Author: Alex @ TLR

Alex is not a lawn care natural. He had to learn things the hard way. But after stumbling through his first few seasons of lawn care, he learned a lot. Mostly - what not to do. Alex has become one of the country's advocates of battery-powered lawn tools, quoted in the Washington Post among other highly visible publications. Alex started The Lawn Review with his friend Tyler - who you may see in some of the videos on this website - to help normal people like you understand how to take care of their lawn themselves with the best tools possible. Alex has thousands of hours of experience using hundreds of different lawn tools and has found exactly what to look for in each type of tool. He speaks with deep experience not only about the boring technical specifications, but what the tool actually feels like when you are using it, what to look for before you make a purchase, and how the lawn tool measures up when you factor in price.
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Pressure Washer GPM vs PSI: Explained (2024)

pressure washer nozzle

PSI and GPM are two acronyms to know when it comes to buying a new pressure washer. Both are often used to express the power of the pressure washer, but as I found out the hard way, are very different measurements. 

A good pressure washer is an indispensable tool for your home, yard, and property. But, choosing the right machine for your needs can be a little confusing. That’s especially true when you’re faced with terms you may not be familiar with.

For example, every pressure washer you look at will have a GPM and PSI rating. These are specifications that determine your pressure washer’s power and capabilities. Understanding these two specs and how they affect your pressure washer’s performance is a key to success.

What Do GPM and PSI Mean on a Pressure Washer?

Pressure washers are designed to create a strong, steady stream of water for washing and cleaning. Both GPM and PSI are important factors to consider when buying and using one. Here’s a quick rundown of what each is and how they affect your power washer’s performance.

What Is GPM on a pressure washer?

Gallons Per Minute, or GPM is the volume of water that leaves your pressure washer. Generally, GPM ratings will range anywhere from 1.2 gallons per minute to 4 gallons per minute. If you’re a novice, or will only use your pressure washer occasionally for light cleaning, opt for a lower GPM to begin with. Higher GPM is more suitable for heavy-duty cleaning.

The higher the GPM, the more water that flows, meaning your cleaning jobs will go quicker because the water spreads farther. However, a lot of water over a large surface doesn’t have much cleaning power. For that, you need a higher PSI.

Gas pressure washers tend to have higher PSI and GPM than electric pressure washers.

What Is PSI on a Pressure Washer?

PSI, or pound-force per square inch, is the amount of cleaning pressure your machine is capable of producing. It’s the force of the water as it is pushed through the nozzle. You can adjust the PSI to ensure a proper cleaning and to avoid damage. For example, a high PSI but a low GPM, will produce a high amount of pressure over a fairly small area.

Which Is More Important, PSI or GPM on a pressure washer?

PSI and GPM work hand in hand. Having a high PSI means you have a laser beam of power. The range in GPM tells you how wide the laser beam will be. So high PSI and low GPM means a super small beam. High PSI and high GPM means a big freaking cannon of water.

As you can see, both of these are important in order to achieve the maximum cleaning capacity of your pressure washer. Choose a pressure washer with a high enough PSI and GPM to accomplish your cleaning goals. However, stay away from commercial pressure washers with a high PSI. This type of pressure washer will be tougher to operate due to the increased force of the water. An inexperienced user may find it to be very physically demanding, if not impossible to use safely and effectively.

A lot of these you won’t have to worry about accidentally buying because they are so darn expensive. I’d stick with a nice electric pressure washer that is incapable of getting out of hand.

What Are the Best PSI and GPM Settings?

When choosing a new power washer, you’ll want to look for one that provides enough power to achieve your goals. If you have fairly light duty cleaning you want to do occasionally, opt for a lower powered model. Big jobs to tackle? Choose a pressure washer with a higher GPM and PSI rating to get the job done fast and effectively.

No matter what you’re using your pressure washer for, or what its settings are, make sure you work safely. Wear safety goggles and other protective equipment and keep children and pets away from the machine.

 Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

What features to look for in a pressure washer

Honda pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.

If you’re going electric – make sure to check out our ultimate guide to electric pressure washers.

Nozzles Matter

  • When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.  
  • The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
  • Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!

Soap tank availability

  • Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
  • I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.

Wheels on pressure washers

  • Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
  • Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
  • If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.

Hose types

  • There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
  • Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.
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Ultimate Guide to Pressure Washer Nozzle Tips: 2024

pressure washer nozzle

Pressure washer nozzle types vary significantly depending on the type of job you’re doing. They can range from a soft, light mist all the way to an intense, laser-like cannon that crushes paint.

The sun’s out and all that built up dirt and grime on your home, garage, sidewalks, driveway, and vehicles is highly visible. A pressure washer is a fast, effective way to clean all these surfaces, and more. Before you fire up your new DIY tool, there are a few things that you should know about the nozzles that came with it. Otherwise, you may damage your home, car, or you may even injure yourself or someone else. 

Pressure Washer Nozzle Type Basics

The nozzles are arguably the most important component of your pressure washer. As the water flows through the restricted opening of the nozzle its velocity increases. The force of the water hitting surfaces forces dirt and debris to be removed.The number of nozzles you’ll have to work with depends on the pressure washer manufacturer. Most of these come in quick-connect formats that allow you to quickly pop on and off different nozzles. 

Credit to Ryobi for this great explanation.

You can pop off the nozzles by pulling back on the tip of the spray gun and popping on the new nozzle. 

Follow these general guidelines for when to use each type of pressure washer nozzle:

0° Pressure Washer Nozzle (also called Turbo Nozzle)

This nozzle provides the highest pressure your unit can handle. It’s best for areas like concrete driveways, sidewalks, graffiti, or objects that are further  away. It’s also the ideal nozzle for cleaning stains from concrete and metal. Beware though, If you hold the nozzle too close for too long, you’ll carve a hole in your surface. This nozzle will also strip paint from wood surfaces and may even damage the wood itself, so use with caution.

The 0 degree nozzle funnels all of the PSI into the smallest area, giving maximum allowable pressure to whatever surface is unlucky enough to be on the receiving end. If you are going to clean a driveway, it may be better to use a pressure washer surface cleaner attachment instead of the 0 degree nozzle. 

15° Pressure Washer Nozzle

This is the best nozzle for removing tough stains like mold and mildew on fences and other structures made of PVC. Your 15° nozzle will produce a very strong spray, so don’t hold it in one area for too long. If you’re cleaning your siding, spray from a distance to ensure even coverage across the vinyl. Don’t use this nozzle for painted wood siding or trim unless you’re prepping it for painting because it will strip the paint off.

This nozzle is great for cleaning things like patio pavers. It delivers a ton of power still without taking quite as long as the 0 degree nozzle. 

