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I bought my first DEWALT tool about five years ago. It was the 20V MAX 1/4-inch brushless impact driver kit that came with two batteries, a battery charger, and a carrying case.

I actually still have that impact driver, though the base is now taped together after I accidentally dropped it on the concrete floor of my shop. Still works like a champ, though!

But we’re not here to discuss the long history of my DEWALT tool usage. Instead, we’re here to learn about the DEWALT cordless leaf blower - specifically, the 20V MAX XR (DCBL722B).

So, is the DEWALT cordless leaf blower a hit or a miss?

In short, the DEWALT 20V MAX XR cordless leaf blower has both good and bad qualities. You get good power and airflow in a blower that’s lightweight and easy to handle. Unfortunately, the good air flow doesn’t last long at all unless you spring for a 5AH battery.

But, I’ll be the first to admit that my initial assumptions about how long a battery-powered leaf blower should run might have been too high, given the batteries I have…

Anyway, let’s dive in and discuss the virtues of my DEWALT cordless leaf blower so you can decide if it’s a smart investment for your needs.

Table of Contents

• DEWALT Cordless Leaf Blower 20V MAX XR Basic Specs

• DEWALT Cordless Leaf Blower 20V MAX XR Features

• Using the DEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless Leaf Blower

• DEWALT Cordless Leaf Blower Pros & Cons

DEWALT Cordless Leaf Blower 20V MAX XR Basic Specs

• Size: 11.68 x 6.62 x 21.43 inches

• Weight: 5.4 pounds

• Motor type: Brushless

• Air flow: Up to 450 cubic feet per minute (CPM)

• Max air speed: 125 MPH

• Operating noise level: 66 dB

• Recommended battery type: DEWALT DCB205

• Runtime: Up to 12 minutes (high setting) and up to 87 minutes (low setting) per the manufacturer

DEWALT Cordless Leaf Blower 20V MAX XR Features

In addition to the basic specs above, the 20V MAX XR leaf blower has an ergonomic handle to reduce fatigue as you’re using the tool. In fact, I find that the handle - which has a textured rubber grip - feels almost identical to the grip on my DEWALT impact drivers and drills. If you’ve used these tools before, the cordless leaf blower will feel very familiar.

The leaf blower’s brushless motor gives it improved efficiency and durability. According to DEWALT, the brushless design improves the longevity of the tool while extending the runtime as well. The axial-type fan also maximizes runtime and air output.

To get the most out of the DEWALT cordless leaf blower and its air output, you need to attach the concentrator to the end of the nozzle. This is a simple process with no tools required - just simply slide the concentrator onto the end of the nozzle. There are two tabs built into the nozzle that lock the concentrator into place. To remove the concentrator, you simply press both tabs and pull it off the nozzle.

The blower has a variable-speed trigger so you can customize the airflow to your particular needs. The trigger has a lock as well, which is a handy feature so you don’t have to maintain pressure on the trigger at all times.

Using the DEWALT 20V MAX XR Cordless Leaf Blower

I primarily use my DEWALT cordless leaf blower to clean up the driveway, deck, and sidewalks after I trim and mow the yard (I also clear debris out of the flower beds, as shown above). Come fall - which will be the first with this tool - I’ll obviously use it to blow leaves around as they fall from the many mature lilac bushes in my yard and the giant cottonwood tree that’s in my front yard.

Update #1: This battery-powered leaf blower was a rockstar in the fall. Once I got used to carrying a spare battery in my back pocket, I quickly cleaned up the lawn as winter approached. Even with my tiny 1.5Ah and 1.3Ah batteries, I cleared leaves and other debris from my entire property with just one battery swap.

As I noted earlier, the grip on this blower is very comfortable, and I find that the trigger and locking mechanism for the trigger are well-placed for one-handed operation. The blower is also very well balanced - the body and nozzle help balance out the heavier back end where the motor and battery are located.

When I purchased the blower, I opted to get the tool by itself, as I have a collection of DEWALT 20V batteries. But…my batteries are of the DCB201 and DCB207 varieties, which have a power rating of 1.5Ah and 1.3Ah, respectively. As stated above, the recommended battery is the DEWALT DCB205, which is a 5Ah battery.

Nevertheless, my puny batteries give me enough juice to clear grass clippings after I mow. It only takes 5-7 minutes on full power to get the job done, which is great because that’s all the longer I can run the blower at maximum power with these batteries. I was initially really disappointed in the runtime until I realized that I needed to upgrade to a 5Ah battery to achieve the stated runtime from the manufacturer. That’s my stupidity - not a fault of the blower. Still, spending another $75ish on a 5Ah battery was a bit of a downer.

The variable speed trigger is responsive and easy to use. I can hold the trigger at any point between off and max power, and can also vary the speed quite easily. The locking mechanism worked great initially, but has since decided to stop working. More on that in a moment.

DEWALT says that you can get about 12 minutes of runtime with a 5Ah battery, and in my testing, they aren’t far off. In one test, I managed just over 10 minutes at full power and in another test I was just under 11 minutes. Other folks have gotten upward of 15-20 minutes at max power. Since I prefer to go all-out all the time, I haven’t yet tested how long the blower can go on low speed. I doubt I have the patience to try it, to be honest!

Update #2: Over the winter, I’ve tested the DEWALT leaf blower’s ability to clear light, dry snow from my sidewalk and deck. It’s not a perfect solution by any means, but when we get a light dusting, it’s worked well instead of using a shovel or a broom.

DEWALT Cordless Leaf Blower Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very well balanced

• Nice, responsive trigger

• Great airflow

• Lightweight

• Extremely quiet

The biggest benefit is obviously not having to deal with a corded blower (which is what I used to have) or a gas-powered blower and all the mess that comes with that. For me, all the other benefits of this blower are just icing on the cake. This blower had me at “cordless.”

Cons

• Trigger lock is already broken

• Trigger lock only works on max power

• Need to invest in a 5Ah battery

The biggest drawback about this leaf blower is that the locking mechanism no longer locks. While I expect some wear and tear to happen, I didn’t expect it to happen within six weeks of making the purchase. And it’s not like I’ve abused this thing. I’ve used it 5-6 times, and didn’t even engage the locking mechanism each time. If I needed to use it more frequently or for longer periods of time, the broken locking mechanism would be a very big deal.

Otherwise, I’m really happy with this DEWALT cordless leaf blower. It offers everything I need to tend my rather small yard (I have a .16-acre lot) and allows me to clean up without making tons of noise. For about $150.00, I’m pretty pleased with my purchase, and I’m very pleased that I don’t have to drag extension cords around anymore!

If you’re already in the DEWALT ecosystem, you know that it’s a great brand with good tools at reasonable prices. While this blower isn’t perfect, I still consider it to be a great addition to my collection of tools.

Want to learn more about DIY projects? Check out my favorite home improvement YouTube channels!