers, Popular Mechanics, 2018, Sal Vaglica, TOH Tested: Leaf Blowers, This Old House, David Wolman, Review: Leaf Blowers, Wired, September 29, 2011, Kevin Walker, owner of K.G.W. *At the time of publishing, the price was $299. The nozzle end of the Ego measures just less than 3 inches, which splits the difference nicely between open-lawn leaf blowing and having the ability to clean out a stone wall or a gutter. Walker told us that it has been a great workhorse and definitely a crew favorite for larger work areas where a lot of distance needs to be covered. When he first looked over the unit, he mentioned its higher-pitched noise, but he told us that none of his crew members have mentioned that issue since. If you already own Greenworks batteries and chargers for other tools at home, or purchasing a Greenworks tool is just easier for you than getting the Ego or the others, this is a fine choice. The Worx WG585 Nitro 40V PowerShare is extremely light, and very easy to grip, hold, and swing back and forth. After finding several options delivering adequate power, we turned to other ease of use factors to distinguish one model over another. That long run time wont mean much without adequate powerfortunately, the Ego has quite a bit of that too. The cordless Ego has a couple of drawbacks, namely weight and cost. Toro recommends at least a 16-gauge cord for 25 feet, a 16-gauge cord for 50 feet, and the heavier 14-gauge cord for 100 feet. It currently costs about $300. What sets it apart from the rest is that its very quiet, even for a cordless blower, and the handle is adjustable, which really helps with the ergonomics. The cordless Worx WG584 is not as powerful as the other cordless options, but its lightweight with a long run time. It has a higher CFM rating than our pick765 versus 650but this is only felt in the turbo mode. We also looked at the decibel readings of each blower using a Triplett SoniChek sound meter. If youre thinking about getting this model, it makes sense to look at the purchase as if youre buying into Egos lineup of battery-powered outdoor power tools, which includes string trimmers, mowers, snow blower, and chainsaws. Ive been using leaf blowers seasonally for at least 16 yearslong before I began working on this guide in 2014. In our tests, the Ego LB6504 provided about 27 minutes while set on high. We wanted to recommend an accessible lineup of leaf blowers, including options that are easy to use by a wide range of people of various abilities. Leaf blowers can be loud, so learn your local regulations regarding their operation. The Ego offers easy one-handed controls and a turbo button that can add a boost of power if needed. The Stihl BGE 61 costs more than the Toro F700 and doesnt appear to have their air-moving power. Among the cordless tools in our tests, it was the most powerful. It works best with wide, swinging arcs, and for blasting leaves across the yard. But its leaf-blasting ability was just not on a par with that of the Toro F700 or the Worx WG521 in our tests. So with this model, there is no need to constantly hold the trigger if youve set the dial. The U.S. Wire & Cable 50 FT. The BR 200 let out a high-pitched, ear-withering squeal that was impossible to ignore. But theyre still an option for a very large lawn with a lot of trees. Typically about $275, the Ego is not cheap or even average priced. The blower is controlled with a three-speed thumb dial that is easy to reach and turn. The Worx uses two smaller batteries, instead of one giant one, like the Ego and Ryobi, so its considerably lighter than the others, making it the most maneuverable of the cordless models we tested and the one we would recommend to those who are concerned they might not have the strength to swing the other cordless ones around. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Because of this back-end positioning, the blower can easily pull clothing against the intake cover. Its a nice blower and we enjoyed using it, but theres nothing that sets it above our picks in terms of performance. After seven years of testing, our pick is the Toro PowerJet F700, which combines gale-force air movement with a smartly designed handle, an essential feature with such a strong and unruly blower. The only other blowers that lasted longer were our previous pick, the Ego LB5804, which clocked in at just over 30 minutes, and the Worx WG584 40-Volt Power Share Turbine Cordless Leaf Blowerboth are less powerful. Those things are just bad, Justin said. It costs more than any other handheld cordless blower weve found. We also tested the midsize Husqvarna 350BT but found it lacking next to our gas recommendation, the Stihl BR 350. By the scales, its less than a pound heavier, which doesnt seem like much, but in use, this felt significant to us. If you have to blow beyond the reach of a 50- or 100-foot extension cord, get the cordless battery-powered Ego LB6504 Power+ 650 CFM Blower. Also, because the 20-volt batteries are so small, the Worx blower is very, very light. A turbo button is available for adding a blast of power, though at the cost of battery life. The batteries on these tools are all interchangeable, so once you have a battery, you can purchase the other tools without batteries at a reduced price. Given the noise, Kevin Walkers crew found that added cost hard to justify. Extreme All-Weather Extension Cord is the most flexible, durable cord we found, and should last years even in harsh environments. But when calculating the overall price, keep in mind that if youre starting from scratch and in need of the full 100 feet of maneuverability, youll need to drop an additional $50 to $75 on an extension cord. Ive also written guides to lawn mowers, string trimmers, and snow blowers, so I have a good understanding of what makes a solid piece of outdoor power equipment. If you know you need a cordless leaf blower but the Ego LB6504 is either unavailable or too expensive, we recommend the Ryobi 40470VNM 40V 550 CFM Brushless Jet Fan Blower. But compared to the other cordless picks, it doesnt have the same power and it has a mid-range run time of about 22 minutes. Although our decibel readings were similar across the two types of blowers, the sound of the Ego was much easier to take than the electric models. We used the blowers around flower beds, cobblestone steps, and stone walls, as well as in dense ground cover like pachysandra and vinca. We like that the Toro is powerful but also stripped down, which not only lightens it but also reduces the overall cost. A leaf blower starts with its ability to move air, and thats where the Toro is so successful. The biggest downside to the Toro is that the air intake is at the rear, so for all the air thats blasting out the nozzle end, an equal amount is being sucked in through the back. