10 Finest Leaf Vacuums, Examined by Specialists
14 min read
A leaf vacuum is the perfectionist’s out of doors energy device, nice for sucking up each final leaf from beneath bushes and round basis partitions. It’s additionally useful for householders who should bag their leaves, quite than blow them to the curb, since most leaf vacuums characteristic mulching capabilities that allow you to hoover up many extra leaves right into a single bag.
Can’t determine between a leaf blower and a leaf vacuum? You don’t should! That’s as a result of many of the prime picks from Good Housekeeping Institute’s newest checks are multi-purpose machines that carry out each duties. As with different out of doors energy tools that passes by means of the House Enchancment & Out of doors Lab, from pressure washers to snow blowers, our specialists thought of efficiency, ease of use, sturdiness, noise and extra of their evaluation of greater than 20 leaf vacuums. Listed 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 the most effective leaf vacuums, plus every little thing it’s essential to know to seek out the proper mannequin to your house. It’s also possible to decide up different professional recommendation on yard care, together with tips for mulching and our latest round-up of top-rated lawn mowers.
Finest General Leaf Vacuum
Worx Electrical Trivac
WORX Electrical Trivac
WORX Electrical Trivac
Now 14% Off
| Sort | Corded-electric |
|---|---|
| Air circulation | 350 cfm |
| Air pace | 210 mph |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs |
| Bag dimension | 10.5 gallons |
| Noise ranking | 50 dB |
Our specialists like the flexibility of the corded-electric Worx Trivac, a highly effective three-in-one blower, vacuum and mulcher that handles every activity with ease and effectivity, which the 5600+ five-star critiques on Amazon attest to. In our testing, it was notably adept at scarfing up leaf fragments and different small particles. “I like that it’s geared up with an on-board conversion swap, so as to flip between capabilities rapidly and with out the trouble 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 house on Lengthy 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 may possibly mulch 18 baggage of leaves down to 1, and this mannequin comes with a 10-gallon reusable assortment bag. Whereas it’s additionally very quiet, the large draw back is the twine, which is a nuisance to pull round and likewise means you’ll want an exterior-grade extension twine you probably have a big yard.
Finest Worth Leaf Vacuum
Solar Joe Electrical 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 tested, Solar Joe has established itself has a value-driven title in out of doors energy tools that always punches above its weight,” says Rothman. The gadget’s 14-amp motor blows as much as 240 miles per hour with six adjustable speeds so you’ll be able to tailor it to numerous duties, and testers say it’s simple to change between modes. Rothman additionally referred to as out the devoted gutter cleansing package, with its 15-foot telescoping attachment that means that you can blast leaves out of gutters from the security of the bottom. Although the producer doesn’t record its noise ranking, testers discovered the motor on the Solar Joe to be comparatively quiet.
Finest Heavy-Obligation Leaf Vacuum
Stihl SHA 56 Shredder Vacuum/Blower Package Vacuum
Stihl’s out of doors energy tools has impressed our testers with its mixture of remarkable energy and quiet operation — the latter being important in municipalities with strict noise ordinances. The SHA 56 2-in-1 vacuum blower lives as much as the identical excessive customary. The battery-powered machine was an absolute beast in our robust subject checks, sucking up all method of yard particles and shredding it into a rough mulch that allowed testers to succeed in most capability within the 10.5-gallon bag. “Regardless of all that stellar sucking energy, the Stihl was one of many quietest leaf vacuums we examined,” says Alec Scherma, take a look at engineer on the Good Housekeeping Institute.
It’s a terrific match for householders whose yard comprises a whole lot of tough particles, together with twigs, acorns and the like. The SHA 56 can also be an outstanding leaf blower for many who should deal with a thick blanket of leaves come autumn. Take be aware, nevertheless: The machine has separate tubes for its vacuum and blower modes. Whereas making the conversion was pretty simple in our checks, it’s not as simple as flipping a swap, a comfort discovered on fashions that use the identical attachment for each modes. Plus, the additional elements require extra space for storing. However in the long run, we expect that’s a small worth to pay in case your precedence is most toughness and energy in a leaf vacuum.
Finest Variable-Pace Leaf Vacuum
Toro Electrical Extremely 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 a terrific alternative for householders with small- to mid-size yards,” says Rothman, who notes that the Toro is a simple to make use of and reasonably priced choice that gathered and eliminated leaves rapidly in our checks. Our specialists just like the variable pace management, which seamlessly means that you can alter the facility in each vacuuming and blowing modes. The gadget can also be simple to function, because of its push-button electrical begin and quick-release latch that allows you to swap from blowing to vacuuming with out instruments. However you have to to deal with the facility twine, plus the added value of an exterior-grade extension twine you probably have a whole lot of floor to cowl.
Finest Giant-Capability Leaf Vacuum
Ryobi 40-volt Handheld Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
Ryobi’s 40-volt leaf vacuum is a good decide you probably have a whole lot of leaves to brush up, because of its large 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 wonderful at lowering leaves to a high-quality matter, getting probably the most capability out of each bagful. “The one disadvantage is the steel impeller was just a little extra susceptible to jamming when sucking up tougher stuff like twigs,” says Scherma. “However that is the proper 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 change attachments, so it’s not probably the most convertible combo we examined. The Ryobi can also be on the costly facet, nevertheless it’s vital to notice that the package features a pair of 4.0 Ah batteries, which collectively delivered greater than half-hour of run time in our checks, even when working the variable pace motor at full tilt.