25° Pressure Washer Nozzle

Beginner? The best place to start is with the green 25° nozzle If you’re going to clean your home’s siding, wood decks, concrete sidewalks, or even your driveway, this is the best nozzle for the job. In fact, it’s the right choice for cleaning just about everything around your home and garage including your yard and garden equipment and off-road vehicles.

My sister in law hates to get her hands dirty, but absolutely loves using her pressure washer. It is a mystery. Either way, she uses the 25 degree nozzle to wash off their garage door because it has a decent amount of power, a wider spray pattern, and won’t damage paint. 

40° Pressure washer Nozzle

.Got a delicate surface to clean like your home’s windows or your beautiful car? Grab the 40° nozzle. It gives you the widest spray pattern of all your nozzles. The wide spray and low pressure make it perfect for cleaning all your delicate surfaces without fear of damage. It’s also exceptional for rinsing off patio furniture, play equipment, and outdoor toys.

These nozzles are great for windows, too. I always get the window sales people coming to my house because my windows are really old, but boy do they stay clean when I have this thing knocking off all the pollen.

Specialty Nozzles

Your pressure washer may also have come with a variety of special nozzles. These may include a turbo nozzle for edge cleaning, a soap nozzle, or a foam cannon. Each of these nozzles are great “bonus” nozzles for your pressure washer that let you do parts of the job more quickly. Soap cannons and foam cannons are great for washing the car and give you the same substance as driving through the car wash (although less scary).

Time to Start Pressure Washing!

Now that you have an understanding of your power washer nozzles and their uses, it’s time to get busy. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s directions for the safe and proper use of your power washer and choose the appropriate nozzle for each job.

What features to look for in a pressure washer

Honda pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.

Nozzles Matter

  • When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.  
  • The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
  • Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!

Soap tank availability

  • Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
  • I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.

Wheels on pressure washers

  • Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
  • Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
  • If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.

Hose types

  • There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
  • Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.

GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers

GPM stands for gallons per minute. GPM measures how quickly water is leaving the end of the electric pressure washer. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of pressure that is being applied out of the electric pressure washer.

If this is confusing to you, you’re not alone. In reality, if you are looking for power, you want both. They work hand-in-hand to deliver water from the machine at a high rate and effective and efficient volume.

For reference, a pressure washer can have a high PSI but a low GPM, meaning it is able to have a high pressure but generally not over a large area. Having both a high PSI and high GPM means that it’s coming out fast and it’s producing a more effective stream.

Likewise, you can also have a low PSI and higher GPM. This is a good ratio for cleaning cars because you get a lot of water at a safer pressure.

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Best Pressure Washer PSI for Washing Cars: 2024 Update

Pressure washing your car is the sure fire way to get rid of all of the dirt. But the real value of pressure washing your car comes in around the rims. For a car, the ideal PSI for cleaning with a pressure washer is between 1000-2000 PSI.

I used to drive an old BMW 325i (2004). The brake dust on those bad boys is world-famous for collecting black dirt all around the rims. Doesn’t come off with the spray of a hose – this stuff requires a serious scrubbing. You could drive down to the local car wash to get it cleaned, but somehow, that’s just not good enough. 

You’d rather carefully clean it yourself so you know that it’s properly done. Rather than a bucket of soapy water and a garden hose, many people choose to use a pressure washer for this essential task. It’s a great idea, but it’s important that you choose a pressure washer with the appropriate PSI to avoid damaging your vehicle.

What Does PSI Have to Do With Washing My Car?

PSI or pounds per square inch, refers to the amount of force the water coming out of your pressure washer has. The higher the PSI, the more force behind the water.

If you’ve ever washed your vehicle using a garden hose and sprayer, you know that there’s very little force behind the water. It can’t really remove any of the dirt without a great deal of effort and time on your part. The reason is simple, there isn’t enough pressure (PSI) to create the force necessary for a good cleaning.

After reading that last bit, you may think that a high PSI is necessary to get all that dirt and grunge off your car, that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, if you use a machine with too high of a PSI, it can severely damage the paint or break your windows. That’s something you simply do not want, so you need to choose a machine with the appropriate PSI setting.

Can High PSI Really Damage My Vehicle?

Absolutely. If you’re using a heavy-duty pressure washer with a high PSI, it can be difficult to handle. You could easily lose control of the wand and damage your vehicle’s paint job. Hold the nozzle in one place for too long and you could dent the surface, remove the paint, or even blast a hole in one of your windows. You could also put yourself at risk of injury if the PSI is too much for you to handle.

So, What PSI Is Best for Washing My Car?

Clearly, a garden hose has way too little PSI, but a heavy duty pressure washer will produce way too much pressure. There is a happy medium, however. The best PSI rating for car washing with a pressure washer is somewhere between 1200 and 2200 PSI. This kind of force will easily remove caked on mud, road tar, and other dirt and grime from your vehicle, tires, and windows.

Look for a home-use pressure washer that delivers a moderate PSI to keep your vehicle clean and shiny this summer, but don’t stop there. You can also use it to clean your RV, boat, off-road vehicles, and more. Plus, it’ll come in handy for a variety of home cleaning projects that require a more delicate touch.

Best pressure washer for washing cars

My favorite pressure washer for washing cars is the light duty Greenworks 1600 PSI electric pressure washer. Greenworks makes a ton of good pressure washers – a ton of them we have reviewed and I still own a few.

The Greenworks 1600 PSI electric pressure washer is a little on the low end for pressure on a car, but it is definitely safe. One thing I love about this one is the size of the machine. A lot of the other electric pressure washers are tall and some even have hose reels on the top of them. 

The bad thing about taller pressure washers is that they can easily be tipped over. Not exactly what you want when you’re up close to your car trying to do some detailed cleaning work. These can easily tip over and scratch your car – something you can’t just wipe off.

The Greenworks 1600 PSI pressure washer also comes with a nice little soap cannon so you can add your own mixture to the outside of the car prior to a nice rinse. The best reason of all to grab this pressure washer is that it is currently on sale for under $100. You can grab it on Amazon where it frequently goes on sale.

What features to look for in a pressure washer

Honda pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.

Nozzles Matter

  • When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.  
  • The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
  • Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!

Soap tank availability

  • Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
  • I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.

Wheels on pressure washers

  • Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
  • Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
  • If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.

Hose types

  • There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
  • Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.

GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers

GPM stands for gallons per minute. GPM measures how quickly water is leaving the end of the electric pressure washer. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of pressure that is being applied out of the electric pressure washer.

If this is confusing to you, you’re not alone. In reality, if you are looking for power, you want both. They work hand-in-hand to deliver water from the machine at a high rate and effective and efficient volume.

