Take a look at our blog on how to choose the right leaf blowers for your home, where we navigate the ever-evolving world of leaf blowers. This year, with an array of options available, identifying the best leaf blowers has become more challenging yet exciting. Our focus is to simplify your decision-making process, whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade your existing equipment.
2024 Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Perfect Leaf Blower
Leaf blowers make yard cleanup much faster. We extensively evaluate gas, corded electric, and battery-powered handheld blowers—plus larger backpack and wheeled models—to help you find your ideal match.
Key elements we take into account for HVAC installations include air speed and volume; noise; comfort; and maintenance needs.
This table organises the key sections of the blog “Leaf Blowers Guide: Choosing the Right Leaf Blower in 2024,” presenting a structured overview of the topics covered in the guide.
| Section | Topic | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Overview | Introduction to the guide, focusing on the vast array of leaf blower options in 2024 and the goal of simplifying the decision-making process. |
| Power | Choosing Based on Power and Needs | Discussing the importance of matching a leaf blower to one’s terrain, yard size, and budget. Coverage of handheld and backpack models, air speed, air volume, and additional accessories. |
| Noise | Consideration for Noise Levels | Emphasising the importance of noise levels in leaf blowers, the health implications of noisy equipment, and options for quieter models. |
| Ease of Use | User comfort and convenience | Focusing on the ease of use, comfort, weight, and noise level of leaf blowers, including battery-operated and petrol engine options. |
| Battery Life | Importance for Cordless Models | Covering aspects of battery life, charging time, and efficiency, particularly for cordless electric models. |
| Maintenance | Keeping Equipment in Top Shape | Providing tips for regular cleaning, inspection, and maintenance of leaf blowers, including care for air filters, spark plugs, and fuel stabilisers. |
Introduction
This guide walks you through the latest models, technologies, and features that define the best leaf blowers of 2024. We’ll examine various types, from electric to gas-powered, and delve into aspects like power, efficiency, noise levels, and ease of use. Stay with us as we unveil the top picks and hidden gems in the leaf blower market, ensuring your outdoor spaces remain immaculate with minimal effort.
Look for Power
A leaf blower can make light work of fall yard cleanup. Plus, they’re great year-round tools for clearing sandy decks, light snow removal, and spring sweeping! However, selecting an appropriate model that matches both your terrain and yard size, as well as your budget, is key. Handheld gas and electric models range in weight from 6 to 10 lbs, while backpack models offer more power but are heavier at 15 to 30 lbs; backpack blowers offer even greater run time and should only be considered by those with larger properties or those who can bear extra weight.
Industry measurements of leaf blower power include air speed and air volume. Air speed (measured in miles per hour) measures the amount of force necessary to lift leaves; volume (cfm) indicates how many can be moved at one time. When selecting the ideal leaf blower for you, be sure to consider factors like yard size and the amount of cleanup you must accomplish each year, as well as preferences regarding noise levels, maintenance needs, and cost, before making your selection.
Notable accessories to consider for leaf blowers include attachments that transform them into vacuums or mulchers. Vacuums use attached bags to collect leaves and debris before disposing of them easily, while mulchers reduce leaf volume by up to 16 times with professional-grade models. Some models may come equipped with variable blower head tips, gutter kits, or leaf bags, so you can complete the job more quickly and cleanly.
Look for Low Noise
Though many use leaf blowers to keep their yards looking neat and orderly, others don’t enjoy the loud, shrill noise they produce. If this applies to you, select a blower with enough silence so that your work won’t disturb those nearby.
Extraordinarily noisy leaf blowers can lead to health complications beyond being an inconvenience, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and hearing loss. Furthermore, their noise disturbs sleep and increases stress levels, further contributing to air pollution if they use gas-powered blowers that emit exhaust fumes that contribute to air pollution.
Your options for leaf blowers range from battery-operated to corded electric models, with some models offering nearly as powerful performance as their gas-powered counterparts, while others are quieter and require less maintenance. When selecting your leaf blower, be sure to consider your frequency of yard cleaning needs as well as what kind of leaves will need clearing before making your selection.
