Leaf Blowers: Reviews

Reviews say the corded electric 12-amp Toro Ultra Blower Vac is more powerful than most handheld gas-powered leaf blowers, and it's lighter (7.3 pounds), quieter and more eco-friendly as well. The Ultra Blower Vac has a… expandvariable-speed motor, so you can use a lower speed to blow around plants without damaging them. Sound levels range from 63 decibels to 67 decibels. When it's used to vacuum and mulch leaves, the Toro Ultra's serrated metal blades make it more efficient and durable than most other models, which rely on plastic parts. The Toro Ultra Blower Vac comes with a two-year warranty for residential use. collapse

For quick sweeps of patios, decks and driveways, a cordless blower (sometimes called a sweeper) is faster and more efficient than an old-fashioned broom, but not as powerful as a corded electric blower. The top-rated… expand18-volt cordless Black & Decker NS118 hard surface sweeper is recommended more often than any other. It's quiet, weighs about 5 pounds and comes with a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), rechargeable battery and an Energy-Star rated battery charger. Note, however, that the battery has a run time of only about 15 minutes, and the leaf blower is meant to be used only on hard surfaces. A corded electric blower like the Toro Ultra Blower Vac is better if you want to use a blower for bigger jobs in your garden or yard, though you're tethered to a cord. The Black & Decker NS118 carries a two-year warranty. collapse

For sweeping hard surfaces like patios and driveways within 150 feet of an electrical outlet, reviews recommend the inexpensive two-speed Toro Power Sweep leaf blower. It has a 7-amp motor and weighs less than 5 pounds.… expandIts 63.5-decibel sound level even at its higher speed means it's usable in communities with noise restrictions. It comes with a two-year warranty. collapse

If you need to use a leaf blower beyond 150 feet from an outlet, experts say a handheld gas-powered blower is best. In this category the moderately priced Husqvarna 125B gets the nod from most reviewers. The Husqvarna… expand125B has a maximum air speed of 170 mph and an air volume of 425 CFM. It has both a round and a flat nozzle so you can direct the air flow more efficiently; an adjustable length blowing tube adds more flexibility. Its noise level is rated at 70 decibels, and it weighs 9.4 pounds. The 125BVx variant (*Est. $190), adds a vacuum and mulching kit. The Husqvarna 125B and 125 BVx blowers come with a two-year warranty collapse

Backpack blowers aren't generally recommended for most homeowners, but if you have a big lawn or driveway to clean, they are more comfortable to use than handheld blowers. If you do want a backpack blower, the Echo… expandPB-500H gets very good reviews from experts and performs well in comparison tests. Its powerful 50.8 cc engine produces a maximum air speed of 162 mph and an average air volume of 450 CFM. It is rated at 70 decibels and weighs 22 pounds. Other features include a variable-speed engine and padded shoulder straps. The similar Echo PB-500T differs only in having a tube-mounted rather than a frame-mounted throttle. Echo leaf blowers come with a five-year consumer warranty. collapse