For reference, a pressure washer can have a high PSI but a low GPM, meaning it is able to have a high pressure but generally not over a large area. Having both a high PSI and high GPM means that it’s coming out fast and it’s producing a more effective stream.

Likewise, you can also have a low PSI and higher GPM. This is a good ratio for cleaning cars because you get a lot of water at a safer pressure.

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

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What PSI Pressure Washer Is Best For Home Use? (2024)

Pressure washers have serious PSI that let you knock out a huge range of jobs around the house. The best pressure washer PSI range for around the house is 2000-3000 PSI.

Let’s face it: your garden hose and a sprayer just aren’t enough to clean tough stains and dirt. A pressure washer, however, is a much more effective and fast method. Whether you use a gas or electric pressure washer, cleaning your house, concrete surfaces, and even your car is a breeze. 

What you may not know is that the PSI of your pressure washer can affect its performance and your results. If you choose a machine with the right PSI, it’ll make your cleaning project go quicker and it’ll turn out better.

What Does PSI Mean on a Pressure Washer?

This measurement is called pounds per square inch, or PSI. Your pressure washer’s cleaning power is measured by the amount of pressure that the machine can produce. The higher the pressure rating, the more powerful the spray. When shopping for a pressure washer, you’ll want to find one that suits your needs. Some things to consider include:

Light Duty Pressure Washers (up to 1899 PSI)

This is the perfect pressure for all those smaller jobs around the home, For example, clearing light debris from the sidewalk, washing the car, and cleaning your house’s windows. Because they’re small and light, they’re also ideal for cleaning patio furniture, grills, and other smaller items. 

Really light duty pressure washers can also come as power cleaners: handheld, super easy-to-use tools that can be taken with you wherever you go. We’ve done a major review of Greenworks’ 24V Portable Power Cleaner as well as the Worx Hydroshot.

Medium Duty Pressure Washers (2000 to 3200)

Medium-duty pressure washers are the best choice for typical home and garden use. They are much sturdier and more powerful than the light-duty machine, which makes them ideal for frequent use. Pull out this kind of machine when you’re cleaning your home’s siding, fencing, decks, concrete patios, and other hard to clean surfaces. 

When I think of medium duty pressure washers, I always think of a good electric pressure washer. Here are some of my favorite electric pressure washer brands:

Heavy Duty Pressure Washers (2800 to 3099 PSI) 

If you have a large-scale cleaning job such as a big driveway, multi-story home, or large building, you may want to employ a heavy duty power washer. This is also a great machine for stripping paint off of wood siding and trim to help prep it for new paint. That said, you’ll want to be careful around painted surfaces you don’t want to strip to avoid having to repaint.

One of my favorite heavy duty electric pressure washers is the Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer, which is super powerful and comes with a 10 year limited warranty. It is also a great price on Amazon.

Commercial Duty (3100 PSI or More)

This is the type of power washer professionals use to quickly and effectively clean large surfaces like buildings, parking lots, and other areas. It’s extremely powerful and can be incredibly difficult to operate if you’re unaccustomed to the force it produces. Gas pressure washers fall into this category more than electric by far. For most home users, this is simply too much PSI to handle. Leave this kind of heavy machinery to the pros.

I don’t often (or ever) use commercial duty pressure washers, but when I do I rent them from Home Depot. Just way cheaper that way and I don’t have to maintain them or store them.

What is a cleaning unit on a pressure washer?

A cleaning unit is a measurement that helps you understand the overall power combination by applying the PSI and the GPM together. Multiplying the two can give you the cleaning unit like the below formula:

PSI x GPM = Cleaning units

Having this calculation can help you easily calculate the overall power output of pressure washers and compare them for easy shopping.

How To Choose a Pressure Washer With the Right PSI

Before you invest in a new power washer, carefully consider what you’ll be using it for. Are the majority of your cleaning projects small-scale such as patio furniture and your car? If so, a light-duty machine may be your best option. If you’ve got bigger, tougher cleaning jobs you’ll be taking on frequently, a medium or heavy-duty pressure washer may be the best choice. You’ll also want to take into consideration your ability to operate the machine safely and effectively. It’s always best to err on the side of caution if you’re unsure of yourself.

What features to look for in a pressure washer

Honda pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.

Nozzles Matter

  • When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.  
  • The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
  • Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!

Soap tank availability

  • Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
  • I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.

Wheels on pressure washers

  • Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
  • Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
  • If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.

Hose types

  • There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
  • Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.

GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers

GPM stands for gallons per minute. GPM measures how quickly water is leaving the end of the electric pressure washer. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of pressure that is being applied out of the electric pressure washer.

If this is confusing to you, you’re not alone. In reality, if you are looking for power, you want both. They work hand-in-hand to deliver water from the machine at a high rate and effective and efficient volume.

For reference, a pressure washer can have a high PSI but a low GPM, meaning it is able to have a high pressure but generally not over a large area. Having both a high PSI and high GPM means that it’s coming out fast and it’s producing a more effective stream.

Likewise, you can also have a low PSI and higher GPM. This is a good ratio for cleaning cars because you get a lot of water at a safer pressure.

Posted on

5 Surprisingly Strong Electric Backpack Blowers

Battery-powered backpack blowers are new on the block. They are not the most popular lawn tools, but it feels like every major brand is trying to sell them right now. But are they any good?

Can they keep up with the gas blowers?

Today, we will use our years of experience using battery-powered lawn tools to break down what makes a good blower, list out our favorite backpack leaf blowers and give our final word on whether or not we recommend battery-powered backpack blowers. 

Let’s get started. Here’s our ranking of best battery backpack blowers:

  1. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Backpack Blower
  2. Greenworks Pro 80V Backpack Blower
  3. EGO Power+ LB6000 Backpack  Blower
  4. Makita ConnectX Backpack Blower
  5. EGO Power+ Commercial LBPX8004

Want to see how battery compares to gas powered backpack blowers? Read more here.

My experience using blowers

I’ve always been a gas leaf blower fan – and I still own two. I own the jetpack AKA Stihl BR 600 backpack blower and the an old Stihl handheld gas blower. Despite being really powerful and always getting the job done, I got sick of the maintenance schedule and the smell. After I had my first baby, the noise became unbearable as well – trying to use the blower around nap schedules. 

All of that stopped when I got a battery-powered blower. My first battery-powered blower was the Ryobi 40V blower, which quickly changed my perspective. The truth is, a lot of these electric blowers are super powerful – even more so compared to handheld gas blowers. I’ll walk you through my favorites below.

Battery-powered backpack leaf blowers: Ranked

Each of these made the list – so they are good blowers. But I’m trying to take everything into account here: power, price, comfort, and usability. We should jump right into our number one blower.

