Leaf blowers are undeniably useful during the fall. These machines, however, are extremely helpful essentially all year long since they can be used for more than simply blowing away fallen leaves. This type of equipment is essential to keeping a neat and tidy backyard. Deafening your neighbors is simply an unintended advantage. There are many different brands and models on the market. This can make it quite confusing to determine which of the best leaf blowers – vacuums available is for you.
One of the easiest ways to decide this is to go through all of the leaf blower – vacuum reviews. This way you can make an informed decision for yourself. In order to relieve you of this tiresome load, here are a list of the different types of leaf blowers that you can buy.
Types of Leaf Blowers – Vacuums: Battery, Gasoline, and Corded Electric
The types of leaf blowers can be primarily distinguished by their power sources. They can be powered by electricity, gasoline, or a battery. Here are how the three different types of leaf blowers work:
Battery Leaf Blowers
Battery powered leaf blowers are portable machines that are driven by charged batteries. You are allowed free range around your garden as there is no cable holding you back. All you need to do is simply charge the batteries and you can get started. There is a little bit of additional weight due to the presence of the batteries. This is offset by its mobility, however.
Pros
- Excellent mobility and range
- Less noisy
Cons
- Recharged frequently
- A little heavy due to battery packs
Gasoline Leaf Blowers
Traditionally leaf blowers that are powered by gasoline have been found to be the most powerful. These type of leaf blowers can be further classified into two different categories: two cycle engines and four cycle engines. Two cycle engines use a mix of oil and gasoline while the four cycle engines use gasoline alone. This makes it heavier to use. Gasoline leaf blowers have a tendency to produce carbon monoxide and other noxious gasses.
Pros
- Powerful
Cons
- Toxic gas emission
- Noisy
Corded Electric
Corded electric leaf blowers are lightweight as they do not require their power source to be carried around. There also tend to be quieter than gasoline leaf blowers. Despite the decreased weight, these leaf blowers do have to be plugged in. This means that they have a limited reach in a large garden.
Pros
- Light and portable
- Quieter
Cons
- Limited range
Top 8 Best Leaf Blower – Vacuum Reviews
The Black and Decker LSW36 is a lithium battery powered leaf blower. It has a voltage of 40V. In addition to being a leaf blower, the LSW36 can also convert to a vacuum to help clean up the outside areas. This leaf blower has an output of 120 miles per hour.
Powerful
With a blowing power of 120 miles an hour, the LSW36 is an incredibly powerful leaf blower. It can clear all types of debris from hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, and patios.
Light
At just 4.7 pounds, the LSW36 is very light. This means that you can use it for longer periods of time without getting tired of being prone to back pain. This is an improvement on other battery powered leaf blowers. Here’s a quick video we shot showing just how light and easy it is to use.
Quiet
At less than 66 dBA, this machine is definitely one of the more quiet options on the market. This makes the entire cleaning experience a lot less noisy and a lot more pleasant. Low volume makes it ideal for a suburban setting.
Pros
- Powerful speed at 120 mph
- Lightweight frame that weighs 4.7 pounds
- Quieter
- Fast recharging time – up to 90 minutes
Cons
- Cannot be used in grass
The Toro 51621 is advertised as being the “highest performing electric blower vac”. This three in one blower is capable of producing a maximum air speed of 250 miles an hour. When it has been set to the blower mode, it produces 350 cubic feet per minute while it creates a force of 410 cubic feet per meter on vacuum mode.
Three Different Uses
You get more than a blower when you purchase this machine. You also get a vacuum and a mulcher. The vacuum is capable of sucking in leaves while the mulching feature considerably reduces the size of the original leaves. The Shredz-All Shred Ring significantly lessens the number of bags that you will need once you are done. This is ideal for a large space or an area with a lot of trees.
Oscillating Nozzle
The oscillating nozzle causes air to blow back and forth when clearing the leaves. This means that a larger area of leaves are cleared away at the same. This helps a great deal in reducing the amount of time spent doing yard work.
Different Speeds
There are different speed options for each function on this blower. This allows for greater control when handling it. You can choose the optimal speed for the work that you are trying to do.
Easy Conversion
You can quickly and easily convert the machine from a blower to a vacuum with minimal fuss. The presence of a Quick Release latch means that it is quickly converted from one function to another.
Pros
- Multiple uses – blower, vacuum, and mulcher
- Oscillating nozzle
- Variable speeds
- Powerful
- Easy conversion to vacuum and vice versa
Cons
- Power dials are a little tricky to use
The Toro 51619 is a versatile electric corded leaf blower. It is capable of performing three separate functions with the simple flick of a switch. It has a maximum air speed of 250 miles per hour. Its blow mode is capable of producing 350 cubic feet per minute. Its vacuum capabilities produce a suction of 410 cubic feet per minute. It is also capable of performing a mulching function.
