Leaf blowers are brilliant until your neighbour knocks on the fence at 7am to let you know exactly what they think of yours. Council noise restrictions, early starts on site, backyard jobs on a Sunday — there are plenty of good reasons to want a blower that doesn't sound like a jet engine taxiing through the suburb.
The good news: battery-powered blowers have come a long way. Gas blowers average 95–100 dB, while good electric blowers now average 60–70 dB — a significant difference that's very noticeable in practice. The even better news is that several models now sit well below that, with the quietest examples running at noise levels comparable to a normal conversation.
Below we've ranked the 10 quietest leaf blowers available (or orderable) in Australia right now, from softest to loudest. All dB figures are manufacturer-stated sound power or pressure levels unless otherwise noted.
A Quick Note on Decibels
The decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear. Each 10 dB increase represents a tenfold increase in sound energy — so a 70 dB blower isn't slightly louder than a 60 dB one, it's ten times more intense. This is why the difference between a 57 dB and a 70 dB blower is enormous in practice, even though the numbers look close.
For a quiet leaf blower, aim for models rated under 65 dB — roughly the level of a normal conversation. The quietest brushless cordless models sit in the 58–62 dB range.
The Rankings
🥇 1. WORX Nitro 40V Cordless Blower (WG581) — 55–57 dB
The quietest leaf blower money can buy right now.
The WORX Nitro 40V operates at just 57 dB, ensuring your neighbours won't be disturbed. It delivers 530 CFM and 180 MPH air speed, and runs for up to 90 minutes on a charge. WORX calls this their "QuietTech" silent fan turbine technology, and the numbers back it up. At 55–57 dB, if you're annoying your neighbours with this blower, it won't be the WORX Nitro's fault.
The trade-off is that 530 CFM won't shift heavy wet debris as aggressively as higher-powered models. For residential clean-up, lighter site work, or anywhere noise matters most, this is the pick.
- Noise: ~57 dB
- Airflow: 530 CFM / 180 MPH
- Runtime: Up to 90 min
- Battery: 40V (2 batteries included)
- Weight: ~3.5 kg (with battery)
🥈 2. Greenworks Pro 80V Cordless Blower — ~60 dB
The quietest high-performance blower available.
In independent testing, the Greenworks Pro 80V was measured at under 60 dB — and it still delivers a Turbo Boost maximum of 730 CFM. That's a rare combination: genuinely quiet operation with enough airflow to handle real work. The quiet operation is thanks to a brushless motor, no combustion noise, and an axial fan and airflow channel design that moves a lot of air with less turbulence.
It also comes with a 4-year warranty, which is well above average for the category.
- Noise: <60 dB (independently tested)
- Airflow: Up to 730 CFM (Turbo)
- Battery: 80V
- Warranty: 4 years
3. Makita XBU001PT Cordless Backpack Blower — ~60–64 dB
The quietest backpack blower, built for serious work.
The Makita XBU001PT has been measured at 60.6 dB in independent testing — exceptional for a backpack unit, and genuinely quiet for an all-day commercial blower. The Makita XBU02PT1 (the updated dual-battery variant) sits at 64 dB with efficient airflow and a price around $400. If you're after a backpack blower for commercial or landscaping use without the noise penalty, Makita's cordless backpack range is the benchmark.
- Noise: ~60–64 dB
- Type: Cordless backpack
- Battery: 18V x 2 (LXT)
- Best for: Large areas, professional use
4. Ryobi 36V HP Brushless Garden Blower (Whisper Technology) — 63 dB
Australia's most popular quiet blower, available at Bunnings.
With sound-dampening Whisper Technology™, the Ryobi 36V HP Brushless Garden Blower delivers a quiet 63 dB, along with a 339 km/h air speed and 127% more blow force than the previous model. It's widely available at Bunnings, backed by Ryobi's ONE+ battery ecosystem, and represents exceptional value for the noise level.
Ryobi claims their Whisper series is anywhere from 70–86% quieter than gas-powered tools. Real-world reviews broadly confirm the quiet operation, with some variation depending on speed setting.
- Noise: 63 dB
- Air speed: 339 km/h
- Runtime: Up to 21 min (high)
- Battery: 36V (Ryobi ONE+ compatible)
- Available: Bunnings nationwide
5. EGO Power+ LB5302 56V 530 CFM Blower — 64 dB
The quietest entry point into the EGO ecosystem.
The EGO Power+ LB5302 maintains a relatively low noise level of 64 dB while still delivering turbo performance of 530 CFM and up to 110 MPH, with up to 75 minutes of runtime on a single charge. EGO's 56V ARC Lithium battery is shared across their full range of mowers, trimmers, and blowers — so the battery investment goes a long way.
All EGO blowers produce 65 dB or less of noise — around four times quieter than most gas blowers.
- Noise: 64 dB
- Airflow: 530 CFM / 110 MPH (Turbo)
- Runtime: Up to 75 min
- Battery: 56V ARC Lithium (2.5Ah included)
6. Greenworks 40V Brushless Cordless Blower — ~65 dB
A solid mid-range option with strong runtime.
The Greenworks 80V Backpack Blower sits at 65 dB — and the 40V handheld models perform similarly in the 65–68 dB range. As covered in our main leaf blower review, the 40V brushless offers 297 km/h air speed and 21 minutes of runtime on high, with vacuum and mulching capability built in. For anyone wanting low noise without going to the 80V price point, the 40V is worth considering.
