battery leaf blowers

[RayIN]

I was looking to pick up a battery-powered leaf blower to keep by my basement door in winter for blowing snow and firewood debris off the patio where we keep our firewood in winter, and then by the pool for blowing leaves and pollen off the pool cover and deck in summer. I don't need much runtime, although something with good velocity and volume would be good for blowing seed pods off the pool cover, where even my Stihl BG-56 can struggle.

I see countless cheap options on Amazon for $60, with supposedly great volume and velocity, with two batteries and charger. Then I see most of the highly-rated name brands (Greenworks, EGO, Makita, DeWalt) are $300 - $600.

Given this is just a spare / quick tool, the cheap versions sound attractive. But it's just not worth the chance of burning my house down with cheap Li-Ion batteries from some no-name brand. On that alone, I'm leaning toward staying with a name brand.

Either way, the BG-56 and the Little Wonder (both gas) are going to remain my go-to for real yard work, this is just a spare convenience to keep in the house when the others are in my barn.

Any recommendations?

I bought one of the "best overall" brands recommended. I used it 3x and returned it; it was not nearly as powerful as my gas leaf blower, which resulted in taking 3x as long to do the same area.
Now I own and use a Ryobi 40V string trimmer, and the battery wears out about the same time as me. Then we both go back to the house to recharge.

 

[WinterDeere]

I bought one of the "best overall" brands recommended. I used it 3x and returned it; it was not nearly as powerful as my gas leaf blower, which resulted in taking 3x as long to do the same area.

It'd be interesting to see how they compared on paper, to see if real world aligns with expectations.

In my case, I'm not looking at battery as a replacement for gas, but rather as a better solution for a narrowly-defined problem. I don't want to store a 2-stroke blower indoors, or fire it up when I want to blow some snow or dirt off my little patio, while wearing office attire or house clothes. So battery will be used for that, and the 2-stroke will be saved for weekend yard clean-up.

Now I own and use a Ryobi 40V string trimmer, and the battery wears out about the same time as me. Then we both go back to the house to recharge.

 

[92blacksunshine]

I have an 80v Atlas brand blower from Harbor Freight, I'm so impressed by this line that I purchased the weedeater, pole saw and hedge trimmer. I have had it for about 5 years now, and it has been impressive.

 

[Hodado]

I'm eventually going to get an M12 ratchet. Anyone here have experience with cordless ratchets?

I’ve had one for a few years and it works well but it doesn’t have a lot of torque for breaking nuts loose I’d go with the M18 if I were to do it again

 

[TractorGunn]

I’ve had one for a few years and it works well but it doesn’t have a lot of torque for breaking nuts loose I’d go with the M18 if I were to do it again

I didn't even know they made it in M18. I think I'd go with that too. I was thinking battery size may hinder that. Thanks!

 

[WinterDeere]

I’ve had one for a few years and it works well but it doesn’t have a lot of torque for breaking nuts loose I’d go with the M18 if I were to do it again

Can you at least use it as a manual ratchet for breaking nuts loose, in cases where the motor stalls? That'd honestly be ideal.

I have air ratchets that frankly have too much motor torque, I'm always leery of busting my knuckles when using them. Something with more limited motor torque, but that held strong while manually breaking a nut loose, would be ideal for me.

 

[RammerJammer]

I think I bought my first Ryobi drill and circle saw in the 90's. Used them in commercial production, Tough as nails really.

I started with the Ryobi blue tools back in the Ni-Cad days. I have had both 18-volt and 40-volt tools along the way: Reciprocating saws, circular saws, drills, impact drivers, jig saws, sanders, chainsaws, multi-tools, vacuums, lights, fans, etc. I tried a DeWalt reciprocating saw once (corded) but the housing felt too 'flexible' to me. I sent it back.

Once I settled on the Ryobi One+ 18-volt line, I stuck to it for many reasons. Then, when the 40-volt models came along, I decided to give them a try. Blowers benefited greatly. Chainsaws need the OOMPH but multiple batteries are the key.

I removed two, 60-foot hardwood trees (30" max diameter) using nothing but electric tools 3 or so years ago. Right down to the manlift and an 18-inch Ryobi cordless saw.

I related the above in order to provide the following:

Of the dozens of Ryobi cordless tools I have owned over many years, I have managed to "kill" exactly two of them. Both were inexpensive 18-volt, sweeper-type blowers. (Plastic impeller failure.) I depend on Ryobi cordless tools. Other brands have their strong points. For instance, Milwaukee reciprocating saws have excellent "action." I have a corded one. But, having a common battery format, with backward compatibility, outweighed that action "shortcoming." For cordless tools anyway. Affordability, availability, versatility and longevity rank high for me. I have been able to easily acquire Ryobi tools, batteries and chargers at very attractive prices from multiple sources, new and used. Longevity hasn't been an issue at all. I am still using some 18-volt batteries with date codes as old as 2014.

