It’s the same story every autumn/fall. Leaves fall from the trees and form a thick mulch over the lawn. If the area is small (and importantly with no obstructions), you can get away with a rake to pile the leaves. But using a rake under shrubs or other difficult places might damage the flowers and plants. The alternative to raking is to use a leaf blower and blow the dried leaves and form a pile (which is much easier to pick up). You’ve decided to buy a leaf blower and visited a hardware store (either a brick-and-mortar one or an online one). You will be overwhelmed with different types of leaf blowers from an array of manufacturers. When we say types, we mean gas and electric leaf blowers.
We can further break down electric leaf blowers into corded and cordless (or battery-operated). But we are getting ahead here and the important thing is there are two types of leaf blowers and you have to pick the best type that fits your needs. Both gas-powered and electric-powered leaf blowers have their advantages and disadvantages. So, which leaf blower do you choose?
In this guide, we will have a general overview of both these leaf blowers, find their differences in terms of some important parameters (power, noise, weight, cost, etc.), their pros and cons, and many other things.
Overview Of Leaf Blowers
Leaf Blowers are very common nowadays but before their invention, gardeners and homeowners relied on traditional tools (rakes and brooms) to maintain their lawns and gardens (for clearing leaves and debris). The introduction of leaf blowers revolutionized the way people approached garden maintenance. Instead of bending and lifting, they could now simply walk around with a handheld device (or wear it like a backpack) and blow leaves into piles for easy collection.
A leaf blower is essentially a powerful blower fan (or a centrifugal fan) that directs the air through a nozzle. As the fan (impeller) spins rapidly, it draws air from the surroundings. The air then moves through a narrowing duct, which increases its speed as it exits the blower. This high-speed airflow creates the force needed to push leaves and debris across the ground.
We will look at what powers the fan in the next section but for the time being, look at three common styles of leaf blowers. Leaf blowers come in three primary styles which include Hand-held, Backpack, and Walk-behind models. Their names pretty much define how you hold/carry them while using them.
Types Of Leaf Blowers (Power Source)
We said the fan in the leaf blower spins rapidly to push air through a nozzle. But how does this fan spin? What powers this fan? This is one of the basic parameters that classify leaf blowers into two types: Gas-Powered and Electric-Powered.
Gas Leaf Blowers
A gas leaf blower consists of an internal combustion gasoline (petrol) engine that spins the fan impeller. There are some models that use a four-stroke (4-stroke or 4-cycle) engine but the majority of gas-powered leaf blowers still use a two-stroke (2-stroke or 2-cycle) engine.
Aren’t 2-stroke engines phased out in favor of 4-stroke engines? Yes. Four-stroke engines are now the standard in automobiles (bikes, cars, trucks), generators, trains, etc. But 2-stroke engines, especially small displacement (what we call CC of an engine) ones are still popular in mopeds and power tools (chainsaws and leaf blowers).
One of the main reasons why 2-stroke engine leaf blowers are still common is the ease of orientation. In the case of a four-stroke engine, you have to place the engine in an upright position at all times. If not, there will be oil flow problems. This is not an issue with a two-stroke engine and you can use it at any angle (which is important for a tool like a leaf blower).
If there is an engine, then there must also be the relevant parts such as a fuel tank, air filter, starter device, etc., right? Yes. Gas leaf blowers have all the components that are necessary for the operation of the engine. Some of these include a small fuel tank with a cap, spark plug, carburetor, choke, air filter, throttle trigger, pull-string type starter, and muffler to name a few.
Electric Leaf Blowers
Things are not going in favor of gas-powered leaf blowers nowadays (pollution and noise being the main reasons). The alternative is an electric leaf blower that uses an electric motor instead of a gasoline engine (thereby the fuel is electricity instead of gasoline/petrol). We can further divide electric leaf blowers into corded electric and cordless (battery-operated) models.
A corded electric leaf blower consists of a motor that runs on a regular 120V (or 240V, depending on where you live) AC mains supply. If you have any experience with power tools, you will notice a major problem right away with a corded electric leaf blower. The length of the cord will severely limit the mobility of the device.
