In Autumn, there is one thing that you can be sure of, the leaves in your garden are going to start falling. Collecting all of the leaves that have fallen in your garden can feel as though as takes hours on end – and no sooner have you finished than you are starting again with another pile. That is why you need a leaf blower!
If you only have one small hedge or tree in your garden, then you may find it manageable to sweep the leaves up yourself but if you have a couple of trees or a larger space then this will take a massive amount of time! A leaf blower is going to more than half the time that it takes you to clear your garden, by blowing all of the garden leaves and debris into one pile.
Only Got 5 Minutes?
Every second counts when it comes to leaf collection in your garden! The longer you are debating over which leaf blower to purchase, the more leaves that will be continuing to fall all over your garden! Although time is of the essence, it is still important to be well informed before making your purchase! Choosing a model that is not fit for purpose could lead to the job taking even longer, you having to replace your leaf blower, or at worst – you resorting back to raking your garden! Keep reading for all of the crucial information that you need before making your purchase.
Best Pick – Hyundai HYBV3000E 3 in 1 3000W Electric Leaf Blower
- 62-170mph variable airspeed You can use lower speeds on delicate areas such as flower borders and higher speeds on larger areas
- 3000W Hyundai motor Allows you to tackle tough jobs quickly and efficiently
- Long 12m Power Cable Extra-long 12m power cable, allowing you to cover a wider area without having to reach for an extension cable
- Large 45L leaf collection bag The spacious and robust 45L canvas collection bag offers ample room to save you time and prevent you from having to keep emptying it
- Use year-round Ideal for clearing snow, grass trimmings, leaves or gutters and for drying vehicles and machinery
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
What to Consider
Here are the main things that you need to consider before purchasing the best leaf blower…
Petrol or electric?
Electric leaf blowers (as a general rule) are quieter, will vibrate less and are easier to maintain than petrol leaf blowers. But if it was as simple as this then everyone would just choose electric models! It is important to remember that petrol leaf blowers usually have a longer lifespan and will be better able to tackle larger jobs (such as a large number of wet leaves that are harder to move). Equally, petrol leaf blowers will save the problem of having to be connected to mains electricity or having to charge batteries (although you will have to remember to buy fuel).
Corded or cordless electric models?
Most leaf blowers on the market are cordless, but there is the odd powerful model that will require being connected to mains electricity. We would definitely recommend opting for a cordless model as this will allow you to move around your garden as you please, removing the leaves from even the furthest of corners. However, if choosing an electric cordless model then it is worth considering purchasing a second battery, as some models have as little as a 15-minute blowing power!
Weight
The weight of your leaf blower is important because, unless you buy a walk-behind model (more on this below), you are going to be carrying it around every time you are wanting to remove the leaves from your garden. This can become an extremely hard task if the tool that you are carrying is particularly heavy. Handheld models tend to weigh around 4-5kgs, whereas backpack models weigh more in the region of 8-9kgs. If you are looking to purchase a heavy-duty walk-behind leaf blower then these will be considerably heavier – upwards of 40kg! Although you are not having to carry this type of leaf blower you will still be having to push it (usually over grass), so it is still important not to go for a model that is too heavy if you are wanting to use it for extended periods of time.
Type of leaf blower – handheld, backpack or walk-behind
There are three main types of leaf blowers, choosing the best one of you really depends on how large your garden is and exactly how often you are going to be using it.
- Handheld – Handheld leaf blowers are probably the easiest and quickest to use, as you can simply pick it up and go. Because it is not attached to your back, you will be able to move it around to get into all the smaller places and corners that are hard to access. However, if you are going to be completing a big job then you will probably struggle to complete it in one sitting. They are also, in general, the least powerful of leaf blowers, so won’t be suitable for large leaves and debris.
- Backpack – If the garden that you are going to be working with is larger, and you have more leaves than you know what to do with, then we would definitely recommend a backpack leaf blower. This will be considerably easier to move around with, with you feeling considerably less strain as the weight is spread over your back. This also allows the motor and mechanisms to be more powerful, as you will be able to cope with the device being heavier. Although (as you can probably imagine), reaching into tight spaces, with a leaf blower attached to your back, is not always the easiest!
- Walk-behind – It is unlikely that you will need a walk-behind mower for an everyday garden, however, if your garden is particularly large and you are edging onto a number of trees, then it may be worth considering. These models are essentially a leaf blower on wheels that you can push along your garden, and will be able to move almost any debris left in its path, such as damp leaves and rubbish! They are a lot more expensive, and require more maintenance so you need to be sure that such a big device is necessary before purchasing!
Blow and vacuum combined
There are many models of leaf blowers that will also come with a leaf vacuum as well. This means that you will be able to switch between blowing the leaves into a pile and vacuuming them up into a removable sack on the back of the device. Although these devices tend to be heavier, and more expensive, they really do offer you the best of both worlds! It is so simple to switch from one mode to the other, that you can blow leaves close to your bins/compost heap, and then in further away areas, simply vacuum them up and then empty the bag! If you can afford the extra cost then this is definitely something to consider.
Best Budget – Q Garden QGBV2500 Leaf Blower
- 2500 watt electric motor
- 3 Functions - Blow, Vacuum and Shred
- 10:1 Mulching Ratio
- 45 Litre Collecting Capacity with shoulder strap
- 10 metres cable
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Features to Look For
- Narrow nozzle – The narrower the nozzle that you can find on your leaf blower, the better able it will be to blow the leaves away. It also means that it is easier to control where you are sending the air (and more importantly – the leaves!!).
