Autumn may be a stunningly beautiful season where the landscape positively overflows with color and texture and we get a respite from the scorching heat of summer, but it does throw a monkey wrench in the works.
Blankets of fallen leaves can block the sunlight from reaching vegetation, causing fungus and rot, and once they get wet, those leaves on the driveway are a huge slip hazard.
Thankfully, there is a well-known tool that can help us in our time of technicolor need… the humble leaf blower, but the OG gas models are expensive to buy and run, and aren’t great for the environment.
What you need is a cordless electric leaf blower, and I’m about to show you the best in town!
Having put in the leg work over the last few weeks, I’ve settled on this shortlist of the 5 most impressive cordless leaf blowers you can buy, and I’ve even composed a buyer’s guide to help you figure out which is best for your autumn world woes.
Best Leaf Blower (Cordless): Reviews
OUR TOP PICK
Best Overall-EGO Power+ LB5302 Cordless Leaf Blower
EDITORS CHOICE
Best Budget Pick-Expansion Wellness Leaf Blower
BEST VALUE
Best For Pros-EGO Power+ LB6504 Cordless Leaf Blower
OUR TOP PICK
Best Overall-EGO Power+ LB5302 Cordless Leaf Blower
A well rounded unit capable of handling pretty much any residential job, the LB5302 from EGO Power+ is the perfect starting point for this list.
Featuring a 3-speed brushless motor with a turbo mode, this is a nuanced blower with an output you can tailor to suit the task at hand, meaning you can conserve battery power and undertake larger projects.
And speaking of battery power, it’s a 2.5 Ah unit, which isn’t the most muscle you can find in a blower, but I clocked it in at about 40 minutes during my tests, which isn’t bad, especially if you invest in a backup battery.
With a CFM rating of 530 and an airspeed of 110 MPH, power is the name of the game here. Not only does it have what it takes to shift leaves, this thing can handle acorns and even small rocks, without breaking a sweat.
Plus, it only weighs 7 lbs (great for seniors and those with aches and pains), and it runs at beneath 65 dBA, which should keep the neighbors happy.
Pros
- 530 CFM — Insane output for shifting debris quickly
- 110 MPH — Not the fastest, but can move weighty debris
- 7 lbs — Easy on the arms and back
- Sub 65 dBA — Pretty quiet considering the power
- Variable speed — Extends runtime
Cons
- 2.5 Ah battery — Another .5 and this baby would be the full package
Also available from…
EDITORS CHOICE
Best Budget Pick-Expansion Wellness Leaf Blower
If your go-to shopping tactic is simply to look for the best possible bang for your buck, or perhaps you’re just trying to tighten the purse strings this fall, then you’ll love this cordless blower from Expansion Wellness.
Yes, the brand name sounds like a yoga retreat, but when it comes to leaf blowers, these folks know exactly what they’re doing.
For a song, you get 320 CFM blasting out at 150 MPH, giving you the power to clear even tangled and heavy debris efficiently, which is a good job, as, during my tests, the 4 Ah battery only lasted between 15 and 25 minutes.
You can, however, utilize the 6 speed modes to fine-tune the output to the job and eke out a few more precious minutes of runtime. Even so, it’s best to invest in a backup battery here.
For recharge, you’re looking at 3 hours, which is about average for this power level, and even with the battery loaded, it only weighs 6 lbs, so there’ll be no strains after a hard day’s work.
Pros
- 320 CFM — That’s a lot of air!
- 150 MPH — Clears debris in a snap
- 6 lbs — Doesn’t feel a burden to use
- Price — I could barely believe it!
- Brushless — Quiet, powerful, and long-lasting
Cons
- 15–25 minute runtime — You’ll definitely need a spare battery to take on larger projects.
Also available from…
BEST VALUE
Best For Pros-EGO Power+ LB6504 Cordless Leaf Blower
With a CFM output of 650 and a maximum speed of 180 MPH, the LB6504 is a veritable mountain-mover. Seriously, no matter what you need to shift, this thing is more than capable.
What’s more, it has a 5 Ah battery with a run time ranging from 15 minutes (Turbo), to 200 minutes (lowest setting).
As you’d expect from a machine as exquisite as this, it has a brushless motor for a quiet running volume (except in Turbo mode) and extended productivity, and during my testing, the ergonomic enclosure did a sterling job of quelling vibration transmission.
Considering the raw power of this unit, it’s no surprise that, at just over 12 lbs, it’s slightly heavier than some others on my list, but what’s a couple extra lbs when what you’re getting in exchange is the power of a hurricane at your fingertips?