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Battery Powered Backpack Blower

The Ryobi backpack blower has a lot of great qualities – ones you don’t even find on gas powered backpack blowers. For starters, this blower comes with two 6.0 Ah batteries, which means these puppies last. Especially if you swap them out and use them on any of your other Ryobi 40V tools.

Next up, the power on this is pretty impressive. At 730 CFMs and 165 MPH of speed, this blower has almost the exact same specifications of their handheld Ryobi 40V Whisper blower. This is really powerful and is better on your back, arms, and shoulders than lugging around the handheld blower.

As part of the Whisper series of tools from Ryobi, this backpack blower comes in at 59 dB – which is actually pretty quiet considering how big of a machine it is. For comparison’ sake, this is about ½ the noise levels of a gas-powered blower. Lastly – this has really cool features like a turbo button that jacks up the power to big time levels, adjustable speed on the handle, and different nozzle tips for wet leaves, big piles, or really anything else.

To put the cherry on top – this thing is dang comfortable. You can grab this battery powered backpack blower for a surprisingly good price from Home Depot.

Greenworks Pro 80V Electric Backpack Blower

Greenworks puts out some pretty sweet products, so it was no surprise to me when they put out this 80V backpack blower. It isn’t quite as powerful as the Ryobi above, but boy does it have some speed. At 180 MPH, it is better suited for stubborn grass clippings and wet leaves than the Ryobi – but can still handle big piles of leaves decently well. 

What I love about Greenworks’ backpack blower is that they are super committed to quality. They make great brushless motors in almost all of their equipment and truly nerd out on the engineering side of the house. I’ve used their 80V handheld blower and it was also pretty powerful. 

One recommendation I have for this blower is to buy a higher Ah battery for it. It comes with a 2.5 Ah battery, but I would buy it tool-only, then buy a separate Greenworks 80V battery that’s at least 4 Ah. You’ll get much more run time out of it. 

Otherwise, you can grab this one on Amazon for a great deal right now (looks like it is on sale).

EGO Power+ LB6000 Battery Powered Backpack Blower

EGO’s LB6000 backpack blower is a little bit of a mystery to me. Despite being one of my favorite lawn tool brands, they missed a real opportunity here. This blower was truly designed for a normal homeowner who wants a good blower but more importantly wants a backpack blower.

Why do I say this? 

Well, it isn’t quite as powerful as some of their handheld blowers, like the 650 and 765 CFM versions we’ve tested. So, what’s the point? Basically as far as I can tell, it is a comfort thing. The tool itself is really high quality and centered around convenience. Here are a few of my favorite things:

  • Variable speed control trigger
  • Adjustable tube length
  • Not super loud
  • 5 year tool warranty

This battery backpack blower from EGO was truly designed for comfort and usability. I don’t blame anyone for buying it, but just know that there are more options out there that can provide more power if you’re looking for a true beast of a blower.

All-in-all, this is a great option for many and EGO keeps putting out hits. You can grab the LB6000 from Amazon for a really good price (and it is also on sale right now).

Makita ConnectX Battery Powered Backpack Blower

Makita came out of nowhere with their new battery powered backpack leaf blower – the ConnectX. It has a really good combination of power and speed, with 160 MPH and 670 CFMs. Makita is known for making super high quality tools – like their sweet Makita weed eaters and their awesome mowers.

They’ve been masters in the battery game for a long time and this backpack blower of theirs is nothing short of a beast. Here’s how you know: the motor produces as much power as a 64 cc gas backpack blower. BIG TIME. 

I also love the other cool features this has, like:

  • Four hours of runtime with the portable power supply (that’s insane)
  • 60 dB of sound, about half of a gas blower
  • A telescoping nozzle that can be used for big piles of leaves or wet grass
  • Power button on control handle (meaning you can turn it on while wearing it, not cranking it while it is on the ground)

This thing is flat out sweet – but it comes with a cost. You can check the price at Home Depot here.

EGO Power+ Commercial LBPX8004 Backpack Blower

The EGO LBPX8004 is illegal in nine countries. Just kidding. But its power is unmatched. Seriously.

At 800 CFMs, it is basically the most powerful electric blower I think I have ever seen. For a backpack blower, it is going  to be right on par with a gas-powered blower – or better. One other thing this blower has is really cool digital controls that let you turn on turbo, a battery life indicator, and speed control. Just about everything on this blower is adjustable as well. It is the top of the line battery powered backpack blower.

At only $700, it isn’t all that bad if you grab it at Ace Hardware (or wherever else you can find it).

But here is the last secret. You can get their 765 CFM handheld blower for less than $300.

What to look for in a battery powered blower

Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:

CFM 

Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.

Usability 

What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.

Motor type

Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.

These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications. 

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

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Leaf Blower Nozzle Types Explained: 2024 Update

Leaf blower nozzles are game changing add-ons to the tip of your blower that will boost the performance of any blower. Cleaning up the debris and leaves in your yard and garden can be a back breaking task if you do it by hand. 

A leaf blower can make this tough task substantially easier. If you use the right nozzle at the right time, you’ll get the job done in record time – which means you get back inside faster and have a better looking yard. But, leaf blowers aren’t just good for the yard. You can also employ your leaf blower to help with other tasks you need to get done, like drying a car. This guide will help you decide which blower nozzle to use for each type of situation you encounter.

Types of Leaf Blower Nozzles and Their Uses

Leaf blowers are among the most useful and versatile tools a homeowner can have. They’re incredibly useful for yard work, but that’s hardly all. By simply changing the nozzle, you can accomplish a wide variety of tasks such as cleaning out your gutters and even drying your car.

Flat Blower Nozzles 

During late fall the leaves from your trees pile up. Winter snow and spring rain saturate them, making them extremely difficult to move, especially with a rake or other hand tool. But, you can’t leave them or the grass under it will die. Simply attach the flat nozzle to your leaf blower and you’ll have no trouble getting them cleared up so your lawn can grow.

The flat blower nozzle attachment is basically like a little spatula for your blower. All the stuff that gets stuck and left behind from mowing, or the old wet leaves that seem to have become one with your driveway are easily flipped with a flat blower nozzle.

You can grab a nice flat blower nozzle attachment that fits most EGO blowers from Amazon for a great price. This is the one I use.

Wide Blower Nozzles 

Big, beautiful shade trees add comfort and curb appeal to your home and yard. But, those huge piles of leaves aren’t always the easiest to deal with. Raking and moving them is physically demanding and time-consuming. Cleanup can be quick and easy with your leaf blower. Just switch to a wide nozzle and you’ll be able to relocate that massive pile of leaves in no time.

