Best Battery Powered Leaf Blowers

Battery-powered leaf blowers are very useful tools for keeping the home garden and other areas around the home clean and tidy.

Cordless leaf blowers must feature the excellent air speed and volume required to do the cleaning task properly. Also, multi-function units combine several tools in one, like a garden leaf blower, mulcher, and vacuum (3-in-1) units, allowing the single tool to do different cleaning tasks, saving time, money, and effort.

Published: December 20, 2023.

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Gas, Corded, or Cordless Leaf Blowers

Garden leaf blowers are generally powered via internal combustion engines (2-strokes, 4-strokes) or using electric motors.

Gas-powered units feature high air speed and volume, and they don't depend on the availability of mains power. But, they emit fumes and smoke, although not as much as years before. Also, they are much noisier and maintenance-intensive than electric leaf blowers.

Electric leaf blowers can be corded electric leaf blowers or cordless (battery-powered) leaf blowers.

While corded units feature good air speed and volume, they are limited by the length of power cords and the presence of mains power. Cordless leaf blowers require mains power only for charging the batteries, and they are much more maneuverable and easier to use.

Modern cordless leaf blowers are powered via lightweight and powerful lithium batteries, providing levels of power close to the corded units.

Battery-Powered Leaf Blower Features and Specifications

Before buying a new cordless leaf blower, there are a few things to consider first.

Air Speed: sufficient air speed is required in order to be able to blow the leaves and other common yard debris. Commonly, battery-powered leaf blowers feature air speed in the range of 90-180 mph (45-90 m/s, 145-290 km/h), with some models even exceeding that speed.

Since not all types of debris require leaf blowers to operate at maximum, cordless leaf blowers usually feature several air speed settings, leading to longer operating time on a single battery charge.

Air Volume: a large volume of air at high speed can do plenty of work, but they also require plenty of power, discharging onboard batteries rather quickly. In order to balance the performances, some models feature high speed and low volume (optimized for wet leaves, grass clippings, branches, and similar debris), while some models feature lower speeds but the high volume (optimized for dry leaves and lightweight debris).

Some models feature variable air speed, combined with several nozzles that are attached according to the required task. Such multipurpose units are often designed to be used not only as garden leaf blowers but as garden leaf vacuum/mulcher/blower 3-in-1 units.

Cordless leaf blowers feature air volume up to 500 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), although top units achieving air speed of up to 180 mph rarely achieve air volume larger than 350 CFM.

Brand and Battery Type/Voltage: cordless leaf blowers without batteries are rather cheap tools, but when bought with the battery and charger, their prices go up. Most brands manufacture a series of tools around a particular battery type (for example, 18V lithium-ion batteries with different capacities like 2Ah, 4 Ah, 7 Ah, etc.). Buying several such batteries can be initially relatively expensive, but all future 'bare tools' are going to be rather cheap.

Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) and even Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries are practically phased out in modern, high-power tools. Lithium batteries offer the best balance between price and performance, as long as they are charged with battery chargers intended by their manufacturers! Never, but really, never charge a lithium battery with the charger NOT EXPLICITLY recommended by the battery manufacturer!

Lithium battery cells commonly have 3.6-3.7 volts voltage, with the maximum allowed voltage of slightly above 4 volts. Thus, for example, 5-cell battery packs feature 18 volts, but many brands label them as 20 volts batteries for marketing purposes - this is not wrong, but ... Similarly, 10-cell packs feature 36 volts but are labeled as 40 volts packs ...

Larger voltage doesn't warranty better performances since actual power is voltage multiplied by current (Ohm's Law):

Power = Voltage x Current

But, higher voltage means smaller currents, leading to higher efficiency due to the heat losses.

Also, connecting more and more cells in a single battery pack leads to a more expensive pack, and one has to find a balance between the price and performance.

Operating time depends on the amount of energy stored in the onboard battery and it greatly varies according to the use - when pushed to the maximum, cordless leaf blowers rarely can operate longer than 15 minutes, but when the power is decreased, their operating time is often 30+ minutes.

Dry leaves don't require much power to be cleaned around the backyard, but heavy wet leaves and grass clippings require fast-moving air and that can deplete the battery rather quickly.

Operating time also depends on the battery capacity - it is not the same to use, for example, 2.0 Ah and a 7.0 Ah battery.