- Comfortable handles and shoulder straps – If you are going to be using your leaf blower for any reasonable amount of time then you are going to want one that is comfortable to hold. As amazing as leaf blowers are, they are not the lightest of tools, and this can lead to considerable discomfort if you don’t choose the right one.
- Noise level – Even the best leaf blowers are going to be noisy – due to the power, it takes to blow the leaves away! If you are wanting to save your ears (and your reputation with your neighbours) then look for a model which offers reduced noise levels!
- Power – The power offered by your leaf blower can be a little mind-blowing if you don’t know what you are looking for! Some will go into details on the cubic feet per minute (CFM) that they can clean, whereas others look at the miles per hour (MPH) which they can push out the air. One without the other will not make the most successful and efficient leaf blower for you so it is important to understand what they both mean…..
- The higher the amount of both CFM and MPH the better (but you also need them to be close together!
- CFM is how far the leaf blower can push the leaves in the area.
- MPH is how fast the leaf blower can push the air out.
- BOTH are necessary for the best leaf blower, so you are better going for lower amounts, that are closer together, than a high CFM with a low MPH, or vice versa.
Maintenance For Your Leaf Blower
If you are wanting your leaf blower to be performing at its best for a long time then there are some simple things you can do to keep it in tip-top condition! The first thing that it is important to mention is that prevention is always better than cure – even during times of the year when you do not need your leaf blower, we would recommend starting it up occasionally to allow the motor to run. You wouldn’t leave your car locked in a garage for months on end and then expect it to work without a hitch – so you can’t expect this of your leaf blower!
- Always empty the fuel tank as best as you can before winter. This doesn’t mean wasting the fuel left in your tank. Simply add a fuel stabilizer, mix it, and then empty the tank into a container.
- After you have done this, be sure to restart the leaf blower and keep it running until it is fully empty of fuel.
- Make sure to remove any debris or dirt from around the leaf blower (particularly if it is a blow and vac combined model).
Following these simple steps will prepare your leaf blower to be ready to be stored away for winter!
Do I Need a Leaf Blower or a Leaf Vacuum?
Leaf blowers are amazing devices that will save you a massive amount of time when trying to tidy your garden, but they aren’t perfect for everyone. Leaf blowers will do exactly what they say on the tin – blow your leaves wherever you want in your garden, which is all well and good but you still have to then pick up your leaves to dispose of them! A leaf vacuum will save you having to do this, as it sucks up the leaves into a bag, which you can then simply empty.
Both devices have their pros and cons, a leaf blower is usually quicker and easier to use, but a leaf vacuum will save you time in the end. However, you will have to take the time to keep emptying the bag if you have a large number of leaves that have fallen. Also, leaf vacuums can be prone to get blocked and can sometimes struggle to suck up damp leaves or can sometimes suck up things that you don’t want them to!
If you are now thinking that maybe a leaf vacuum is for you then here are some of the best models you can choose from.
Best of the Rest
- Variable blowing speed up to 300 km per hour for light sweeping to remove sticky, wet leaves
- 2500 W motor gives powerful performance with up to 800 cu m per hour volume flow rate; adjustable handle and padded shoulder strap for comfortable use without pain in shoulders or arms
- Long working time thanks to shredding ratio 10:1 - more compact leaves for composting. Variable airflow speed: 280 - 300 km/h
- Lightweight 3.2 kg (blowing function) and 4.4 kg (vacuuming function) for effortless collection of garden foliage
- Collection bag with zip and second handle for easy emptying, 45 litre capacity means less time emptying
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Professional appliance: Backpack leaf blower with 1500 W engine power, 355 km/h blower speed, improved comfort thanks to adjustable shoulder straps
- Maximum comfort: Thanks to the backpack function, the leaf blower engine can be strapped to your back and started using the cord start feature
- Maximum user-friendliness: The appliance is fitted with an anti-vibration system to make work as comfortable as possible. The gas lever position can easily be adjusted
- Flexible air speed: The air speed can be adjusted and speed control is integrated to ensure that work remains comfortable even over longer periods of time
- Scope of delivery includes: 1x McCulloch GB 355 BP backpack leaf blower (art. no. 00096-70.887.01)
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- One of the quietest models on the market
- Body size approx. 6% smaller (in vac mode) increasing manoeuvrability
- Allows for easy unclogging after use. Weight (leaf blower): 3.4 kg
- Dirt deflector panels to keep users cleaner and drier for longer
- Simple switch allows speed to be controlled easily in both modes
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I expect to pay for a leaf blower?
The prices of leaf blowers can vary quite considerably, from around £50 all the way up to £500 (for heavy-duty, petrol leaf blowers), depending on whether you are wanting electric or petrol and the other features that you are looking for. Cordless models will also be more expensive than corded models but are more practical.
What warranty can I expect with my leaf blower?
The standard warranty with most leaf blowers tends to be between 2 and 3 years (although some offer an extended warranty if you register the product online). We would recommend opting for any leaf blower that has less than a 2-year warranty – it is important to remember that you are only going to be using your leaf blower for a few months throughout the year, so these two years will pass quickly, with potentially not enough use to justify breakage or repairs.
What if I am looking for a particularly quiet leaf blower?
Some leaf blowers will be awarded the Quiet Mark, which is an internationally recognised award for equipment that is particularly low in noise when in use. This is something we would definitely recommend if you are wanting to avoid using ear defenders to complete the work (or wanting to save your neighbours from an earful!)
What is the difference between a leaf blower and leaf vacuum?
A leaf blower is designed to blow all the leaves into a pile for you to then collect either into the bin or in a compost pile. A leaf vacuum does the opposite – as it sucks up all the leaves into a collection bag which will then need to be emptied.
Be the first to comment