Most backpack leaf blowers have really wide nozzles that deliver a huge volume of air that just absolutely pushes piles. While you will notice a decrease in speed using a wide nozzle, you will have much more of a “shotgun” approach to cleaning up the lawn.

Narrow Blower Nozzles

Regular mowing is essential for your lawn’s health. Clearing grass clippings, leaves and other debris from the edges of your sidewalk and driveway adds that finishing touch after mowing and trimming. You’ll also want to clear away the debris from around your house, garage, or other buildings.  For these tasks, grab your narrow leaf blower nozzle.

Narrow nozzles are awesome for being really precise with blowing. I use narrow nozzles on my driveway to make sure I get grass clippings and leaves off – each and every one. Narrow blower nozzles produce higher speed streams that blast away debris, but takes much longer with big piles. If the wide-mouthed nozzle is a shotgun, then this is a rifle.

Some blowers, like the Greenworks 60V blower, comes with a nice concentrator nozzle tip you can take on and off.

Pro tip:

Your narrow leaf blower nozzle can also be used to clear debris and leaves from your home’s gutters.This will ensure the water flows properly and doesn’t damage your roof or foundation. If you do use this method of cleaning your gutters take precautions to ensure you’re safe as you climb the ladder and work the blower.

Check out this great gutter attachment for EGO blowers on Amazon.

Stubby Blower Nozzles 

Another essential task that your leaf blower can help with is drying your vehicle after it’s been washed. By attaching the stubby nozzle you can get rid of water spots that dull your car’s finish. Plus, it’s much faster and easier on you to blow the water off rather than wiping it away.

A lot of folks ask me which stubby blower nozzle works the best. The consensus is that the EGO 650 or 765 CFM blower is the best choice for car drying, with a nice stubby nozzle attachment like this one from Amazon. 

Put Your Leaf Blower to Work This Spring

As you can see, your leaf blower can help you accomplish more than just moving a few leaves around. It’s actually one of the most useful tools you can own. So, next time you’re heading out to do some yard work, home maintenance, or to wash your car, grab that leaf blower and put it to work.

What to look for in a battery powered blower

Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:

CFM 

Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.

Usability 

What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.

Motor type

Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.

These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications. 

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

CFMs and MPHs explained

CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a measurement of the volume of air. This answers the question: how much air is moving through the leaf blower? While that seems like a weird question, it is super important for understanding the power of a blower. More on that in a second.

MPH, or miles per hour, is a measurement of speed. This answers the question: how fast does the air move through the blower?

CFM and MPH are related – generally the higher the CFM, the higher the MPH.

My experience with leaf blower nozzles

I’ve been using leaf blowers for decades. I used to toss the extra nozzles out every time I got a new blower, but have since grown wiser. Now I use my flat nozzle after cutting the grass, stubby nozzle after a nice car wash with my pressure washer, and my wide–mouthed nozzle whenever my trees decide to dump leaves.

Using these nozzles has seriously upped my leaf blowing game. You know what they say: “If you only have a hammer, everything is a nail”. Having a leaf blower nozzle turned my blower into a swiss army knife lawn tool that leaves my lawn looking way better and keeps my mood at all time highs (just ask my wife).

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Corded vs Cordless Leaf Blowers: Which is Better?

Corded and cordless leaf blowers are two often-overlooked blower types that are frankly…underrated. Gas powered blowers are the incumbent and most people still seem to prefer them. I prefer cordless blowers but my heart will always have a spot for corded leaf blowers.

But just like with cars, electric motor technology has evolved significantly – and it is catching up. I’m not saying it is all the way there, but some battery powered blowers and even some corded blowers are there. 

Let’s jump into why the benefits of electric blowers and then list out the best in each category.

Corded blowers still have benefits

Corded leaf blowers have a number of benefits. In fact, they are extremely underrated. Here are a few things to consider before being all judgmental about corded blowers:

  • They’re extremely light. No batteries and no gas means you can take a few pounds off. After a while of blowing off a large yard, it can make a huge difference on your shoulder and back.
  • No maintenance! These don’t require any of the standard maintenance required of gas powered blowers, like mixing oil, changing filters, and replacing spark plugs. 
  • Unlimited run-time. These bad boys don’t have batteries that die or gas that runs out. As long as you pay your electric bill, you’re fine!
  • They are extremely inexpensive. My favorite corded blower is less than $100. You can’t get a high quality battery powered or gas blower for anywhere near that price.

Benefits of battery powered leaf blowers

Battery powered blowers are also incredible. I own a handful, believe it or not – mostly from testing out blowers in a head-to-head matchup. I’ve tested dozens of battery-powered blowers, from small ones like this KIMO blower to the heaviest duty – like the EGO super powerful 765 CFM blower.

Battery powered leaf blowers have huge advantages. They have all the same advantages that corded electric leaf blowers have – like no maintenance and no fumes, but also the ability to be much more portable than corded electric blowers. 

I like my battery powered leaf blower because I can take it way out into my yard and get the same performance as my gas powered blower. They also tend to have more bells and whistles, like cruise control, turbo buttons, and more. Additionally, the same battery I use with my blower I can also use with a ton of other lawn tools.

Which is better: corded or cordless blowers?

It is hard to say which is better, so I’ll put it into the perspective of who should use which one. I think if you are a new homeowner or have a small yard, corded electric blowers are the way to go. They’re great for those on a budget or for those that just don’t have much space to worry about. The extension cord is all you need to get the job done without worrying about any maintenance or batteries.

If you have a medium to large yard or just love having the best of everything, battery powered blowers are way better than corded blowers. They can give you more power, more reach, and fit into your arsenal of battery powered lawn tools quite nicely.

My favorite corded blowers

So I actually have two corded electric blowers that are tied for my favorite – and they are both made by Toro. 

Toro PowerJet F700 corded electric blower

The Toro PowerJet is exactly that – a jet of freaking power. At 700 CFMs, this thing HAULS big piles of leaves. Here is why it made our list of favorites:

  • 700 CFMs mean big piles of leaves get yeet-ed
  • Adjustable speed knob lets you control how fast you’re blowing
  • Has a nice little spot to hang up the cord so you don’t pull it out when you’re blowing

Oh – and the best part is that it costs less than $100 at Home Depot (and is probably on sale).

Toro Power Sweep electric blower

My first blower, I couldn’t not put it on this list. For starters, I’ve had it for almost 10 years and it was old when I bought it. But it just won’t quit.

It isn’t the strongest blower in the world and it might not have any bells or whistles (outside of a 1-2 speed switch), but my word it may be the least expensive. When I spent ALL of my money putting down the down payment for my first house, I didn’t leave any money for other things.

