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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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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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Best mortgages for first-time homebuyers

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First-time homebuyers should shop around to find the lowest rate and best terms for their needs.

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Rising home prices and high mortgage rates haven’t made buying a home easy these last few years. In fact, with affordability such a challenge, it’s only made shopping around for a lender that much more important.

It’s true: Comparing lenders can make a big difference when it comes to price. According to Freddie Mac, getting just four different mortgage rate quotes can save you about $1,200 per year.

But rates aren’t the only thing you should think about when choosing a lender. Want to make sure you pick the best mortgage company for your needs? See below for some of the best lenders for first-time homebuyers currently on the market.

Lock in a low mortgage interest rate here today.

Best mortgages for first-time homebuyers

Here are the best mortgage lenders for first-time homebuyers, broken down into six categories:

Best for low down payments: Veterans United

Veterans United exclusively offers VA home loans — which means all its loans require zero down payment. Though you’re welcome to put some money down, VA loans are one of the few mortgage options with no down payment requirement.

There is a catch, though: You’ll need to be a current military member, veteran, or spouse of one to qualify. Certain service requirements must be met as well. If you can do it, though, you’ll save yourself money both upfront (on the down payment) and in the long haul, as VA loans tend to have lower interest rates than other loan options.

Learn more about Veterans United here now.

Best for good credit: US Bank

If you have decent credit, US Bank might be a good option for your mortgage. The lender offers conventional, FHA and VA loans, and its rates are some of the lowest of lenders we analyzed. You can also apply fully online and get valuable closing cost discounts if you use other US Bank services. 

Best for low credit: Cardinal Financial

Cardinal Financial is a good option if your credit score is on the lower end. The lender allows for scores as low as 620 on conventional loans and 580 on FHA, VA, and USDA loans. There are also jumbo loans — if you’re buying in a high-priced market or eyeing a more expensive property — and construction loans for buyers looking to build their own homes from the ground up.

Best for no lender fees: Better.com

Most lenders charge a variety of fees for processing your mortgage. These might include an origination fee, application fee, underwriting fee, and more. With Better.com mortgages, you won’t see any of these charges. The online lender charges no lender-side fees for underwriting, servicing, or originating its mortgages. There are other typical closing costs, though.

Best for online borrowing: First Mortgage Direct

First Mortgage Direct is a fully digital mortgage lender that lets you manage your mortgage process from start to finish all on the web. You can get a rate quote online, fill out an application, submit your documentation, and even close digitally, too. The lender also offers many online resources to help you along the way — things like informative videos, calculators, articles and more.

Best overall: New American Funding

New American Funding has something for everyone: conventional loans, government-backed loans, jumbo loans, construction loans, non-QM loans and more. There are even loans with customizable terms and options that can turn you into an all-cash buyer to make you more competitive. The lender also has a 4.1-star rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot.

Always shop around

Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, shopping around for your mortgage is important. If you need help doing so, consider enlisting a mortgage broker. These professionals can shop around on your behalf, help you compare lenders and loan options and ensure you get the best rate.



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