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 clean-running, too. The Ultra Blower Vac has a… variable-speed motor, so you can use a lower speed to blow around plants without damaging them. Sound level ranges 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.

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For quick daily sweeps of patios, driveways and other hard surfaces, reviews point to the 18-volt cordless Black & Decker NS118 leaf blower. It's quiet, very light at five pounds, and comes with an 18-volt,… nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery and battery charger. The battery has a runtime of about 15 minutes, so it's clearly better for quick cleanups than a whole-yard job. A corded electric blower like the Toro Ultra Blower Vac is better overall, but you're tethered to a cord. The Black & Decker NS118 carries a two-year warranty.

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For sweeping hard surfaces like patios and driveways within 150 feet of an electrical outlet, reviews recommend the inexpensive two-speed Toro Power Sweep 51585 leaf blower. It has a 7-amp motor and weighs less than 5… pounds. Even at high speed, its 63.5-decibel sound level is quiet enough that, it's usable even in communities with noise restrictions. It comes with a two-year warranty.

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If you need to use a leaf blower beyond 150 feet from an outlet, a gas blower is an option. The moderately priced handheld Echo PB-251 weighs 9.9 pounds and has a noise rating of only 65 decibels -- below… noise-restriction standards in most areas that impose them. The Echo blower's average air volume makes it a bit more powerful than the corded electric Toro Ultra Blower Vac. The Echo leaf blower features Echo's rotation-control technology so the force of the air blowing out doesn't rotate the blower and make it harder to control. It has a five-year warranty.

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Backpack blowers aren't generally recommended for most homeowners, but if you have a big lawn or driveway to clean, backpack blowers are more comfortable to use than handheld blowers. The mid-priced Echo PB-265L backpack… blower is appropriate for most homeowners, according to reviews. Rated at 65 decibels, this is the quietest backpack blower in its price range. It's also one of the lightest, weighing only 13 pounds. The Echo PB-265L leaf blower has a variable-speed throttle with cruise control. A patented electronic ignition system makes it easier to start than comparable blowers. Echo backs the PB-265L with a five-year consumer warranty.

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