The 5 best leaf vacuums and leaf blowers
Colorful leaves falling to the ground – it’s clear that autumn is here. Leaves can quickly become a nuisance for garden and property owners. Leaf vacuums and leaf blowers can help. But how do the devices differ, and how do you find the best leaf blower for your needs? We clarify and help with the selection.
By Margarete Hayduk
The compact one: cordless leaf blower from Makita
With the cordless leaf blower from Makita you have absolute freedom of movement.
Image: © Saturn / Makita 2020
- Battery voltage: 18 volts
- Maximum airflow: 52.1 meters per second (m/s)
- Air Flow Speed: 187km/h
You want to create order in your garden? Let’s get started with the Makita leaf blowers. Completely without a cable, it offers you the ultimate freedom of movement when gardening, and odors caused by the smell of petrol are not an issue here either. Just blow leaves where you want them. You can regulate the air speed and air volume individually or switch directly to continuous operation using a locking lever.
Thanks to its compact design, the brushless motor promises a long service life. The so-called Makita Xtreme Protection protects the leaf blower from splashing water, thanks to the You can also use it as a seal when it rains. In addition, it prevents dust from entering the housing.
The balanced one: Kärcher leaf blowers
To the point: The Kärcher leaf blower does without frills and focuses on functionality.
Image: © Saturn / Kärcher 2020
- Battery voltage: 18 volts
- Maximum airflow: No information
- Air Flow Speed: 210km/h
Ergonomic design and a good balance – that’s what the scores with Karcher leaf blower. In addition to the classic blowpipe, the device has a removable flat nozzle. When working, you can use it to target and move individual sheets. If the leaves are wet or dirt has been trodden on, the scraper edge is used. Green waste, lawn clippings and dirt on the garage and house can also be easily removed with it.
You have little storage space? No problem. The blowpipe can be removed and the entire device can be stored in a space-saving manner.
The multifunctional: leaf vacuum from Black + Decker
Leaf blower and leaf vacuum in one: Black + Decker presents a combination device for gardening.
Image: © Saturn / Black & Decker 2020
- Watt: 500
- blowing speed: 310km/h
- suction power: 10.4 m³/min m3
The collection bag holds 40 liters. However, thanks to the integrated shredder function, the volume of the waste is reduced to a tenth, which means that the sack does not fill up as quickly. The model weighs a light 3,400 grams. If that is too heavy for you in the long run, you can simply use the shoulder strap.
The big one: Stihl leaf blowers
Full power – and still not too loud: the Stihl leaf blower.
Image: © Stihl 2020
- Displacement: 27.2 cm²
- Maximum air speed with round nozzle: 76m/s
- Weight: 4.4 kilograms
If you don’t just own a small green area, but are planning a large-scale project in the countryside, you need a correspondingly powerful device. The Stihl leaf blower clears large areas of leaves and grass. A petrol engine that works with low emissions and noise is responsible for the powerful performance.
The leaf blower’s HD2 filter reliably protects you from dust, even during long periods of work. In addition, the so-called ElastoStart ensures that starting takes place without annoying jerking. Why? The special starter grip of the device is equipped with an integrated damping element. This absorbs peak loads that occur during the starting process and distributes them evenly. Another plus point: the anti-vibration system makes handling more comfortable for longer work periods.
The quiet one: Bosch leaf vacuum
Create order in the garden? No problem with the leaf vacuum from Bosch.
Image: © Bosch 2020
- Perfomance: 2,500 watts
- blowing speed: up to 300 km/h
- collection bag volume: 45 liters
Psst … with the leaf blower from Bosch alias ALS 25 there will certainly be no trouble with the neighbours. Thanks to the so-called ProSilence technology, the combination device removes unwanted leaves from sidewalks, flower beds and lawns thoroughly and, above all, quietly.
Particularly practical: the fan speed can be set individually and offers an airflow speed of up to 300 km/h. In addition, the leaf blower and garden vacuum is equipped with a robust metal fan. This durable metal fan makes removing dirt and clogs easy and safe with its larger spiral. The Bosch leaf blower has an ergonomically shaped handle and a padded shoulder strap so that you stay fit for a long time and enjoy the 3-in-1 tool with an electric motor.
Good to know: In a recent test by Stern magazine, the leaf blower was among the top four.
Leaf vacuums vs. leaf blowers: these are the differences
Mountains of leaves quickly make lawns and garden paths look unkempt. In addition, wet leaves always pose a risk of slipping. It is worth investing in a leaf vacuum or leaf blower so that your garden looks tip-top without having to spend a lot of time and energy with a leaf rake and broom.
Both types of devices remove leaves, small branches, needles and clippings in a short time – but with different methods. As the name suggests, leaves are simply sucked in with a leaf vacuum. The garden waste ends up in a collection bag and can then be disposed of collectively. Leaf blowers, on the other hand, blow leaves in front of them. If the leaves are in the desired place, you collect them by hand. Models that combine both functions are more practical: the leaves are blown into a heap and then vacuumed up.
You can choose from several options for the drive:
- electric drive
- petrol engine
- battery pack
Devices with an electric motor are powerful and functional, also environmentally friendly and immediately ready for use, the noise level is kept within limits. However, you cannot move completely freely on your property with it – a socket must always be within reach.
With the petrol engine, your mobility is secured, perfect for large properties. However, the escaping smell of gasoline is not for everyone. The volume can also cause displeasure among your neighbors. When it comes to maintenance, leaf blowers that run on petrol are the most complex because you have to refuel them regularly and change the oil.
Leaf blowers and leaf vacuums with battery are also independent of a power source and comparatively environmentally friendly. However, the handy devices cannot handle too much foliage and are therefore more suitable for small garden areas.
When is the use of leaf blowers allowed?
According to the Device and Machine Noise Protection Ordinance (32nd BImSchV), motorized leaf blowers may not be used during the week between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. Operation is completely prohibited on Sundays and public holidays.
Other questions you should ask yourself are:
- Do you need a backpack device?
Such models are recommended for large properties. In this way, the weight and vibration of the device do not put a strain on your hand in the long run.
- Is a leaf vacuum with a shredder worth it?
This makes gardening easier because you no longer have to laboriously shred the leaves and can compost them immediately.
- Leaf vacuum collection bag: which size is the right one?
It depends on the size of your garden and the amount of your garden waste. The volume of the bags is usually between 20 and 50 liters.
- What is the volume?
Electric leaf vacuums and blowers tend to be quieter than petrol-powered ones. However, always wear hearing protection when working with it. To avoid trouble with the neighbors, you should consider before buying that they might be disturbed by the noise level.
- How high is the work output and speed regulation?
The blowing speed and the suction power indicate the maximum values when using the device.
Reference-www.turn-on.de