Leaf Blower Review

Comparing reviews of leaf blowers

The best leaf-blower reviews balance ratings for performance, durability and ease of use with noise and air-pollution concerns. We found a number of articles covering the ongoing controversy over leaf-blower noise. Reviewers note that most newer blowers operate more cleanly and quietly than ones made just a few years ago.

The quietest and least-polluting leaf blowers are corded or cordless electric blowers, and reviewers say an electric leaf blower will suit most homeowners very well. Electric blowers are easier to maintain than gas blowers, but they're less powerful overall. Cordless leaf blowers are the least powerful of all, best suited for hard surfaces like decks and sidewalks only.  For yards large enough that a 150-foot extension cord can't reach all areas, reviewers recommend a gas leaf blower.  Propane-powered leaf blowers pollute less than gas blowers, but they're just as noisy.

We found the best leaf blower reviews at ConsumerReports.org, where blowers are rated based on objective testing. While most reviews measure the noise level 50 feet away from the leaf blower (to gauge how great a nuisance it will be to neighbors), ConsumerReports.org also rates the sound level at the user's ear. Popular Mechanics tested seven gas-powered backpack blowers and rates each one, also providing a short review.  ConsumerGuide.com, Bestcovery.com and About.com also review several blowers, but it's not clear that their reviews are based on actual testing of the models. ToolSnob.com and other Popular Mechanics articles offer reviews that mainly focus on  one blower but appear to be based on the reviewer's having tried out the blower in question.

While professional reviews are useful in identifying the best of each type of leaf blower based on performance, most experts judge models only for brief periods. Feedback from owners, on the other hand, provides information about leaf blowers' reliability and performance over years of use. Retailer sites such as Amazon.com, HomeDepot.com, Lowes.com, Sears.com, and Northern Tool and Equipment show owner ratings and reviews of specific models, though some offer more of those than others. In making our assessments, we weighed owner feedback as well as expert reviews.