Makita XBU02 Cordless Blower Blends Relevant Power with Low Noise and Zero Emissions
The Makita XBU02 18V X2 Cordless Blower is the brand’s flagship model among its battery-powered offerings. Unlike many battery-powered brands out there, Makita has a line of gas-powered outdoor power equipment, including 4-stroke tools, to help draw their development. As a 36V model, it has some distinct performance advantages over its 18V options.
Pros
- No gas engine noise, emissions, or maintenance
- Reaches the power of residential gas blowers
- Just 9.0 pounds with two 5.0Ah batteries
- Telescoping nozzle
- 6 speed settings with a lock-on button
- 4 batteries come in the kit during Makita’s Rule the Outdoors promotion
Cons
- Not as powerful as other options on the market
Makita 36V Battery-Powered Blower Performance
For the amount of time Makita has been in the battery-powered lawn care business, they haven’t developed as many blowers as some brands. It’s been a more intentional design effort. At the time we’re writing, there are only two 18V X2 (36V) blowers available—this model and the XBU04 blower/vac/mulcher. Interestingly, they share the same performance specs of 120 MPH max airspeed and 473 CFM.
We wanted to know what that translated to in terms of Newton force. At its highest of the six speeds you can choose from, it hit 14.0 Newtons on our meter. Quality residential gas models start around 12.0 Newtons, so Makita is on par with those. Of course, it’s far short of the 50+ Newtons we’ve hit on gas backpack blowers, but that’s a different class.
In terms of practical applications, this is a blower that’s great for cleaning off hard surfaces after mowing and blowing dry leaves into piles for collection. Wet leaves, especially small ones such as oak, are tougher to collect at this power level. But that’s not a gas vs battery compromise, it’s the reality of all blowers in the same power range.
Runtime
On high, the runtime is somewhat limited. Using two 5.0Ah batteries, we were able to run the blower for 11 minutes, 19 seconds. That’s more than enough for some post-mowing cleanup, but you’ll want to use the speed settings and lock-on button to get more leaf-blowing time in the fall.
Noise
Using the ANSI B175.2 standard for noise testing, Makita rates this blower at a very low 61 dB(a). That’s an average taken from 50 feet away, and useful to help understand the effect on bystanders. We like to test from our operator’s ear and it came back at 87 dB(a) on our SPL meter. In the overall landscape of cordless blowers, that’s still pretty low, but there are some units we’ve tested that are quieter.
Makita XBU02 18V X2 Cordless Blower Design
Two Batteries?
If you’re new to Makita, they use two 18V batteries to hit 36V power. That might seem odd at first, but it’s actually pretty forward-thinking. It gets you to a higher power level without having to leave the 18V LXT platform, opening up more than 250 products that work on the same batteries.
Weight
Adding a second battery increases the weight compared to Makita’s 18V blower, but it’s really not bad. With a pair of 5.0Ah packs, it weighs 9.0 pounds to stay well under the 10-pound mark.
Balance and grip are both excellent with the batteries installed. It’s easily held and used with one hand.
Speed Selection
You can feather the trigger to control the power if you like, but there’s a 6-speed thumb dial on top of the handle. It’s really helpful when you need to keep the power lower to blow out your shop or you’re containing dry leaves.
Additional Features
- Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) for improved dust and water resistance
- More efficient in-line fan design
- 3-stage telescoping nozzle (great for tall users!)
- Lock-on button
- Keyhole for hanging
- Dual-port Rapid Optimum Charger comes with the kit
Makita 36V Battery-Powered Blower Price
The blower will set you back $329. If you’re already on Makita’s 18V LXT battery platform and don’t need batteries, the bare tool runs $219. Even if you do have batteries, you might want to grab the kit anyway. During Makita’s Rule the Outdoors promotion, the kit comes with four batteries, making it a really sweet deal.
The Bottom Line
Makita balanced airspeed and volume well with this model to create a blower that can really move some material with outstanding ergonomics. While it’s not the most powerful cordless blower on the market, it does reach the power of residential gas models.
Makita 18V X2 (36V) Battery-Powered Blower Specifications
- Model: Makita XBU02
- Max Air Volume: 473 CFM
- Max Air Velocity: 120 MPH
- No Load Speed: 11,400 – 21,500 RPM
- Power Source: 2X 18V LXT Lithium-Ion
- Overall Length: 38-3/4″
- Sound Pressure: 96 dB(A)
- Net Weight (with battery): 9.0 lbs.
- Tool Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $329.00
