An Electric or Gas Blower is a gardening tool that is powered by electricity to propel air from a nozzle which moves yard debris like leaves. It is used for cleaning purposes. On the other hand, a Gas Leaf Blower is a cleaning gardening tool that is powered by gasoline to propel air out of a nozzle to move debris in a garden.
Part 1: Key Differences between Electric and Gas Blower
Below we shall look at the comparison between gas vs electric leaf blower. Under different subtopics like the cost, how easy you can use them, the types, and many others as outlined below. In as much as they differ significantly in terms of; power, levels of pollution, and the scope of use, these three are the most important considerations when making a decision before and during purchase. We, however, cannot narrow down and claim a particular blower as the best option in all situations.
Types
Leaf blowers powered by electricity in most cases are handheld. They come in two variants, which is either they are corded or cordless. The corded type of leaf blowers have to be attached to an electric power source for them to work, while the cordless types are rechargeable, and they work on batteries. The batteries used in such blowers are usually 18 volts, and they can either be NI-Cad or Lithium-Ion.
Leaf blowers that are powered by gas also come in two varieties backpack and handheld types. They are powered by two or four-stroke engines. Old models required mixing of fuel with oil, but new models do not require such.
Ease of use
The ease of use between electric vs gas leaf blowers differs significantly. Gas-powered blowers are better options in terms of the ease of use.
Corded leaf blowers powered by electricity are cumbersome to use compared to the cordless. This also depends on the length of the cord. Moving the code around as you work can be tedious, and the size of the code will limit the area you can work.
Cordless blowers powered by rechargeable batteries are convenient to move around and work with. But they are limited by the number of minutes within which the battery can last. In most cases, they have been recorded to last at most 30 minutes. This scenario is not interesting, and most users opt to buy long-lasting batteries to cover this limitation.
Gas-powered leaf blowers are efficient, and you can move around with them easily as you work. They can work a little bit longer, and one more advantage is that you can refill the gas and continue working. They are heavier compared to electrical types, and they release smoke into the environment.
Attachments
In terms of attachments, leaf blowers powered by electricity come with a mulcher and a vacuum attachment. For the case of leaf blowers powered by gas-only, some few types of models come with attachments. When you Compare gas powered leaf blower vs electric blower in terms of attachments, the latter is better.
Cost
The cost of electric blowers is between $35 and $150. The prices of gas blowers, on the other hand, range between $60 and $400. In this case, when you look at the cost of electric vs gas powered blowers, gas powered blowers are expensive. Making a choice between the two will, however, be determined by the area you intend to use the blower on and the budget at hand.
Regulation of pollution
If you Compare gas powered electric vs electric blowers in terms of pollution, gas powered blowers cause more pollution in terms of both noise and air pollution because they emit smoke into the environment and are loud.
Part 2: What to Consider when Choosing a Leaf Blower?
Leaf blowers come in three types; handheld, backpack, and walk behind or wheeled blowers. Let’s look at what the three types have to offer to make the decision making process easy.
- Handheld
They are relatively light when you compare them to the two other types. Most of them are suitable for small yards. The options to choose from this type of blowers are wide compared to the two other types, which have some sought of limitation.
- Backpack
They are powerful compared to the handheld blowers and can cover large areas. In terms of cost and heaviness, they outweigh the handheld blowers. It is due to their weight that they are designed to be carried on the back of the user. In most cases, they are powered by gas. Despite that, some battery powered cordless models exist.
- Wheeled blowers
They are the most expensive and largest of the three types. They are used in large parks or yards. In this category, all the blowers are gas powered.
Warranty
Comparing the warranty of gas vs electric leaf blower, the former tend to have longer warranty periods. It usually goes up to 5 years. The warranty for electric blowers, on the other hand, is limited to three months or less. This brings out the durability aspect between the two types of blowers.
Manufactures
Due to the difference in technical specifications, the manufactures of gas blowers are different, and they tend to specialize in either electric or gas powered blowers. Some of the electric leaf powered blowers include Toro and Makita, while gas blower manufactures are Poulan Pro, Troy-Blit, and Weed Eater, just to mention a few.
Part 3: The Pros and Cons of Different Type of Leaf Blowers.
If you are looking to purchase a new blower or replace an old one, it is important to look at the pros and cons of the different leaf blowers available. This will ensure you purchase one that will serve you right or upgrade from the one you have been using.
We shall look at both types of blowers in depth, in terms of the two cycles available (2-cycle and 4-cycle) gas powered and the different types of electric powered options.
Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
Pros
One of the most sought out for advantage is their source of power. This is because gas powered leaf blowers produce more power compared to electric blower motors. Despite new electric models that produce power close to that produced by gas blowers, they are yet to be at par.
Secondly, they offer unrivaled flexibility, and at this point, their ease of use cannot be compared to corded electric blowers. You only have to refill the gas and continue working anywhere you want. This eliminates the need to work within the limited proximity of the source of power or the few minutes with which the electric powered blowers offer.
Cons
In as much as the gas blowers have their advantages, they never seem to lack disadvantages.
To begin with, they produce more emissions and noise than electric blowers. In this case, they cause relatively higher levels of pollution.
Secondly, in terms of weight, they are heavy than electric leaf blowers and require regular maintenance practices to keep them in the right working conditions.
Finally, whereas the initial cost to purchase gas powered blowers is low, the cost to run them is very high considering the cost of fuel compared to electricity.
2-cycle and 4-cycle Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
For the gas powered leaf blowers, they are available in either 2-cycle or 4-cycle powered engine options. The difference tends to be simple without going deep into how the mechanics of the two work.
Pros of the 2-cycle
- They cost less, produce more power, and weigh less.
- They are simpler and last longer.
- Adding oil and fuel is done by mixing
Cons of the 2-cycle
- They are less efficient and cause more pollution in terms of noise and emissions.
Pros of the 4-cycle
- They are very efficient
- Their level of pollution in terms of noise and emissions is low.
Cons of the 4-cycle
- They are heavy and relatively expensive
- They produce less power compared to the 2-cycle
- Fuel and oil is added separately
Corded Electric Blowers
The electric powered leaf blowers have their outstanding advantages when you compare them to gas powered blowers. We shall look at some of them below.
Pros
- They are quite and hence don’t cause noise pollution.
- They are lighter, which makes them easy to handle.
- They do not require regular maintenance hence saving you on the cost of the same.
- The worry of the risks associated with having to store gasoline in your home is not associated with them.
- You get to save on fuel costs because electric units are cheaper than fuel.
Cons
- The cord is their biggest disadvantage. It limits you to working in an area its length can cover.
- Dragging the cord around is cumbersome, especially when it’s long due to the additional extensions.
Leaf Blowers Powered by a Battery
They eliminate the limitations brought about, especially by the cord. Despite that, they also have limitations, as outlined below.
Pros
- They increase the flexibility of working
- You can cover large distances when using them.
- They are quite with less noise pollution and emissions.
Cons
- Their batteries are limited to working just a few minutes, typically less than half an hour.
- The time required to recharge them is relatively long.
- Buying another battery to supplement the original battery is an additional cost though it will serve you better.
Conclusion
In conclusion, from the above, we cannot narrow down and pinpoint a certain type of leaf blower as the best. We only settle for the most suitable one for your needs or situation. Having said that, before and during purchase, make sure you do your comparison between gas vs electric leaf blower to ensure you choose one that fits your needs perfectly.
This is because due to their differences, the needs of your working environment, and most importantly, the budget at hand will make one type of leaf blower perfect for a particular situation and not the other. The reverse of the same is true in different instances as well.