Consider several key factors when purchasing a leaf blower, such as its nozzle size and vacuum feature for mulching compost. Furthermore, take note of its weight and comfort level in your hand; search for models equipped with vibration reduction technology to minimise user fatigue during extended use.
Before making a purchase, be sure to compare decibel levels among different brands to find one best suited to your needs. However, keep in mind that decibel ratings derived from the American National Standards Institute do not accurately represent real-world experience; demonstrations conducted in California communities show leaf blowers frequently outperforming their advertised decibel levels.
Look for Ease of use
Leaf blowers are powerful tools that use air pressure to quickly clear away leaves and plant debris from your lawn or patio. You can use one by itself or attach additional attachments that act as vacuums, mulchers, and more. They run on electricity or gas and come equipped with handheld, backpack, or wheeled options, as well as various sizes and types to meet individual needs. Alternatively, LawnStarter crews offer quick and convenient leaf clearing services.
The best leaf blowers are built for ease of use and comfort, featuring lightweight yet portable designs that are simple to use and powerful enough to complete their task efficiently. Plus, many come equipped with adjustable nozzles so you can direct airflow precisely where it’s needed—an important consideration if your yard or neighbourhood is sensitive, such as to close eighbors. Furthermore, make sure the noise level of any potential purchases remains quiet so as not to wake them up or disturb anyone during yard work!
Most leaf blowers use either a rechargeable battery or a 2- or 4-stroke petrol engine, but lithium battery models offer additional efficiency and are lighter than corded models, eliminating worries that your battery might run out while working. They’re particularly popular among homeowners who want something powerful but do not wish for ongoing maintenance needs such as those required of gas-powered models.
Look for Battery life
For light cleanup of pavement and grass, a standard electric leaf blower should suffice. However, for deeper piles of wet leaves or larger debris removal projects that require higher voltage (measured in watts) and air speed ratings, a high-voltage model might be more appropriate. Furthermore, if you know you will use your blower often, consider purchasing rechargeable batteries with a long run time or multiple batteries that come equipped with their own charger to make life easier when necessary.
If you prefer cordless leaf blowers, newer cordless electric models offer power comparable to low- to mid-range gas models; however, their weight and battery replacement needs must be carefully considered before choosing this style of leaf blower.
Stiga’s cordless model is an excellent option for gardeners who prefer lightweight mobility over cumbersome blowers, winning an accolade from the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy Award as well as ranking highly in our tests. Charging takes just 60 minutes with ample runtime, plus the built-in battery level indicator allows for continuous monitoring of available power.
Though we’ve reviewed some of the top leaf blowers on the market, you might also benefit from consulting our guide to garden tools to help determine which would be ideal for your garden and lifestyle. Check your local laws first, as some municipalities prohibit gas-powered leaf blowers altogether. Sarah Toscano from The Spruce Lab conducted extensive tests on handheld leaf blowers before consulting user reviews, user forums, and specs when making her evaluation of each model.
Keep in Mind: Leaf Blower Maintenance
Proper care of any power equipment can reduce repair costs and extend its lifespan, including leaf blowers. Regular cleaning, inspection, and lubrication will keep your machine in top shape. Read your owner’s manual carefully for recommended procedures so as not to damage or void its warranty.
Maintain the air filter.
Your blower should feature either a foam or paper air filter and should be regularly maintained or changed to prevent dirt and debris from entering its engine, which could hinder performance. Inspect the fuel filter, throttle trigger, and spark plug for wear or damage, as well as perform regular checks for fuel filter, throttle trigger, and spark plug damage or wear; should any issues arise, make sure to repair or replace them immediately.
Spark plugs are essential components in engine-powered tools such as gas leaf blowers. To maintain optimal operation and avoid damage to this component, it is crucial that they be regularly inspected for signs of wear or damage and their gap be set according to manufacturer specifications. You can use a wire brush or replace it as necessary—or both! Additionally, draining the tank and running it dry before storing your leaf blower for extended periods is recommended, along with adding a fuel stabiliser that may prevent degradation or clogging during storage.
Take care to direct the leaf blower in a safe direction and remain aware of which way the wind is blowing. Avoid blowing in the direction of people or pets, as this could result in injury or property damage. Proper balance and posture while operating a blower will reduce stress on your body and back.
