You know the drill. It's Saturday morning. You've got a pile of damp oak leaves that looks like a small mountain range on your driveway, and you're currently wrestling with a pull-chord on a gas blower that hasn't started on the first try since 2019. It's frustrating. Honestly, that’s usually the exact moment people start looking into the DeWalt 60 Volt leaf blower.
But there is a catch. Most people see the "60V MAX" label and assume it's going to hit with the same visceral, chest-thumping force of a backpack gas unit. It doesn't. Not exactly. But for about 90% of homeowners, that doesn't actually matter as much as they think it does.
The DeWalt DCBL772 (that’s the technical model number for the FlexVolt 60V version) is a weird, powerful beast. It uses an axial fan design. If you look down the "throat" of the blower, it looks more like a jet engine turbine than a traditional leaf blower. This design allows it to move a massive volume of air—up to 600 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)—at speeds around 125 MPH.
Why CFM Matters More Than MPH
If you talk to any pro landscaper, they’ll tell you that MPH is mostly marketing fluff. High MPH is great for dislodging a single pebble stuck in a crack in your sidewalk. It’s "pressure." But CFM? That’s "volume." To move a giant pile of wet leaves, you need volume. You need a wide column of air that can push the whole mass at once.
The DeWalt 60 Volt leaf blower prioritizes that volume.
The motor is brushless. This is basically non-negotiable in 2026. Brushless motors are more efficient, they don't friction-burn themselves to death over time, and they allow the battery to last longer because the energy transfer is managed by a digital controller rather than physical carbon brushes rubbing against a commutator.
The FlexVolt Ecosystem Secret
Here’s the thing about DeWalt’s 60V system that genuinely confuses people: the batteries.
DeWalt calls them "FlexVolt." These batteries are "smart." When you slide a FlexVolt battery into a standard 20V drill, the cells wire themselves in parallel to provide 20 volts with a massive amount of runtime. But when you click that same battery into the DeWalt 60 Volt leaf blower, the battery internally switches its wiring to series. Suddenly, it’s pumping out 60 volts of raw power.
It is clever engineering. It means if you already have a garage full of yellow and black tools, you aren't starting a new battery platform from scratch.
However, there is a weight penalty.
These batteries are heavy. The 9.0Ah or 12.0Ah packs weigh about as much as a small brick. When you attach that to the back of the blower, the balance changes. DeWalt tried to counteract this by putting the battery intake at the very rear, but if you’re using it for 30 minutes straight, you are going to feel it in your forearm. Your wrist will get a workout. That's just the reality of cordless tech right now.
Real World Performance: The Good and The Ugly
Let’s talk runtime. This is where the marketing disappears and reality hits.
If you pin the variable speed trigger to the floor—basically running it at full blast—you are only going to get about 12 to 15 minutes of life out of a 9.0Ah battery. That’s it. If you have a massive half-acre lot covered in maple leaves, one battery isn't going to cut it. You’ll be heading back to the charger before you’re halfway done.
But, if you use the "speed lock" (that little lever on the side) and keep it at 50% power for blowing grass clippings off a driveway? It’ll last significantly longer. Probably 30 or 40 minutes.
Most people don't realize that they don't need 600 CFM to move dry grass. They only need the full 60V grunt for the heavy lifting.
Noise and Neighborhood Relations
One of the biggest reasons people are ditching gas for the DeWalt 60 Volt leaf blower isn't actually the power. It's the sound. Gas blowers produce a low-frequency drone that travels through walls and drives neighbors insane.
The DeWalt sounds more like a high-pitched whir. It’s loud—around 67 dB(A)—but the sound doesn't carry the same way. You can use it at 8:00 AM on a Sunday without being "that person" in the neighborhood. Plus, there is no mixing oil and gas. No smelling like exhaust fumes for the rest of the day. No spark plugs to foul. You just pull the trigger and it goes.
Is it actually a "Pro" tool?
A lot of people ask if actual landscaping crews use these. The answer is: sometimes.
You won't see a crew using these for an 8-hour shift in a park. The battery logistics alone would be a nightmare. They’d need a literal suitcase full of $200 batteries. But for "punch list" work—cleaning off a porch after a mow or blowing out a garage—it’s faster than getting a gas unit out of the truck and warming it up.
For a homeowner? It’s arguably more tool than you’ll ever need, which is a good thing.
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Common Failures and What to Watch For
It isn't perfect.
The most common complaint involves the battery heat. Because the DeWalt 60 Volt leaf blower pulls so much current so quickly, the battery gets hot. If you try to put a hot battery immediately onto a charger, the charger will give you a "Hot Start Delay" light. You have to let the battery sit for 15 minutes to cool down before it will even begin to charge.
Also, the intake is at the back. If you’re wearing loose-fitting nylon shorts or a light jacket, the blower will suck your clothing against the intake screen. It’s annoying. It stops the airflow and makes a weird whining sound. You eventually learn to hold it slightly away from your body, but it’s a design quirk you have to live with.
The Cost Factor
Buying the "tool only" is usually around $200-$250. But if you don't have the batteries, the kit with a 9.0Ah battery and charger can easily climb toward $350 or $400.
Is it worth $400?
If you are already in the DeWalt ecosystem, absolutely. If you are starting from zero, you might look at brands like Ego or Milwaukee, but DeWalt’s 60V line has a specific "built like a tank" feel that the others sometimes lack. The plastics are thick. The trigger feels substantial. It doesn't feel like a toy.
Actionable Next Steps for Potential Owners
If you're leaning toward picking one up, don't just grab the first box you see.
First, check your current battery stock. If you only have the small 2.0Ah batteries that came with your drill, they won't even fit in this tool. You need the FlexVolt-specific packs.
Second, consider your terrain. If you have "matted" wet leaves on a gravel driveway, the 60V is a must. If you just have light dust on a smooth garage floor, the 20V version is actually lighter and easier to maneuver.
Lastly, invest in a fast charger (the DCB118). The standard chargers take forever to fill up those massive 60V batteries. A fast charger can get you back to work in about 60 minutes, whereas a slow one will have you waiting half the day.
Basically, the DeWalt 60 Volt leaf blower is the closest the industry has come to matching gas performance in a handheld unit, provided you understand the battery limitations. It’s a beast, but even beasts need to stop for a rest at the outlet every now and then.
To get the most out of this tool, start by clearing the heavy perimeter of your yard first while the battery is at 100%. Save the easy driveway sweeping for the end of the charge. This ensures you have the maximum CFM available for the stubborn damp piles that require the most force. If you find the weight is too much for your wrist, look into the secondary handle attachments or simply switch hands every five minutes to avoid fatigue.