The best leaf blowers and garden vacuums for UK gardens

A leaf blower pushes leaves into a pile. A blower vac also sucks them into a bag, shredding them on the way. For a lot of gardens the blower is the useful half: Which? says a blower vac's fan "can easily get blocked with twigs and clods of wet leaves", and the RHS notes that leaves are easier to collect when the weather is dry and still. Start with where your leaves land, then pick the machine. The six below come from Amazon UK listings and Which?'s buying advice, read on 29 October 2026, and we have not used any of them ourselves. More autumn kit is in our lawn care guides.

Blower, blower vac, or neither?

The lawn row is advice from both Which? and the RHS. Which? suggests blowing leaves into big piles and then using a lawn mower to collect them. The RHS says collecting leaves from the lawn with a rotary mower "not only shreds the leaves and hastens rotting but also adds grass clippings". If you are choosing a mower as well, our guide to choosing a lawn mower explains the types.

The gravel row is also Which?'s: blow leaves from gravel or flower borders "on to a hard surface where you can collect them easily, or on to grass". Which? tests every blower vac on gravel to check it leaves the stones behind, and warns that stones sucked up by accident can crack the plastic tube. The snow row is Which? too: it says blowers "are great for clearing snow from your path".

Six machines on their listed specs

Each figure is as stated on the product's Amazon UK listing on 29 October 2026, plus one weight from Which?. "n/s" means the listing doesn't state it.

How to read it:

• Air speed and air flow are different numbers. Speed is how fast air leaves the nozzle; flow is how much air moves. The Makita's listed speed is about three quarters of the Worx's, but its flow is about a third.
• Most powerful on paper: the Einhell lists the most air flow (740m³/h, about 435 CFM) and the Worx the fastest air (335km/h). Of the types, Which? says petrol blowers are the most powerful.
• Don't rank the noise figures. None of these listings says how its figure was measured. The listed figures run from 72dB (Einhell) to 106dB (Black+Decker), so check the manual before comparing.
• Weights may not be like for like. Which? lists the Black+Decker at 3.6kg against the listing's 4kg, and the two Worx listings give 2.7kg bare and 4kg as a kit. The listings don't say what each figure includes.
• Shred ratio and bag size work together. At 10:1, Einhell says its shredder cuts leaves "to a tenth of their volume", so a 45-litre bag holds far more loose leaf than its size suggests.

Corded, cordless or petrol?

Corded machines are "generally the cheapest option" and suit smaller gardens, Which? says, but are "a bit of a pain" around trees, ponds and other large obstacles. Its testers also found that budget models with separate blow and vacuum tubes lose power when switched from blowing to vacuuming, and feel bulky in blow mode. Of the two here, only Black+Decker states a cord length (10m).

Cordless models are typically dearer and "aren't always super powerful" for heavy, damp leaves, according to Which?, but are simple to use and suit awkward layouts. Battery life in Which?'s table of top picks runs from 9 to 32 minutes.

Petrol blowers are the most powerful, heaviest and noisiest, says Which?, which no longer tests them. We have left petrol models out because we couldn't confirm one's specs from a listing we could check.

How many batteries does it need?

Which? suggests checking whether a battery you already own fits before you buy, since it "could save you a considerable amount of money". For a blower vac, the question is how many packs it needs at once:

• Two packs: the Einhell needs two 18V Power X-Change batteries and a charger, sold separately. The Worx runs on two 20V PowerShare packs; its kit listing includes two 2.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger, and the listing says PowerShare batteries fit other 20V MAX Worx tools.
• One pack: the Ryobi takes any 18V ONE+ battery, and the Makita one 18V LXT battery (not G-Series).

A two-pack machine won't run unless you have two charged batteries on that range. Our cordless lawn mower guide shows which of these ranges also run a mower.