Multiple Tubes
The Toro 51619 has three different tubes for its various functions. It comes equipped with a main tube, power insert, and concentrator. The main tube blows leaves away from the property, plants, and other areas. The power insert moves leaves and other debris into rows and collects into piles. The concentrator can be used to dislodge the leaves and other articles from where they may have become stuck.
Metal Impeller
The metal impeller consists of several metal blades. This allows the Toro 51619 to turn all of the leaves and other debris that it acquires to turn it into fine mulch. This greatly reduces the size of the leaves that have been inhaled.
Variable Speed
You can easily choose and change the speed on this machine. This option is available for the leaf blower and vacuum function. You can decide just how much power you want.
No Conversion
This leaf blower is equipped with a Quick-Release Latch. This means that you can quickly and easily change the leaf blower to a vacuum and vice versa. No tools are required.
Pros
- Easily adjustable speed and power
- Multiple uses with one machine
- Easily convertible from one function to another
Cons
- Mulcher does not work very with larger pieces such as sticks
The Hitachi RB24EAP consists of a 23.9cc, 1.3 horsepower, two-stroke engine and is a gasoline powered leaf blower. It has a velocity of 170 miles per hour and a volume of 441 cubic feet per minute. It comes equipped with a Pure Fire II low emission engine that makes it considerably more eco-friendly than other gas-powered leaf blowers.
Power
The Hitachi RB24EAP packs a powerful punch with its engine. When tested, it blew debris a distance of 18 feet in less than 17 seconds. This impressive display is not usually found with such leaf blowers.
Easy Handling
This leaf blower is quite portable and is easy to maneuver around a garden. The ease of use is also contributed by the auto-return switch. Once you place the blower down, the auto-return switch resets the power button. This allows the blower to turn on much more quickly when you need it.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Powerful engine – able to work with large yards
- Quick start due to auto-return switch
Cons
- At 96 decibels, the machine is incredibly loud
- You have to get a perfect ratio of gas to oil
The Husqvarna 965877502 has a 55cc, 2.1 horsepower, licensed X-TORQ engine. It weighs 22.5 pounds and has an air speed of 180 miles per hour and an airflow of 494.41 cubic feet per minute. It has been designed to minimize emissions and to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
Blowing Power
The Husqvarna 965877502’s most impressive feature by far is its considerable power. It is certainly a lot more powerful than other machines on the market. This allows the leaf blower to dislodge the most stubborn of leaves and effectively collect debris.
Comfort
This leaf blower comes equipped with a comfortable harness. It is ventilated and has well-tailored shoulder and hip straps. This lets the machine sit easily on the back and shoulders of the user. Because of this, it can be used for longer periods of time without causing the user to heat up or experience any discomfort.
X-TORQ Engine
This specifically designed engine is what helps the Husqvarna 965877502 to be a lot eco-friendly. One of the problems with the gasoline powered leaf blowers has been the harmful gas emissions that it emits. This engine allows the blower to reduce these emissions by up to 60 percent. In addition, the engine is also responsible for increasing the fuel efficiency by 20 percent. This allows you to save the money that you spend on fuel. This also makes the leaf blower ideal for clearing larger spaces.
Handling
The Husqvarna 965877502 is relatively easy to handle for a gas powered leaf blower. This is due to the trademarked LowVib dampeners. This effectively reduces the amount of vibrations caused by the engine of the blower. The blower is also equipped with a cruise-control function. This means that you can maintain a constant stream of air rather than having to constantly deal with the controls.
Pros
- Powerful engine that is useful in the yard
- Comfortable
- Eco-friendly
- Fuel efficient
- Easy to handle
Cons
- At 104 decibels, it is a noisy machine
- It is one of the heavier machines at 22.5 pounds
The GreenWorks 24322 is a cordless leaf blower that is driven by a 40V Lithium-ion battery. It has an optimal blower speed of 185 miles per hour. The vacuum feature on the leaf blower works with 340 cubic feet per minute. It can be used on multiple surfaces including hard turf and lawns.
Adjustable Settings
There are many different settings that you can choose from with GreenWorks 24322. This means that depending on how much power you want, you can choose the appropriate setting on the dial. It can have light to heavy propulsion.
Different Terrain
The GreenWorks 24322 can be used on multiple terrains. It can be used on the lawn, around trees, and on harder surfaces such as floors. This means that the machine can be used for the entire garden or yard area.
