Best leaf blowers for keeping your garden tidy: tried and tested

Leaf blowers can make easy work of clearing your garden, but only the best models will remove heavy debris without any hassle, while the worst will struggle to pick up damp leaves and are a nightmare to use.

Our rigorous testing has uncovered significant differences in ease of use and storing, noise levels, vibration and clearing abilities between brands and models.

Find out which models got it right, below, and keep reading to find out whether you need a leaf blower or a vac, and whether a corded or cordless model is best for you. We've uncovered brilliant Best Buys, as well as affordable and efficient Great Value recommendations.

The best leaf blowers from our tests

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The leaf blowers we tested

All the leaf blowers we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best leaf blowers from our tests.

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Black & Decker BEBLV260-GB

Type Leaf blower vacuum

Power type Corded

Need to know One speed setting, collection bag

Black & Decker GWC1820PC

Most recently tested November 2017

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know Available to buy with a battery and charger or without (the battery can be swapped with other garden tools in the same range)

Bosch AdvancedLeafBlower 36V-750

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know ‎Comes with a 2.0Ah battery and charger AL 36V-20 (which is compatible with other tools in the Bosch 36V battery system)

Bosch Universal Leaf Blower 18V-130

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know Comes with a 5Ah battery and a charger AL 18V-20 charger, two speed settings (Eco and Power)

DeWalt DCM562PB

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know Compatible with all DeWalt XR slide pack batteries

Ego LB7650E

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know Tool only, compatible with 56V ARC lithium battery, six speed settings, boost function

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Flymo PowerVac 3000

Most recently tested June 2023

Type Leaf blower and mulcher

Power type Corded

Need to know 10-metre cord, blow and mulch modes

Gardena PowerJet 18V

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know ‎Adjustable speed, turbo mode

Greenworks G40ABK2

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know ‎‎2Ah battery, charger, variable speed

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Mac Allister MBV18-Li-2 18V 2.0Ah Blower

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know ‎‎Variable speed trigger, cruise control

Makita DUB184Z

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know ‎‎Variable speed trigger, carrying strap

Mountfield MAB 20 Li

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know Two speed settings, 20V (4Ah) battery and charger

Ryobi RY18BLA-0

Most recently tested June 2023

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know 4.0Ah ONE+ battery and a charger

Ryobi RY36BLXB-0

Available from Ryobi UK (£249.99)

Most recently tested June 2023

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know Variable speed trigger, turbo button

Stihl BGA 57

Most recently tested June 2023

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know Variable speed trigger, turbo button

Vonhaus 3000w Corded Leaf Blower

Type Leaf blower

Power type Corded

Need to know 8-metre power cable, two speed settings

Worx WG543E

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know ‎Two speed settings, 20V 4Ah battery, X1 20V 2A charger

Worx WG547E

Type Leaf blower

Power type Cordless

Need to know ‎Tool only

How we test leaf blowers and vacs

We assess each model on the following:

• Clearing abilities We test each leaf blower on a range of terrain, including hard surfaces, gravel and grass. We measure how much time and effort it takes to blow an area of lawn clear of leaves, how well each leaf blower clears wet, stuck-down leaves from a patio, how easily it blows out leaves trapped in a flower border and whether it damages the surrounding plants. 
• Vacuuming abilities All leaf blower vacs are tested on gravel to make sure they suck up any garden debris but leave the stones behind. We also check how well leaf blower vacs shred the leaves and fill the collection bag. 
• Ease of use Some are much easier to use than others. We check how easy (or not) it is to assemble and take apart each leaf blower or blower vac, including removing, replacing and emptying the collection bag, and how easy the machine is to store. We also rate using the controls and manoeuvring the blower or blower vac around obstacles.

We regularly revisit the leaf blowers on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing.

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How do the different types of leaf blower compare?

Cordless leaf blowers

Cordless leaf blowers are typically more expensive, as you're paying for the advantage of not having a power cord. However, they aren't always super powerful, so if you've got a lot of heavy, damp leaves to clear, they might not be up to the job. Cordless models also tend to be simple to use and are usually great for clearing complicated garden layouts.

Corded leaf blowers

Corded models that you plug into the mains are generally the cheapest option. They're ideal for use in smaller gardens, but are a bit of a pain if you need to use your blower remotely or around large obstacles such as trees or ponds. 

