We recently tested several new handheld models, including options from Atlas, Makita, Troy-Bilt, and Toro. Our goal is to find the models that are both effective and pleasant to use. Here’s what our top performers have in common:
They’re fast at moving leaves. The best blowers in our tests clear a large swath of grass in under a minute.
They’re good at loosening embedded leaves from the lawn. Even with a leaf blower that’s quick to move most leaves, you’ll notice a few stragglers. We look for machines that don’t require you to break out a rake to clean up.
They’re easy to handle. We consider weight, the placement of the controls, and ease of starting to find models that start and run effortlessly. We also favor models that are light and easy enough to use that you won’t end up with sore arms.
They’re reliable. We survey thousands of CR members each year to provide brand-level reliability and owner satisfaction scores to zero in on leaf blowers that will continue to work well long after their first autumn.
