Best Yard Blowers – Top Reviews and Guide in 2021

The last thing you want is a heap of dry leaves or grass clippings scattered all over your backyard. They can be annoying! They rob your yard of its green and make your home look muddled. 

Anyways, don’t fret if your backyard is all brown with dead leaves, a yard blower’s got your back. Yard blowers are reliable pieces of equipment that blow dead leaves and any unwanted debris off your garden. You don’t need to break your back pulling a rake or pushing a broom all day any more. With this handy tool, you can restore the beauty of your lawn in a minute.

Choosing the best yard blower can, however, be tricky. There are several factors you need to consider. In this guide, we have reviewed some of the best yard blowers. We have also included a buying guide to help you pick the right one. 

Best yard blowers reviews

Best overall – Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum

The Toro 51621 is a strong and an all-round yard blower. This superior model boasts of a robust metallic impeller, capable of driving out a compelling air stream of up to 260 mph speeds. Also featuring a vacuum, the machine is suitable for a variety of tasks.

Key features

• It is embodied with a strong metallic impeller.
• It includes a pivoted oscillating nozzle.
• A high-speed vacuum and a zippered mulch bag.
• The machine also comes with a shred ring that chops leaves and debris.

Why we like it

• The steady air stream allows you to clean a relatively large yard in a short while.
• With the powerful vacuum, you can suck up dry leaves trapped in obstacles at an impressive speed of 410 cubic feet per minute.
• The vacuum bag makes it easy to dispose of collected leaves and mulch.
• It is easy to switch functions.
• The oscillating nozzle eases manoeuvrability.
• The model is lightweight.

Why we don’t like it

• Being corded, it offers poor portability.
• The powerful impeller is noisy.
• Wet leaves can get the tube clogged.

Our verdict

The Toro 51621 is undoubtedly one of the best yard blowers. It is also the best yard blower vacuum. If you are looking for an all-in-one gadget, then this may be your best pick.

Best premium – Husqvarna 350 BT 2-Cycle Gas Backpack Blower

We all don’t love getting tired. This backpack blower matches both power and comfort. Its well-crafted design ensures that your arms don’t get strained. Equipped with a mighty gas-powered engine, it does a flawless job. Once you set it on your back, you’re all good.

Key features

• Backpack blower
• Powered by a strong two-stroke engine that can move leaves and debris up to 170 mph.
• It features a speed throttle that allows adjustment of air thrusts depending on the intensity of the task.
• The body is made of lightweight materials.

Why we like it

• The engine is quite powerful.
• It cuts down fuel consumption by 20% and reduces exhaust gases emission by 60%.
• It offers utmost comfort and is therefore suitable for long-duration tasks.
• The control system is amicable. -It features a joystick, whose usage is simple and straightforward.
• The dampers between the engine and the chassis ensure low vibration.

What we don’t like

• The emitted gases (no matter how little) are pollutants.
• Like all backpack models, the machine is poorly manoeuvrable.
• Gas engines are noisy.
• It only favours the right-handed.

Our verdict

The Husqvarna 350 BT is also among the best yard blowers. It is nicely designed and outruns other yard blowers in many aspects. If you are having a large yard, this machine could be your next big thing. With its great features, you can accomplish the task quickly and with much ease.

Best budget – Worx WG 520 Turbine 600 Corded Electric Leaf Blower

This corded yard blower caught our attention due to its relatively low price. We were first sceptical of its ability, but its performance was exceptional. Despite the small build, it puts up a good competition against its bigger competitors. It is equipped with a strong engine that will fully satisfy all your yard blowing needs.

Key features

• A powerful engine that utilizes turbine technology.
• Two speeds: Speed 1 for enclosed places and pavements and speed 2 (110 mph) for open yards.
• Using the turbine and with the wide nozzle open, it can gust wind to a maximum of 600 CFM.
• A small attachment at the nozzle that narrows and concentrates the air stream for particular tasks.

Why we like it

• Compact in size yet powerful.
• It is ultra-light (7.2 pounds)
• Highly affordable.
• Using the small thumb-wheel, regulating the airflow intensity is easy.

What we don’t like

• Poor portability as it is corded, worse that the extension cord is bought separately.
• The jet turbine is annoyingly noisy.