Multiple Uses
This leaf blower does more than simply blow away leaves. It is also equipped with a vacuum option. This allows you to use just one piece of equipment for multiple purposes. In addition, the leaves that are sucked up can actually be converted to mulch.
Pros
- Battery charges quickly, allowing for multiple runs
- Easy to use
- Can be used on wet leaves
- Can be used on different surfaces
- Dual functions – can be used as a vacuum
- Quiet
Cons
- Battery dies relatively quickly when vacuuming
- Can be a little heavy – weighs almost eight pounds without battery
The Black and Decker BV5600 is capable of producing a blowing force of up to 250 miles per hour. This electric blower also functions as a vacuum and a mulcher as well. It comes with a specialized nozzle that can clear debris away with greater ease.
3-in-1
The Black and Decker BV5600 is as good at blowing away leaves as it is sucking it up. The vacuum function on this blower is accommodated by an excellent mulching system. The mulcher is equipped with a High Impact Metal Fan that prevents obstruction and reduces the mulch ratio from 16 bags to just one.
Quiet
It would stand to reason that a powerful machine would create a lot of noise. The Black and Decker BV5600, however, is up to fifty percent softer than its counterparts. This machine churns out just 68 decibels of noise.
Leafblaster Nozzle
The leaf blaster nozzle has a pivoting function which aids in getting leaves that are stuck to the ground or crevices out much more easily. This allows the work to be completed within a shorter period of time.
Easy Transformation
There are no tools required for to change the leaf blower to a vacuum cleaner or vice versa. In a matter of seconds, you can have an entirely new machine and function on your hands.
Pros
- Dislodges leaves and debris easily
- Has a three in one function
- Mulcher can fit 16 bags of leaves into one bag
- 50% quieter than previous models
- Easily converts from one function to another
Cons
- Can be a little heavy at 8.1 pounds
The Makita BHX2500CA has a 25.5cc, four-stroke engine. This gas driven leaf blower does not require an oil mix to function. It has an air speed of 145 miles per hour and a volume of 356 cubic feet per minute. It exceeds the CARB and EPA regulations ensuring that it is much safer for the environment than a lot of other gasoline-powered leaf blowers.
Functionality
The Makita BHX2500CA is not the most powerful engine on the market, though it does do an adequate job of clearing leaves away. It is best suited to small spaces, gardens, or yards.
Comfortable
This leaf blower is quite comfortable to use, especially comparing it to its counterparts. This is largely due to the diminished vibrations produced by the engine. This makes it easier to use for long periods of time.
Noise
Unlike the other gasoline-powered leaf blowers, the Makita BHX2500CA can boast a mere 67 decibels. This makes it by far one of the quietest gasoline powered leaf blowers on the market.
Pros
- Lessened vibrations, more comfortable to use
- Extremely quiet for a gas powered blower
- Easier to use as there is no need for oil mix for the engine
Cons
- At 9.8 pounds, it is a little heavy
- Not the most powerful blower on the market
Conclusion
This list consists of eight leaf blowers that are powered by gasoline, battery, and corded electric. Each of them has their own strengths as well as disadvantages. This compelling list of equipment should provide you with the information that you need to make an informed decision. You will be able to decide the kind of leaf blower that is best for you. You can choose from a variety of functions, weights, and even noises to determine your ideal blower.
FAQ about Leaf Blowers
Black+Decker is a trusted brand and although I leave this kind of stuff to my husband, I can tell that this brand is top notch! If we were to buy a new one, it would have to be the cordless Black+Decker. The one thing we have to consider is the noise. It has to be kept at a minimum or else we’ll have our neighbors up in arms! It’s a pretty quiet street where we are. That cordless Black+Decker packs a punch!
“These machines, however, are extremely helpful essentially all year long since they can be used for more than simply blowing away fallen leaves. ” I agreed so. What I think that, when the Fall coming, there are much leaves on the driveway.
By using the machines to blow away the fallen leaves, it let the driveway nice and clean.
I have my eye on the BLACK+DECKER LSW36. I like how it has a tiny carbon footprint which resonates with my lifestyle.
Yes, we all need to be more environmentally friendly. I think I’ll go ahead and buy this model as well. It’s about time!
I prefer the GreenWorks 24322, which seems easy to use and flexible to handle, in addition, it could be used as a vacuum.
Very informative review. I think after looking through this that the Makita is definitely the way I need to go as noise is definitely a concern for me and my hypersensitive pets.
Eyeing the Toro 51621 UltraPlus Blower/Vac. Looks neat and something my husband will love. Maybe a great surprise present. Thanks for the list!
