Leaf blowers can make short work of leaves and debris in your yard. There are, however, many types on the market with various pros and cons. Read on as we discuss our top picks and also provide some handy tips on what to look for.

---

1. WORX 20V MAX Cordless Blower (Top Pick)

This popular blower is reliable and effective. It’s perfect for cleaning up gardens and yards thanks to its powerful 20V motor that produces up to 200km/h air speed.

Being lightweight and cordless, this device is easy to use and is less likely to result in pain or fatigue than more heavy duty options. The long and angled tube is designed to assist with access to hard-to-reach places such as underneath your car, deck, or outdoor furniture.

---

2. Ryobi 18v One+ Blower Vac

This Ryobi leaf blower is light and easy to use. It’s great for cleaning leaves off a patio or paved area and is powerful enough for most jobs around the home.  

The battery is interchangeable with other Ryobi equipment, which is very helpful since you’ll probably need two to finish larger jobs. It’s also quieter than other electric models; it’s still loud, all leaf blowers are, but it’s not deafening and won’t scare the kids.  

This is great value for the price. It has all the features you need for domestic duties and works exactly as described.  

---

3. Makita 36V Li-ion Cordless Turbo Blower Combo Kit

This blower from Makita has a lot of power and is good for cleaning gutters and other house-hold jobs. The batteries recharge quickly, taking only 45 mins for a full charge on both batteries.  

It does go through batteries pretty quickly, so you’ll want to have extras on hand if you have a large yard, but for most homes, this will make cleaning up leaves easy. If you own other Makita products you can switch out the batteries as needed. 

The machine starts easily and is pretty light, so it’s quite comfortable to use. It’s also very reliable, as you would expect from Makita gear. The high price tag may scare some people, but this is a quality machine that works as advertised and makes your life easier. This is one of the best leaf blowers and will last a long time; definitely check it out. 

---

4. Ozito 2400W Handheld Electric Blower Vacuum Mulcher

This is a great budget leaf blower vacuum from Ozito. It has a 2400 watt motor, so it’s got all the power you need, as well as variable speeds and a single-action lever. It does everything the more expensive models do.  

When using it as a mulcher, it sucks up most leaves but can get stuck with twigs or larger leaves. A lot of dust tends to come from the bag, so expect your pants to get dirty, but for the price, this is well worth that minor inconvenience. 

This is good for most jobs, and if you only do the occasional clean-up around the yard, then this is perfect. A good leaf blower for such a low price.  

---

5. STIHL BG 56 Blower Vac

The Stihl BG 56 is a petrol-powered leaf blower that’s fairly light and easy to use. It has enough power for a large garden or lawn, and it’s surprisingly easy to start. Stihl has incorporated an easy start system that lets you fire it up with a long, easy pull of the starter cord instead of a hard jerk. 

It has the advantage over electric blowers when it comes to power and run time. You can finish cleaning up the yard and driveway with no problem where an electric blower would need a change of batteries.  

This leaf blower is in the middle price-range; it’s great value and will handle any domestic jobs. 

---

6. Bosch Leaf Blower and Vacuum

This leaf blower from Bosch is a great electric blower vacuum that can handle any jobs around the house. This has a cord, not a battery, so it is a little more powerful than battery-operated models. You do have to plug it in and make sure the cord is long enough for your yard, but for domestic duties, it should be fine for most people. 

It handles well and is comfortable to hold; you can work for a long time without getting fatigued, and it comes with a shoulder strap if the collection bag gets too heavy.

The power output is very good; it can blow away garden and lawn clippings, wet leaves, and gravel. When used as a vacuum, it can get stuck on some larger leaves and twigs, but it is generally pretty good.  

Overall, it’s a great buy and will last a long time. 

---

Blower Vac Buyer’s Guide

Electric blowers 

Electric blower vacs have a cord that plugs into a regular power socket. They are more powerful than cordless electric blowers as they aren’t constrained by the battery size, but you are hampered by the length of the cord and having to make sure it doesn’t catch on anything.  

Electric leaf blowers are best for light domestic tasks in smaller homes.  

Cordless Electric blowers  

Cordless leaf blower vacs are powered by rechargeable batteries. They tend to have the lowest power output and there is a noticeable change in power depending on the size of the battery used.  

A cordless blower is the most convenient to use as it gives you more freedom than a corded blower and they don’t require as much maintenance as a petrol blower. They also tend to be the quietest out of the different types. They are still noisy, but not nearly as noisy as petrol models.  

Petrol powered blowers 

Petrol leaf blower vacs have the most power and a longer run time than battery-powered leaf blower vacs. They are good for large homes and are most often employed for commercial use. 

On the downside, they make the most noise, so ear protection is mandatory, and they give off emissions. Petrol leaf blowers are best for regular work, but are the least neighbour-friendly. They also require more maintenance than electric blowers, although this usually isn’t much.   

Mulching  

After piling up leaves with the blowing function, you can switch your blower into a vacuum. This is typically done by removing the front nozzle and replacing it with a collection bag. Then a wide nozzle is attached to the input.

You now have a vacuum instead of a blower, and the leaves are mulched as they are sucked up and caught in the collection bag. This is a great way of making compost.