6 best lithium ion cordless leaf blowers every homeowner needs
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Though there is no denying the enormous power a gas-powered leaf blower provides, cordless models are getting more and more popular among suburban homeowners. No loud noise, no starting strain. Plug in the battery, press the button, and you’re ready to move leaves.
With the advances of technology, leaf blower manufacturers take advantage of lithium-ion batteries which have better performance and longer runtime to suit different needs of the users.
We gathered a group of 6 best lithium ion cordless leaf blowers which are combinations of power, balance, controls and comfort. Read on!
Greenworks 24252Editor’s Choice
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design
- Good for smaller areas with light debris
- Battery easily removed and reinserted for charging
- Fairly quiet operation
Cons
- Not powerful enough for larger areas or heavier debris
You are looking at one of the most popular leaf blowers on the market, Greenworks 24252. It features Greenworks’ newest GMAX 40V 2.0 Ah lithium ion battery which offers more power and longer run time.
This unit provides air speeds up to 150 MPH, which is ideal for small jobs such as light blowing leaves off of the deck and grass clippings off of the sidewalk and driveway. Compared to units of the same size, Greenworks 24252 can last up to 30 minutes on a full charge.
There are 6 speed levels that are suitable for different surfaces and jobs. The lightweight and compact silhouette reduces fatigue on your arms. This blower goes easy on your with the noise level of only 65 dBA.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Battery Included | GMAX 40V 2.0 Ah |
| Air Flow | 135 CFM |
| Air Speed | 150 MPH |
| Run Time | 20-30 mins |
| Decibel | 65 dBA |
| Weight | 5 lbs |
| Highlight Features | 6 speed selections, Extension tube, Quick recharge |
GreenWorks 24252 is a great choice if you need a blower that is lightweight yet powerful enough to do light-duty jobs such as blowing grass clippings off your home deck, driveway and sidewalks.
KIMO 6202Budget-Friendly Option
Pros
- Lightweight for the elderly and children
- Less noisy
- Sufficient power and battery life
- Variable trigger to adjust the speed
- Affordable price
Cons
- Not suitable for blowing wet leaves
Cheap doesn’t mean bad quality and KIMO 6202 leaf blower is a perfect example. Featuring 150 MPH blowing speed and 200 CFM air flow, this unit provides enough power for quick little jobs such as blowing dust and leaves off patio, sidewalk, porch, driveway or even drying car.
For seniors who want something lightweight to keep their garden clean, KIMO 6202 is a great choice since it only weighs 2.8 lbs. It is easy to handle with one hand and doesn’t wear out your arm. Even children can help their parents with the yard work thanks to this light blower.
The variable speed trigger is a useful feature for different tasks around the home. We love the battery indicator which tells us how much power remains and when it’s charged.
On a full charge, the battery can last 20-25 minutes depending on the speed, some customers even claim that they can use the blower up to 40 minutes.
Including a 20V 2.0Ah Li-Ion battery pack and a fast charger with a price of under $70, this blower is definitely a steal.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Battery Included | 20V 2.0Ah |
| Air Flow | 200 CFM |
| Air Speed | 150 MPH |
| Run Time | 20-25 mins |
| Decibel | N/A |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs |
| Highlight Features | Variable speed trigger, Simple setup, Inexpensive |
Why spend a fortune for a blower when you have this KIMO 6202? Lightweight but with great power for a small blower.
BLACK+DECKER LSW221Quietest
Pros
- Quietest blower on the market
- Lightweight and well-balanced
- Affordable
- Good for very small jobs
Cons
- Not for larger yards
- Short battery life
If you want to blow some grass clippings off the driveway without driving your neighbors crazy with the noise, this BLACK+DECKER LSW221 blower is definitely for you.
You will be surprised to know that the noise rating of this blower is only 61 dBA while most other models of its size emit 65-70 dBA. Your neighbors will appreciate you keeping the neighborhood tranquil.
However, it doesn’t feature as great power as other sweeper on the list. In the meantime, with 130 MPH blowing speed and 100 CFM air flow, it is enough for doing a quick sweep of the sidewalks and driveway.
