We selected and reviewed leaf blowers that operate at 70 decibels or less. Improvements in technology have resulted in some very powerful blowers with high airspeed and air volume (CFM) that are surprisingly quiet. Although there are certainly more powerful, and louder, leaf blowers on the market, the units we’ve recommended below cover a wide range of leaf removal requirements.
| Why It's Best | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX XR DCBL720P1 | Battery powered 61 decibel blower. 400 CFM @ 90 MPH. 9.7 lbs. 20 volt battery. 3 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| K I M O Cordless Leaf Blower Sweeper / Vacuum | Extremely light at 2.2 lbs. 200 CFM @ 150 MPH. 20 minute run time on full charge. 2 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower/ Vacuum | Quiet. Versatile - blows, vacuums, mulches. Up to 410 CFM @ 250 MPH. 2 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| DEWALT Leaf Blower, Corded DWBL700 | Quiet at 61 decibels. Weighs only 7.58 lbs. 400 CFM @ up to 90 MPH. 3 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| ECHO PB-255LN Handheld Blower Gas | Only 64 decibels. Weighs just 6.13 lbs. 354 CFM @ 191 MPH. 5 year warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| Makita EB5300TH MM4 4-Stroke Engine Backpack Blower | Quiet at 70 decibels. Weighs 19.6 lbs. 516 CFM @ 184 MPH. 1 year comprehensive warranty. | ★★★★★ |
Quiet Leaf Blowers – the Basics
Regardless of which leaf blower you choose, here are some basic things you need to consider.
- Noise. Quieter is always better. According to this CDC publication, exposure to only 2 hours of 80 – 85 decibel noise can damage hearing.
- Blow Only or Blow and Vac. Do you just want to blow leaves into a pile? Or will you need to pick them up, too?
- Weight. You are likely going to be carting the leaf blower around for a while. Some machines might feel heavy after a time.
- Speed and Power. Blowing speed and power will directly affect how quick you can get the job done.
Serious Note: Your hearing is important. Buy a jar of Mack’s Ultra Soft Ear Plugs which reduce noise by up to 33 decibels–and always use them with all power equipment.
The 2 Quietest Cordless Leaf Blowers
At one time, battery-powered leaf blowers were stripped down, slow machines that made a lot of noise for short periods of time. Not any more. Battery technology has improved enough that a person can get quite a bit of work done before the power runs out. And having another battery charging while working is certainly an option.
1) DEWALT 20V MAX XR Blower, Brushless, 5-Ah Battery (DCBL720P1)
The DEWALT 20V MAX XR Blower, Brushless, 5-Ah Battery (DCBL720P1) is a very quiet, powerful machine. It only makes 61 decibels of noise while producing up to 400 CFM of air at 90 MPH (when concentrator is attached). The brushless motor helps extend run time and motor life. A variable speed trigger with trigger lock provides better blower speed control (compared to switches and knobs). The 20 volt battery provides 87 minutes of run time at lowest speed and 12 minutes of run time at full speed.
Well-designed comfortable grip, with a rear air intake making it easy to hold close to your body without having your clothes pulled into the machine.
The Good
- Very quiet blower at 66 decibels–a little louder than normal conversation
- 20-volt rechargeable battery
- Produces up to 450 CFM at 125 MPH
- Variable speed trigger with lock button
- Lightweight (9.7 lbs.)
- Lightweight with air intake at rear (no need to worry about sucking clothes in)
- 3 year limited warranty
The Not so Good
- Fairly short battery life at full speed
- No vacuum/mulching ability
2) Kimo Cordless Battery Leaf Blower/Vacuum
The Kimo Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum is one of the lightest machines on the market at 2.2 lbs. The motor will run at 20,000 RPM and produce 200 CFM at 150 MPH air speed. The fast charger only requires 45 minutes to fully charge the 20 volt battery which will give you 20 minutes of run time at full speed. Kimo guarantees 1000 battery charge cycles. Variable speed control trigger makes for easy operation.
A double length tube allows a person to walk upright while using the machine. Comes c/w a bottom zip collection bag.
