We Tested The Best Leaf Blowers and Vacuums to Clear Lawn Debris

Best Overall

Ryobi ONE+ 18V 100 MPH 280 CFM Cordless Battery Variable-Speed Jet Fan Leaf Blower

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Battery
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Noise Level
  4/5

The Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Leaf Blower packs power into a compact, easy-to-maneuver design.  While we found the model operates on the louder side, its well-rounded performance in our test and value-friendly price earns it the top spot in our roundup.

Our tester found the leaf blower “light enough to hold with one hand” and claims the unit “had an easy time getting up to full power and cleared everything that needed cleared.” Plus, it offers variable speeds, so you can adjust the settings as you see fit, and a straightforward setup process that only requires you to snap the two pieces together. Handling it is undemanding as well — it’s cordless, so you don’t need to worry about cord management, and we found it easy to control the direction of the unit's airflow, as we were able to successfully round up a pile of leaves into the box we drew with chalk on concrete in under 22 seconds.

Our tester noted the blower requires two to three hours to fully charge and had a 30-minute run time. This leaf blower is powerful enough to clear plenty of debris in that amount of time, thanks to its airflow capacity of up to 280 CFM and airflow speed of up to 100 miles per hour. With this model, we cleared the patch of grass from dry leaves in just under 29 seconds and from damp leaves in just under 37 seconds, while we cleared the patch of concrete from dry leaves in just under 20 seconds. We also had no problem blowing the fishing line weights a 10-foot distance on concrete. Overall, this model proved to be very efficient and effortless to use under a variety of circumstances.

Price at time of publish: $119

Best Budget

Greenworks 7 Amp 160 MPH/150 CFM Single Speed Electric Blower

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Noise Level
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

The Greenworks 7 Amp Electric Blower is our top budget-friendly, corded option. It only weighs 4.5 pounds, and we found it was lightweight and easy to carry. Plus, it has a simple, two-piece setup and a handy cord lock. Our tester appreciates how secure the plug remained for the duration of the test. Compared to our top pick, this model was slightly slower at moving leaves from the patch of grass, clearing the dry leaf pile in just under 40 seconds and the damp leaf pile in just over 41 seconds. However, it was quicker at moving leaves from the patch of concrete, clearing the dry leaf pile in under 16 seconds.

While we were able to successfully move the 0.25- and a 0.5-ounce fishing line weight a 10-foot distance using this leaf blower, we were only able to move the 1-ounce fishing line weight at approximately a 5-feet distance, so it doesn’t match the strength of our top pick. We also found the airflow to be tricky to control, as we struggled to precisely round up the pile of leaves into the chalk-drawn box. Despite these comparative shortcomings, this model still offers great power for its price point and is very capable of effectively clearing leaves with its 150 CFM airflow capacity and 160 MPH airflow speed. Our tester’s assessment was that it  “got the job done” and did a “great job for the value.”

Price at time of publish: $43

Best Splurge

EGO Power+ LB6003 600 CFM Variable-Speed 56-Volt Cordless Leaf Blower

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Battery
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Noise Level
  3/5

The EGO POWER+ 600 CFM Backpack Blower lets you choose between a 260 CFM or a 600 CFM setting and has an airflow speed of up to 145 MPH, making it great for a range of tasks. However, you may find splurging on this range in power to be superfluous if you’re working with a smaller yard. It has an easy two-piece setup, including a backpack component. We found the backpack to be comfortable and lightweight, and it was easy to move around while wearing it. This model has an adjustable tube, too, and our tester appreciated that “the wand was flexible and moved with ease.”

While using this leaf blower on the patch of grass, we were able to speedily clear out the pile of dry and damp leaves, finishing each job in 17 seconds and 15.2 seconds, respectively. On concrete, this unit cleared the pile of dry leaves in an impressive 7 seconds. It was also quick to move the fishing weights a distance of 10 feet, and our tester didn’t have to stand super close to the weights to get them to move. The unit manages to offer substantial power without being too loud, which is a great bonus, and our tester describes using this leaf blower as being “fast, effective, and fun.”

Price at time of publish: $419

Best Corded

WORX WG520 12 Amp TURBINE 600 Electric Leaf Blower

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  2/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Noise Level
  1/5
• Value
  5/5

The WORX WG520 12 Amp TURBINE 600 Electric Leaf Blower is a corded model that offers a lot of power in an easy-to-carry design. It gives you the option to choose between a 600 CFM airflow capacity with a 110 MPH airflow speed or a 320 CFM airflow capacity with a 110 MPH airflow speed. While this range in power can be especially handy in larger yards, our tester warns that it may offer too much power to be appropriately used on flower beds. The cord fell out during the testing process, even while using the retainer, and our tester had to create a knot in the cord and rely on the guide to ensure it didn’t happen again. However, compared to other models our tester used, they found this model’s power switch to be easier to operate and appreciated its lightweight design.

