Power blowers.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)

The best electric handheld blowers continue to outperform their gas-engined counterparts for less money. But both types take at least some of the grunt work out of sweeping and cleaning fallen leaves and other yard and driveway debris.

Many can also vacuum and shred what they pick up. And nearly all gas blowers we tested meet tougher new emissions requirements for sale in California.

But even electric blowers can annoy the neighbors, and gas blowers proved loud enough to require hearing protection. For this reason, a good number of localities now restrict their use.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Mainstream brands include Black & Decker, Craftsman (Sears), Homelite, Poulan, Toro, and Weed Eater. Pricier gas-blower brands include Echo, Husqvarna, John Deere, and Stihl. Despite advantages for electrics, however, gas blowers have their place and include more-powerful variations. Here are your choices:

Electric handheld blowers. Designed for one-handed use, these typically weigh just 7 pounds or less. Push-button starting, zero exhaust emissions, and the ability to vacuum and shred are other pluses. Mobility and range are limited by the power cord, however. Price: $30 to $100.

Gas-powered handheld blowers. The best approach the best electrics in performance, and all free you from a power cord. Manufacturers have also reduced exhaust emissions and quieted some models to meet local regulations. But their engines require pull-starting and tuneups, and are loud enough to warrant hearing protection. Most weigh 7 to 12 pounds. Models with two-stroke engines require mixing fuel and oil, and four-stroke models weigh the most. Price: $80 to $200.