Make Fall Cleanup a Breeze With the Best Leaf Blower

The original leaf blower was a device invented in the 1950s to spread insecticides and herbicides. However, one enterprising person removed the chemical tank and began using the blower as a way to blow grass and leaves from sidewalks and driveways, giving birth to the leaf blower concept. It wasn’t long before manufacturers began manufacturing dedicated leaf blowers for commercial and household use.

Leaf blowers have become one of the most popular home and garden appliances available for blowing leaves, grass, and snow out of the way as well as blowing dirt and debris off of patios/decks; they're even used by some individuals to clean out rain gutters. Most leaf blowers are also convertible leaf vacuums that will suck in and chop up leaves, turning 10 or more bags of unchopped leaves into 1 compressed chopped bag.

Although leaf blowers are some of the more versatile and handy home and garden equipment to have around, they are also very noisy due to their high fan speeds. In fact, many major cities have banned the use of leaf blowers because of their noise levels. Before you decide to purchase a leaf blower, always check with your local regulations regarding their use.

Types of Leaf Blowers

Gasoline 2-cycle

This is the most common leaf blower type in use because a 2-cycle engine puts out the most power to the size ratio of the engine. They must run on a gas and oil fuel mixture which if not precisely measured, the engine will not run correctly. These powerful engines spew oily smoke every time they’re running, and some communities have banned 2-cycle engines due to air pollution concerns.

Modern 2-cycle engines give off less smoke than those of years past, and are more tolerant to an incorrect gas and oil mix. However, they’re still a hassle to use by being difficult to start, they foul spark plugs regularly, and if left sitting for a season with lingering fuel in the system, the carburetor can plug up and render the engine useless unless an expensive carburetor rebuild is done.

Gasoline 4-cycle

These are the newest powered leaf blowers around, and modern metals and materials have finally made a 4-cycle competitive, in both size and weight, with a 2-cycle engine. In years past, a 4 cycle engine that put out the power of a 2-cycle would have been twice as heavy and almost twice as big. In essence, that would have made them a difficult sell for the average homeowner. However, it has now gotten to the point that 4-cycle engines are nearly equal to 2-cycle engines in both power output yet remaining lightweight.

The biggest selling points are they only take straight gasoline for fuel since like all 4-cycle engines, the oil is contained in the crankcase and used for lubrication. That means there’s never any mixing of gas and oil for fuel. Also, 4-cycles run at a lower RPM, meaning less wear and tear on the pistons, rings, and seals, so they last longer. They also don't foul the spark plug, they don't smoke, and virtually every model for sale is certified for use in all 50 states.

Even though they’re a bit more expensive in the short run, their inherent durability means they’ll last longer and perform better than the average 2-cycle powered leaf blower.

Electric leaf blowers

There are two types of electric leaf blowers, plug-in models and battery-operated models. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages as will be seen.

Plug-in leaf blowers rival the fossil-fueled blowers for power, and many of these actually have a higher blower rating. These are the least expensive blowers available, but you will always be tethered to an outlet with a long cord, and virtually every leaf blower is only recommended to be used with a 100-foot cord or less.

What you give up in versatility you gain with a no-hassle machine. They are literally plug-in and go, with never any worry about gasoline, oil, or mixing. Virtually anyone can use them, and they are perfect for city or suburban dwellings that only have a limited amount of land.

Battery-operated models are just as versatile as gasoline-powered types. They can be taken anywhere at any time, and just like plug-in models, they activate at the touch of a switch. The problem with these types of blowers has always been the battery. Early units would last a few minutes before the battery was exhausted; you may have only been able to blow a driveway clear before the battery gave out.

Modern battery-powered leaf blowers have come a long way, and the newest Lithium-Ion batteries will literally last as long as a tank of gas. The higher the voltage of the battery, the longer the run time on the blower. These are the most expensive leaf blowers available, and they’re a bit down on power to both the plug-in and gasoline-powered types, but no leaf blower is as reliable or as easy to use, plus, they are the most environmentally friendly leaf blowers made.

