10 Best Leaf Vacuums, Tested by Experts

A leaf vacuum is the perfectionist’s outside energy device, nice for sucking up each final leaf from underneath bushes and round basis partitions. It’s additionally useful for householders who need to bag their leaves, somewhat than blow them to the curb, since most leaf vacuums function mulching capabilities that allow you to hoover up many extra leaves right into a single bag.

Can’t resolve between a leaf blower and a leaf vacuum? You don’t need to! That’s as a result of a lot of the prime picks from Good Housekeeping Institute’s newest assessments are multi-purpose machines that carry out each duties. As with different outside energy gear that passes via the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, from strain washers to snow blowers, our consultants thought of efficiency, ease of use, sturdiness, noise and extra of their evaluation of greater than 20 leaf vacuums. Here are the ten that made the minimize.

Our prime picks:

After testing our picks, learn on for extra particulars on how our testers select one of the best leaf vacuums, plus all the things it’s good to know to search out the best mannequin on your residence. You also can decide up different knowledgeable recommendation on yard care, together with ideas for mulching and our newest round-up of top-rated garden mowers.

Best Overall Leaf Vacuum

Worx Electric Trivac

WORX Electric Trivac

WORX Electric Trivac

Now 14% Off

Type
Corded-electric

Air stream
350 cfm

Air velocity
210 mph

Weight
9.3 lbs

Bag dimension
10.5 gallons

Noise ranking
50 dB

Our consultants like the flexibility of the corded-electric Worx Trivac, a robust three-in-one blower, vacuum and mulcher that handles every job with ease and effectivity, which the 5600+ five-star evaluations on Amazon attest to. In our testing, it was significantly adept at scarfing up leaf fragments and different small particles. “I like that it’s geared up with an on-board conversion change, in an effort to flip between capabilities shortly and with out the effort of separate tubes and attachments,” says Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist on the Good Housekeeping Institute, who examined the Worx over a number of weeks at her residence on Long Island, NY.

She notes that the curled finish of the vacuum tube was useful for sucking leaves from gutters and different hard-to-reach locations. The Worx’s steel impeller has an 18:1 discount ratio, that means it will probably mulch 18 luggage of leaves down to at least one, and this mannequin comes with a 10-gallon reusable assortment bag. While it’s additionally very quiet, the large draw back is the twine, which is a nuisance to tug round and in addition means you’ll want an exterior-grade extension twine if in case you have a big yard.

Best Value Leaf Vacuum

Sun Joe Electric Handheld Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher

This budget-friendly three-in-one leaf vacuum, blower and mulcher carried out in addition to some fashions costing two and 3 times as a lot. “Like its cold-weather model mate Snow Joe, whose snow blowers we’ve examined, Sun Joe has established itself has a value-driven title in outside energy gear that always punches above its weight,” says Rothman. The machine’s 14-amp motor blows as much as 240 miles per hour with six adjustable speeds so you possibly can tailor it to varied duties, and testers say it’s simple to modify between modes. Rothman additionally referred to as out the devoted gutter cleansing equipment, with its 15-foot telescoping attachment that means that you can blast leaves out of gutters from the security of the bottom. Though the producer doesn’t record its noise ranking, testers discovered the motor on the Sun Joe to be comparatively quiet.

Best Heavy-Duty Leaf Vacuum

Stihl SHA 56 Shredder Vacuum/Blower Kit Vacuum

Stihl’s outside energy gear has impressed our testers with its mixture of outstanding energy and quiet operation — the latter being vital in municipalities with strict noise ordinances. The SHA 56 2-in-1 vacuum blower lives as much as the identical excessive commonplace. The battery-powered machine was an absolute beast in our powerful discipline assessments, sucking up all method of yard particles and shredding it into a rough mulch that allowed testers to achieve most capability within the 10.5-gallon bag. “Despite all that stellar sucking energy, the Stihl was one of many quietest leaf vacuums we examined,” says Alec Scherma, check engineer on the Good Housekeeping Institute.

