Leaf blower buying guide

The best handheld electric blowers are powerful enough for big jobs, provided they're within 100 feet of a power outlet. Gas handheld models go anywhere but add weight, cost, and noise, along with fueling and maintenance. Backpack blowers cost even more but offer more power while transferring weight from your arms to your back and shoulders.

Got lots of leaves? Wheeled blowers pack the most power by far. But they're the largest and priciest, and can be tough to push and control. Here's what else to consider:

Know the law. A few areas prohibit gas blowers, and a handful in California ban all of those machines, no matter how quiet. Check with your community or go to the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse for a nationwide list of regulations. Then check our 50-foot noise scores in the Ratings; models judged Excellent should meet the toughest limits, while those that scored Very Good or Good should meet most.

Decide whether you need to vacuum. Many handheld blowers also pick up yard debris. But their relatively small tubes limit how much you can suck up at one time. Look for a metal impeller. which should hold up better over time than the usual nylon versions when ingesting leaves and twigs.

Factor in other features. Flatter nozzles tend to be better for sweeping leaves, while rounded ones are usually best for loosening them. Adjustable speeds let you power down around fragile garden beds, and a clear gas tank shows fuel level.

Look for labor savers. Handheld models that scored well in our handling tests have better balance and, often, a second grip for added control. A bottom-mounted air intake will probably tug less at clothing than an intake at the side. A convenient shut-off switch lets you cut the motor or engine quickly.

Even blowers that are relatively quiet at a distance can prove deafening up close. To protect yourself and to be kind to others:• Wear hearing protection, especially with models that scored less than Good in our noise tests at ear level.• Wear goggles and a dust mask.• Keep people and pets far away from the area you're clearing.• Avoid running even the quietest blowers very early or late in the day.

These corded models typically weigh seven pounds or less and are designed for one-handed use. No-hassle pushbutton starting and zero exhaust emissions are pluses, as is power that meets or beats gas handheld versions. But the power cord limits your mobility and can create a hassle around trees and other obstacles. Consider an electric blower where a power outlet is within 100 feet of the work area.

These are also designed for one-handed use, and there's no power cord to tangle or limit your mobility. The most capable approach the best electrics in performance. But you need to yank a pull-cord to start the engine. Gas engines require periodic tune-ups, and they're loud enough to warrant hearing protection. Gas-powered handheld blowers tend to be heavier than electrics; most weigh 7 to 12 pounds. Most models have two-stroke engines that require mixing fuel and oil, and the four-stroke models, while cleaner, can also be relatively heavy.

These blowers typically add power over handheld blowers. They weigh 15 to 25 pounds -- up to twice as much as gas-powered handheld blowers. But your back and shoulders, rather than your arms, support the weight. Like handheld gas models, they're noisy. They can't vacuum or shred. And they cost more than handheld blowers.

These offer enough oomph to quickly sweep a sizable area. Their large four-stroke engines require no mixing of fuel and oil. But wheeled blowers can't vacuum or shred. They're bulky and weigh 100 pounds or more, so they're relatively hard to maneuver and push, especially uphill. They require about eight square feet of storage space. And they're noisy and expensive.

On wheeled models, an adjustable air deflector lets you adjust the airflow forward or to either side. That's handy for collecting leaves in one big pile or when you work alongside a wall, hedge, or other obstruction.

On handheld models, a bottom-mounted air intake is less likely to pull annoyingly at your clothing than one mounted at the side.

This lets you shut off the electric motor or gas engine quickly and easily and is a good safety feature.

Some handheld models have more comfortable handles with a second hand grip for better control.

Some blowers have flattened nozzles, while others have rounded ones. Choose a flatter tip for sweeping loose leaves, a rounder tip for loosening leaves that are imbedded in the lawn. Some blowers come with both.

On gas models, it lets you give the engine a squirt of fuel for easier cold starting.

Multiple speeds on an electric blower or a variable throttle on a gas-powered blower let you increase power for sweeping on hard surfaces or open ground and decrease it around fragile garden beds.

A clear tank allows you to tell at a glance when fuel is running low. And a wide opening reduces the chances of a fuel spill.

This leading marketer of electric and cordless leaf blowers uses the Leaf Hog line name on some models. Black & Decker makes lightweight plug-in electric models that weigh 5 to 8 lbs. Black & Decker leaf blowers are among the most widely available, and can be found in mass merchants, home centers, web retailers and hardware stores.

Craftsman is one of the leading brands of electric and gas leaf blowers. The Craftsman gas leaf blower line includes handhelds, backpacks, and push types. Craftsman is made for and sold by Sears and models can be purchased online and in Sears and Kmart retail stores.

Echo makes high-end handheld and backpack professional-grade gas leaf blowers. Its gas blowers feature lower weight and high power, the latest starting and sound-reduction improvements, and high cfm. They're available at The Home Depot, outdoor power equipment dealers and hardware stores.

Stihl makes professional-grade gas leaf blowers and high-end electric models. It sells exclusively through outdoor power equipment dealers. Stihl uses the HomeScaper line name on some consumer-grade models. The Stihl line of gas handheld and backpack blowers features high power and high amount of air moved, measured in cubic feet per minute.

Another leading brand of electric leaf blowers, Toro makes lightweight plug-in electric models that weigh 5 to 8 lbs. Toro uses line names Power Sweep, Super Blower and Power Blower on some of its models. Toro leaf blowers are among the most widely available, and can be found in mass merchants, home centers, Web retailers and hardware stores.

Weedeater markets electric and gas leaf blowers. Weedeater products are value priced and many are lightweight. Weedeater leaf blowers can be found at mass merchants, Web retailers, and hardware stores.