Besides, it’s incredibly well balanced, so you don’t necessarily feel the weight difference, and, as it allows you to be so accurate, you get the job done in record time anyway, so you don’t ever have to hold it for too long.
Pros
- 650 CFM — Massive airflow for a speedy job
- 180 MPH — Force to move heavier debris
- 5 Ah battery — Beefy runtimes, especially in low setting
- Perfectly balanced — Very easy to use
- Variable speeds — Extend runtime by using lower modes
- Brushless — Long lasting and powerful
Cons
- 12.9 lbs — Heavier than most
- Price — This sort of power doesn’t come cheap
Also available from…
RUNNER UP
Best Backpack Blower-Greenworks Pro 80 V Cordless Backpack Leaf Blower
Not interested in lugging a heavy leaf blower around using just your arms? This backpack design from Greenworks is just what the doctor ordered.
By spreading the weight of the device over the stronger parts of your body, it’s incredibly easy to use, even over long periods of time.
But it’s not just a practical leaf blower; with a whopping CFM score of 610, and a max airspeed of 180 MPH, there’s nothing this thing can’t handle, come leaves, seeds, snow, or even pebbles.
It weighs 14.64lbs overall, but during my testing, I noted that it felt like the lightest due to the backpack style, and thanks to some excellent vibration dampening and an ergonomic design, it’s one of the most comfortable too!
I do wish Greenworks took advantage of the backpack format by kitting it out with something larger than the included 2 Ah battery, but as long as you have a backup to hand, you’ll still be able to tackle areas upwards of 1 acre.
On the bright side, this battery will be fully recharged and ready for action in as little as 45 minutes.
Pros
- 610 CFM — Lots of air power for clearing debris quickly
- 180 MPH — Heavy debris isn’t an issue
- Backpack design — Easy on the arms
- 45 minute recharge — Not tons of downtime
Cons
- 2 Ah battery — Short runtime
RUNNER UP
Best Dual Battery-Makita XBU02PT Cordless Leaf Blower
The XBU02PT has all the fundamentals you could want, such as 473 CFM and air speeds up to 120 MPH for shifting debris quickly, but it also arrives with 2 beefy 5 Ah batteries and a dual charging port.
These batteries work together to enhance the runtime of this unit significantly.
During my tests, I found that it can run for pretty much half an hour on its middle speed setting, which is impressive.
It’s also an exceptionally quiet leaf blower, only ever reaching 61 dBA on its highest setting, and even though, at 16.9 lbs, it’s quite heavy, it is well balanced and comfortable to use.
Also, with a quality brushless motor taking care of the heavy lifting, you’re guaranteed longevity from this wonderful device!
Pros
- 473 CFM — Speedy clearance
- 120 MPH — Powerful enough to shift stubborn debris
- Dual battery — decent runtime
- 61 dBA — Nice and quiet
- Brushless — Outstanding longevity
Cons
- 16.9 lbs — Not the lightest blower ever
Buyer’s Guide
Having seen some of the best cordless leaf blowers around, you may still be feeling unsure of what you’re actually looking for, but this brief yet informative buyer’s guide will sort that out!
How To Charge A Cordless Leaf Blower
Charging your cordless leaf blower couldn’t be easier. Any model worth its salt will have a detachable battery that you can remove, bring inside, and charge up without having to bring the entire unit into the house.
Now, as for the battery release mechanism, it’s going to be different from blower to blower, so you’ll have to consult your user manual for the details, but, generally speaking, it’ll be a button or a switch.
Push whatever control you have on your leaf blower, and the battery will uncouple from the latching mechanism. You can then slide it out of the blower, and take it inside with you.
Most blowers will come with a charging port. Simply plug your blower battery into the port, and hook the port up to a standard wall outlet, and then play the waiting game.
How Green Are Cordless Leaf Blowers?
Although some people question the “greenness” of grid electricity, a battery-powered leaf blower is certainly more environmentally friendly than one that uses a liquid fuel.
Battery-powered units don’t spew any toxins into the air, which means they don’t directly contribute to the pollution that’s tearing ecosystems apart.
As they’re constructed using a lot of plastic, it’s possible that their production process isn’t the best for the environment, but as long as they stand the test of time, it’s not a dire hit.
You’ll likely get through quite a few batteries over the course of your cordless blower’s service life, but even though lithium batteries are highly reactive when thrown in the garbage, specialist plants can recycle them.
Are Cordless Leaf Blowers Energy-Efficient?
Cordless leaf blowers are highly energy-efficient, which is another reason why they’re considered a green tool. They simply don’t use all that much electricity, especially as they’re not often used for extended periods of time. They may be powerful, but they’re also quite measured contraptions.
