When Comparing Leaf Blower Performance, Look for Newtonian Force
Almost every leaf blower comes with airflow (CFM) and airspeed (MPH) ratings, but how do you determine which one is more important? Leaf Blowers CFM takes a step beyond these two metrics and introduces you to the concept of Newtonian force.
Leaf Blower CFM vs MPH: Which Is More Important?
Let’s start by delving into the characteristics of airspeed and volume. You may have come across claims about blowers with 225 MPH or 900 CFM. So, which is better for your work? The answer is simple: both.
Airspeed, measured in MPH, represents the velocity required to move an object. Similar to a car’s speed, it tells us how far air can travel within an hour while maintaining its speed. The higher the airspeed, the more effectively it can move heavier objects.
Cubic feet per minute (CFM), on the other hand, quantifies the volume of air that a leaf blower can produce when operating at full throttle. It measures how many cubic feet of space can be filled in one minute. A higher CFM value indicates a wider area of effect and better ability to keep things in motion.
To maximize your efficiency, you need both characteristics. If your MPH is high but your CFM is low, you can move pebbles, mulch, and larger debris, but they won’t be propelled very far from the blower’s nozzle. Conversely, high CFM and low MPH are effective at moving dust and hay, but they have little impact on heavier debris.
Leaf Blowers CFM vs MPH: The Winner Is… Newton
Now, it’s time to discuss Newton. No, we’re not referring to the figs; we’re talking about power. A Newton is officially defined as the force required to accelerate a 1-kilogram object at a rate of 1 meter per second. So, let’s make sense of it all.
Newtonian force combines velocity and air volume into a single metric that we can measure. Essentially, Newton tells us the overall blowing force. When comparing blower performance, there is only one number that truly indicates how much work a blower can accomplish.
However, you can’t simply plug CFM and MPH values into an equation and obtain Newtons. The calculation is complex, taking into account factors such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and more. Fortunately, measuring Newtons directly is much simpler, and that’s what we test and report on in our blower reviews.
Interesting fact: An increasing number of brands are now including Newtons in their specifications, making it easier for you to compare leaf blowers and select the one that best suits your needs.
Love the blower in our featured image? It’s the Greenworks 60V Pro 700 CFM model. Read more about it here or buy it here.