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The 6 best leaf blowers for fall 2024 can blow away the competition

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Worx


With the autumn season upon us, in many parts of the country, this means one thing — the leaves on the trees will eventually fall to the ground. And if you like to maintain a pristine yarn, gathering and removing those leaves can be a pain. One solution: Invest in a powerful leaf blower.

Pro Tip: To reduce noise and maintenance, we recommend a battery-powered leaf blower and investing in at least two batteries for it. 

What is the best leaf blower?

Unless you have a gardener, chances are, leaf collection and disposal is all your responsibility. Forget using a traditional rake. Check out these powerful leaf blowers that reduce the labor and time required for this dreaded seasonal task. Our team of in-house home and garden experts has curated this roundup of the best leaf blowers for fall 2024.

Best leaf blower: Worx Trivac 3-in-1

Worx Trivac 3-in-1 Electric Leaf Blower

Amazon


This leaf blower from Worx is a corded, electric, three-in-one tool that blows, mulches and collects leaves. Because it’s a plug-in tool, it’s less expensive than battery- or gas-powered units, but a long extension cord (sold separately) is required. So you don’t have to worry about recharging batteries or dealing with the maintenance associated with a gas-powered leaf blower.

You can use the Worx Trivac 3-in-1 as a traditional blower, or adjust the 12-amp motor to serve as a vacuum and mulcher. It even collects the leaves in a bag for easy disposal. And best of all, the mulcher reduces what would otherwise be up to 18 bags of leaves into just one.

The blower is able to generate up to 210 miles-per-hour air flow, but is adjustable. You can use it for everything from light-duty sweeping to blasting away leaves. We chose the Worx Trivac 3-in-1 as out top pick, because it offers good value and versatility at a low cost. And it comes from a highly reputable brand. Based on more than 10,600 user reviews, this leaf blower has earned a 4.2-star out of five rating, so it’s generally well liked.


Best budget leaf blower: Lazyboi LA808

Lazyboi Cordless Leaf Blower

Amazon


When a leaf blower uses rechargeable batteries, you get added maneuverability and convenience, since you don’t have to deal with a long extension cord. This low-cost Lazybio LA808 is a 21-volt, cordless lead blower that comes with two batteries and a charger.

The blower has two speed options. It can be ramped up to the maximum air speed of 150 miles per hour, although, when turbo mode is engaged, it uses a lot of power and drains the battery faster. Turbo mode does, however, efficiently tackle stubborn debris, which makes yard cleanup a breeze. 

The batteries offer up to 30 minutes of power when the leaf blower is set at low speed, or between 10 and 20 minutes in high-speed mode. 

The unit itself weighs just 3.5 pounds and features an ergonomic body that reduces user fatigue by up to 30%. Meanwhile, the rubber grip offers non-slip support, making your work easier and more comfortable. The biggest drawback to this unit is the short battery life, but competing leaf blowers with higher-capacity batteries cost two to three times more.


Best low-noise leaf blower: Ryobi RY40440

Ryobi 40V Cordless Jet Fan Blower

Amazon


Here’s a leaf blower that relies on 40-volt rechargeable batteries. We like this unit because it operates on the quieter side, generating no more than 57 decibels when the motor is generating air flow at up to 190 miles per hour. While it’s not the least expensive leaf blower option, the RY40440 offers really good value for the money.

This leaf blower weighs in at under 17 pounds. It comes with two 4 Ah batteries and a charger. It’s powered using an intelligent, brushless motor that delivers maximum power for enhanced performance and a longer motor life. 

The jet fan design delivers an impressive 730 CFM of clearing power to easily blow through the toughest cleanups. This blower features a turbo button and variable-speed trigger, which allows you to control the output of air. One notable feature is cruise control. This feature means you don’t have to continuously hold down the trigger with a finger while the blower is on.


Best leaf blower with vacuum and bag: Black & Decker BV6000 

BLACK+DECKER BV6000 12Amp High Performance Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher

Walmart


We’re fans of leaf blowers that double as mulchers and leaf vacuums. The Black & Decker BV6000 handles all three of these tasks with ease. Plus, it comes with a disposable leaf bagging system.

The blower has two speeds and coverts from a blower to vacuum with a single button press. At maximum speed, you can expect airflow up to 250 miles per hour. We like that the high-impact metal fan helps prevent clogging during the mulching process. So you can grind up to 16 bags of mulched leaves and debris down to just one. Plus, the motor generates 50% less noise than Black & Decker’s previous model. 

The BV6000 is a corded electric unit, so an extension cord (sold separately) is required. The unit, however, has a built-in cord retainer to keep the extension cord in place and plugged in for uninterrupted use. 