Motor
If you can afford it, I’d absolutely choose a brushless motor. Brushless motors are quieter, more powerful, extend battery life, and have more staying power than their brushed counterparts.
Having said that, for small, short jobs, a brushed motor will be fine (and cheaper).
Blower Power
Now’s the time you need to think about application. What exactly do you need to shift with your leaf blower? Do you only require a light dusting to remove particulate debris from your drive, or do you have tons of wet autumn leaves to clear from tangled grass?
Air force determines what a leaf blower is capable of, and it’s typically measured in CFM (air value) and MPH (airspeed).
For a versatile blower that can handle a moderate-to-large sized yard, I’d recommend choosing something around the 650 CFM/150 MPH mark.
For smaller yards, you can save yourself a few bucks and choose a 150–400 CFM model, but it should have an airspeed upwards of 90 MPH. Even if a blower has a low CFM, performance can still be incredible if the MPH is jacked enough.
For larger yards and pro work, there are some cordless leaf blowers out there with CFM ratings upwards of 800 and airspeeds upwards of 220 MPH, but they’ll cost ya!
Strength Of Charge
The battery in your leaf blower may last anywhere between 15 minutes and just over an hour. It all depends on the size and quality of the battery.
If you have a large space to clear, you’ll need to prioritize battery power, but if you only have a small area to cover, you can save some cash and choose a smaller battery.
The best way to judge the longevity of a battery is by amp hours (Ah).
For larger jobs, I’d recommend settling for nothing short of 5 Ah, but if you do end up with something in the region of 2–3 Ah, it’s definitely worth forking out for a couple of spare batteries so you can double your runtime and minimize downtime.
Duration Of Charge
The time it takes for your battery to recharge is largely dependent on the size of the battery.
Those with beefy capacities and long runtimes will almost always take longer to charge than those that run out after 15 minutes of use.
Typically speaking, you’re looking between 60 minutes to 3 hours to reach 100% charge, but, for some models, your very first charge may need to be a lot longer — think 12 hours or so.
Volume
Leaf blowers are essentially a storm in a convenient handheld device, and as such, they can be very noisy devices. The good news is that battery-powered blowers are way quieter than those that use gas.
But if you really want to keep your neighbors happy, or simply value your ability to hear, you should choose a blower with advanced sound dampening properties. Aim for something with a sonic output of around 60 dBA, and avoid anything that breaks the 70dBA threshold.
Weight And Balance
I know you’re probably not going to be lugging a leaf blower around with you all day, but you still want it to be manageable and ergonomic, especially if (like me) your back isn’t what it used to be.
Being that they have an integrated battery, they tend to be a little heavier than corded and some gas-powered blowers out there, but you can still find them well under 10 lbs.
In terms of balance, you want your blower to facilitate optimal nozzle position without you having to do much work. If you find it difficult to “aim” a blower, it’s probably best to set it down and move on.
Features
- Variable speed — Will help you conserve battery
- Battery indicator — Lets you know how much juice you’ve got left
- Shoulder strap — Takes pressure off your arms
- Turbo — Makes short work of stubborn debris
- Fast charge — Minimizes downtime
- Multiple nozzles — Diversify your blower
- “Cruise control” — No need to hold down the activation trigger
Best Leaf Blower (Cordless): Frequently Asked Questions
Got time for a quick cordless leaf blower FAQ?
Are Cordless Leaf Blowers Worth It?
Cordless leaf blowers are fantastic tools. They may not be as consistent as corded models, but the freedom of movement you get by taking the cord out of the equation is a worthy tradeoff.
Plus, you can invest in a couple of spare batteries to solve that particular issue.
What Is A Good CFM For A Leaf Blower?
What’s considered a “good” CFM for a leaf blower depends on the intended application, but generally speaking, a good low-end model will be able to push out 200 to 400 CFM well above the 90 MPH mark.
A good mid-range unit should be capable of anything between 350 to 600 CFM, with airspeeds approaching the 110–200 MPH zone.
Pro-grade units should have a 600+ CFM and airspeeds upwards of 180 MPH.
How Long Before I Have To Replace The Battery In My Leaf Blower?
A good quality leaf blower battery should be able to stick it out for many years, but it depends how frequently you use it and how hands-on you are when it comes to battery maintenance.
Final Thoughts
That’s your lot from me today. These leaf blowers are the crème de la crème, but it’s not an exhaustive list, and although I tried to include a wide variety of designs, you may still feel like you haven’t found the blower of your dreams just yet.
Not to worry though! Use what you’ve learned in this buyer’s guide to continue your search for your perfect leaf blower across the wider internet. Happy hunting!
