Best Cordless Leaf Blowers
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Leaf season is when a cordless blower earns its place: no fuel to mix, no pull cord, and a battery you may already own. These five cordless blowers differ most in airflow, air speed, battery size and whether a battery is in the box at all.
Two numbers define a blower. CFM (cubic feet per minute) is the volume of air it moves, and MPH is how fast that air leaves the nozzle. This guide lists both for every pick, because a tool strong on one can be modest on the other.
Our Top Picks
- Highest airflow in this group: RYOBI 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series Blower Kit
- Stated run time of up to an hour and a half per charge: EGO 56V 650 CFM Leaf Blower Kit
- For owners of Milwaukee M18 batteries: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Blower
- For owners of Makita 18V LXT batteries: Makita 18V LXT Brushless Blower Kit
- Kit with a 4.0Ah battery and a Turbo button: Greenworks 40V 550 CFM Leaf Blower Kit
Comparison Table
| Blower | Battery system | Airflow (CFM) | Air speed (MPH) | Battery in the box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RYOBI 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series Blower Kit | RYOBI 40V | 800 | 180 | One 8Ah battery and fast charger |
| EGO 56V 650 CFM Leaf Blower Kit | EGO 56V ARC Lithium | 650 (turbo mode) | Up to 180 | One 5.0Ah battery and standard charger |
| Greenworks 40V 550 CFM Leaf Blower Kit | Greenworks 40V | 550 | 130 | One 4.0Ah battery and charger |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL Blower | Milwaukee M18 | 500 | 120 | None (bare tool) |
| Makita 18V LXT Brushless Blower Kit | Makita 18V LXT | Up to 459 | Up to 116 | One 4.0Ah battery and charger |
The Picks in Detail
Highest airflow in this group
RYOBI 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series Blower Kit
RYOBI lists 800 CFM and 180 MPH for this handheld blower: the highest airflow among the five here, and an air speed matched only by the EGO. It has a brushless motor, a variable speed trigger and cruise control, and a noise level of 58.8 dB. The kit includes one 40V 8Ah battery and a fast charger, so it works out of the box. RYOBI lists the weight at 10.6 lbs.
Pros
- 800 CFM and 180 MPH
- Brushless motor with 58.8 dB noise level
- Variable speed trigger and cruise control
- 8Ah battery and fast charger included
Cons
- Weighs 10.6 lbs
- Kit includes one battery
- Works only with RYOBI 40V batteries
Stated run time of up to an hour and a half per charge
EGO 56V 650 CFM Leaf Blower Kit
The 650 CFM figure applies to turbo mode, with air speeds up to 180 MPH. A variable speed dial with a lock-on button covers the lower settings. EGO states one charge runs the blower for up to an hour and a half. The kit has a 5.0Ah battery, a standard charger and both tapered and spread nozzles.
Pros
- Turbo mode up to 650 CFM
- Variable speed dial with lock-on button
- Up to an hour and a half per charge
- Tapered and spread nozzles included
Cons
- Kit includes one battery
- Works only with 56V ARC Lithium batteries
For owners of Milwaukee M18 batteries
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Blower
Milwaukee lists 500 CFM, 120 MPH and 12.2 N of blowing force, with a noise level of 54 dB(A), the lowest of the three noise figures in this guide. It is a brushless handheld sold as a bare tool, and Milwaukee says it works with all M18 batteries, recommending M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT or FORGE XC8.0 and HD12.0 batteries for peak performance and longer run time. Milwaukee covers it with a 3-year warranty. It has a variable speed trigger with a sliding lock-on and reaches full throttle in under one second.
Pros
- 500 CFM at 120 MPH
- 54 dB(A) noise level
- Variable speed trigger with sliding lock-on
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M18 batteries
For owners of Makita 18V LXT batteries
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Blower Kit
Makita lists this brushless blower at up to 459 CFM and 116 MPH, with sound pressure of 60 dB(A). A cruise control lever, a variable speed trigger and a speed lock help manage power and run time. The kit includes one 4.0Ah battery and a charger, and the blower weighs 6 lbs with the battery installed. Its airflow and air speed figures are the lowest in this group, so it suits lighter yard work and anyone already invested in 18V LXT.
