The best electric handheld blowers outperform their gas counterparts and cost less. But they aren’t any quieter, and the power cord can be a hassle.

These miniature wind machines take some of the effort out of sweeping and cleaning fallen leaves and other small yard and driveway debris. Many can also vacuum and shred what they pick up. But practically all available models still make enough noise to annoy the neighbors. Indeed, some localities have ordinances restricting their use.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Mainstream brands include Black & Decker, Craftsman (Sears), Homelite, Ryobi, Toro, and Weed Eater. Pricier brands of gas-powered blowers include Echo, Husqvarna, John Deere, and Stihl. As with other outdoor power tools, gas and electric blowers have their pros and cons. You’ll also find variations among gas-powered models. Here are your choices:

Electric handheld blowers. Designed for one-handed maneuvering, these are light (about 7 pounds or less). Many are also relatively quiet, produce no exhaust emissions, and can vacuum and shred. Some perform better than handheld gas-powered models, although mobility and range are limited by the power cord. Price range: $30 to $100.

Gasoline handheld blowers. These perform like the best electrics but aren’t restricted by a cord. As with other gas-powered equipment, tougher regulations have reduced emissions. Manufacturers have also quieted some models in response to noise ordinances. But all are still loud enough to warrant hearing protection. Other drawbacks include added weight (most weigh 7 to 12 pounds) and the fuel-and-oil mixing required by the two-stroke engines most gas models use. A few blowers have a four-stroke engine that burns gasoline only, though they tend to be heavy for this group. Price range: $75 to $160.

Gasoline backpack blowers. At 16 to 25 pounds, these are double the weight of handheld blowers, which is why you wear rather than carry them. But the payoff with most is added power and ease of use for extended periods, since your shoulders support their weight. Hearing protection is strongly recommended. Backpack blowers don’t vacuum. And they can be expensive. Price range: $170 to $420.

Gasoline wheeled blowers. These offer enough oomph to sweep sizable areas quickly. All use a four-stroke engine that requires no fuel mixing. But these machines are large and heavy, and require some effort to push around. They also cost the most and tend to be hard to maneuver, which can make it difficult to precisely direct leaves and other yard waste. Count on using hearing protection. Price range: $400 to $800.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Look for an easy-to-use on-off switch and multiple speeds on electric blowers, a variable throttle you can preset on gasoline-powered models, and a convenient choke on gas-powered units. Varying the speed lets you use maximum force for sweeping and minimum force around plants. Blowers that excel at cleaning or loosening debris usually have round nozzle blower tubes; oblong and rectangular nozzles are better for moving or sweeping leaves. A bottom-mounted air intake is less likely to pull at clothing.

A control stalk attached to the blower tube of backpack models improves handling, while an auxiliary handle on the engine or motor housing of a handheld blower makes it easier to use—provided the handle is comfortable. Other useful features on gas-powered models include a wide fuel fill and a translucent fuel tank, which shows the level inside. An adjustable air deflector, found on most wheeled blowers, lets you direct airflow forward or to the side.

HOW TO CHOOSE

For sheer power, you can’t go wrong with any of the backpack or wheeled blowers and several of the handheld models we tested. There’s more to blowers than air power, however. The best in each group also proved easier to handle and control. And some are less noisy than others. Here’s what else to think about:

Consider what you’ll clear. If it’s mostly fallen leaves or grass clippings, choose a model judged very good or excellent in our sweeping tests.

Handheld models that vacuum are also handy for cleaning between shrubs, though their small reduction ratios and bags are impractical for vacuuming larger areas or leaf piles. If embedded leaf fragments are a frequent problem, look for a machine that did well at freeing tenacious debris in our loosening tests.

Consider what you can handle. High performance and low weight at a relatively low price make electric blowers your first choice if arm fatigue or low arm strength is a factor. Backpack blowers put their added weight on your back, not your arms, and provide more air power, though at a much higher price.

Wheeled blowers deliver the most air power, thanks to their larger fans and higher-horsepower engines. But because they lack the drive systems available on mowers, moving these 100-plus-pound machines requires plenty of push, especially uphill. Wheeled blowers also require about 8 square feet of storage space.

Consider your neighbors. While none of these blowers is quiet, several can move lots of debris with a bit less noise. Regulations typically limit blowers to 65 decibels at 50 feet. About a third of the tested models should meet that standard and were judged very good or excellent in that performance category.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org. Click here to try ConsumerReports.org FREE for 30 days.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. All of the above text is provided by Consumers Union. GuideBuy disclaims any liability for the content provided above.