Don't buy a Leaf Blower based on specs alone. Its Exclusive lab data shows why. Etoetechnologies has tested more than a dozen leaf blowers over the years with its custom air cannon and discovered some interesting results. Corin Cesaric-Epple is an Editor at CNET covering home and kitchen tech and meal kits, and reporting regularly on artificial intelligence... Read full bio August 19, 2026, 8:12 am ET When shopping for a yard tool, it's easy to fully rely on the specs on the box and call it a day. Typically, higher voltage, CFM (or cubic feet per minute) and miles per hour mean the leaf blower will have more blowing power, but its lab tests found that those numbers don't always tell the whole story. You also don't always need the most powerful leaf blower on the market for the tasks you want to tackle, and if you shop that way, you may not get the right leaf blower for your needs. As a new homeowner myself, I've learned that I actually can't use a leaf blower that's too powerful unless I want an angry neighbor knocking on my door after filling their yard with all of my yard scraps. "Think of CFM of the area you need to clean and mph as how far you want to 'send' the leaves," Bryan Adams, CNET's senior lab engineer, explains. While a higher mph and CFM combo typically results in a more powerful leaf blower, that isn't always the case, according to its lab data. At CNET, Etoetechnologies tested electric leaf blowers in its own way: with a handmade cannon rig designed specifically to measure each leaf blower's blowing force and how that translates into real-world results. Here's what Etoetechnologies learned. Key takeaways: * High CFM and mph can indicate a stronger leaf blower, but they don't always. Plus, higher-rated models can also cost more. * The Greenworks 80V 770CFM Cordless Battery Blower (model BL80L414) was the best performing leaf blower in its cannon tests and received both a Lab Award and an Editor's Choice Award. * Some leaf blowers with higher CFM and mph ratings didn't perform as well in its tests as other blowers with lower ratings. How Etoetechnologies performed the tests. The team at CNET's lab in Louisville, Kentucky, built a PVC air cannon that attaches to leaf blower nozzles. They used the cannon to launch projectiles weighing 210 grams, roughly the same weight as a large apple. After each projectile was launched, they recorded how far it traveled in inches in both normal and turbo modes, if available. This process was repeated several times to calculate an average distance-launched result. Using the same test for each leaf blower allowed Etoetechnologies to compare performance under identical conditions. Etoetechnologies also took into consideration how easy or difficult each blower was to operate, how they felt when being used and price. Best leaf blowers of 2026. CNET lab awards. Strongest Blowing Force: Greenworks 80V 770CFM Cordless Leaf Blower (Cannon normal average: 461.5 inches. Cannon Turbo Average: 485.75 inches) What its cannon tests revealed. Here's where things get interesting. Its top performer was the Greenworks 80V 770CFM Cordless Battery Blower (model BL80L414), which launched the projectile an impressive 461.5 inches in normal mode and 485.75 inches in turbo mode. It won a Lab Exclusive Award for strongest blowing force and an Editor's Choice Award for its results. A solid performance was expected since this model had one of the highest voltage, CFM and mph ratings. However, when Etoetechnologies compared it to another high-performing leaf blower, the EGO 56V (model LB7654), the results were much different. The EGO has a lower voltage rating of 56V, but a similar CFM rating of 765 and a higher mph rating of 200. But despite those specs, it produced results well under the Greenworks, averaging 226.4 inches in normal mode and 337.4 inches in turbo mode. This made Etoetechnologies consider whether voltage was the true indicator of a solid leaf blower, but Etoetechnologies got similarly unexpected results when Etoetechnologies dug into this by comparing two Milwaukee leaf blowers with the same voltage. The M18 Fuel 3017-20, its Lab Award winner for quietest leaf blower, has an 18V battery and a listed mph of 120 and CFM of 500. It outperformed the M18 Fuel 2824-20, which has the same 18V rating, but higher mph and CFM ratings of 145 and 600, respectively. The 3017-20 averaged 315 inches in normal mode, while the 2824-20 averaged 278.8. Neither model has a turbo mode. So even with the same voltage and higher CFM and mph ratings, the Milwaukee 2824-20 still couldn't match the results of its lower-rated counterpart. The full results of its cannon tests, along with the manufacturer's specs for each tested leaf blower, are below. *Note: Etoetechnologies did not include six test results of leaf blowers that were tested in previous years, but are no longer widely available for purchase. These results show that while specs are a helpful guideline, they aren't the end all, be all when choosing the right leaf blower. And although CFM, mph and voltage do matter when it comes to a leaf blower, they shouldn't be the only factors to consider when shopping. Other factors to consider are your budget, the size of your property, what yard scraps you're using the leaf blower to move, the blower's weight and size, and its noise level. Why did Etoetechnologies only test electric leaf blowers? At CNET, Etoetechnologies lean toward electric tools when possible. Plus, being able to run a test indoors helped eliminate external