Electric leaf blowers are worth it to some homeowners but aren’t worth it to others. For example, corded models are a steal for small yards, and battery blowers are the most user-friendly.
However, high-power electric leaf blowers are pricey, making gas a better budget buy for big jobs. Since savvy shoppers consider many leaf blower factors, we comprehensively compare gas and electric models.
Our article examines:
- Prices
- CFM & MPH
- Bang for Your Buck
- Handheld Vs. Backpack Leaf Blowers
- Eco-impact, Ease of Use, and More
- Final Findings
- FAQ
Gas Vs. Electric Leaf Blower Prices
| Power Source | Average Price |
| Corded Electric | $75 |
| Cordless Electric | $280 |
| Gas | $315 |
Corded electric leaf blowers are, by far, the cheapest. Since they work well on yards up to ¼ acre, they’re the best budget buy for small yards.
However, cordless electric models vary in price and potency. If you have a small yard and want to kick the cord, light-duty battery-powered leaf blowers are more affordable than gas models. In contrast, battery-powered models are a pricey pick for heavy-duty leaves.
Cost of Corded Electric Leaf Blowers
The average corded leaf blower costs $75, with 70% priced between $50 and $100. However, corded models come as cheap as $28, and as expensive as $270.
Cost of Cordless Electric Leaf Blowers
The average battery-powered leaf blower costs $280, with 70% of cordless electric models priced between $140 and $450. However, light-duty battery blowers are as affordable as $55, and battery-powered backpack blowers get as pricey as $800.
Cost of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers
The average gas-powered leaf blower costs $315, with 70% of residential models costing $150 to $500. However, the cheapest gas leaf blower is $79, and the most expensive is $700.
CFM & MPH: How Do Electric Leaf Blowers Compare?
| Power Source | Average |
|---|---|
| Corded Electric | 425 CFM | 165 MPH |
| Cordless Electric | 536 CFM | 145 MPH |
| Gas | 580 CFM | 190 MPH |
To determine if an electric leaf blower is worth buying, first figure out how much CFM and MPH you need. For example, gas leaf blowers best suit homeowners with heavily wooded yards over an acre.
Regarding air volume, battery-powered leaf blowers beat their corded competitors. They average 536 CFM, and corded leaf blowers average just 425 CFM. However, the average corded leaf blower has an airspeed of up to 165 MPH, which is 20 MPH faster than the average cordless electric leaf blower.
CFM by Power Source
| Power Source | Air Volume (Standard Range, Low, and High) |
|---|---|
| Corded Electric | 220 – 630 CFM ↓81 ᐧ ↑800 |
| Cordless Electric | 365 – 730 CFM ↓90 ᐧ ↑930 |
| Gas | 420 – 825 CFM ↓350 ᐧ ↑1,110 |
MPH by Power Source
| Power Source | Airspeed (Standard Range, Low, and High) |
|---|---|
| Corded Electric | 120 -215 MPH ↓70 ᐧ ↑260 |
| Cordless Electric | 110 – 185 MPH ↓83 ᐧ ↑210 |
| Gas | 160 – 230 MPH ↓125 ᐧ ↑270 |
Bang For Your Buck: Gas Vs. Electric Leaf Blowers
Corded electric leaf blowers give homeowners with light-duty debris the most bang for their buck. In contrast, cordless electric leaf blowers give homeowners with large yards and many trees the least bang for their buck.
We rated each leaf blower’s bang using potency points. Then, we calculated the potency price, which is how much the blower costs per potency point.
| Power Source | Potency Price |
|---|---|
| Corded Electric | Most: $0.65 – $1.15 Average: $0.95 ↓$0.41 ᐧ ↑$4.43 |
| Cordless Electric | Most: $1.65 – $5.15 Average: $2.85 ↓$0.73 ᐧ ↑$7.20 |
| Gas | Most: $1.60 – $3.90 Average: $2.75 ↓$0.84 ᐧ ↑$5.13 |
How did Lawn Lobby calculate potency points & potency price?
Potency Points
Potency Points = [(.36 × CFM) + (.64 × MPH)] ÷ 3
Total blow force, measured in Newtons (N), combines airspeed (MPH), Air Volume (CFM), and other factors into one number. Unfortunately, most leaf blowers don’t provide this spec. Thus, we created our own measurement—potency points.
We derived the formula by comparing MPH, CFM, and N on models that list all three specs. Then, we tested the formula to ensure its significance.
