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To achieve a neat and tidy property, a leaf blower is a must-have tool.
The best model will help you get rid of fallen leaves as well as keep your gutters clog-free.
More than anything, a leaf blower’s power or “ability to blow” is its best selling point.
It is either measured in miles per hour (MPH) and cubic feet per minute (CFM).
Between leaf blower CFM vs MPH, which do you think is valued more? Which spec should you prioritize over the other?
This is exactly what we’ll talk about today. But before going into details, let’s talk about the basics first.
What Does MPH Mean on a Leaf Blower?
MPH stands for miles per hour, which measures the leaf blower’s airspeed.
It refers to how many miles the produced air can travel for one hour at a constant rate.
To put it simply, the MPH in a leaf blower measures how fast the air leaves the pipe.
What Does CFM Mean on a Leaf Blower?
On the other hand, CFM means cubic feet per minute, which is the air volume produced or air volume leaving the blower.
The end of a leaf blower powers a set of spinning blades in its housing called an impeller.
Powering the impeller draws air in one end and forces the air through the tube.
The volume of air leaving the tube of the leaf blower determines the CFM.
Leaf Blower CFM vs MPH
To know which number needs more attention, we’ll be zooming in and out of the functions of the two specifications.
In looking at leaf blower MPH vs CFM, we will be brushing through the following points: effects in performance, the size of the pipe, and the Newton force.
Effects in Performance
Since CFM and MPH measure different quantities or aspects, looking into their effect in the leaf blower is vital to gauge their significance.
Is one spec more important than the other? Let’s find out.
CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute)
As mentioned, CFM measures the air volume, so it is a direct measurement of the quantity of air pushed out of the leaf blower pipe.
Higher CFM indicates a greater ability to blow away materials.
In short, a higher CFM blows away more than a leaf blower with a lower CFM.
What Is a Good CFM for a Leaf Blower?
CFM is independent on the surface that it acts upon, which means the pipe size will not affect its value.
To answer the question, the CFM rating you are looking for depends on your working space.
A leaf blower with a 500 CFM blow rate can already blow away leaves and tiny rocks, while an 800 CFM rating can blow away small stones and sticks.
When using a blower with a high CFM rating, it is imperative to be cautious, especially when people are around.
A range of 350 to 600 CFM is considered a good rating for a handheld leaf blower.
A 200 to 400 CFM rating will be enough for an average-sized backyard.
However, for backyards larger than half an acre, leaf blowers with a CFM rating of 400 to 700 are what you will need.
On the other hand, for substantial commercial properties, having more than 1,000 CFM might be required.
MPH (Miles Per Hour)
As stated earlier, MPH measures the airspeed, so it refers to how fast the air is pushed out of the blower pipe.
The airspeed may be a little difficult to quantify.
To put it simply, a higher MPH blows away materials more quickly and farther than a blower with a lower MPH.
What Is a Good MPH for a Leaf Blower?
MPH is dependent on the force and the diameter of the pipe.
Determining the good value of MPH depends on the CFM value and the pipe size, which will be discussed next.
Pipe Size
The size of the pipe can easily manipulate both the leaf blower MPH vs CFM.
Manufacturers can make the MPH higher by reducing the pipe size, which will then result in a lower CFM.
To understand it better, think of it as a water hose.
If you have a low-pressure problem, increasing the distance that the hose can spray will work by decreasing the size of the hose’s opening.
Be careful of this factor, though; it dramatically affects the performance of your ideal leaf blower.
Newton Force
Looking into the Newton force of the leaf blower will make your life easier because it combines both CFM and MPH.
Basically, the effects of both CFM and MPH are put into one measurement, allowing you to see and understand how much force it creates.
Newton force is measured by the unit N or Newton. It is a unit of force wherein air velocity (MPH) and air volume (CFM) are combined.
The higher the Newton force, the better the leaf blower will get your tasks done.
Newton rating or values are also included in the specifications of leaf blowers.
So, by looking into one value, such as the Newton force, you will quickly identify which is better.
Is CFM or MPH More Important in a Leaf Blower?
Both specs are essential. Looking at one alone will not tell you the quality and performance of the leaf blower. Their combination must be considered.
Leaf blower CFM vs MPH both have important roles to play, so a balance of both is needed.
Imagine a high CFM and low MPH. Despite a high volume of air pushed out the tube, it would not move fast enough because of the low airspeed.
The same is true with its opposite, low CFM and high MPH. Despite a high airspeed, the air volume pushed out of the pipe is too low to be useful to blow large debris away.
Either scenario would not be beneficial for the user.
Ideally, you want to purchase a leaf blower with high CFM and MPH. This indicates that a leaf blower can work as much as you want and as fast you want.
The higher numbers are better as long as the size of the pipe is optimal.
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