Ryobi Cordless Blower Review for Car Detailing

Is the Ryobi cordless leaf blower actually good for car drying—or just another garage tool that doesn’t deliver?

We put the Ryobi 18V cordless blower to the test and here’s why it’s our top budget pick for safe, swirl-free drying without touching your paint.

Why the Ryobi Blower Works Great for Car Detailing

• Compact and Lightweight: Weighs under 6 pounds with battery installed—easy to hold for full vehicle drying.
• Plenty of Power: 280–350 CFM is enough to push water off paint, wheels, and trim.
• Battery-Powered: No cords, hoses, or limitations. Freedom to walk around the whole car without interruption.
• Affordable: At under $150 with a battery, it’s half the price of most “detailing-specific” dryers.

Performance Test – How It Handles Real Car Drying

We tested it on a ceramic-coated black car and here’s what we found:

• ✅ Blew 95% of the water off the paint in under 3 minutes
• ✅ Easily reached mirrors, badges, lug nuts, grills, and trim gaps
• ✅ Didn’t need a towel until the very end—and even then, only to blot

💡 Pro Tip: Use Tough As Shell before your final rinse to boost water beading and make blower drying even faster.

Downsides of the Ryobi Blower

• 🔋 Battery runtime is around 10–15 minutes per charge—enough for one car, but not two in a row
• 🌪 Not as powerful as larger corded or dual-battery blowers like EGO or MetroVac

Who It’s Best For

If you’re a DIY detailer who wants a lightweight, portable solution for swirl-free drying, the Ryobi blower is hard to beat. It’s the best value-for-money blower on the market for detailing use.

Video: Watch the Ryobi Blower in Action