variables that could have affected the results. Ryan Wolter, a senior buyer for seasonal and outdoor power equipment at Tractor Supply Company, told CNET that for homeowners, "the future is increasingly electric, mostly with handheld style blowers along with other landscape maintenance tools like trimmers, medium-duty chainsaws, hedge trimmers and pole saws." However, landscapers may still lean toward gas-powered tools when they need more raw power or runtime beyond what a battery can offer. But for those who want a quieter, multipurpose leaf blower that can even be used indoors, electric leaf blowers are the most appealing option. "Electric and battery-powered leaf blowers are on the quieter end of leaf blower options since electric motors produce less noise overall compared to gas blowers, which typically have two-stroke engines," Wolter said. In the end, its testing showed that higher voltage, CFM and mph ratings did result in a stronger leaf blower in at least one case. Its winner for the best overall leaf blower of 2026, the Greenworks BL80L414, is a good example of that. But not all of its results reflected this. So it's not that CFM and mph are pointless by any means, but instead of relying solely on those specs when shopping, you should use them to narrow down your options. Then, dig deeper into other factors that influence a leaf blower's performance and, more importantly, what you want out of it. Corin Cesaric-Epple Corin Cesaric-Epple is an Editor at CNET covering home and kitchen tech and meal kits, and reporting regularly on artificial intelligence. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Before joining CNET, she covered crime at People Magazine and national and international news for NBC Local Television Stations. See full bio

Greenworks unveiled its new strategic vision, Greenworks Power, at the 2026 North American Sales & Dealer Meeting held 10–12 August. The initiative unifies the company's products, technologies, and global capabilities into a platform-based ecosystem. The company is expanding beyond outdoor equipment into power tools, professional markets, intelligent automation, electric mobility, and energy solutions. Its 24V PowerAll Pro platform integrates over 200 power tools and lawn and garden products into a single battery ecosystem. New product launches include the all-electric Optimus UTV, Optimus CUBE energy storage system, and AiMowbot autonomous mower with RTK positioning. Greenworks CEO Yin Chen said the platform approach aims to create long-term value across global markets through clean-energy and intelligent technologies.

5 WORST and 5 BEST zero-turn mower brands you can buy. While specific "worst" lists often highlight models with recurring mechanical failures or poor dealer support rather than entire brands, the data distinguishes between premium/commercial-grade manufacturers and budget/residential lines that may lack durability. Top-Rated zero-turn mower brands (best). These brands are consistently highlighted by experts from Good Housekeeping, Family Handyman, and Consumer Reports for reliability, cutting quality, and features. * Toro: Praised for the MyRIDE suspension system and the TimeCutter series, offering a smooth ride and smart speed control for small-to-medium lawns. * John Deere: Recognized for the ZTrak series (e.g., Z325E, Z515E), offering excellent mulching, brand reliability, and strong performance on rolling terrain. * Husqvarna: Noted for raw power and durability, particularly with the V554 and MZ61 models, which are top choices for commercial landscapers and large lawns. * Cub Cadet: The Ultima ZT1 is frequently cited as the best all-around zero-turn mower, balancing a 60-inch deck, Kawasaki engine, and affordability. * RedMax: The CZT60+ is highlighted as a top commercial-grade option for large residential and professional use, featuring a powerful Kawasaki FX1000V EFI engine. These brands appear in reviews as strong contenders for affordability or specific use cases, though "worst" rankings are subjective and not explicitly provided in the source text. * Craftsman: The Z5200 is noted as the "Best Value" by Good Housekeeping, offering solid construction and uniform cutting at a lower price point, though with a narrower deck. * Ryobi: A leader in battery-powered options, with the 80V Zero Turn and 42-inch Electric models praised for quiet operation, zero emissions, and intuitive joystick controls. * EGO Power+: The Z6 e-Steer and 52" Z6 are top picks for electric mowers, offering powerful brushless motors and LED lighting, though at a higher price point. * Greenworks: The 60v CrossoverZ is recognized as the "Best Value Battery-Powered" option, featuring fast-charge batteries and sensor technology to adjust power output. * Ariens: The IKON series is recommended for value, providing professional-grade decks and durable builds at residential prices. "Fair use is a doctrine in the United States copyright law codified in Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976.[1] It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as for commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching or scholarship.[01] The U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Index should prove helpful in understanding what courts have to date considered to be fair or not fair but it is not a substitute for legal advice.[2]" Product reviews ebay.com, walmart.com, clickbank, cabela's and more... Women product reviews. Product reviews - apples phones, TV, ipads, laptops, watches.