Eat well and save dough--it can be done. Just get out your gardening tools, plant some seeds, and watch your fruits and vegetables grow while your grocery bill shrinks. The Detroit News reports on this mushrooming trend.
We make the low-price picks, you make the budget buys.
Cheap Gas Leaf Blowers, Cheap Electric Leaf Blowers Review
Price Range
Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$30$150$300...+
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Cheap Leaf Blowers Buying Guide
The best inexpensive leaf blowers are easy on your wallet, your body, and the environment by balancing key factors such as weight, noise, and air pollution. In fact, many of todays bargain-priced leaf blowers emit less noise and pollution than some pricier models made just five years ago. Thats important because more and more communities are cracking down on noise pollution generated by leaf blowers.
If you have a small area to clean up, any one of several inexpensive hand-held leaf blowers should work just fine. The dominant brands in this end of the market include Toro, Black & Decker, Craftsman, and Weed Eater; higher-cost and higher-power models are also available from these makers in addition to companies such as Echo, Poulan, and Husqvarna. To help you choose the perfect economical leaf blower for your needs, weve highlighted key features and performance attributes you should look for.
Back to top »What to Look for: Discount Leaf Blowers Features
Cheap Leaf Blowers Power System.
Hand-held leaf blowers are powered by either gas or electricity. Electric leaf blowers have the advantage of being quieter, easier to operate, and easier to maintain than gas leaf blowers, which require fuel and oil and the added task of pull starting. Gas blowers, however, provide ease of movement, enabling you to clear large areas not near a power outlet. Gas engines are more costly to manufacture than electric motors, accounting for their higher price tags. But if you dont want the inconvenience of being tethered to an extension cord, a low-priced gas blower, like the Stihl BG 55 (starting at $150), is your best alternative.Bargain Leaf Blowers Types.
There are two main types of leaf blowers: dedicated blowers and blower/vacuum combinations.Dedicated blowers perform the basic function of blowing debris, making them ideal for clearing decks, patios, sidewalks and driveways. Some inexpensive leaf blowers include Toros Power Sweep 51585 (starting at $35, Amazon
Blower/vacs have the added function of sucking up debris, which either goes into an attached bag or through an attached hose that leads to a collection bin. Many of todays least expensive blower/vacs also mulch leaves, reducing several bushels of debris to just one bushel. This organic material can be used as natural mulch around trees and in flowerbeds to enrich the soil and hinder the growth of weeds. Examples of cheap leaf blower/vacs include Black & Deckers Blower/Vacuum BV2500 (starting at $50, Amazon
Budget Leaf Blowers Performance.
The performance of both gas and electric leaf blowers is measured by the blowers ability to generate air velocity, measured in miles per hour (MPH), and air volume, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Fast-moving air is not enough for an inexpensive leaf blower to work well. Its equally important that large amounts of air are moved. The best leaf blowers have high MPH and CFM, such as Toros Electric Ultra Blower Vac 51599 (starting at $70, Amazon
) with variable air speeds up to 235 mph and air volumes up to 390 CFM; in the less expensive Cheapism niche for electric blowers, the Black & Decker BV2500 offers variable speed control from 150 to 200 MPH and 228 CFM. Among gas blowers, the Craftsman Gas Blower/Vac 358794740 features variable speeds up to 200 MPH and volume up to 430 CFM, while the Husqvarna 125BVX (starting at $180, Amazon
) generates 170 MPH and 425 CFM. The Stihl BG 55 boasts an impressive 140 MPH and 417 CFM. According to leaf blower reviews on Epinions users are enchanted with its ability to clear away even the wettest, oldest, most matted leaves quickly. One Epinions user even uses his Stihl for cleanup after a light snow.
Inexpensive Leaf Blowers Speed.
Some budget leaf blowers are single speed and others have multiple or variable speed controls, such as Toros Power Sweep 51585, Black & Deckers Blower/Vacuum BV2500, and Craftsmans Electric Blower with Vac Kit 358748240 (starting at $50, Amazon
). Most people use their leaf blowers at full speed, but if you plan to work around a lot of delicate plants or water features that you dont want filled up with leaves, you might want the option of being able to control the speed of the leaf blower. Leaf blower reviews on Amazon of the Toro 51585 like the the two-speed option this cheap electric leaf blower offers.
Cheap Leaf Blowers Air Intake.
With any hand-held model, look for a bottom-mounted air intake, like that on the Toro Power Sweep 51585, which is less likely to pull at your clothing than an air intake thats mounted on the blowers side, like you find on models such as Craftsmans Gas Blower/Vac 358794740. Note that most cheap gas-powered leaf blowers have side air intakes.Low-cost Leaf Blowers Weight.
