Ryobi 18v Blower Review: A Light and Easy-to-Use Battery Yard Tool

In this Ryobi 18v blower review, you’re going to find out all the information you need about this Ryobi battery powered blower.

We’ll tell you how easy it is to use, how much power it has, and what kind of batteries it uses for the most extended runtimes and battery life.

You can find all types of cordless leaf blowers for sale now, but the best one for you is one that matches your personal needs and gardening situation as closely as possible. Read on to find out if this is the best leaf blower for you and your yard.

Ryobi Cordless Blower Pros and Cons

Ryobi Cordless Leaf Blower Product Highlights

This compact Ryobi battery-powered blower is light and ultra-easy to operate, making it a valuable tool for tidying up around the yard, patio, garage floor, and garden beds.

•         Top airspeed 100 mph
•         Maximum air volume  280 CFM
•         Weighs 6.5 pounds
•         Scraper on the nozzle tip
•         ONE+ battery is compatible with over 60 other Ryobi 18 volt tools

– Ryobi 18v Leaf Blower Review

Powerful and precise is the best way to describe this blower. According to the manufacturer, the well-designed jet fan impellers produce a steady blast of air that’s twice as powerful as earlier Ryobi 18-volt blower models.

One of the most compelling features of this blower is the sleek appearance and simple-to-use controls that let you focus a blast of air exactly where you want it while controlling the volume of airflow with one finger. The blower stays balanced when you hold it with one hand, so you don’t get tired struggling to keep it where you want it. The low weight of only 6.3 pounds lets you keep working comfortably for as long as the battery stays charged.

The outer housing of this Ryobi cordless leaf blower has a transparent plastic section at the top end of the nozzle. This feature is purely aesthetic, but it does give the tool a striking appearance along with the black and yellow color of the body.

The throttle operates with a trigger mounted on the underside of the large and comfortable padded handle. The variable-speed trigger powers up the fan the more you pull on it, giving you complete control over the airflow out of the nozzle.

Another big plus for this blower is the weight. This product is one of the lightest blowers available. It still packs a significant punch in air power for its low weight and compact size, making it perfect for light leaf blowing, clearing acorns off a deck, or blowing water off a newly washed car for a spotless glow.

The nozzle does not come with any accessories. However, the tip has a tough raised rib on the bottom side you can use for scraping stuff that is stuck to the pavement.

Compared to more powerful gas models, one critical advantage of this blower is that it does not require any maintenance beyond keeping the machine clean and storing it in a dry location. In addition, a built-in hook on the back of the blower lets you conveniently hang the tool on a nail or hook in a closet, storage shed, or garage.

The battery and charger are sometimes not included with this blower. It requires the Ryobi ONE+ 18 volt, four amp-hour battery that powers dozens of other Ryobi tools, including drills, circular saws, string trimmers, and pole saws. Also, some vendors sell this tool with the battery and charger included, so be sure to check this detail when you buy.

Buying a battery-powered tool without a battery or charger makes sense if you already own other tools in the same battery line or plan on investing in them soon. Having multiple batteries for your power tools lets you keep working for as long as you want, even if the runtime on the battery is not too impressive.

The most significant benefits of this Ryobi leaf blower are its low cost, simplicity of use, and battery compatibility with so many other 18-volt ONE+ Ryobi power and outdoor tools. As a blower, it’s a helpful tool for anyone with a small yard and minor clean-up to do.

Ryobi 18 Volt Blower Main Product Features

Here are details on each of the main product features of this Ryobi 18 volt blower.

– Airspeed and Air Volume

The top airspeed of 100 mph is not high for a leaf blower. This airspeed is sufficient for moving small piles of dry leaves, light layers of lawn clippings, and other light debris. However, if you have mounds of wet leaves, piles of damp pine needles, or areas with gravel or other heavy materials to move, this airspeed is probably not adequate for getting the job done in a timely way.

The jet of air coming from the nozzle can move debris about two to four feet on a soft surface like a lawn and about twice that far when blowing material on a solid surface like a driveway. This airflow works well for getting leaves off a flower bed while leaving compost and mulch in place and tidying up on walkways, decks, and patios.

