Choosing a cordless leaf blower
Consider the following points to help you choose the cordless blower that’s right for you
◾ How big is your garden?
If you have a large area with a lot of leaves to clear, look for a blower that has a battery with a long run time, or factor in recharging time, to ensure you can get the job done in one go. Most brands sell batteries separately and investing in a second battery might also be useful. Lithium-ion batteries vary in size from 18V to 56V and from 2Ah to 4Ah in our test, which determine the power and run time on a single charge. Fast chargers will help you to get clearing again quicker.
◾ What are you clearing?
Different nozzle shapes are designed for different jobs – a round, open nozzle provides an even spread of air and is ideal for the general blowing of large areas like lawns. Flatend nozzles increase the air speed of the leaf blower and give a more focused jet, useful for targeting debris in corners, and around containers. Damp, stubborn leaves can be a problem and demand a high air speed – given in either m/s or km/h, this is how fast the air shoots out of the blower and the higher the speed the more powerful the blast. For the greatest control, opt for a blower with an adjustable speed setting, which is useful if you are using the blower on different surfaces – gravel paths and delicate plants in borders require a gentler setting while jetting wet leaves off a patio or lawn may need more of a boost. Changing speed and operating the machine on a low setting also helps you reduce noise and power consumption, and can give you up to double the run time before the battery needs recharging.
◾ How long will you be working?
If you’re using a blower for long periods, weight and comfort are important. All weights stated in our test are for the blower without the battery attached and although larger batteries can make it feel considerably heavier, so can the position of the battery on the blower, so check how a blower feels in the hand before you buy. If weight is a concern, look for a blower with a carry strap or the option to hold the battery around the waist or in a backpack. Some blowers have a helpful cruise control, which lets you set and maintain the blower at a certain speed rather than constantly holding the trigger down, which is less tiring when working for some time.
◾ Is storage space limited?
If you lack room, look for a blower with nozzles and tubes that come apart and detach from the main body of the blower. Hanging hooks are also useful for easy storage.
◾ What do you get for your money?
Brushless motors are more powerful, efficient and longer lasting, so are worth the investment, while blowers with a metal fan will be better able to withstand the odd stray stone or pebble. Not all blowers offer a choice of nozzle – some require you to buy a flat end separately, so check what you get in the box before you buy. Warranty length can also vary with some brands requiring the blower to be registered to qualify (Ego) or to get the longest warranty period (Worx, Kärcher, Bosch, Einhell, Makita and Yard Force).
Where to buy
◾ Bosch amazon.co.uk
◾ Ego egopowerplus.co.uk
◾ Einhell einhell.co.uk
◾ Honda honda.co.uk
◾ Kärcher kaercher.com
◾ Makita makitauk.com
◾ Ryobi uk.ryobitools.eu
◾ Stiga stiga.com
◾ Stihl stihl.co.uk
◾ Worx worx-uk.com
◾ Yard Force yardforce.eu/uk