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning. In that time, weve consulted with two landscapersKevin Walker of K.G.W. Once we got the hang of it, though, and directed it toward the leaves, they didnt stand a chance. We tested the Stihl BR 200 small backpack blower, and although our landscapers liked the power, they didnt like the noise. The Toro is also easy to operate. None of the other blowers we looked at combined such power with such smart features. Cordless blowers provide power similar to that of corded models but offer a much higher degree of maneuverability. If your property is more than an acre and has densely wooded areas, and if you often need to blast a heap of leaves 100 feet across a field, we suggest the Stihl BR 350. Its a powerful blower, but not as strong as the Ego, so even if the two models had the same run time, you wouldnt be able to do as much with the Ryobi, but we had no problem moving leaves across a lawn with it. The approximately 2-acre lawn is surrounded by, and dotted with, oak, maple, ash, and apple trees, all of which have leaves that drop in the fall. First, the weight: At around 10 pounds, its a load. Blowing leaves can take a while, and swinging and pivoting a gas engine at arms length for 30 or 40 minutes is difficult to do, plus youve got all the engine maintenance and long term storage to think about. The Worx WG520 was a previous pick of ours, but both the Toro F700 and the newer Worx WG521 are more powerful. For runtime, it landed in the low to mid range at around 17 minutes, and it doesnt have the leaf moving ability of the others. The Ego battery fully charges up in about 110 minutes. If the Toro F700 isnt available, we recommend the Worx WG521 Turbine 800 Leaf Blower, which is the most powerful leaf blower weve ever tested. Because cordless leaf blowers can often be purchased as a bare toolmeaning they dont come with a battery or a chargerthe cost savings are significant. And leaf mulching clears only your lawn areasyou still need something for clearing walkways, flower beds, and stonework. We tested the three head-to-head-to-head and were able to get more done with the LB6504 in the same amount of time. Our picks for rakes, blowers, and mulching mowers will take care of autumn leavesand weve got tools to help you prep for spring, as well. The CFM scale of the regular power dial is the same between the two blowers, maxing out at 500 CFM. If you have no plans to use a mulcher, why pay for that? That said, for comparison purposes, theyre really only a starting point. Typically available for less than $75, its one of the best-priced blowers you can getits cheaper than most other electric models, and most cordless or gas models can easily cost $200 more. If you need a cordless leaf blower but the Ego LB6504 is unavailable or over your budget, we also like the Ryobi 40470VNM 40V 550 CFM Brushless Jet Fan Blower. They immediately identified the knob that tightens the joystick control in place as a weak point. You can find several prominent styles of leaf blower to choose from: corded, cordless, and gas powered. This gets to be a big task for a mower, and only the best ones, such as the gas-powered Honda HRX217VKA, can do it really well. The BR 200 also typically sells for $50 more than the similar-size Husqvarna 130BT. Looking over the reviews of the Ego LB5804 (our previous pick, which weighs about the same), we found similar sentiments, with many reviewers mentioning the weight but still giving the blower a high rating. The BR 200 let out a high-pitched, ear-withering squeal that was impossible to ignore even with our hearing protection on. Its a nice design that was especially appreciated by our taller testers. It has easy-to-use controls, a lot of power, and a precise airstreambut its a little heavier than our corded picks and a lot more expensive. Heres why: On average, gas handhelds weigh around 10 pounds, making them 2 to 3 pounds heavier than similar corded models and even heavier than most cordless blowers. If the Toro PowerJet F700 isnt available, we also like the Worx WG521 Turbine 800 Leaf Blower. Leaf blowers not only work faster than rakes and take less effort but can also perform many tasks that rakes and mowers cant. For properties larger than an acre in size with lots of wooded areas, the Stihl BR 350 offers useful design touches and moves leaves better than the competition. We also got our hands on the Greenworks Pro 60V Brushless Leaf Blower. But we also saw reviews from a handful of people who simply found the Ego too heavy for them or their spouse to manage, so if you have limited arm strength, its something to consider. There truly is a better hose for you. In our test, the battery expired at the 13 minute mark, considerably shorter than the Ego and five minutes less than the Ryobi 40470VNM, which we recommend. Its also available only at authorized Stihl dealers, not online. Most other blowers have smaller-diameter nozzles, which are nice for precision work but take more effort and more back-and-forth sweeps to clear a lawn. They can even clear light dustings of snow.