Features worth checking

Which? lists the features that make the difference. Here is which of the six state them:

• Metal shredding blade, less likely than plastic to chip or break if you suck up a stone: only the Einhell's listing says so.
• Waterproof bag, because Which? found that bags which aren't waterproof "often leak and leave you with a wet leg": Bosch says its bag has moisture-repellent "Dirt Deflectors".
• Shoulder strap: Bosch, Black+Decker and Ryobi list one, and the Einhell comes with a carrying strap; the Worx has wheels to take the weight instead.
• Speed control: five of the six list some form, from Makita's three air settings to boost or turbo modes on the Einhell and Ryobi. The Black+Decker listing doesn't mention one.
• Easy access to the blades for clearing blockages, and a nozzle that comes apart for storage: check these in the shop or the manual, as the listings don't cover them.

Four common faults, and Which?'s fixes

• Blocked fan: pick up leaves on dry days; if earth is mixed in, clear it by hand. Turn the machine off before you clean it out.
• Cracked tube: usually stones. Which? says tubes can turn brittle over time, especially in a cold shed, so store the machine somewhere frost-free. It notes the tube and nozzle can be replaced, but accidental damage isn't covered by guarantees.
• Battery won't hold charge: store it apart from the tool with at least 40% charge.
• Leaves stuck to the patio: scrape them with the end of the nozzle rather than relying on the air.

What to do with the leaves

The RHS method: put the leaves in a bin liner, moisten them if dry, pierce holes, tie the top loosely and leave the bags for up to two years. A chicken wire frame on stakes works too. Thick leaves such as sycamore and horse chestnut break down slowly and should be shredded first, which a blower vac or a rotary mower does. Holly and other evergreens are better shredded and added to the compost heap. See our compost bin guide for the options.

Our picks

How we chose

Six machines: two corded blower vacs, a cordless kit with batteries, bare tools on three battery ranges (Einhell, Ryobi and Makita, the last a blower only). Specs come from each product's Amazon UK listing and advice from Which? and the RHS, all read on 29 October 2026. We have not tested any in person, and whether a link earns commission had no bearing on the list. Prices change daily, so we don't show them for products sold on Amazon.

Related: The best cordless lawn mowers for small, medium and large UK lawns

Questions people ask

Is a leaf blower vacuum worth it?

Only if your leaves land on dry paving or a patio. Which? says a blower vac's fan "can easily get blocked with twigs and clods of wet leaves". On a lawn, Which? and the RHS both suggest blowing the leaves into a pile and running a rotary mower over them instead.

Can a leaf blower pick up wet leaves?

Not well. Which? says the worst models "will struggle to pick up damp leaves" and advises picking leaves up on dry days.

How long does a cordless leaf blower battery last?

Between 9 and 32 minutes for the models in Which?'s table of top picks. A machine that takes two batteries at once needs both charged, so buy a spare pair if you have a big garden.

Can you use a leaf blower for snow?

Yes, on paths. Which? says blowers "are great for clearing snow from your path" and for sweeping a drive.

How much does a leaf blower cost?

Corded models are generally the cheapest, Which? says. The cordless blowers it lists as tool only cost from about £55 to £200 in October 2026, before you add a battery.

Sources

1. Bosch Electric Leaf Blower and Vacuum UniversalGardenTidy 3000, Amazon UK
2. Bosch Vacuum Cleaner/Blower/Leaf Shredder - UniversalGardenTidy 3000, Amazon UK
3. BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 2600W Electric Leaf Blower, Mulcher and Vacuum, BEBLV260-GB, Amazon UK
4. WORX WG583E 40V Brushless Cordless Leaf Blower (kit), Amazon UK
5. WORX WG583E.9 Cordless Leaf Blower/Leaf Vacuum Cleaner (bare), Amazon UK
6. Einhell Cordless Leaf Blower And Vacuum 36V PXC Without Battery (VENTURRO 36/240), Amazon UK
7. RYOBI 18V ONE+ Brushless Blow-Vac OBV18 (bare), Amazon UK
8. Makita DUB186Z 18V Li-ion LXT Blower, Amazon UK
9. Best leaf blowers for keeping your garden tidy, Which?
10. Leafmould, RHS
11. How to deal with garden waste, RHS