One of the staples of the homeowner’s tool kit is the battery-operated leaf blower. These products help to keep your lawn and driveway clear of leaves and other debris.
However, there have always been some consistent issues with them. Originally, gas-powered leaf blowers were loud and extremely heavy. Additionally, they would cause pollution and unsavory smells, while also being very expensive.
Electric leaf blowers are available, but they were originally only corded products that had a range limited to how much extension cable you had. This made it difficult to maneuver or cover large distances, not to mention causing annoying work undoing and putting away large amounts of cable.
Fortunately, the advent of better battery technology has led to cordless electric leaf blowers. These products have made lawn care significantly easier and allow you to work without gas but are also free from the restrictions of a cord. Let’s take a look at some of the best products on the market today.
Best Battery-Operated Leaf Blowers:
1. WORX 40V Turbine Cordless Leaf Blower Power Share with Brushless Motor
The WORX WG584 Turbine 56V Cordless Battery-Powered Leaf Blower with Brushless Motor & TurboBoost has consistently been rated as one of the most powerful cordless leaf blowers. This blower is surprisingly lightweight, but has an impressive blowing capacity, moving air at a powerful clip.
For the consumer who needs serious blowing power, the Worx WG584 offers a level of performance that is certainly difficult to match. In addition to its serious blowing power, the Worx WG584 has a surprisingly effective battery, lasting 90 minutes. Though not as impressive as some other models, it should be noted that this is significant for the air power this machine packs.
Variable speed technology makes this product a good option for the average customer as they can toggle between different strengths. For the power, there will be a trade-off – mainly in terms of price. This is certainly a higher-cost option than many of the other similar items.
Additionally, backup batteries for this product are fairly expensive, which can be frustrating for people with larger jobs who like to have a secondary battery to swap out when the first one dies. The higher price is due to the increased energy capacity, but it can give some consumers pause.
Pros
- Air Power
- Variable Speed Options
Cons
- High Price
- Short Battery Life
- Cost of Replacement Batteries
2. DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Blower
The DEWALT DCBL720P1 20V MAX 5.0 Ah Lithium-Ion XR Brushless Blower is an excellent all-around option, being known overall as the top-rated battery-operated leaf blower. This leaf blower is the picture of consistency and has a variety of amenities that make it desirable for consumers.
This blower is surprisingly powerful for its weight. It uses an innovative fan design to take advantage of airflow and maintain an efficient blower operation. This makes for a minimized size and weight that packs a strong air velocity that can powerfully move items around in a yard.
With variable speed options, it gives different settings that allow you to take care of different tasks. It also offers a speed lock option that prevents you from accidentally changing the speed mid-task, ruining piles of leaves, or leaving you with a weaker flow.
The Dewalt Brushless Blower is one of the more expensive options for a handheld blower, but its all-around amenities make it one of the best choices overall.
The combination of power, battery time, and low weight make it an all-around fantastic product, although the cost may give some customers hesitation. One consistent complaint, however, is that the blower has a consistent phantom drain issue that kills the batteries when not in use.
Pros
- High Powered
- Lightweight
- Speed Lock Settings
Cons
- High Price
- Short Battery Life
- Known for Phantom Drain
3. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Cordless Sweeper
The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Lithium Sweeper is an excellent low-cost option for the average homeowner. This is perhaps the best option if you’re looking for a lightweight battery-operated leaf blower. This blower comes in under 4 pounds total (approximately 3.7 pounds with the full-length nozzle attached), while similar products are typically in the 8-9 pound range.
Over a long time, the lower weight of this product will significantly reduce the stress on one’s arm, preventing fatigue and allowing you to keep working long after finishing your chores. The main drawback is that this product has traded power and air capacity for weight, which may not be worth it for some users.
It accelerates air to an average of 130 mph, while the previous options could achieve velocities approaching 200 or 250 mph, which is significantly more power. Black+Decker did not, however, sacrifice battery life, as it lasts 18 months in storage, and will sustain power working for several hours.
The price is certainly a major selling point, but one of the additional benefits of this lightweight leaf blower is the low volume. Having a smaller motor and using less power means that it does not produce nearly as much sound, preventing hearing damage and irritation from the volume.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Long Battery Life
- Low Price
- Quiet Running Blower
Cons
- Lower Air Velocity
- Smaller Air Volume
4. Greenworks 24V Axial Blower (100 MPH/330 CFM)
The next product, the Greenworks 24V Cordless Jet Leaf Blower, 2.0Ah Battery, and Charger Included wins the award for powerful battery-operated leaf blower for its price. This product is built for a high power-to-weight ratio, and that’s where it will make its money.
The low weight of this blower is certainly impressive, coming in at around 4.5 pounds. That is significantly lower than the higher-end models, making it a great option to minimize arm stress and fatigue.
Its power is also an impressive selling point, able to match the air volume of some of the high-end brands, moving around 330 cubic feet of air per minute (for comparison, the first two models could move between 350 and 400, while the previous model could only produce around 220). This makes it an attractive product for the power compared with the weight and price.
