Tony Coral Gables, Florida wants to tone down the noise of gas-powered leaf blowers. In proposing the ban, it joins municipalities across the nation in regulating leaf blower noise. To keep buyers from running afoul of such laws, Consumer Reports began its recent round of leaf blower tests with a sound check that measured decibel levels from 50 feet away.

The results were mixed. Some electric models we tested were less noisy than gasoline-powered models but also much less powerful. Fortunately, we did find a few strong yet relatively quiet electric models.

Some locales restrict blower use to certain times of the day or year. Others ban gasoline-powered leaf blowers while allowing only electric blowers, which, while far from silent, are still less noisy overall. And more than a dozen communities, mostly in California, have banned all gas and electric leaf blowers, leaving residents reaching for their rakes and brooms.

More leaf relief: See our free buying advice and Ratings (available to subscribers) of handheld, backpack, and wheeled leaf blowers.