The 7 Best Leaf Blowers On A Budget

Leaf blowers are not only for those who have huge piles of fallen leaves on their lawn every fall.

In fact, most homeowners would rather use them for light-duty tasks, such as cleaning the driveway or sidewalks. Using a rake or broom would require more time and effort, so understandably, people are looking into buying leaf blowers to perform these chores.

But it doesn’t make sense to spend too much on an expensive model – after all, you don’t need the most powerful leaf blower for small-scale work. That’s why it is wise to look for budget-friendly options that can get your job done without burning a hole in your wallet.

By saying all this, I’m not suggesting that you should compromise on quality. It is a delicate balance to maintain, really! And it can be challenging to find the most affordable yet high-quality leaf blowers available on the market.

I believe it all boils down to buying a product that provides the maximum value for its price range.

What Type of Leaf Blower Do You Need?

It does not take rocket science to know that only handheld leaf blowers are truly budget-friendly. If you look at any backpack model from a reputable brand, it will have a price tag of around 500 dollars or more. And top-notch wheeled or walk-behind models tend to cost over 1,000 dollars.

Handheld leaf blowers can be of three types, based on their power source – electric (corded), battery, and gas-powered. I want to explain the pros and cons of each of these types to help you understand which one is the best for your needs – but if you are familiar with them, feel free to skip this section and jump right top my top 7 list!

A corded handheld unit is your ideal option when you have a tiny lawn, and you don’t need a lot of maneuverability. These models come with cords that limit how far they can go.

A battery-powered handheld unit is your best bet if you don’t need a lot of blowing force and you won’t be using it for too long. These models usually run for half an hour or so when they are fully charged. Unlike regular electric units, there is no cord to restrict your movement.

A gas-powered handheld blower is perfect for those of you who need more blowing force. These models are the heaviest, noisiest, and most powerful of the three. Therefore, using one of these for a tiny lawn would be overkill.

Now that you understand the difference between these types, let’s get to the list of what I think are the top 7 options out there.

The Top 7 Leaf Blowers on a Budget

There are many affordable leaf blowers out there, but it’s hard to find one that is also of high quality and/or has a lot of extra features. Because of that, I managed to shorten my list to just seven products.

Without further ado, let’s get started:

1. Black+Decker BV6600 3-in-1 Electric Leaf Blower

The numero uno spot on this list goes to one of the most renowned brands in the business – Black+Decker. The BV6600 is perhaps the most versatile and powerful handheld model out there. If you decide on buying it, you get a top-notch tool that works as a blower, vacuum, and mulcher.

Why buy this product?

When it comes to handheld electric blowers, it does not get much better than the BV6600 from Black+Decker. And my primary reason for saying that is the sheer value for money that it provides. You won’t find many products in its price range that come with vacuum and mulcher modes.

When I’m doing my yard work, I have to deal with some stray leaves all over the lawn. I prefer to simply blow them to the sides.

That’s where the variable speed settings come into the picture. If you want to blow near a flowerbed, you can switch to a blowing speed of 140 mph. And if you are dealing with stubborn, matted leaves, you can take it up a notch and blow at 250 mph.

The BV6600 is perfect for vacuuming small piles and mulching them. Now, I know you may be thinking that it would be a hassle to switch between the blower and vacuum functions. But it is as easy as it can get. You only need a few seconds and zero tools to change it from blower to vacuum and vice versa.

I especially liked the BV6600 because of its lightweight design and low noise output. That’s why it has bagged the first spot on my list today. And did I mention that there is a built-in cord retainer that ensures uninterrupted use?

This blower is easily my favorite out of the 7.

What could’ve been better?

After doing some reading in online forums, it seems to me that the leaf bag isn’t all that high quality.

But given the affordable price of cloth bags, you could easily purchase a more robust one to replace the one that comes with it, if needed. So, this is certainly not a deal-breaker!

2. Toro 51621 UltraPlus 3-in-1 Leaf Blower

Toro is among the handful of brands that are known to offer only the best outdoor power equipment. And their 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower lives up to that reputation! This 3-in-1 tool can function as a blower, vacuum, and mulcher.

Why buy this product?

Having used Toro snow blowers in the past, I was not worried about quality when I looked at the 51621 UltraPlus.

The assembly is effortless and straightforward – it practically puts itself together! And it looks great too, thanks to its trendy red and black finish.

I am a big fan of the multiple tubes included with this model. Apart from the main tube, you also get a power insert for moving leaves into piles and a concentrator for moving leaves out of tight corners and cracks. And on top of that, it has an oscillating nozzle that automatically sweeps air back and forth for a wider blowing path.