I’ve learned so much about leaf blowers in this review. I’m considering buying the Toro one in the near future.
I prefer the Makita one despite its cons. I prioritize ease of use among leaf blowers.
I like the Toro 51619 very much, it’s such a simple, easy to use and yet very functional design. Perfect for me and the job that it needs to do. Will fit brilliantly with the lawn mower!
Gotta love the Makita. It says it’s easy to use and is more comfortable with less vibrations. But it’s quite heavy though I don’t mind having a bigger bicep using this lol.
I really hate stepping on those sticky leaves on our backyard’s ground that’s why I wanted to purchase a portable blower because I can’t wait for the cleaners to come. I like your review of Hitachi I think it’s the right brand for me.
Good choice, mate. Hitachi is always the one of top brands on the market.
I like the BLACK+DECKER LST136W 40-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Sweeper best. Cords are unwieldy and Black and Decker is a trusted brand. It should work wonders in any garden or yard.
Even if we don’t have Fall where I live, we still have a garden that tends to be covered in leaves and branches. Thanks for the info! Will be looking into getting a leaf blower like the ones in this article. Maybe the BLACK+DECKER LSW36 since it seems the most lightweight of the bunch.
I asked my husband to look for a good leaf blower vacuum, since our old one is not functioning. It serves its purpose to us for quite a long time. This article is a huge help. Thank you for showing this to us. At least we can decide what type of feature is fit for us.
The BLACK+DECKER one is a beauty! It is weird though that it cannot be used in grass.
Wow this post is so helpful! I’m in desperate need of a leaf blower and had no idea what to get. I’m still unsure as to what to buy though I think I might go for that Greenworks 24322 one coz it doubles as a vacuum as well!
I want to have one of these to clean our yard. It looks efficient and reliable to do the job.
I never knew there were different types of leaf blowers! Lucky I came across your site as the one we’d been using conked out on us and that was a gift. I’m leaving more towards the Toro 51621. But I’ll need to show your post to my husband first. Thanks for this!
My dad is looking for a replacement to our old leaf blower. He was looking at a GreenWorks model from Amazon, but I think I’ll be recommending the Toro 51619 since it looks better and can do a lot of the same things. Thanks for this article!
As the only female in the family, I really don’t have a part in choosing tools or equipment. That’s mostly done by the boys. But since were talking about my backyard, I think I’ll be more hands on. Thanks for this comparison!
I don’t care about the other features. I’m choosing the one that has the least noise. I’m not really fond of those people vacuuming their lawns early in the morning when everyone is asleep.
I could definitely see these used in our farm where the wind blows hard enough for leaves to fall. I’m just gonna think through which one to buy.
I am looking for a battery-powered model that is light and not so noisy. I would rather purchase an extra battery pack if need be than stink my tool shed with the smell of gasoline. My yard is not that big so that kind would likely suffice. Making a chart on this would be a great way to make comparisons easier to see.
Very handy with options in it. oil and gasoline prices are cheap rather than electricity usage depend on the region where you live, so can select the range of products that suits. Important is all around daily use this could help not only leafs but few other small items can be done with this product.
The battery option of the product, make it towards new technology direction would do better. If can produce smart technology to charge with your devices while you are at garden is the great option, no more need to take or carry additional charger. When ever the product need it should charge with your smart device from the garden and move on.
So far, my knowledge this product is the only one with different options as well purpose of using which really recommend for buying. Clients can have their own purpose of using it in any where they like to use, garden as well yard. These two areas are most important to be clean once a week at least if any one really looking for good environment to live around their home. So this product will do the job correctly.
What a nice equipment, two in one. A blower and a vacuum. I prefer Makita for its the least noisy. I can tolerate that, as long as the lawn is being swept clean.
I don’t mind the noise at all since my ears are always plugged with earpieces when I use these machines. Power is more my priority as it gets the job done faster. The Makita model looks like the machine for me. Thanks for the share!
Toro Leaf Blower/Vacuum_Mod 51619
Pros: Power, continuous variable speed control.
Cons: Power control knob too short; needs awkward reach-across with other hand. Lacks rake/claw attachment.
This blower has plenty of power for both blowing and sucking, and the power adjustment is continuous. But if the power adjustment knob were about 2-inches higher, I could have reached it with the same finger or thumb on the hand holding the handle. I took half a star off for this design shortfall.
I found I needed a rake or claw attachment on the end of the blower tube to loosen embedded leaves. Will the blower blast the leaves out? You bet, but it takes some time, and blasts away topsoil to boot. I took half a star off for this lack.
