In total, three battery powered leaf blowers are offered under the Oregon brand. This article gives you a comprehensive overview of the devices. In the following chapter, we will introduce the Oregon cordless leaf blower BL300 – the only blower operated with 40V batteries. Subsequently, we will introduce the Oregon backpack blower BL120VX as well as the handheld blower BLH120VX, which both belong to the 120V Professional Series from Oregon, in chapter two. The third chapter of this review contains a summary of the most important data of the three blowers presented. In chapter 4, we will provide you with some background regarding the company history of Oregon.
I. Oregon 40V Leaf Blowers
As mentioned above, Oregon offers one 40V battery operated leaf blower. In the following paragraphs, we will introduce the Oregon cordless leaf blower BL300 in detail. We will look into the performance and usability of the device, available technology (battery- and charging solutions) as well as acquisition cost.
Oregon Cordless Blower 40V BL300 – Review
Whether you are already a semi-professional user or an ambitious beginner, the Oregon cordless blower 40V BL300 will make the grade. It has a very strong motor just as a gasoline blower, but still provides all the benefits of a battery powered device, such as a reduced noise level and low tool weight.
One of its major benefits is definitely its high performance. However the Oregon BL300 is not only very powerful, but also has many other advantages. Moreover, power isn’t the only important criterion to consider when making a buying decision. It’s always a good idea to consider all aspects when deciding upon the right tool for your project.
Overall rating
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1. Performance - 10/1010/10
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2. Ergonomics - 9/109/10
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3. Battery & charging technology - 10/1010/10
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4. Scope of delivery & price - 9/109/10
1. Performance: 10/10
The Oregon BL300 has a very strong brushless motor and optimized fan to maximize the output of the blower. It’s truly a high performance tool, which is not only suitable for private home owners, but also for commercial and professional use.
The power of the device can be either controlled with a variable speed trigger or the turbo boost can be applied. If you use the variable trigger, you can reach an air velocity of 102 miles per hour (mph) and air volume of 400 cubic feet per meter (cfm). Using the turbo button will run the device with a maximum speed of 132 mph and generate a volume of up to 507 cfm.
The combination of a variable speed trigger and a turbo button guarantees highest possible flexibility for operators. On the one hand the trigger can be used when long run times or on-demand power is needed. On the other hand the turbo button gives you the additional performance needed to move the really tough yard debris.
2. Ergonomics: 9/10
The Oregon cordless blower weights 6.2 pounds (standalone). The weight of the complete kit, i.e. incl. a battery pack, can go up to 9 pounds depending on the battery size (between 1.7 and 2.9 pounds). Altogether, the Oregon solution was by far the lightest, which we analyzed during our annual 40V leaf blower reviews.
In addition to its relatively low weight, the Oregon BL300 has a very ergonomic design. The device does not only rest comfortably in the hand, because of its well-designed soft grip and extralarge buttons, but also due the tools’ eminent balance, meaning that the blower doesn’t annoyingly tilt forward or backward at all. Another nice ergonomic feature is that the air tube can be removed from the engine, which might save some storage space.
When using the variable speed trigger at high the Oregon blower has a noise level of 60.8 decibel. The noise level goes up to 64.6 decibel when applying the turbo button. According to the manufacturer’s website, noise levels were tested per ANSI B175.2 bystander sound pressure. In this context, it is important to note that the Oregon BL300 had one of the lower noise levels of the 40V blowers reviewed, for example in comparison with the Ryobi jet fan blower. However, the 40V device from WORX and the Greenworks 40V blower (model 24252) were even quieter.
3. Battery- & charging technology: 9/10
Battery technology:
The Oregon blower can be operated with three different 40V lithium-ion batteries which have capacities of 1.25 ampere hours (Ah), 2.4 Ah and 4.0 Ah. Taking into consideration the nominal voltage of 36 volts, this is equivalent to an energy storage of 45 watt hours (wh), 86,4 Wh and 144 Wh per battery (whereas one unit of energy corresponds to one watt of power expended for one hour of time).
The actual runtime of the battery pack depends on two factors. Firstly the size of the battery, i.e. how much energy can be stored. Secondly, the way you use the cordless leaf blower. Let’s take the biggest battery, the 4.0 Ah pack, as an example: If you use the variable speed trigger, you can work up to 90 minutes with the blower as long as you run it at low power. If the speed trigger is fully pressed, the runtime will be around 15 minutes only. And if you exclusively use the power boost, runtime will be even less than 10 minutes. However from a user’s perspective, it’s rather seldom that you need the power boost for more than 2 or 3 minutes without a break.
Logically, the smaller battery packs with 1.25 Ah and 2.4 Ah last less than the 4.0 Ah battery. We recommend to buy the biggest pack, if you need to run your cordless leaf blower at high speed. Please also be aware that the power button doesn’t work with the 1.25 Ah battery pack at all.
Charging technology:
All batteries can be either recharged with a standard battery charger (C600) or a fast charger (C750). You can recharge the batteries in 30 minutes (1.25 and 2.4 Ah battery) to 60 minutes (4.0 Ah battery) with a fast charger. It takes double the time or longer if you use the standard charger. For example, it takes around 4 hours to fully charge the 4.0 Ah battery pack with the C600.
Compatibility with other 40V devices from Oregon:
The just presented batteries and chargers can’t only be used in combination with the Oregon BL300, but also with many other 40V battery tools from Oregon, as for example pole saw, hedge trimmer, edger, chain saw.
