Winter may have only just officially started, but Dewalt has an eye towards the spring with the announcement of a new 20V Max brushless handheld blower, DCBL722.
Dewalt’s upgraded cordless blower moves more air faster than the previous model, DCBL720.
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Dewalt DCBL722 Brushless Handheld Blower
The new 20V MAX Brushless Blower (DCBL722) features the same axial fan design as it’s predecessor, DCBL720. It’s rated for 450 cubic feet per minute and up to 125 mph. That’s a 39% boost in max mph and 12.5% increase in CFM, compared to the 400 CFM and 90 mph rating for the DCBL720.
The nozzle of the blower has a new concentrator nozzle design that presumably uses clever aerodynamics to concentrate the air flow. The concentrator looks to be a removable accessory.
Note that the “up to 125 mph” speed spec is for the blower with concentrator nozzle; Dewalt has not yet provided air speed specs for the blower without the nozzle. Although the improvement in max speed is significant, the boost in CFM spec is the better spec to look at for comparison purposes.
As expected it has a variable speed control, a lock on-switch and what appears to be a newly designed trigger. The previous version had a more traditional trigger whereas the new model has a paddle-like trigger.
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The biggest change to the design is the placement of the battery socket, which is now placed at the rear, which allows the use of 20V Max or larger FlexVolt batteries, allowing for longer run time. The previous model had the battery connection at the base.
- Up to 450 CFM airflow
- Up to 125 mph air speed (with the concentrator nozzle)
- Weighs 5.43 lbs without battery
Price: $199 for the kit (DCBL722P1 with 5.0Ah battery), $139 for the bare tool (DCBL722B)
ETA: Spring 2020
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Tool Nut
Buy Now: Kit via Acme Tools
Buy Now: Kit via Tool Nut
Discussion
Dewalt has a number of different battery-powered blowers available at the moment.
Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Blowers
- DCE100: 135 MPH, 100 CFM – $119 (bare tool)
- DCBL720; 90 MPH, 400 CFM – $139 (bare tool)
- DCBL722: 125 MPH*, 450 CFM – $139 (bare tool) <- Coming this spring
* with concentrator nozzle
Dewalt FlexVolt 60V Max Cordless Blowers
- DCBL770: 129 MPH, 423 CFM – $199 (bare tool)
- DCBL772: 125 MPH, 600 CFM – $269 (with 3Ah battery)
It’s also worth noting there are two 40V Max models – DCBL590 (142 MPH, 450 CFM) and the DCBL790 backpack blower (120 MPH, 400 CFM). They have similar ratings to the FlexVolt models, and might be a good option if you’re already invested in the 40V Max battery platform. But if you’re not, keep in mind that Dewalt discontinued the 40V Max system in 2019.
I have the DCE100 and absolutely love the convenience of such a small blower. I keep it in the workshop and it’s great for clearing up after a project, especially after using my miter saw and router table. I had never looked at the specs before but the high speed rating is obvious and certainly useful for dislodging stubborn dust build-up. The relatively low volume of air is notable when trying to clean objects that are a little further away.
That is why I also have the DCBL770 in the garage. The increased CFM is exactly what I need when trying to clean up the garage floor and driveway. The increased volume of air allows me to get under all the benches from a good 6-feet away.
Finally, I also have the DCBL720, predecessor to the new blower discussed above, which I keep in my grill storage area next to the kitchen. It’s powerful enough to clean up the small deck from leaves and pine needles. I also use it to fire up my Big Green Egg, and it’s VERY SATISFYING, using the blower as billows to super-charge the charcoal. It reduces the start up time to a few minutes!
Stuart’s Note: I also have a review sample of this blower, and it has been extremely useful for cleanup tasks, clearing debris from the garage, and lighter leaf blowing needs. It’s compact, light, comfortable to use, and quite capable for its size.
When it comes to the new models, I have been looking out for a sale on the FlexVolt DCBL772 which Stuart posted about last May. The increased CFM is appealing, and I also like the ergonomics of the axial design. There’s also no denying that this is an awesome looking blower! Unfortunately, it’s still only available from Home Depot with a battery and I want the bare tool-only version.
So how does the 20V Max DCBL722 stack up?
It’s certainly an upgrade to the 20V Max range and the specs bring it closer to at least the older FlexVolt 60V Max blower. They have also presumably put the same upgrades into the newer 60V Max blower now, but it costs 50% more and requires an investment in another battery platform. The older FlexVolt blower weighs 9.8 lbs, and the new one 9.1 lbs, compared to 5.43 lbs for this new 20V Max blower.