The variable speed knob on this machine ensures that you have total control over the speed of airflow, both inward and outward. And the metal impeller, coupled with the Shredz-All Shred ring, ensures that you get a fine mulch.

What could’ve been better?

The only factor based on which I ranked Toro’s 51621 lower than Black+Decker’s BV6600 is ease of use. Switching from the blower to the mulcher is slightly awkward and inconvenient. And the hook to wrap the cord doesn’t work correctly as the wire tends to slip out.

It weighs nine pounds and is a tad bit large for my liking. Because of these small flaws, the 51621 from Toro missed out on being my top recommendation.

3. KIMO 20V Cordless 2-in-1 Leaf Blower

After two electric models, it is time to introduce you to one of the best battery-powered handheld leaf blower out there. KIMO’s Cordless model works both as a blower and a vacuum.

Why buy this product?

I was looking for a compact, lightweight leaf blower to remove stray leaves and small debris from my driveway, patio, and front porch. And the 6001-2.0 cordless model from KIMO perfectly fits the bill! I wouldn’t use it for extensive leaf blowing in large yards, and nor should you.

It weighs only two pounds and has a very compact design. But don’t let its size fool you. It packs adequate power to tackle small-to-medium scale leaf blowing projects. The all-copper motor delivers an impressive speed of 13,000 rotations per minute, giving it enough power to blow leaves and other small debris.

When you deal with leaves stuck in tight corners and cracks, you can switch to the vacuum mode and suck them in. All you need to do is switch the blow tube to the air inlet and attach a disposable bag in its place to the air outlet. And voila! You get a leaf vacuum.

Now, I know that the most significant concern you could have is battery life. But that’s where KIMO’s 6001 stands out from its competition. It is equipped with a powerful 2.0 AH, 20 Volt Lithium battery, which easily clicks into place.

This battery is guaranteed to last for 1,000 charge cycles. And it takes around one hour to charge fully. Moreover, it also has a power indicator light.

What could’ve been better?

As good as this leaf blower from KIMO is, it is not perfect. While it does an excellent job at blowing leaves away, its vacuum function is not as powerful. Don’t get me wrong – I am not saying that it’s worthless. But it cannot handle large debris or wet leaves very well.

4. Hitachi RB24EAP Gas-Powered Leaf Blower

The top three of my list were taken by products that could also function as a vacuum or mulcher. And now, it is time to look at the most powerful handheld leaf blower you will find on this list. The RB24EAP from Hitachi is the only gas-powered product I have included, and you will soon see why!

Why buy this product?

If you are looking for the a powerful handheld model, look no further. Hitachi packed an impressive 23.9 cc commercial-grade, two-stroke engine in the RB24EAP blower. You get a whopping 441 CFM of blowing force with it, which is one of the best in its class. Moreover, the engine features PureFire low emission technology.

When I had to get rid of wet or matted leaves, I used the tapered nozzle to get an air velocity of 170 MPH. You can use it without the tapered nozzle if you want a wider flow of air instead of concentrated airflow in one spot.

It weighs only 8.6 pounds, which is well-balanced to ensure optimal comfort even when you use it for an extended period. And the large, two-finger throttle lever adds to its convenience quotient. I also liked the fact that it comes with a fuel tank that can hold up to 17.6 fl. oz.

Furthermore, its quality is validated by the impressive warranty Hitachi offers. If you use it for commercial purposes, you get a 2-year warranty. If you use it for rental purposes, you get a 1-year warranty. Or if you are a consumer like me, you get a 7-year warranty.

What could’ve been better?

Like any gas-powered leaf blower, the RB24EAP from Hitachi is loud. You definitely shouldn’t use it without ear protection. Also, because of its lightweight design, I could feel the torque of the engine in my wrist at times. But these flaws are not significant enough to outweigh the many praiseworthy aspects of this product.

5. Black+Decker LSW221 Cordless Leaf Blower

I started my list of recommendations with the BV6600 from Black+Decker. And it is time to review another exceptional product from this reputed brand. The LSW221 is one of the best battery-powered handheld leaf blowers you will find out there. And it offers good value as well.

Why buy this product?

If you are looking for a small product to clear leaves and other small debris from hard surfaces like your driveway, deck, or sidewalks the LSW221 from Black+Decker is your best bet!

This cordless model is powered by a 20V MAX 1.5Ah Lithium-Ion battery, which gives it a blowing speed of 130 MPH. I could use it for 20 minutes before the battery ran out and needed to be charged.

