Deciding between a gas vs battery leaf blower can significantly affect how you handle annual yard cleanup.
Whether you’re a property owner or a professional landscaper, the last thing you want is to remove yard debris manually.
Knowing the differences between these two pieces of equipment can help you find the right tool for the job.
Let’s compare their most important features and learn about the types of these leaf blowers to help you decide which one works best for your needs.
The Types of Gas and Battery Leaf Blowers
Before you delve into the differences between battery and gas leaf blowers, you should consider the available types.
Two and four-stroke gas blowers are considerably unique compared to one another, as are corded and cordless battery leaf blowers.
Differentiating between the various models can help you to make the best choice for your property.
Two vs. Four-Stroke Engines
When you start shopping for a leaf blower, you first have to decide between two and four-stroke engines.
Two-stroke engines are known to have higher power-to-weight ratios, meaning they’re more powerful and more lightweight.
On the other hand, four-stroke engines are primarily designed for fuel efficiency, ideal for projects that take more time.
Another significant advantage of four-stroke engines is that they run cooler, making them more comfortable to use.
It’s also common for four-stroke engines to be quieter than two-stroke, which is another huge factor to consider.
One of the main advantages of two-stroke engines apart from power is their longevity.
These engines have fewer moving parts than four-stroke engines, which reduces their wear and tear over time.
The lower number of parts is one of the main factors as to why they’re more lightweight.
Corded vs. Cordless Leaf Blowers
When discussing electric blowers, the two options to choose from are corded and cordless.
You might assume that battery leaf blowers are cordless by nature, but not all models are fully cordless.
It is possible to find leaf blowers with a cord that you can disconnect for cordless use.
Most people prefer cordless leaf blowers as it makes it significantly easier to recharge batteries.
You can even keep an extra battery charging in your garage so that if your first battery runs out, you have a replacement ready.
However, it’s essential to consider the amount of power leaf blowers need to pull to work efficiently.
You might find some of the lower-quality battery leaf blowers burn through batteries within ten to 15 minutes.
In these instances, corded models could be preferred, as they keep you connected to a continuous source of power.
In fact, the rate at which battery-powered blowers consume power is a massive reason why professionals prefer gas models.
The Differences Between a Gas vs Battery Leaf Blower
Although battery and gas leaf blowers are designed for the same project, they handle tasks significantly differently.
One model could be better for removing heavy debris while the other offers fewer emissions and quieter use.
Let’s take a look at some of the most notable differences between the two.
Power (Winner: Gas)
By far, the most recognizable advantage of gas leaf blowers is that they’re more powerful than battery models.
Although battery blowers are increasing in their capabilities, they have yet to outperform standard gas models.
The engines in gas models are designed to provide exceptional power levels compared to electric blowers.
This benefit is particularly noticeable when you begin looking into backpack leaf blowers.
Typically seen as the holy grail of yard tools for professional landscapers, backpack blowers are the most powerful.
With high MPH and CFM ratings, these devices handle all types of debris and landscaping materials with ease.
MPH and CFM (Winner: Gas)
As mentioned, two essential features to look at when shopping for a blower are MPH and CFM.
Many first-time owners believe both of these specs mean the same thing, but they are pretty different.
MPH is often used to determine the type of debris a blower can move, while CFM expresses how much is moved.
With a higher MPH rating, your blower will move heavier, more compacted debris, such as wet leaves.
A higher CFM rating can help you get an idea of how much debris can be moved at a time.
With the power that you’ll find under the hood of a gas-powered blower, they’re likely to have better MPH and CFM.
Flexibility (Tie)
Some groups believe gas-powered leaf blowers are more flexible, while others suggest battery-powered models are best.
In our opinion, both gas-powered and battery leaf blowers are equally as flexible, especially compared to corded electric blowers.
With a gas blower, you’ll be able to move freely around your property as long as you have fuel available to refuel.
Battery blowers work in the same fashion, as they simply need a rechargeable battery to give you hours of continuous blowing.
With that said, gas-powered models have a slight edge, as fuel tends to last slightly longer than charged batteries.
However, this benefit is offset because switching a dead and charged battery takes less time than refueling.
Weight (Winner: Battery)
One of the most important things to consider with any yard equipment is how easy it is to use.
Most users will want a tool that they can carry around without putting much effort into the job.
With that said, battery-powered leaf blowers are an exceptional choice compared to gas-powered ones.
Gas blowers have many different components, often crafted from high-quality metal, that adds to the unit’s weight.
On the other hand, battery models have fewer parts that help make them more lightweight.
Also, you’ll find a battery’s weight is significantly less than the amount of fuel you need for gas-powered blowers.
Not only are battery blowers easier to maneuver, but they can also be more comfortable to wear for extended periods.
The most lightweight model could be the best option if you’re prone to back, arm, or hand fatigue.
Noise (Winner: Battery)
With all of the power shooting through the engine of a gas-powered blower, it’s no wonder they’re as loud as they are.