As far as blowers go, I recently acquired a Ryobi 40-volt, 650 CFM blower from their Whisper Series and found it to be quiet and powerful. (RY404014xxx.) It seems to have the right amount of power for most tasks when using the 'normal' button. For a bit of increased performance, there is a 'turbo' button. I don't have much time on it (under 10 hours) but the other 5 to 10-year-old Ryobi 40-volt blowers I have are still working properly.

I cannot definitively comment on its runtime: Generally, I tend to have a three-battery endurance limit when it comes to blowing leaves anyway!

There are two higher rated Ryobi blowers in that line: 730 and 800 CFM models.

 

[AntiqueIron]

I was looking to pick up a battery-powered leaf blower to keep by my basement door in winter for blowing snow and firewood debris off the patio where we keep our firewood in winter, and then by the pool for blowing leaves and pollen off the pool cover and deck in summer. I don't need much runtime, although something with good velocity and volume would be good for blowing seed pods off the pool cover, where even my Stihl BG-56 can struggle.

I see countless cheap options on Amazon for $60, with supposedly great volume and velocity, with two batteries and charger. Then I see most of the highly-rated name brands (Greenworks, EGO, Makita, DeWalt) are $300 - $600.

Given this is just a spare / quick tool, the cheap versions sound attractive. But it's just not worth the chance of burning my house down with cheap Li-Ion batteries from some no-name brand. On that alone, I'm leaning toward staying with a name brand.

Either way, the BG-56 and the Little Wonder (both gas) are going to remain my go-to for real yard work, this is just a spare convenience to keep in the house when the others are in my barn.

Any recommendations?

I’d get whatever brand of cordless blower uses your power tool battery of choice if you’re in a system already. A 20v DeFault/MilChalky/RyObiWanKenobi/ hazard fraught battéry should be fine for short use.

I do love my cordless blower. You’ll never sweep out the garage again.

 

[coast40]

I’ve had one for a few years and it works well but it doesn’t have a lot of torque for breaking nuts loose I’d go with the M18 if I were to do it again

In my experience cordless ratchets are not made for breaking nuts loose. They don't have the torque, and they generally are not physically strong enough to use as a breaker bar. You generally need a breaker bar or an impact to break nuts loose. I have a Ryobi cordless ratchet and it turns fairly loose nuts and bolts well. I have breaker bars and long ratchets, and Makita's strongest half inch impact (as of 5 years ago). It's rated 1300 plus of "nut busting torque". I have Makita for most tools, but a Ryobi cordless ratchet, beater brush hand held vacuum, and caulking gun for my lesser used tools. The Ryobis work well, and I have plenty of batteries that came with them. YMMV. I bold the text to see it better.

 

[Wannabee]

I was looking to pick up a battery-powered leaf blower to keep by my basement door in winter for blowing snow and firewood debris off the patio where we keep our firewood in winter, and then by the pool for blowing leaves and pollen off the pool cover and deck in summer. I don't need much runtime, although something with good velocity and volume would be good for blowing seed pods off the pool cover, where even my Stihl BG-56 can struggle.

I see countless cheap options on Amazon for $60, with supposedly great volume and velocity, with two batteries and charger. Then I see most of the highly-rated name brands (Greenworks, EGO, Makita, DeWalt) are $300 - $600.

Given this is just a spare / quick tool, the cheap versions sound attractive. But it's just not worth the chance of burning my house down with cheap Li-Ion batteries from some no-name brand. On that alone, I'm leaning toward staying with a name brand.

Either way, the BG-56 and the Little Wonder (both gas) are going to remain my go-to for real yard work, this is just a spare convenience to keep in the house when the others are in my barn.

Any recommendations?

Because I owned a bit of Makita kit at first I've kept going with that brand. I bought the Makita DUX60 2x18V LXT unit. I have seen a blower head that fits this, and it takes strimmer, hedge, and chainsaw attachments. 2 x5Ah batteries give me about 20mins hard strimming. I bought the hedge trimmer with extension pole, but you need to be quite strong to wield this for a 14foot high hedge, fed up climbing ladders. Currently having ideas about making a tractor mount for it, probably pie in the sky but...

 

[Joe Batt]

If you are using it right by the house why not get a plug in? Just have to wrangle an extension cord.

I like that idea, but my experience has been:
1. extension cords don't slide around parked cars where I'm blowing leaves.
2. abrasion damage to extension cords can ruin them.
3. replacing a plug-in with a 2 cycle makes you love 2 cycles again.
4. when the 2 cycle quits running, you remember why you hate 2 cycles again.
5. the cheap battery blower works "good enough" until you buy a "good one".
6. technology changes and you never buy a "good one".

