Leaf blowers are our busiest product every autumn, and the question we get most is simple: which one do I need? We sell seven petrol models, from a light handheld for the patio to a 76cc backpack for estates and car parks. Here's how to choose.

Step 1: Handheld or backpack?

Handheld blowers are light, quick to start and easy to store. They suit patios, paths, drives and small to medium gardens, and they're the right choice if you mostly do quick tidy-ups.

Backpack blowers carry the engine on your back, so your arm only holds the tube. They move far more air, which matters when you're clearing wet leaves, large lawns or a long drive, and they're much more comfortable for jobs that take more than half an hour.

Step 2: Do you want to vacuum and mulch?

Our 3-in-1 models blow, vacuum leaves into a bag and shred them as they go, so a pile of leaves shrinks into a much smaller bag of mulch for the compost heap or garden waste bin. If you have nowhere to blow the leaves to, a 3-in-1 saves a lot of bagging.

One tip: only vacuum leaves. Stones, acorns and sticks will damage the impeller.

Our range at a glance

Handheld

• 26cc Petrol Leaf Blower (PGB-2600): our lightest blower, over 140mph. Ideal for patios and paths.
• 28cc Petrol Leaf Blower (PGB-2800): 430 CFM and over 190mph, with anti-vibration. A lot of power for a handheld.
• 26cc 3-in-1 Blower, Vacuum & Mulcher (PBV-2600): our best-selling 3-in-1.
• 28cc 3-in-1 Blower/Vacuum (PGBV-2800): the 430 CFM engine with vacuum and mulch modes.

Backpack

• 43cc Backpack (PBLB-4300-B): 694 CFM in our most compact backpack. A big step up from any handheld.
• 65cc Backpack (PBLB-6500-B): 847 CFM and 210mph. Our most popular backpack for large gardens and smallholdings.
• 76cc Backpack (PBLB-7600-B): 848 CFM and 2.7kW. Our most powerful blower, for the biggest jobs.

Quick recommendations

• Small garden, patio or drive: 26cc or 28cc handheld.
• Nowhere to put the leaves: a 3-in-1 blower/vacuum.
• Large lawn, wet leaves or a long drive: 43cc or 65cc backpack.
• Estates, farms, car parks: 76cc backpack.

Getting the best from it

• All our blowers are two-stroke, so mix petrol with 2-stroke oil at the ratio in your manual. The mix bottle is in the box.
• Work with the wind, start at the far end of the garden and push leaves towards one collection point.
• Wear ear defenders and eye protection, and be considerate about times of day.
• Before storing it for winter, run the tank dry so stale fuel doesn't gum up the carburettor.

Still not sure? Give our team a call and tell us about your garden. We'll point you to the right one.