It’s an excellent match for householders whose yard accommodates quite a lot of tough particles, together with twigs, acorns and the like. The SHA 56 can also be an outstanding leaf blower for many who need to cope with a thick blanket of leaves come autumn. Take be aware, nevertheless: The machine has separate tubes for its vacuum and blower modes. While making the conversion was pretty easy in our assessments, it’s not as simple as flipping a change, a comfort discovered on fashions that use the identical attachment for each modes. Plus, the additional components require extra space for storing. But in the long run, we predict that’s a small worth to pay in case your precedence is most toughness and energy in a leaf vacuum.

Best Variable-Speed Leaf Vacuum

Toro Electric Ultra Blower Vacuum

This Toro is one other plug-in leaf vacuum that scored factors with our testers for its mixture of energy and light-weight design. “It’s an excellent alternative for householders with small- to mid-size yards,” says Rothman, who notes that the Toro is a straightforward to make use of and inexpensive possibility that gathered and eliminated leaves shortly in our assessments. Our consultants just like the variable velocity management, which seamlessly means that you can alter the facility in each vacuuming and blowing modes. The machine can also be simple to function, due to its push-button electrical begin and quick-release latch that permits you to change from blowing to vacuuming with out instruments. But you will want to cope with the facility twine, plus the added price of an exterior-grade extension twine if in case you have quite a lot of floor to cowl.

Best Large-Capacity Leaf Vacuum

Ryobi 40-volt Handheld Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher

Ryobi’s 40-volt leaf vacuum is a good decide if in case you have quite a lot of leaves to comb up, due to its huge 600 CFMs of vacuum energy and its ample 10.5-gallon bag. The Ryobi additionally has an industry-best 20-to-1 mulching ratio, so it’s glorious at lowering leaves to a high-quality matter, getting essentially the most capability out of each bagful. “The one downside is the steel impeller was slightly extra susceptible to jamming when sucking up more durable stuff like twigs,” says Scherma. “But that is the right vacuum for those who’re primarily clearing numerous unfastened leaves out of your garden.”

It converts from vacuum to blower mode with the flip of a knob on the principle deal with, however you additionally want to modify attachments, so it’s not essentially the most convertible combo we examined. The Ryobi can also be on the costly facet, nevertheless it’s vital to notice that the equipment features a pair of 4.0 Ah batteries, which collectively delivered greater than half-hour of run time in our assessments, even when working the variable velocity motor at full tilt.

Best Lightweight Gas Leaf Vacuum

Husqvarna Gas Blower Vacuum

Don’t need the effort of a twine? A gas-powered leaf blower is the way in which to go, particularly for those who’re additionally searching for most energy. This Husqvarna gas-powered leaf vacuum can transfer quite a lot of air in a rush — 425 cubic ft per minute at a velocity of 170 miles per hour. Our consultants say it ought to carry out capably whether or not you set it to hoover, blow or mulch leaves and different yard particles. The light-weight building and ergonomic design maximize consolation and management, whereas the cruise management setting is sweet if in case you have quite a lot of leaves to suck up and don’t want to modify speeds. Just be ready for the noisier operation, which is loud sufficient that you just’ll need to put on ear safety.

Best Value Gas Leaf Vacuum

Craftsman Gas Leaf Blower

This Craftsman includes a sturdy gas-powered engine that generates a stable mixture of air velocity and stream. Our consultants say the vacuum’s light-weight design reduces hand and arm fatigue. They additionally just like the function set, which features a translucent gasoline tank and a variable velocity motor, useful when switching between yard cleansing duties or shifting throughout completely different surfaces from thick lawns to paved driveways. As with all gas-powered blowers, the Craftsman is pretty noisy, so take that into consideration if there are neighbors shut by. It can even want extra upkeep, together with routine oil checks.

