Not long ago, the pickings were slim if you were looking for a reasonably-priced cordless leaf blower that yielded solid gas-equivalent performance. But, things have changed given the technological advances the industry has made over the last several years. Indeed, manufacturers are now in a more practical position than ever to offer residential consumers cordless tools that have Pro-worthy capabilities and manageable price tags. Take, for instance, the Greenworks 80V 730 CFM leaf blower – a handheld model that combines muscle with economy.
If a backpack setup isn’t your style, but you want the power typically associated with such models, then the BLB489 is worth considering. Let’s have a look at the performance and design features to help you decide if it’s the right solution for your needs.
Greenworks 80V 730 CFM Blower Performance and Design
At the heart of the BLB489 is a brushless motor and an 80V (2.5Ah) lithium-ion battery. This setup delivers blowing forces of 730 CFM and 170 MPH.
If you’re not already familiar with these measurements, CFM refers to the amount of air the tool produces. Higher numbers correspond with wider swaths of coverage. Meanwhile, MPH is wind velocity, which accounts for the blower’s ability to dislodge and move stubborn debris like small stones and wet leaves.
That said, the 730 CFM BLB489 blower is one of the highest-performing models in the fleet, delivering 26cc gas-equivalent power.
Specs
- Model: Greenworks BLB489
- Battery: 80V (2.5Ah)
- Brushless motor
- Blowing force: 730 CFM/170 MPH
- Runtime: ~ 60 mins
- Weight: ~ 9 lbs
In terms of runtime, Greenworks tells us that the included battery will give you roughly 60 minutes between charges. Running it on low may get you around 70, but, either way, the size of your lot and the amount of cleanup your property requires will dictate how long you can work.
On that note, you may want to keep your hearing protection handy for those extended outings. Greenworks says that this blower operates at 77 dB. That’s not bad for an 80V model with a 730 CFM, 170 MPH output. However, taken within context, there’s still room for improvement. When we tested the brand’s 82V commercial-grade backpack unit (BB361) last fall, it registered at around 65 dB.
Most of the callouts on this model are performance related, but there are a few design elements to cover, starting with weight.
The BLB489 weighs a little under 9 pounds, which isn’t feathery. But, it likely won’t cause any ergonomic problems that result is muscle fatigue, etc. Moreover, on an 80V blower that can perform like this one, a little bit of weight shouldn’t come as a surprise. (Again, to put things into context, I’ve tested comparable handheld units that were several pounds heavier.)
Finally, Greenworks added a tapered nozzle for enhanced air speed, just in case you need an extra boost.
Final Thoughts
From a specs standpoint alone, this 80V 730 CFM leaf blower puts Greenworks in step with the competition. These days, beefy performance is no longer something that’s largely exclusive to the backpack platform. And, whether you don’t like backpack units or you don’t need them, having more power and capability than you might otherwise need in a handheld model is good – especially when the price is right.
Greenworks 80V 730 CFM Blower Price
The Greenworks BLB489 retails as a kit for $249.99 and comes with an 80V (2.5Ah) battery and a rapid charger.