Our Verdict

If you own a small garden and are operating at a tight budget, the Worx WG520 is ideal for you. The great features it’s packed with offer more value for a small price. Using its wide-mouthed nozzle, you can accomplish the toughest of tasks with ease.

Greenworks 24V Cordless Jet Leaf Blower

The Greenworks 24V is a battery-powered blower that allows you to move around your yard unrestrained. It gives you freedom. However, blasting out a maximum air stream of only 330 CFM, the machine is only suitable for small tasks. The battery needs regular charging as it lasts for only 30 minutes.

Key features

• It is powered by a 24V Li-ion battery.
• Reasonably powerful engine, capable of gusting air at a 110 mph rate.
• It comes with a fast charger that fully charges the battery in 45 minutes.
• You can adjust the speed using the speed trigger.

Why we like it

• It is built of lightweight material and is cordless (100% portable).
• It offers maximum manoeuvrability.
• The motor starts with only a single button press.
• The company offers you a four-year tool warranty and a two-year battery warranty.
• It is relatively quiet.

What we don’t like

• It’s not capable of undertaking huge tasks
• It offers a limited battery life.

Our Verdict

The Greenworks 24V is the best battery yard blower. Use it for your footpath, driveway and other quick tasks. If you have a small-sized backyard and want to roam freely, this cordless blower is your best fit. It will help you tackle the exercise in eleven minutes!

Hitachi RB24EAP Handheld Leaf Blower

Equipped with powerful features, the Hitachi RB24EAP is an impressive performer. This hand-held yard blower will fully satisfy all your yard cleaning needs. Its commercial-grade 2-cycle engine is capable of breathing out up to 441 CFM air volume at 171 mph speeds. Whether it’s a small yard or a large an expansive field, this first-rate machine will not grind to a halt.

Key features

• It is packed with a robust commercial grade 23.99cc 2-stroke engine.
• It also features a purge primer that enables quick starting.
• A low emission PureFire engine to cut down exhaust ejection.
• A two-finger throttle at the handle.
• An auto-return stop switch that eases starting by returning to the on position automatically.

Why we like it

• It is quite powerful and can easily handle large jobs, including cleaning dry grass.
• Starting the machine is straight forward.
• The two-finger throttle makes it easy to operate.
• It is easily manoeuvrable due to the lightweight (8.6 pounds) and compact design.
• Emission level is quite low.
• An industry-leading 7-year warranty.

What we don’t like

• The two-stroke gas engine makes it quite noisy.
• Its fuel line might develop leaking problems.

Our verdict

This is an all-round tool, not small or too big for any given task. Whether you are a garden caretaker or a homeowner, who only needs to clean a driveway, this yard blower suits you. For once, you can carry around a gas-fuelled yard blower for hours without getting fatigued.    

FAQ about yard blowers

What is the point of yard blowers?

The purpose of yard blowers is to quickly move leaves, sticks and any other random debris to the outskirts of the yard. They can also be used to clean garages, pavements and blow off the dust from any other surfaces. Some yard blowers come with vacuums, therefore convenient for cleaning enclosed rooms. Yard blowers are reliable tools that will give you a helping hand in your cleaning tasks. 

How do yard blowers work

Inside them is a compeller -A fan with numerous blades that spins to suck in air through the vent then puffs it out via the chimney. Now that the chimney is narrow, the air is blasted out concentrated and at fast speeds. The force is strong enough to move any unwanted debris off your property. The fans are spun by reliable engines powered by gas, electricity or batteries.

What is a good mph for yard blowers

It depends on the intensity of your task. If it’s only the driveway or your backyard, then you don’t need an all-powerful model. A battery-powered blower (with up to 110mph speeds) is a perfect fit. If you’re cleaning a large yard or garden, go for the corded or gas powered models which offer mighty speeds. They can blast out an impressive 580 CFM air with up to 250 mph speeds.

Are yard blowers dangerous?

Not necessarily. Yard blowers are generally safe to work with. However, the noise from the rotating engines can be harmful. Gas-fuelled blowers are the noisiest in overall. When working for long durations of time, always wear earbuds.