Unfortunately, Greenworks had to make some sacrifices to achieve this power and low-weight combination. Mainly, this product has an extremely short run time. It will only maintain a charge for 11 minutes while working, which is hardly lengthy. To make up for this obvious run time issue, they ensure that the batteries are quick charging, achieving a full charge in under 45 minutes.
A customer who purchases this item may wish to get a secondary battery for larger projects, and fortunately, they are not as prohibitively expensive as the other products we’ve explored.
The main issue customers seem to have with this product aside from the run time is that the performance is inconsistent. That means that while it advertises a high air velocity, it may be intermittent.
Pros
- Low Weight
- High power
- Low Price
- Quick Charging Battery
Cons
- Extremely Short Run Time
- Inconsistent Power
5. Makita XBU02Z 36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless Blower
If you’re looking for a quality higher-end leaf blower, the Makita XBU02Z 18V X2 (36V) LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower is a great option for you. Though difficult to find, a lithium battery leaf blower has some very proven benefits and rave reviews.
The Makita Blower provides the air volume rating we have seen in any of the products – moving up to 473 cubic feet per minute of air at speeds of 120 mph. The Lithium-Ion battery pack has seriously improved the capacity and power of this blower, making it surprisingly long-lasting despite the impressive power produced.
This product can sustain run time for up to 45 minutes, allowing you to tackle big jobs without having to replace a battery. Using a Lithium-Ion Battery and being rated for high power like this product will cause a significant bump in price. This is the most expensive product that we have examined thus far, but the benefits are certainly worth considering.
It should be noted that this product has six different speed options and that continuous use at the highest speed will reduce the battery time to under ten minutes.
Regardless, this leaf blower packs significant power and can make quick work of even the messiest lawns. It is heavier than the rest so far, though, coming in at 8.4 pounds, which is to be expected from a more powerful motor.
Pros
- Extremely High Power
- Numerous Speed Options
- Long Battery Life
Cons
- High Price Point
- Heavy
6. Ryobi P2108A ONE+ 100 mph 280 CFM 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jet Fan Blower
Ryobi is a popular brand for cost-efficient products. The Ryobi P2108A ONE+ 100 mph 280 CFM 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jet Fan Blower is no different, giving a very affordable alternative to some of the higher-end models. Like their corded models, Ryobi’s P2108A model has extremely efficient power and offers a solid choice on a low budget.
One of the best solutions that Ryobi has introduced is compatible batteries for the majority of their products, in their One+ battery-operated series. Because of this, if you purchase multiple Ryobi battery-operated products, the power sources are interchangeable, giving you multiple options to maintain continuous power.
The reviews are clear that this is an excellent option, as the Ryobi leaf blower is a great medium-weight product (6.5 pounds) that can deliver up to 280 cfm of airflow, making it an excellent option. Other benefits include a variable speed trigger and ergonomic design to make it more comfortable to carry.
Additionally, it has a removable nozzle that helps to direct and speed up the airflow. It should be noted that it doesn’t have the longest independent battery life and that the batteries have been known to degrade over time, leading to weaker performance over the life of the product.
Pros
- Cost-Effective
- High Air Flow Rate
- Battery Compatible with Other Ryobi Products
Cons
- Short Battery Life
- Battery Degrades Over Time
7. Litheli Cordless Leaf Blower 40V, Battery Leaf Blowers for Lawn Care
The LiTHELi 40V Leaf Blower 480CFM 92MPH with Brushless Motor, 2.5AH Battery, and Charger comes with everything you could need. This cordless leaf blower comes equipped with a battery and charger, as well as any other accessories you could need to make your life easier.
This product is impressive in the amount of air volume that it can transport – boasting 480 cfm at full power, making it one of the more powerful leaf blowers. It is, however, a bit more cumbersome and poorly designed – making it significantly less ergonomic and user-friendly despite its 6.5-pound weight.
Though it packs a punch and comes with a battery, charger, and more, this leaf blower does have a notoriously short battery life. Touted to last for up to 25 or 30 minutes, most people say that it consistently dies within eight or nine minutes, making it one of the shortest-lived products on the list.
An even more worrisome issue is that the replacement batteries for this product are the most expensive we have seen. For the price and weight, it certainly packs some power but has clear issues.
Pros
- Very Powerful
- Moderate Price
- Moderate Weight
Cons
- Poor Battery Life
- Expensive Replacement Batteries
8. Greenworks 40V (110 MPH / 390 CFM) Cordless Axial Blower
Greenworks has some impressive tools, with each of them sitting near the top in air velocity and battery life. The reviews for this rechargeable blower, the Greenworks 40V Cordless Axial Leaf Blower, show the same thing. It is a very powerful and handy product that will make quick work of any yard.
The major drawback to these products is the weight, with this one sitting at nearly nine pounds – one of the heaviest we’ve reviewed.
The included battery is somewhat lacking, lasting 10-15 minutes per charge, but the replacements available through Greenworks promise strong and lasting performance, giving the customer some upgrade options and making this product a great potential purchase.
