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The Spruce / Laurey W. Glenn
A cordless leaf blower runs on either batteries or gas, allowing you to tidy up your landscaping without being limited by a power cord. We researched leaf blowers from the top gardening and tool brands, evaluating range, motor type, ease of use, and value.
Our top pick, the Ego Power+ LB6504 650 CFM Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower, has an ergonomic design, a powerful motor, and offers up to 90 minutes of run time.
Here are the best cordless leaf blowers.
Best Overall: EGO POWER+ 650 CFM 56V Lithium-Ion Cordless Electric Variable-Speed Blower
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Courtesy of Home Depot
Maximum Air Speed: 180 MPH | Maximum Air Volume: 650 CFM | Weight: 4.8 pounds | Battery Type: 5.0Ah | Runtime: 90 minutes | Noise Rating: Not listed
Average runtime of 90 minutes
Battery charges quickly
Includes two nozzle options
Fairly heavy with battery inserted
Expensive
Who else recommends it? Wirecutter, Bob Vila, and Popular Mechanics both picked the EGO Power+ Cordless Leaf Blower.
What do buyers say? 6,600+ Walmart reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
Many people think that battery-powered leaf blowers aren’t as powerful as corded models, but the EGO Power+ is here to prove them wrong. This electric leaf blower packs a serious punch, delivering speeds of up to 180 miles per hour and force up to 650 CFM, or cubic feet per minute, on its turbo setting. It can even run for up to 200 minutes on low, allowing you to clean more of your yard on every charge.
The EGO Power+ Leaf Blower has a variable-speed control that delivers between 225 and 500 CFM, and its ergonomic design is well-balanced, making it easier to hold. It comes with both flat and tapered nozzle attachments, and its 5 Ah battery charges up in just 100 minutes, allowing you to get back to work faster.
Best Budget: KIMO 20V 2-in-1 Sweeper/Vacuum Cordless Leaf Blower
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Courtesy of Amazon
Maximum Air Speed: 150 MPH | Maximum Air Volume: 200 CFM | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Battery Type: 2.0Ah | Runtime: 20 minutes | Noise Rating: Not listed
2-in-1 blowing and vacuuming capabilities
Compact and lightweight design
Charges quickly
Only useful for small jobs
Hard to find replacement batteries
If you’re looking for a small, inexpensive leaf blower to tackle small tasks, such as blowing leaves off your porch or patio, the KIMO Cordless Leaf Blower is the way to go. The compact tool weighs just 2 pounds, making it extremely easy for anyone to handle, and its 2-in-1 design allows you to vacuum up debris, as well as blow leaves around.
This leaf blower has a 2 Ah battery that charges in just 60 minutes, and it can run at its top speed for up to 20 minutes. The tool comes with a reusable collection bag for those times you want to use it as a vacuum, and its small size is great for cleaning out your car, blowing leaves out of gutters, and even clearing snow off stairs.
Best Quiet: RYOBI 550 CFM 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Whisper Series Jet Fan Leaf Blower
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Courtesy of Home Depot
Maximum Air Speed: 125 MPH | Maximum Air Volume: 550 CFM | Weight: 9.7 pounds | Battery Type: 4.0Ah | Runtime: Not listed | Noise Rating: 59 decibels
Quiet during operation
Powerful air flow can handle heavy debris
Adjustable handle
Doesn't include shoulder strap
Trigger must be held down during operation
If the roar of a powerful leaf blower drives you nuts, you’ll love the RYOBI Whisper Series Jet Fan Blower, which is one of the industry’s quietest blowers, operating at just 59 decibels—that’s quieter than your average vacuum cleaner! Despite its quiet operation, the leaf blower still delivers 550 CFM of clearing power on its highest setting and speeds up to 125 MPH.
This battery-powered leaf blower has a variable speed trigger and jet fan design for increased airflow. The brushless motor delivers gas-like power, and the tool has a turbo button for when you need to move heavy debris.
