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Introduction
Do you have leaves all over your lawn and driveway, or you’re just thinking of buying your first leaf blower, and you can’t seem to decide which is the best for you? If you are looking to buy a leaf blower for whatever reason, it is important to decide if you want a gas or electric leaf blowers. Before you make that final decision, you should have a bit of information on the advantages and disadvantages of both.
The electric and gas-powered leaf blowers work the same way in that; they both use a centrifugal force to clear leaves and maintain your lawn. If you want to know more about how leaf blowers work, see How do Leaf Blowers Work?. In this article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about the pros and cons of gas-powered and electric leaf blowers.
Types of Gas Leaf Blower
The gas leaf blower works with a motor and compeller that is powered by gas. It can come as a handheld or backpack model. It is powerful, heavy and usually produces more noise than the electric. There are two main types of the gas leaf blower; there’s the 2-cycle leaf blower and the 4-cycle leaf blower. Both types are discussed below:
2-Cycle Leaf Blower
This type of gas leaf blower requires a gas and oil mixture in the fuel tank for a smooth operation. They are lightweight and produce a lot of power. They are known to be cheaper than the 4-cycle type but operate noisily and may be less efficient.
4-Cycle Leaf Blower
The 4-Cycle leaf blower is a lot more expensive than the 2-cycle type. It doesn’t need a fuel and oil mixture to operate properly. It is heavier, more expensive and produces less power. This type of gas leaf blower is said to be more efficient because it’s much quieter and produces fewer fumes.
Types of Electric Leaf Blower
There are two main types of an electric leaf blower, the corded electric leaf blower or the cordless or battery-powered leaf blower.
The corded leaf blower has a long power cord attached to it; this power cord needs to be plugged to a power outlet before the leaf blower can function. Just like every corded tool, the power cord restricts the user’s mobility.
The cordless or battery-powered, on the other hand, runs on a battery which has to be charged for an hour or more. It is more flexible than the corded type and doesn’t limit your mobility.
Pros and Cons of Gas-Powered Leaf Blower
The gas-powered leaf blower is the most common type of leaf blower. It operates with high power and is very efficient. As great as this garden tool may seem, it has some setbacks that make it the less preferred option. Its benefits and disadvantages are listed below
The Pros of Gas-Powered Leaf Blower
- The gas-powered leaf blower operates with more power than the electric leaf blower. Its motor is much stronger and it operates with a power that can’t be compared to electric motors.
- Gas leaf blowers are incredibly flexible. They don’t require a cord or battery. They can be used anywhere and at any time, all you have to do is refill the tank and you’re good to go.
The Cons of Gas Leaf Blower
- The gas-powered leaf blower operates noisily and produces a lot of smoke.
- They require regular maintenance and are more expensive to maintain
Pros and Cons of Electric Leaf Blower
The electric leaf blowers are slowly becoming popular among homeowners. It is suitable for small scale gardening, and it has a lot of unique features and advantages over the gas-powered leaf blower.
The Pros of Electric Leaf Blower
- The gas-powered leaf blower operates more quietly than the gas-powered.
- They do not produce smoke or fumes because they don’t require a combustion engine to operate.
- They are lightweight and easy to handle
The Cons of Electric Leaf Blower
- The cord of the corded electric type limits the mobility of the user. Since you have to be close to the power outlet, there’s a limit to how far you can move with a corded electric leaf blower
- The cordless electric types work on batteries that last no more than 30 minutes. You can choose to buy a spare battery but that can be expensive.
Conclusion
There’s really no better choice between the gas and electric leaf blowers. They both have their unique advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the best leaf blower depends on the size of your home; the gas-powered type is best suited for large homes while the electric is the better choice for smaller homes.