I'm trying to decide between two blowers: the Milwaukee Dual Blower that uses 2 8ah Forge Batteries for $700 total, and the EGO 765cfm Blower that comes with a 5ah Battery for $300, or possibly a second 5ah for about $550. My concern is the run time, especially with the Milwaukee since it needs both batteries for operation. I want to know if anyone has experience with the Milwaukee's runtime using the 8ah batteries and how it compares to the EGO's performance. With the EGO, I might get away with using just one battery and have a backup if needed, but I'd like to know if it's worth it to spend more on the Milwaukee.
3 Answers
With two 12ah Forages, I get around an hour of run time. For the 8ah batteries, I'd say you're looking at about 35 to 45 minutes, unless you're really holding that trigger down the whole time, then it's probably even less.
From my experience, you can expect around half an hour of run time with the 8ah setup. Just keep in mind that usage style will affect overall runtime!
Honestly, the price for these handheld blowers is pretty steep. You'll need to swap out batteries mid-job unless you shell out for more batteries, or you might end up waiting for them to charge. If you're looking for a powerful option, you might want to consider a Stihl BR800. It's about $700 but can run all day on just $3.50 worth of gas, making it a better investment for extensive use.