Another plus point of this blower is its lightweight design is suitable for those who have little strength to carry for a long time.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Battery Included | 20V 1.5Ah |
| Air Flow | 100 CFM |
| Air Speed | 130 MPH |
| Run Time | 10-15 mins |
| Decibel | 61 dBA |
| Weight | 3.7 lbs |
| Highlight Features | Low noise design, Lightweight |
BLACK+DECKER LSW221 blower is lightweight medium power but strong enough to sweep pine needles and leaves off of driveways. Quieter than others.
2-IN-1 KIMO Cordless Leaf Blower and VacuumBest 2-in-1 Sweeper/Vacuum
Pros
- Versatile with blower and vacuum in one tool
- Easy to switch between blower and vacuum
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Easy to handle and direct output airflow
- Noise level is acceptable
Cons
- Not enough power for wet leaves
- The suction of the vacuum is only for small jobs
Do you want a blower and a vacuum for your cleaning project at the price of one tool? Then this 2-in-1 KIMO cordless leaf blower and vacuum should be on your shopping list.
Within 1 second, you can turn the blower into the vacuum by installing the hose nozzle on the inlet and attach the bag on the outlet, all of which are included in the package.
Upgraded 4.0Ah Battery expands the battery runtime of up to 20 minutes, enough for clearing up small yards. This versatile unit blows wind up to 150 MPH with KIMO turbine fan technology, being a great choice for cleaning leaves, debris, and snow off any surface areas.
It also features variable speed which helps you finish the job quicker. Seniors with weak arms and children who want to help their parents with yard work will love the ultra-lightweight design that goes easy on the arm when handling.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Battery Included | MAX 20V 4.0Ah |
| Air Flow | 200 CFM |
| Air Speed | 150 MPH |
| Run Time | 15-20 mins |
| Decibel | 65-75 dBA (at 50 ft) |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs |
| Highlight Features | Blower/vacuum combination, Ultralightweight, Variable speed, Strong motor |
Great & versatile product not just for cleaning the garden, but also for picking up dust around the house, garage and work area. 2-IN-1 KIMO Cordless Leaf Blower and Vacuum is also very lightweight and easy to get into tight spaces.
EGO Power+ LB6504 56VMost Powerful For Large Yards
Pros
- Power and capability to blow even wet and damp leaves
- Easy to access to the control panel
- Well balanced
- Charge fast
- Turbo speed for power-hungry tasks
Cons
- Pricey compared to other cordless models
- Turbo mode eats up battery runtime significantly
EGO Power+ LB6504 is really pushing the boundaries of the power of a cordless leaf blower. It boasts 650 CFM and up to 180 MPH that clears up the most stubborn dam and wet leaves in your garden.
There is a variable speed trigger to control how much power you want to use.Like other EGO models, it comes with a turbo button to set you up to the most powerful level available. The control design is well located so that you can adjust any of them with one hand in the blink of an eye.
The 5Ah battery is claimed to last up to 15 minutes on Turbo mode and about 200 minutes on lower modes. Most of the customers experience 30-40 minutes of runtime, which is enough for clearing up a large yard.
The EGO Power+ LB6504 blower is available as either a bare tool or a kit. The price of the kit is near the top of the scale, but it’s reasonable considering the gas models of the same power.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Battery Included | 56V 5.0 Ah |
| Air Flow | 650 CFM |
| Air Speed | 180 MPH |
| Run Time | 30-40 mins |
| Decibel | 88.3 dB (Low) - 91.6dB (Turbo) |
| Weight | 9.81 lbs |
| Highlight Features | Variable speed dial, Turbo Button delivers 650 CFM, Weather-resistant construction, Ergonomic design |
EGO Power+ LB6504 gives you the power of a gas leaf blower while cutting down the hassle of dealing with oil and fume.
Greenworks PRO 80V Backpack Blower BPB80L2510Backpack Option For Landscape Enthusiasts
Pros
- Backpack design takes weight off your arms
- Blows out leaves powerfully with even the lowest setting
- Fast charging time
- Quiet operation
- Easy to assemble, maintain, and use
- Variable speed
Cons
- Needs to be stored indoors during cold weather
- On the pricey end
You’re a garden lover who spends hours every day taking care of it but holding a handheld for a long time wears out your arms. If you’re looking for ways to take the edge of arm fatigue, a backpack leaf blower like the Greenworks Pro 80V can be a great tool.
