{"id":4254,"date":"2021-10-08T13:32:30","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T11:32:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardensillustrated.com\/?p=61121"},"modified":"2021-10-13T17:01:40","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T15:01:40","slug":"best-leaf-blower-2021-buyers-guide-and-10-popular-options","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/best-leaf-blower-2021-buyers-guide-and-10-popular-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Best leaf blower 2021 \u2013 buyer\u2019s guide and 10 popular options"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Daniel Griffiths\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 08 October 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

OK. But do I need<\/em> a leaf blower?<\/h3>\n

Think about it. It\u2019s that time of the year again. Remember when the trees shed their leaves and your lawn disappears? And while it\u2019s tempting to let nature do its thing, your lawn \u2013 covered in slimy rotting leaves \u2013 won\u2019t thank you for it. So best get out there and get busy with the rake\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

OR take advantage of the increasingly on-trend garden must-have, a leaf blower.<\/span><\/p>\n

It may seem like an extravagance but \u2013 depending on your garden size \u2013 it could save you hours of repeated toil as \u2018waves\u2019 of leaves magically return and undo all your hard work. All autumn long\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Sure,\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Sure, you could rake them all up by hand\u2026<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

And once you\u2019ve seen the neighbour wipe his lawn leaf-free in ten minutes you\u2019ll be wishing you could do likewise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordless versus corded<\/h3>\n

The first consideration in picking your blower is whether to go corded or uncorded. <\/span><\/p>\n

Corded blowers are usually less expensive than cordless options and will deliver consistent and powerful service all day (and all night, if you\u2019re really keen). Of course there\u2019s the inconvenience of swinging around a power cable (of occasionally questionable length) to contend with, but it\u2019s up to you as to how much of a hardship this will be. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re currently using a corded lawn mower, for example, then you\u2019re already used to the \u2018hassle\u2019. Also you can be sure that everything you need to get started will be right there in the box \u2013 no (surprisingly expensive) batteries and bespoke (i.e. useless elsewhere) chargers to buy too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A cordless blower lets you wander free with no tangles.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Cordless blowers are rather more hi-tech. Using the latest lithium batteries (go for units of 4Ah or 5Ah to deliver the power and run time you need) they\u2019ll clear a large lawn on a single 4 or 5 hour-long charge and allow you to go thrashing through bushes and undergrowth with no strings attached.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cordless blowers are often lighter and easier to swing around too, so \u2013 with the correct instruction \u2013 even the kids and the less able can get involved in the garden \u2018fun\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Petrol leaf blowers versus electric leaf blowers<\/h3>\n

In the world of cordless, the biggest drawback to going electric is that blowers are pretty power hungry beasts and will flatten even the largest, state-of-the-art battery in around 20-30 minutes of use \u2013 i.e. much faster than you may be used to with your current brand\u2019s weekend-long performance in your jigsaw or drill-driver etc<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Plus, the price you pay (literally) is that your dream unit that may appear keenly priced\u2026 But suddenly gets expensive once you factor in the battery and its charger (sometimes included \u2013 sometimes not \u2013 check the listing before purchase). Hi-tech battery and charger sets can often cost as much as the blower itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Petrol blowers on the other hand will run all day long, but do be aware of messy fuelling (2-stroke motors require careful, safe mixing of oil and petrol) and high noise levels.<\/p>\n

\""Petrol\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Petrol blowers give power and freedom all day long. But beware noise and fiddly fuelling.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The sweet-spot for electric is if you\u2019ve already invested into a manufacturer\u2019s battery \u2018system\u2019 and already own batteries and a compatible charger from an existing purchase. A drill or saw or so on. That way you can often go for a \u2018body only\u2019 or \u2018bare\u2019 option blower, buying just the business end and re-using your power components (battery\u2026 charger\u2026 or both) to save cash. Just be sure to check that the blower is compatible with your existing battery but \u2013 generally speaking \u2013 if it\u2019s the same make and voltage (18V being the most common) then you\u2019re on the right track.<\/span><\/p>\n

And you can always save more cash by buying look-alike compatible batteries and chargers from more affordable makes, but this usually comes with a hit to power and run time. You get what you pay for.<\/span><\/p>\n

Garden vacuuming and more<\/h3>\n

Oh and watch for features such as \u2018brushless\u2019 too. A brushless motor has less moving parts (that don\u2019t rub together) and so should last longer and give better performance and battery life too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also \u2018scraping\u2019 actions. A blower\u2019s scraper mode gives a more powerful, sharper, focussed, \u2018turbo boost\u2019 mode that will take moss and mould off smooth surfaces, allowing you to use your blower for basic patio cleaning etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final consideration is that that \u2013 at last \u2013 after years of simply blowing, the latest models also offer vacuuming too. Hallelujah! So rather than simply shifting the leaves into an off-garden pile or compost heap or for placing in a garden bin \u2013 you can actually collect them in a bag in one fell swoop.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, vacuuming performance is often not as powerful as blowing and requires much more careful (i.e. slow) use to do properly. It\u2019s surprising how sticky and persistent a single leaf on grass can be\u2026 Also you\u2019ll be amazed at how large and heavy a wet pile of them quickly becomes when you\u2019re lugging them around in a massive bag suspended under your blower\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A vacuum bag attached below the vac will get bulky and heavy pretty quickly.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Oh, and beware any blower with a vacuum option that then offers a collection bag the size of a shoebox\u2026 Common sense really.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019d suggest therefore that if you\u2019ve anything like a \u2018large\u2019 garden then you\u2019re better off blowing. But ten square meters of patio or astroturf? Vac away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ten popular leaf blowers<\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s our pick of what\u2019s out there, covering all the bases and providing something for every lawn size, preference and ability.<\/span><\/p>\n

DeWalt DCV100-XJ 18 V Li-Ion XR Compact Cordless Blower<\/b><\/h3>\n
  • <\/li>\n<\/ul>