Leaf blowers are very useful gadgets as they allow you to clear away leaf, fallen branches, and other debris from your yard. There are many different leaf blowers on the market, and these vary considerably. Understanding leaf blower mph versus CFM can help you choose the right type of leaf blower. Some have been designed to clear small areas such as paths and patios, while others are more powerful and can be used to clear extensive patches of land.
If you’re looking to buy a leaf blower, the two most important factors to consider are the MPH and CFM. These both determine how powerful the leaf blower will be. Most people know that MPH stands for l miles per hour. But do you know what CFM means?
This article will explain the differences between MPH and CFM and tell you what you need to look for when choosing a leaf blower.
MPH VS CFM
Both MPH and CFM tell us how powerful a leaf blower will be able to blow air. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, while MPH means miles per hour.
CFM is the cubic feet of air that flows through the leaf blower each minute. Whereas miles per hour is the speed at which the air is traveling. Many people are confused by these rates. At first glance, they may appear to be almost the same. However, you’ll need to look at both it you want to accurately determine whether the leaf blower you’re planning to buy will be able to meet your needs.
What is CFM?
The CMF is a measure of air volume that’s pushed through the leaf blowers nozzle each minute. The amount of air is measured in cubic feet, which can be hard to visualize. The higher the CFM, the greater the leaf blower’s ability to move leaves and other debris.
Leaf blowers generally have a CFM of between 350 and 600. A machine with a 500 CFM will be able to move 500 cubic feet of air in a minute. Leaf blowers with a very high CFM are best for large yards.
Before choosing a leaf blower, it’s crucial to be aware of how strong the leaf blower is likely to be. A machine with a 600 CFM can move branches and even rocks, so you’ll need to be careful when using it, especially if other people are nearby.
On the other end of the spectrum, leaf blowers with low CFM are only suitable for clearing small amounts of leaves from patios and garden paths. Don’t make the mistake of buying a leaf blower with a low CFM if you have a larger yard. It’s common for homeowners to buy a product without understanding what CFM means. They end up with a leaf blower that’s not powerful enough for their needs. I even read a review on Amazon that said, ‘This leaf blower is so small and produces hardly any air, it’s only suitable for lawn gnomes.’ Be warned there are many leaf blowers on the market with CFM’s of 250, which isn’t strong enough for most people’s needs.
How does CFM relate to MPH?
CFM is a measure of the leaf blowers’ power, while MPH deals with its speed. A leaf blowers MPH is the speed at which the air is moving as it comes out of the nozzle. Machines with a high MPH produce fast moving air, making them stronger. However, this isn’t always the case.
Some leaf blowers have a relatively low MPH rating but are still very strong, especially if the CFM is high. To determine the leaf blowers’ power, you’ll need to look at both the CFM and MPH together.
If you’re searching for a leaf blower for a large yard and you need to move large amounts of leaves, it’s wise to choose a machine with a higher CFM rather than a higher MPH.
It’s also worth considering comfort and ease of use. Leaf blowers with a higher CFM are usually larger and have heavier motors making them more challenging to use. You’ll be able to move large amounts of leaves quickly, but are you in that much of a rush? If you don’t want to have to lug around a heavy leaf blower, you may choose to trade comfort for speed and invest in a product with a slightly lower CFM.
Consider the CFM and MPH ratio together
To decide which leaf blower to buy, you’ll need to look at the CFM and MPH in conjunction with each other. You’ll also need to consider your yard’s size and what you need to move with your leaf blower. You’ll see that there are a large selection of leaf blowers on Amazon, all with varying metrics. Here’s a generalization of what these figures mean.
A leaf blower with a low CFM and a high MPH
If the CFM is much lower than the MPH, the manufacturer has likely managed to increase the MPH by using a pipe with a smaller diameter. This is likely to have created a product that’s not powerful enough for most people. Some products will be ok for shifting small amounts of leaves from garden paths; others will be totally useless unless you’re looking to blow dust out of your computer fan.
A leaf blower with a high CFM and low MPH
A leaf blower with a high CFM and a low MPH is suitable for blowing dry leaves and debris such as hay and perhaps small branches and rocks. These products may not be able to cope with moving wet leaves. This will depend on additional factors, such as the diameter of the pipe.
A leaf blower with a high CFM and high MPH
If you have a large property and want to be able to move wet and dry leaves, choosing a product with a high CFM and high MPH is the best idea. Ensure that the pipe has a large enough diameter, as this will also affect how powerful the leaf blower is.
Powerful leaf blowers do come at an additional cost; however, these products are durable and long lasting. It may be a good idea to pay for a good quality product.
Conclusion: Leaf Blower CFM VS MPH
As you can see from the above examples, CFM is a significant factor and should always be as high as possible. The MPH varies, and you may like to choose a leaf blower with a lower MPH, depending on your budget. It would help if you also considered the diameter of the pipe.
Leaf blowers are available with CFM’s of between 200 to 1000. It’s essential to consider the size of your yard before choosing a new leaf blower. Take into consideration your yards size, your budget, and any other features you require before selecting the best leaf blower for your needs.
You may also be interested in: Best Leaf Blower for Gravel Driveways