Bosch ALB 36 LI Cordless Leaf Blower
By far one of the easiest leaf blowers to use which we reviewed, the ALB 36 is a very well-designed piece of kit from one of the industry leaders.
Thanks to the ergonomic design and weight redistribution balance, it will never become a pain to use, even if it is going to take you well over an hour to actually rid your yard of leaves. Because it is cordless, you are free to go anywhere with it and reach into all of those difficult places, so it is perfect if you have a large outdoor area.
The speed and power can be adjusted, so whether you have a few dry leaves to move into the corner or a big pile of wet leaves on the grass, you can pick the level which suits you and your environment the best. It also helps to get the job done quicker (or slower if you’re trying to avoid the other tasks on your long list of things to do).
A standout is the Syneon chip, which controls the amount of energy used depending on the demand level, so it always performs at its best, and the battery won’t run out before you’re expecting it to. It should last 35 minutes on a full charge and takes 1 hour 30 to get back up to the top level.
If storage is a worry, then you can remove the blower tube to keep it in two parts. It is light enough to not hurt your arms or back when holding it, and the power levels make it perfect for both small confined porches or even budging moss off the driveway. It may be a higher price than many of the others, but you can really feel the quality, and it isn’t too extreme when comparing directly.
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Cordless Electric
- Lithium-Ion battery
- Airflow Speed: 170-250 km/h
- Weight: 2.8kg
- Power: 36V
We like
- Lightweight - redistribution makes it seem lighter than the 3kg on the specs
- Choice of power
- Battery lasts a good amount of time
Final Verdict
We can’t give it enough stars. If you’re willing to pay the price, then it is a no-brainer
Ryobi OBL1820S ONE+ Cordless Blower
We have mentioned the Ryobi ONE+ range of garden appliances in some of our other reviews, and how they can all be used with one battery so you can just buy the body to save a bit of money if you want to extend your collection.
The good news is that this blower is in that range, so it is perfect if you already own the battery part or you’re looking to develop your gardening expertise. If not, it’s still one of the best garden leaf blowers money can buy.
It is ideal for tackling hard surfaces, such as patios, driveways and decking, for creating a safer slip-free environment. There is a high-speed airflow so the debris can be removed in moments, and it is also nice and lightweight so you won’t get uncomfortable holding it.
The flat nozzle helps to target the area you have in mind, as opposed to wasting a lot of the air and power. A real test for any blower is whether it can move clumps of wet leaves, and this targeting seems to ensure it can get under the leaves and transfer them around a metre at a time.
There is only one power level, but this never becomes a problem as you can just move further away or closer to the target if you need to adjust. As the nozzle is so long and slim, it will definitely get to those places where a rake is just impossible to fit.
It is sold as a Zero tool, without the charger or battery pack, or as a bundle if you need to purchase these too. As it is cordless, you won’t be restricted in terms of movement or distance, either.
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Electric Cordless
- Airflow Speed: 245 km/h
- Weight: 2.21 Kg
We like
- Lightweight
- Extra long nozzle to target areas
- Overmould handle for comfort
- Price
We dislike
- Needs the largest capacity Ryobi battery to last 15+ minutes
Final Verdict
A brilliant lightweight and powerful garden tool which will tackle all of that garden debris without you having to lift a finger
WORX WG518E Air Turbine Corded Leaf Blower
Many leaf blowers feature tapered nozzles for a bit more accuracy, but if you prefer something big, bold and covering a huge area to speed up the process, a blower named the Air Turbine is a good pick.
The WG518E is designed for extra tough conditions, able to deliver a high capacity volume. You can still choose which speed setting is in operation, however, so even if you only have a couple of leaves to gently move off the patio, it will do this gently despite the huge air delivery tube.
A Turbine fan is what delivers this air power, and when working with all of the other design components, it is what helps to make it such a heavy-duty garden tool.
It is corded, which you will have to take into consideration if you have a larger garden or struggle with mains access. But in a way, this is how it can deliver so much power when compared to a cordless battery model. The power cable is around 10 metres however, so not too bad when considering.