Best Backpack Leaf Vacuum

Black + Decker Backpack Blower Vacuum

BLACK+DECKER Backpack Blower Vacuum

BLACK+DECKER Backpack Blower Vacuum

Now 29% Off

Type
Corded-electric

Air stream
400 cfm

Air velocity
250 mph

Weight
11.1 lbs

Bag dimension
Not listed

Noise ranking
75 dB

If your property has quite a lot of leafy bushes, it would make sense to improve to a backpack-style leaf vacuum. Our engineers say this corded electrical Black + Decker mannequin is nice for blowing and mulching, particularly in small- to mid-sized yards (like all corded fashions, it’s not ultimate for bigger properties due to twine constraints). Testers say the two-speed blower is able to shifting a good quantity of air in a short time. This mannequin comes with an easy-to-carry backpack-style assortment bag, due to the comfy harness, and has a powerful 16:1 discount ratio in mulching mode.

Best Lightweight Cordless Leaf Vacuum

Greenworks Cordless Blower Vacuum

Our consultants have been testing Greenworks merchandise for the higher a part of a decade they usually’ve come to know the model as a frontrunner in battery-powered outside gear. This cordless leaf vacuum is one other instance, with its mixture of reliability and efficiency. Though the air stream isn’t as highly effective as with gasoline or corded-electric units, this battery-operated mannequin means that you can clear and take away leaves unrestricted by a twine, plus it’s extraordinarily light-weight. Our engineers say the brushless motor ought to ship a protracted runtime and improved torque, whereas additionally lowering pressure and increasing the vacuum’s lifetime. Though the machine can convert from a vacuum to a blower, it makes use of separate tubes for every operate, so it’s not as simple as flipping a change, the way in which you possibly can with different prime picks.

Best Walk-Behind Leaf Vacuum

Troy-Bilt Gas Chipper Shredder Vacuum

Troy-Bilt Gas-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum

Troy-Bilt Gas-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum

Pros

Adds in a chipper and shredder
Good for big properties

Cons

Requires rather more storage

Type
Gas-powered

Air stream
Not listed

Air velocity
Not listed

Weight
125 lbs

Bag dimension
18 gallons

Noise ranking
Not listed

Take one look and you may see instantly that walk-behind leaf vacuums are a unique breed of garden care gear. This one from Troy-Bilt provides in a chipper and a shredder, good for those who stay on a big property with quite a lot of bushes and fallen branches. It makes use of a unique engine than gasoline leaf blowers, which is why the producer doesn’t record air velocity and stream. Our consultants solely admired it from afar, however they’re impressed by the specs, beginning with the 24-inch-wide vacuum head, which helps you cowl quite a lot of floor quick through the leafiest weeks of fall. The 7-foot vacuum hose is useful for sucking up smaller leaves and twigs from underneath bushes. But make no mistake: Weighing in at 116 kilos, this walk-behind leaf vacuum is quite a lot of garden gear, so be sure you’ll put it to work earlier than making the funding.

How we check one of the best leaf vacuums

Our product consultants within the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab begin by surveying {the marketplace} to determine top-selling leaf vacuums that you just’re most certainly to search out at shops and on-line. We additionally attend commerce exhibits and {industry} occasions like Equip Exposition to remain on prime of the newest in garden and yard care. Next, we determine manufacturers which have carried out one of the best and proved essentially the most dependable via years of testing on the Good Housekeeping Institute. We additionally think about newer manufacturers with distinctive options or improvements.

Based on an intensive evaluation of technical knowledge, our consultants chosen varied fashions for hands-on testing, which began in our Lab the place we assessed ease of meeting, high quality of building, comfort options and extra. A number of of our product consultants additionally took leaf vacuums residence to guage them within the real-world circumstances of their yards. Performance assessments targeted on how shortly and cleanly fashions sucked up small piles of leaves across the yard, in addition to from gutters when that function was provided. We additionally evaluated usability — for instance, how simply the bag goes on and off, intuitiveness of the controls, the runtime of battery-powered vacuums and the noise stage of the motor.

What to search for when selecting one of the best leaf vacuum

There are a number of normal elements to contemplate when deciding which leaf vacuum is finest for you. Regardless of whether or not the vacuum can convert right into a blower or mulcher, you’ll need to take note of a vacuum’s energy kind, the scale and type of its assortment bag, in addition to its weight and sturdiness.

