Milwaukee M18 Fuel Blowers: Two New Cordless Options Compared

Introduction

Milwaukee has expanded its M18 outdoor power equipment lineup with two new blowers: a single battery handheld model and a dual battery backpack blower. Both run on the M18 platform and bring a set of claims worth a closer look, including some genuinely impressive noise figures. Here is how the two compare and which type of user each one fits best.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3717-20 Blower

The M18 Fuel 3717-20 is a new standard single battery blower powered by a brushless motor. Milwaukee claims up to 500 CFM, 120 mph air speed, and 12.2 Newtons of blowing force, which is respectable power for a cordless handheld running off a single battery.

The real surprise is the reported noise level. Under ANSI noise standards, this blower is rated at 54 dBA. For context, the quietest blower previously tested, the Ryobi Whisper Series, registers 57 dBA. If the claims hold up in practice, Milwaukee has built the new quietest blower on the market.

The tool weighs 5.1 lb without a battery, keeping it light and ergonomic, and a variable speed control on top of the handle lets you optimize for either power or run time. Milwaukee recommends using it with the M18 high output XC and HD batteries.

The 3717-20 launched as a bare tool for $179. Pair it with the new attachments and it becomes a capable system for most typical lawn cleanup work.

New Blower Attachments for the M18 Platform

Alongside the blowers, Milwaukee released two attachments. The blower gutter attachment gives you over 8 ft of extension with 360° elbow rotation, making it practical for clearing out gutters. The angled flare attachment flattens the air stream into a wider pattern parallel to the ground, helping lift stubborn debris more effectively.

The gutter attachment sells for $79 and the angled flare for $15, so both are inexpensive ways to extend what a single blower can do around a property.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Dual Battery Backpack Blower

The dual battery backpack blower carries the bigger headline numbers. Milwaukee claims around 650 CFM and 155 mph air speed, with 20.5 Newtons of blowing force. Internal data indicates the blowing force exceeds what you would expect from a 60cc gas model. While 20.5 Newtons is below what the very strongest backpack blowers produce, it sits in the middle of the range where many pros buy.

Noise is still kept in check at 62 dBA per the ANSI standards, a low figure for a backpack-class machine.

The design offers four active battery slots, with a minimum of two batteries required to run. There is room for up to four 12-amp hour high output packs, which Milwaukee recommends, giving 864 watt-hours of capacity fully loaded.

A few design details stand out. The batteries are protected by a roll cage rather than a fully enclosed door, which leaves them exposed to rain and debris but allows far more airflow around them for cooling. There is no exposed cabling from batteries to motor, and the brushless motor sits directly below the batteries before the tube bends 90° toward the nozzle. The handle-mounted mode interface includes a variable speed trigger that can be adjusted with your thumb without releasing the trigger.

On its own, the backpack blower runs $499. The kit version costs $1,499 and includes four 12-amp hour high output batteries plus a charger.

Buying Advice: Which Milwaukee Blower Fits Your Work

If you are already on the M18 platform and handle typical residential cleanup, the 3717-20 looks promising on power and is downright impressive on the noise front. Combined with the gutter or angled flare attachments, it covers most standard lawn care needs at a reasonable entry cost.

For crews maintaining larger properties or working through a volume of small lawns each day, the dual battery backpack blower is the stronger option. Its 20.5 Newtons of force, large battery capacity, and quiet operation for the class make it a serious alternative for professional trailer setups, and alongside the growing M18 Fuel Quick-Lok attachment system the professional crew’s trailer is looking more red than ever.

Conclusion

Both blowers fill clear roles. The M18 Fuel 3717-20 is a lightweight, very quiet handheld for everyday cleanup, while the dual battery backpack blower targets pro users who need more force and longer run time. Match the tool to the size of the properties you maintain and you have two well-thought-out options on the M18 platform.