To overcome this, manufacturers developed cordless or battery-operated leaf blowers. As the name suggests, a cordless leaf blower doesn’t need any electric cords for operation as it has a DC Motor and a battery (usually 20 or 21V li-ion). High-end models typically use higher voltage batteries (greater than 40V) and also brushless motors (which are much more powerful than regular DC Motors).
The rest of the stuff associated with the actual blower i.e., blower fan impeller, blower tube, nozzle attachments, etc. remain the same irrespective of the type of leaf blower.
Quick Comparison – Electric Vs Gas Leaf Blower
Gas vs. Electric Leaf Blower: Ease Of Use
Weight
The weight of the leaf blower impacts how easy (or difficult) it is to carry the device and its ability to maneuver. Gas Leaf Blowers tend to be significantly heavier than other models (due to their gasoline engine and fuel tank). A typical handheld gas leaf blower with a tiny 2-stroke engine (25 to 30CC) can weigh anywhere between 9 to 12 pounds. You will feel strain in your arms, shoulders, and back, especially when using one for large yards or extended periods.
Most gas-powered leaf blowers still use a pull-cord starting system. However, some models come with a tiny rechargeable lithium-ion battery for starting the engine. This can eliminate user fatigue.
Coming to electric leaf blowers, they generally weigh less, especially corded electric models. All they have is a motor inside them and rely on external power sources. A corded electric leaf blower with a 6-amp motor weighs around 3.5 to 4.5 pounds.
Devices with powerful motors will weigh more though. The weight of a 9-amp corded leaf blower will be in the range of 6.5 to 7.5 pounds while a model with a 12-amp motor will weigh more than 12 pounds.
Earlier models of cordless leaf blowers used to be heavy units (slightly heavier than corded electric but still lighter than gas-powered). Thanks to the developments in battery and motor technologies, cordless leaf blowers are much lighter nowadays.
The weight of a 21V cordless leaf blower with a 2.0Ah battery will be anywhere between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds. Powerful models with 56V and 2.5Ah weigh around 7.5 pounds.
If lightweight is your priority, then an electric leaf blower (either corded or cordless) is a clear winner.
Maneuverability
When it comes to maneuvering the device, the heavier build of the gas-powered leaf blowers makes it slightly difficult to reach tight spots or use it at awkward angles. Gas leaf blowers with 2-cycle engines are slightly better in this regard as they are available as handheld units. If you take 4-stroke gas leaf blowers, they usually come as backpack units. While this is good for managing weight and reducing hand fatigue, they have limitations in terms of accessing tight spots.
Both the electric options are much better in terms of maneuverability. However, corded leaf blowers need some cord management though. First, the area they cover is severely dependent on the length of the cord as well as the availability of electrical outlets. You have to depend on good-quality extension cords. Keep an eye on the wire gauge of the extension cord. It is typically 16 AWG up to 50 feet, 14 AWG between 50 and 100 feet, and 12 AWG for lengths between 100 and 150 feet. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Apart from the cord length, you need some planning to avoid tangling or tripping while using a corded leaf blower. Cordless leaf blowers do not have cord issues or weight issues (there may be run time issues though).
For smaller gardens and lawns, electric leaf blowers are ideal. If you can work with extension cords, corded ones are lighter (both in hand as well as on the wallet) and don’t have runtime limitations. If you can extend your budget a little bit, cordless leaf blowers are much easier to operate and you can carry them anywhere without a cord pulling you back.
Gas vs. Electric Leaf Blower: Power Output
How do we measure the output power of leaf blowers? As they are essentially fancy blower fans, we take the Air Flow or Volume (measured in CFM – Cubic Feet per Minute) and Air Speed (measured in MPH – Miles per Hour) as the metric to measure the power of a leaf blower.
CFM
The CFM of a leaf blower indicates the amount of air it pushes through the nozzle. It directly affects how efficiently the blower can clear large amounts of leaves or debris.
Handheld gas-powered leaf blowers with engine displacement between 25 and 30 CC will typically have airflow in the range of 400 to 450 CFM. Slightly larger backpack models with 50 to 75 CC 2-stroke engines will have an air flow of 650 to 850 CFM.