Leaf Blower Weight: lighter leaf blowers are usually operated using a single hand. They are very light, but their battery voltage/capacity is often rather limited, leading to a shorter operating time.

Larger battery-operated leaf blowers use shoulder straps and large batteries - they are heavier but can operate for longer and be used for cleaning even moist/wet dirt.

Additional Features: in order to make these tools more versatile, leaf blowers often come with several nozzles, optimized for different situations (large volume, small speed, or small volume, high speed, and similar). Also, some leaf blowers feature metal (or made of reinforced plastic) impellers or turbines, allowing the units to be used as both leaf blowers and leaf vacuums/mulchers. Such 3-in-1 units can come in very handy for keeping the yard clean, but they are slightly more expensive than common leaf blowers.

Of course, there are other details that one has to check before buying a new cordless leaf blower, but they can be highly individual.

1. Greenworks 24252 40V 150 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower

Greenworks 24252 is one of the most popular cordless leaf blowers on the market thanks to its simple use and maintenance, acceptable price, lightweight and ergonomic design.

Greenworks 24252 is powered with Greenworks G-MAX 40V lithium batteries accepting both 2.0 and 4.0 Ah batteries.

Maximum air speed is 150 mph (240 km/h, 66.7 m/s) with the maximum airflow of 135 CFM, allowing the unit to be used on both hard surfaces and grass, with the best results being achieved on the hard surfaces.

Speed is set via variable speed dial on the handle, allowing the user to adjust air speed according to the task.

Greenworks 24252 weight during use is 7 pounds (~3.2 kg) allowing the user to easily control the unit with just one hand.

Single Greenworks G-MAX 40V 2.0 Ah battery provides enough energy for up to 14 minutes of use. If that is not enough, operating time may be prolonged with another 2.0 Ah battery, or with a single 4.0 Ah battery.

Since Greenworks manufactures a broad range of tools that are powered with G-MAX 40V batteries, just a few of these batteries may power all the tools that a backyard gardener requires.

Note: Greenworks 24252 is designed to be used only as a leaf blower.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Greenworks 24252 Cordless Leaf Blower Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

2. KIMO 6001 20V Lithium 2-in-1 Sweeper/Vacuum

 KIMO 6001 20V Lithium 2-in-1 Sweeper/Vacuum is a 2-in-1 leaf vacuum/blower that comes in two very similar versions, one being powered by 20V 2.0 Ah battery (KIMO 6001-2.0) and another with 20V 4.0 Ah battery (KIMO 6001-4.0) - other than that, they are practically the same units.

Personally, KIMO 6001 is designed to be an affordable cordless leaf blower, with the secondary function of being a cordless vacuum - due to the design of air path and its impeller/turbine, it is not very good at 'vacuuming' leaves and certainly, it is not good at mulching those leaves. After all, it is not even advertised as 3-in-1, but as a 2-in-1 unit.

KIMO 6001 is a very light unit and may be used even by elderly people and even kids (kids under the supervision of adults, of course).

Its 20V 2.0 Ah battery provides enough power for ~15 minutes of operation, and a 20V 4.0 Ah battery for ~30 minutes, which is usually more than enough for most cleaning tasks.

If you are looking for a simple, lightweight, and affordable (dry) leaf blower, consider KIMO 6001 - model with a 2.0 Ah battery is very popular, but the model with a 4.0 Ah battery is gaining in popularity as well.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check KIMO 6001-2.0 20V Lithium 2-in-1 Sweeper/Vacuum and KIMO 6001-4.0 20V Lithium 2-in-1 Sweeper/Vacuum Amazon links (links open in the new windows).

3. DEWALT DCBL720P1 20V MAX 5.0 Ah Lithium-Ion XR Brushless Blower

 DEWALT DCBL720P1 leaf blower is powered by a DeWalt MAX 20V 5.0 Ah battery providing a maximum air speed of 90 mph (144 km/h, 40 m/s) and 400 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute).

DEWALT DCBL720P1 uses a brushless motor and axial fan design maximizing efficiency, air volume, and operating time on the single battery charge.

Also, DEWALT DCBL720P1 is a rather low noise (61 dB) leaf blower, allowing the unit to be used even in residential areas with no issues due to the noise.

Unit is rather robust and reliable and when compared with other cordless units, it is far from being lightest - it weighs 7.1 pounds (~3.2 kg), but it can be easily controlled using just one hand.

