Best Cordless Electric Leaf Blowers

Ultimate convenience -- at a price

No extension cords to drag around. No gas to mix or drain or smell. Cordless, rechargeable leaf blowers seem tempting -- but unfortunately, most "don't do much more than whisper to patio debris," ThisOldHouse.com editors say.

Only one battery-powered leaf blower proves strong enough to satisfy experts: the Stihl BGA 85 (*Est. $500 to $650 with battery and charger). It sweeps piles of leaves just as effectively as a good corded blower -- and when you're done, you simply hang it on the wall and slip the battery back into the charger.

Testers love it. Popular Mechanics' home expert Roy Berendsohn -- who has always favored gas-fired outdoor power tools -- pronounces the Stihl BGA 85 "awesome." Wired's David Wolman likes the cordless Stihl better than three more powerful (but heavier and pollution-spewing) gas backpack blowers in his head-to-head test. And ThisOldHouse.com names the Stihl BGA 85 one of the 100 best new home products for 2011.

The only real drawback? Price. The Stihl BGA 85 costs $300 by itself, but you'll have to drop an extra $200 to $350 on the battery and charger (you can choose between two batteries -- 10 or 20 minutes of run time -- and two chargers, a standard 70-minute one or a quicker 25-minute one). Stihl's cordless chainsaw, hedge and grass trimmers use the same batteries and charger.

That's pretty steep, considering that a $150 gas blower packs more power. But if you want a powerful leaf blower -- and you're sick of extension cords, gas fumes and all the other hassles -- no other cordless leaf blower makes the grade.