With up to 580 CFM and 145 MPH this unit is the equivalent of a 32cc gas leaf blower. For most homeowners, this is more than enough to take care of all the cleaning needed in the garden. It is able to move small sticks, pine cones, and even wet piles of leaves with ease.
The Turbo button allows stepping up the power to the maximum for power-demanding jobs. Regarding the power it provides, Greenworks Pro 80V is surprisingly quiet. The harness coming with the blower is adjustable and comfy for most of the users.
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Battery Included | 80V 2.5Ah |
| Air Flow | 580 CFM |
| Air Speed | 145 MPH |
| Run Time | 25-30 mins |
| Decibel | 87 dBA |
| Weight | 14.64 lbs |
| Highlight Features | Variable speed trigger, Turbo button, Cruise control for ultimate control, Axial fan design, Added and adjustable harness |
The GreenWorks PRO 80V Backpack Blower is a wise investment for homeowners as it strikes a nice balance between power, quality and reliability. It is a good choice for thóe who don’t want to carry a heavy blower around with their hands.
How To Choose The Best Lithium Ion Cordless Leaf Blower?
What is air speed (MPH) for a leaf blower
Air speed for a leaf blower stands for the speed at which the air is pushed out of the blower. It is measured in Miles Per Hour (MPH). The faster the air is thrown, the stronger it will blow the stuff (leaves, dust, trashes…). Thus, when choosing a leaf blower, you must first look at its air speed and keep in mind that it has to be high (> 100 mph).
Basically, leaf blower air speed could be compared to the speed of the wind. When the wind is weak (<50 MPH) leaves barely move. However when the wind blows strongly (>180 MPH) like during storms leaves fly away.
How about Air Flow for leaf blowers
CFM is the abbreviation of Cubic Feet per Minute. In the context of a leaf blower, it represents the volume (cubic feet) of air the machine can blow every minute. In other words, it is the flow of air. The higher the CFM is, the larger the area the leaf blower is able to cover. You must consider a high CFM when picking a leaf blower.
For instance, a 1000 CFM blower means that every minute, at its strongest setting, 1000 Cubic Feet (approximately 9.3 m²) will be blown out of the tube.
In concrete terms, consider an empty box of 1000 cubic feet: 10 feet wide, 10 feet long and 10 feet high. Then a 1000 CFM leaf blower will be able to fill in with air within 1 minute.
Relation between Air Speed (MPH) and Air Flow (CFM) for a leaf blower
As we mentioned earlier, Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) is the air flow and air speed is the speed at which the air leaves the tube.
When buying a leaf blower, those two characteristics must match. Indeed, a tool that blows very strongly (high MPH) with a small amount of air (CFM) is useless. Consider a straw, when you blow inside a cup of water the MPH is high and the water waves a lot. However you can’t clean a whole garden with a straw as you need more air per minute.
Thus, you should opt for a high air speed (>150 MPH) with a high CFM (>100 CFM).
For the ones among you who want to deepen their knowledge about how MPH and CFM work and are actually link to each other.
Which Type Of Leaf Blowers Is Better?
There are three types of blowers that you can choose from: handheld, backpack, and walk behind. Depending on your needs, you might prefer one type but generally, they all serve the same function. Check out our summary for each type of leaf blower below.
Noise Level
You don’t want that every time you’re working on your lawn clearing up your garden, you disturb the peace of the neighborhood or wake up someone in your home. Then the noise level of your leaf blower is very important.
A leaf blower normally emits 65-75 dBA, and depending on your state and city, there are regulations on how noisy a leaf blower can be.
A rule of thumb is that the bigger the motor, the more noise it makes. So if you live in a dense area, it’s better to opt for a cordless electric leaf blower to avoid the complaints from your neighbors.
FAQs
The lithium-ion battery is commonly used in a wide variety of household electronic devices such as telephones, laptops and MP3 players. Like almost everything, the lithium-ion battery offers a number of advantages and drawbacks.
Pros
- The high energy density is the key plus point of lithium-ion battery technology. It allows electronic equipment to operate longer between charges while consuming more energy.