A corded leaf blower with a 6-amp or 7-amp motor will have an airflow between 180 and 200 CFM. Larger 9-amp models can push up to 450 CFM. To get an air volume of over 600 CFM, you need a corded leaf blower with a 12-amp motor.
The air flow output of cordless leaf blowers with a 20 or 21V lithium battery is usually in the range of 180 to 450 CFM. Models with 56V batteries (which have more powerful motors) tend to push air up to 750 CFM. Some models such as the AiDot Enhulk 58V leaf blower pushes a whooping 930 CFM volume of air.
MPH
The MPH of a leaf blower, on the other hand, indicates how fast the blower pushes air through its nozzle. This speed plays a crucial role in moving heavy and stubborn debris, especially from cracks, corners, or gutters with wet leaves.
Small gas leaf blowers (with 25 to 30 CC engines) can easily reach wind speeds of 170 to 180 MPH while larger backpack models (with 50 to 75 CC engines) can reach up to 220 MPH.
The air speed of small corded leaf blowers (with 6-amp or 7-amp motors) is typically between 130 and 160 MPH. For larger models (with 9-amp or 12-amp motors), you can expect air speeds in the range of 140 to 260 MPH. Cordless leaf blowers are competing with gas leaf blowers where even the entry-level models (with 20V battery) can easily reach air speeds of 150 MPH.
Note that all these numbers are generalized and the actual numbers vary depending on the manufacturer and model. As a rule of thumb, higher CFM means a leaf blower can clear large amounts of dried leaves in less time and higher MPH means it can easily push heavy/wet debris easily.
The choice for a powerful leaf blower used to be a battle between gas and corded. Things are changing. While gas-powered leaf blowers are still powerful, cordless ones are offering equal or more power without any maintenance and usability issues or noise and pollution concerns.
Gas vs. Electric Leaf Blower: Commercial Or Home Usage
For home use with small gardens and lawns, we feel a corded electric is an affordable choice without losing any performance. If you can manage working with a cord, corded leaf blowers can work continuously and almost in all spots and places. Unlike cordless leaf blowers, where you need to purchase new batteries (in case the old one dies) or additional batteries (to extend the overall run time), you can use them as long as the motor works fine.
However, the latest lithium batteries are becoming much better in terms of power delivery, reliability, and longevity. Some manufacturers are providing longer warranties, not only on the main blower units but also on the batteries. So, in case you wish to have that extra maneuverability and take/use it anywhere, modern cordless leaf blowers have improved a lot and there are some quality options in the market as well.
When it comes to professional and commercial landscaping jobs, there is no competition for gas-powered leaf blowers. You or your crew can work continuously for 8 hours a day to clean all kinds of dry and wet debris. Prefer backpack models over handheld ones.
Nowadays, cordless leaf blowers are more than capable in terms of power. But the technology isn’t that advanced where the battery lasts a couple of hours running at high speed or recharges in a matter of minutes. Even with this limitation, you can still go with a cordless leaf blower system for certain types of commercial work that don’t involve heavy or wet leaves (climates with less moisture).
Gas vs. Electric Leaf Blower: Maintenance
Both types of electric leaf blowers (corded and cordless) have virtually no maintenance requirements. You have to recharge the batteries in case of cordless models but that’s the part of using a battery-operated leaf blower. Additionally, you have to take care of the battery while storing it for longer periods (where you have to charge or discharge the battery up to a certain level).
Things are different with gas leaf blowers. As they are essentially gasoline engines, you have to take all the maintenance measures that a typical engine requires. In addition to being gasoline engines, most gas-powered leaf blowers use a 2-stroke or 2-cycle engine that requires oil in combination with gasoline. You have to properly mix gasoline and oil (as recommended by the manufacturer) before adding it to the fuel tank. This means you need to store gasoline in your garage.
Apart from mixing oil and gas, there are also maintenance requirements in terms of air filters, carburetor, spark plug, choke, etc. Depending on the model and your job (frequent usage in case of commercial tasks or occasional usage in case of home cleaning), you will have to schedule these maintenances daily, weekly, or monthly. For long-term storage, you have to properly empty the tank and store it in a clean, dry, and safe place.
