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Leaf blower for wet leaves: nozzle, power and practical limits

Updated: October 2026

A blower that sweeps crisp leaves off a patio can appear to stop working when the same leaves are soaked and pressed flat. Choosing a leaf blower for wet leaves is partly about the machine, but the nozzle and the surface often decide whether the jet gets underneath the mat. This guide explains Stihl’s straight and curved flat nozzles, what owners reported about smaller amazon.co.uk blowers, and when a rake is the quicker tool. Use the [Stihl leaf blower comparison](/hub/lawn-and-garden-equipment/stihl-leaf-blower) for the wider product set. None of the Bosch, WORX or Einhell listings there is a Stihl. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

A blower that sweeps crisp leaves off a patio can appear to stop working when the same leaves are soaked and pressed flat.

Our top picks

Einhell Einhell GE-LB 36/210 Li E-Solo

Best overall

Einhell Einhell GE-LB 36/210 Li E-Solo
9.4/10about £99.95
View offer
WORX WORX WG543E Nitro

Alternative

WORX WORX WG543E Nitro
8.7/10about £99.99
View offer
Bosch Bosch UniversalLeafBlower 18V-130

Preis-Tipp

Bosch Bosch UniversalLeafBlower 18V-130
8.8/10about £49.93
View offer
On this page
  1. 1.Why soaked leaves ignore a small jet
  2. 2.Which Stihl flat nozzle fits
  3. 3.What owners of smaller amazon.co.uk blowers reported
  4. 4.When to change machine or pick up a rake

Why soaked leaves ignore a small jet

Water makes leaves heavier and helps them seal against paving. A small round jet may ripple a mat without lifting it. A distant blast wastes battery, because the air passes over the top. Approach the edge. Hold the nozzle low enough to reach under the first layer, then work in narrow strips rather than pushing the whole wet mass to the gate. A retailer’s 245 km/h should not be ranked directly against Stihl’s 15 N as though both describe the same measurement. Air speed helps cut under stuck material, air volume carries a larger loose pile, and force describes the push at the nozzle. Smooth paving releases wet leaves more readily than rough gravel, long grass or bark.

Which Stihl flat nozzle fits

Stihl’s nozzle advice separates round nozzles for an even spread from flat nozzles that increase air speed for wet, heavy and stuck debris. The flat accessory is not universal. Buying the cheapest one without checking the model can leave you with a piece that will not attach. The straight flat nozzle is listed for the BGA 57, BGA 86 and BGA 100, at £11.30 including VAT when checked. The curved flat nozzle is listed for the petrol BG 56 and BG 86, at £12.80 including VAT. In the BG 86 hire manual, the fan nozzle is associated with 74 m/s, against 63 m/s for the round nozzle in blower mode. Do not assume a flat nozzle is included. Stihl’s BGA 86 page describes the flat nozzle for heavy or wet leaves as a separately sold accessory. If the blower lacks enough working time, the nozzle improves the jet without solving the battery plan. That decision sits on the battery versus petrol page. Fit an accessory only with the tool switched off and isolated as the manual requires.
Einhell Einhell GE-LB 36/210 Li E-Solo

Testsieger

Einhell Einhell GE-LB 36/210 Li E-Solo
9.4/10about £99.95
View offer

What owners of smaller amazon.co.uk blowers reported

Reviews of the WORX WG543E include reports of lifting wet leaves, and reviews of the Einhell GE-LB 36/210 also mention moving wet leaves. That is not a standardised test, and it does not guarantee the same result on soaked grass or a compacted pile. One review of the Bosch UniversalLeafBlower body discussed dry cuttings and had not tried wet leaves. Another, around the battery set, doubted wet grass. A 245 km/h line is not a reason to buy the compact machine for a soaked mat. Wet can mean a thin layer on paving, or a dense mat after a week of rain. None of these ASINs is a Stihl.

When to change machine or pick up a rake

Change technique first. Start from the thinnest edge, use the compatible flat nozzle and divide the area into strips. If the blower exposes the paving but cannot carry the growing pile, move that pile onto a sheet before you continue. Move up when the blower cannot break the edge free or runs out of useful time. A BGA 86 with the straight flat nozzle, or a BG 86 with the curved version, suits persistent heavy debris better than a compact patio blower. Use a rake when leaves are tangled in long grass, mixed with twigs or sitting in water. The BGA 57 manual says not to use that model in rain. IPX4 on the BGA 86 is splash protection, not a downpour rating. For aiming and fuel, see how to use a Stihl leaf blower.

Common questions

Does one flat nozzle fit every Stihl blower?
No. The straight flat nozzle is listed for the BGA 57, BGA 86 and BGA 100. The curved version is listed for the BG 56 and BG 86, plus specified vacuum models. Check the current model list before you buy.
Is the flat nozzle included?
Do not assume it is. Stihl describes the BGA 86 flat nozzle as a separately available accessory, and bundles can differ. Read the included-components list for the exact set and add the correct accessory cost when you compare prices.
Can a small cordless blower clear a wet path?
It may clear a thin wet layer from smooth paving if you work from the edge in sections. Compact models are less convincing on a deep, compressed mat or on wet grass. Read owner reports with the surface and the depth in mind.
Will more air speed strip gravel and bark?
It can. A flat nozzle concentrates the jet, and full power may move decorative material before stubborn leaves. Begin at a lower setting, keep the outlet far enough from the surface and use a rake near delicate mulch.
Can I blow wet leaves while it is raining?
Not automatically. The BGA 57 manual says not to use it in rain. The BGA 86’s IPX4 rating indicates splash protection and is not permission for a downpour or immersion. Follow the exact manual for your model.
When is a rake the better choice?
Use a rake for leaves tangled in grass, mixed with twigs, sitting in water or lying on loose decorative material. Loosen or collect the heavy layer by hand, then use the blower for lighter residue and the final gathering.

Related pages

Stihl leaf blower buying guide

Stihl leaf blower

Stihl battery vs petrol leaf blower: force is a tie

Best Stihl leaf blower for the job in front of you

How to use a Stihl leaf blower without scattering grit

Sources

Sources checked for this comparison; last retrieved on 16 October 2026.

  1. Stihl UK, leaf blowers, blowers and vacuum shredders (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  2. Stihl UK, BG 56 petrol blower (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  3. Stihl UK, BGA 86 (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  4. Stihl UK, AK battery system (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  5. Stihl BGA 57 instruction manual (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  6. GOV.UK, noise nuisances: how councils deal with complaints (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  7. HSE, noise at work regulations (retrieved 16 October 2026)
  8. Stihl UK, fuel mix for 2-MIX and 4-MIX engines (retrieved 16 October 2026)