Leaf Blower Buying Guide

CR’s test engineers rope off a standardized swath of grass, and they dump bag upon bag of leaves inside the boundary. Backpack blowers and wheeled blowers get a larger area with more leaves because both are designed for larger yards and professional landscaping crews.

We time how long each blower takes to clear the pile, and whether the tool moves every last leaf—some leaf blowers struggle by the time we get to the bottom of the pile, where leaves can become embedded in the grass. 

Some years we go through 2,500 pounds of leaves in the process. Because we can’t rely on that quantity to fall on our Yonkers, N.Y., campus each autumn, we often start collecting and storing fallen foliage a year in advance.

For our tests, we select a broad mix of the models you’ll see at home centers and hardware stores, with tools from brands including Black+Decker, Echo, Ego, Husqvarna, Ryobi, Stihl, Toro, and Worx.

Before you weigh your options, check your town’s regulations to see whether you even have options. Some ban gas leaf blowers altogether because most (though not all) tend to be louder than any type of electric variety. Even if your town allows gas leaf blowers, you may want to consider the noise aspect. Generally speaking, the difference in decibel levels can be significant. If you don’t need to blow leaves for long stretches—like half an hour or longer—you might do well with a battery model. 

That’s not to say battery blowers are less powerful than gas blowers, especially when it comes to the typical yard. Despite being relative newcomers to the field, many battery leaf blowers now offer power on a par with gas models. It’s just that they have a limited run time per battery charge—expect 8 to 30 minutes on a charge. 

With that in mind, if you have a large expanse of land with lots of leaves, you might consider gas. A gas leaf blower—even handheld and backpack varieties—can be taken far and wide for an indefinite amount of time as long as you keep the tank full. It’s also the only kind that’s available as a wheeled option, which makes for easier, quicker cleanup. Keep in mind that a gas leaf blower, like any gas-powered tool, requires more maintenance than an electric model. 

Electric blowers, whether corded or cordless, are better for the environment. They have no emissions at the point of use, and they run far more efficiently. In our surveys, they’re also more reliable, which means they’re less likely to end up in a landfill.

As anyone with an early rising, yard-obsessed neighbor can confirm, a running leaf blower can get really loud. Product labels list decibels, so you can compare noise levels as you shop.

Some communities prohibit leaf-blower use during certain hours; others ban gas blowers altogether because they tend to be louder than electric models. In California, some communities ban all leaf blowers, no matter how quiet their operation.

Check your town’s regulations or go to the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse for a nationwide list of guidelines. Then check the 50-foot noise scores in our leaf blower ratings. Models that earn Excellent ratings should meet the toughest limits, and those that receive Very Good or Good ratings are likely to meet most restrictions. But keep in mind, blowers that are relatively quiet at a distance can still be very noisy up close.

CR recommends wearing hearing protection while using a leaf blower, especially with models receiving a Good or lower rating in our noise-at-ear-level tests. We also suggest you avoid running even the quietest blowers very early or late at night so that you don’t disturb sleeping neighbors.