Leaf Blower Ratings
Leaf blowers come in a variety of shapes and functions. For this Leaf Blower Ratings report, we’ll categorize leaf blowers into the following:
- Electric handheld blowers
- Gas-powered handheld blowers
- Gas-powered backpack blowers
- Gas-powered wheeled blowers
The ratings that follow are derived from Consumer Reports.org, an expert, independent, and non-profit organization. You can depend on CR to provide unbiased testing, evaluation and reporting.
CR states that the best electric handheld blowers continue to outperform their gas-engine counterparts — for less money. Although electric and gas leaf blowers will lessen the load of the work involved to clear away leaves, class clippings and other debris.
When CR racked and stacked electric handheld blowers, they used the following criteria in their testing:
- Handling
- Sweeping
- Loosening
- Vacuuming
- Noise at 50 Ft
- Noise at Ear Level
Electric handheld blowers
Electric handheld leaf blowers have cords and weigh-in at 7 lbs or less. Electrics are made to use with one hand. Of course being electric, they have no polluting attributes and also no pull-cords to struggle with. Just turn them on and they go (blow)!
CR reports that an electric blower’s power equals or exceeds gas-powered handheld models. But there is that pesky power cord to contend with. The cord harpers mobility and reach. Not to mention yard getting wrapped around trees, bushes, fences, and a host of other yard obstacles. You should only seriously consider an electric leaf blower if a power outlet is within 100 feet. Electric blowers are priced starting around $30 and range up to $100.
Electric Handheld Blowers – TOP 4
- Toro Ultra Bower Vac 51599 (Best Buy)
- Toro Super Blower Vac 51592 (Best Buy)
- Toro Rake and Vac 51574
- STIHL BGE60
Gas-powered handheld blowers
Gas-powered handheld blowers are also designed to be used one-handed use. If you have a large space to work, your range is not limited by a power cord. And although you may think that gas powered produces more power, testing has proven that only the best gas models equal the power and performance supplied by the best electric units.
Although gas units are relatively lightweight, there is a pull-cord to contend with to get things running. Like all gas engines, they will require regular tune-ups. And they are LOUD! You may want to seriously considering wearing hearing protection when using them.
Where electric models top out at around 7 lbs, gas blowers clock in at 7 to 12 lbs. You will have to mix fuel and oil on most of the models with a two-stroke engine. The four-stroke models run with less emission, they are also heavier. Prices range from around $80 to over $200.
This is how the Gasoline Handheld Blowers faired in testing. Here are the Top Four Winners.
- STIHL BG55 (Best Buy)
- Ryobi RY08548
- John Deere BH25LE
- Poulan Pro PBV200LE & Husqvarna 225B (Tie)
Gas-powered backpack blowers
A gas-powered backpack blower is heavy, weighing in at 15-25 lbs but they do provide more blowing power than handheld blowers. Unfortunately, your body must support the extra weight and your back and shoulders might not appreciate this fact. And since it is a gas powered model, it’s loud. And besides costing more than handheld leaf blowers, backpack models aren’t designed to vacuum or shred. Backpack models range from $200 – $450.
Here are the Top 4 Gasoline Backpack Blowers from the study:
- Husqvarna 356BFx
- Echo PB-265L (Best Buy)
- Echo PB-260L
- STIHL BR340
Gas-powered wheeled blowers
Gas-powered wheeled blowers complete the models in the leaf blower category. They’re designed with clean-burning four-stroke engines so fuel and oil mixing is not required. Like backpack models, wheeled blowers do not vacuum or shred but they do have plenty of horsepower and can work a lot of ground fairly quickly.
Wheeled blowers clock in at 100 plus pounds so they are not the most maneuverable of machines. (And not recommend if you have to contend with steep slopes!) Since it is gas-powered, it generates a lot of noise and because they are much larger than other types of blowers, require about 8 sq ft of space to store it. And they are expensive ($650 – $1200+).
Gasoline Wheeled Blowers – Only 2 models in the test.
- Little Wonder 9502 (Recommended. CR did not grant a Best Buy in this category)
- Billy Goat F900H