Top Cordless Leaf Blowers With Real Runtimes

Battery leaf blowers now rival gas for most yards, without the fumes and pull cords. Our picks for the best cordless leaf blowers from Ego, Greenworks, Ryobi and Makita, with real runtimes from CNN Underscored's testing.

By Tyler RamirezUpdated October 30, 2026How we pick products

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A cordless leaf blower starts with a trigger, skips the gas can and pull cord, and is far quieter than gas for your neighbors. For most suburban yards, a good battery blower now handles fall cleanup just fine.

The catch is runtime. Manufacturers’ runtime claims are measured on the lowest setting. On high, expect 15 to 30 minutes per battery, which is why a second battery is worth having for big yards.

Compare at a glance

Test notes are from CNN Underscored's leaf blower testing, which timed how long each blower took to move all visible leaves onto a tarp and measured noise at about 6 feet.

How we chose these

We relied on CNN Underscored’s testing of 12 blowers, which timed real leaf cleanup and measured noise, and checked specs against the manufacturers. We focused on:

• Power
• Real runtime
• Weight and balance
• Noise
• Battery platform

We haven’t tested these blowers ourselves. Read more about how we pick products.

1. Ego Power+ LB6504 Blower: Best overall

Who it’s for: Most suburban yards, and Ego battery owners.

CNN Underscored named the LB6504 its best leaf blower overall. It was powerful, sturdy and comfortable to hold for long stretches, and it ran about 25 minutes in testing, the longest of the cordless models. Turbo mode adds a burst for wet leaves. It comes with flat and tapered nozzles; testers found the tapered one more efficient. Ego backs it with a five-year tool warranty.

What bugs us: Ego claims up to 90 minutes, which testers never came close to on real leaf work, and recharging took about an hour. It’s louder in Turbo mode.

Skip it if: your yard is big and you won’t buy a second battery.

2. Greenworks 40V Cordless Leaf Blower: Most power for the money

Who it’s for: Heavy leaf fall and big jobs.

CNN found this Greenworks among the most powerful blowers it tested. It cleared large jobs quickly and was easy to maneuver with either hand while staying relatively light.

What bugs us: It’s very loud, which wore on the testers over time.

Skip it if: you clear leaves early in the morning with neighbors close by.

3. Makita XBU02PT 36V Blower Kit: Best two-battery kit

Who it’s for: Makita tool owners, and big yards.

This Makita runs on two 18V batteries, and the kit includes both plus a charger. It has six speeds and was comfortable in either hand.

What bugs us: The highest setting is very loud, the charger is bulky, and it’s on the expensive side.

Skip it if: you don’t use Makita’s LXT batteries.

4. Ryobi 40V 550 CFM Leaf Blower: Best value

Who it’s for: Ryobi owners and budget shoppers.

The Ryobi performed well in CNN’s testing, with a comfortable handle and a boost button for stubborn leaves. It comes with a battery and charger at a fair price.

What bugs us: It’s marketed as “whisper” quiet, but testers found it quite loud.

Skip it if: quiet is a priority.

Tips for longer runtime

• Use the lowest speed that works. Save turbo for wet clumps.
• Blow with the wind.
• Keep a second battery charged.
• Store batteries indoors in winter.

Quick answers

Are cordless leaf blowers as strong as gas? The best ones match small gas handhelds. For acres of leaves, a gas backpack blower still has more endurance.

How long do cordless blower batteries last? On high, 15 to 30 minutes is typical. Runtime claims are usually at the lowest setting.

CFM or MPH? CFM (volume) moves piles. MPH (speed) lifts wet, stuck leaves. Look for a good balance.

Big yard? Pair your blower with one of the best leaf vacuum mulchers.