Enter the PowerSweep. It was extremely inexpensive at the time and just like the Costco hot dog – it is somehow resistant to inflation. For anyone in the same situation as me, you can grab a newer version of this one at Home Depot for a really good price.

Favorite cordless blowers based on my experience

I’ve written a whole article about my favorite blowers and even recorded a Youtube video where I put them head-to-head, but I’ll give you a high-level overview of my top two and why they made the list.

Top choice: EGO LB7654 Battery Powered Blower

I write about the EGO 765 CFM blower all the time. I’m obsessed with it. Mainly because the first time I pressed the turbo button this blower actually pushed my arm back, causing me to fight against it. Never had a blower do that before. 

At 765 CFMs and well over 200 MPH, this thing is more powerful than my gas blower. It is my favorite blower I’ve ever used and is absolutely my go-to blower. It’s a freaking cannon strapped to your arm and you won’t regret buying it – I didn’t.

You can grab it from Amazon for a really good price right now.

Ryobi 40V Whisper Series Blower

The Ryobi 40V Whisper Series blower is a close second place. It’s called the Whisper series because, well, it’s quiet. Makes sense, right?

It has almost as much CFMs and MPH as the EGO blower above, but is slightly weaker. I will say if you already have a Ryobi 40V battery, this is the best blower you can buy. Because you can get the tool-only version without the batteries for a way cheaper price.

Ryobi crushed it with this blower and it is by far their most powerful handheld blower. You can grab it from Home Depot for a great deal with the tool-only version.

What to look for in an electric blower

Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:

CFMs and MPH on blowers

Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.

Usability 

What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.

Motor type

Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.

These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications. 

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

reviewing lawn tools

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

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Gas vs Battery Powered Leaf Blowers: Which Do I Use?

Gas and battery powered leaf blowers used to not even be remotely comparable. Now…I’m not so sure. I’ve used both types for decades and have come to change my mind on which is better.

Hint, hint.

You see advancements in modern technology (Teslas, etc.) have made battery powered lawn tools really competitive. But there’s still something just flat out reliable about the power and experience you get with a gas-powered leaf blower. 

Today – I am here to not necessarily settle the debate, but tell you about my experience using and testing dozens of different leaf blowers. You can check out many of these on my Youtube channel.

My experience testing gas and battery powered leaf blowers

I’ve been a lifelong gas powered leaf blower user. I’ve been loyal to my trusty old Stihl BG 86 C handheld blower for a really long time. For more power, I’ve used my earth shattering (and ear shattering) Stihl BR 600 backpack leaf blower. 

Needless to say, they’ve been hard to give up. But one year for Christmas my mom got me this tiny handheld Kimo blower – which was battery-powered. I didn’t understand when or how I would use it, but then became addicted. It was great for quickly blowing off my walkway and porch before guests came over – without smelling like gas.

My next purchases were huge steps up – the EGO 56V 765 CFM blower and the Ryobi 40V Whisper series blower. These completely blew me away. Electric blowers with just as much (if not more) power than my gas blowers. 

Needless to say, I’ve made the switch. And the nicest part? Never smelling like gas, never having to do maintenance, and never having to pull another cord.

Gas is notoriously more powerful

Okay – so I just mentioned that I had two battery powered leaf blowers that had equal power to most gas blowers. But here’s the simple truth: they are about the only ones with that much power.

Most battery powered leaf blowers fall in the 150 MPH range of air speed without about 300-400 CFMs. When it comes to gas blowers, especially backpack gas blowers, CFMs are the true metric to look at. CFMs are a better indicator of air volume and dictate the size of the air funnel. So while some backpack blowers have similar air speeds, they have CFMs well above 700 that push leaves like crazy.

Below is a cool chart that highlights the power differences among gas powered blowers. As you can see, backpack blowers have higher CFMs and MPH but are heavier, louder and more expensive.

https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/leaf-blower-buying-guide

Battery powered blowers actually have similar specifications. Although I’d say the median battery-powered blower is weaker than the median gas-powered blower. Battery blowers have a humongous range in CFM and MPH because they can either be really cheaply made or extremely nice. 

Battery backpack blowers are much less common and in my opinion, not very advanced. In fact, I don’t really get the point of a lot of them – they look just like regular battery powered blowers and perform about the same.

https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/leaf-blower-buying-guide

Lastly, I want to get a word in for my often forgotten homies – corded electric blowers – that often don’t get the attention that others do. While they are often weaker, they are also sometimes really powerful and ALWAYS extremely cheap.

Comfort and usability on battery and gas blowers

When it comes to comfort and usability for battery and gas powered leaf blowers, I am a huge fan of battery-powered. There are a few things I really like about them that differentiate them from gas. 

For starters, both gas and electric have variable speed triggers, cruise control, and just about every bell and whistle that is the same. But battery-powered blowers are so much easier to start and require no maintenance. For me, walking out to the shed and simply sliding in the battery to get started is way better than ensuring proper fuel mixture and cranking the cord.

On the other hand, some of these new battery leaf blowers are HEAVY. My EGO blower is about 3 lbs heavier than my Stihl blower and both have similar power profiles and are handheld. That isn’t the case with all battery powered blowers, but the new super powerful ones all have a big motor and heavy batteries. 

As far as user experience goes, the last piece I will harp on is how nice it is to have a blower that doesn’t put out any fumes. I don’t mind gasoline and I’m one of those people that likes how gas smells

Battery and gas leaf blowers cost about the same

Comparing costs across different blower types is a little tough. Battery powered blowers have a lot of variation in cost because some are cheap and weak and others are super strong.

For a comparable cost evaluation, you want to find two blowers that have somewhat equal power. In the handheld blower world, I suggest the EGO 765 CFM battery powered blower. From the gas powered world, I think the Stihl BG 86 C is a great comparison. I happen to own both.

The EGO 765 CFM blower comes in at a great price with batteries. The Stihl BG 86 C is ironically the exact same price. 

Hidden costs of gas powered blowers

Gas powered blowers require something that battery powered blowers don’t: gas (duh). While they don’t take a ton of gas, they do require occasional refills and mixing with oil. You also have to replace filters and spark plugs. 

These require a lot of maintenance.

These costs aren’t significant, but compared with battery powered blowers, can add up over time.

Leaf blower noise level comparison: Gas vs Electric

Lastly – let’s compare the noise level on both gas and electric blowers.

Gas blowers are known for being super loud and obnoxious. I always knew this but learned it the hard way when my neighbor took out her backpack blower at 6am and woke one of my toddlers up. 

Handheld gas blowers put out about 70 dB of noise and backpack blowers are closer to 100 dB of noise. At 100 dB of noise, a comparable sound is a subway train. That’s loud.

