Preparing for winter is all well and good, but what about the raked thatch and fallen leaves out in the yard today? In case you missed the memo, clearing the land of all natural elements, in this case, fallen leaves around the sidewalk, lawn and stoop, is necessary before the snow begins to fall. Yes, even at the cost of your neighborhood’s otherwise pervasive tranquility. But, with the market shelves infested with leaf blowers of all shapes and sizes from every lawn care company you can think of, finding the right one for the job can be a tough task. Luckily for you, we have combed through the suburbs of leaf blowers and have found the ones that are worth every extra decibel per square feet.
The Cordless Leaf Blower
While the basic design of a leaf blower is still pretty much the same, it is safe to say that all leaf blowers have not been created equally. There are some differences which sets leaf blowers apart, such as battery power, size, and the accessories. Some folks would also use the noise factor to the list, and then there’s also the matter of pricing. When we talk about garden power tools, the leaf blower is not considered to be amongst the priciest tools in the shed, but you need to know about leaf blowers so that your investment is worth it.
What to Look For
The following is a list of the factors that need to be considered when choosing a leaf blower for your front lawn.
Air Speed
The air speed measures how fast the blower is able to move the air and is normally given in mph. Likewise, the faster the air speed the faster you will be able to get the job done in moving those leaves.
Volume
When it comes to leaf blowers, the volume is measured in CFM or Cubic Feet per Minute. This number can be used as an indication of the amount of air that the machine is able to move. This also is a good measurement of the amount of leaves and debris the leaf blower is able to move per minute. The higher the CFM value, the more leaves it is capable of moving.
Weight
While extra weight is often considered with high quality, when it comes to leaf blowers, it will also mean you will have to use more strength to hold the leaf blower up, which can take a toll on your arms after prolonged use. This is why it is best to choose a lighter model when going for a leaf blower.
Noise Pollution
This is another factor to consider when choosing a leaf blower. Since some leaf blowers will make enough noise to wake the dead, you always choose one that doesn’t cause any discomfort to other members in your home, and also the neighbors. Selecting a low-noise leaf blower is also a good idea if there are any elderly people living in your home.
Ease of Use
And finally, this is the most important factor of choosing a leaf blower, and is a factor that can make or break your decision on choosing a particular leaf blower. Needless to say, there is going to be a certain degree of vibration when using the leaf blower, but there are models that have been designed to give off low vibrations, making them more comfortable to operate. Furthermore, soft-touch handles and easy controls also help in making the leaf blower user friendly.
Gas vs. Electric vs. Battery
Leaf blowers also come in three different power options. Gas leaf blower usually uses a two-stroke engine and is considered to be the loudest of the three. The two-stroke engine will also require a bit of tugging of the pull starter to get the engine started; this is easier said than done, especially during winter. Then, there’s the use of oil and gas, which has to be filled in the gas leaf blower in equal amounts or else the thing won’t work. Sorry to sound like a broken record, but that’s just how it is!
On the flip side, using a gas-powered leaf blower means you can work for longer periods of time without the need of taking a break. So, in that sense, the gas-powered leaf blower will be ideal if you have a large garden, and can’t do with the limited cord or battery life of other options. Although heavier, a gas leaf blower is also more powerful as compared to its battery or electric powered counterparts.
Top Leaf Blowers
Now, let’s get to business. The following is the list of the top leaf blowers available in the market. The information shared here will give you a good idea of your options and what to look for when choosing a leaf blower for your home.
Husqvarna 125B
Features:
- 170 MPH velocity and 470 CFM air volume
- Variable speed throttle with cruise control system
- Auto stop switch to automatically reset when needed
- Sound pressure level of 94 dB
- Intuitive controls
- Ideal for yards of up to one acre
- Blower tube engineered to be in line with the handle, minimizing force on the wrist
- Air purge feature allows you to remove air from carburetor
- Adjustable tube length
- Weight: 9.4 lbs.
Reliable and Durable
The Husqvarna 125B is considered to be one of the best leaf blowers available in the market, and it is easy to see why. The blower is powered by a powerful 28cc, 1.1 hp engine that provides it with more than enough force to blow leaves efficiently at speeds of up to 170 mph.
Ergonomic Design
The Husqvarna 125B is also extremely easy to use, weighing at only 9.36 lbs., (or 4.26 kgs), the smart design and ergonomic build of the Husqvarna 125B makes it a must-have for those who want to rid their lawn or front porch of fallen leaves without putting pressure on their arms. The Husqvarna 125B also features a high-grade OEM harness for added comfort.
Easy to Use Controls
One of the things that make the Husqvarna 125B unique as a leaf blower is that it’s been designed perfectly. While operating the leaf blower, the operator has complete access to all of the controls and added features such as a trigger lock, for when you want to give your finger a rest, and an easy to reach start/stop switch so that the machine automatically returns to its initial blower speed when it is switched off.
The adjustable pipe is also another nifty feature that makes the Husqvarna 125B stand out from the rest. The feature is especially useful when working in uncomfortable or hard to reach angles. On the downside, the Husqvarna 125B is quite the noise maker with a noise pressure of up to 94 db. But, that’s nothing a pair of ear mufflers can’t handle. Right.