- Noise: ~65 dB
- Air speed: 297 km/h
- Runtime: 21 min
- Battery: 40V G-MAX
7. EGO Power+ LB6504 56V 650 CFM Blower — ~65 dB
The best all-rounder in the EGO range.
The EGO Power+ LB6504 operates at approximately 62 dB at 50 feet, with a brushless motor and variable speed. At closer range under full load the figure is higher, but it remains one of the quieter high-output handheld blowers available. If you want maximum clearing power without going to a backpack, this is the sweet spot in the EGO lineup.
- Noise: ~62–65 dB (distance dependent)
- Airflow: 650 CFM / 180 MPH
- Battery: 56V (5.0Ah included)
8. Bosch UniversalLeafBlower 18V-130 — ~68 dB
Light, compact, and quieter than you'd expect.
Battery-powered blowers are typically 10–15 dB quieter than corded models, and the Bosch 18V sits in this quiet cordless zone. At 1.6 kg it's the lightest blower on this list, and it integrates into the Bosch POWER FOR ALL 18V battery ecosystem. The 245 km/h air speed won't shift wet leaves, but for site clean-up, patios, and light garden work it's quiet enough to use without attracting stares.
- Noise: ~68 dB (estimated from class)
- Air speed: 185–245 km/h
- Weight: 1.6 kg
- Battery: Bosch 18V POWER FOR ALL
9. Greenworks 40V Cordless Blower (Standard Series) — ~70 dB
Affordable entry-level quiet blower.
The standard Greenworks 40V range sits a step below the brushless Pro models in both noise and power, but still well below petrol equivalents. At around 70 dB it's in the "vacuum cleaner" range — audible, but not aggressive. Seventy decibels is comparable to a vacuum cleaner or busy street traffic, which puts it in perspective. Still a considerate choice for early morning or suburban use.
- Noise: ~70 dB
- Battery: 40V G-MAX
- Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who still want to keep it reasonable
10. STIHL BG 50 Petrol Handheld Blower — ~70 dB
The quietest petrol blower — still with some bark to it.
If you need petrol power and want the quietest option available, the STIHL BG 50 sits at approximately 70 dB at 50 feet, achieved through an advanced muffler design. That's impressively low for a combustion engine and within reach of some battery models. It won't win any library contests, but for a petrol blower it's in a different class from the 90–100 dB machines.
Worth noting: even at 70 dB, prolonged use warrants hearing protection. More on that below.
- Noise: ~70 dB
- Type: Petrol handheld
- Best for: Remote sites, heavy clearing where battery isn't practical
At a Glance: The Quiet Leaf Blower Rankings
| # | Model | Noise Level | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WORX Nitro 40V WG581 | ~57 dB | Cordless handheld |
| 2 | Greenworks Pro 80V | <60 dB | Cordless handheld |
| 3 | Makita XBU001PT | ~60–64 dB | Cordless backpack |
| 4 | Ryobi 36V HP Whisper | 63 dB | Cordless handheld |
| 5 | EGO Power+ LB5302 | 64 dB | Cordless handheld |
| 6 | Greenworks 40V Brushless | ~65 dB | Cordless handheld |
| 7 | EGO Power+ LB6504 | ~65 dB | Cordless handheld |
| 8 | Bosch UniversalLeafBlower 18V | ~68 dB | Cordless handheld |
| 9 | Greenworks 40V Standard | ~70 dB | Cordless handheld |
| 10 | STIHL BG 50 | ~70 dB | Petrol handheld |
Do You Still Need Hearing Protection on a Quiet Blower?
Short answer: yes, for extended use.
Gas-powered leaf blowers produce 80–92 dB of noise, putting them firmly in hearing protection territory. The battery models on this list are genuinely much better — but even at 63–65 dB, running a blower for an hour means sustained exposure at close range to a machine that's still louder than a conversation. If you're using one for 20 minutes to tidy the drive, you'll be fine. If it's an hour of commercial work, ear protection is still worth it.
Don't Forget About What the Blower Kicks Up
Noise is the obvious issue, but there's another one people don't think about until they're spitting out dry mulch: dust and debris. Every leaf blower — quiet or not — generates a significant cloud of fine particles, dry grass, and organic material that goes straight at your face.
If you're working outdoors in the Australian summer, that also means UV exposure and bush flies drawn directly to you the second you start working.
The Outback Mask was designed specifically for this. It's a cooling face mask with built-in P2 dust filtration, UPF50 sun protection, and a patented silicone enclosure that seals without fogging your glasses. The Polartec Delta fabric keeps you cooler rather than trapping heat, and the gel cool pack slot takes the edge off when it's 35°C and you're clearing the driveway.
A quiet blower and a proper face mask: problem solved on two fronts.
Bottom Line
For most Australians wanting the quietest possible leaf blower, the WORX Nitro 40V leads the field at ~57 dB. If you want more power without sacrificing quiet, the Greenworks Pro 80V or Makita cordless backpack are exceptional choices. For something off the shelf at Bunnings tomorrow, the Ryobi 36V Whisper at 63 dB is hard to argue with.
Whatever you choose, pair it with proper gear — ears protected, eyes protected, and a face mask sorted before the dust cloud arrives.
Read our full best leaf blowers Australia guide or browse dust protection for outdoor workers for more.