Battery powered blowers are certainly quieter, measuring in at about 50-60 dB. Now I know that isn’t as loud, but it isn’t pleasant either. Some battery powered blowers have a much higher pitch noise that is equally aggravating. 

I think neighbors definitely appreciate battery powered blowers more than gas, but I would still wear ear protection with both.

CFMs and MPHs explained

CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a measurement of the volume of air. This answers the question: how much air is moving through the leaf blower? While that seems like a weird question, it is super important for understanding the power of a blower. More on that in a second.

MPH, or miles per hour, is a measurement of speed. This answers the question: how fast does the air move through the blower?

CFM and MPH are related – generally the higher the CFM, the higher the MPH.

What to look for in a blower

Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:

CFM 

Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.

Usability 

What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.

Motor type

Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.

These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications. 

Why I review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

Reviewing lawn tools with our faces.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

Common questions I get

Is gas or electric better for leaf blowers?

Gas leaf blowers tend to be better for commercial work whereas electric and battery leaf blowers are better for home use.

What are the cons of a gas powered leaf blower?

Cons of gas powered leaf blowers include high noise levels, fumes, and maintenance schedules that make them much more complicated.

How long do batteries last on an electric leaf blower?

Batteries on electric leaf blowers generally last from 30 minutes to an hour depending on what speed you are running your blower. It also depends on the Amp-hours of the batteries.

Are electric leaf blowers less powerful?

Generally, electric leaf blowers are less powerful than gas. There are exceptions where a few electric blowers can go toe-to-toe with gas.

Is an electric leaf blower worth it?

Electric leaf blowers are worth their lower price if you are a homeowner and don’t want fumes or costly maintenance for your leaf blower.

What MPH is best for a leaf blower?

The ideal MPH for a leaf blower is generally above 140 MPH for home use and above 180 MPH for commercial use.

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5 Most Powerful Electric Leaf Blowers for Large Yards

The most powerful electric blower for your large yard is the EGO 765 CFM leaf blower. Electric leaf blowers can be great for large yards. Most folks think you can’t move big leaf piles with an electric blower, but they are simply wrong. 

If you have a large yard, you can benefit from no fumes, a quieter blower, and no maintenance – then electric might just be the option. Let me break down why I switch from gas to electric then list out some of my favorite electric blowers I’ve used over the years.

Let’s get started! Here are the best electric blowers for large yards according to our thorough testing:

  1. EGO 765 CFM Leaf Blower
  2. Toro PowerJet F700 Electric Blower
  3. Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Blower
  4. Greenworks 80V 730 CFM Electric Blower
  5. Husqvarna 230iB Battery Powered Blower

The Best Electric Leaf Blowers for Large Yards

There are hundreds of electric leaf blowers on the market, both battery-powered and corded electric. A bunch of them absolutely suck. So we’ve decided to give you the ones we know are absolute beasts when it comes to your large yard.

EGO 765 CFM Leaf Blower

Hands down, I have not found a better electric blower for large yards than the EGO 765 CFM blower. It is an absolute cannon in your hand with extreme power and usability that surpassed my experience with a popular handheld gas blower.

At 765 CFMs, this is best-in-class in the battery-powered blower world. This kind of air volume can move massive piles of leaves across large areas – quickly. With unmatched CFMs and a tremendous combination of MPH, this blower is built for large yards.

That’s an extreme combination of speed and power. When I first used this, it was a powerful blower, then I pushed the turbo button and I had to literally (yes, literally) fight against it because of how powerful it is. It has a brushless motor, is a part of EGO’s extensive 56V battery series, and is durable as heck.

You can grab it from Lowe’s or get it online at Amazon for a great price.

Toro PowerJet F700 Electric Blower

If you’re still with me after my gas blower comment, then I might finally lose you here. But yes – this is a corded electric blower – and it costs less than $100. 

You don’t need all the flashy cool features and expensive batteries to put out a freakishly solid blower. This corded blower has 700 CFMs and a super wide nozzle, making light work of massive piles of leaves. This one was built for maximizing air volume, making it great for moving piles of leaves across large yards.

The only downside here is that you will be limited in a large yard by the length of the extension cord. But if you have easy electrical access and a great extension cord, this is the most budget friendly option – by a LONG SHOT.

The Toro PowerJet is available at Home Depot for a shockingly low price.

Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Blower

I put Makita’s 40V Max blower on here because it is one of the best ones they have for large yards.

Here’s the simple truth about Makita: their tools are extremely high quality but also pretty expensive. When it comes to Makita tools, they have a bunch of really good power tools and have dominated the electric hand tool space for a long time. 

Their 36V blower here is pretty powerful as well

So it was a no brainer when they jumped over to lawn tools. I love their 40V max blower for a few reasons:

  • A sweet brushless motor
  • A 40V battery that can span a bunch of their tools
  • It has more power than a lot of gas blowers
  • When “turbo” mode is engaged it has 565 CFMs – nice!
  • Their XGT battery series is supposed to be a “smart” battery that helps with overheating and delivers a better run time
  • A telescoping nozzle – lets you pick different lengths – pretty cool

This blower is on sale right now at Home Depot for a pretty deep discount. 

Greenworks 80V 730 CFM Electric Blower

The Greenworks 80V 730 CFM blower is honestly one of the more powerful handheld blowers on the market. It is right there with the Ryobi 40V and EGO 56V blowers in terms of power, and has a true quality build.

The reason this one is lower on the list is that after I tested this one over the course of a few weeks, it started to develop a high-pitched squealing sound. For larger yards, this would result in a spectacular headache and angry neighbors. If you’re looking for power and quality – this blower has it. If you’re looking for a peaceful noise, this one does not.

All-in-all, this was a great blower and we spent a ton of time making a video review for it before the sound got all weird. You can watch the full video review here.

The Greenworks blower can be found on Amazon for a great price and is also at Costco.

Husqvarna 230iB Battery Powered Blower

THe Husqvarna 230iB is a new player in the game. Sure, we all know Husqvarna and their popular riding mowers, but battery-powered leaf blowers? You bet. 

While they aren’t the leaders in electric tools yet, they did put out a really impressive blower that is great for large yards.

This blower has a few really great specifications:

  • A brushless motor
  • A whopping 650 CFMs
  • A wide mouth nozzle which delivers large volume of air at 136 MPH

One downside to this blower is that Husqvarna doesn’t have a huge 40V battery line yet, so you don’t quite get the economies of scale you would get from EGO’s 56V battery line, for example.

One thing I will give it credit for is digital controls for cruise control and a really nice grip that feels just like a power drill. It is well-balanced, futuristic and nice. 

I imagine Husqvarna will have many good products to come in the future, but for right now they are still immature.

