There comes a time in every gardener and lawn enthusiast’s life when they’ve just had enough of the leaves. When raking the lawn and sweeping the steps is just not doing enough to get rid of the autumnal gusts that push hundreds of leaves and sticks over your backyard.
In my own garden, I’ve got two lawns, a pathway and a large vegie patch to clean each weekend, and several neighbouring trees to contend with. It came to the point where getting a leaf blower was essential, rather than on the wishlist. Although I may be the biggest nuisance in the neighbourhood on a Saturday morning, I’ve got no worries about leaf litter piling up and making a mess of the backyard.
If you’ve got an outdoor space that’s big enough to warrant the noise, these are the best leaf blowers on the market:
2025’s top leaf blowers
- Bosch, $299, Amazon (here’s why)
- Husqvarna Aspire, $247.90, Husqvarna (here’s why)
- Makita, $144.99, Amazon (here’s why)
What to consider before buying a leaf blower
Before you throw away your trusty rake, it’s important to think about whether you actually need the pomp and circumstance that comes with having a leaf blower. If you’ve got a small garden that doesn’t get many fallen leaves or debris, a rake or broom may be the best option for you (especially when it comes to cost).
If you live in an area that’s inundated with large, leafy, deciduous trees, a leaf blower will become your new favourite tool.
When choosing between leaf blowers, the main consideration is your power – where it will come from and how strong it is.
There are three main options for leaf blowers: battery-operated, electric corded and petrol. When making a decision between them, think about price, function and accessibility:
- Battery-operated blowers: These are the most popular as they are more efficient to use and sustainable. However, they tend to be more expensive, and the costs can add up if you don’t already own a battery attachment.
- Corded electric blowers: The con is pretty obvious; you’ll have to navigate around a cord, and always be close to a power outlet. But, these babies often have several functions, including vacuum and even shredding capabilities.
- Petrol blowers: This type of engine is slowly going out of style for most landscaping tools. But, they’re very powerful and can get the job done on very little fuel. Be wary of weight and heaviness, and make sure to think about whether you’re willing to buy petrol every time you run low.
The best leaf blowers for a clean and tidy yard
Battery-operated leaf blowers
01
Bosch 36V brushless cordless garden leaf blower
from $299, Amazon
The Bosch cordless leaf blower is what I’ve got in my garden shed, ready to attack leaf litter with gusto. With a high performance brushless motor, this blower has a whole lot of power – so much so that it can be tricky to maneuver at times. If immense blowing is what you need, then Bosch is definitely for you.
The battery is long lasting enough to reach across my whole yard without any breaks for charging, and for any stubborn wet leaf patches, it’ll blast them into non-existence. I can’t recommend this product enough.
Power: Battery operated, 36 Volts
Key features:
- Brushless motor for high-performance debris removal
- Variable speed control for optimal power and runtime
- Lightweight, well-balanced design reduces strain
- Axial fan handles stubborn debris on any surface
- Syneon Technology optimises power and endurance
02
Husqvarna Aspire blower 18V kit
$247.20 (usually $309), Husqvarna
If you want all the power with an easy hold, the Husqvarna Aspire is your best bet. If you’re prone to sore arms and a bit of tennis elbow, holding up a large blowing machine is not usually a fun task. But the lightweight design of this tool makes for convenient and painless garden maintenance.
The included battery and charger mean that if you’re at the beginning of your tool collection phase (a.k.a. you haven’t bought into any battery-powered systems yet), you can start your leaf blowing straight away. And, you can easily buy other Husqvarna battery-operated tools without any worry of purchasing more batteries.
Power: Battery powered, 18 volts
Key features:
- Compact, lightweight design with innovative Husqvarna technology for efficient suburban gardening
- Easy storage with a tailor-made hook, adjustable/collapsible parts, and wall-mounting options
- 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE battery system compatible across multiple tool brands for flexibility
- Sleek black design with orange interaction points and ergonomic features like adjustable handles
- 3-step adjustable speed settings to match different clearing tasks
- Digital user interface with push-button control and battery status display
- Low noise levels allow extended working hours without disturbing neighbours
03
Makita DUB185Z 18V cordless blower
from $144.99, Amazon
Makita boasts of single-handed operation with their cordless blower, and I have to say, if it’s that easy, it’s definitely worth the investment. If you hate hunching over a rake or scrabbling through piles of leaves, a Makita blower will be your guardian angel.
