EGO POWER+ Cordless Electric Leaf Blower, 650 CFM, With Battery - LB6504

Why it's worth it

The EGO LB6504 moves up to 650 CFM in turbo, which is what a small gas handheld does, and it comes with a 56V battery and charger in the box. For a typical suburban lot, it clears the driveway, walkways and beds on one charge.

Most people don't need more blower than this. The LB6504 hits 650 CFM and 180 MPH in turbo, which puts it level with the 27cc gas handhelds people have been buying for years. On a quarter-acre lot with a couple of oaks, that's enough to windrow leaves toward the curb in a few passes instead of a dozen. Owners coming off gas units consistently say they don't miss the engine.

The variable-speed trigger is the part you'll use more than turbo. It dials from about 225 to 500 CFM, so you can ease off near a flower bed or a pile of mulch instead of redecorating it. There's a lock-on dial too, which matters more than it sounds — holding a trigger at half-pull for twenty minutes is its own kind of tired. Set it and let your hand relax.

From our review of 8 leaf blowers, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +Most people don't need more blower than this
• +The variable-speed trigger is the part you'll use more than turbo
• +Runtime is up to 90 minutes on the included 5.0Ah pack, and that number is real at moderate speed
• +Then there's the maintenance you never do

What to know

• –It's heavy. At roughly 13 pounds with the battery, the weight lands on your wrist and forearm, and owners bring this up more…
• –A small but real share of owners report units that quit within the first weeks
• –And it won't do what a commercial gas backpack does