Battery-powered leaf blowers are becoming a serious alternative to gas models, according to WIRED's 2026 testing roundup. The publication tested a range of new models on heavy fabric leaves, gravel, mulch, and even a concrete paver, finding that today's battery blowers deliver clearing power close to gas without the hassle of fuel and engine maintenance.
WIRED named the Ego Power+ 880 CFM the best overall, citing its gaslike performance and the strength of Ego's broader outdoor-tool ecosystem. It knocked over a 5-pound brick paver on high speed and was the second-quietest machine on turbo, at about 89.7 decibels. But it had the shortest runtime of the tested models, at just over 11 minutes on high, a trade-off WIRED says Ego tries to offset by including two batteries in the kit.
The best budget pick, the Skil Pwr Core 40, tied for the longest runtime at just over 33 minutes and was the quietest blower tested, registering 78.6 decibels. It cost $199, but could not match the Ego's power, needing turbo mode to move the brick. WIRED notes that for small yards a rake may still be enough, while owners of large properties may prefer a gas backpack blower unless they are willing to invest heavily in multiple batteries.