 

[mike8149]

I was looking to pick up a battery-powered leaf blower to keep by my basement door in winter for blowing snow and firewood debris off the patio where we keep our firewood in winter, and then by the pool for blowing leaves and pollen off the pool cover and deck in summer. I don't need much runtime, although something with good velocity and volume would be good for blowing seed pods off the pool cover, where even my Stihl BG-56 can struggle.

I see countless cheap options on Amazon for $60, with supposedly great volume and velocity, with two batteries and charger. Then I see most of the highly-rated name brands (Greenworks, EGO, Makita, DeWalt) are $300 - $600.

Given this is just a spare / quick tool, the cheap versions sound attractive. But it's just not worth the chance of burning my house down with cheap Li-Ion batteries from some no-name brand. On that alone, I'm leaning toward staying with a name brand.

Either way, the BG-56 and the Little Wonder (both gas) are going to remain my go-to for real yard work, this is just a spare convenience to keep in the house when the others are in my barn.

Any recommendations?

I have 2 Echo's and they are great. Recommend highly.

 

[mike8149]

I was looking to pick up a battery-powered leaf blower to keep by my basement door in winter for blowing snow and firewood debris off the patio where we keep our firewood in winter, and then by the pool for blowing leaves and pollen off the pool cover and deck in summer. I don't need much runtime, although something with good velocity and volume would be good for blowing seed pods off the pool cover, where even my Stihl BG-56 can struggle.

I see countless cheap options on Amazon for $60, with supposedly great volume and velocity, with two batteries and charger. Then I see most of the highly-rated name brands (Greenworks, EGO, Makita, DeWalt) are $300 - $600.

Given this is just a spare / quick tool, the cheap versions sound attractive. But it's just not worth the chance of burning my house down with cheap Li-Ion batteries from some no-name brand. On that alone, I'm leaning toward staying with a name brand.

Either way, the BG-56 and the Little Wonder (both gas) are going to remain my go-to for real yard work, this is just a spare convenience to keep in the house when the others are in my barn.

Any recommendations?

Correction, my Echo's are gas powered.

 

[xBBx]

I was looking to pick up a battery-powered leaf blower to keep by my basement door in winter for blowing snow and firewood debris off the patio where we keep our firewood in winter, and then by the pool for blowing leaves and pollen off the pool cover and deck in summer. I don't need much runtime, although something with good velocity and volume would be good for blowing seed pods off the pool cover, where even my Stihl BG-56 can struggle.

I see countless cheap options on Amazon for $60, with supposedly great volume and velocity, with two batteries and charger. Then I see most of the highly-rated name brands (Greenworks, EGO, Makita, DeWalt) are $300 - $600.

Given this is just a spare / quick tool, the cheap versions sound attractive. But it's just not worth the chance of burning my house down with cheap Li-Ion batteries from some no-name brand. On that alone, I'm leaning toward staying with a name brand.

Either way, the BG-56 and the Little Wonder (both gas) are going to remain my go-to for real yard work, this is just a spare convenience to keep in the house when the others are in my barn.

Any recommendations?

Sounds like you are getting plenty of options. But to add on, I have 3 that I got from Amazon. This one is an absolute beast for a battery/rechargeable: 58V Cordless Leaf Blower, Power Variable-Speed, Brushless, 770 CFM, Electric Leaf Blower with 4Ah Battery and 5A Charger for Lawn Care, Yard, Outside(KDLB58211BDM)
This one hasn't let me down either, had it for about 2 years. Not as powerful as the first but is light and has good battery life: Leaf Blower Cordless, 20V Electric Cordless Leaf Blower with 4000mAh Battery and Charger, 2 Speed Modes, Lightweight Battery Powered Leaf Blowers for Lawn Care, Patio, Blowing Leaves and Snow.
That said, if you can find one that matches batteries with existing tools, that'd make good sense.

 

[John_Mc]

I was surprised to see the Milwaukee for 199.00 with 2 batteries, and free shipping though.

No charger with that offer, though. Not a problem if you already own a charger, but you'll have another purchase to make if this is the first foray into the Millwaukee M18 line

 

[JeffinNE]

Anyone with experience with the smaller, handheld blowers which can use your DeWalt or Milwaukee battery? Vortex Haus and Storm Industries ones look intriguing...

 

[TractorGunn]

Anyone with experience with the smaller, handheld blowers which can use your DeWalt or Milwaukee battery? Vortex Haus and Storm Industries ones look intriguing...

Yeah, that thing looks powerful for sure.

What gets me is these videos using the MI8 Jobsite blower as a leaf blower, and complaining. A true comparison would be to use the actual Milwaukee Leaf Blower.

 

[TractorGunn]

Man, they want 200.00 bucks for that Vortex Haus? You can get the Milwaukee Leaf Blower and 2 batteries for that price. I'd take a pass. Milwaukee also has a 5 year warranty iirc.

 

[Aquabird]

I agree with oldnslo. I have MilW. battery tools, so I have been looking at those. I find the batteries last a good length in those. I have a weed eater of theirs that uses the same batteries.