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Leaf Blowers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 15 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
Sept. 2007
Power Blowers: More punch for plug-ins
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Our Assessment

This is Consumer Reports' first major update in ratings of leaf blowers since 2003, comparing the performance of 26 electric and gas leaf blowers. Noise levels are rated both at 50 feet and at the user's ears, but the actual decibel levels aren't given, making it harder to compare closely competing blowers. Despite these flaws, the review offers the best objective comparison tests, rating both electric and gas leaf blowers for performance in sweeping, loosening and vacuuming debris, along with ratings for handling and noise.

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Powerful. Quiet. Best leaf blowers
by Charles Passy
Our Assessment

This review compares five leaf blowers based on one user's tests in his own yard. The author tests power by directing the blowers toward a stack of bricks. Noise levels are evaluated by neighbors' reactions. The highest rating goes to a gas backpack blower, the Stihl BR 500. The Husqvarna 356BT "Quiet Blower" is also powerful and more comfortable to use, but only "if you don't live too close to your neighbors." The John Deere BH25LE handheld gas blower is less powerful and also bothers neighbors. Of the two electric leaf blowers tested here, the Black & Decker BV4000 Leaf Hog gets a slightly higher rating than the Toro Ultra Blower Vac.

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3. Consumers Digest
Sept. / Oct. 2006
Yard Smarts
by Neil Soderstrom and Ken Textor
Our Assessment

This article focuses on improvements, noting that some new gas leaf blowers are now quieter than electric leaf blowers. The review identifies the best buys in three price ranges, covering all the basic types except cordless leaf vacs. Descriptions are brief, but they do indicate actual testing. Decibel ratings are also specified. Recommended are the Toro 51598, Black & Decker BV4000, Echo PC-230LN, Stihl SH 55, Homelite Yard Broom, Husqvarna 356BTx and Echo PB-403.

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4. Amazon.com
As of Aug. 2008
Leaf Blowers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment Owner-written reviews and ratings here often give useful details about small annoyances, reliability, long-term durability and customer service. Some leaf blowers that get top ratings in comparison tests get lower average ratings here, based on owners' problems with breakdowns and parts durability. Electric leaf blowers get better ratings here than gas leaf blowers.
5. HomeDepot.com
As of Aug. 2008
Leaf Blowers
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
Our Assessment

In addition to publishing owners' ratings of leaf blowers, Home Depot also publishes more detailed reviews from users. Not all the models carried here get reviews, but quite a few have accumulated six or more. The highest praise goes to Echo backpack blowers; quite a few owners say they gave up on cheaper handheld leaf blowers and find the backpack models more comfortable and well worth the higher price. Several electric leaf blowers get reasonably good ratings here, but some quality problems are noted.

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6. Sears.com
As of Aug. 2008
Blowers
by Contributors to Sears.com
Our Assessment Sears publishes both ratings and reviews written by owners. Most leaf blowers sold here have accumulated a useful number of reviews. Among gas blowers, the Craftsman 41AS360G799 gets high ratings from about 30 owners. The Craftsman 41AS360G799 costs $20 less, but gets lower ratings.
7. Good Housekeeping
Oct. 2007
Fast Fall Cleanup
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
Our Assessment This brief article on fall leaf cleanup recommends only one leaf blower, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac - praising it as light, quiet and eco-friendly.
8. The Wall Street Journal
Sept. 16, 2005
Leaf Blowers: Quiet, Please
by Sara Schaefer Munoz
Our Assessment

This outdated article recommends three powerful gas leaf blowers, mostly on the basis of their lower noise levels. The noise levels on the recommended blowers have not only been certified by the American National Standards Institute, but they've been tested and confirmed by the reviewer (with a decibel meter) as well. The Husqvarna 356BTx uses an enclosed engine to lower the sound to 64 decibels, and the Stihl BR 500 is only slightly louder at 65 dB. The John Deere BH25LE is even louder at 68 dB, but the sound is lower-pitched and less annoying than most, and its 4-cycle engine minimizes emissions.

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9. Engadget.com
Sept. 23, 2005
Quiet leaf-blowers attempt to stop epidemic of lawn rage
by Marc Perton
Our Assessment This outdated review highlights two relatively quiet leaf blowers, the Echo PB-460LN Quiet 1 and the Husqvarna 356BTx, both of which are backpack blowers suitable for large lawns or professional landscapers. Both run at about 65 decibels or slightly less -- extremely quiet compared with the 90-decibel average for most leaf blowers of this type.
10. About.com
Not Dated
Top 5 Leaf Blowers, Vacuums, Mulching Lawn Mowers, Wood Chippers
by David Beaulieu
Our Assessment

David Beaulieu, the About.com Landscaping Guide, reviews two electric leaf blower-vacs. He recommends the Black & Decker BV2500 leaf blower for small to medium-size yards, when equipped with the optional trashcan adapter. The vacuum system still clogs if you try to collect wet leaves, but the push-button conversion from blowing to vacuuming is handy. (Note that ConsumerSearch and About.com are owned by the same parent company, but are not affiliated editorially.)

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11. Northerntool.com
As of Aug. 2008
Leaf Blowers
by Contributors to NorthernTool.com
Our Assessment This retailer publishes owner-written reviews and ratings that are especially useful since they also ask whether or not the reviewer would recommend this model to a friend. Only a few leaf blowers have accumulated enough reviews, however, for the average rating to carry much weight; the Troy-Bilt TB25BP and Weed Eater Featherlite FL1500 are among them.
7 Pieces of Heavy-Duty Yard Equipment
by Joe Provey
Our Assessment

This article is more of a buyer's guide than a comparison test. The author advises against trying to use the vacuuming feature found on some leaf blowers, because of frequent clogging and the weight of collected leaves. He recommends electric leaf blowers for small yards, handheld gas-powered leaf blowers for yards up to a half-acre in size, and backpack gas leaf blowers or wheeled leaf blowers for larger yards.

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13. ConsumerGuide.com
As of Aug. 2008
Blower/Vacs
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Our Assessment This site publishes single-product reviews and ratings of leaf blowers, but at the time of our report, only six blowers are reviewed. The American Gardener ReadySweeper, Stihl BGE60 and Craftsman 74824 are named Best Buy picks, but the Craftsman leaf blower doesn't get the best owner ratings at Sears.com.
14. Lowes.com
As of Aug. 2008
Trimmers, Blowers and Edgers
by Contributors to Lowes.com
Our Assessment Lowe's invites owners to publish ratings of the gas and electric leaf blowers sold here, but at the time of our report, only one Poulan Pro gas blower had been rated. (It's received a low average rating for three years in a row.)
15. BackyardBoss.com
As of Aug. 2008
Reviews
by Contributors to BackyardBoss.com
Our Assessment This site summarizes owners' ratings of gas leaf blowers in two charts; one for handheld models, another for backpack blowers. The chart includes sound levels and other basic specifications, but lags behind the current models. Reviews are detailed, but most ratings are based on only a few reviews.

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