The Good
- Quiet handy blower
- At 2.2 lbs. it might be the lightest blower/vacuum on the market
- 20 volt battery charges in 45 minutes
- 20 minute run time at full speed
- Produces 200 CFM at 150 MPH
- Variable speed trigger
- 2 year manufacturers warranty
The Not so Good
- Decibel rating not available
The 2 Quietest Corded Leaf Blowers
Corded leaf blowers are usually more powerful than battery powered. But there is the cord. Dragging 100′ of cord behind you can be annoying. And the longer the cord, the more loss of power. If you need more than 100′ of cord, you might want to explore other options.
Note: A 100′ 14/2 gauge electrical cord will lose 6 volts by the time the power gets to the machine. To avoid damage and reduced production, a 12/2 gauge cord is a better option–but it is heavier.
1) Toro 51621 UltraPlus Corded Leaf Blower/Vacuum
The Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum is a quiet, powerful, and versatile machine that just might come as close as possible to matching gas powered blowers for speed and power. Weighing in at just under 9 lbs., it blows leaves, vacuums them, and mulches. The 12 amp motor blows at up to 250 MPH (Miles per Hour) and 350 cubic feet per minute (CFM), and vacuums at 410 CFM. The metal impeller and Shreds-All shred ring reduce 97% of material to less than half inch.
It comes c/w various attachments including an oscillating nozzle that automatically sweeps back and forth allowing you to cover more ground without excess wrist movement. Other attachments include the main blower tube for dry leaves, a power insert for wet leaves, bottom zip collection bag, a cord storage, and a concentrator for small spaces.
The Good
- Quiet for the power produced
- Versatile–blows, vacuums, mulches
- 12 amp motor blows 250 MPH
- Produces up to 350 CFM of air when blowing, up to 410 CFM when vacuuming
- Variable blowing speeds
- 2 year full coverage warranty
The Not so Good
- Tends to plug up when vacuuming too fast–and whines (some say screams) loudly when plugged
2) Dewalt 20V MAX Blower (DCBL720B)
The Dewalt 20V MAX Blower (DCBL720B) is a quiet, powerful blower only. Operates at only 61 decibels which is quieter than most dishwashers but with a significant amount of power–blowing 400 CFM at 90 MPH. A variable speed trigger eliminates dials and settings and allows more precise blowing control. A high-efficiency brushless motor maximizes the run time and motor life and an axial fan maximize air output.
It is designed to withstand heavy-duty professional use backed by Dewalt’s 3-year warranty, so it should be a long-lasting tool addition to any home. Fairly lightweight at 7.58 lbs.
Note: Dewalt recommends a minimum 14 gauge cord for 100′. You will lose 6 volts of output so a 12 gauge cord is better but heavier.
The Good
- Operates at only 69 decibels of noise
- Weighs 7.58 lbs.
- Variable speed trigger
- 12 amp motor blows 90 MPH
- Produces 400 CFM of air
- 3 year limited manufacturers warranty
The Not so Good
- Blower only–no vacuuming or mulching options.
The 2 Quietest Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
Generally, gas-powered leaf blowers have more power than the other options. They are also accused of making more noise. Before accepting this as a fact, please take a look at this Sound Comparison Chart and the decibel level of the gas powered blower below. If noise levels are comparable, it is easier to choose the machine that best suits your needs.
1) Echo PB255LN Hand Held Gas Leaf Blower
The Echo PB255LN Hand Held Leaf Blower produces only 64 decibels of noise, making it one of the quietest 2 stroke gas operated leaf blowers. The 25.4 cc professional grade motor produces 354 Cubic Feet per Minute of air flow at 191 MPH. The handle is parallel to the motor for better control with the variable speed trigger and locking button located at the front.
This machine is only a blower–no vacuuming/mulching option. It weighs only 6.13 lbs. plus the weight of 16.5 oz. of fuel.
The Good
- 64 decibels of noise quiet gas powered leaf blower
- Weighs 6.13 lbs.
- Variable speed trigger with lock button
- 25.4 cc motor blows 191 MPH
- Produces 354 CFM air flow
- 5 year manufacturers warranty
The Not so Good
- Exhausts on left side, which might make your leg a touch warm if you hold it tight to your body.
