Air speed moves a leaf, air volume moves a pile
A leaf blower is sold on two numbers that sound alike and do different work. Air speed — quoted in km/h or m/s, from 169 to 320 km/h on this shelf — is what lifts a wet leaf off a path or unsticks one from gravel. Air volume — in m³/h or CFM, 450 CFM and 850 m³/h both appear here — is what moves a heap once it is loose. A machine strong on speed and weak on volume clears a driveway and struggles with a lawn; the reverse pushes a wide pile slowly and leaves the stuck leaves behind. Most listings publish one of the two, several publish neither, and this site writes down which one was given. The second thing this shelf hides in plain sight is that most of these machines are not only blowers. Bosch sells a UniversalGardenTidy that blows and vacuums, shredding as it collects, and several cordless models carry a suction tube and a bag: the functions column and the bag volume are there because a vacuum is a different purchase from a blower, and the titles mix them freely. The power source runs across all three types here — corded at 3 000 W, cordless on 18 V and 36 V platforms, and one petrol two-stroke — and the cordless ones repeat the pattern of the whole site, sold « Solo » or as a kit. Finally the guaranteed noise, which matters more on this family than on any other: a blower is the garden machine most likely to be the reason a neighbour reads the local by-law. We compare power source, air speed, air volume, functions, bag volume, guaranteed noise and weight.
169 km/h, variable speed, for 18 V Makita packs, no battery
A bare-tool blower built for another manufacturer’s batteries, with the compatible pack numbers listed and the incompatible ones named.
Best for: A paved yard or a patio, for somebody who already owns packs on that particular 18 V platform
3000 W, 404 km/h, 15 m³/min, 72 L backpack, 16:1
The fastest air on this shelf at 404 km/h, with a 72-litre backpack bag, a 16:1 shredding ratio and a rake attachment.
Best for: A large garden with trees, where an autumn session means filling a bag several times
3-in-1, 99 dB(A) stated, tool-free mode change
The only machine on this shelf with a published noise level — 99 dB(A) — and a tool-free function change.
Best for: A garden with close neighbours, where switching between blowing and vacuuming happens every few minutes
18 V, 4.0 Ah included, 210 km/h, 500 m³/h, 10:1, 45 L
A cordless two-in-one with a 10:1 shredder, a 45-litre bag with a window, wheels on the tube, and the pack included.
Best for: A medium garden where the leaves are on grass and the cable is the thing you want gone
Petrol two-stroke, 26 cc, 71 m/s, 450 ml tank, two tubes
The only petrol machine here, with two tubes — one curved to get under leaves, one straight to avoid raising dust — and a 450 ml tank.
Best for: A large property with paths, gravel and driveways, out of reach of any socket
320 km/h, 1000 m³/h, 2× 5.0 Ah, 13 speeds, 2.6 kg
Two 5.0 Ah packs, a stated 90-minute runtime in eco mode, thirteen speeds on a dial, and 2.6 kg — a complete kit in a box.
Best for: Long autumn sessions on paths and paving, away from a socket
3200 W, blow / vac / shred, 45 L bag, transport wheels
The highest wattage on the shelf, with a 45-litre bag, transport wheels and a shredding impeller — corded, and cheap.
Best for: A large leafy garden on a budget, where the machine will be used for hours in autumn
3000 W, 335 km/h, 600 m³/h, 16:1 metal impeller, 45 L
Blow, vacuum and mulch at 335 km/h and 600 m³/h, with a metal impeller, a 16:1 ratio and a one-button mode change.
Best for: A medium garden with a mix of paving and lawn, where the machine switches modes constantly
Cordless, bare tool, blow and vac, adjustable speed, lined bag
A cordless blower vac on a shared battery alliance, supplied without pack or charger, with a double-lined moisture-resistant bag.
Best for: A shed that already holds packs on that shared platform, and a garden with damp leaves