I would definitely order this upgraded version if I wasn’t on the lookout for the newer FlexVolt version! There are notable improvements over the previous 20V Max model, but not quite enough to replace my older model, especially since I have a FlexVolt blower (and soon the newer one) to rely on for tasks that require higher performance over the 20V Max blowers’ compact size and lightweight comfort.
casey
ah bummer, I have the 720 and we love to use it to launch empty pop cans with my 5 y/o. They are ignoring this market segment.
Comeone dewalt, market research!
PETE
LOL, my 2, 4, & 6yr olds love to launch their foam play balls out of my cordless blower.
Chris I
Perhaps consumers weaponizing their leaf blowers created some negligence/liability issues….
casey
who says we cant chop the fun-stopping-tip off?
Big Richard
The tip, or “concentrator nozzle” is removable. Here’s a pic from the press release:
http://www.mynewsdesk.com/us/dewalt-usa/images/dcbl722p1-a1-1838916
RCWARD
I will stick to EGO for blowers and all yard related tools. Just a better buy over all.
Chris I
???
Came all the way in and down here to say that?
David Hahn
I believe the velocity tip is removeable, at least the way I read it
Big Richard
It is, see above comments.
Aaron
Now I see how I was able to get the 720 kit for $99 at HD a couple weeks ago in San Diego. They had a bunch with just a paper showing the price and I never saw it online.
GML
That was a fantastic deal though. There will always be something newer/better, but as long as your current tool does what it is supposed to do all is good :).
Aaron
It is a great deal. I’m also now seeing it locally for $139 tool only. Really tempting to swap it out. I don’t really need another 5Ahr battery.
Clay
You can still get the DCBL720 kit with charger and 5AH battery for $109 at ACME.
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/dewalt-dcbl720p1
Kizzle
Anyone know of a quiet cordless blower? They all seem obnoxiously loud.
RCWARD
Not compared to gas
dave9
Yes, compared to gas. They are not only as loud but higher pitched so even more annoying, if you get one that’s anywhere near the same airflow as gas.
rob
I have the x2 Makita blower and other than going through 6 batteries in an hour (6ah and 5ah), it has been fantastic. However, these Dewalt blowers look great (well, they look ugly, but y’know what I mean).
James Staggs
My Home Depot actually has these in stock now.
Ben V
Thanks for the heads up!
Nate B
From the moment I saw the axial ones, I figured they were patterned after the ducted-fan blowers used in RC model planes. And having used the 720, I know it has significant thrust. So I was delighted to see an actual RC plane built around a leaf blower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMvppuS_ehg
The new model looks even more ridiculous, it might even be able to take off from a rolling start!
Ben V
That’s awesome!
Robert Adkins
I always thought it was inefficient to change the air direction in a leaf blower. My old gas model used to try to suck coins out of my pocket, and it was so aggravating. Efficiency-wise, air entering a large intake and not being choked down much or changing direction is the most efficient. Airspeed is overrated, but apparently a good selling point. CFM is the ticket. A 30 MPH wind with a million CFM can wipe your yard clean in 1 minute, or pile a ton of the neighbor’s leaves on it.
dave9
Doesn’t really matter, in the case of the side intake gas blower with an impeller, the change in direction is immediate, didn’t introduce any restriction or length of vac chamber. It’s more about how much surface area you have available and the geometry of a gas engine.
Mostly they did it so the intake air could cool the motor and use lighter weight fan blade-hub assembly.
Evadman
The current brushless model is on sale for 110 at acme with a bunch 5ah battery and charger.
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/deals/dewalt-dcbl720p1
Hoser
When I click on that link it’s says $199??
evadman
Looks like it ended at about 11 Am EST, appears to have started yesterday at 2 PM EST. That short implies it was a pricing mistake instead of being intended.
Bill
It was on there outdoor tool section for 10’
Bill
It was on there outdoor tool section for $109, with battery and charger way after that add, I bought it then.
Robert
So I’m like you Ben, I have collected all of the blowers that DeWalt has released. The blower became my favorite tool. I eventually gave away both of my compact blowers when I upgraded to the brushless 20 volt version. Then I sold that one when I upgraded to the axial flexvolt version.
A couple things to note about the flexvolt version.
It’s loud! Much louder than the 20 volt.
It is heavier and the amount of air it blows out puts a lot of strain on your arm.
It eats up batteries. You can look at a lot of tests that are comparing blowers and you will find that everybody agrees that this thing goes through batteries like cotton candy. I blew off a large driveway the roof of a house and the walkways around a house in about 90 minutes, and I went through 3 9 amp hour batteries and 4 6amp hour batteries. That’s about the same power consumption as using the large rotary hammer.
Even with all of these potential downsides, I still enjoy the increased power of the flexvolt and would not go back to the 20 volt version.
