How to choose a leaf blower

Have you noticed how sometimes people love to ask silly questions?

The world would be much less complicated if only people would ask questions that matter. For example, if you want to buy a leaf blower, you would logically want to know how to choose a leaf blower, wouldn’t you?

Now, that’s a SMART question, especially nowadays when information is literally at our fingertips. We all should use that to our advantage. And starting with this article, you can do that.

From a leaf blower buying guide to most commonly asked questions, this article reveals pretty much everything you wanted to know about leaf blowers.

What do I need a leaf blower for?

Leaf blowers are designed to blow dry leaves and clear the ground from debris. You can use it to clean your deck, patio, or to clear that pile of leaves on your property. It works like a charm in the garden and garden beds, helping you to maintain a beautiful, clean look of the garden. Some leaf blowers can also vacuum and mulch.

How to choose a leaf blower – guide and FAQ

Assuming that you want to buy a really good leaf blower at a reasonable price, you’ll need to read our leaf blower buying guide.

What type do you need?

The most important thing when choosing a leaf blower is to learn about different types (read more on this below). Once you’re aware of what each type of leaf blower offers, you can decide which one you need. You should choose a type and model according to the size of your yard/property and according to how powerful and noisy unit you need.

If you have a small area to clean, but you buy a pretty powerful leaf blower, you will waste your money. So, choose a model for your needs and pay accordingly.

What are the different types of leaf blowers?

Here are different types of leaf blowers –battery-operated, electric, and gas-powered.

• Cordless

As the name suggests, cordless models don’t have a cord that will prevent you from going where you want to go. You won’t have to worry about the position of an electrical outlet, or the length of the cord. Without a doubt, this makes blowing leaves much simpler.

Another perk of cordless leaf blowers is that they are lightweight and easy to maneuver around tight areas. Given that these models are powered by the battery, they have limited runtime, usually up to one hour. And going cordless will definitely cost you more than choosing a corded leaf blower. But, investing in a good cordless blower will surely pay off in the long run.

• Corded

Corded leaf blowers may be restrictive in terms of how far you can get but they offer magnificent control and power. They are easy to use and you can get the job done in one go because they are not powered by the battery. If you prefer finishing work the same day rather than waiting for the battery to recharge, choose one of the best corded leaf blowers and you’ll finish what you started in no time.

• Gas-powered

Gas-powered blowers will get the large area done quickly because they have much more power than electric models. Obviously, they run on gas which means you have to take some time to clean it regularly and make sure it operates properly. Even though adding gas (and oil, depending on a model) every time you want to blow leaves, is a bit of hassle, gas-powered models offer unparalleled performance and power. You can choose between a backpack and wheeled gas leaf blowers.

Do you need a versatile leaf blower?

If you want more out of a leaf blower than just blowing leaves, opt for a versatile model. Some leaf blowers offer other functions so you can use them to mulch and vacuum.

Is CFM or MPH more important in a leaf blower?

Yes, because CFM refers to the power of a leaf blower. In other words, it measures the volume of air coming out of the tube per minute. MPH, on the other hand, refers to how fast air goes out from the tube per hour.

What is a good CFM for a leaf blower?

When talking about leaf blower CFM’s, there are a few things to have in mind – how noisy a leaf blower should be, how large or small the property is, and, lastly, what you will be removing with a leaf blower.

Electric models with 200-400 CFM would best work for small areas. A leaf blower that has between 400 and 700 CFM will be powerful enough for a property of one acre. Models with higher CFM (1000+) will be ideal for large areas.

What is the best brand of a leaf blower?

This depends on what model are you planning to buy – corded, cordless or gas-powered. Some of the brands known for high-quality products are Greenworks, Black & Decker, Worx, and Hitachi.

The bottom line

Hopefully, our article on how to choose a leaf blower pointed you in the right direction and you are now ready to go shopping for the best leaf blower out there. Remember – there is a perfect leaf blower for you somewhere out there, waiting to be found. So, you just have to find it.