Best Leaf Blowers for DIYers
Battery blowers have largely replaced gas for homeowners: quiet, no fuel, and plenty of power for leaves, grass clippings, and the driveway. Look at air volume (CFM) more than speed (MPH).
What to look for
- ·CFM (air volume) moves piles of leaves; MPH (speed) just describes the air. For clearing leaves, prioritize CFM.
- ·A 20V to 40V battery with mid-size packs covers most yards. Step up to 56 to 80V for big lots or wet leaves.
- ·Handheld suits most homes. A backpack blower is for large properties and long sessions.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGO Power+ LB7654 (765 CFM) | Editor's pick | $200 to $250 | High power and runtime for big yards |
| Makita 18V X2 Brushless Blower | Editor's pick | $180 to $220 | LXT owners wanting strong airflow |
| Greenworks 80V Pro Blower | Editor's pick | $200 to $260 | The most battery power for big lots |
| Ryobi 40V Brushless Blower (RY404150) | Best value | $130 to $170 | Strong value for typical yards |
| Kobalt 40V Brushless Blower (KHB 3040) | Best value | $120 to $150 | Value power from Lowe's |
| WORX 40V Turbine Blower | Best value | $130 to $160 | Value airflow and WORX owners |
| Ryobi ONE+ 18V Blower | Budget pick | $80 to $110 | Quick small cleanups on ONE+ |
| Greenworks 40V Compact Blower | Budget pick | $90 to $120 | A budget battery start |
| Black+Decker 20V MAX Blower | Budget pick | $55 to $85 | Light sweeping on a tight budget |
Editor's pick
EGO Power+ LB7654 (765 CFM)
$200 to $250
A top-rated cordless blower that moves serious air with long runtime. Powerful enough for big yards and wet leaves, quiet enough for the neighborhood.
Best for: High power and runtime for big yards
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Makita 18V X2 Brushless Blower
$180 to $220
Runs on two 18V LXT batteries for strong, sustained airflow with good runtime. Ideal if you already own the LXT platform.
Best for: LXT owners wanting strong airflow
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Greenworks 80V Pro Blower
$200 to $260
Among the most powerful battery blowers tested, with high-voltage muscle for large properties and heavy debris. A premium, near-gas option.
Best for: The most battery power for big lots
Typically available at Amazon, Lowe's.
Best value
Ryobi 40V Brushless Blower (RY404150)
$130 to $170
A strong, well-priced 40V blower that clears leaves quickly, with versions that also vacuum and mulch. Great value for most yards.
Best for: Strong value for typical yards
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Kobalt 40V Brushless Blower (KHB 3040)
$120 to $150
A standout value that moved debris faster than many pricier units in testing. A smart pick on the Kobalt 40V platform from Lowe's.
Best for: Value power from Lowe's
Typically available at Lowe's.
WORX 40V Turbine Blower
$130 to $160
A capable two-battery blower with strong airflow and a reasonable price. Batteries cross over to other WORX tools, a nice bonus.
Best for: Value airflow and WORX owners
Typically available at Amazon, Walmart.
Budget pick
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Blower
$80 to $110
A cheap, light blower for driveways, patios, and small cleanups on the giant ONE+ battery system. Not for big leaf loads, but very handy.
Best for: Quick small cleanups on ONE+
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Greenworks 40V Compact Blower
$90 to $120
An affordable entry to the Greenworks 40V platform, fine for clearing clippings and light leaf duty around a smaller yard.
Best for: A budget battery start
Typically available at Amazon, Lowe's.
Black+Decker 20V MAX Blower
$55 to $85
The cheapest practical battery blower, light and quiet for sweeping a deck, garage, or small driveway. Limited power, but very easy to grab.
Best for: Light sweeping on a tight budget
Typically available at Amazon, Walmart.
Frequently asked
What matters more, CFM or MPH?+
CFM, the volume of air moved, does the real work of pushing leaf piles. MPH is just air speed. A blower with high CFM clears faster than one with a big MPH number and low CFM.
Battery or gas leaf blower?+
Battery is quiet, fume-free, and plenty for most homeowner yards now. Gas still offers the most sustained power for large properties and heavy, wet debris, but at the cost of noise and maintenance.
Handheld or backpack?+
Handheld blowers are lighter, cheaper, and fine for typical yards. Backpack blowers carry bigger batteries or engines for large properties and long clearing sessions without arm fatigue.
Will a battery blower handle wet leaves?+
Mid and high-power battery blowers can, but wet leaves need more CFM and drain the battery faster. For frequent wet cleanup, size up or keep a second battery charged.
How long do battery blowers run?+
Plan on 30 to 60 minutes on mixed speeds, and far less on turbo. Larger-voltage models and bigger batteries extend that for big yards.