The weight is a primary issue, but there have been other complaints – namely that it doesn’t live up to billing without the aforementioned replacement batteries and that it can be very loud.
However, like Ryobi, Greenworks has introduced consistency among their products, allowing you to swap batteries between compatible products, meaning you do not necessarily need to purchase additional batteries if you are sticking with the brand. The volume is also concerning as it is one of the primary reasons people opt for electric tools over gas-powered ones.
Pros
- Powerful
- Cost-Effective
Cons
- Loud
- Heavy
- Poor Battery Life
- Not as Strong as Advertised Without Replacement Batteries
9. EGO Power+ LB4800 480 CFM 3-Speed Turbo 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Electric Blower
For people wanting to test out a different brand option, the EGO Power+ LB4800 480 CFM 3-Speed Turbo 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Electric Blower offers them that very chance. The other products are consistent and have their benefits, but the EGO Power+ Leaf Blower deserves some serious consideration.
It consistently matches the highest-performing products in terms of cubic feet per minute of air with around 480 at max speed. It also offers variable speed options to save battery life and blow lighter items as well, as many of the main competitors.
The battery life is moderate but is consistent, which is not a claim some of the competitive products can make, meaning you can feel confident that you will get 20-25 minutes of work time from this blower without worry.
This product does not come with an included battery, but there are many different strength options out there that allow you to pick and choose your power. The weight is even reasonable, coming in right under 6 pounds, making it a very consistent median product in most areas.
Pros
- Powerful Motor
- Consistent Battery Life
- Low Price
Cons
- Battery Not Included
- Moderate Weight
10. Greenworks Pro 80V (180 MPH / 610 CFM) Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower
Our final review here is a departure from the rest, for those who want something a little different that can pack some more power. This is one of the battery-operated backpack leaf blowers on the market and for good reason. The Greenworks 80V 145MPH – 580CFM Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower is another Greenworks product meaning it is consistent and works well.
It is going to be heavier and bulkier than the rest, but at only 12 pounds, it is still surprisingly light for a backpack-mounted leaf blower – significantly lighter than any similar-strength gas option.
What’s even better is that this commercial-grade leaf blower delivers the strongest airflow at 580 cfm with a very significant run time due to its larger batteries. It will certainly be more expensive than the other options, but for the needs it addresses, it makes for an excellent product.
In addition to lasting battery life, the charger is capable of rapid charging, meaning it can be used to quickly charge a dead battery if needed. Replacement batteries will be more expensive due to their capacity, but in comparison, they are certainly not unreasonable.
Pros
- Highest Powered
- Longest Runtime
Cons
- Heaviest
- Most Expensive
Factors to Consider
When you’re looking for a leaf blower, there are a few main things to consider.
Power
First, the most important thing is going to be the power typically explained by air volume, or cubic feet per minute. This explains how much air the leaf blower moves in a standard time, which is an estimate of the overall effective power of the blower.
Battery Life
Additionally, since these products are battery-operated, you’ll want to examine the battery life.
Since you will be doing extensive yard work with these products, you want to be sure you can finish your project without having to stop and recharge. Because of this, battery life is an important consideration.
Balance of Power against Weight
Beyond this, when you’re looking for a heavy-duty cordless leaf blower, you’ll have to balance power against weight. The heavier the product, the more difficulty you will have using it.
You don’t want to be discouraged from finishing your lawn care any more than you already are, so a heavy product tends to be a bad choice.
Price
Finally, the price is always something to take into account. You want to find the highest-rated battery-powered leaf blower for your budget.
FAQ
What is CFM?
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. This is an explanation of the air volume the blower moves in one minute. The higher the number, the more powerful the blower. It is directly related to the effectiveness of the leaf blower and is somewhat related to the overall airspeed the blower produces.
What size yard does a battery-powered leaf blower cover?
This depends on the type you buy and how much debris you have in your yard, but it is most directly linked to battery life. Typically it takes half an hour to blow off a quarter of an acre of land, so as long as your battery can sustain that much blowing, you should be able to estimate clearance with those numbers.
Are gas-powered leaf blowers better than electric ones?
That depends on what you’re looking for. A gas-powered leaf blower will be able to continue working as long as you have fuel, while an electric one needs charging. However, electric leaf blowers are quieter, lighter-weight, and cheaper overall. As battery technology has improved, there is no difference in performance between electric and gas-powered leaf blowers anymore either.
Conclusion
A leaf blower is a standard product that every homeowner needs. Fortunately, there are now options for every different price range and set of needs. Choosing a top pick is difficult, but our decision has to be the Greenworks Cordless 40V Axial Blower, especially if you upgrade to a more powerful battery for improved performance.
This pick is lightweight, powerful, and offers everything you need – in addition to allowing you to swap out batteries with other Greenworks branded products.
Whatever your choice, take a look through these options and buy a leaf blower today. Your yard will thank you, and a battery-powered model will save you money and hassle every time you go to use it. Save yourself the fumes and noise, as well as the difficulty with tangled cords, and grab one of these today.
