12 Best Leaf Blowers [Tested and Reviewed]

Echo's PB-580T is a gas-powered blower that’s great for cleaning up large backyards with several deciduous trees. It boasts top-class wind power and a long continuous usage time, two key elements that allow you to tidy a large area in a short period. Plus, it's a backpack blower and only weighs 2.56lb so you won’t get too tired hauling it.

With a peak wind speed of 57.5 MPH (and a minimum speed of 39.6 MPH), we measured wind speeds of at least 5 MPH at 64 measurement points evenly distributed across an area of approximately 2.1 square feet. This widespread coverage allows for efficient cleaning over a large area at once. The continuous operational time is an impressive 157 minutes, the longest recorded in this test. It’ll work non-stop from morning to lunchtime, eliminating the need to frequently refuel (and giving you more time to enjoy your clean backyard).

There’s a wind power adjustment lever and trigger. The lever starts the engine and can also be used to adjust wind strength. There may be times when you inadvertently stop the engine by trying to minimize the wind power as much as possible, so be careful here. Also, if there are delicate plants nearby, you’ll want to be aware of the direction and strength of the wind so you don’t damage them.

The noise level peaks at 108.0dB, with a somewhat low engine sound around 300 Hz being the most pronounced. However, the higher frequencies are not bothersome, so if you are accustomed to the engine sound, wearing ear muffs would make the noise not particularly unpleasant.

Despite being a gas-powered blower, the Echo PB-580T earns our top spot as the best leaf blower overall for its powerful wind variable speeds, lightweight build, and overall efficiency – especially for large jobs.

Among battery-operated tools, the Greenworks 80V Cordless Brushless Backpack Blower is our favorite pick. Not only does it have a backpack design, but it’s also lightweight at only 4.12lb. You won’t get worn out carrying this one around.

Along with a maximum wind speed of 68.5 MPH, we measured wind speeds of at least 5 MPH at 42 of 64 measurement points evenly distributed across an area of approximately 2.1 square feet. This shows that the wind coverage is adequate for efficiently cleaning a larger backyard. There’s a trigger to adjust the power, with a minimum speed of 34.4 MPH. That’s still quite strong so be careful using it around delicate plants.

Beware that the continuous operation time is very short at 11 minutes when the trigger is fully pulled and the boost is applied. In case you have a small yard or only need to clear one section of a larger space, this isn’t ideal for continuously cleaning larger yards.

The noise level maxes out at 87.6dB, with a motor noise around 400Hz that sounded like a "hum," which was a little bothersome to us. However, among the rest of the blowers, that’s quite low, and ear muffs will make it more tolerable. It falls in the higher mid-range price bracket, but for the level of performance it delivers we think it’s well worth the cost.

We recommend the DeWalt 20V MAX XR Leaf Blower DCBL722P1 for cleaning garages, decks, and entrances. However, with a weight of 6.48lb, this handheld blower could strain your arms after a while so we advise against using it for large backyards.

It has a max wind speed of 51 MPH, which is more than enough for cleaning away fallen leaves. Out of 64 measurement points across an area of approximately 2.1 square feet, we measured wind speeds of 5 MPH at 46 points, indicating sufficient wind spread. The minimum wind speed is 16.7 MPH, which is gentle enough to use around flower beds and other objects. It's easy to adjust with a trigger.

A continuous operating time of 27 minutes is long for a battery-powered device, so you won’t have to charge it every time you use it. Also, as it's compatible with other 18V power tool batteries from DeWalt, it's recommended for those who own other DeWalt tools.

Besides the weight, the only other downside to this blower is the noise level. It reaches 98.0dB, which can be grating on human ears. You may notice a high-pitched noise when using it like we did. You’ll definitely want to buy a pair of earmuffs.

The Milwaukee Electric Tool M18 FUEL Blower Kit 2724-21HD has a continuous operating time of approximately 37 minutes. That’s the longest we recorded out of all battery-powered blowers in our tests. On the other hand, it weighs 7.23lb, so it can be taxing on your arm if you’re using it for large cleanups.

It has a maximum wind speed of 45.4 MPH and a minimum wind speed of 8 MPH – making it suitable for use on piles of leaves or around flower beds. You can adjust the wind speed with a trigger and a switch.

Unfortunately, it’s loud with a max noise level of 100.2dB. (Your neighbors might not appreciate it, either.)

The EGO POWER+ 765 CFM Blower is another good choice for small yards and narrow lawns. (It only has a max runtime of 15 minutes and weighs 9.61lb.) It boasts the highest wind speeds in our tests. Of the 64 measurement points we set at equal intervals (approximately 2.1 square feet), 58 of those had at least 5 MPH gusts. That indicates strong gusts that cover a wide area.

The max wind speed is 80.3 MPH – but the minimum is also quite powerful at 55.25 MPH so don’t use it around garden furniture, bicycles, or cars. A powerful engine yields loud, high-pitched sounds; it has a max noise level of 94.8dB. 

Kobalt's 40-Volt 480-CFM Leaf Blower KHB 350 is a blower suitable for quickly and roughly cleaning around the front door plantings and such.

The continuous operating time is short at 15 minutes, and its weight of 7.93lbs can easily put a strain on your arm, making it unsuitable for cleaning up fallen leaves over a wide area such as a backyard.

The maximum wind speed is a significant 51.9mph, easily blowing away fallen leaves. Within the measuring range of approximately 2.1 square feet, the number of measurement points where 5mph was observed out of the evenly set 64 points was 51, demonstrating a superior spread of wind.

With a maximum wind speed of 51.9mph and a minimum wind speed of 22.82mph, it's relatively easy to adjust the wind speed with triggers and levers. This makes it comfortable enough to use for cleaning up fallen leaves without damaging the plants.

The noise level reached a maximum of 95.7dB, and the high frequencies around 3,000Hz, which humans tend to find unpleasant, were strongly felt. It is essential to wear ear muffs when in use.

The Ryobi ONE+ 18V 100 MPH 280 CFM Cordless Battery Variable-Speed Jet Fan Leaf Blower only has a max runtime of 14 minutes and a max wind speed of 38.5 MPH. (The minimum wind speed is 17.9 MPH.) We like it for cleaning up after DIY tasks.

The Greenworks 80V Cordless Brushless Axial Leaf Blower BL80L251 is another blower we recommend for very small areas – it has a max runtime of just 11 minutes. However, it’s rather powerful with a max wind speed of 53.5 MPH, but you can easily toggle the intensity with a trigger and lever. (The minimum wind speed is 19 MPH.)

The Greenworks 40V 135 CFM Cordless Battery Leaf Blower has a short continuous operating time of 16 minutes. However, because it’s relatively lightweight (5.07lbs), it’s good for daily cleanups. Of course, that lightness means it’s not very powerful – it only reaches up to 19.2 MPH wind speeds. Buy this one for a garage, deck, or front stoop.