Many people are finding solace in using a Makita leaf blower, saying in reviews that it is extremely compact yet still powerful. And if you ever need additional uses for a blower, why not try it out for cleaning kids, like this reviewer recommends:
“These are a very useful bit of kit. We use it for cleaning the kitchen, the verandah, the stairs, and occasionally the children. ”
Power: Battery powered, 18 volts
Key features:
- Increased air volume through larger outlet diameter for higher blowing efficiency
- Maximum air speed of 98 m/s for faster cleanup
- Compact, lightweight design for single-handed operation
- Zero emissions with no gas or oil required
Electric leaf blowers
04
Bosch Home & Garden 2300W corded electric leaf blower
from $165, Amazon
The biggest pro about a corded electric leaf blower is that it usually comes with more than one functionality – in this case, you can blow, vacuum and shred your leaf litter. The biggest con? It’s corded.
But, if you don’t mind moving around based on the location of your powerpoints, having a corded blower can be extremely useful. Not only are they more affordable than a battery option, but they are often more lightweight. This one from Bosch is exceedingly helpful for cases where shredding and vacuuming is needed – such as having large palm fronds to get rid of.
Power: Corded electric, 18 volts
Key features:
- Versatile 3-in-1 functionality – Blows, vacuums, and shreds garden debris with tool-free switching between modes using a quick-release mechanism
- Efficient collection system – Quick-release collection bag equipped with moisture-repellent Dirt Deflectors for easy emptying and protection
- Ultra-quiet operation – Exceptionally low 99 dB(A) noise level with ProSilence technology that reduces sound power by up to 75 percent
- Lightweight and ergonomic design – Compact, maneuverable construction that’s easy to handle throughout the garden
5
Black & Decker 2300W electric mulching blower vac
from $143, Appliances Online
Clearing debris from your pavers and deck has never been easier than with a Black & Decker leaf blower. Specialising in hard surface blowing, even if your leaf litter is soggy and stubborn, this leaf blower will get the job done.
A high-impact shredder means that the collection of more than just a couple of leaves is as easy as pie. The only thing you have to worry about is looking a little silly while wearing a 55-litre backpack filled with your garden waste.
Power: Corded electric, 2300W
Key features:
- Delivers up to 310 km/h air speed to effectively clear debris from hard surfaces including patios, decks, pavements, driveways, and garages
- Built-in high-impact shredder reduces collected debris volume by a ratio of 16:1 for maximum efficiency
- Two-speed thumb wheel switch allows you to increase power for quick cleanup of leaves and debris
- 55-litre backpack design minimizes interruptions by reducing the frequency of emptying
Petrol leaf blowers
06
Husqvarna 125B petrol leaf blower
from $359, Husqvarna
Finally, there’s the option of a petrol leaf blower. Although this power option isn’t as popular anymore (everyone loves a battery attachment), a petrol blower would work just as well as any other engine.
A recent review from Husqvarna exclaimed it as a top choice:
“I wanted a blower that just works hard and blows hard and I got exactly what I wanted. It doesn’t guzzle gas. I can go a long way with a single tank. So easy to use. I literally don’t have a single complaint.”
Power: Petrol blower
Key features:
- 470 CFM blowing performance at only 9.4 lbs with ergonomic balanced design to reduce strain on arms, shoulders, and back
- Easy and simple starting with air purge system and stop switch that auto-resets to ON for next use
- Adjustable tube length for maximum performance
- Multi-speed control with variable speed throttle and cruise control option
Should you leaf blow before or after mowing?
Leaf blowing can be done during lawn maintenance for two reasons: clearing the lawn before you mow, and helping move grass clippings after you mow. There is no ‘better’ option when choosing to leaf blow before or after mowing; instead, consider what your lawn needs. If it has lots of leaves, sticks and debris, blowing before using the mower can be very helpful. If you don’t have a lawn mower with a catcher, using a leaf blower after mowing means you can spread grass clippings evenly.
When not to use a leaf blower?
It is best not to use a leaf blower when it can be a disruption to neighbours. Early morning or late at night is not recommended, as leaf blowers can be quite noisy. Leaf blowers also may not be as effective after heavy rain, as leaf litter and debris will get soggy and stick to hard surfaces.
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