Gas vs. Electric Leaf Blower: Noise Levels
All leaf blowers make noise during operation but things are slightly worse in the case of gas-powered leaf blowers. The internal combustion engine in these machines contributes to high noise levels and the distinctive, high-pitched sound. This noise often exceeds 100 decibels (dB) and sometimes reaches up to 115 dB in some models. Even at a distance of 50 feet, the noise is still high around 90 dB. For comparison, general ambient noise in a home is 40 to 45 dB.
Regular exposure to more than 85 dB for eight hours or longer (such as lawn care workers) can cause hearing loss or even permanent damage. If you work with gas-powered leaf blowers (either for home usage or commercial jobs), you have to use proper ear protection.
Electric leaf blowers are much better in this regard as both corded and cordless models operate at much lower noise levels compared to gas models. Their electric motors produce a softer, less intrusive sound, usually ranging between 60 to 80 dB.
Gas vs. Electric Leaf Blower: Pollution And Health Concerns
Gas-powered leaf blowers, which rely on 2-stroke (or four-stroke) engines that burn fuel, emit significant levels of pollution into the air. This high level of pollution includes carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons, all of which harm air quality and contribute to climate change. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), operating a gas-powered leaf blower for one hour can produce the same pollution as driving a car for 1,100 miles.
The pollution from gas leaf blowers not only affects the environment but also poses health risks to users and bystanders (especially children and seniors). Apart from humans, the emissions are unhealthy for pets and wildlife as well. Prolonged exposure to the exhaust fumes can lead to respiratory issues (especially for those with asthma or other lung conditions), headaches, dizziness, and even poisoning (in extreme cases).
Electric leaf blowers, both corded and cordless, are much cleaner with no direct emissions. Since they rely on electricity rather than fossil fuels, they do not produce exhaust gasses.
Gas vs. Electric Leaf Blower: Cost
Corded electric leaf blowers have no contest. Their price starts at just $30 (but good models from reputable brands cost about $50 to $70). If you don’t already have one, you need a properly rated extension cord to power the corded leaf blower.
Small ‘CC’ gas leaf blowers start at around $70 (or about $100 for reasonably good models). You have a recurring cost in terms of fuel (gasoline and oil). Additionally, some parts (air filter, spark plug, etc.) need replacements down the line.
The cost of cordless leaf blowers is coming down rapidly. A decently powered 20V leaf blower with two 2.0Ah batteries will cost only $90. Slightly powerful models with higher battery capacity (4.0 or 5.0 Ah) will cost around $130.
Gas vs. Electric Leaf Blower: Pros And Cons
Gas Leaf Blowers
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple to operate | Very loud |
| Available in backpack and handheld design | Needs regular maintenance. Maintenance costs can be high |
| Powerful engine | Not environmentally friendly due to emissions |
| Can handle heavy-duty and commercial tasks | |
| Longer lifespan | |
| Doesn’t need an electric outlet or recharging |
Electric Leaf Blowers
| Pros | Cons |
| Light in weight | Limited run time or limited by cable length |
| Doesn’t generate much noise | Less reliable (longevity of batteries) |
| Ease of mobility (especially cordless) | Not suitable for commercial tasks |
| Environmentally sustainable choice | |
| Less or no maintenance | |
| Best suited for residential tasks |
Which Is Better, Gas Or Electric Leaf Blower?
We cannot ignore the legality of using a gas leaf blower before answering this question. In an effort to minimize air and noise pollution, several jurisdictions and local communities are prohibiting the usage of gasoline-powered leaf blowers (either a complete ban or restricted usage). California is one of the first states in the United States to impose this. As of June 2024, several other states are working to take similar measures.
Our advice to any potential buyers of gas-powered leaf blowers (or other gas-powered tools for that matter) is to thoroughly check the local laws and coordinate with professionals before making a decision.
If your local law allows and you are a commercial entity, there is no alternative to a gas-powered leaf blower. Take necessary precautions in terms of noise and air pollution (ear protection, masks, etc.) when working with these devices.
For homeowners, the choice is between corded and cordless. Consider power (CFM and MPH) for dry or wet debris, run time (in case of battery-operated), and ease of use.
That said, it looks like the future of leaf blowers is fully electric, either corded or cordless (battery-operated). This is a big blow, especially for commercial landscapers.