Like all other DeWalt tools, DEWALT DCBL720P1 leaf blower is not a cheap unit, but it comes with a 5.0 Ah battery that may be used for powering many other DeWalt tools designed around the DeWalt MAX 20V lithium battery system.

Of course, if the user already has such battery, DEWALT DCBL720 may be purchased as a 'bare tool' at a rather affordable price.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check DEWALT DCBL720P1 20V MAX 5.0 Ah Lithium Ion XR Brushless Blower Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

4. BLACK+DECKER LSW221 20V MAX Cordless Sweeper

Black+Decker LSW221 is a lightweight and affordable cordless leaf blower being able to achieve air speeds up to 130 mph (208 km/h, 57.7 m/s).

Unit is powered with a Black+Decker 20V MAX lithium-ion battery with 1.5 Ah capacity - enough for 15-18 minutes of operation on the single battery charge.

Black+Decker LSW221 weighs just 3.7 pounds (~1.7 kg) and is rather easy to control during use.

Its nozzle is designed to increase the air speed and focus airflow, allowing it to clean even wet debris.

Black+Decker LSW221 is a rather simple to use and maintain leaf blower and thanks to the quality of manufacture and acceptable price, it is one of the most popular models on the market.

Note: Black+Decker manufactures a broad range of cordless tools that are powered with Black+Decker 20V MAX batteries - again, few of these batteries may be used to power all cordless tools that backyard gardeners require.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check BLACK+DECKER LSW221 20V MAX Cordless Sweeper Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

5. WORX WG584.1 40V 4.0Ah Lithium WORXAIR Turbine Blower

WORX WG584.1 cordless leaf blower is powered by two 20V 4.0 Ah lithium batteries. It also features an axial flow turbine and brushless motor that achieves an airflow of up to 430 CFM.

Air speed control system features 3-speed settings + Boost mode, ensuring that the user may choose desired airflow/speed according to the cleaning task: 60/69/80/95 mph.

Turbine speed depends on the required air speed and it varies between 14300 and 21900 rpm.

Two fully charged batteries provide up to 20 minutes of operation - enough for cleaning a rather large area.

When it is ready for use, WORX WG584.1 cordless leaf blower weighs 7.3 pounds (3.3 kg) - not the lightest leaf blower on the market.

The onboard battery indicator is easily visible, signaling to the user the remaining battery charge.

WORX WG584.1 comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

Like many other brands, WORX uses the same battery system to power other cordless tools as well - two 20V lithium batteries may be used to power other WORX tools as well or WORX WG584.1 may be ordered as a 'bare tool'.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check WORX WG584.1 40V 4.0Ah Lithium WORXAIR Turbine Blower Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

6. LiTHELi 40V 480CFM 92MPH Leaf Blower

LiTHELi 40V 480CFM 92MPH Leaf Blower features axial fan being able to push up to 480 CFM of air up to 92 mph (147 km/h, 41 m/s) in turbo mode.

Speed is adjustable between 45 and 76 mph (plus 92 mph in turbo mode), allowing the user to prolong the battery life and clean the debris more efficiently.

LiTHELi cordless leaf blower is powered with 40V 2.5 Ah lithium battery which may be used for other LiTHELi cordless tools as well.

If a larger battery is required, LiTHELi cordless leaf blower is also compatible with their 40V 5.0 Ah battery, doubling the operating time on the single battery charge.

Noise during operation is <66 dB, low enough even for tightly packed residential areas - low noise considering that the unit is powered with 550 watts brushless motor.

LiTHELi leaf blower weighs ~5.85 pounds (~2.65 kg) causing no fatigue during use.

LiTHELi leaf blower balances rather well between good performances, acceptable price, sturdy design, and warranty conditions - a 3-year warranty for battery and charger and a 5-year warranty for leaf blower (tool).

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check LiTHELi 40V 480CFM 92MPH Leaf Blower Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

7. Makita DUB182T1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower 

Makita DUB182T1 cordless leaf blower is a rather lightweight (3.9 pounds, 1.77 kg) and compact (20 3/4", 52.7 cm) unit.

It is powered by a Makita 18V 5.0 Ah LXT lithium-ion battery providing enough energy for up to 20 minutes of operation.

Variable 3-speed motor with a maximum fan speed of 18000 rpm ensures a rather respectable maximum air velocity of 179 mph (286 km/h, 79.5 m/s) and a maximum air volume of 91 CFM - Makita DUB182T1 may be used for both dry and wet debris.

