Power and Performance

Despite being cordless, the Ryobi blower delivers a surprisingly powerful volume of air. It’s much quieter than a petrol blower, which is a relief if you’re trying not to disturb neighbours. Even with its quieter operation, it still packs enough power to gather up leaves, small branches, and other plant matter into manageable piles for easy sweeping and collection. I use it after hedge trimming, and it saves a lot of time and effort compared to manual sweeping.

In terms of power output, I’ve found it to be more than adequate for regular residential garden use. You may want something a little more powerful for commercial use or for a property with larger grounds. For anyone with a property like mine – surrounded by hedges and prone to stray leaves and debris – this blower will get the job done efficiently.

Battery Life

The blower came with a 4A battery and a charger. I already have many Ryobi batteries but great to have another battery and charger to add to the collection. I’ve been able to clear my entire property, which usually takes about 15 minutes of constant use, and the battery still has 2 out of 4 bars remaining by the end of the session. I estimate you’d get around 30 minutes of blowing time from a fully charged battery, which is more than enough for most residential gardens.

In all my uses, I’ve never run out of battery in a single session. Even if you have a larger property or require longer use, it’s part of Ryobi’s ONE+ system, so if you have other tools in the range, you can easily swap batteries if needed.

Comfort and Ease of Use

One of the major advantages of this blower is that it’s light enough for extended use without becoming uncomfortable. Even after 15-20 minutes of continuous use, I’ve found it easy to handle, and the grip feels ergonomic. The fact that it’s cordless adds to the ease, allowing for full freedom of movement without worrying about cords getting in the way or having to constantly stop to reposition.

Quirks

One minor quirk I’ve noticed is that the fan intake at the back of the blower is quite strong, and it has a tendency to suck in loose clothing like t-shirts or jackets. This restricts the airflow to the fan which can’t be good for the fan motor. It’s not a major problem, but something to be aware of. To avoid this, I recommend wearing more fitted clothing or making sure your jacket is zipped up before using the blower. Holding the tool at a decent length away from your body also helps to avoid this issue.

Key Strengths

• Quiet Operation: Much quieter than petrol blowers, making it more neighbourhood friendly and less harsh on the ears.
• Powerful Air Volume: Delivers strong performance, easily moving leaves, twigs, and other debris into piles.
• Good Battery Life: The 4A battery lasts long enough to clear a typical garden without needing to be recharged. I estimate about 30 minutes of continuous use on a full charge.
• Lightweight and Comfortable: Easy to use for extended periods without causing strain, making it perfect for regular garden maintenance.
• Cordless Freedom: No more being tied down by cords, allowing for easy movement around the property.

Areas for Improvement

• Clothing Suction: The powerful fan intake at the back can pull in loose clothing, reducing airflow. A simple design tweak could resolve this, but it’s manageable as long as you’re aware of it.

Final Thoughts

After six months of regular use, the Ryobi ONE+ Cordless 18V RY18BLA-140 Blower has proven itself to be a solid, reliable tool for maintaining my property. The combination of quiet operation, powerful airflow, and ease of use makes it a fantastic option for anyone looking to maintain their garden without the hassle of a petrol blower. The battery life is more than sufficient for most tasks, and the cordless design adds flexibility to any garden work.

If you’re looking for a lightweight, efficient blower that can handle residential level debris with ease, I’d highly recommend the Ryobi ONE+ RY18BLA-140.