Depending on your strength, youll want to pay special attention to the weight of any hand-held leaf blower you purchase. In general, electric leaf blowers are lighter than their gas counterparts; the former usually weigh between 5 and 15 pounds and the latter generally top out at 25 pounds. The electric Toro Power Sweep 51585, for example, weighs in at a mere 4.6 pounds whereas the Craftsman 4-Cycle Gas Suitcase Blower (starting at $180, Amazon
) weighs a whopping 14 pounds. The lighter weight of the electric units makes them easier to use for long periods.
If youre looking to buy a blower/vac, also keep in mind the weight of the bag attachment, which can get heavy, especially if youre vacuuming up wet leaves. As an alternative, according to leaf blower reviews some users prefer to run a hose directly to a collection bin so they dont have to worry about emptying the bag periodically. One short and elderly reviewer found the obvious solution to the heavy-bag problem: Commenting on Buzzillions about the Toro Electric Ultra Blower 51599, she says she simply empties the bag when its half full.
Budget Leaf Blowers Comfort.
Whereas most hand-held leaf blowers are designed for one-handed operation, for many people thats easier said than done. To help users along, some inexpensive models, such as Black & Deckers Blower/Vacuum BV2500 and Craftsmans Electric Blower/Vac 99225 (starting at $60, Amazon
), include a second hand grip for two-handed operation. Also, if you are relatively short, you may have difficulty holding the blower high enough to keep the blower or vacuum tube from hitting the ground. Some short users have taken to cutting off the necessary inches from the tube to make the blower easier to maneuver.
Bargain Leaf Blowers Noise.
Communities regulating noise pollution set decibel levels and even restrict the hours of leaf blower operation. About 60-65 decibels is tolerable, but some electric blowers, like the Black & Decker LH4500 (starting at $65, Amazon
), and many gas blowers, including the Weed Eater FB25 (starting at $80), emit more than 65 decibels. Therefore, its important to have protective ear gear when operating leaf blowers. Noisy leaf blowers are a threat to more than your health, however. They can also offend neighbors, especially if the frequency of the motor creates a high-pitched whirring sound. In general, electric leaf blowers are quieter, although gas blower manufacturers have worked hard to reduce noise by adding mufflers.
Budget Leaf Blowers Nozzles.
A flat nozzle is ideal for sweeping hard services, whereas a large round nozzle is needed for vacuuming leaves. A rounded nozzle can also be useful for loosening leaves embedded in lawns and flowerbeds. Leaf blowers come with a flat nozzle, while blower/vac combos come with both types of nozzles. Depending on the terrain, one nozzle type may perform better than the other.Cheap Leaf Blowers Impeller.
The impeller is the whirligig-like part that spins and pulls the air, creating either the blowing or vacuuming effect. It can be made of heavy-duty plastic or metal. A metal impeller is best for frequent vacuuming and tends to do a better job at mulching. The Toro Power Sweep 51585, Black & Decker BV2500, and Craftsman Gas Blower/Vac 358794760 (starting at $125, Amazon
) leaf blowers have a plastic impeller; blower/vacs with metal impellers include Black and Deckers LH4500 and Toros Ultra Blower Vac 51599, which both claim a mulching reduction ratio of 16:1.
Low-priced Leaf Blowers Mulching Reduction Ratio.
For leaf blowers that also vacuum and mulch, mulching ratios are important. Most blower/vacs feature a mulching ratio of at least 10:1, which means 10 bushels of leaves will be reduced to 1 bushel of mulch when they pass through the blower/vac impeller; the higher the ratio, the less often youll need to stop and empty the collection bag. The Craftsman Gas Blower/Vac 358794740 and 358794760 each have a 12:1 mulch reduction ratio, compared to the 10:1 ratio of the Black & Decker Blower/Vacuum BV2500 and the 16:1 ratio of the Weed Eater Electric Blower and Vacuum EBV200W. Note, however, that wet or dense debris will not mulch as finely as dry material. Also, as mentioned above, metal impellers do a better job of mulching than plastic ones.Inexpensive Leaf Blowers Safety.
Gas blowers are noisy enough to cause hearing loss, so users should wear ear protectors. Users of both gas and electric leaf blowers should wear safety goggles and a dust mask. Its also a good idea to keep other people and pets away while operating a leaf blower in case debris accidentally flies in their direction. Finally, when choosing an extension cord for an electric leaf blower, make sure its the proper gauge. The owners manual specifies which gauge to use, and that depends on the units amps. If the extension cord is undersized, the motor can fail. Also, be sure to buy a cord designed for outdoor use.Bargain Leaf Blowers Accessories.