Best With Vacuum: Husqvarna 125BVX 28-cc 2-Cycle 170-MPH 470-CFM Handheld Gas Leaf Blower with Vacuum Kit
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Courtesy of Amazon
Maximum Air Speed: 170 MPH | Maximum Air Volume: 470 CFM | Weight: 9.6 pounds | Motor Type: 28cc | Noise Rating: 70 decibels
Ability to vacuum and mulch debris
Built-in cruise control
Adjustable tube length
Vacuum clogs if you suck up twigs
Exhaust fan blows on you during operation
For those times when you want to remove leaves from your yard instead of just moving them, you’ll want a leaf blower like this one from Husqvarna, which comes with a vacuum kit. The gas-powered tool has a 28cc engine and can reach speeds of 170 MPH and a max air volume of 470 CFM, and it can easily be turned into a lawn vacuum that collects and mulches debris for easy disposal.
This leaf blower has a variable speed throttle with cruise control for easier handling, and it also comes with a flare nozzle that increases its air speed. It weighs less than 10 pounds, and its ergonomic design helps minimize discomfort on your wrist while in use.
Best With Trimmer: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless QUIK-LOK String Trimmer/Blower Combo Kit
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Courtesy of Amazon
Maximum Air Speed: 120 MPH | Maximum Air Volume: 450 CFM | Weight: 9.1 pounds | Battery Type: 8.0Ah | Runtime: Not listed | Noise Rating: 63 decibels
Tools run on the same battery
High and low speed settings on blower
Trimmer compatible with additional attachments
Trigger can be hard to press
Trimmer sometimes has string feed issues
Leaf blowers and string trimmers go hand-in-hand, and you can get both these useful tools from the Milwaukee M18 FUEL String Trimmer/Blower Combo Kit. The trimmer is part of the brand’s M18 FUEL QUIK-LOK attachment system, which has five compatible attachments (sold separately), and both tools are powered by the same high-output 8.0 Ah battery.
The Milwaukee M18 delivers up to 450 CFM and 120 MPH air speeds, and it has a variable speed control trigger, as well as high and low speed settings for increased control. The trimmer delivers up to 6,200 RPM with its 16-inch cutting swath, and its rear-positioned motor offers superior balance and maneuverability. Plus, the included battery is compatible with a wide range of other Milwaukee tools, as well.
Best With Mulcher: CRAFTSMAN BV245 27cc 2-Cycle Full Crank Engine Gas Powered Leaf Blower
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Courtesy of Amazon
Maximum Air Speed: 205 MPH | Maximum Air Volume: 450 CFM | Weight: 10.2 pounds | Motor Type: 27cc | Noise Rating: 74 decibels
High air speeds
Vacuuming and mulching abilities
Efficient on gas
Tricky to switch between attachments
Shoulder strap not included
If you often end up with a large volume of leaves in your yard, clean-up will be significantly easier with a mulching blower like this one from Craftsman. The gas-powered tool has vacuuming abilities, and it mulches leaves as it goes, resulting in a 16:1 debris reduction ratio. The mulched debris is then collected in the tool’s 1.5-bushel bag for easy disposal.
This leaf blower has a high-performance 27cc engine that delivers air volume up to 450 CFM and speeds up to 205 MPH, making quick work of even heavy leaves. It has a variable speed control throttle, as well as a molded handle that reduces vibration, and its easy-start technology allows you to start cleanup faster.
Best Compact: BLACK+DECKER LSW221AM 20V Max Lithium Cordless Sweeper
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Courtesy of Amazon
Maximum Air Speed: 130 MPH | Maximum Air Volume: 100 CFM | Weight: 3.7 pounds | Battery Type: 1.5Ah | Runtime: Not listed | Noise Rating: 61 decibels
Compact, lightweight design
Quiet during operation
Affordable price
Only effective on light debris
Battery takes a long time to recharge
For a small, easy-to-manage leaf blower, consider the BLACK+DECKER Cordless Sweeper, which weighs less than 4 pounds and is under 20 inches long. The battery-powered tool is quiet during operation, and it delivers air speed up to 130 MPH, making it easy to clean debris off hard surfaces like your driveway, deck, or patio. It’s not the most powerful blower available, but it’s small enough to keep in a closet and affordable, to boot.