Black+Decker advertises the LSW221 as a sweeper instead of a blower. And that’s because it is not powerful enough to tackle extensive lawn maintenance work.

I must mention two of the highlights of this leaf blower. First, it weighs only 3.7 pounds. So you don’t need to worry about feeling fatigued after using it. And second, it is as quiet as it can be.

Unlike the majority of products out there, this blower from Black+Decker has a blow tube that is slightly angled up at the end. This ensures that you don’t have to lean down awkwardly to get the leaves and debris to blow up over the curb.

What could’ve been better?

Although it is uncommon for a battery-powered leaf blower to run for more than half an hour on a single full charge, I was a bit disappointed that the LSW221 runs only for 15 to 20 minutes at best.

6. WORX WG520 Electric Leaf Blower

The penultimate recommendation I have for you is from the reputed brand of WORX. The WG520 is the only electric leaf blower on this list that comes close to its gas-powered peers in terms of its blowing force.

Why buy this product?

After seeing the reviews online, I was convinced that I’m seeing a high-quality product. And after using it, I know precisely why it is so popular among users.

First of all, I was impressed by the lightweight design of this model. It weighs a little more than six pounds, and I did not feel fatigued after using it with one hand for over half an hour. And it also features a variable speed control function that allows you to adjust the airflow according to your surroundings.

But what sets it apart from its competition is its Turbine 600 Jet Engine technology. You get a blowing force of 600 CFM at a speed of 110 MPH, which is on par with gas-powered models.

I also liked the thoughtful inclusion of a built-in dust blower for increased visibility. And the power cord retainer ensures hassle-free operation. If you encounter a tough task, the hyper-stream air nozzle of the WG520 is capable enough to tackle it with ease.

Overall, it is one of the most powerful and easy-to-use electric handheld models I have ever used. And it comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.

What could’ve been better?

The only gripe I have with the WG520 is that its blow tube has a wide nozzle. I could not pinpoint the airflow into tight corners and cracks because of a more spread-out air dispersion. But that is not necessarily a deal-breaker, of course!

7. Toro 51585 Power Sweep Electric Leaf Blower

It is time for the final recommendation, and it is another top-notch leaf blower from Toro.

Why buy this product?

After using it extensively for over a week, I appreciated how light this product is. It weighs only 4.6 pounds, and I could use it even on the days when I was a bit tired and lazy. But don’t let its lightweight built fool you. It is capable of generating a powerful blowing force of 155 CFM at a speed of 160 MPH.

To put things into perspective, that is powerful enough to clear leaves and small debris from your deck, driveway, sidewalk, and maybe even a small lawn. But you can’t expect it to tackle large-scale leaf removal tasks.

Moreover, you get a 2-speed air control function to reduce the speed to 130 MPH when you are blowing around flower beds and delicate shrubs. I also liked the thoughtful placement of the control switch on the handle.

What could’ve been better?

There are only a couple of downsides I noticed while using it. The air control switch is flimsy and very sensitive. More often than not, I accidentally switched the speed from low to high.

Apart from that, the hook for the cord is not designed optimally because the wire tends to slip out and unplug sometimes.

The 51585 Power Sweep leaf blower from Toro provides excellent value for money. And in my opinion, these flaws are not significant enough to trade it for another, higher-priced option.

Buyers’ Guide

Knowing the seven best leaf blowers on a budget is only half the battle won! You still need to choose one of my seven recommendations – or maybe some other model – it’s your decision after all.

But don’t worry; I have put together this short guide to help you make an informed decision.

Here are the factors you need to consider when choosing the ideal product for your needs.

Price Versus Value

When you have a strict budget constraint to adhere to, you are left with limited options. And more often than not, you are faced with the dilemma of giving up on some features or expanding your budget. That’s why you need to focus on the price relative to value.

Additional Features

Even if you are not willing to spend a lot, you can get a leaf blower with some additional features.

Does the blower in question fulfill all of your needs? Do the extra features add convenience, or are they just adding extra cost for something you won’t ever use?

This about this before making your decision.

Ergonomic Design & Durability

One of the ways for companies to cut down on their production costs is to use inferior quality of materials or less than optimal designs. Make sure that the leaf blower you are considering buying does not have these issues. Pay attention to the reviews and do adequate research before buying one.

Summing It Up

And with that, I we have arrived to the end of this comprehensive guide. Finding quality products on a tight budget is never easy. But I am hoping that I have been able to answer most, if not all, of your questions about budget leaf blowers.

Let me know if I missed anything…

Till next time!