In addition to blowing and vacuuming debris on the ground, many budget hand-held leaf blowers can be used to clean gutters when paired with a gutter accessory kit from the same manufacturer (usually priced from $19 to $40). Other popular accessories are shoulder straps (costing about $10 to $15) and universal leaf collectors that deposit leaves directly into a bin (prices start at $14). Back to top »What to Expect: Cheap Leaf Blower Performance
Now that youre familiar with the features available on inexpensive hand-held gas and electric leaf blowers, youll want to know how well inexpensive blowers perform. According to user reviews, economical leaf blowers hold their own against many of the higher-priced models.
Cheap Leaf Blowers MPH vs. CFM.
The key when shopping for an affordable leaf blower is not to pay for more performance than you need. Bargain leaf blowers/vacs are usually fine for lightweight duty, such as clearing patios, driveways, and moderately-sized yards. Several leaf blower reviews on Amazon indicate that the Black & Decker BV2500, with its variable speed control up to 200 MPH and 228 CFM adequately handles dry leaves and pine needles. The suction and blowing power of the low-priced Black & Decker BV2500 blower/vac is so good, one consumer writes in his leaf blower review on Acehardware.com, that he bought one for a relative -- a sure sign of customer satisfaction. Even the lower-power Toro Power Sweep 51585, which generates 160 MPH and volume of 155 CPM, manages to clean in minutes what would take at least an hour to sweep, notes one user post on Epinions. Several Craftsman Gas Blower/Vac 358794740 reviews on the Sears site report it handles wet leaves, gravel, small branches, and light snow.Even more expensive models can fall short during more robust tasks. One unhappy user of the electric Black & Decker Leaf Hog BV4000 (starting at $68, Amazon
Budget Leaf Blowers Mulching.
Bargain-priced leaf blowers are likely to have plastic instead of metal impellers. When it comes to mulching twigs and other tough debris, metal is superior to plastic. But if you only plan to mulch dry leaves, most inexpensive blower/vacs suffice. The Black & Decker BV2500 mulches debris into an attached bag that frugal consumers can empty right on the compost pile, although several suggest onleaf blower reviews on Epinions that the advertised 10:1 ratio seems exaggerated.Inexpensive Leaf Blowers Durability.
Many owners post leaf blower reviews stating they have successfully used their low-cost leaf blowers for multiple seasons. However, several bargain models just dont measure up. Many comments posted at Mysears.com about Craftsman Gas Blower/Vac 358794760 concern the difficulty of restarting the blower, cords that dont recoil, generalized failures after several uses, and exhaust that blows in your face if youre left-handed. The Weed Eater EBV200W likewise seems to have a limited lifespan, with users griping on the Walmart site about motor burnouts and parts that dont fit together. However, users rave over the Stihl BG 55 (starting at $150, Amazon
) which seems virtually indistructable. It may be the electronic ignition. On many gas-powered blowers, it's startup where the machine tends to have problems, but the electronic ignition makes startup fast and easy.
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Best Cheap Electric Leaf Blowers
Toro Power Sweep 51585
This 7-amp leaf blower, weighing 4.6 pounds with maximum air speed up to 160 MPH and volume of 155 CPM, lacks vacuum or mulching capabilities but is ideal for lightweight duties, such as clearing off driveways and sidewalks; users appreciate its reliability, light weight, and price.
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Black & Decker Blower/Vacuum BV2500
A versatile 12-amp unit weighing 8.1 pounds, switches from blower to vac, and offers variable speed control from 150 to 200 MPH, 228 CFM, and 10:1 mulching ratio; users like the price and say it works best with dry leaves but also report occasional jams and mediocre mulching action.
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Grow your own food
Frugal home lifestyle
Family gardening is a sure route to bounteous rewards: frugal living for the grown-ups, thanks to the copious fresh fruits and vegetables that will soon sprout; and wages for the young ones to ensure they join in the fun (uh, work is what we meant). Read on in Gourmet Magazine.
Inexpensive home repair tips
If the cost of home repairs is getting you down, pick up some cheap do-it-yourself tricks from this report by ABC News.
Don't Bother Cheap Leaf Blowers
Weed Eater Electric Blower and Vacuum EBV200W (electric)
Despite its 200 MPH air speed and 350 CFM air volume, reviewers complain about unit's inability to vacuum up even the lightest debris; some also carp about tube assembly, which they say doesn’t stay attached, and poor reliability.
Products Mentioned in This Review
Weed Eater Electric Blower and Vacuum EBV200W (electric)Craftsman Gas Blower/Vac 358794760 (gas)
Stihl BG 55 Gas leaf Blower
Craftsman Gas Blower/Vac 358794740
Toro Power Sweep 51585
Black & Decker Blower/Vacuum BV2500