Best Backpack: Husqvarna 150BT 50-cc 2-Cycle 251-MPH 692-CFM Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
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Courtesy of Amazon
Maximum Air Speed: 251 MPH | Maximum Air Volume: 692 CFM | Weight: 22.5 pounds | Motor Type: 50cc | Noise Rating: 71 decibels
Extremely powerful
Adjustable blowing tube
Built-in cruise control
Heavy
Requires quite a bit of power to start
Operating a leaf blower for long periods of time can strain your arms, and if you have a large yard, you may want to consider a model like the Husqvarna 150BT Gas Backpack Leaf Blower. This gas-powered model straps onto your back, taking the bulk of the unit’s 22.5-pound weight off your arms for more comfortable operation.
If you’re looking for sheer power, the Husqvarna Backpack Leaf Blower will deliver, as it offers air velocity up to 251 MPH and air volume up to 692 CFM. It has a variable speed throttle with cruise control for easier handling, and its adjustable harness is padded for extra comfort. The blowing tube length is adjustable to suit the task at hand, and the brand’s X-TORQ engine technology is more energy-efficient with fewer emissions.
The EGO POWER+ 56-Volt 180-MPH Cordless Electric Leaf Blower (view at Amazon), a battery-operated model that delivers air force up to 650 CFM, is a solid choice for most homeowners. It can run for up to 200 minutes on low and has a balanced design that makes it easy to handle. For an inexpensive leaf blower for small jobs, consider the KIMO Cordless Leaf Blower (view at Amazon), which weighs around 2 pounds and offers vacuuming abilities, as well.
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The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau
What to Look for in a Cordless Leaf Blower
Power source
Cordless leaf blowers are powered by either gas or electricity. Electric blowers tend to weigh less and produce less noise and air pollution, but they can overheat and generally aren’t as powerful. Gas-powered products, on the other hand, pack a punch when it comes to force, but they emit a number of gas pollutants and their maintenance is a little more complicated.
Yard size
When thinking about how powerful a leaf blower you need, consider the size of your yard. If you have a large space with lots of trees, you’ll need a high-powered product with a high CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating — this means you’ll be able to move leaves and debris faster and more efficiently.
Speed settings
Some leaf blowers have only one speed — which might work if you have a small yard and are mostly clearing away dry leaves. However, if you want to use your leaf blower for tougher jobs, you’re better off getting a variable speed blower that you can adjust as needed.
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What are the benefits of a cordless leaf blower vs. a corded model?
The main benefit of a cordless leaf blower is that you won’t be tethered to an extension cord during operation. With a corded leaf blower, you have to worry about finding an electrical outlet, finding an extension cord, and navigating around obstacles with the power cord. With a cordless leaf blower, you can get started more quickly and have unlimited mobility. Many cordless leaf blowers are also fairly lightweight, making them easier to handle.
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How long should a cordless leaf blower last?
In general, most battery-powered leaf blowers will last 20 to 30 minutes per charge. However, there are several variables that will affect how long a cordless leaf blower lasts. Gas-powered models will naturally last longer than battery-powered units, and they can be refueled immediately. The type of battery and speed at which your blower is operating will impact the runtime, as well. (In particular, running a leaf blower on its highest setting will drain its battery extremely quickly.)
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How often do you have to charge a cordless leaf blower?
If you have a battery-powered cordless leaf blower, you’ll typically need to charge it after every use. Most models have a fairly limited runtime, so it’s best to start out with a full charge every time—otherwise, you run the risk of running out of battery power before you finish cleaning your yard.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer who has contributed to The Spruce since 2017. She's done firsthand testing of cordless leaf blowers, including the WORX Turbine 56V Leaf Blower, and she currently owns a variety of RYOBI battery-powered tools.