Potency Price
Potency Price = Price ÷ Potency Points
Finally, we calculate potency price, which is how much a leaf blower costs per potency point.
Handheld & Backpack Electric Leaf Blowers
When comparing handheld vs. backpack leaf blowers, electric handhelds are a better value than electric backpack leaf blowers.
Are Electric Handheld Leaf Blowers Worth It?
| Spec | Standard Range |
|---|---|
| Price | Corded: $50 – $100 Battery: $110 – $340 Gas: $125 – $250 |
| Air Volume | Corded: 220 – 630 CFM Battery: 325 – 685 CFM Gas: 400 – 480 CFM |
| Airspeed | Corded: 120 – 215 MPH Battery: 105 – 175 MPH Gas: 145 – 195 MPH |
| Sound | Corded: 65 – 90 dB Battery: 60 – 78 dB Gas: 70 – 94 dB |
| Weight | Corded: 4 – 10 lb. Battery: 6 – 12 lb. Gas: 9 – 12 lb. |
Handhelds for Small Jobs
When comparing costs, corded electric leaf blowers are the most affordable handhelds. Additionally, they’re the lightest. However, light-duty cordless electric leaf blowers are also more affordable than gas. Moreover, the meekest gas leaf blower is overkill for light-duty leaves.
Handhelds for Big Jobs
On the other hand, the most powerful handheld leaf blowers are battery-powered models. Although pricey, they’re quiet and low-maintenance. However, the weight of a high-performance handheld is too heavy for smaller users.
Are Electric Backpack Leaf Blowers Worth It?
| Average Gas Backpack | Average Battery Backpack |
|---|---|
| $425 | $530 |
| 700 CFM | 675 CFM |
| 210 MPH | 165 MPH |
| 83 dB | 69 dB |
| 22 lb. | 22 lb. |
Battery-powered backpack leaf blowers are quiet and easy to maintain, but most gas backpacks have more brawn. Furthermore, electric backpack leaf blowers cost 35 to 40% more for the same potency as a gas backpack blower.
In conclusion, electric backpack leaf blowers are only worth it to homeowners with money to burn.
What Else Affects Electric Leaf Blower Value?
Next, we look at the following factors:
Are Electric Leaf Blowers Environmentally Worth It?
Most people know that gas leaf blowers are bad for the environment, but battery-powered leaf blowers aren’t eco-friendly either. In fact, all leaf blowers negatively impact our planet. Consequently, the most eco-friendly leaf removal tool is a rake.
Are Electric Leaf Blowers Low-Maintenance?
Yes, electric leaf blowers are low-maintenance. Hence, they’re worth it to homeowners who don’t want to mess with maintaining a gas engine. However, all leaf blowers require regular cleaning, proper storage, and seasonal inspections.
Additionally, cordless electric leaf blowers need their batteries replaced after 2 to 5 years.
In contrast, gas-powered leaf blowers require a whole heap of maintenance, including:
- Oil changes (4-stroke engines only)
- Spark plug replacements
- Air filter cleaning/replacement
- Carburetor cleaning
Are Electric Leaf Blowers User-Friendly?
Next, we’ll compare gas vs. electric leaf blowers’ ease of use:
- Starting: Electric leaf blowers are much easier to start than gas leaf blowers.
- Runtime: Gas leaf blowers have a much longer runtime than battery blowers, but corded electric leaf blowers have unlimited runtime.
- Extension cords: Corded electric leaf blowers require an extension cord (purchased separately), and all your leaves must be within reach of a power outlet. Additionally, cables are cumbersome to work around.
- Weight: Corded electric handhelds are the lightest leaf blowers. Although low-end battery blowers are lighter than most gas models, the heaviest leaf blowers run on battery power.
- Fueling: You must mix gas and oil to fuel 2-stroke gas engines or purchase pricey pre-mixed fuel. However, refilling a gas tank is much quicker than recharging a battery. Undoubtedly, corded blowers are the easiest to fuel; just plug them in.
- Noise level: Electric leaf blowers tend to be quieter than gas.
- Vacuum attachments: Electric leaf blowers are more likely to come with a vacuum kit.
Leaf Blower Fueling Costs
| Pre-Mixed 2-Cycle Fuel | $20 to $45 per gal. |
| Ethanol-Free Gas | $4.50 to $5.75 per gal. |
| 5W-30 Engine Oil | $4 to $8 per qt. |
| Fuel Additive | $1 to $2 per oz. |
| Leaf Blower Battery | $40 – $350 |
| Electricity | $9 – $33 / kWh |
To illustrate, here are some leaf blower fueling facts:
- Two-cycle engines run on pre-mixed fuel or a combination of ethanol-free gas and engine oil.
