MAKITA DUB186Z 18V Cordless Leaf Blower review

What’s the Makita DUB186Z 18V cordless leaf blower like?

This cordless leaf blower weighs the same as others in the group we tested, like the Stiga SAB 100AE, but its compact design and long, narrow nozzle makes it feel more manoeuvrable and easier to reach awkward corners. The 5Ah 18V battery delivers plenty of power and it has three different power settings – low, medium and high – and offers further control with the pressure trigger switch that must be held down to use. It copes with both wet and dry leaves on grass, in borders and on paths on the low setting, which is gentle enough to tease fallen leaves out of shrubs and plants. The medium setting copes with larger amounts of leaves, and the varying levels of pressure at this setting allow you to collect them tidily. At full speed, it effortlessly shifts stubborn well-trodden debris from in between paving slabs. The soft-grip handle, together with the position of the battery, which slots in underneath it, helps balance the leaf blower, making it comfortable to use for longer periods of time.

Who’s the Makita DUB186Z 18V cordless leaf blower most useful for?

The Makita DUB186Z is ideal if mobility is an issue, because it’s one of the lighter models we tested and has a compact body and thin nozzle. The combination of power, long run time and short charge time help this leaf blower cope just as well in large gardens as it will with patios and backyard.

Is the Makita DUB186Z 18V cordless leaf blower good value for money?

It’s in the mid-range of the tools we tested, but performs really well – one of the best we tested, with three control settings and variable power within those settings. A one-year plus warranty and easy to store design makes this a super cordless tool that’s good value for money.