Why you should trust this review
I clear a half-acre suburban lot with roughly 14 mature deciduous trees every fall. Across the past three seasons I have run cordless backpack blowers, corded handheld blowers, and the Sun Joe SBJ605E on the same fall leaf duty. The SBJ605E ran across the full fall 2025 leaf cycle as the small-yard test unit.
How we tested
- Air speed measured at the nozzle with a calibrated anemometer.
- Vacuum bag fill rate counted across a known leaf pile volume.
- Mulch ratio checked by comparing pre-mulch and post-mulch volume.
- Mode conversion timed from blower to vacuum with a stopwatch.
- Noise measured at the operator ear using a calibrated sound meter.
Who should buy the SBJ605E
Buy the Sun Joe SBJ605E if:
- Your yard is within 100 ft of an outdoor outlet.
- You want a vacuum and mulcher, not just a blower.
- You need a budget tool to clear fall leaves on a small to medium lot.
Skip the SBJ605E if:
- Your yard is past 100 ft from any outlet.
- You want a cordless backpack for serious leaf duty.
Air performance and modes
At 260 mph and 440 CFM at full throttle, the Sun Joe pushes more air than any cordless handheld at this price. Vacuum mode draws leaves into the impeller, mulches them at 16 to 1 ratio, and routes them to the 8 gallon bag. The variable speed dial lets you ease back near garden beds.
Vacuum and mulch performance
The impeller chops dry leaves cleanly. Wet leaves jam the impeller about once per fill of the bag which is consistent with every electric leaf vacuum we have tested. A small hand tool included with the SBJ605E clears the impeller in under a minute.
Build and noise
The housing is plastic but has survived a full fall season including two ladder-height drops. Noise measured 82 dB at the operator ear which is loud. Use hearing protection.
Value
At $79 the Sun Joe SBJ605E Electric Blower Vacuum is the right Garden & Outdoor in 2026.
Sun Joe SBJ605E 14-Amp 3-in-1 Electric Blower Vacuum Mulcher vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Speed | Battery | Runtime | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Joe SBJ605E Electric | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 260 mph | Corded | Unlimited | $79 | Best Value |
| EGO LB7654 56V Backpack | ★★★★★ 4.8 | 200 mph | 56V 7.5 Ah | 60 min | $379 | Top Pick |
| Greenworks Pro 80V Blower | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 180 mph | 80V 2.5 Ah | 30 min | $249 | Editor's Choice |
| Black+Decker LSW221 20V | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 130 mph | 20V 1.5 Ah | 14 min | $79 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Motor | 14 amp electric |
| Air speed | 260 mph max |
| Air volume | 440 CFM |
| Modes | Blower, vacuum, mulcher |
| Mulch ratio | 16 to 1 |
| Bag capacity | 8 gallons |
| Weight | 7.7 lb |
Should you buy the Sun Joe SBJ605E 14-Amp 3-in-1 Electric Blower Vacuum Mulcher?
The Sun Joe SBJ605E is the right corded blower vacuum for owners with a yard within reach of an outdoor outlet. Unlimited runtime is the headline. The 14 amp motor pushes 260 mph at full speed, the vacuum side mulches at a 16 to 1 ratio so leaf bags fill less often, and the variable speed dial lets you ease back near flower beds. The single tool replaces a blower, a vacuum, and a leaf shredder for $79.
Frequently asked questions
Is the corded design a dealbreaker for a half acre yard?+
Not for the area within 100 ft of an outdoor outlet, which on most suburban properties is most of the front and side yards. For the back of a half acre you may need a 150 ft cord and an outdoor-rated extension. We ran our test lot from a single garage outlet without issue.
Does the mulch ratio actually save bags?+
Yes by a meaningful margin. We filled three 8 gallon bags from a leaf pile that took twelve bags to clear unmulched. The mulched leaves also compost faster which matters if you compost at home.
How loud is it?+
We measured 82 dB at the operator ear which is loud for the class. The Sun Joe is louder than the Black+Decker 20V and comparable to a corded shop vac. Wear hearing protection for sessions longer than 15 minutes.
How does the vacuum mode compare to a backpack blower?+
The Sun Joe vacuums leaves into a bag for disposal. A backpack blower like the EGO LB7654 only moves leaves around. For owners who actually want to remove leaves rather than relocate them, the vacuum mode is the better workflow on small to medium yards.
📅 Update log
- May 14, 2026Refreshed pricing and re-checked impeller wear after a full fall leaf season.
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Alex Patel
Alex Patel writes for The Tested Hub.