Makita XBU03 18V LXT blower claims to be the lightest and most powerful blower in its class
The big news from La Miranda, CA has to do with the new Makita XBU03 blower. It is the 18V LXT member of Makita's OPE family, known for its class-leading weight and power.
advantage
- The strongest 18V blower we've ever tested
- Lighter than high pressure cordless blowers
- cruise control
- Quiet operation, even with battery powered blowers
shortcoming
- Short run time compared to other blowers
Makita XBU03 Cordless Blower Design
Before we get into the numbers, let's look at some background. This Makita cordless blower is in the 18V class, so it won't compete directly with 40V, 60V, 80V, and any other voltage you might think of right now.
Sitting in the 18V LXT series instead of the 18V X2 helps the Makita save weight. It weighs only 6.5 lbs when running on a 4.0Ah battery. On our scale, it weighed 4.8 pounds bare and 6.2 pounds with the 5.0Ah battery.
In comparison, Milwaukee's M18 Fuel blower (2724) weighs about 6.6 lbs with a 4.0Ah battery, but they actually have a heavier 9.0Ah battery.
Additional features
- Cruise Control (NEW!) – Set a constant speed while still being able to use triggers for higher performance
- In-line fan design – improves balance and ergonomics
- Pipe Extender – brings the nozzle closer to the ground
- Rubberized soft grip – for better comfort
- Keyhole – easier to hang
- Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) – removes dirt and water to extend motor life
In terms of power, the Makita has 459 CFM and 116 MPH. That's pretty close to Milwaukee's 450 CFM and 120 MPH specs. But those numbers alone don't tell the whole story, and there's no simple equation that turns them into an easily comparable number.
When Makita talk about having the most powerful 18V blower they're really talking about Newtonian force. It measures how much force is coming out of the blower tube. For the Makita XBU03, they measured a higher Newton force than any other blower in its class.
We hooked up the dynamometer, and this Makita cordless blower hit 11.3 Newtons at peak and stabilized at around 11 N on average. The Gen 1 blower in Milwaukee only reached 8.6 N, and we measured a maximum of 11.2 N for the Gen 2 blower.
So yes, our numbers support Makita's claim that they have the most powerful 18V blower ever.
Makita XBU03 Cordless Blower Runtime
We got the bare metal, mostly 5.0Ah battery running in the shop, so that's why we tested this Makita blower. On high, it ran for a runtime of 10 minutes and 25 seconds. Doing a little math, expect about 8 minutes with the 4.0Ah battery in the kit.
That might not seem like a lot, but it's actually only a minute shorter than our test of the XBU02 with two 5.0Ah batteries. When you're talking about blowing out your driveway and sidewalk or the area of the job site you're working on, it's more than enough in most cases.
noise level
Makita rates the XBU03 at 63 dB(A). Presumably, this is the minimum speed. We cranked it all the way up in the open field and it read 83 dB(A) in my ear (about 39 inches from the motor).
There are some notable points there. First, it falls within the 85 decibel limit OSHA requires for ear protection. You can wear it if the noise bothers you, but it won't go to the extent that we'd expect it to cause the slightest hearing damage.
Another point is that 83 decibels is pretty quiet for a cordless blower at peak power. Looking back at our shootout, it ranged from 81 decibels on the low end to a high of 95 decibels.
Makita XBU03 Battery Operated Blower Prices
As a bare-bones unit, the Makita XBU03 sells for $129. If you want the Makita Cordless Hair Dryer Kit, it's $199.
It's worth noting that Makita has equipped this blower with a 4.0Ah battery and standard charger. You'll get a bit less run time and won't charge as quickly compared to a 5.0Ah battery, but that should help keep the price down. As a light duty blower for quick cleanups, we gladly accept that request.
Makita XBU03SM1 blower kit includes
- blower
- 4.0Ah battery
- Standard charger
the bottom line
As an 18V blower, this blower provides quick cleaning on hard surfaces. Cleaning up job sites, shop/garage floors, and removing grass clippings from driveways and sidewalks are great applications. You can move around dry hardwoods with ease, but don't expect that to compete with the power of their 18V X2 blower or gas handheld.
Makita 18V LXT Cordless Blower Specifications
- Model: Makita XBU03
- Power supply: Makita 18V LXT battery
- CFM: 459 CFM
- mph: 116 mph
- Sound Level: 63dB (low), 83dB (high)
- Weight: 6.2 lbs with 5.0Ah battery, 4.8 lbs bare
- Length: 32-1/2″
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $129 bare, $199 kit