Factors to consider when choosing the best yard blowers

If you are planning to buy a yard blower, any of the above-reviewed blowers are good for you. However, you need to choose the one that perfectly matches your regular cleaning needs. Below, we shall discuss some critical factors you need to consider to make sure you pick the best yard blower.

Power source

The kind of energy that the blower runs on significantly influences the intensity of force produced. Gas-fuelled and electric-powered engines are the most energetic. With their super airspeeds, they can clean the largest of yards within a short time. Battery-powered blowers on the hand have less-energetic engines resulting to a low output. They are only suitable for small jobs.

The input power may also trigger emission. Gas-fuelled blowers eject fumes and are therefore not good for the environment. Corded and battery-powered blowers are environmental-friendly as they don’t emit. Corded blowers, however, disadvantage you in the event of a power outage.

Weight

The number of pounds a yard blower weighs is a critical factor. Yard blowers weigh differently depending on the size of the engine and the building material. When buying a yard blower, choose a light one as they are comfortable and hassle-free. If your yard demands a heavy-weight machine, consider buying a backpack model. Though they are less manoeuvrable, they are easier to carry around than the hand-held.

Vacuum features

Some yard blowers are 2-in-1 in the sense that they come with vacuum cleaners. Although the vacuum means an extra cost, there are many benefits attached. Such blowers are not only suitable for your yard but also for house cleaning. They can also suck up leaves in terraces that can otherwise not be blown.

Warranty

A company that offers up to seven years of warranty is sure that their product won’t easily break down. Some yard blowers will not come with any industrial warranty. Avoid them. Go for a product that assures you of a good two-year warranty.

What do I do next after purchasing a yard blower?

You can start working immediately. Yard blowers are handy tools that don’t require much training. However, they are a few safety measures to observe:

• Don’t operate stepping on a ladder or any unstable surface. Let the nozzle attachments do their work.
• Don’t operate when sick or under medication.
• Wear earplugs to protect your ears from the noise.
• Wear glasses to shield your eyes from any stray debris.

Even the best yard blowers break down sometimes.

Common problems with yard blowers

Yard blower fan not starting.

The fan may fail to power because of several reasons:

1. Faulty spark plug. The spark plug is likely to develop problems. In such a scenario, your yard blower will not start. This is no challenge as you can fix it all by yourself. Pluck the plug off and check for cracks, dust particles or any other damages. Give it a good clean up. If it’s completely spoilt, no need to worry. You can purchase another one in your nearest hardware store.

ii) Blocked carburettor. This will only occur in gas-powered blowers. To avoid clogging, clear the carburettor after every cleaning exercise. The carburettor can get completely spoilt from too much clogging and demand a replacement. It is important that you clean it to avoid unnecessary costs.

ii) Blocked air filter. Your blower won’t work if the air is not coming in. Constantly clear it to ensure smooth airflow.

iv) Faulty power cord. If the power cord or the plug is broken, the machine will not. The good things are that you can fix that yourself.

v) Clogged vacuum. Wet leaves and big-sized debris might clog the vacuum. If the shredded pieces of sticks appear troublesome, give your vacuum a helping hand by collecting it.

Other problems include:

Slower speeds and weak air streams. For gas-powered engines, always use high-quality fuel. Cheap low-quality may lower the performance. Also, replace old fuel with a fresh one as fuel loses its ability as it ages.

Low power supply can hamper the performance of a corded blower. Make sure that the power cord in good condition.

If you are using a battery-powered blower, replace the battery if it’s too old.

Cracked yard blower tube. The plastic tube can crack if it accidentally sucks up stones. To avoid this, dodge stones and heavy debris as much as you can. Be sure to only suck on leaves.

If you can’t seem to figure out the problem, take the yard blower to an expert.

Final thoughts

We strongly recommend the Toro 51621 UltraPlus yard Blower Vacuum as the best yard blower. Not only does it help you to blow leaves off your yard, but also to suck up dust in your store or kitchen. It is suitable for both large and small jobs. Built of lightweight materials, you can clean large yards for long durations without getting tired.

However, if your budget is not so tight and wants to walk untethered, you can go for the beastly Husqvarna 350 BT 2-Cycle Gas Backpack Blower.