Choosing between a gas leaf blower and an electric leaf blower is often overwhelming for the buyers. There are so many types of leaf blower machines on the market. All of them have several high-end features making them a must-buy product.
If this is on your mind too, we are here to provide an in-depth overview of these two types of blowers. It will help you find the right tool for cleaning your leaf-studded yard.
Electric Leaf Blower vs. Gas Leaf Blower
| Types | Electric | Gas |
| Price Range | $35-$150 | $60-$500 |
| Attributes |
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| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Wind Speed | 50-100 MPH | Above 150 MPH |
| Airflow Rate | 150-600 CFM | Up to 3000 CFM |
Now let’s get into the wider aspect of choosing between electric leaf blowers and gasoline-powered tools.
Variations
There are several types of electric and gas leaf blowers on the market. The electric leaf blowers can be of two types depending on the source of power:
Corded Leaf Blowers
They are leaf throwing tools with an extended cord (generally about 50-100ft long). The only limitation with these machines is that you can move as long as your cord is.
So if you want to clean a small backyard, this is a worthy machine. Otherwise, go for alternatives that best suit your needs.
Cordless Leaf Blowers
These machines receive power from Lithium-ion or Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable batteries. Once fully charged, you are on the go without worrying about the messy cord.
There are three models for gas leaf blowers:
1/ Handheld Leaf Blowers:
They are compact and light equipment with a small engine.
2/ Backpack Leaf Blowers:
Backpack blowers are relatively heavier models with a larger engine. These types of blowers are different in action compared to handheld blowers.
3/ Walk-Behind or Wheeled Leaf Blowers:
Highly expensive machines with a robust motor.
The gasoline-operated leaf blowers mainly have 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines. Most traditional 2-stroke models require a fuel mix of oil and gas. Some advanced models run on gas only so you can escape the messy chores every time.
Accessibility and Limitations
The next major factor to measure how well these machines work is to consider the ease of handling these tools.
Corded leaf blowers can get clumsy during operation and restrict you to the length of the cord.
Battery-powered variations offer a limited span of operation in the yard. Many customers found that the battery provided in the package lasts only for 10-15 minutes when fully charged. The only option for the users is to get a high-quality battery for better performance.
You may need to do some extra with the gasoline leaf blowers, changing fuel, cleaning, etc. However, these machines are easy to run and do the job faster than others.
The gas-powered machines have large and heavy engines. So if you have a back problem, avoid the backpack models.
Costs
When I say ”costs”, it is not just the price of the equipment. It includes the additional expenses you may need to bear in the due course for maintenance, battery replacement (battery-powered models), fuel, etc.
As for the prices, the electric leaf blowers on the market are available within a range of $35-$150 and the gas-powered equipment cost about $60-$400.
Emissions and Sound
Almost all electric leaf blowers produce low to medium noise at the convenience of 0 emissions. They are more environment-friendly solutions for home gardens.
There are certain downsides to the gas leaf blowers here. They are much noisy and produce a deafening sound. Apart from annoying the neighbors early in the morning, they can damage your hearing ability. So, you need to wear ear protector gear always when the machine is running.
Last but not least consideration, the gas-operated machines will release a lot of toxic fumes, foul smells, and other pollutants.
To summarize, gas leaf blowers are definitely powerful equipment for removing all the stuff quickly out of your garden. They have a large and robust engine capable of releasing the air at a higher speed compared to standard electric leaf blower models.
Again gas leaf blowers are very expensive compared to electric models. Additionally, you have to bear the costs of fuel and maintenance.
If your garden is a small one, you do not need a high-powered machine. The gas-powered tools are perfect for large yards and commercial use (walk-behind models).