2) Makita EB5300TH Backpack Gas Leaf Blower
The Makita EB5300TH Backpack Leaf Blower uses a 4 stroke motor making it considerably quieter than a 2 stroke–producing only 70 decibels of noise. At 52.5 cc it puts out 516 Cubic Feet per Minute of air at 184 Miles per hour. Weighing only 19.6 lbs. c/w cushioned back padding and shoulder straps along with 4 damper springs between motor and backpack frame makes it light and comfortable enough to complete the job without fatigue. Although the 4 stroke motor eliminates the need to mix oil, you will have to change motor oil occasionally. Variable speed trigger for better control c/w a cruise control button (fancy name for a locking button).
Blower only–no vacuuming/mulching option.
The Good
- Quiet, gas powered blower – only 70 decibels of noise
- Light weight at 19.6 lbs.
- Variable speed trigger with lock button
- 52.5 cc motor blows at 184 MPH
- 4 stroke motor eliminates mixing fuel
- Produces 516 CFM air flow
- 2 year warranty on emissions related parts, 1 year warranty on all other parts
The Not so Good
- No vacuum/mulch option
How We Chose These 6 Quietest Leaf Blowers
We chose these leaf blowers for quiet–first and foremost. There are many blowers that are much bigger and more powerful. They also come with extra noise. If you are trying for quiet efficiency, there is no point in looking at a backpack blower that produces over 100 decibels of noise. (That will get you into motorcycle/rock band noise territory.) All of these machines are around 70 decibels, or less–even the big backpack Makita. They all produce a significant amount of air at high MPH force.
I do not know what requirements you may have for the leaf blower–small deck and short driveway, or big yard and long driveway. Or the types of material you are trying to move–a mess of giant oaks, or 2 small apple trees and pine needles. So I picked the one I would buy if I needed one.
Quiet Leaf Blower – Best of the Best
The Echo PB255LN Hand Held Leaf Blower has a powerful 25.4 cc two stroke engine that moves 354 CFM at 191 MPH, yet only puts out 64 decibels of noise. It weighs just over 6 lbs. making it easy to carry and handle. Our property is close to 3/4 of an acre. A 100′ cord will not reach the far corners and I do not want to either carry a spare battery or walk back to get one. As with the weed whacker, I want to go out and do the job without interruption. The Echo would let me do that.
It does not have a vacuum/blower function, which would be helpful occasionally, but we have very few deciduous trees and most of the leaves fall into the garden and are rototilled in.
FAQs About Quietest Leaf Blower
Here are answers to some questions about quiet leaf blowers.
Is there a leaf blower decibel comparison chart.
There are a few charts available. The one I used to compare decibel level of various types of leaf blowers is this Leaf Blower Comparison Chart. It compares gas powered to corded powered to battery powered. Leaf blowers are going to make some noise regardless of power source.
Whisper quiet leaf blower. Is there such a machine?
No. Although electric motors are much quieter than gas motors, even electric leaf blowers can be noisy. Because of the noise of the air intake and the rushing noise of air being forced into a tube. Battery powered electric bowers have been described as having a ‘siren-like’ sound. Some gas powered blowers will not be much louder, but they all will be noisier than a whisper.
Can a leaf blower be made quieter?
Not really. They are small motors with high RPM moving air at speed. It would be virtually impossible to blanket them with anything without creating operating problems.
What is the decibel level of a leaf blower?
The noise produced by leaf blowers varies almost as much as size and power. A small battery powered blower used to clear off a 10 x 10 deck is much different than a commercial machine that will blow the hair off your head. Typically, the noise at 50 feet ranges from 64 decibels to 78 decibels. But the operator at the source is putting up with 95 – 115 decibels. Making ear protection essential.
End Notes
You do not need ear plugs to listen to Led Zeppelin or AC/DC at full volume. The Hearing Fairy will protect your ears. Honest.
What about the Stihl Leaf Blower? Advertised as “the quietest’ one available. Really? thanks Barbara
What about the Stihl Leaf Blower? Advertised as “the quietest’ one available. Really? thanks Barbara
this is my first comment – what is the answer to the question please?
Hi Barbara,
Decibel levels from the Stihl website:
Gas blowers are rated 70 decibels. except one at 65 decibels.
Battery Blower rated at 79 decibels.
Corded Blower rated at 100 decibels.
So, even as a big Stihl fan (chainsaw and weed whacker), there are quieter blowers out their. If I was writing about best, they would probably rate at the top.
Terry