This is a great blower for those looking for a one-off blower and not a full suite of battery powered products. You can grab it on Amazon for a decent price with the battery.

What to look for in a battery powered blower

Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:

CFM 

Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.

Usability 

What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.

Motor type

Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.

These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications. 

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

reviewing lawn tools – with my face

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

Why I switched from gas to electric blowers

I’ve always been a gas leaf blower fan – and I still own two. I own the Stihl BR 600 backpack blower and the Stihl BG 86 C handheld gas blower. Despite being really powerful and always getting the job done, I got sick of the maintenance schedule and the smell. After I had my first baby, the noise became unbearable as well – trying to use the blower around nap schedules. 

All of that stopped when I got a battery-powered blower. My first battery-powered blower was the Ryobi 40V blower, which quickly changed my perspective. The truth is, a lot of these electric blowers are super powerful – even more so compared to handheld gas blowers. I’ll walk you through my favorites below.

How I tested these electric blowers

I’ve tested these electric blowers using personal experience with all of them. I’ve written extensive reviews of each of them and put them through the ringer. 

That’s a zip tied trigger!

For starters, I tested out their run times compared to the advertised run time. I did this by zip-tying down the trigger and seeing how long it goes for before dying. I also did some side-by-side comparisons to a handheld gas blower. I also compare the noise levels then the other bells and whistles, like turbo buttons.

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Leaf Blower CFM vs MPH Explained: 2024 Update

CFM and MPH are often used acronyms to describe power on a leaf blower. These often get confused and I’ve seen too many get bamboozled, so I thought I would break it down.

CFMs and MPH tend to vary wildly between types of blowers and even in each category. Today I’ll also break down some of the best blowers in the corded electric blower, battery-powered blower, and gas-powered blower categories.

Let’s jump right in! What is better in a leaf blower: CFM or MPH?

Leaf blower CFMs vs MPH: Explained

CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a measurement of the volume of air. This answers the question: how much air is moving through the leaf blower? While that seems like a weird question, it is super important for understanding the power of a blower. More on that in a second.

MPH, or miles per hour, is a measurement of speed. This answers the question: how fast does the air move through the blower?

CFM and MPH are related – generally the higher the CFM, the higher the MPH.

Leaf blower nozzle impact on CFM and MPH

I just said CFMs and MPH are related – but their relationship is impacted heavily by how wide the blower nozzle tip is. 

The wider the nozzle, the lower the air speed. That’s why you will see some blowers with high CFMs but low MPH (relatively). These blowers have high CFMs but a very wide opening. Blowers with high CFMs and wide openings move a lot of air, but not all that fast. This is a great blower for moving big piles of dry leaves across the yard. 

The more narrow the nozzle, the higher the air speed. You will also see blowers with low CFMs but super high MPH. These are really good for smaller projects like cleaning up a woodworking station, cleaning out your garage, or getting wet leaves or grass clippings off of surfaces. 

Other times you will see blowers with high CFMs and high MPH – this is common and means it has both volume AND speed. This combination is the sweet spot for power.

What is better in a leaf blower: CFM or MPH?

When it comes to picking out a blower – you’ll see both CFMs and MPH listed at the top. So, which is better?

The short answer is: it depends. If you are moving big piles of leaves, having high CFMs is better. If you are moving wet leaves or grass clippings, high MPH is better.

Leaf blowers with both high CFMs and MPH.

If you want to move big piles of wet leaves and are looking for raw power, having high CFMs and high MPH is better – but it will cost you.

The best leaf blowers in each category

Remember how I said it would cost you to have high CFM and high MPH? Well it can, but you can also get really good combinations of CFM and MPH in backpack leaf blowers, battery-powered leaf blowers, and corded electric leaf blowers. And boy – are you about to be surprised.

Best backpack leaf blowers

Backpack leaf blowers are essentially jet packs of air that are extremely loud, but extremely powerful. They are often used by commercial landscapers – which means they’re built to get the job done quickly and effectively.

Backpack blowers are really good options for those with large yards. I have used quite a few in my time and always come back to my favorite: the Sthil BR 600 backpack blower. I’ve owned the Stihl BR 600 for a few years and it was actually a gift from my mom.

This blower is great because it is the ultimate combination of extreme power and comfort. I see this blower strapped to all of the landscaping trailers that drive around my part of town – meaning it is the preferred option for professional landscapers 

It also puts out nearly 700 CFMs and over 230 MPH of air. WOW. We did a full review of the BR600 on our Youtube channel where you can see us do some serious testing.

Best battery-powered leaf blowers

We have written extensively about our favorite battery-powered leaf blowers, so we aren’t ashamed to echo our favorite one here. Battery-powered leaf blowers may actually become the gold standard in the next few years as many places are moving to ban gas-powered leaf blowers (weird, right?).

Anyways, battery leaf blowers have a lot of benefits – including great run times, super high power, and the ability to use the batteries across a bunch of other different tools. They tend to be pretty pricey, but the price can come down a TON if you buy the tool-only version. You can get the tool-only version of any battery-compatible tool from that brand once you already own the battery, which generates HUGE savings.

But our favorite battery-powered leaf blower continues to be EGO’s 765 CFM leaf blower. This is a mega powerful handheld leaf blower that is absolutely absurd. We filmed an awesome video that highlights how this one compares to the Ryobi 40V blower, another great battery powered blower (our #2). 

The EGO 765 CFM blower has 765 CFM (obviously), which is higher than the gas-powered backpack blower above. With this kind of air output, you can see speeds well over 200 MPH. For an electric tool, that is some serious leaf blowing.

All-in-all, this leaf blower is a bit on the expensive side, but you get to use the EGO 56V battery with a TON of other tools in the EGO 56V battery line-up, like their EGO mowers.

You can grab this one from your local Lowe’s or grab it from Amazon for a great price.

Best corded electric leaf blower

Don’t sleep on corded electric leaf blowers! I sure did. They seem cheap, old school, and out of touch. But so am I.

Corded blowers to me.

Anyways, my mind was blown when I saw the Toro PowerJet corded leaf blower. This bad boy has 725 CFMs and a decently high MPH. For reference, the EGO blower I referenced above, which is one of the strongest on the planet, has 765 CFMs. Needless to say, this blower kicks some serious butt.

But what sticks out about the Toro corded electric blower is that it is freakishly inexpensive. All the power of the EGO, but just has a cord attached. The thing is absolutely unreal and can be found at Home Depot for a super low price. 

What I look for in a leaf blower

Leaf lowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:

CFM 

Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.

Usability 

What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.

Motor type

Brushless motors reign supreme if you are going with electric. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.

These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications.

Why I review lawn tools

The reason we started The Lawn Review in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

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