Best battery-powered leaf blower: Greenworks BL80L2510

Greenworks 80V (145 MPH / 580 CFM / 75+ Compatible Tools) Cordless Brushless Axial Leaf Blower

Amazon


When it comes to battery-powered lawn tools, we’re huge fans of the Greeworks and Worx brands. Both companies manufacture well-designed and durable products that use long life rechargeable batteries. The Greenworkx BL80L2510 leaf blower comes with one 80 volt, 2.5Ah battery and a charger. 

Additional Greenworks batteries are sold separately ($240), but Amazon also sells compatible batteries from Bonacell, priced at just $119 each. We love that the same rechargeable battery is compatible with more than 75 other Greenworks tools. 

This leaf blower runs using a brushless motor that generates airflow up to 145 miles per hour. This motor offers two times more torque and quieter operation than the company’s previous battery powered leaf blower models.

You also get a variable speed option and cruise control feature. Each fully charged battery offers up to 19 minutes of run time. The biggest perk of using a battery-powered leaf blower is that it requires no gas or oil, so it generates zero emissions. And it’s also lighter weight. The unit itself weighs just 10 pounds. Based on more than 3,200 user reviews on Amazon, this leaf blower has earned a 4.5-star out of five rating.


Best gas-powered leaf blower: Echo PB-9010T

Echo PB-9010H Backpack Leaf Blower with Hip Throttle

Amazon


Unless you’re a professional landscaper or have a really large yard, a gas-powered leaf blower is probably not needed for easy leaf gathering and removal. Yes, gas-powered leaf blowers are more powerful and operate significantly longer than a battery-powered model, but these units are heavier, louder and require more maintenance, too.

The Echo PB-9010T is a backpack-style leaf blower that operates at a maximum volume of 80 decibels. So we recommend earplugs when using this or any similar leaf blower. This highly-rated unit weighs in at 27 pounds.

Built into this leaf blower is a two-stage air filter that extends the life of the two-stroke, 79.9-cc engine. You get a variable-speed, tube-mounted throttle with a convenient cruise control feature. Maximum airflow is up to 220 miles per hour. 

If you’re looking for a battery-powered version of this leaf blower, check out the Echo eForce 795 ($699). It also offers a backpack design and is almost as powerful as the gas model, but runs on rechargeable batteries.


If you’re also shopping for a lawn mower, be sure to check out our coverage of the best riding lawn mowers of 2024 and the best robotic lawn mowers in 2024. We’ve also got you covered with our roundup of the best lawnmower and other smart lawn-care tech for 2024. And of course, all of our home, kitchen and outdoor coverage is continuously updated to make your buying choices easier.




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The best mountain bikes in 2024 for every kind of rider

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Whether you’re barreling down a mountainside or taking a leisurely ride along your local trail, a great mountain bike is key. But what exactly does a great mountain bike look like, in terms of features? It depends on the kind of terrain and riding style you do.

The best mountain bike for long, cross-country rides will have very different specs than a downhill bike. Some offer full suspension for a smooth ride on bumpy trails. Some have wider tires that are better at gripping wet or sandy terrain. Some are designed for maximum pedaling efficiency and serious stopping power so you can climb steep mountainsides without wearing yourself out. No matter where you and your new bike are headed this fall, we’ve rounded up the best mountain bikes for every rider and every terrain in 2024. Don’t forget to strap on your bike helmet.


Best mountain bike for beginners: Giant Talon 29 1

giant-talon-29-1.jpg

Mike’s Bikes


The Giant Talon 29 1 is a solid entry-level mountain bike at a reasonable price point. With its balanced frame geometry and high-traction tires, it’s great for a comfortable, stable ride on most trails. While that means it’s not specialized for uphill climbs or cross-country speed, the balanced design is great for beginners or casual riders who aren’t planning to tackle those more challenging technical trails just yet.

With 80mm to 100mm of suspension travel, this hardtail mountain bike strikes that perfect balance of pedaling efficiency and shock absorption.

Riders can also adjust the suspension within that range by adjusting the air spring and the rebound damping. That gives you improved steering precision and a better ride feel since you can tailor it to your needs. If you’re a beginner, it may take some trial and error to fine-tune those settings, but playing around with them is a great way to learn how suspension impacts your ride.

Get this reliable entry-level mountain bike at Mike’s Bikes for $950.

Top features of the Giant Talon 29 1:

  • Grippy tires offer great traction in any trail conditions.
  • The balanced frame geometry makes this a comfortable bike for most riders.
  • The adjustable suspension fork allows you to fine-tune this mountain bike for your needs.

Best trail bike: Santa Cruz Tallboy C R

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Backcountry


A full-suspension mountain bike with 120mm and 130mm suspension travel on the rear and front, respectively, it doesn’t get cushier than the Santa Cruz Tallboy C R (at least, not at this price point). Built for cross-country or trail riding, this bike’s design allows you to glide through rocky terrain almost as if you were just cruising on a paved road. That suspension also helps cushion the impact on pops and short drops so you can build up speed while navigating the trail with confidence.