The larger nozzle could also help if you want a blower which can multitask, and undertake drying your car after it has been washed out, or sweeping out the garage/shed without you having to reach for the yard brush. It can also move chippings, pebbles and stones too if you have these lining a driveway, path or bedding area, so you can reassemble them all and give them a freshen up.
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Electric Corded
- Power: 2500W
- Airflow Speed: 120 mph, 13m³/min
- Weight: 4.3 Kg
We like
- Easy to hold despite heavier weight
- Can be used for various tasks
- Good to control with rotary thumb switch
We dislike
- Larger nozzle makes very targeted jobs difficult
Final Verdict
Handles every task very well, and gives the power of a petrol model without the price tag if you’re not bothered about the power cable
Mcculloch GB355BP Petrol Backpack Leaf Blower
A pretty heavy and cumbersome garden tool to be holding, especially if you struggle for long periods. So the fact that you can wear it as a backpack is a big plus.
The heaviness is all down to the sheer power of the product, which you’d expect from a petrol model. It is very high performance, so if you have a big task on your hands every week during the cooler months, or you’re a professional gardener, you’re going to get the job done in lightning time.
Because the backpack takes all the pressure off your arms, you can use it for a prolonged time if necessary. The padded shoulder straps help to spread the weight over both shoulders, and your back will thank you for it too.
As it is so powerful, it isn’t just leaves it can move. From other debris such as hedge cuttings and brambles, to even budging moss from paths, you can tackle pretty much anything. We will say it is better with dry leaves than wet, but it does still budge them.
Control is made nice and easy as well. You can adjust the pressure you apply on the trigger to change the blow speed, and the trigger grip position is moveable for your comfort. Select the cruise control option for a steady delivery of the same speed of air to reduce strain on your hand. You can also adjust the straps on the backpack to suit your size and height.
Because of the high power, it does get through a lot of fuel, particularly notable if you’re using it all day or not for domestic use. A full tank will last around an hour. Forgivable for what it does, though.
And because of the design, you will look as though you are recreating Ghostbusters as you do the gardening – a pretty priceless idea in our minds.
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Power: 46 cc
- Airflow Speed: 355 km/h
- Weight: 9.16 Kg
We like
- Powerful
- Comfortable to wear
- Trigger grip makes it easy to control
We dislike
- Amount of fuel it could use
Final Verdict
Brilliant for the more difficult jobs, and comfortable to use for prolonged periods. We also love how easy it is to control with just one hand
Makita BHX2501 4-Stroke Petrol Handheld Leaf Blower
A two-part blower which is nice and easy to store or transport if this is required.
The four-stroke engine is great for keeping emissions low and making it a much more efficient product to use. There is also a mechanical decompression system so it starts up easier, which should save you a lot of time and stress before you get going.
Thanks to the 0.52-litre fuel tank, you can top it up with a decent amount of petrol before you have to stop to refuel. When the time does come, a nice generous wide opening gives you plenty of room to pour the liquid.
A trigger lets you pick just how much ‘blow’ you need so that it can handle a range of tasks. If you need to remove leaves from a gravel path without budging the stones, choose the lower option. If you do need to move the stones in order to give them all a bit of a refresh, then the maximum setting will save you having to rake them all.
Being a four-stroke model, it is relatively quiet so shouldn’t disturb the neighbours. It can be converted into a vacuum machine with the optional attachment, available to buy separately or as a package if you’d like an appliance which can do both tasks. However, other reviewers state this is very difficult and fiddly to fit, so you’d be best buying an all-in-one as featured below.
The negatives are that it gets through petrol at a very high speed, and the kill switch is in a bit of an awkward position and can be pressed accidentally which is annoying. But on the other hand, this is good for when you do want it to stop! The price makes it one of the more expensive on the list, but it is still worth paying if you want a good quality petrol model.
Specifications
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Power: 24.5 cc
- Airflow Speed: 10.1 cubic meters/minute
- Weight: 4.4 kg
We like
- Nice levels of power
- Quiet in operation
We dislike
- Difficult for right-handed people to use because of positioning of air inlet
Final Verdict
Good across the board, and despite a few issues, it is nice and easy to get used to using