As the temperature drops, it’s time to embrace your inner Monica Geller and dive into garden maintenance. Whether you’re prepping garden beds for late summer planting, storing outdoor furniture, or sweeping away debris from patios and walkways, a cordless leaf blower can be your best friend. No cords, no hassle—just grab and go!
5 Best Cordless Leaf Blowers of 2024: In-Depth Review
Tech • 28 Aug, 2024 • 55,036 Views • ⭐ 5.0
Written by Shivani Chourasia
After testing 10 different cordless blowers, from battery-powered handhelds to robust backpack models, we found that some stand out. We even put five models through a six-month real-world test, covering everything from peak leaf fall to the quieter months. So, what’s the scoop? Backpack leaf blowers offer more power and longer battery life, making them ideal for larger yards. But if you're more about quick, tidy clean-ups, a handheld model is your go-to. They’re light, easy to use, and surprisingly powerful for their size.
Each one was rated on ease of use, battery life, noise levels, and performance. Here’s our pick of the best cordless leaf blowers to keep your garden as clean as Monica’s apartment!
Best Overall: Makita XBU03SM1 Cordless Blower Kit
Pros:
- Variable speeds
- Brushless motor
- Lightweight
- Easy to maneuver
- Quick leaf clearing
Cons:
- Limited precision
If you've ever faced a yard full of leaves after a windy night, the Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower Kit can be a lifesaver. At just 6.5 pounds, it's lightweight and easy to handle, making quick work of even the most cluttered yards. This blower packs a punch with airflow up to 459 CFM and speeds reaching 116 mph, outperforming competitors like the WORX WG584, which caps at 95 mph. We loved how effortlessly it balanced power with usability—light enough for one-handed use, giving your other hand freedom for control adjustments. However, its powerful airflow isn't the easiest to direct precisely.
In one of our tests, we tried gathering leaves into a chalk-drawn box on a concrete surface. Moving the leaves was simple, but keeping them within that small space was more challenging. This lack of precision is common among models we've tested (Still looking for that perfect mix of power and accuracy? Us too—share if you find a good one!). But when sheer power is needed, like clearing a lawn covered in dry leaves, the Makita excels. It completed this task in 50 seconds, and even quicker with damp leaves at 42 seconds. For larger, messier jobs—say, a yard full of oak trees—this blower is perfect. Just keep in mind it's built for strength, not finesse.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Cordless electric
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
- CFM: 459
- MPH: 116
- Noise Rating: 60 dB