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Get this offerWhich leaf blower brand to buy in 2024
We survey owners of Black + Decker, Bosch and Stihl leaf blowers, and blower
vacs to find out which develop the least faults over time, and which brands
customers would recommend
According to our latest survey results, the most common faults of leaf blowers vary from one model to the next, whether you own a corded electric, cordless or petrol leaf blower.
If your corded leaf blower develops a fault, it's most likely to be because the bag attachment for collecting leaves has broken. Whereas, if your cordless model develops a fault, it will more likely be down to an electrical failure. And for petrol leaf blowers, the most common fault was the engine failing to turn over.
Knowing which brands develop the most faults, and how quickly, is vital when buying a new leaf blower. Our data is based on a survey conducted in January 2022. We gathered feedback from 1,600 Which? members and the general public to find out how many leaf blower models remained fault-free in the first seven years of ownership. Brands with insufficient sample sizes were not included (a minimum of 30 respondents is required).
Our survey data takes into account the reported fault rates, the severity of these faults and the speed with which they occurred. In our latest analysis, we've looked at the performance of the biggest leaf blower manufacturers, including Black + Decker, Bosch, Flymo and Stihl, and have calculated a customer score for each, so you know which brands to choose and which to avoid.
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Best and worst leaf blower brands compared
| Best | Worst | |
|---|---|---|
| Which? test score | 73% (Best Buy) | 44% (Don't Buy) |
| Customer score | 89% | 52% |
Table notes: Test scores correct as of November 2022. The customer score is based on a survey of leaf blower owners combining how satisfied they are with a brand and whether they would recommend it. Results from corded, cordless and petrol leaf blowers have been combined.
As the table shows, there's a big difference in both our best and worst Which? test scores, and the customer scores from our latest survey.
By consulting our expert reviews before you buy, you can be sure you're investing in a leaf blower that's easy to use, and will clear piles of autumn leaves quickly and efficiently.
The most reliable leaf blower brands
The table below summarises our latest results. Brands are ranked by their customer score, which relates to whether their customers would recommend that brand.
In the table below, only logged-in members can view which brands developed the least faults, and which ones members are most satisfied with. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.
Petrol vs corded and cordless leaf blowers
| Brand | Customer score | Fault-free percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 89% | 100% | |
| 86% | 98% | |
| 75% | 96% | |
| 73% | 100% | |
| 72% | 92% | |
| 69% | 91% | |
| 68% | 96% |
Table notes: The data is based on a survey of 1,600 Which? members and the general public in January 2022 who bought their leaf blower between 2015 and 2021. Fault-free percentage is based on respondents not having experienced a fault in the first seven years of ownership.
Common leaf blower problems
Corded, cordless and petrol leaf blowers all operate quite differently, so it's not surprising that they encounter different problems.
Top three common corded leaf blower faults
- 27% Bag attachment broken Avoid this by emptying the bag regularly, as a heavy bag will put more pressure on the attachment or clips that keep the collection bag in place. Try to keep the bag clean, as it can get clogged with dust and soil. It's also best to collect leaves on a dry day, as wet leaves make the bag very heavy.
- 15% Suction failed Leaf blower vacs have a fan that sucks up and shreds leaves but this fan can easily become blocked with twigs or wet leaves. Avoid this by picking up leaves on dry days. If there's lots of other debris, such as earth mixed in, it might be quicker in the long run to pick this up by hand.
- 12% Electrical failure If you're not confident to look into this yourself, take your leaf blower to a garden-machinery specialist or contact the manufacturer to look into getting it fixed.
Top three common cordless leaf blower faults
- 20% Electrical failure As with above, look at taking it to a specialist or contact the manufacturer to work out the best solution.
- 14% Battery will not hold its charge Lithium-ion batteries eventually lose their ability to hold charge. Store the battery separately from your leaf blower and with a minimum of 40% charge remaining.
- 14% Bag attachment broken As with above, ensure that you empty the collection bag regularly and keep it clean in order to prolong its lifespan.
Top three common petrol leaf blower faults
- 19% Engine would not turn over There are many reasons why a petrol leaf blower won't start, such as a faulty spark plug or a blocked fuel line. Even if everything is working well, petrol-powered machines can still be hard to start. Clean the leaf blower thoroughly after every use, drain the petrol tank regularly, clean the air filters and check your oil filters. Also, it's worth investing in a regular service to keep it running well.
- 11% Carburettor failed Try cleaning it with carburettor cleaner or it might require replacing professionally.
- 11% Pull cord broken or jammed If you're not confident to look into this yourself, take your leaf blower to a garden machinery specialist or contact the manufacturer to look at having it fixed.
To read about other common faults that may affect your leaf blower or leaf blower vacuum, visit our guide on common problems with leaf blower vacs.
Leaf blower brands verdicts
Log in or join Which? to get instant access to our leaf blower brand verdicts.
Head to our leaf blower reviews
Know which leaf blower brand you want? Use the links to go straight to our reviews and find your ideal model:
- Stihl leaf blower reviews
- Worx leaf blower reviews
- Ryobi leaf blower reviews
- Cobra leaf blower reviews
- Black + Decker leaf blower reviews
- Bosch leaf blower reviews
How we calculate the best and worst brands
Which? has a wealth of information on the UK's favourite garden tool brands. Every two years, we ask Which? members and the general public to tell us about the garden products they own, from how likely they would be to recommend a brand to whether they experienced any faults with it. This year, 8,881 people told us about their products. We calculate a brand's customer score based on the results of our biennial survey.
Our product experience surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean that we can recommend the best leaf blower you should buy.
Ready to pick one? See our expert pick of the best leaf blowers.
View leaf blower reviews
