I don’t know about you, but raking leaves has to be my least favorite job. That’s why I got a leaf blower. We have live oaks on our place and there are many red oaks all around us, so it seems like we are always picking up leaves, acorns and those nasty tassels for months each year. I used to rake all that into piles and bag them up, but that’s too much work for an old guy like me. You can’t exactly mow the acorns away or you’ll get hundreds of those little trees sprouting up everywhere.
What to consider when buying a new leaf blower
One of the best ways to keep your yard clean year round is by using a leaf blower. Leaf blowers are effective tools that help in blowing leaves, debris, and other litter away from your yard, driveway, or walkways. If you’re in the market for a leaf blower, you must know what features to look for to ensure you get the best one for your needs. Here are some factors to consider when purchasing a leaf blower.
Power Source
The power source is the first factor you should consider when buying a leaf blower. The power source determines how much energy the leaf blower produces, and this determines how effectively it clears leaves and debris. There are three types of leaf blowers based on power source: gas-powered, electric-powered, and battery-powered.
Gas-powered leaf blowers are powerful and ideal for large areas with lots of debris. They are noisy, and you’ll have to maintain them regularly. Electric-powered leaf blowers come in corded and cordless options. Corded electric blowers are quieter than gas-powered blowers and have enough power to clear small to medium sized yards. Cordless electric blowers are quieter than gas-powered blowers and have enough power to clear small yards. They are lightweight, and you don’t have to worry about tangled cords. Battery-powered blowers are similar to cordless electric blowers, but they rely on battery power. They are ideal for small yards with minimal debris.
Airflow and Velocity
The airflow and velocity of the leaf blower determine how effectively it can move leaves and debris. Airflow is the volume of air that the blower moves, while velocity is the speed at which the air moves. These two factors are measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and miles per hour (MPH), respectively. The higher the CFM and MPH, the more effectively the blower clears leaves and debris. However, a blower with a high CFM and MPH may be too powerful for small yards, and it may also be more expensive. You should choose a blower with an airflow and velocity that suit your yard size and the amount of debris you need to clear.
Weight
The weight of the leaf blower is an important factor to consider, especially if you have a large yard. Gas-powered leaf blowers are heavier than electric or battery-powered blowers. However, some gas-powered blowers come with shoulder straps to help distribute the weight. Electric and battery-powered blowers are generally lighter, but the battery adds extra weight to the blower. When choosing a blower, ensure that you can comfortably carry it around for extended periods.
Noise Level
Leaf blowers are known to be noisy, and this may not be ideal if you have close neighbors. Gas-powered blowers are the noisiest, while electric and battery-powered blowers are quieter. Corded electric blowers are the quietest of all, but they have the disadvantage of being tethered to an electrical outlet. If you’re looking for a quiet blower, you should go for an electric or battery-powered blower.
Cost
The cost of the leaf blower is an essential factor to consider. The price of leaf blowers varies depending on the power source, airflow, and velocity. Gas-powered blowers are generally more expensive than electric or battery-powered blowers. However, they are also more powerful and ideal for large yards with lots of debris. Electric and battery-powered blowers are cheaper and suitable for small yards with minimal debris. When choosing a blower, ensure that you get value for your money.
Sounds like the corded electric leaf blowers are the best option for me.
Should the leaf blower double as a yard vac?
Something to consider. A leaf blower that doubles as a yard vac sounds like a good idea. Here’s what I found though. They do not work as well as I’d like. They don’t quite pick up everything like acorns very well. And, the attached bag gets heavy and cumbersome. Lugging around that contraption just became more work to use than it was worth to me. You don’t see many yard crews use them.
Here’s a couple I thought were good
BLACK+DECKER Electric Leaf Blower, 7-Amp (LB700). It’s lightweight at a little over 4 pounds, powerful and convenient. Plug it in and instantly start blowing. It generates a ton of blowing power to do almost anything I throw at it. It’s great to be able to grab it, plug it in, and in minutes have the sidewalks and driveway cleaned up. The handle is easy to hold and control.
Leaf Blower Features
- 7 Amp motor provides a powerful and efficient blowing performance.
- Moves up to 180Mph to 180CFM for fast and easy cleanup of leaves and debris. Uses: Ideal for clearing debris from lawns, driveways, sidewalks, and decks.
- Built in cord retention prevents frustrating interruptions during cleanup.
- Lightweight at only 4.4 pounds.
- Air speed: Up to 180 mph.
- Included components: (1) LB700 7 Amp blower, (1) Blow tube. It does not include an extension cord.
Do you want a more powerful Leaf Blower?
Wet leaves and grass? You might want an even more powerful leaf blower to take on these tougher situations. The BLACK+DECKER Leaf Blower, Axial, 9-Amp (BEBL750) is a powerhouse. A more powerful leaf blower would also give you more range so you can blow stuff from a little farther away.
Features
- HIGH POWER ELECTRIC LEAF BLOWER – 9 Amp corded electric axial leaf blower for the lawn, sidewalk and driveway.
- TWO-SPEED CONTROL – Powerful air speeds up to 140 MPH for powering through tough debris and light cleanup.
- MULTIPLE SURFACES – Clears dirt, debris, gras clippings and more from hard or grass surfaces.
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT – Easy to maneuver with less fatigue.
- BUILT-IN SCRAPER – On-board scraper tool for removing stuck leaves and debris.
Conclusion
I don’t believe you can go wrong with either of the above 2 options and they are priced right with a name brand you can trust. Plus they come with a warranty so you know your purchase is safe. I chose the BLACK+DECKER Electric Leaf Blower, 7-Amp (LB700).
Pro tip: Leaf blowers also make fast work of spreading mulch!
Happy Blowing
-Hank
