“how to find the best cheap products” — kiplinger
Home » Home & Garden » Leaf Blowers » Best Leaf Blower
Subscribe

Best Leaf Blower

Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$30
$150
$300
...+
In this review:
  1. Cheap Leaf Blowers
  2. Gas Leaf Blowers
  3. Electric Leaf Blowers
  4. Blower Vacs
  1. Leaf Blower Reviews
  2. Best Leaf Blower
  3. Leaf Blower Deals
  4. Discount Leaf Blowers Features Comparison Table
Sign up for our
Free Newsletter
Related Guides: Lawn Mowers, Lowe's or Home Depot, Riding Mowers and Weed Eaters

Leaf Blowers Performance (continued)

Leaf Blower Vacuum Bags.

The Achilles' heel of most blower vacs is the bag that attaches to gather the material.
Even the design of the Toro 51599, the best leaf blower on our list with a vacuum function, draws criticism in reviews on Amazon from users who say the bag would be easier to empty if the zipper was on the bottom instead of on the side. Some found that the bag could not keep up with the strain of leaves and developed holes that rendered it useless. No budget leaf blower wins universal praise, but the worst offender is the Troy-Bilt TB310QS. Reviews at Lowe's point out the small size of the bag and many report that the zipper, which is made of plastic, broke after just a few uses. The small bag is a blessing in one way, according to a user on Amazon: The unit is so heavy that if the bag was any bigger it would be difficult to lift when full. Similarly, several people posting reviews on the Sears site suggest that the bag on the Craftsman 74828 is too small and not sturdy enough to withstand more than a year or two of use; some noticed wear after just a few months. The design of the vacuum bag on the Black & Decker BV2500 also leaves something to be desired, according to reviews. One user who posted a review on Amazon bemoans the fact that the bag is in the front of the blower, where it gets in the way. Again, there are complaints that the bag is too small; some users suggest buying an attachment that feeds the leaves directly into a bin.

Leaf Blower Durability.

The best leaf blowers, even in the budget category, should last for years. A user posting a review at the Husqvarna site says a 6-year-old 125B, one of the best leaf blowers on our list, is still going strong. In reviews at Amazon, users report buying the Weed Eater FB25 after owning earlier versions for years. One user says this is his second of the same model -- the first one lasted six years -- and another user maintains that, at this price, the blower is worth it even if it lasts for only a few years. Likewise, a user posting a review at Sears bought a new Craftsman 74828 because the old one had finally stopped working after 15 years. While there are many reports of the durability of the Toro 51599 over the years, some users posting reviews on a consumer products testing site found that the motor quit in about the second year.

Durability is one of the problems with the Black & Decker BV2500, according to reviews. One user posting on Amazon says after two years it began to spark and flame. Similarly, users posting reviews at Lowe's say the Troy-Bilt TB310QS is a fine choice as long as you expect to replace it yearly. In reviews on Amazon, several users complain that it quit after a few months, or even sooner. However, one user reports that, while the spark plug and the zipper on the vacuum bag had to be replaced and the impeller is showing signs of wear, the machine still performs well after three years.

by Elizabeth Sheer (Google+ Profile)

Back to top »

Best Cheap Leaf Blowers

Toro 51599 Ultra

 Read why »
Where to buy

Husqvarna 125B

 Read why »
Where to buy

Good Cheap Leaf Blowers

Craftsman 74828

 Read why »
Where to buy

Weed Eater FB25

 Read why »
Where to buy
 
 
Cheapism.com on Facebook
 

Don't Bother Cheap Leaf Blowers

Black & Decker BV2500

Many users seem to like the Black & Decker BV2500, but it mulches at a lower ratio than other, more powerful mulching blowers and has a plastic impeller, which can be easily damaged. The real Achilles' heel of this model, though, is its lack of durability. Read more »

Troy-Bilt TB310QS

Rather than requiring users to switch nozzles when they move from blowing to vacuuming, this gas-powered machine lets them simply flip a switch, a feature that users admire. However, it's heavy, it's very loud, and its emission levels are too high to meet California standards. Many users complain that it's hard to start and doesn't last long. Read more »

 
Cheap Picnic Supplies & Ideas

Enjoy summer with a picnic! We have suggestions for cheap picnic essentials, including a cooler and utensils and where to find them.

6 Cheap and Practical Grilling Accessories

To make your outdoor cooking experience even more enjoyable, load up with these cheap grilling accessories.

Hit the Sand with Cheap Beach Shoes

Kick-off beach season with cheap water shoes! Find which flip-flops and water shoes tops our list for men, women, and kids.