Clear leaves, debris and garden waste quickly with battery-powered blowers and vacs.
When autumn arrives and the leaves start falling, a cordless leaf blower becomes your best friend. Modern battery-powered blowers are powerful enough to shift wet leaves from lawns, patios and driveways, yet quiet enough to use without angering the neighbours. Many models also function as garden vacuums with mulching capability, reducing leaf volume by up to 90%.
How fast the air moves. Higher MPH means better at shifting wet, stuck-on leaves. Look for 100+ MPH for serious leaf clearing.
Cubic feet per minute — how much air is moved. Higher CFM covers more ground. 400+ CFM handles most garden situations well.
Cordless blowers typically run at 60-75dB — conversational level. Petrol models often exceed 95dB. Your neighbours will thank you.
Many blowers convert to vacuums with a collection bag. Mulching reduces leaf volume 10:1, making composting much easier.
| Model | Voltage | Air Speed | CFM | Noise | Vac Mode | Price (Guide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO LB5302E | 56V | 168 MPH | 530 | 64dB | No | £179 (bare) |
| Bosch ALB 36 LI | 36V | 150 MPH | 410 | 60dB | No | £159 |
| Makita DUB187Z | 18V | 116 MPH | 296 | 61dB | Yes | £89 (bare) |
| Greenworks GD40BV | 40V | 185 MPH | 400 | 66dB | Yes (10:1 mulch) | £149 |
| Ryobi OBV18 | 18V | 120 MPH | 245 | 59dB | Yes | £95 (bare) |
The EGO is a force of nature. At 530 CFM and 168 MPH, it shifts everything — wet leaves, grass clippings, even light gravel if you're not careful. The variable speed trigger gives you precise control, and the turbo boost mode is genuinely impressive. It's the closest you'll get to petrol blower performance without the noise and fumes.
If you want a blower that also vacuums and mulches, the Greenworks GD40BV is excellent. The 10:1 mulching ratio means a full garden's worth of leaves compresses into a single collection bag. It switches between blower and vac mode easily, and the 40V battery provides up to 20 minutes of continuous use.
At just 59dB, the Ryobi is barely louder than normal conversation. It won't win any power awards, but for a small to medium garden, it's perfectly capable. The ONE+ battery compatibility and low price make it an easy addition to your existing Ryobi collection. Available at B&Q stores nationwide.