RYOBI 40V HP 730 CFM Review

Introduction: The Quest for Cordless Dominance

I have spent the better part of the last decade testing leaf blowers. From the screaming two-stroke gas units that leave your ears ringing and your hands vibrating, to the early cordless models that wheezed at the first sign of wet leaves. For years, the holy grail has been a cordless blower that can genuinely replace a gas backpack unit. When RYOBI announced the 40V HP 730 CFM model, I was skeptical. 730 CFM is a number that, until recently, only belonged to high-end gas blowers. I needed to see if the reality matched the spec sheet. After spending several weeks with this blower on my own property and a neighbor’s heavily wooded lot, I can tell you exactly where this machine shines and where it stumbles.

This is my honest, hands-on review of the RYOBI 40V HP 730 CFM Cordless Leaf Blower. No lab coats, no fake test equipment. Just real grass, real gravel, and real frustration with wet oak leaves.

How I Tested It: Real World, Not a Showroom

I believe in testing tools the way you would actually use them. I did not set up a wind tunnel or measure airflow with calibrated instruments. Instead, I used this blower for three weeks during peak leaf season in the Pacific Northwest. That means wet leaves, dry leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, and gravel driveway cleanup.

My property has a mix of surfaces: a 1,500 square foot lawn, a long concrete driveway, a gravel path, and a wooden deck. I also have a neighbor who lets me test on their acre lot with heavy oak and maple leaf coverage. I timed how long it took to clear specific areas, noted battery life in real conditions, and paid close attention to fatigue over extended use. I compared it directly against my existing gas backpack blower (a Stihl BR 600) and a previous generation cordless blower from a different brand. This test was about whether the 730 CFM claim holds up when you are actually pushing a pile of wet leaves across wet grass.

Performance: The CFM King, But With a Tradeoff

The Unmatched Air Volume

Let me start with the headline. The RYOBI 40V HP 730 CFM delivers on its promise. This is the highest CFM I have ever measured from a cordless handheld blower. When you pull the trigger, it moves a massive wall of air. I cleared a 50-foot stretch of concrete driveway covered in dry maple leaves in under two minutes. The leaves didn’t just scatter; they flew in a cohesive, wide stream. On wet leaves, which are the true test of any blower, this unit performed admirably. It did not struggle to move thick, matted piles that would have stopped lesser cordless blowers dead in their tracks.

The key here is the “HP” in the name. RYOBI’s High Performance brushless motor is paired with a specifically designed fan housing and nozzle. The result is an air volume that feels more like a gas backpack blower than a handheld. I could stand at the edge of my lawn and blow leaves from a 15-foot radius without walking every step. That efficiency saves battery and time.

The Airspeed Tradeoff

Here is where the honest criticism comes in. The CFM is incredible, but the airspeed is rated at 155 mph. For context, many smaller cordless blowers hit 170 to 190 mph. This lower speed means the air stream is wider and deeper, but it does not have the same “laser beam” precision for dislodging leaves from tight spaces. If you need to blow leaves out from under a dense shrub or between closely spaced fence boards, you will have to get closer or use a different nozzle position. I found that for open areas and general lawn clearing, the high CFM more than compensates for the lower speed. The volume of air simply overwhelms the leaves. But for detail work like cleaning out a flower bed or a tight corner of a deck, I did miss the higher speed of my old blower.

Battery Life and Power Management

My test unit came with the 4.0 Ah High Performance battery and the standard charger. RYOBI has a variable speed trigger and a cruise control lock. I used the cruise control extensively, setting it to about 70% power for general cleanup. At that setting, I got a consistent 22 to 25 minutes of runtime. At full throttle, that dropped to about 15 minutes. That is not a long runtime, but it is realistic for a blower this powerful. The battery indicator on the tool itself is a nice touch, letting you know when you are getting low without having to stop and check the battery.

The charger is a standard 40V charger. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to fully recharge a depleted 4.0 Ah battery. If you are doing serious yard work, you will want a second battery. The good news is that RYOBI’s 40V system is vast, so if you already own other 40V tools, you likely have spare batteries already.

Build Quality and Value: Heavy But Solid

The Weight Issue

This is the biggest con, and it is a real one. With the 4.0 Ah battery attached, this blower weighs 7.2 pounds. That is heavy for a handheld tool. For context, my gas backpack blower weighs about 22 pounds, but the weight is on my back. Seven pounds held at arm’s length for 15 minutes will fatigue your arms and shoulders. I am in decent shape, and after 20 minutes of continuous use, I felt it. The balance is actually quite good for the weight. RYOBI designed the handle and grip to keep the center of gravity close to your hand. It does not feel like a brick on a stick. But the weight is undeniable.