Pros
- Brushless motor up to 459 CFM
- Air speed up to 116 MPH
- Sound pressure of 60 dB(A)
- 4.0Ah battery and charger included
Cons
- Kit includes one battery
- Works only with Makita 18V LXT batteries
Kit with a 4.0Ah battery and a Turbo button
Greenworks 40V 550 CFM Leaf Blower Kit
This is a cordless axial blower with a brushless motor, listed at 550 CFM and 130 MPH. A variable speed trigger sets the airflow, a Turbo button raises it and cruise control holds it. The kit includes a 4.0Ah battery and a charger. Greenworks states up to 20 minutes of run time on high, so it suits shorter jobs, or work at lower settings.
Pros
- Brushless motor at 550 CFM and 130 MPH
- 4.0Ah battery and charger included
- Variable speed trigger for controlled airflow
- Turbo button and cruise control
Cons
- About 20 minutes of run time on high
- Works only with Greenworks 40V batteries
How to Choose
Read CFM and MPH together
CFM describes how much air the blower delivers, and MPH describes how fast it travels. A figure that is high on both, like the RYOBI at 800 CFM and 180 MPH, is the strongest on paper. The EGO shares that 180 MPH ceiling but at 650 CFM in turbo mode. The Greenworks, at 550 CFM and 130 MPH, comes next, followed by the Milwaukee at 500 CFM and 120 MPH and the Makita at up to 459 CFM and 116 MPH. Check which mode a maker's headline figure applies to: the EGO's 650 CFM is its turbo figure, not its everyday setting.
Decide whether you need a kit or a bare tool
Four of these five blowers come with a battery and charger. The Milwaukee does not, which makes sense if you already own M18 batteries and would otherwise pay for a second pack you do not need. If you are starting from nothing, a kit is the simpler route. Our guide to tool only versus kit covers the trade-off in more detail.
Match the battery system to what you own
Every blower here runs only on its maker's system: RYOBI 40V, EGO 56V ARC Lithium, Greenworks 40V, Milwaukee M18 and Makita 18V LXT. If you already own one of those batteries, the matching blower is the natural choice, since the same packs can run other tools on that system. If you own none, pick the system with the other outdoor tools you may want next. The category page for outdoor power equipment lists what else each system covers.
Think about run time and battery size
Run time depends on the battery, the mode and how often you hold the trigger at full. The kits here come with batteries from 4.0Ah to 8Ah, and the two stated run times are worded differently: Greenworks gives up to 20 minutes on high, while EGO gives up to an hour and a half per charge. For a primer on what amp-hours tell you, see 2Ah vs 4Ah vs 5Ah.
Weight and noise
Handheld blowers are held at arm's length for as long as the job takes, so weight matters. The Makita lists 6 lbs with its battery, and the RYOBI lists 10.6 lbs. Noise figures for three of these blowers are 54 dB(A) for the Milwaukee, 58.8 dB for the RYOBI and 60 dB(A) for the Makita. These figures may not have been measured the same way, so treat them as rough guides rather than a strict ranking. Wear hearing protection regardless of the figure, as a blower is a loud tool for neighbours and for you.
FAQ
Is CFM or MPH more important?
Neither alone tells the whole story. CFM relates to how much material the air can move, and MPH relates to how well a narrow stream can lift stuck debris. For general leaf clearing, look for a blower that does well on both.
Do I need a bare tool or a kit?
Buy a bare tool if you already own batteries and a charger from the same system. Buy a kit if you do not, because the battery and charger make the blower usable immediately.
Can I use a battery from another brand?
No. Each blower in this guide works only with its own battery system: RYOBI 40V, EGO 56V ARC Lithium, Greenworks 40V, Milwaukee M18 or Makita 18V LXT. Choose the blower that matches the system you own.
Are brushless motors worth it in a blower?
A brushless motor is a more efficient design that generally gives better run time per charge than a brushed one. The RYOBI, the Greenworks, the Makita and the Milwaukee blowers here have brushless motors.
When should I buy a leaf blower?
Autumn is the busy period, since leaves fall for several weeks. Buying a blower before the heaviest leaf drop gives you time to charge the battery and learn the controls.