DeWalt 60V MAX High Power Brushless Blower Kit

Why I reached for this 60V blower

I put this 60V blower through a month of yard cleanups and jobsite dust control, and it quickly set a baseline for what a high-output cordless blower can do today. It moves a lot of air for a handheld, stays notably quieter than gas, and the controls are smarter than most. It also has the trade-offs that come with a big battery and high power: weight and runtime. If you’re weighing a cordless blower against corded or gas for serious work, here’s how this one stacks up.

Setup, build, and first impressions

Out of the box, the kit includes the blower, a FLEXVOLT 12.0Ah battery, a charger, two nozzles (flat sweeper and concentrator), and a shoulder strap. Assembly is straightforward: click on the tube, choose a nozzle, and you’re ready to go while the battery tops off.

The build feels robust. The axial fan housing is rigid, the tube locks with minimal play, and the base stands upright without wanting to tip. On my scale, the blower with the 12Ah battery and standard tube came in just under 11 pounds. That’s hefty for a handheld, but the frame and handle are sized appropriately, and the strap hardware is solid enough to trust for extended use.

Controls and the LED dashboard

Controls are simple and well thought out:

• Variable-speed trigger for precise airflow
• Mode selector for Eco, Standard, and Turbo
• A trigger lock (cruise control) to hold a steady output
• An LED dashboard showing mode and remaining battery

The dashboard is actually useful: it’s bright in daylight, and the battery gauge feels more accurate than the “three dots and a prayer” status lights on many tools. One quirk: Turbo is a deliberate choice you need to engage when you want it; it doesn’t “stick” by default. I prefer it this way for battery management, but if you like to run on max for long stretches, expect to re-engage as needed.

This blower is also Tool Connect capable if you add the DCE042 chip. For crews that track inventory or want service reminders, that’s a plus. It’s optional and not included.

Power and real-world performance

On paper, 760 CFM and 160 mph are strong numbers for a handheld. In practice, this blower delivers:

• Hard surfaces (driveways, patios): Eco mode clears clippings, dust, and grit quickly. The flat sweeper nozzle makes a noticeable difference corralling debris into piles instead of scattering it.
• Turf and landscaping beds: Standard is the sweet spot for leaves on grass, mulch crumbs around beds, and acorns. The airflow stays broad enough that you’re moving material rather than making it tumble back on itself.
• Heavy debris and wet leaves: Turbo is the sledgehammer. It peels damp mats off turf and moves stuck needles out of cracks when paired with the concentrator. I also used Turbo to blow out radiators and air filters on equipment—plenty of force without dragging out a compressor.

This isn’t a direct replacement for a high-end gas backpack if you routinely clear huge properties or very deep, wet leaf piles. But for residential lots, light commercial upkeep, and jobsite cleanup, it’s as productive as any handheld I’ve used.

Ergonomics and noise

The battery sits at the rear, so the balance is slightly butt-heavy, especially with the concentrator nozzle installed. Running it one-handed is fine for short tasks, but on longer sessions you’ll feel it in your wrist. The included shoulder strap changes the game—use it. It offloads the weight and lets you pitch the nose angle without effort. After a couple sessions, adjusting the strap length becomes second nature and the blower “hangs” right where you want it.

Noise is impressively controlled for the airflow on tap. The internal foam and axial fan design keep the pitch lower and less piercing than most gas handhelds. You’ll still want hearing protection in Turbo or in close quarters, but Eco-mode cleanup feels conversation-level at a few feet, which is neighbor-friendly early in the morning or later in the evening.

Vibration is minimal—another benefit over small two-stroke blowers. After 20–30 minutes of work, I felt more forearm fatigue from weight than from any buzz.

Runtime and charging

This kit ships with a 12.0Ah FLEXVOLT battery (240 Wh). In my use:

• Eco: 18–25 minutes of continuous clearing on mixed surfaces
• Standard: 12–16 minutes
• Turbo: 7–10 minutes

Those numbers swing with technique, nozzle choice, and how hard you pin the trigger. The variable trigger and cruise control make a big difference; modulating instead of running wide open extends runtime meaningfully.

Charging the 12Ah pack on the included DCB1104 took right about 3 hours from low to full. That’s a long sit, so a second battery is the practical answer if you need to cover larger areas or back-to-back jobs. The flip side is that the 12Ah battery gives you peak output and the voltage headroom to keep airflow consistent as the pack drains.

Accessories and best-use scenarios

• Flat sweeper nozzle: Best for hardscape. It narrows the airstream into a slab of wind that moves debris without fanning it back at you.
• Concentrator nozzle: Aim this at packed debris, edges, and cracks. It also works well for blowing out equipment and shop spaces where targeted airflow beats raw volume.
• No nozzle (just the round tube): My go-to for general leaf work on turf.

Helpful tips:
- Angle matters. Lower the nozzle to skim the surface and let the airflow lift, not bulldoze.
- Use Eco to travel and “herd,” bump to Standard or Turbo when you hit dense spots.
- For long sessions, shorten the strap so the blower’s nose naturally points down; your wrist and shoulder will thank you.

What could be better

• Weight: Power takes a toll. Even though the blower is well built and the strap helps a lot, it’s still a chunky handheld with the 12Ah brick on it. If you have wrist or shoulder limitations, plan on using the strap every time.
• Turbo persistence: I’d love a user-selectable option for Turbo to persist until changed. As-is, it’s more of a surge mode, which is great for battery life but adds an extra step for those who want to run “full send.”
• Charge time: The included charger is reliable, but three hours to refuel a 12Ah pack is a long turnaround. A faster charger or a second battery would make the kit feel complete for pros and acreage owners.

Durability, support, and platform fit

The blower feels ready for daily use: tight fittings, sturdy strap points, and a housing that shrugs off scuffs. DeWalt’s 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction guarantee add confidence. If you’re already on the FLEXVOLT platform, the battery compatibility is a strong draw, and the 12Ah pack is useful across mowers, chainsaws, and bigger saws where capacity matters.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 60V blower is a high-output handheld that earns its keep with strong, controllable airflow, a genuinely useful interface, and noise manners that make it easy to live with. It’s not featherweight, and it won’t run for an hour on a charge. But used smartly—with the strap, the right nozzle, and judicious use of Turbo—it’s a productive, pro-leaning cordless solution.

Recommendation: I recommend this blower for homeowners with medium to large lots, property managers, and trades who want cord-free power for hardscape cleanup and equipment dust-out. You’ll appreciate the performance, ergonomics with the strap, and the quieter operation. If you routinely clear very large areas or expect 45–60 minutes of continuous runtime, consider budgeting for a second 12Ah battery or stepping up to a backpack solution.