The User’s Manual suggests avoiding sucking up acorns, rocks, and sticks. I sucked up a large pile of old oak leaves. Surely there were some acorns in there, and there were also small sticks, Some sticks became lodged in the large vacuum tube; I simply removed them and set them aside. The pile filled the vacuum bag twice, a nice volume reduction compared to not mulching. What would have filled two large trash bags now filled less than half a trash bag.
When done, I examined the impeller blade for wear and/or damage. There was none. I added half a star back; I have a lot of acorns and sticks in my yard!
I should have worn a mask to avoid breathing in the dust while vacuuming.
Some commenters noted blower vacs that have vibration issues. This one has none that I noticed.
Overall, this is a useful tool with a good warranty at a reasonable price.
Converting the leaves into mulch is a useful feature. I think after looking at this long list you’ll be more than equipped to clean your lawn.
That Black+Decker Cordless Sweeper looks perfect for my yard. We’ve always had somebody do it but this year we’re gonna buy one. Thank you for this informative article!
I agree with rational Geezer and suggest a Pollen filter mask be worn during use, especially while transferring bag contents to your trash bag. Be careful not to overfill your bag as it will rip & tear over time and & leak out the zipper. After two years of heavy fall use, we are debating a new leaf vac/mulcher vs. buying a new replacement bag for this model. If you tap the long tube as you vac up leaves occasionally, it can help prevent debris from clogging in the impeller and dislodge any small landscape rocks or sticks.
I agree it is a little tricky to adjust the power control knob but I am 5’8″ and end up stabilizing the bag on one hip and holding the unit using a small sweeping arcs side to side. I also pivot my feet to avoid twisting more at my waist to prevent back stress and aches later. We have 4 very large trees and by November we mulch over 20 large trash bags of leaves each fall.
This impeller is very durable and every time a landscape rock or stick gets accidentally sucked up in there, it sounds horrific and we think that’s it for this leaf vac! However, on close inspection, there is no real damage to the blades.
The first time I saw the gardener use this machine, I just thought it is noisy and useless – just moves the leaves and dirt around. I still think the same unless it has a vacuum and bag so that the leaves can be disposed of properly and not merely piled up in one corner.
My vote is for BLACK+DECKER LSW36 40-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Sweeper.
Nice prices on Amazon. This looks like a good investment and this post is really helping me narrow my options. Thanks for the enlightenment.
I like the fact that these have variable speeds. This way I can work at my own pace.
My mother in law is always claiming her old blower is the best. This is what i need to prove her that tech these days are just better. I fancy the Makita handheld myself.
Honestly I have never really thought about buying a leaf blower. And I don’t know why coz my wife is always hounding me to rake the leaves being that we have a lot of trees in our yard. I think I just might buy one of these babies. It will surely make my life easier in more ways than one.
No autumn season from where I’m from. But my mother is using this for her gardening stuff.
I’m your typical garden lady, and I’ve always preferred garden equipment that’s portable and easy to clean/maintain. I also happen to be a big fan of GreenWorks. I have their leaf blower just like the one on this list and it is really the one that works for me. It’s not cumbersome, makes the work so much easier and a no-fuss maintenance.
Nice review! All needed information is pretty much included here. It will be easier to decide which leaf blower vacuum to get that would perfectly suit our needs. Using one would make life easier.
Nice review. All needed information are pretty much included here. It will be easier for us to decide which one to buy.
You want a light and portable leaf blower if you have a smaller yard. The heavier, more powerful ones aren’t necessary for the smaller yards and you’ll probably just blow the leaves into your neighbor’s driveway. The ones with built in batteries like the black and decker and the green black also make life way easier.
That makes sense. If you’re gonna try a portable leaf blower for a large yard you’re gonna end up in a hospital hehe.
Even though I don’t really use leaf blowers because I have no real use for them, I would probably get the Greenworks Digipro 40 because it seems like a reliable buy. Sure the battery does not last very long but if it charges really fast then that pretty much negates the cons in my opinion.
Cool leaf blowers. I want to have that in our house as well. Just so we don’t have to sweep the leaves every time.
Since I was looking for something quiet to clean my sidewalks and patio, I liked the second one best. Very, very informative article. It is a thorough product comparison – just the one that I was looking for. Thanks!
What an amazing buying guide for leaf blower vacuums! I’ve been on the market for one these for awhile and after reading this, I’m ready to buy!
All of them are not perfect but what I like is the Toro 51621 UltraPlus Blower/Vac. I like that it is not heavy and you can turn it from blower to vacuum and vice versa.