- Four-cycle engines run on ethanol-free gasoline and are more fuel-efficient than 2-stroke engines.
- Fuel additives are optional ingredients that improve fuel efficiency and overall gas engine performance.
- Li-ion leaf blower batteries usually cost $40 to $350 each. Although most cordless electric leaf blowers run on one battery, some run on two or more.
- Charging a leaf blower battery typically consumes .05 to 1.5 kWh of electricity.
- Corded electric leaf blowers tend to consume .6 to 1.56 kWh during one hour of use.
Leaf Blower Life Span
Gas leaf blowers have the longest lifespan, partially because they’re easier to repair than electric models. As a result, properly maintained gas leaf blowers can last homeowners 10 to 20 years.
In contrast, finding someone willing to fix electric leaf blowers is difficult. Thus, requiring the slightest repair might render them rubbish. Within 5 years, most motors start to lose their might. However, some electric models last up to 10 years
Final Findings: Are Electric Leaf Blowers Worth It?
Corded Electric Leaf Blowers
In short, corded electric leaf blowers are worth it for light-duty leaf removal. After all, they’re affordable, low maintenance, lightweight, and easy to start. Additionally, they have unlimited runtime.
However, they’re the least potent, and all your leaves must be within reach of a power outlet.
Cordless Electric Leaf Blowers
Battery-powered leaf blowers are worth it if you covet convenience and have wiggle room in your budget. They have the highest relative cost but don’t require cumbersome cords or messy maintenance.
Despite high-performance battery blowers being pricey, they handle heavy-duty debris. In contrast, low-end models are more affordable than gas for light-duty leaves.
Electric Leaf Blower FAQ
1. What are the most potent electric leaf blowers?
Our research reveals the most powerful electric leaf blowers:
- ENHULK LBL1493J: 930 CFM, 200 MPH
- Husqvarna Leaf Blaster 350iB: 800 CFM, 200 MPH
- Greenworks 2436202: 800 CFM, 200 MPH
- Ego Power+ LBPX8004-2: 800 CFM, 190 MPH
2. What are the best leaf blowers under $50?
We also found the best leaf blowers under $50*. Unsurprisingly, they’re corded models:
- Hyper Tough 7-Amp: The $29* leaf blower is a steal for small yards, with up to 330 CFM and 150 MPH. Most importantly, it handles small amounts of heavier debris, like wet leaves and scattered pine needles. more info
- Greenworks 2400902: Despite costing just $49*, it has up to 530 CFM. Thus, it handles hearty helpings of dry leaves and grass clippings. However, with a max airspeed at 130 MPH, it only pushes lightweight debris. more info
*Prices are sourced at publishing and are subject to change.
3. What are the best electric leaf blowers under $100?
Next, we reveal the best electric leaf blowers under $100*:
- Best corded: The Sun Joe SBJ702E costs just $69*, and its specs include up to 615 CFM and 180 MPH. more info
- Best cordless: For those who covet cordless convenience, we recommend ENHULK leaf blowers. They have budget-friendly prices and industry-leading efficiency. For example, the ENHULK 460 CFM model costs just $70* but has satisfying specs. Primarily, we’re pleased with airspeed up to 190 MPH. more info
- Best Leaf Vac: The Craftsman CMEBL7000 is a 3-in-1 leaf blower, vacuum, and mulcher. Although it usually retails for $90*, at publishing, it’s on sale at Amazon for just $70*. Nonetheless, its airspeed gets as fast as 260 MPH and has an air volume of up to 450 CFM.
*Prices are sourced at publishing and are subject to change.
4. What are the quietest cordless leaf blowers?
Additionally, we found fabulous leaf blowers with faint sound. Accordingly, here are the quietest cordless leaf blowers:
- Firstly, the Black+Decker LSW321 can blow as quietly as 54 dB.
- Next, the Ryobi Whisper Series RY404130 makes as little as noise as 55 dB.
- Thirdly, the STIHL BGA 100 and STIHL BGA 60 softly sing at 56 dB.
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Howdy, I’m Leah—a technical writer who specializes in lawn care power tools. After years of research, testing, and analysis, I started Lawn Lobby. Primarily, my purpose is to help people purchase the best lawn care tools for their yards and budgets.
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