And really these are only downsides if you plan on doing a lot of blowing all at once. If you are just cleaning up a job site/garage then not much of an issue
Robin
I wonder if Craftsman will be coming out with their own. I vaguely remember seeing a Craftsman leaf blower on Clearance recently at my local Lowe’s.
dave9
They already did their V60 brushless axial “*60*V” so I would expect a bit longer before SB&D trickles that down to the next generation. Thing is, as an owner of one I can’t see a lot of people investing in it because the runtime is just too short and the replacement battery cost too high. It’s a bit different if the battery investment will power enough of your other (Dewalt) tools.
The What?
Dude, do you think that you have enough blowers already or do you really think that you need more? One for each side of the house, right. I scored a stihl backpack blower from a buddy of mine a while ago and it does everything better than a cordless blower. Superior cfm and mph compared to the best cordless available. The best part is I paid less than $150 for it and it looked damn near brand new. I didn’t ask where he got it from. He had a couple of em. I also have the dcbl720 and it’s a good blower, but it ain’t no stihl.
Big Richard
Not sure this is meant to compete with a professional landscaping +$500 backpack blower, at all. I think you’re confused by its purpose. This is more of a homeowner/jobsite tool, meant for a small lot, driveway, or garage cleanup. I also have the DCBL720, and for my 1/2 acre lot I would not think of ever wanting to replace it with a backpack blower. I use it multiple times a day for garage/shop cleanup, in addition to yard maintenance. I can’t imagine firing up a backpack blower every time I want to do a quick few passes.
dave9
Well if you’re going to compare getting a tool with dubious origins at a too low to be reproducible price from a guy in a panel van in the back of a dark alley, then you might score a Dewalt for $50, lol.
For larger blowing jobs I would rather have the backpack gas blower. For medium jobs, tossup between backpack and handheld gas.
The Dewalt is for a 10 minute job, though the light weight, quickness to deploy, no exhaust fumes, and ability to hold it in any orientation, also makes it handy for other jobs like blowing off your car after a wash, or cleaning leaves out of your gutters,
loup68
The battery area looks very tight to the body. I hope that 6 AH batteries will
fit on it. It looks to me like you might have to trim the intake ring to get one to
fit.
Big Richard
Nope, it fits. The XR 6Ah/8Ah and Flexvolt 9Ah/12Ah batteries are the same width, and they all fit.
Sean
I am trialing this new blower along with the older outgoing version. The 722 pushes noticeably more air and is louder than the 720. But I think the 5ah battery struggles to keep up with the increased power demand of the 722. After 3 min of full power, the blower slows down just slightly and I believe it hits some resonance that creates a loud high pitched noise that is uncomfortable to stand next to. I got a total runtime of 13 min. The battery was quite warm to the touch and the charger would not begin charging due to high temp. With the 6ah 21700 based battery the high pitched noise doesnt occur until 7 min in, total runtime of 14.5 min surprisingly not much more than the 5ah, and did not overheat. A couple other things I dont like are the variable trigger is not as linear as the 720’s so a little harder to modulate. The battery mounted on the back makes more forearm fatigue when swinging the blower left and right.
Overall I am going to keep the 720 because it suits my use a bit better, though I will miss the slight bump in power the 722 offers.
Has anyone else tried the 722? I’m curious if the high pitched noise is cause I got a defective one.
Stuart
Are you testing the 722 for Dewalt? If so, it’s possible you have a pre-production model. Have you expressed your concerns to your Dewalt supplier?
If you purchased a production model, thank you for your feedback! It’ll be interesting to see if other models exhibit the same tendencies and concerns.
Sean Chou
I purchased a production model.
Sean
I purchased a production model.
Also forgot to mention the concentrator nozzle on 722 is useful and it sort of fits over the end of the 720’s tube. I’m hoping to find a way to buy just the nozzle to modify for use on the 720
Aaron
Thanks for the timely review! I’m strongly considering the upgrade to the 722 but now maybe not. The area I need it for isn’t terribly large but the runtimes seem really low. I only have one of the 5Ah batteries. Hmm not sure. I hope the local HD has one to try.
Aaron
I was finally able to find the new model last week (tool only) in HD in the ‘no home’ area. I tried it out and liked the extra power compared to the 720. It does kill a 5Ah battery quickly so I’m glad I have a smaller yard. It did feel a bit heavier by moving the battery and was a bit louder; I think 66dB vs 61dB.
Both should work but I like newer. It is choosing between $99 and an extra 5Ah battery or the new noisier model with more power for $139. My mind says $99 but the heart wants the newer…
eddie sky
Do they have an extension for this model? I watched some U tuber at the last show, and the Dewalt rep demoing this (had gray nozzle and gray intake grill) looked like he had to stoop to scoop/use. Seems like its too short.
I will wait for AvE to beat this up, like he did their chainsaw. Please tell me they re-engineered that one!