Whether your yard is covered with leaves or you're still waiting for them to carpet your property, you're probably looking for the easiest, most-effective way to deal with fall cleanup. As you'll see in The Great Rake-Off: Man vs. Machine video, using a leaf blower can provide faster, more-efficient leaf-wrangling than raking.

To help you find the right leaf blower for your needs, check out our free buyer's guide and watch our new video buyer's guide to this outdoor power equipment (right), which details the pros and cons of the four major blower types and the features to look for.

Corded electric models have their upsides—they tend to be lighter and quieter than gas-powered models and don't produce emissions at the point of use their own—and the best electric blowers can rival gas machines in performance. But as Senior Ed Perratore knows all too well, the power cord can limit your mobility. Ed traded up to a handheld gas-powered model, but since he's got a bum shoulder, he's considering a backpack blower, which distributes the weight more evenly than a handheld.

No matter which kind of blower you use, nozzle type is key. Our tests have shown that a round, reduced opening is better for cleaning embedded lawn debris and that a wider, flat opening works better when moving large leaf piles.

A final tip: If you do go the raking route, follow this expert advice to avoid injury and minimize soreness.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our "Fall Lawn and Yard Checklist" for details on tending to all facets of your property, and keep your power equipment in shape with our "End-of-Season Lawn-Equipment Guide." You'll find other tips on our Fall Cleanup Guide page.