The air volume on this model is reasonable for a residential-duty blower, and together with the top airspeeds, you can blow away significant amounts of debris. However, it might take longer than when using a blower with a higher airspeed and air volume. But keep in mind that this blower is designed for light-duty, less challenging yard clean-up, and it performs best when matched with this type of work.

– Battery and Charger

The battery and charger are not included with this blower from some sellers, but all Ryobi lithium-ion 18-volt batteries are compatible with this tool. If you already have other Ryobi 18-volt battery-powered tools, then you can save money by buying this blower without the battery and charger.

If you plan to invest in a set of Ryobi tools, you can save on batteries and chargers for all of them by buying devices in the same battery series and swapping batteries between them.

An 18-volt battery powers this tool for about 15 to 20 minutes at high air power, and you can expect about 30 minutes of runtime if you operate at about half the maximum speed. Half speed is adequate for blowing light material from a solid surface or lawn. The battery has a power indicator light, so you can keep an eye on the battery charge as you work.

The runtime for this tool is about average for an 18-volt blower. However, it’s crucial to buy Ryobi brand batteries for the best battery runtime and lifespan and not a less expensive look-alike. There is a significant difference in battery quality with off-brand products. Therefore, for the best battery life and runtime, stick to the Ryobi brand 18-volt ONE+ battery series for powering this tool.

The battery needed to power this Ryobi cordless blower is the same one used in Ryobi 18-volt ONE+ circular saws, reciprocating saws, drills, impact wrenches, scrubbers, string trimmers, flashlights, and many other tools. A significant advantage of this blower is the vast number of different tools you can power with the same batteries and charger.

Recharging the battery takes between one-half and three hours, depending on what type of charger you have. Fast chargers cost more, but they significantly reduce the time needed to recharge a battery.

– Throttle and Controls

This blower is ultra-simple to use. To get it going, slip a charged battery into the slot at the machine’s rear, slide the on/off switch to on, and pull the trigger located under the handle, and you’re ready to go to work. That is all there is to starting up and operating this machine.

The more you depress the trigger, the faster the wind speed goes. There is no need to fiddle around with switches, buttons, or levers to get the air power you want. Point the nozzle where you want it, pull the trigger to get the correct airflow, and watch the leaves and yard waste fly away. As soon as you release the trigger, the airflow shuts off. The trigger has a safe no-pinch design that is easy to hold in place, but there is no trigger lock or cruise control.

– Weight, Size, and Noise Level

This blower comes in a box measuring approximately 22 by 11.5 by 6 inches, weighing 5.84 pounds. The blower is compact, and assembly takes only a few minutes and does not require tools. The only assembly is snapping together the nozzle tube.

The noise level rating for this machine is 65 dB, making this a quiet tool that you can feel comfortable using on a Saturday morning with neighbors nearby. Low-decibel blowers are a major advantage in densely populated areas, and some homeowner associations require them.

A limited 3-year warranty through Ryobi covers this blower. However, it’s crucial to register the product online within 30 days of purchase to activate the warranty. Also, be aware that vendors reselling this product might not offer it with a warranty, so it’s a good idea to check the details directly with the seller before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can the Ryobi 18v Blower be used for both indoor and outdoor cleaning?

Yes, the Ryobi 18v Blower is versatile and can be used for both indoor and outdoor cleaning purposes.

2. Does the Ryobi 18v Blower come with any attachments or accessories?

Yes, The Ryobi 18v Blower comes with multiple attachments and accessories, including a nozzle extension, a debris scraper, and a concentrator nozzle, making it suitable for different cleaning tasks.

3. Can the RYOBI 18V blower be used to blow leaves and debris off of a roof or high surface?

Yes, the RYOBI 18V blower is powerful enough to blow leaves and debris off of a roof or high surface, making it a versatile tool for outdoor cleaning tasks.

Ryobi 18v Blower Review Conclusion

This Ryobi battery-powered blower has adequate airspeed and power for modest yard and around-the-house clean-up chores. Additionally, it’s sold at an affordable price, especially when you get it without a battery and charger.

This tool is a solid choice for people who already have or plan to buy other Ryobi 18 volt ONE+ tools and want to add a light-duty leaf blower to their garden tool collection.