4. Scope of delivery & price: 10/10
Potential buyers will find Oregon tools and products in the higher price segment. Quality simply has its price. You have the option to either buy the tool only (for example if you already possess Oregon batteries) or to purchase the full package (for example including a 4.0 Ah battery and a rapid charger). Usually you achieve lower component prices if you buy the complete kit.
II. Oregon 120V Leaf Blowers
In addition to the 40V blower presented in the article above, Oregon offers two further cordless leaf blowers belonging to the Oregon 120V Professional Series. On the one hand, the Oregon handheld blower BLH120VX is ideal for performing „quick jobs“, according to the manufacturer’s specification. On the other hand, the Oregon backpack blower BL120VX is perfectly suited for noise-sensitive areas due to its remarkably low noise level. In the following sections, we will introduce the two cordless leaf blowers on a 120V basis in more detail.
Oregon Handheld Blower BLH120VX
The Oregon handheld blower BLH120VX can be considered as the „big brother“ of the previously presented Oregon BL300. Although the tool coloring is different, both leaf blowers are similar in terms of construction. Even the tool weight is more or less comparable. However, there is a big difference between the Oregon BLH120VX and the 40V solution: the location of the battery pack. With the Oregon cordless leaf blower BL300, the 40V battery is simply plugged into the device. In contrast, the 120V battery which is used to run the Oregon handheld blower BLH120VX, is carried in a backpack. The connection between the backpack and the tool is made using a stick-tool cable.
Oregon provides two 120V battery packs for operation. Both 120V batteries are larger and therefore much heavier than the formerly introduced 40V batteries. The smaller of the two 120V batteries already weighs 10.9 lbs. The larger battery weighs 14 lbs. However, the 120V packs are not only heavier, but also have larger capacities (6- respectively 9 ah) and are therefore able to provide more energy (648- respectively 972 wh).
Consequently, the Oregon handheld blower has a remarkably strong performance. Similar to the the Oregon BL300, the 120V cordless leaf blower has a variable speed trigger and two different modes (stealth mode and high output mode). Using the high output mode, the maximum air volume is 530 cfm and the maximum air velocity goes up to 166 mph. With the larger battery pack, runtimes vary between 60 and 90 minutes depending on the set speed.
Another advantage of the Oregon handheld blower BLH120VX is its reduced noise level, which fluctuates between 54- and 56 db(A) only. In comparison, the noise level of the Oregon cordless leaf blower BL300 might go up to 65 db(A).
Oregon Backpack Blower BL120VX
In contrast to the previously introduced handheld blower, which is connected to the backpack through a cable, the Oregon backpack blower BL120VX is a fully integrated solution. The engine as well as the battery pack are both located in the backpack. The blowpipe is directly connected as well. As the handheld blower, the Oregon BL120VX has two different modes. By setting the mode on „high output“, the air volume goes up to 526 cfm and air velocity exceeds 200 mph. According to the manufacturers website, the backpack blower outperforms all mid-range gas blowers with its 22 Newton (N) blow force rating.
The Oregon backpack blower BL120VX is not only very powerful, but with a noise level of less than 60 db(A) also pretty quiet and suitable for residential areas. The drawback of Oregons 120V backpack solution is its high weight. The power tool already weighs 20.5 lbs standalone. Including the battery pack, the total weight of the solution increases even further.
III. Oregon Cordless Leaf Blower Data
| Technical Data | Oregon BL 300 (40V) | Oregon BLH120VX (Handheld) | Oregon BL120VX (Backpack) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||
| Max. air speed | 132 mph | 166 mph | 200 mph |
| Max. air volume | 507 cfm | 530 cfm | 526 cfm |
| Variable speed trigger | + | + | + |
| Performance boost | + | + | + |
| Ergonomics | |||
| Weight (tool only) | 6.2 lbs | 7.2 lbs | 20.5 lbs |
| Max. noise level | 65 db(a) | 56 db(a) | 59 db(a) |
| Soft-grip | + | + | - |
| Max. battery run times¹ | |||
| 1.3 ah: n/a 2.6 ah: 28 min 4.0 ah: 54 min 6.0 ah: 90 min | 6.0 ah: n/a 9.0 ah: 90 min | 6.0 ah: n/a 9.0 ah: 45 min |
¹ Battery run times times partially calculated.
| Battery- and & Charging Technology | Oregon 40V | Oregon 120V |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Technology | ||
| Voltage | 40 Volt | 120 Volt |
| Battery range | Li-Ion 1.3 ah Li-Ion 2.6 ah Li-Ion 4.0 ah Li-Ion 6.0 ah | Li-Ion 6.0 ah Li-Ion 9.0 ah |
| Electricity use | 1.3 ah: 50 wh 2.6 ah: 104 wh 4.0 ah: 160 wh 6.0 ah: 240 wh | 6.0 ah: 648 wh 9.0 ah: 972 wh |
| Charging Technology² | ||
| Charging times (standard charger) | 1.3 ah: n/a 2.6 ah: 120 min 4.0 ah: 240 min 6.0 ah: n/a | 6.0 ah: 3 hrs 9.0 ah: 5 hrs |
| Charging times (fast charger) | 1.3 ah: n/a 2.6 ah: 30 min 4.0 ah: 60 min 6.0 ah: 90 min | n/a |
² Charging times times partially calculated.
IV. Oregon history
The Oregon Saw Chain Manufacturing Corporation was founded in 1947 with only four employees and one single product. Today, Oregon is one of the world’s top names in saw chain, sprockets, guide bars, outdoor equipment parts, and forestry accessories.
The Oregon brand belongs to Blount Inc., a corporation with more than 3,000 employees and thousands of products sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. The company focuses on manufacturing products that offer a superior competitive advantage and hold leading market share positions.