Leaf Blower Styles

Hand-held

Most consumer home-use leaf blowers come in this style. They feature a top-mounted handle that maintains a balance between the blower motor and the nozzle. All of the features are generally within easy reach and can easily be swept in a side-to-side action or moving them up and down.

Backpack

These blower types are the heaviest to carry due to their engine size, but they are far and away the most powerful types made for consumers. The engine is strapped to your back with a control arm throttle jutting out at your side. The only thing your carry in your hands is the nozzle, and once strapped in, these are the easiest leaf blower types to maneuver.

Wheeled

Although generally made for the commercial market, there are consumer types that are either pushed/attached to a lawn tractor or ATV. These are the largest and heaviest of the leaf blowers and expel massive volumes of air to clear large areas quickly.

Features to Look for in the Best Leaf Blower

On/off switch

This basic feature is usually positioned directly where the thumb rests on the handle. Gas-powered units may have a switch, mounted to the side, that is flipped down to turn the engine off. In general, every on/off switch is easy to find and use with one-hand activation. On electric leaf blowers, this is the only switch or adjustment, besides the throttle, that will be present.

Choke

All gas-powered leaf blowers have a choke to help in starting a cold engine. In general, the choke is switched to full “on” during every cold start and gradually eased off once the engine is running. Some higher-end designs feature an automatic choke which activates automatically when the engine is cold and then releases as the engine begins to warm up.

Primer button

All modern gas-powered leaf blowers have a primer button. Usually used to prime the engine during a cold start, it may also be used to prime the carburetor after the blower runs out of gas, once the tank has been refilled, or to aid in restarting if the engine dies.

Throttle

The throttle is usually a variable trigger switch that controls the engine speed. It’s always placed on the underside of the handle so a finger or your hand can grasp and squeeze it for more or less power when needed.

Nozzle

This plastic tube channels the air from the blower fan in the direction that you want it. It reduces the air volume of the fan motor which gives it a greater airflow speed as it leaves the nozzle end. The end can be turned either vertically or horizontally, depending on how you want the air to escape. For example, when blowing leaves or grass from a driveway, you would orient the nozzle end in a horizontal position for maximum airflow width. If you were blowing out a rain gutter, you would orient the nozzle end vertically to maximize the airflow within the confines of the gutter width.

Leaf vacuum

Many leaf blowers are also convertible leaf vacuums. They suck leaves up into the fan blades and blow them into an attached vacuum bag. The best leaf vacuums will have metal chopping blades that shred the leaves fully before entering the bag. If choosing a leaf blower and vacuuming leaves is a priority, always choose a blower with metal chopping blades. Just remember that leaf vacuums only work when the leaves are completely dry. Sucking up wet leaves will potentially jam the fan and possibly ruin the engine in the process.

What Blower is Right for You?

There are a wealth of factors that will determine what type or style of leaf blower is right for you. The simplest, easy, and least expensive leaf blowers are the plug-in electrics. For most city residents and suburbanites with smaller properties, and who don't mind dragging a cord around, these will be the best choice. Plus, because they are so simple to use, virtually anyone in the family who helps out with yard work will be able to use one of them.

Gasoline-powered hand-held leaf blowers are the most common types available. If you want power overall and don't mind mixing gas and oil, a 2-cycle leaf blower is the way to go. If you want the convenience of just adding gas with no mixing, with durability over the long run, than a 4-cycle is your choice.

Backpack blowers are best suited for large suburban properties, farms, and commercial settings. Certainly, if you want bragging rights around your neighborhood, strap on a backpack blower and clear your driveway faster than anyone else. The same can be said for wheeled blowers which are made for larger properties and will need to be towed around while in use. That makes them wholly impractical for city properties and most suburban properties too.

Battery-powered leaf blowers are the latest innovation to hit the scene, and the newest units with the most voltage last as long as a tank of gas while having nearly equal blowing power. They are the most expensive of the hand-held blowers, but they are eco-friendly and offer the same versatility as their gas-powered brethren. If you’re worried about blowing time, simply get another battery and keep it charged. They are as simple and easy to use as any plug-in blower, without the attached cord.