Read on to find out what we've learned from our rigorous leaf blower testing.
Breathe new life into your outside spaces.1. Cordless leaf blowers are as powerful as petrol garden tools
While petrol-powered leaf blowers have long been considered the most powerful, they may be inadvertently contributing to environmental damage, along with other petrol-powered garden tools.
You can still find them on sale in shops and online, but manufacturers seem to be launching fewer petrol tools and focusing their attention on cordless items instead.
We've tested plenty of battery-powered leaf blowers and vacuums and are happy to confirm that cordless tools are now rivalling petrol options when it comes to power – in some cases they even outperform them.
And that's not all. Cordless tools produce zero emissions and are quieter, making them a better alternative for the environment and our health. Many consumers have already made the switch, so consider this when you're deciding on the power source of your leaf blower.
If you opt for a corded leaf blower, remember you'll need an outdoor power supply and a cable that's long enough. You may also have to get an extension lead.
2. Leaf blowers can be extremely noisy
We mentioned that cordless leaf blowers are quieter than corded leaf blowers, but that doesn't mean they all have the same noise levels.
In our lab, we measure the noise levels of each leaf blower in decibels and compare them. The quietest are given five stars out of five, while the noisiest – which often produce an annoying whiny sound – only get a one-star rating.
If you're sensitive to noise, or you know you'll be clearing a large area and using your leaf blower for prolonged periods of time, it might be a good idea to invest in some hearing protection. You can purchase ear defenders for as little as £12 from online retailers or in shops that specialise in gardening tools and equipment.
3. Leaf blower vs leaf vacuum – what's better?
If you're not sure which option is the most suitable for your needs, consider what matters most.
The main difference between leaf blowers and leaf blower vacuums is that the latter can also suck up the leaves into a collection bag. But we've found that, while a vacuum can save you some time (as you don't need to pick up leaves by hand), they can be a little tricky to switch from blow to vacuum mode, and the collection bag can develop holes over time.
A leaf blower will not be able to pick up the leaves once you've collected them into a pile, but it can be quicker and easier to use – and won't get blocked and damaged if they suck up stones and debris, which can be an issue with vacuums.
4. Handy features make leaf blowing easier
Some leaf blowers come with handy features that will make your life easier during use.
Collection bagNarrow nozzle for blowingStraps and handles5. You don't need to spend a fortune
Leaf blowers can be expensive – we've tested some that cost well over £400 – but don't fret, you don't need to break the bank to get a quality tool.
Models that have been given our Great Value badge do pretty well in our tests, scoring 60% or more. And, they are at least 20% cheaper than the average price of the leaf blowers we’ve tested. Some Great Value leaf blowers also score well enough to be a Best Buy.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/5-things-to-know-if-youre-buying-a-leaf-blower-aobD47e5g3JU