It features a rubberized soft grip handle for increased operator comfort even during prolonged operation.

Also, its Makita 18V 5.0 Ah LXT lithium-ion battery may be used for a broad range of Makita's tools designed around these batteries.

Although Makita DUB182T1 appears very similar to KIMO 6001 20V Lithium 2-in-1 Sweeper/Vacuum, these are two different units - after all, Makita DUB182T1 is 'only' a leaf blower, while KIMO 6001 is a 2-in-1 unit (again, its vacuuming function is only its secondary function).

Price of the Makita DUB182T1? Well, like many similar tools that come from Makita, DeWalt, and similar companies, it is not cheap. But what you pay is what you get - a sturdy, reliable tool that will serve you for a long time ...

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Makita DUB182T1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

8. Greenworks 24322 40V 185 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum

 Greenworks 24322 is a 2-in-1 garden leaf blower/vacuum, powered by Greenworks G-MAX 40V batteries, with a 4.0 Ah battery being recommended for longer operating time.

Speed and airflow are variable, with the maximum air speed of 185 mph (296 km/h, 82 m/s) and maximum airflow of 340 CFM.

Greenworks 24322 weighs 5.6 pounds (2.6 kg) - lightweight for the unit in this class.

Conversion from the blower to vacuum and vice versa can be done quickly and easily - just swap the nozzles and add/remove the collector bag.

Greenworks 24322 is far from being cheap unit, but it is very versatile tool justifying its price tag.

Greenworks manufactures a range of cordless tools being powered with Greenworks G-MAX 40V batteries, allowing the user to power all required tools with a small set of batteries and chargers, saving plenty of money in the long run.

Greenworks 24322 comes with a 4-year tool warranty and a 2-year battery warranty.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Greenworks 24322 40V 185 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

9. Makita XBU02PT1 18V X2 (36V) Blower Kit

 Makita XBU02PT1 uses two 18V LXT 5.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries to achieve performances that are close to corded/gas-powered leaf blowers.

Unit comes with a 6-stage air velocity/volume selection dial with variable speed control trigger, allowing the user to adjust the air speed/volume to the required level and thus prolong the operating time on the single battery charge.

Its fan speed ranges from 11400 to 21500 rpm.

The maximum air speed of the Makita XBU02PT1 is 120 mph (192 km/h, 53.3 m/s) with a maximum air volume of 473 CFM.

Despite its power, Makita XBU02PT1 is not a noisy blower with a noise rating of just 61 dB.

With two batteries, Makita XBU02PT1 weighs 'only' 9.0 pounds (~4.1 kg). We say 'only' because 9.0 pounds makes this blower relatively heavy, but the pair of its batteries is able to store 180 Wh of energy - the unit may operate up to 25-28 minutes when set at mid-speed.

Again, its Makita 18V 5.0 Ah LXT lithium-ion battery may be used for a broad range of Makita's tools designed around these batteries.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check Makita XBU02PT1 18V X2 (36V) Blower Kit Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

10. WORX WG591 Turbine 56V Cordless Battery-Powered Leaf Blower

 WORX WG591 is a large and powerful cordless leaf blower, powered by 56 volts 2.0 Ah lithium-ion battery and a high-efficiency brushless motor.

The strong motor is combined with the so-called Hyper Stream air nozzle to achieve air speeds of 60/125 mph and air volume of 225/465 CFM, ensuring that the unit may be used for cleaning both dry and wet leaves and similar debris.

WORX WG591 weighs 8.1 pounds (3.67 kg) which is an acceptable weight for the unit in this class.

The fast charger may fully charge its 56 volts 2.0 Ah battery in ~90 minutes.

WORX WG591 comes with a 3-year warranty.

For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check WORX WG591 Turbine 56V Cordless Battery-Powered Leaf Blower Amazon link (link opens in the new window).

Long Story Short: If you are looking for a simple leaf blower, consider a cordless leaf blower powered by an 18-36V (20-40V) battery. The most popular voltage in terms of 'best buy' cordless tools is 36V (40V) and if you are looking to buy several cordless tools, pick one of the most reputable brands and go for their 36V (40V) series of cordless tools.

56V (60V) tools and especially 72V (80V) tools are getting more and more popular, with some 72V models featuring levels of power very close to the corded or even to the gas-operated units.