We struggled to move leaves in particular directions with this leaf blower, as our attempt to blow a pile of leaves into our box we outlined with chalk on concrete was unsuccessful. We were able to wrangle the leaves into the box with other models, so if you’re looking for precise movement, this may not be the model for you. That being said, we were able to quickly clear the patch of grass from the pile of dry and damp leaves, with each task taking us around 30 seconds to complete. We were able to clear the concrete patch of a pile of dry leaves in just 10 seconds and had no problem moving the fishing line weights a 10-foot distance with the leaf blower, so what this model lacks in precision it makes up for in power and effectiveness.

Price at time of publish: $65

Best for Small/Medium Yards

Toro Power Sweep 160 MPH 155 CFM 7 Amp Electric Leaf Blower

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Noise Level
  3/5
• Value
  5/5

The Toro Power Sweep Electric Leaf Blower is compact and lightweight, standing 11.5 inches tall and 28 inches long and weighing 4.7 pounds. You can choose between two speed settings, with the highest mode offering a 155 CFM airflow capacity and a 160 MPH airflow speed. According to our tester, it offers “a lot of power with little kick back.” The unit is made up of only two pieces, and the setup process took less than a minute to complete. It’s a corded model, and it includes a cord lock to help secure the plug. We appreciate how it manages to store a good amount of power in such an easy-to-maneuver, easy-to-manage design.

On a patch of grass, we were able to clear out the pile of dry leaves in 16 seconds and a pile of damp leaves in 27 seconds. On concrete, this unit cleared the pile of dry leaves in a speedy 8 seconds and, despite its small size, it had no problem pushing the fishing line weights a 10-foot distance. And while the power and efficiency is great for small and medium yards, precision is where this leaf blower really stands out. With this leaf blower, we were able to wrangle a pile of leaves into the box we drew with chalk on concrete in just 9 seconds. Compared to how long it took us to successfully round up the leaves using the other leaf blowers on this list, this unit’s 9-second time was the quickest. Our tester’s verdict was that this unit has “great value for such a compact, light, efficient, sleek blower.”

Price at time of publish: $57

Best Powerful

Makita XBU03SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower Kit

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Battery
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Noise Level
  2/5

The Makita XBU03SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower Kit is a cordless unit that offers adjustable power levels, with its maximum airflow capacity being 459 CFM and maximum airflow speed being 116 MPH. We appreciated that this model allowed for easy one-handed operation — we had no problem using one hand to grip the handle and another hand to adjust the speed settings. The assembly is straightforward, but takes a bit of time, despite it only being a two-piece unit. We finished setting it up in a little over 11 minutes. Please note that the tool required for the screws is included.

We were able to clear the patch of grass of dry leaves in 50 seconds and of damp leaves in 42 seconds. And, we were able to clear the patch of concrete of dry leaves significantly faster, completing the task in 18 seconds. Our tester wished the leaf blower’s airflow was easier to control and noted that “the shape of the blower didn't allow for precise direction.” We were unable to round up the entire pile of leaves into the box we outlined on concrete, no matter which speed setting we used. However, it’s not lacking in terms of power, since it was able to speedily move the fishing line weights a 10-foot distance. Plus, our tester was pleased that they didn’t have to get too close to the ground for the leaf blower to effectively complete the tasks.

Price at time of publish: $204

Best Variable Speed

WORX WG584 40V Turbine Cordless Leaf Blower Power Share with Brushless Motor

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Battery
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Noise Level
  3/5

The WORX 40V Turbine Cordless Leaf Blower Power Share with Brushless Motor has a lightweight build and a long battery life, which are two qualities that are particularly handy if you’re working with a larger yard. Our tester noted that they were able to operate the unit using only one hand and that they didn’t feel any strain in their arm while using it. The setup process was straightforward, though while many of the other leaf blowers on this roundup are two-piece models, this is a three-piece model, and attaching its final piece required a little more effort than usual. However, when all was said and done, we were still able to finish setting up the leaf blower in just under two minutes.

Also compared to the other leaf blowers in this roundup, this Worx model was the quickest at removing dry leaves from our patch of grass, finishing the job in just 12.9 seconds. It cleared dry leaves from the patch of concrete in a similar amount of time —  namely in 12.7 seconds. The unit did take a bit longer to clear the patch of damp leaves from our patch of grass, finishing the job in just under 52 seconds. The leaf blower has various power modes, and you can choose to operate the unit with an airflow capacity of 300 to 470 CFM and with an airflow speed of 60, 69, 80, or 95 MPH. Our tester dubbed it a “very effective leaf blower” and noted that “the first setting cleared most conditions including wet leaves.” Since it was so powerful, we were unable to precisely blow the leaves into the chalk-drawn box, but we had no difficulty at all blowing the different fish weights a distance of 10 feet.

Price at time of publish: $191

Best Quiet

RYOBI 550 CFM 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Whisper Series Jet Fan Leaf Blower

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Battery
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5

The Ryobi 40V Brushless 125 MPH 550 CFM Cordless Battery Whisper Series Jet Fan Blower with 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger impressed us with its quiet operation. While the product description lists the unit as having a noise rating of 59 dB, our noise level test showed it to only have a noise rating of 40.2 dB — so it’s a great option for anyone who is worried about finding an especially neighbor-friendly leaf blower. We also appreciated how easy it was to operate. Our tester said this unit is “very easy and light to transport” and claimed they didn’t feel fatigued after operating it for the duration of the test.