✔️Power kind: Leaf vacuum engines might be battery-powered, gas-powered or corded electrical. The energy kind that’s finest for you relies upon largely on the scale of the challenge.

Battery-powered leaf vacuums provide cordless operation they usually’re additionally the quietest. Thanks to enhancements in battery know-how, they’re additionally almost as highly effective as gasoline machines.
Gas-powered leaf vacuums nonetheless are usually essentially the most highly effective however they’re additionally louder, harder to start out and require further care upkeep, together with mixing the oil and gasoline.
Electric leaf vacuums have a twine that restricts mobility however ensures a limiteless runtime.

✔️Collection bag type and dimension: Some assortment luggage might be worn on the person’s again whereas others are connected immediately under the engine. Backpack assortment luggage typically have a larger quantity than those who dangle immediately under a handheld engine. If your vacuum has mulching capabilities, you’ll need to make be aware of its discount ratio as a way to decide what number of shredded leaves can match within the gathering bag (for instance, a mulcher with a ten:1 ratio can match 100 gallons of dry leaves in a 10-gallon assortment bag). Many assortment luggage are reusable whereas others are disposable.

✔️Convertibility: If you’re trying to buy an all-in-one device that’ll assist you to fight fallen leaves and particles, you might need to think about one of many many engines that may convert between leaf blowing, vacuuming and mulching. It’s vital to contemplate the benefit of changing between completely different capabilities when buying a convertible device. Some convertible vacuums/blowers/mulchers are geared up with a change that enables them to alternate from operate to operate. Other machines include completely different tubes or nozzles that you must connect and detach as a way to convert. That’s extra of a trouble, however our assessments have discovered that these units are likely to carry out higher at each vacuuming and blowing.

✔️Weight: Most leaf vacuums are handheld and comparatively light-weight. If you’re searching for one thing extra heavy-duty, like a extra highly effective leaf blower that additionally has sturdy vacuum capabilities, you’ll have to contemplate that extra highly effective engines are usually heavier and probably harder to function. “Lightweight leaf vacuums that weigh as little as 5 kilos are high-quality for minor clean-ups, however you need to be ready to lug round a minimum of a 10-pound machine for those who plan on sucking up quite a lot of yard particles,” says Rothman. Heavier vacuums additionally are usually extra sturdy.

How is leaf vacuum energy measured?

There are a couple of elements concerned. If the gear has a mulching mode, you’ll additionally need to take note of its claimed capability.

Cubic ft per minute (CFM): The energy of a leaf vacuum is partly decided by the air stream, or how a lot air it’s ready to soak up, which is measured in cubic ft per minute. The greater the CFM, the extra air it will probably soak up. The strongest vacuums have 400 CFMs and up.
Miles per hour (MPH): Then there’s air velocity, i.e. how shortly a lead vacuum takes in air, which is measured in miles per hour (mph). Above 200 mph is good.
Mulcher discount ratio: This is the ratio between the variety of luggage of leaves that the vacuum encountered and the variety of luggage that the leaves have been decreased to via mulching. Most mulchers have a discount ratio of both 10:1 or 16:1.

Why belief Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab gives knowledgeable evaluations and recommendation on all issues home-related, together with leaf vacuums. In his position as Director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings greater than 20 years of expertise to the Institute, having reviewed hundreds of merchandise, together with all types of outside energy gear for Good Housekeeping, in addition to manufacturers like Consumer Reports and This Old House. He has huge hands-on expertise with each model included on this report, in addition to many others that didn’t make the minimize.

For this report, Dan labored carefully with Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering on the Institute. For greater than 15 years, Rachel has put her coaching in mechanical engineering and utilized arithmetic to work by researching, testing and writing about merchandise throughout the house enchancment area. She additionally routinely assessments leaf vacuums and different kinds of outside energy gear at her residence on Long Island, NY.

Home Improvement & Outdoor Director

Having written hundreds of product evaluations and how-to articles on all elements of residence possession, from routine upkeep to main renovations, Dan (he/him) brings greater than 20 years of {industry} expertise to his position because the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab on the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can typically be discovered conserving home at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, the place he lives along with his spouse and youngsters.