Blower Buying Guide: Electric, Cordless and Petrol options

It’s safe to say that Autumn is the busiest times of year for the tidying the garden. There are plenty of blowers on the market, choosing the right one for your needs depends on the size of the area and what you want to clear.

Electric Blowers
Electric blowers are suitable for small to medium sized gardens, they are the least expensive option with plenty of brands to choose from. Powered by mains electric, these handheld blowers are the best choice for a small garden. They are light to carry with the likelihood that an extension lead will reach to the edges of the garden. Electric leaf blowers are quiet and require minimal maintenance, they are the best choice for a small budget. Handling them is simple and they are usually lightweight.

Cordless Blowers
Cordless blowers are powered by lithium rechargeable batteries and are fitted with either brushed or brushless motors. Brushless motors are usually slightly more expensive than brushed versions but are more efficient and provide a longer working life. Without cables to restrict you, the blowers can work around the garden freely, they are a good choice for medium to large gardens. Cordless blowers are a step up from electric in price. Manufacturers produce one battery to power all the garden tools in each voltage range. Once the battery and charger are purchased the option to buy ‘tool only’ options in that range makes your purchase more affordable. Cordless blowers range from 24v up to 60v. Dependent on the manufacturer, there are usually a choice of battery sizes. The higher the Ah battery the longer the tool will run without needing to recharge. It is also worth remembering that the higher the Ah the heavier the blower will be, so finding a good balance between run times and weight is important. There are domestic and commercial spec cordless blowers. The EGO commercial range of cordless blower have a backpack option, this allows the user to purchase a heavier, larger Ah battery. Cordless blowers are quiet and mobile, perfect for working around areas where noise is an issue.

Petrol Blowers
Petrol blowers come in handheld, backpack and walk behind wheeled options. Due to their weight, petrol blowers are usually combined with backpacks, the double shoulder harness supports the weight of the machine and reduces user fatigue over long periods of use. Powered by 2-stroke engines or 4-stroke engines, petrol blowers are easily transportable and ideal for working around parks, school grounds and large outdoor areas, making them a popular choice for commercial users. Petrol blowers are noisy and messy, but the power they provide is imperative when time equals money. Some powerful petrol blowers, such as Stihl will not only move wet leaves, but shift small rocks, gravel and snowfall.

Blower Vacs
Blower vacs are popular if the thought of shoveling collected leaf piles isn’t appealing. They are available in both petrol and electric power with options to shred or just collect leaves. Blower vacs are available with support wheels which allow you push the blower around in a similar fashion to an upright vacuum cleaner. The downside to blowers with collecting bags is sometimes the bags can be on the smallish side generating the need to empty more often. Wet and damp debris can clog up the tubes and bag causing the blower vac to be defective. Some bags can be flimsy easily tearing when collecting in volume. Acquiring replacements can work out just as expensive as the initial cost of the blowers with a chance that replacements may not be available.

Axial Fan vs Centrifugal Fan
Axial fans work by blades spinning around a central shaft (the axis), creating a difference in air pressure, this sucks air in and forces it out quickly. They are the best choice for electric and cordless blowers as they can be small enough to fit into a handheld tool. Axial fans are not as powerful as centrifugal fans, but they require less power to run and are light enough not to impact on the weight of the tool.  
The centrifugal fan pulls air in through a side intake and generates a high-pressure airflow through blades mounted on a circular fan. This system creates a powerful and steady flow of air and requires more power to run than axial systems.

Cruise Control
This feature always the user to set the blow speed and keep it consistent without the need to hold the trigger. This greatly reduces fatigue on the fingers and hands. It is a good function for medium to large gardens.

There is no doubt a garden blower is an essential tool for keeping a tidy garden and clearly large volumes of fallen leaves, small twigs and debris. At mowers-online we have an extensive range of petrol, cordless and electric blowers. We also stock industrial walk behind blowers and sweepers.

For more expert advice on choosing the right blower for your needs, please call us on: 01452 61 61 69 or email us at: [email protected]