Flex 24V Jobsite Blower Prioritizes Power Without Losing Control
One of our reviewers called the Flex 24V cordless jobsite blower “adorable”. His first impression of this diminutive blower may seem condescending. We just hoped that testing would show it to be useful for shop or garage cleanup.
Pros
- Strong brushless motor performance
- Lightweight and compact
- Very easy to direct
- Comfortable handle
- Flexible nozzle
- Includes attachments for inflating and deflating high-volume products
Cons
- Sold only as a bare tool
- Unusual trigger design
Flex Cordless 24V Jobsite Blower Design
Jobsite blowers shrink those leaf blowers you might use in your yard to something better fitting their application. They tend to be smaller and lighter and are purpose-built for clearing off hard surfaces in workshops, garages, or construction sites.
Even when we compared the Flex cordless jobsite blower to other similar tools, Flex’s design looks a bit different. The tool measures just over 28-inches in length with the battery inserted. Nothing new there—however, when you get to the handle and controls, things take a different turn.
Flex went with a slimmer handle. They then contoured it with an aggressive textured overmold. We found it comfortable to hold. The placement of the handle, however, reminds us of a rear-handle saw. Instead of gripping the tool at the top as you would with most other leaf blowers, you grip it from behind. It took some getting used to, but the handle correctly angles the blower downward while you work.
A Different Nozzle and Throttle
The nozzle section is completely rubberized and soft. Compared to standard leaf blower nozzles that can crack or break when they banged around, this one just rolls with the punches and goes back to its original shape.
Another thing we noticed on this small blower was the unusual throttle. There’s no trigger. Instead, Flex gives you a cruise control dial along with a Turbo button. You can also use Turbo mode without engaging the cruise control. I really like how it functions—you can get started quickly or set up the tool for longer use. Initially, the design made us think that lefties would be out of luck. However, we tried the tool with both hands and found it easy to control the speed easily either.
Flex states you can get up to 14 minutes of runtime using a 2.5Ah battery while operating the 24V blower at high speed. In Turbo mode you get around 10 minutes. Using a 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium battery, we ran the Flex cordless jobsite blower for 19 minutes in High and just under 14 minutes using Turbo.
Flex Cordless Jobsite Blower Applications
We like small jobsite blowers like the Flex FX5441. It did a great job clearing sawdust from our work area after testing several saws. It also let us exercise a lot more control while cleaning up our shop. A wide-nozzle leaf blower tends to send debris into the corners…and pretty much all over.
We also found plenty of other uses for this small cordless blower. The skinny flexible nozzle demonstrated good directionality when cleaning off our zero-turn and push mowers. We also used it for clearing off debris from the front porch, a pool deck, and a couple of driveways.
Additional Field Notes
- Motor stops quickly once you turn off the blower
- Noise levels: 84 dBA in High or Turbo (measured from the operator’s ear)
- Somewhat irritating pitch during operation
- Weighs 2.8 pounds bare and 4.4 pounds with a 3.5Ah Stacked Lithium battery
- Includes inflator/deflator nozzles
Jobsite Blower Quick Comparison
| DeWalt DCE100 | Flex FX5441 | Milwaukee 0884 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | Brushed | Brushless | Brushless |
| Max Airspeed | 135 MPH | 185 MPH | 160 MPH |
| Max Air Volume | 100 CFM | 115 CFM | 100 CFM |
| Bare Tool Weight | 2.5 lbs | 2.8 lbs | 2.6 lbs |
| Price | $149 | $119.99 | $129 |
Using the Flex 24V Battery-Powered Jobsite Blower Performance
Flex went with a more efficient and powerful brushless motor for this blower. It boasts 115 CFM and 185 MPH. With battery-powered leaf blowers pushing beyond the 700 CFM mark, that might not sound very impressive. It’s intentional, though. By prioritizing airspeed as high as it is, the blower is able to move the larger debris that lower speed blower won’t budge. Everything from larger wood chips to pebbles moves along with no problem. It also hits a far more targetted area than leaf blowers.
Flex 24V Battery-Powered Jobsite Blower Price
The Flex 24V cordless jobsite blower retails as a bare tool for $119.99. Currently, Flex lacks any kitted models, so you need to have a Flex battery and charger (or buy a separate kit). Compared to other premium professional brands, the Flex FX5441 falls on the lower end of the price scale. The blower has a 5-year warranty. However, if you register by 12/31/22, you get an upgrade to the Flex Founder’s lifetime warranty.
The Bottom Line
The Flex 24V battery-powered jobsite blower is strong, well-designed, and less expensive than its competition. What more could you ask for? If you’re on the Flex 24V battery system, this blower is an excellent way to speed up your cleanup at the end of the day.
Flex 24V Battery-Powered Jobsite Blower Specifications
- Model: Flex FX5441
- Power source: Flex 24V battery
- Max airspeed: 185 MPH
- Max air volume: 115 CFM
- Estimated runtime w/ 2.5Ah battery: 14 min (High), 10 min (Turbo)
- Weight: 2.8 lbs (4.4 lbs w/3.5Ah Stacked Lithium battery)
- Price: $119.99 (tool-only)
- Warranty: 5 years
