Whenever I’m recommending a tool for our best cordless leaf blowers article, people want to know which one is the quietest not necessarily the strongest. If that describes you, you should put the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3017 leaf blower—their quietest to date—on your short list. As professional landscapers receive increased feedback on the volume levels of gas blowers when caring for lawns, you should take advantage of any edge you can give your crew (or your business).
Reasons to Buy
- QUIETER than gas AND most other battery blowers
- 12.2 Newtons of blowing force
- Quick ramp-up time
- NO GAS OR FUMES
Consider Another Model If You…
- Need maximum power for wet grass and leaves
- Plan to work far away from a power source
- Hate your neighbors. ;-)
Milwaukee 3017 Leaf Blower Standout Features
Based on ANSI B175.2 – the official standard for testing lead blower noise – the Milwaukee 3017 puts out just 54 decibels. That’s even lower than the impressive Ryobi Whisper Series RY404100 which was our previous low-noise winner at just 57 decibels.
While Pro Tool Reviews measures sound from the operator’s ear, the ANSI standard is more concerned with what you hear from 50 feet away (i.e. the neighborhood around you). Keep that in mind if you measure the sound yourself and get a higher number—you should.
Regardless, this is the quietest rating we’ve seen on a legit blower.
Performance Notes
When it comes to performance, Milwaukee sticks with its popular M18 battery system for a power supply. Paired with a PowerState brushless motor, you get a maximum of 500 CFM and 120 MPH. I also measured 12.2 Newtons of blowing force on our testing rig. That’s very impressive and right at the power of even the most powerful residential handheld gas blowers (like the Stihl BG 56 C-E).
Those numbers match up with the performance of the M18 Fuel Quik-Lok blower attachment and it’s a bump up from the second-generation M18 Fuel 2724 blower we reviewed back in 2021.
Compared to the performance offered by the Milwaukee dual-battery and Milwaukee backpack blowers, the performance is lower. Keep that in perspective, however. Handheld gas blowers max out around 13 Newtons for residential models and 15 Newtons for professional-grade blowers. There’s plenty of blowing force available to clear off hard surfaces after mowing and to manage your Fall leaves.
There’s also a weight advantage. As a bare tool, the 3017 weighs just 5.1 pounds. Even if you go whole hog with the 12.0Ah High Output battery, your working weight is a very manageable 8.5 pounds.
Of course, there’s also the convenience of having a battery for a power source. There’s no cord to drag around, no gas engine maintenance, no fuel to mix, and no direct emissions.
Milwaukee Leaf Blower Comparison
Before I wrap things up, let’s step back and consider Milwaukee’s leaf blower lineup as a whole. I think the Milwaukee 3017 blower fills an important niche. Take a look for yourself:
| Model | Details | Performance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| M18 Fuel Gen 2 Blower 2724 | Previous Generation | 120 MPH 450 CFM 11.2 Newtons | $179 |
| M18 Fuel Gen 3 Blower 3017 | Quietest Operation Lightest Weight | 120 MPH 500 CFM 12.2 Newtons | $179 |
| M18 Fuel Quik-Lok 49-16-2793 | Attachment System Compatibility | 120 MPH 500 CFM | $159 |
| M18 Fuel Dual Battery Blower 2824 | High Power Longer Runtime | 145 MPH 600 CFM 18.3 Newtons | $259 |
| M18 Fuel Backpack Blower 3009 | Highest Power Longest Runtime | 155 MPH 650 CFM 20.5 Newtons | $499 |
Milwaukee 3017 Leaf Blower Price
You can order the 3rd-gen Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3017 leaf blower as a bare tool for $179. There’s no kit option as of the time we published this article.
You may want to add a couple of accessories to enhance your capabilities. First, there’s an Angled Flare Attachment you can get for $14.99. It’s compatible with all four of Milwaukee’s primary leaf blowers.
To make gutter cleaning easier, you can also snag the Gutter Attachment for $79.99. You can also use this accessory with the Dual-Battery Blower.
The Bottom Line
With its focus on quiet operation and lower weight, Milwaukee’s 3017 is more versatile than just a leaf blower for mow and blow crews. It’s an excellent jobsite and shop blower, as well as a solid option for noise-sensitive properties such as business parks and schools. No matter how you use it, if the quietest leaf blower is what you’re after, this is the Milwaukee model you want.
