Ryobi 40V Whisper Series 550 CFM Leaf Blower Stands Out for Quiet Operation
Battery powered blowers have made huge strides in performance, but not everyone needs 20+ Newtons of blowing force or the price tag that comes with it. We brought in the Ryobi 40V Whisper Series 550 CFM Leaf Blower to find out who it's for.
advantage
- silent operation
- rotary handle
- Inline jet fan design
- value for money
shortcoming
- no cruise control
- no bare tool option
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Blowing power
Ryobi specifies an airspeed of 125 MPH and an air volume of 550 CFM for this model. As usual, we hooked up our handy dandy dynamometer to see how the performance compares to other blowers.
Using the 4.0Ah battery in the kit, the brushless motor delivers 9.8 Newtons at full throttle and 13.9 Newtons when the turbo button is engaged. After switching to the 6.0Ah battery, the values are exactly the same, but they do peak a bit higher at the beginning of the test.
Residential grade gas blowers start at about 12 Newtons, so we'll use that as a baseline. This model from Ryobi surpasses it with a Turbo mode and has earned praise as a gas alternative.
run
We did runtime tests with a 4.0Ah battery. At high, we were able to run the blower for 21 minutes and 26 seconds. Start it with the Turbo button and it runs for 12 minutes and 43 seconds. For most residential lawns up to 1/2 an acre or so, you'll be good to go with just one battery.
noise level
The job of any blower is to use airflow to move debris, and some work more quietly than others. Ryobi advertises this model as 59 decibels, according to ANSI standards.
We like to measure from the operator's ear (about 36 inches), the number is always higher. At full speed, we measured 72 dB(a) and 80 dB(a) with the Turbo.
That's pretty quiet considering most cordless blowers we've tested run 85+ decibels. However, Ryobi's 730 CFM Whisper Series blowers actually tested slightly lower.
Ryobi 40V Whisper Series 550 CFM Leaf Blower Design Notes
It's clear that Ryobi gave this hair dryer a different look than most. The handle not only provides clearance for the battery, but it can also be turned. To adjust the position, loosen the gray knob on the side, turn the handle to your desired position, then tighten it again.
Tilting the handle back provides more nose-down angle and helps keep your wrists at a more natural angle. It might sound like a small thing, but it sure felt more comfortable when we were using it.
Controls are very simple, with a variable-speed trigger and a Turbo button. There's no cruise control, so you'll have to flick the trigger if you want speeds lower than full throttle.
The blower itself weighs 6.7 pounds, and the 4.0Ah battery makes it 9.8 pounds. Even though it weighs over 10 pounds, it's easy to carry and use.
Additional features
- Jet fan design
- Compatible with all Ryobi 40V batteries
Ryobi 40V Whisper Series 550 CFM Leaf Blower Prices
There are several ways you can buy this blower at The Home Depot. It costs $199 as a kit that includes a 4.0Ah battery and a charger. You can add a second 4.0Ah battery, and the kit costs $338. There are no bare tool options available.
Considering the 4.0Ah battery/charger starter kit runs $198 on its own, the $199 kit price is very attractive.
the bottom line
When you're blowing hard surfaces like driveways and sidewalks, Ryobi's 550 CFM Whisper Series blower is a great option, and it's surprisingly quiet. It also works well for moving dry hardwood debris around the yard for collection. When it comes to damp debris, it's not as effective as some more powerful cordless blow dryers, including Ryobi's own 730 CFM model. On the other hand, it's not that expensive either.
Specification
- Model: Rimei RY40470VNM
- Power source: Ryobi 40V battery
- Maximum airspeed: 125 MPH
- Maximum Airflow: 550 CFM
- Weight: 6.7 lbs bare, 9.8 lbs with 4.0Ah battery
- Price: $199 (one battery kit), $338 (two battery kits)