With that said, it can be a little sluggish on uphill climbs. But if you typically stick to more straightforward trails, you won’t have to deal with that issue. For those just-for-fun weekend trail rides, this is the mountain bike you want.

Get this comfortable, agile trail bike at Backcountry while it’s on sale for $3,849 (reduced from $4,799).

Top features of the Santa Cruz Tallboy C R:

  • Boasting full suspension, this mountain bike is a comfy ride no matter how bumpy the terrain.
  • The carbon C frame is both lightweight and stiff for better control and improved agility.
  • The four-piston brakes offer excellent stopping power.

Best fat tire mountain bike: State 6061 Trail+

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State Bicycle Co.


For wet or sandy trails, traction is everything, which means you need a fat tire bike like the State 6061 Trail+. With 4.5-inch wide tires that can handle running even at low PSI, this mountain bike can grip the trail no matter how loose or slippery.

Whether you want to cruise along sandy beaches or power through snowy mountain trails, the stability of this fat tire bike is the key to doing so safely and confidently. You won’t be building up much speed, but you’ll have a lot of fun plowing through trails that a standard trail bike couldn’t even touch.

Get this fat tire bike directly from State Bicycle Co. for $1,000.

Top features of the State 6061 Trail+:

  • Thick 4.5-inch tires provide extra grip for wet or loose terrain like snow, sand and mud.
  • With low PSI capabilities, you can lower the tire pressure to widen the surface area even further to maximize your grip on soft, slippery trails.
  • The alloy frame is stiff and strong without adding any more bulk than necessary.

Best mountain bike under $500: Huffy Stone Mountain

huffy-stone-mountain-bike.jpg

Amazon


The Huffy Stone Mountain is a hardtail mountain bike that is lightweight and offers good traction for navigating trails. The budget-friendly bike is missing a lot of the features you’ll find on the more advanced mountain bikes listed above. However, if you’re just starting out and just want to get out on a trail to see if you like mountain biking, this is a good bike to start with.

While you can’t take it on any serious trails, it’s got the basics you need for easy local bike trails. Use it to get a feel for the sport and then upgrade to a mountain bike better suited to the kind of trails you want to tackle. Then, pass this Huffy Stone Mountain on to a friend or teen who’s curious about mountain biking.

A bestseller on Amazon, this budget mountain bike is available for as low as $200.

Top features of the Huffy Stone Mountain:

  • This budget entry-level bike is great for casual rides on easy bike trails.
  • A wide variety of frame and wheel sizes allows you to get the right fit for your height.
  • The lightweight, high-traction design is just enough to let you get a feel for mountain biking before committing to a higher-priced mountain bike with more advanced features and customizability.

Shop more top-rated mountain bikes:


What type of mountain bike should a beginner get?

The best mountain bike for a beginner is a balanced, versatile one. Since you’re probably not tackling steep inclines and declines yet, opt for a trail bike that offers great traction, strong brakes and easy maneuverability along bumpy, muddy trails. That means grippy tires and responsive steering so you can confidently control your bike over tree roots, up hills and on descents.

If the trails you’re eager to go on are largely uphill, look for a bike that’s lightweight with a firmer pedaling platform. Those two features will improve climb efficiency so you’re not wearing yourself out on those uphill stretches.


Do I need a full-suspension mountain bike?

You don’t need a full-suspension mountain bike, but they are nice to have. Unlike hardtail mountain bikes, which only have suspension in the front, full-suspension mountain bikes have suspension in both the front and rear. That extra suspension helps absorb shock, cushioning the impact as you hop over bumps or navigate downhill jumps and drops.

That cushier feel can be nice even on milder trail rides, but they tend to be significantly more expensive and require more maintenance than a hardtail mountain bike. So it might not be worth the extra expense and care if you don’t usually do technical trails or downhill riding. 




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Trump looking to appeal to Jewish voters on campaign trail

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Trump looking to appeal to Jewish voters on campaign trail – CBS News


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Former President Donald Trump is in Washington Thursday for an event aimed at combatting antisemitism and an address before the Israeli-American Council National Summit. CBS News campaign reporter Taurean Small has more.

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FBI says Iran hackers sent Trump campaign info to Biden campaign, what to know

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FBI says Iran hackers sent Trump campaign info to Biden campaign, what to know – CBS News


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The FBI and other U.S. intelligence officials say Iranian hackers stole information from Donald Trump’s campaign and sent it to people connected to President Biden’s reelection campaign, though federal officials added there’s no evidence the recipients of the stolen material even responded. CBS News cybersecurity expert and analyst Chris Krebs provided context around the claims.

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