If you’re using a battery powered leaf blower to shift dust, use the same side-to-side technique, but on the lowest blow setting. Tackle large piles of leaves that have built up over the autumn season with a garden leaf blower from Homebase.

leaf blowers for DIYers | Bosch DIY Garden vacuums/leaf blowers for DIYers | Bosch DIY

At just under 90dB, it’s a little noisier at its maximum setting than some leaf blowers, and also a little heavier – however the ergonomic handle and well-balanced design still allows you to comfortably operate it single-handed.They’ve built their reputation on being innovative and reliable, whilst still producing products that are more affordable than many alternatives. Either way, looks aren’t important when it comes to leaf blowers; you want a product that has been thoughtfully designed and made, and that’s exactly what this one offers. The only flies in the ointment are a lack of a “cruise control” function, even if the trigger is well placed, and a wide tube that means the airflow isn’t as focused as some. While there’s no shoulder strap, the ergonomics are first-rate, so you don’t really need one – even if you’re attempting to work the 610m2 maximum coverage Ryobi claims.

Leaf Blowers | Garden Vacuums | Robert Dyas Leaf Blowers | Garden Vacuums | Robert Dyas

Nevertheless, it’s worth it, as you get a dual-purpose garden tidying machine that actually does both jobs well. The latter should deliver enough charge for 15 to 20 minutes of hard work, which might be sufficient for a smaller garden; but if not, budget for a bigger battery or prepare for a recharge halfway through.Through our testing, we discovered that the best cordless leaf blowers will achieve a run time of approximately 20 minutes when fitted with a 2. However, such powerful machines are generally more expensive, so it depends if moving wet leaves is a deal breaker. This well-designed leaf blower is lightweight, easy to assemble and comes with a shoulder strap that makes it comfortable to use for long periods. With cordless and corded leaf vacuums available, you can choose to move freely or work near a reliable power source.