If you have a small yard and only need to blow for 10 minutes at a time, this is a non-issue. If you have a large property and plan to use it for 30 minutes or more, I strongly recommend using the included shoulder strap. The strap makes a huge difference, transferring the weight to your shoulder instead of your arm. I used the strap on my neighbor’s acre lot and was able to work for 40 minutes without significant fatigue.

Durability and Materials

The build quality feels excellent. The housing is a thick, impact-resistant plastic. The nozzle is reinforced and locks into place with a positive click. The rubberized grip is comfortable and provides good traction even with gloves. The variable speed trigger has a nice, progressive feel. It is not a simple on/off switch. You can feather it for gentle cleanup or slam it to full power. The cruise control lock is a simple lever that holds the trigger at your desired speed. It is not a digital setting, just a mechanical lock. It works fine, but I wish it had a more positive detent.

I did notice that the air intake is large and relatively unprotected. If you are blowing near loose gravel or small debris, there is a risk of sucking something into the fan. I did not have any issues, but it is something to be aware of. The battery connection is solid and has a weather-resistant seal.

Value Proposition

This is where RYOBI wins. The blower comes with a 4.0 Ah battery and a charger. That is a complete kit. When you compare the price of this kit to a comparable gas blower plus the cost of fuel, oil, and maintenance, the cordless option becomes very attractive. Gas blowers also require carburetor cleaning, spark plug changes, and fuel stabilizer. This blower requires nothing but pressing a button. The lack of maintenance is a huge value add.

You are paying a premium for the HP technology and the highest CFM in the cordless class. But you are getting a tool that genuinely replaces a gas backpack blower for most homeowners. The cost per CFM is actually very competitive. If you already own RYOBI 40V batteries, you can buy the tool-only version and save even more. For someone starting from scratch, the kit is a solid investment in the RYOBI 40V ecosystem, which includes chainsaws, trimmers, and hedge trimmers.

Who Should Buy the RYOBI 40V HP 730 CFM?

This blower is not for everyone. Let me break it down into clear groups.

Ideal For:

• Homeowners with medium to large yards (half an acre or more). The power and runtime are sufficient for serious cleanup.
• People who hate gas engine maintenance. No mixing fuel, no pull cords, no carburetor issues. This is a true grab-and-go tool.
• Users who prioritize raw air volume over pinpoint airspeed. If you need to move massive piles of leaves quickly, this is your tool.
• RYOBI 40V ecosystem owners. If you already have batteries, the tool-only price is a steal.
• Anyone who wants a single tool that can handle both dry and wet leaves. The CFM is high enough to power through moisture.

Not Ideal For:

• Professionals using it all day, every day. The weight and battery runtime are limiting for commercial use. You would want a gas backpack or a larger cordless backpack unit.
• People with very small yards (under a quarter acre). This blower is overkill. A smaller, lighter cordless model would be easier to handle and cheaper.
• Users who need to blow leaves out of tight, intricate spaces. The lower airspeed means you lose some precision. A smaller nozzle or a different tool would be better for detail work.
• Anyone with significant arm or shoulder issues. 7.2 pounds is heavy, even with the strap. Test the weight in a store before buying.

My Verdict: A Groundbreaking Cordless, But Not Perfect

After weeks of testing, I can say that the RYOBI 40V HP 730 CFM is the most impressive cordless handheld leaf blower I have ever used. It achieves what I thought was impossible for a battery-powered handheld: genuine gas-level air volume. The ability to clear a large, wet lawn without a backpack or a cord is genuinely liberating. The build quality is excellent, the variable speed control is smooth, and the inclusion of a battery and charger in the kit makes it a complete solution out of the box.

However, the weight is a real factor. At 7.2 pounds, it is not a lightweight tool. The lower airspeed compared to some competitors is a meaningful tradeoff. And the runtime, while respectable, means you will want a second battery for larger jobs. These are not dealbreakers, but they are important to know before you buy.

For the average homeowner who wants to retire their gas blower and never smell exhaust again, this is the best option on the market right now. It is not a replacement for a commercial gas backpack blower, but it is a massive leap forward for cordless technology. If you can manage the weight and you value raw power over pinpoint precision, you will love this blower. I have already sold my gas backpack blower, and I do not regret it.

Final Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Pros: Highest CFM in cordless class, battery and charger included, good balance despite weight, excellent build quality, low maintenance.

Cons: Heavier than competitors at 7.2 lbs with battery, airspeed is lower than some at 155 mph, runtime could be better for large properties.