ALEK K. FOR FAMILY HANDYMANPros:
- Lightweight
- Excellent M18 battery system
- High-quality brand
- Inexpensive when purchased tool-only
Cons:
- Not overly powerful
The Milwaukee M18 handheld blower isn’t the most powerful on this list but is part of a great battery system. I’ve used many Milwaukee M18 products, from power drills to great electric lawnmowers. The M18 battery series is expansive and covers hundreds of tools. You can save big on their cordless blower if you already own the M18 battery by purchasing the tool-only version without the battery.
The blower itself is excellent for around-the-house use but manageable with power. It has a durable, long-lasting brushless motor and all the great functionality you would expect from a Milwaukee tool.
ALEK K. FOR FAMILY HANDYMANPros:
- Lightweight
- Durable brushless motor
- Extensive 80V battery system
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- No nozzle attachment capabilities
The Greenworks 80V Cordless blower is a powerful handheld blower with all the basics covered. It has an above-average power output of 580 cfm and 145 mph. I also like that this blower has a great brushless motor, which keeps the motor running cooler, pushes out more torque, and provides reliable motor operation for years to come.
The 80V battery system from Greenworks is surprisingly robust and can carry many tools, such as mowers, hedge trimmers and more. At just under 10 pounds, including the battery, this blower is easy to use for an extended period, which helps keep your shoulder, back and forearms intact during peak autumn months.
What to Look for When Buying a Cordless Leaf Blower
Cordless blowers come in various shapes and sizes, but there are three basic things you need to understand to ensure you get a powerful, high-quality piece of equipment. These points make up my basic checklist for evaluating a blower.
Cfm: Cfm stands for cubic feet per minute and measures air output on the blower. Higher cfm means more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High cfm with a wide nozzle equals fewer mph. High cfm with a narrow nozzle means more mph. Ideally, you want a high cfm with a narrow to medium nozzle for most backyard and around-the-house jobs. For commercial landscapers, you might find astronomical cfm but low mph. Blowers with this set of metrics are great for pushing massive piles of leaves but not as great for around-the-house use.
Usability: What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier. Some things I have found that make a blower easier to use are a molded grip, a shoulder strap, a cruise control function and a turbo button.
Motor type: Brushless motors reign supreme. They are cooler-running motors with more torque, a longer runtime, and a longer lifespan. Brushless motors are the best possible choice when picking a blower.
Why You Should Trust Us
We have personally tested dozens, if not hundreds, of leaf blowers, including backpack blowers, corded electric blowers, cordless blowers and gas-powered handheld blowers. Basically, if it pushes out air, we have used it and put it to the test.
As a former landscaper, I developed a unique love for lawn tools after using them daily for years. With my deep love for lawn tools, I became an absolute leaf-blower snob. Now, we spend our days testing lawnmowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers and more. Much of our time is spent using new blowers and comparing them to see which one reigns supreme.
How We Found the Best Cordless Leaf Blowers
I found the best cordless blowers by testing each one in my yard over nearly a decade. Every blower on our list has been personally tested by me in my backyard. I have also included many of these blowers in head-to-head tests on my YouTube channel, where I have lawn tools face off against each other.
Some of the challenges I’ve used to test the blowers include runtime challenges. I test the battery runtime on the blowers by using a zip-tie to hold the trigger down and setting the cruise control to two different settings to see the range of possible run times. I’ve also done a similar challenge with the Turbo button, but instead of zip ties, I actually sat and held down the Turbo button on two leaf blowers until they died.
One of the more eccentric ways I have tested the power of cordless leaf blowers is by strapping them in opposite directions on a spinning office chair and seeing which one would spin the chair—a proxy for which has more power. I am willing to go to these lengths so that you can buy a better leaf blower.
FAQ
How long does a battery last on a cordless leaf blower?
The battery range of leaf blowers varies wildly, from 20 to 70 minutes, depending on the battery amp-hours, speed and brand.
What is a good MPH leaf blower?
A good mph on a leaf blower is anything over 140 for most households.
What is the best brand of cordless leaf blower?
My favorite cordless leaf blower brand is Ego Power+. They make the LB7654 blower, which I ranked as the “best overall blower” on this list.
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