Makita BHX2500CA
Features:
- 4-stroke, 24.5cc gas powered engine
- Mechanical Automatic Engine Decompression for quicker, easier starts
- Replaceable, dual stage air filter
- Compact design with less weight (only 9.8 lbs.)
- Soft grip for less vibration
- Large capacity muffler ensures quieter operation at 67dB(A)
- High air volume (356 CFM) and air speed (145 MPH) for commercial-duty performance
- Meets EPA and CARB exhaust and evaporative emissions regulations
A Great Leaf Blower Option
The Makita BHX2500CA is another exceptional leaf blower for homeowners. The brand Makita is famous for its power drills and other tools, but the Makita BHX2500CA leaf blower is another feather in their cap. The commercial duty 145 mph air speed that the Makita BHX2500CA is able to deliver means that you get a heavy duty leaf blower that is durable and long lasting.
Powerful Engine
The 4-stroke engine is powered by gas and gives you the advantage of not having to deal with mixing the right quantity of oil and gas for it to run smoothly. The Makita BHX2500CA is also really quiet with a noise level of just 67db. The powerful engine is also more fuel efficient when compared to many other options, and emits lower emissions, which is great for those who are concerned about the environment.
Light weight and easy to use
The Makita BHX2500CA weighs around 9.8 lbs., which is not that light, but not too heavy either. But, thanks to some clever features in the Makita BHX2500CA, handling it should not be a concern. This leaf blower features a soft-grip handle that makes it easier to operate. The ergonomic design of this leaf blower also makes it a user-friendly option.
Hitachi RB24EAP
Features:
- 9cc, 2-cycle PureFire engine
- Class leading air volume at 441 CFM
- Weighs only 8.6 lbs.
- Well-balanced for comfortable use and less fatigue
- Max Air Volume: 12.5m3/min
- Air velocity of 170 MPH with taper nozzle
- Meets US and European emission standards
- 7-year consumer use warranty, and 2-year commercial use warranty
Powerful Leaf Blower
Hitachi is a household name as far as leaf blowers and other power tools go. The Japanese brand has been churning out excellent products and tools to make the lives of homeowners easier. The 2-stroke engine is able to deliver a pretty impressive performance with up to 441 CFM at 170 mph. The brand is synonymous with quality and durability which is why you get a 7-year warranty right off the bat, which is a testament of their high quality.
Lightweight and Easy to Use
The Hitachi RB24EAP is a lightweight leaf blower that is smartly designed and has much to offer when it comes to service and durability. Weighing at just 8.6 lbs., the Hitachi RB24EAP is ideal for those who want to clear stray leaves from their lawn without having to deal with the uncomfortable feeling of operating the traditional leaf blower. The Hitachi RB24EAP boasts of impressive power, ergonomic design, easy to use controls and an epic warranty, which makes it a great deal.
Poulan Pro PR48BT
Features:
- Powerful, 2-stroke engine
- 48 cc gas blower
- Air speed of 200 mph
- Air flow in pipe: 475 cfm
- Cruise control
- Heavy-duty frame
- Variable speed control
Reliable and Durable Design
The Poulan Pro PR48BT is the answer to the prayers of all those homeowners who are tired using the rake to gather fallen leaves in the yard. The PR48BT is an amazing piece of machinery that delivers in spades when it comes to efficiency and durability. Its clever design also means that you can get rid of heavy and wet leaves in no time, and be quite while you do it.
Large Powerful Engine
The Poulan Pro PR48BT sports a powerful 48cc 2-stroke engine that is able to deliver a whopping 475 CFM at an amazing 200 mph, so you can say bye-bye to those annoying fallen leaves that are spread across the lawn. While the weight specifications of the Poulan Pro PR48BT have not been made clear by the manufacturer, it’s the overall design of this leaf blower that ultimately matters most. The Poulan Pro PR48BT houses the machinery in a back-pack that has two comfortable straps and fits nicely so you can go through the yard and between homes without much of a hassle. While the weight of the Poulan Pro PR48BT has not been specified, we’re guessing the 2-stroke engine couldn’t weigh much, and even if it does, the ergonomic design of the back pack with its adjustable straps should be able to take the hassle of having to drag the leaf blower around.
Convenient Controls
One of the reasons why the Poulan Pro PR48BT has been a big hit amongst homeowners is because of its easy-to-use and conveniently placed controls make it easier for the user to reach while operating the leaf blower. The convenient trigger control system does away with the problem of vibration that’s faced by most 2-stroke engines, and the locking mechanism of the Poulan Pro PR48BT is another nifty feature that enables the user to set the power without having to keep their finger firmly on the trigger. There’s also a safety grid around the engine for added protection of the user. All in all, the Poulan Pro PR48BT is a highly powerful, heavy duty leaf blower that will be a welcome addition in the tool shed of any homeowner.
Ending Note
So, there you have it. These were our top picks of leaf blowers that you can use to get rid of those pesky leaves that lie oh-so-gently on your front lawn.
