What's inside
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A DeWalt leaf blower “tool only” (model numbers ending in “B”, such as the DCBL722B or DCBL720B) is the bare blower without a battery or charger, and it only makes financial sense if you already own DeWalt 20V MAX or 60V MAX FLEXVOLT packs of at least 4 to 5Ah. If you have those packs, buying bare saves roughly $80 to $200 compared with a kit. If you do not, the kit is almost always the cheaper route, because buying a high-capacity battery and charger separately usually costs more than the difference.
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Which DeWalt blowers are sold as bare tools
DeWalt’s outdoor lineup shares batteries with its jobsite tools, which is the main reason the bare-tool versions are popular. Figures below are approximate class ranges; DeWalt updates ratings between versions, so compare the CFM and MPH printed on the box you are considering.
| Bare-tool model | Platform | Approx. airflow | Approx. air speed | Weight (no battery) | Typical bare price | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCBL720B | 20V MAX XR brushless | ~400 CFM | ~90 MPH | ~5-6 lb | $120-$170 | Patios, driveways, light leaf clean-up |
| DCBL722B | 20V MAX XR brushless | ~450 CFM | ~125 MPH | ~5-6 lb | $150-$200 | Dry leaves on average lots, grass clippings |
| DCBL772B | 60V MAX FLEXVOLT brushless | ~420-600 CFM depending on version | ~125 MPH or more | ~6-7 lb | $200-$270 | Wet or matted leaves, larger yards |
| DCE100B | 20V MAX compact jobsite blower | ~100 CFM class | High-velocity, small nozzle | ~3-4 lb | $80-$130 | Sawdust, workbench, garage, vehicle interiors |
CFM (cubic feet per minute) is the volume of air you move and matters most for piles of leaves. MPH is the speed at the nozzle and matters for lifting wet or stuck debris off concrete. A good yard blower has both; the jobsite DCE100 is designed for tight spaces, not lawns.
Battery math: what you need to get decent runtime
Blowers are among the hungriest cordless tools. At full throttle or in turbo mode, a 20V handheld blower pulls hundreds of watts, so pack size decides whether you finish the job.
| Battery | Energy | Approx. runtime at full/turbo | Approx. runtime at low speed | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20V MAX 2.0Ah compact | 40 Wh | 4-6 min | 15-20 min | Too small for yard use |
| 20V MAX 5.0Ah | 100 Wh | 10-15 min | 35-60 min | Minimum sensible pack |
| 20V MAX XR 8.0Ah or POWERSTACK 5.0Ah | 90-160 Wh | 12-25 min | 45-90 min | Good for medium lots |
| 60V MAX FLEXVOLT 9.0Ah (on DCBL772) | ~162 Wh (rated 9Ah at 20V, 3Ah at 60V) | 15-25 min | 45-75 min | Best sustained power |
Worked example: a quarter-acre lot with a driveway and patio usually takes 15 to 25 minutes of mixed-speed blowing in autumn. A single 5Ah pack on a 20V blower will often run out at full power, so either work at medium speed and use turbo only for stubborn spots, or keep a second pack charged. FLEXVOLT 6Ah or 9Ah packs on the 60V blower handle the same job on one charge more comfortably.
Tool only vs kit: cost check
| Your current DeWalt batteries | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Two or more 20V packs 5Ah+ | DCBL722B bare | You already have enough runtime; save $80-$150 |
| Only 2Ah compact packs | DCBL722 kit with 5Ah battery | Kit battery alone is worth most of the price difference |
| FLEXVOLT 6Ah or 9Ah packs | DCBL772B bare | Strongest DeWalt handheld, fully powered by packs you own |
| No DeWalt batteries at all | A kit, or compare other platforms | Bare tools only pay off with existing packs |
| Need a shop and car-interior blower | DCE100B bare | Small, light, runs fine on compact packs |
Features worth knowing about
- Variable-speed trigger and lock. Lets you feather airflow around flower beds and lock a cruising speed for long passes.
- Turbo or boost button. Briefly raises output; useful for wet leaves but drains the battery quickly.
- Brushless motor. All current XR and FLEXVOLT blowers use one, improving runtime and reducing maintenance.
- Nozzle design. A longer, tapered nozzle increases air speed at ground level; avoid cutting or modifying it.
- Balance. The battery mounts behind the handle; heavy packs make the nozzle tip up slightly, which most users find comfortable for sweeping motions.
Where a handheld DeWalt blower falls short
For large properties with deep, wet leaf piles, any handheld cordless blower is outmatched by a backpack unit with 600+ CFM and a bigger battery or gas engine. Handheld DeWalt blowers do not vacuum or mulch, so they are not a good choice if you want to bag leaves. They also produce less noise than gas blowers but are still loud enough at turbo to warrant hearing protection.
Care and longevity
- Clear the intake screen after each use; leaves and grass sucked against it reduce airflow and make the motor work harder.
- Wipe dust off the battery terminals and store packs indoors at partial charge over winter.
- Do not blow wet mulch or gravel; impacts can crack the fan housing.
- Hang the blower by its handle rather than resting it on the nozzle so the tube does not warp.
Common follow-up questions
Will 20V batteries fit the 60V FLEXVOLT blower?
No. The 60V MAX blower needs FLEXVOLT packs. FLEXVOLT batteries work in the other direction, though: they also fit 20V MAX tools, including the 20V blowers, where they act as large-capacity 20V packs.
Does the bare tool come with any accessories?
Bare-tool boxes normally contain only the blower and its nozzle, plus the manual. There is no battery, charger or carry strap, so factor those in if you are missing them.
Wear eye protection and a dust mask when clearing dry, dusty areas, and point the nozzle away from people, pets and car paint. With the right battery already on your shelf, the bare-tool DeWalt blower is one of the more economical ways to add a capable leaf blower to an existing cordless kit.
FAQ
Will 20V batteries fit the 60V FLEXVOLT blower?
Does the bare tool come with any accessories?
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