DeWalt 60V Max Handheld Blower Makes Significant Improvements
Over the last few years, we’ve seen some great advances in the world of battery-powered OPE, especially with blowers. They’re quieter and more powerful than ever, and in the case of handhelds, they easily outpace gas-powered models without breaking a sweat. Today, we’re taking a look at the latest model from DeWalt—the 60V Max Handheld Blower. I’ll show you what’s changed and help you determine if it’s worth making the upgrade.
DeWalt 60V Max Handheld Blower Performance
- Max Airflow: 760 CFM
- Peak Blowing Force: 18.8N
- Max Airspeed: 160 MPH
- Noise Level: 79dB
- Runtime: 18 min. 40 sec. (Normal), 14 min. 8 sec. (Turbo)
Blowing Force
The DeWalt DCBL777 sports a brushless motor that pushes up to 760 CFM of air at speeds reaching 160 MPH. This is a 27% increase in airflow and a 28% increase in airspeed over its predecessor, the DCBL772, which topped out at 600 CFM and 125 MPH. While these numbers are helpful, we typically rely on Newton force because it gives us a number that we can easily compare against other blowers.
This blower features three speed modes: Eco, Normal, and Turbo. On our force meter, the DCBL777 produced 11.1N of force on Eco mode, 13.7N on Normal, and 18.8N on Turbo mode. If you use the concentrator nozzle, these numbers drop by about 2N across the board.
For starters, this is an increase over the DCBL772, which hit the 17N mark. To put it in further perspective, gas handhelds peak around 12N and we’ve seen some professional models hit 15N. So, if you’re coming from gas blowers, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised at how effectively you can clear off the driveway and sidewalk after a weekend mow or round up seasonal leaves.
Runtime
To test the runtime, I threw in a freshly charged FlexVolt 12.0Ah battery and locked the trigger on full-blast. The blower ran for 18 minutes and 40 seconds on Normal mode and 14 minutes and 8 seconds on Turbo mode.
DeWalt estimates you’ll get around 20 minutes of continuous runtime in Eco mode, which seems perfectly reasonable given our other two test results. In fact, I’d bet it gets even more than that, considering how long it ran in Normal mode for us.
Noise Level
With past models, noise level has been a pain point for DeWalt’s cordless blowers, more specifically, we also noted that the noise pitch was little unpleasant. However, DeWalt made some noticeable improvements on the DCBL777 to bring down the decibels.
When measured from my ear, this blower produced 75dB on Eco, 77dB on normal, and 79dB on turbo mode. That’s much quieter than the 60V DCBL772, which peaked at 91dB under the same testing parameters. DeWalt achieved this by adding a small foam liner inside the air intake, which helps dampen some of the noise.
A difference of 12 decibels may not seem like that big of a deal, but it’s actually a massive improvement. Sound pressure level doubles every 3 decibels, and perceived sound doubles every 10 decibels. No matter how you look at it, the difference between the DCBL777 and the DCBL772 is night and day.
Additionally, the pitch is much lower and less shrill than before, making it much more pleasant to use for extended periods.
DeWalt 60V Max Handheld Blower Design Notes
- Model: DeWalt DCBL777
- Power Source: DeWalt 60V battery
- Weight: 7.1 lbs (bare tool), 10.25 lbs (with kitted 12.0Ah battery)
- Tool Length: 30-1/4 in.
- Fan Type: Axial
Ergonomics
The DeWalt DCBL777 blower features a straight, inline design and measures 30-1/4 inches from tip to tail.
It weighs 7.1 pounds as a bare tool and 10.25 pounds with the kitted FlexVolt 12.0Ah battery. This is a little heavier than most of the handheld blowers we’ve tested, but DeWalt includes an adjustable shoulder strap to give your arms a break.
Of course, you could always pair this blower with a smaller FlexVolt battery to lighten the load if you don’t need as much runtime.
Looking down at the grip, DeWalt gave this blower a generous amount of rubber overmold for increased comfort, and the tool has a very natural forward lean. This makes it easy to maneuver without any excess strain on your wrist.
Control Center
DeWalt’s control panel is pretty straightforward and features a small speed control button and battery-life meter. All you need to do is give the trigger a quick pulse to activate the electronics and then use the speed control button to cycle through the modes. This blower also features a variable-speed trigger and a lock-on button for extended use rather than a cruise control lever.
Additional Features
- Concentrator and sweeper nozzle included
- Compatible with all DeWalt 60V FlexVolt batteries
- Tool Connect Ready (chip not included)
DeWalt 60V Max Handheld Blower Price
The DeWalt DCBL777 retails for $299 as a bare tool and $439 as a kit that includes a 12.0Ah/4.0Ah FlexVolt battery and charger. DeWalt backs this blower with a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year service agreement, and 90 day money back guarantee.
The Bottom Line
From top to bottom, the DeWalt DCBL777 showed off some very real improvements over its predecessors. The increased blowing force and airspeed allow you to easily remove stubborn debris, and the reduced noise level is much easier on your ears. This is, without a doubt, the best cordless blower in DeWalt’s lineup. Whether you’re looking for a performance boost, a drop in noise, or both, it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
