Leaf Blower Vacuum UK Reviews & Buying Guide

Mulching Capability

Many of these leaf blowers include a mulching capability. In other words they chop up the leaves and make them into a smaller mulch. That mulch can then be better disposed of, or used as a compost. Leaf vacuums have also got a shredding ratio. This is how quickly the leaves can be shredded. A typical shredding rate is 10:1.

Motor Size & Flow Rate

Like any normal vacuum cleaner leaf blowers are only as powerful as the motor that drives them. In simple terms, the bigger the motor, the higher their capacity to either blow leaves, or suck them up and mulch them. Typical motor sizes are 2,500 watts 2,600 watts, 2,700 watts, 2,800 watts, and  3000 watts.

The gas powered ones will have 500, 750 or 1,000 watt motors, but they are powered by a stronger power source such as a 25 cc engine, so equally effective.

Collection Bag Capacity

Another thing worth considering is how much the bag that captures the leaves can hold. You don't want to be making several trips backwards and forwards to the bin, or the compost heap. The larger the bag, the more they can hold. Typical bag capacities are 35 litres, and 45 litres though they can some in sizes inbetween those

Shoulder Strap

Almost all of these come with a shoulder strap. This is normally draped over one shoulder, and helps take most of the weight of the actual blower. These should be adjustable and also comfortable enough to prevent them from digging into your shoulder. Some will have padding and that does help.

Weight

Ideally you want your leaf blower/vaccuum to be as light as possible. These are naturally heavy as they have motors, a bag and the casing. The shoulder strap will help. Another useful option is to have wheels on the bottom so as they can be used to move it along the ground.

This helps to reduce strain and pressure on your shoulders, arms and back. As a result that will allow you to work for prolonged periods without any signs of user fatigue. The wheels on the ground are also a good option when working on harder surfaces as it means you can rest the blower on the wheels.

Typical weights for this type of product are around 3.5-4.5 Kg for a corded version, about 5 Kg for a cordless one including the battery weight and around 6-7 Kg for a petrol version (with the 2 stroke fuel included)

Thermal Cut-Out Safety Feature

A useful feature is to have this safety cut-off. In other words if the motor gets too hot, then the cut-off kicks in, and stops the motor from getting damaged.

Variable Speed

Some of the more expensive options offer you what is termed variable speed. This allows you to set the flow rate, or how quickly the blower blows or the vacuum sucks. For example you can blow dry leaves at a lower rate, and then increase that, to deal with the more stubborn wet leaves.

Cable Length

This of course only applies to the electric corded versions. You can use this with an external extension lead, but we would recommend fitting an RCD to the plug. That will help keep you protected from electrical shocks. Typical cable lengths for the corded version are around 6 metres (20 feet), 10 metres long (33 feet) It will always depend on the size of the garden. Almost always with any corded leaf blower, the lead is simply never long enough.

Manufacturer Warranty

It is always important to have some type of manufacturer warranty. 12 and 24 months are the most popular offered by manufacturers. Most of these warranties will cover parts only. You do of course have your normal consumer rights.