- The rate of self-discharge of lithium-ion cells is much lower than that of other rechargeable cells such as Ni-Cad and NiMH forms. In the first 4 hours after being charged, the rate is typically around 5% but then decreases to around 1 or 2% per month.
- They require little maintenance to keep up with the performance.
Cons
- They must be protected from being overcharged and discharged.
- They age fast. Batteries will only be able to go through 500 - 1000 charge cycles before their capacity falls.
- They are around 40% more costly to manufacture than Nickel-cadmium cells.
When was the last time you raked leaves for hours under the hot sun? Probably never. Because leaf blowers have taken over the world thanks to the energy and the time it saves.
A leaf blower not only can clear up leaves and debris in your garden, but also can be used to dry cars, deck, patio and even blow snow. How useful is that!
As reported by a public health campaign called Dangerous Decibels, the noise level of leaf blowers from a distance of 50 feet usually ranges from 64 to 78 dBA, while a normal conversion emits about 60 dBA.
Noise in a leaf blower results from two sources. One is from the air flowing out at velocity, just like the sound you hear when you drive with the windows rolled down. The second is from vibrations coming from the engine. Those vibrations are a blend of the fuel combustion process and the oscillations produced by the engine cylinders on the crankshaft that propagate through the rest of the blower.
Hundreds of counties and cities in the United States have enforced laws regulating or prohibiting the use of leaf blowers. A few places limit the time of day for leaf blowers while others specifically prohibit gas-powered units.
Electric leaf blowers which emit lower noise levels, or yard vacuums can often be a great substitute. It is therefore important to consult your city and/or your district about the leaf blower regulations in your region. Failure to adhere to your region's leaf blower laws can result in significant fines.
Here is a list of leaf blower regulations by region. Bear in mind that the list is only for reference. Make sure you check with your county/city as laws can change over time.
If used correctly and maintained properly, a leaf blower can last up to 10 years. However, to a cordless leaf blower, the battery usually die after 3 years.
Yes, a blower can’t avoid being wet while working outside. But don’t let the water get inside, especially electric fans. Most leaf blowers are not built with waterproof construction and should be used carefully in humid conditions. It is not recommended to use them in the rain.
Any damage caused by water would result from long-term exposure. In the case you kept it outside for a whole season in extremely soggy or rainy weather, rust could start kicking in.
Blow Leaves in the Forest
If you have forests or fields around your house, blow leaves in those natural areas where they will decompose. In order to prevent leaves blowing back to your properties because of the wind, make sure to blow the leaves deep into natural areas.
Bag them
Some towns or cities pick up bagged leaves. Make sure you consult local regulations on which kind of bags are allowed and which days they pick up.
Turn them into compost
Composting leaves is a great way to recycle while creating nutrient rich amendments for your soil in the garden. The compost makes the soil more porous, fertile as well as diminishes the strain on landfills, and forms over your garden a living “blanket”.
In order for the leaves to decompose faster, remember to shred them before adding them to the compost pile. This can be done by a lawn mower, but if you don’t have one, just keep them whole and add some moist grass clippings to balance the compost pile with nitrogen.
Burn the pile
I know leaf burning posts a fire hazard and causes air pollution, which is not recommended by The Environmental Protection Agency and is banned in some states.
All of those alternatives mentioned above are much more environmentally-friendly, but leaf burning is an annual autumn ritual for a lot of homeowners. There are a few things to remember before you burn leaves:
- Make sure your town / city allows burning, and check the authorized days of the month and hours for burning.
- Burn leaves in small piles (3 feet in diameter) in a clear open area (10 feet in diameter)
- Have a fire extinguisher, water or sand within reach in case the fire gets out of control.
- Avoid burning leaves near any structure, a minimum distance of 25 feet is recommended.
- Burn leaves on more temperate days when the wind is less than 10 mph.
- Always keep an eye on leaf burning piles
Conclusion
Cordless power tools are becoming more and more popular because they eliminate the hassle of cords, the mess of gas and oil and are quiet and environmentally-friendly. Lithium ion cordless leaf blower reduces the fatigue of clearing up the fall leaves using rakes.
I hope you’ve found yourself the best lithium ion cordless leaf blower for your next cleaning projects. Thank you for reading and see you in the next post!