It’s important to note that battery blowers aren’t silent, but they produce a significantly lower amount of sound.
You’ll find they’re easier to use in quiet residential areas, and some models don’t even require hearing protection.
However, it’s highly recommended that you consider wearing the proper PPE when using any power tools.
Since battery-powered blowers don’t have a gas engine, they are much quieter for any outdoor task.
You might even find that electric blowers are the only option for you, depending on your local bylaws.
For example, neighborhoods in certain states like Washington D.C. have banned gas-powered leaf blowers.
With their significantly higher decibels, they can cause significant and permanent hearing damage when misused.
Also, there’s always the risk of disturbing your neighbors when powering up your gas blower on a Sunday morning.
Emissions (Winner: Battery)
Another significant area where battery blowers outperform their gas counterparts is regarding emissions.
With a focus on the planet’s health, it’s important to consider reducing our impact on the environment.
Using gas-powered tools tends to create harmful emissions that affect the environment and your health.
It’s also important to note that emissions from your gas-powered blower significantly affect its interior components.
The more often you run your gas blower, the sooner it will require maintenance to ensure the carburetor is working efficiently.
Also, you’ll need to consider the air intake, ensuring it isn’t circulating harmful debris through the engine.
Due to emissions, the parts on gas-powered blowers tend to wear down faster than battery-powered models.
This reason alone is why you must regularly maintain your tools to protect their integrity.
Maintenance (Winner: Gas)
There’s no doubt that there’s more maintenance associated with a gas-powered blower.
However, it’s important to note that these models can make maintenance more affordable and easier to find.
Electric blowers can often be challenging to service and will require specialists for the job.
Most of the troubleshooting you’ll encounter with a gas-powered blower can be relatively straightforward.
You might even find that you can resolve most of the issues at home rather than taking the tool to a service center.
On the contrary, the more technologically advanced design of battery-powered blowers can be hard and dangerous to fix on your own.
If you own a battery-powered blower, you first have to find a recommended service center and wait for diagnostics.
Once finished, the dealer will likely have to order parts, as electric components are in short supply.
It can often take considerably longer for battery-powered blowers to get the repairs they need compared to gas models.
Ease of Use (Winner: Battery)
With the emergence of battery-powered leaf blowers on the market, more homeowners found this essential tool accessible.
They no longer had to worry about fuel to oil ratios or learning how to use a pull cord to start their blowers.
There’s no doubt the ease of use associated with these electric blowers is better than with gas models.
Even when it comes to battery changes, the process takes a couple of minutes compared to refueling with gas.
You won’t have to worry about running to the station to get fuel if you happen to run out.
Instead, you can always have a second battery trickle charging for backup if you lose power mid-project.
Another advantage of battery-powered blowers is you have a little bit of flexibility when it comes to batteries.
You can always stick with the stock battery that comes with your model, but after-market batteries are also available.
By investing in higher-quality batteries, you can get much higher amounts of power for more extended periods.
Attachments (Tie)
When you invest a reasonable amount of money into a new garden tool, it must be equipped for any task.
Not only will you need a device to blow leaves off your yard, but you also want a tool to help manage more delicate tasks.
Fortunately, both gas and electric leaf blowers come with an assortment of attachments for these unique projects.
Most blowers will come with an extra nozzle attachment, or you can opt to purchase additional items from the manufacturer separately.
With these attachments, you can transform your ordinary equipment into a customizable yard tool.
Price (Winner: Electric)
When determining the retail price of tools, there are a variety of factors manufacturers take into consideration.
First, they need to account for the necessary workforce to design the tool and its parts.
Maintenance and power are two other huge factors that can influence the final tool pricing.
With that said, it’s no wonder that gas-powered blowers can be significantly more expensive than electric models.
Even when focusing on power alone, these tools have higher retail prices because their power is unmatched.
Also, it’s important to remember that there are dozens of working parts built into gas blowers, making them more expensive.
Ergonomics (Winner: Tie)
It’s easy to see how battery-powered blowers are more lightweight, making them increasingly comfortable to use.
This benefit doesn’t mean that gas-powered blowers are uncomfortable, as many feature innovative ergonomics.
More modern gas blowers are equipped with supports to help prevent your body from experiencing stress injuries.
You’re bound to find adjustable handles, anti-vibration engine mounting, rubberized padding, and more.
These benefits are particularly noticeable in backpack blowers, as they often have reinforced frames, adjustable shoulder straps, and more.
Regardless of the type of blower you purchase, you can guarantee ergonomics is one of its top-selling points.
Not only do these add-ons contribute to the value of your blower, but they also protect your overall health.
There’s nothing more frustrating than experiencing an acute or chronic injury from using lawn equipment, especially for professionals.
Which One Should You Choose?
When deciding between a gas vs battery leaf blower, there are many important things to consider.
From power to comfort, both models have their pros and cons for professional and residential landscapers.
By considering your typical projects, you’ll find it’s easier to decide between the two.