This model has an airflow capacity of 550 CFM and an airflow speed of 125 MPH. On the patch of grass, it cleared the pile of dry leaves in 27 seconds and the pile of damp leaves in 28 seconds. It cleared the dry leaves from the patch of concrete in only 11 seconds. We weren't able to fully wrangle all the leaves into the chalk square we drew on concrete, but our attempt wasn’t a complete failure either, which means that while the control this unit gave us over the blowing direction of the leaves could have been better, it also wasn’t the worst. It offers a lot of power, and we were able to move the various fishing line weights easily, with our tester noting the 0.25 weight moved the 10-foot distance in a single blow. There’s even a Turbo mode if you really want to kick the power up a notch.

Price at time of publish: $155

Best Backpack, Electric

Greenworks Pro 80V Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Battery
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Noise Level
  3/5

The Greenworks Pro 80V (180 MPH / 610 CFM) Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower is a backpack model, so it distributes a significant amount of its weight onto your back, consequently lightening the load placed on your arms and wrists. Our tester said that despite being heavier than some other models, they found this unit “fun to use” and thought “the backpack fit nicely and made it easy to carry.” Our tester also said that while the long tube was great while operating the leaf blower, it would sometimes interfere with their endeavors when they’d reach down to pick something up. However, our tester noted that they are 5’4”, so they aren’t sure the tube length would be an issue for taller operators. Despite the occasional gawky operation moment, we appreciated that there were multiple power control options, and we especially liked the user-friendliness of the variable speed trigger.

This model has an airflow capacity of 610 CFM and an airflow speed of 180 MPH. Of all the leaf blowers on this list, this one cleared the patch of concrete from dry leaves the fastest, finishing the job in just 6 seconds. On grass, it cleared the pile of dry leaves in 25 seconds and the pile of damp leaves in 17 seconds. The fishing line weights moved with ease as well. However, we spent 25 minutes getting the unit together, making it the leaf blower in our roundup with the longest setup time. The process required a screwdriver, and we struggled to figure out the correct order in which to attach the tubes. Once it’s up in running, though, this cordless unit can run for up to 18 minutes while on its highest setting, and it has a quick, 45-minute recharge time — which is convenient since any last-minute charging won’t delay your yard work too long.

Price at time of publish: $317

Best Cordless

Dewalt 20V MAX 125 Mph 450 CFM Brushless Cordless Battery Powered Handheld Leaf Blower

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Battery
  4/5
• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Noise Level
  3/5

The Dewalt Brushless Handheld Blower is a cordless unit with an airflow capacity of 450 CFM, an airflow speed of 125 MPH, and a three-piece assembly process that we quickly completed in just over two minutes. It also has a variable speed trigger and a speed lock. The model’s easy-to-use controls are what really made it stand out to us, with our tester claiming “the adjustable power buttons with two-ways to control makes it worth it.” We also didn’t find it to be particularly loud while operating and were able to use it in a garden bed without damaging any of the plants.

This leaf blower cleared the patch of grass from dry leaves in 52 seconds and from damp leaves in 43 seconds, though we did experience a minor delay when clearing the dry leaves because we incorrectly attached the tube during the setup phase and it fell out mid-use. It was much more effective on the patch of concrete, clearing it from dry leaves in just 10 seconds. While we were able to gather the pile of leaves near the box we drew on concrete, we were unable to actually get the leaves inside the box. Our tester said getting the leaves near the box required “pulsing the power button on and off” and noted that they had “little control as to where leaves ended up,” so this model could perform better in terms of airflow control. It performed well power wise, though, easily moving the various fish line weights.

Price at time of publish: $199

Best Gas

Echo 2-Stroke Cycle Handheld Leaf Blower

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With a 2-stroke engine, maximum air flow capacity of 453 CFM, and a maximum airflow speed of 170 MPH, the ECHO Gas 2-Stroke Cycle Handheld Leaf Blower offers a formidable amount of power. Despite its power, it’s lightweight and fairly quiet, weighing 8.6 pounds and having a noise rating of 70 dB. The model relies on a recoil start, which means you need to pull a cord to get it running. While this may seem like a hassle compared to electric blowers’ press-a-button-and-go process, many users praise this model for being easy to start up.

Users note the upkeep and maintenance required of this gas model is easy to manage. Plus, it has an air filter that’s specially designed to keep the engine clean. It also has an 18.6-ounce translucent fuel tank, which makes keeping an eye on the fuel levels easy and spares you from any low-fuel surprises, as well as a curved tube and cruise control options, which can help prevent your arms and wrists from growing easily tired as you carry it. Unfortunately, this leaf blower doesn’t come with a shoulder harness. However, it has shoulder harness points, so you can buy a harness separately and attach it to the unit if you so desire.

Price at time of publish: $169