The budget models tend to have parallel blow and vac tubes, and you can change between them with a flick of a switch. This means you can clear some blockages by changing from vac to blow mode. However, in our tests we've found that they lose power when you switch from blowing to vacuuming. They are also less easy to use in blow mode, as the dual tubes make them a bit bulky and heavy.

Petrol leaf blowers and vacuums 

Petrol leaf blowers are the most powerful – and the most heavy and noisy – machines, making them perfect for gardeners with a large outdoor space, working remotely or getting around larger obstacles such as trees, ponds or garden furniture. 

We no longer test petrol-powered gardening tools as we're seeing fewer launches, and manufacturers appear to be focusing their attention on cordless tools. These offer a better alternative for the environment and our health, as they’re quieter and produce zero emissions, while still being flexible and powerful enough to rival petrol tools. 

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Save money on your leaf-blower battery

Manufacturers often have one or two standard batteries and chargers that are compatible with a wide range of tools. Before you buy, check to see if any of your existing tools have a battery and charger that can be used with the one you're planning to buy, as this could save you a considerable amount of money. 

Alternatively, you may see it as a good chance to buy a second battery for your tools. Batteries are sometimes cheaper when bought with a tool, and it’s often useful to have a second one charged and ready to go when you’re carrying out jobs that will take some time to finish.

Leaf blower features to look for

Using a good leaf blower or leaf vacuum will make dealing with autumn leaves a breeze, but a bad model will struggle to clear them at all. The following features can make all the difference.

• Narrow nozzle for blowing – look for a machine that has a narrow nozzle to direct the blast, and the ability to control the speed of the air jet.
• Easy access to the mulching blades – check you can get to the mulching blades to clear blockages easily and safely.
• Metal mulching blades – look for a machine that has metal, rather than plastic, mulching blades, as these are less likely to chip or break if you inadvertently suck up a stone.
• Waterproof collection bag – we've found that collection bags that aren't waterproof often leak and leave you with a wet leg.
• Comfortable handles and shoulder straps – look for a soft-grip handle and a padded shoulder strap.
• Storage space – leaf blowers will need to be stored undercover for most of the year. If you have limited storage, look for one with a telescopic nozzle or one that you can take apart easily.

Which leaf blower brand is most reliable?

Alongside our tests, we also ask leaf blower owners how happy they are with their chosen brand, so we can give you some insight into the best out there along with the ones to avoid.

Only Which? subscribers are able to see our unique data comparing the most popular leaf blower brands. Log in or sign up to Which? to get instant access.

Repairing your leaf blower

These are some of the most common leaf blower faults and how to avoid/fix them:

Battery won't hold its charge (cordless models only) Lithium-ion batteries eventually lose their ability to hold charge. Store the battery separately from your leaf blower and with a minimum of 40% charge remaining.

Motor failure There could be a number of reasons for this issue. First check for any blockages. Turn off the leaf blower and clean it out to see if this solves the problem. If the issue appears more serious (flooded engine or a wet sparkplug), contact a specialist or the manufacturer to work out the best solution. 

Tube cracked Stones and other hard debris can sometimes ricochet against the tube if they accidentally get sucked up, cracking the plastic. The tube can also become brittle over time, making it less sturdy, especially if it's stored in a cold shed. Be careful to pick up only leaves with your leaf blower vacuum. You should also only store your tools in a frost-free environment. Both the middle tube and nozzle can be replaced. Make sure to store your leaf blower correctly, as accidental damage isn't covered by guarantees.

Blockage (leaf blower vacuums only) Leaf blower vacs have a fan that sucks up and shreds leaves. However, the fan can easily get blocked with twigs and clods of wet leaves. To avoid this, try to pick up leaves on dry days when they will be collected and shredded more easily. If there's lots of other debris, such as earth, mixed in, it might be quicker in the long run to pick this up by hand.

How to use your leaf blower

• Blow leaves in a sweeping motion – this will help to clear large areas. Blow the leaves together to form big piles, then either use a lawn mower to collect them or switch to vacuum mode to suck them up. 
• Clear leaves from gravel or flower borders – blow them on to a hard surface where you can collect them easily, or on to grass where you can use the lawn mower to pick them up.  
• Use the nozzle – don't rely exclusively on the jet of air to free up leaves – most blowers are designed for you to use the end of the nozzle to give stubborn stuck-down leaves a little scrape. 
• Don't just use them for leaves – blowers are great for clearing snow from your path and sweeping your drive. You can even blast dust and dirt from your car boot.