Skil PWR CORE 20 Brushless 20V Jobsite Blower

A compact sweeper that earns its spot on the shelf

I picked up the Skil 20V blower to handle the in-between tasks that a big yard blower makes annoying: clearing sawdust between cuts, chasing grass clippings off the driveway, and tidying a patio after a windy day. After several weeks of use, it’s clear where this tool shines—and where it taps out.

Design, build, and ergonomics

This is a compact, lightweight blower that feels closer to a cordless drill than a full-size yard tool. The size is a genuine advantage. It fits on a crowded shelf, rides along in a truck box without fuss, and goes up a ladder without making you rethink your life choices. The balance is good with a compact 20V pack; it doesn’t feel nose-heavy, and the handle overmold does a nice job cutting down on hand fatigue.

The rubber nozzle is a small but thoughtful touch. It protects cabinet surfaces, painted trim, and automotive finishes if you bump into them, and it lets you “squeegee” along the floor or bench without scratching. Build quality is solid for the class—no creaks, no loose seams, switchgear that clicks positively, and a motor that spools up smoothly.

Under the hood, the brushless motor is the right call. It runs cooler, it’s quieter than a brushed equivalent, and the throttle response is crisp. You feel that immediacy when you feather the trigger to tease sawdust away from a cut line or ease into a pile of leaves.

Controls and usability

Skil keeps the controls simple: a variable-speed trigger, a speed lock, and three selectable speed modes (low/medium/high). The trigger gives you fine control, while the lock lets you set a steady airflow so you don’t have to white-knuckle the trigger through longer jobs. It’s a nice ergonomic win for something this small.

• Low is perfect for benchtop cleanup, delicate areas, or clearing inside a garage without turning it into a dust storm.
• Medium is my go-to for sidewalks and patios—enough airflow to move dry leaves and grass clippings without scattering everything into the lawn.
• High is there when you need to move heavier debris or push material across a wider area.

There’s no turbo/boost button, and that’s consistent with the tool’s intent. This is a jobsite/patio sweeper, not a fall leaf solution for an acre of oaks.

Performance: mph versus CFM

On paper, you see up to 180 mph and 110 CFM. The mph figure is air speed at the nozzle; the CFM is the volume of air moving. That 110 CFM puts this squarely in the “compact sweeper” category. Translation to real work:

• Excellent for sawdust, drywall dust, wood chips, and general jobsite detritus
• Very good for dry leaves, grass clippings, and blossoms on hard surfaces
• Adequate for light debris in gutters and roof valleys if you’re careful and working dry
• Not a great choice for wet leaves, thick thatch, or moving large piles across a lawn

If you guide debris into a windrow and work deliberately, the airflow is focused enough to be efficient. It won’t bulldoze a yard full of wet maple leaves, but it will quickly make a sidewalk or deck look finished after mowing.

Runtime and battery behavior

Runtime obviously depends on the battery you use, but the pattern is consistent. On high, I average roughly 15–20 minutes per compact pack. Step down to medium and you can stretch that significantly; low is practically sipping power for precision cleanup.

A few encouraging notes:
- Power stays consistent until the pack is nearly depleted. There’s no long fade-out; it maintains performance and then asks for a swap.
- The motor runs cool and doesn’t exhibit thermal throttling in normal use.
- The speed lock genuinely helps you conserve power by keeping airflow steady instead of over-squeezing the trigger.

If you’re planning a longer session, bring a second battery or consider a higher-capacity pack. For day-to-day tidying, one compact battery is enough.

Noise and comfort

Compared to a gas handheld or even many high-volume cordless blowers, this is easy on the ears. It’s not silent, but it’s neighbor-friendly early or late in the day. Vibration is minimal, and at under three pounds bare tool, it’s easy to one-hand for extended tasks or to carry while you move ladders or brooms.

Accessories and little conveniences

Two extras add useful versatility:
- The rubber nozzle, beyond protection, lets you get right up to edges without scuffing.
- The included inflator/deflator adapter is handy for blowing out filters, clearing out tight corners in tools and jigs, or inflating light-duty items. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated inflator, but it earns its keep.

Skil sells this as tool-only, so you’ll need a compatible PWR CORE 20 battery and charger. There’s a single battery port (as expected), no strap, and no adjustable handle—none of which I missed in this size class.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

The Skil 20V blower is a terrific “always ready” tool for:
- Carpenters and remodelers who want to clear a workspace between steps
- Homeowners who value quick cleanups on hard surfaces
- Anyone already invested in Skil’s 20V platform
- Light seasonal tasks like clearing blossoms off a patio or dusting light, dry snow off a vehicle

It’s not the right solution if:
- You need to move large volumes of wet leaves routinely
- You expect backpack-blower performance from a compact handheld
- You want a single blower to manage heavy fall cleanup across a big property

If your needs trend heavier, step up to a higher-CFM cordless blower in the 36V/40V/56V class—or even a corded or gas unit if runtime and raw volume are your priority.

Durability and maintenance

Brushless motors tend to be kinder over the long haul, and that shows here. After repeated high-speed sessions, there’s no hot-electronics smell or performance sag. The housing and guard areas shed dust easily, and the nozzle connection has stayed tight despite regular removal to use the adapter. Keep the tool reasonably clean, avoid sucking up gravel, and it should hold up well.

Quibbles and wish list

A few limitations are inherent to the design:
- No turbo button for brief bursts of higher airflow
- Modest 110 CFM ceiling limits yard-focused tasks
- Sold tool-only means newcomers to the platform must add battery and charger

I’d love to see a slightly higher-volume accessory tube option for those moments when you want more push on medium speed, but that might be asking the tool to be something it’s not.

The bottom line

This compact Skil blower does exactly what a jobsite/patio sweeper should: it’s easy to grab, easy to control, kind to surfaces, and powerful enough to make quick work of everyday debris on hard surfaces. The variable trigger and speed lock make it more comfortable than many budget blowers, the brushless motor keeps it running cool and consistent, and the lightweight build means you’ll actually use it instead of reaching for a broom.

Recommendation: I recommend the Skil 20V blower for homeowners and tradespeople who prioritize quick, convenient cleanup on hard surfaces and who either already own, or plan to own, PWR CORE 20 batteries. It’s a smart, lightweight solution for patios, garages, shops, and job sites. If your needs center on heavy leaf management across large areas, look elsewhere for a higher-CFM blower; otherwise, this compact unit is exactly the kind of grab-and-go tool that earns its spot in a 20V kit.