Makita BUB182Z 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower - Review

Aspects to look out for when purchasing a cordless blower

When purchasing a cordless blower, make sure you keep in mind a few important things that you must consider before actually buying the blower. These are:
1) Battery type
2) Weight of cordless blower
3) Power
4) Usability

Lithium ion batteries

The Makita line of power tools is powered by lithium ion batteries, which is the lightest battery type available on a commercial scale. Lithium ion batteries are so good because they can be easily recharged, and can provide more power than NiCd and NiMh batteries that we know of. Comparison tests also show that lithium ion batteries can run the device about 50% longer, which simply make them ideal to power the motor in the blower. According to the Makita website, this cordless blower can run on the low setting for up to 75 minutes. And this is a pretty impressive standard for this range of power tools.

The BUB182Z runs on 18 volts. For those of you that are not familiar, the higher the voltage that the cordless blower runs on, the larger and heavier the battery will be. However, it is said that the battery from Makita only weighs as much as a 12 volt battery, which is great news to anyone that is going to use the cordless blower.

What drives it?

One of the most important aspects to look out for in a blower is the motor. The better the motor, the more powerful it is. The motor in the Makita BUB182Z is said to be high-torque. This means that it is very strong and can accelerate to its maximum very quickly. This lean machine can move 91 cubic feet per minute, which according to benchmark tests show that it moves 20% more than other blowers.
If you are looking for a blower, you must be keen to know how fast air can be blown from this machine. The blower boasts a maximum air velocity of 178 miles per hour or an equivalent of 80 meters per second. However from my experience, the low setting is enough to blow off dust, leaves and wood specks away.

One Button Control

If you celebrate simplicity as much as I do, you will be happy to know that there is only one button that controls this cordless blower. All you have to do to get started to select the optimum air volume to suit the application. High, medium and low. You can easily control the speed by pressing it with your finger or thumb. Even if you have gloves on, the trigger is still easy to press.



Design and simplicity

Nothing beats having an ergonomic design if you have to reduce operator fatigue when you use it for a long time. The Makita BUB182Z Cordless Blower comes with a ergonomic shape and a handle that fits like a glove. What thrills me the most, is the soft grip handle for increased comfort. It is easy on the hands and does not lead to calluses. The product is incredibly light for all the power packed. Weighing a mere 3.9 pounds with batteries, it can be easily lifted with one hand for long periods of time. I am sure most of us can lift 1.8kg with one hand. With a removable nozzle that can be quickly assembled, it can be stored in the boot of your car or the garage.

The BUB182Z can be used in a whole variety of settings. Being described as "versatile cordless blower", it is an ideal piece of equipment for maintenance professionals or any general contractors alike. What I like most is the remarkable power to weight ratio and the long battery time that accompanies the cordless blower.

The product can also be converted into a vacuum cleaner when the dust collecting attachment is mounted.

How much do you have to pay?

The Makita BUB182Z Cordless Blower is available for more than $110 on merchant websites. The cheapest that I have seen is the one on Amazon which is consistently sold for less than $110 dollars

Does it come with a warranty?

Yep, surely such an expensive tool from a reputable manufacturing company comes with one. Makita tools come with a 3 year warranty that covers repair due to defects in materials or workmanship. This warranty lasts for three years from the date of original purchase. Makita lithium ion batteries and charger come with a 1 year warranty too.

What others say about this product
This cordless blower has received many praises from customers on the net, with an average of four and a half stars on the Amazon website.

Here are some comments to date:
"Useful and portable"
"Handy tool. Powerful"
"Does a fantastic job"
"What an awesome product!"
"Small compact blower, fit for purpose"

Complaints?
A common problem associated with this product is that it does not ship with batteries. An easy solution to the problem will be to purchase the
Customers from Amazon have given this product a rating of four and a half stars. A review even likened the product to having the convenience of an air blowgun without the need of a compressor.

Where you can find more reviews

Best reviews come from people who use the product. There's nowhere better than Amazon, the largest online market place where many have bought this product.

Where can you buy the Makita BUB182Z cordless blower?

You can buy this Makita cordless blower from Amazon. At the moment, free shipping is included and from what I can tell when comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon does have the best deal especially with the free shipping option.

I am a big fan of Makita products because of the quality that their range of power tools have to offer. On top of the quality that they boast, their products are often in the middle range in terms of pricing, which makes choosing a Makita product both reasonable and worth it. Makita is more established in the cordless arena with many of their products having the cordless feature.

For those who are interested to know which brand is better, Dewalt or Makita? It is more of a personal preference. Both line of products are good.

Look forward to my reviews of the other power tools.

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