Skip to Content

Electric and Gas Leaf Blowers – A Discerning Guide!

Sharing is caring!

Do you remember when our parents used to make us clean out the yard after fall?

And when you were just about to finish, the wind would render all your efforts useless. How easy would it have been if you had a leaf blower!

You could simply blow through all the leaves instead of spending hours piling them with a rake.

We present to you a detailed guide on electric and gas garden blowers so that you are well-equipped with all the information you need before buying one.

A man holding a leaf blower—electric leaf blower and gas leaf blower
Electric leaf blowers vs. Gas leaf blowers—Image via Vladislav Vasnetsov.

Electric Leaf Blowers vs. Gas Leaf Blowers

If you want to know what type of leaf blower would work the best for you, continue reading further.

Types

To start off, let’s discuss the types of leaf blowers.

The two main types are:

  • Gas leaf blowers.
  • Electric leaf blowers.

Electric Leaf Blowers

The electric leaf blower further has two subtypes:

  1. Corded.
  2. Cordless.

However, the majority of electric garden blowers are hand-powered.

Corded leaf blowers must be plugged into a wall socket, whereas cordless leaf blowers utilize rechargeable batteries as a power supply to run themselves.

The device’s internal battery constrains a cordless leaf blower’s output.

The power of corded leaf blowers is superior to that of cheap cordless models. There is no limit to their power, regardless of the outlet’s wattage.

Gas Leaf Blowers

Gas leaf blowers have two types as well:

  1. Hand-held
  2. Backpack.

Their engines, maybe two or four strokes. It is common practice to combine oil and fuel to power the motor.

Ease of use

The most crucial feature of leaf blowers is their usability. After all, you purchase them to make your life easier.

Electric Leaf Blowers | Corded

  • It is worth mentioning that corded electric leaf blowers have limited mobility because of the length of the cord.
  • So, carrying the cord around might be difficult.
  • If there is no power outlet nearby, you may need to use an extension cord to operate it.

Electric Leaf Blowers | Cordless

The power and life of a battery in a cordless electric leaf blower are the primary limiting factors.

As a result, several customers have decided against using the factory-installed battery that comes with their leaf blower and instead prefer to purchase higher-quality replacements.

Gas Leaf Blowers

When it comes to speed, powerful gas garden blowers can finish the task more quickly.

  • The only drawback is that they’re much more cumbersome than electric models.
  • Additionally, they need to be refilled with gas, and some require engine oil.
  • Furthermore, they also produce smoke and, in doing so, pollute your garden and the environment. Electric garden blowers, on the other hand, do not produce smoke,
  • The gas leaf blower’s speed is its most significant plus point because if you own a big yard surrounded by trees, you will have a lot of work.
  • And finishing the task as soon as possible can free up your time that you can use for more productive tasks.

Blowing the Field

First, it’s crucial to note that electric and gas leaf blowers are nearly indistinguishable.

Standard portable models, which are appropriate for most householders, conform to this rule.

If you want a backpack blower’s power and precision, there is no other fuel besides gas, in addition to blowing leaves, modern garden blowers also vacuum and mulch.

Both electric and gas blowers include this feature, but only in portable models.

Man blowing leaves from stairs—electric leaf blower and gas leaf blower.
Electric leaf blowers vs. Gas leaf blowers—Image via Callum Hill.

Weight

The electric garden blowers are the finest choice here.

Electric Leaf Blowers | Corded

Despite their reduced weight, corded electric garden blowers can only be utilized in confined spaces. You’ll need to figure out how many leaves you’ll need to remove from your yard.

If you own a big yard with plenty of trees, you might need to use the leaf blower for an extended period.

If so, backpack leaf blowers are the right choice because they are quick and effective without limiting mobility.

Electric Leaf Blowers | Cordless

The cordless versions are heavier than the corded ones, which weigh up to 4.8 pounds.

Gas Leaf Blowers

Leaf blowers powered by gas are twice as heavy as those powered by electricity.

Although, the backpack ones are still regarded to be less in weight. Nevertheless, keep in mind that gas blowers can weigh up to 14 pounds.

It is critical to keep the weight in mind when buying a leaf blower because it might be a hampering factor in getting the job done.

Backpack models are a great benefit in this regard because they place the weight on the user’s back, which serves to enhance agility.

Maintenance

Filling up and purchasing gas are examples of some maintenance activities that gas leaf blowers require.

  • For 2-cycle engines, you’ll also have to add oil to the gas mixture.
  • On 4-cycle engines, the spark plug must also be replaced.
  • Occasionally, seasonal upkeep may be necessary, too.

Electric blowers, on the other hand, don’t require much maintenance.

Related Article: Leaf Blower CFM Vs MPH – Which Factor Is Essential For You?

Disruption of Peace

Leaf blowers, particularly gas-powered blowers, tend to be loud.

Gas Blowers

There are laws prohibiting the use of noisy models in many places around the country and in other nations.

  • Their use in the morning or the afternoon when people require some quiet time is frowned upon.
  • Gas garden blowers are noisier than electric versions.
  • However, some models are explicitly engineered to be quieter. Their noise level is around 67 decibels. But these models might be pricey and can cause a dent in your pocket.

The noise level increases significantly if the garden blower uses a backup motor.

Any noise louder than 80 decibels can potentially harm your hearing, especially if you’re exposed to it for a long time.

Thus, wearing a hearing protection device is recommended if using a noisy garden blower.

Environmental Friendliness

Some people prefer the convenience and power of a gas-powered blower over an electric one.

Whereas some are concerned about the smoke it produces and the repercussions it can have on the environment.

A pricey gas blower requires regular upkeep, too.

Cost

There’s no way around it. You will have to spend money if you want the comfort of having your yard cleaned with minimal effort.

Electric models range from $30, while gas models can cost up to $80.

That would be all for today. Let’s head towards the conclusion.

Black Honda leaf blower—electric leaf blower and gas leaf blower
Electric leaf blowers vs. Gas leaf blowers—Image via Chris Bair.

Conclusion

We discussed the prominent differences between electric and gas leaf blowers.

If you want a clean and tidy lawn, garden leaf blowers are one of the most valuable tools. They can reduce hours of tiring work into minutes of well…blowing!

Hopefully, I was able to help you know which blower would work the best for you. If you found this article helpful, share it with your friends or family.

Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

Regards,
Happy planting!