Finest Light-weight Gasoline Leaf Vacuum
Husqvarna Gasoline Blower Vacuum
Don’t need the trouble 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 a whole lot of air in a rush — 425 cubic toes per minute at a pace of 170 miles per hour. Our specialists 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 development and ergonomic design maximize consolation and management, whereas the cruise management setting is sweet you probably have a whole lot of leaves to suck up and don’t want to change speeds. Simply be ready for the noisier operation, which is loud sufficient that you simply’ll need to put on ear safety.
Finest Worth Gasoline Leaf Vacuum
Craftsman Gasoline Leaf Blower
This Craftsman encompasses a sturdy gas-powered engine that generates a strong mixture of air pace and circulation. Our specialists say the vacuum’s light-weight design reduces hand and arm fatigue. Additionally they just like the characteristic set, which features a translucent gas tank and a variable pace 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’s going to additionally want extra upkeep, together with routine oil checks.
Finest Backpack Leaf Vacuum
Black + Decker Backpack Blower Vacuum
BLACK+DECKER Backpack Blower Vacuum
BLACK+DECKER Backpack Blower Vacuum
Now 29% Off
| Sort | Corded-electric |
|---|---|
| Air circulation | 400 cfm |
| Air pace | 250 mph |
| Weight | 11.1 lbs |
| Bag dimension | Not listed |
| Noise ranking | 75 dB |
In case your property has a whole lot of leafy bushes, it’d make sense to improve to a backpack-style leaf vacuum. Our engineers say this corded electrical Black + Decker mannequin is sweet for blowing and mulching, particularly in small- to mid-sized yards (like all corded fashions, it’s not excellent 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, because of the comfy harness, and has a formidable 16:1 discount ratio in mulching mode.
Finest Light-weight Cordless Leaf Vacuum
Greenworks Cordless Blower Vacuum
Our specialists have been testing Greenworks merchandise for the higher a part of a decade and so they’ve come to know the model as a pacesetter in battery-powered out of doors tools. This cordless leaf vacuum is one other instance, with its mixture of reliability and efficiency. Although the air circulation 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 an extended runtime and improved torque, whereas additionally lowering pressure and increasing the vacuum’s lifetime. Although the gadget can convert from a vacuum to a blower, it makes use of separate tubes for every perform, so it’s not as simple as flipping a swap, the way in which you’ll be able to with different prime picks.
Finest Stroll-Behind Leaf Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Gasoline Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Gasoline-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Gasoline-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Execs
- Provides in a chipper and shredder
- Good for giant properties
Cons
- Requires rather more storage
| Sort | Gasoline-powered |
|---|---|
| Air circulation | Not listed |
| Air pace | Not listed |
| Weight | 125 lbs |
| Bag dimension | 18 gallons |
| Noise ranking | Not listed |
Take one look and you’ll see instantly that walk-behind leaf vacuums are a special breed of garden care tools. This one from Troy-Bilt provides in a chipper and a shredder, good for those who stay on a big property with a whole lot of bushes and fallen branches. It makes use of a special engine than gasoline leaf blowers, which is why the producer doesn’t record air pace and circulation. Our specialists solely admired it from afar, however they’re impressed by the specs, beginning with the 24-inch-wide vacuum head, which helps you cowl a whole lot of floor quick throughout the leafiest weeks of fall. The 7-foot vacuum hose is useful for sucking up smaller leaves and twigs from beneath bushes. However make no mistake: Weighing in at 116 kilos, this walk-behind leaf vacuum is a whole lot of garden gear, so ensure you’ll put it to work earlier than making the funding.
How we take a look at the most effective leaf vacuums
Our product specialists within the House Enchancment & Out of doors Lab begin by surveying {the marketplace} to establish top-selling leaf vacuums that you simply’re most probably to seek 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. Subsequent, we establish manufacturers which have carried out the most effective and proved probably the most dependable by means of years of testing on the Good Housekeeping Institute. We additionally take into account newer manufacturers with distinctive options or improvements.
Primarily based on an in depth assessment of technical knowledge, our specialists chosen varied fashions for hands-on testing, which began in our Lab the place we assessed ease of meeting, high quality of development, comfort options and extra. A number of of our product specialists additionally took leaf vacuums house to judge them within the real-world situations of their yards. Efficiency checks centered on how rapidly and cleanly fashions sucked up small piles of leaves across the yard, in addition to from gutters when that characteristic was supplied. 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 degree of the motor.
What to search for when selecting the most effective leaf vacuum
There are a number of basic elements to think about when deciding which leaf vacuum is greatest for you. No matter whether or not the vacuum can convert right into a blower or mulcher, you’ll need to take note of a vacuum’s energy sort, the scale and type of its assortment bag, in addition to its weight and sturdiness.
✔️Energy sort: Leaf vacuum engines might be battery-powered, gas-powered or corded electrical. The facility sort that’s greatest for you relies upon largely on the scale of the mission.
- Battery-powered leaf vacuums supply cordless operation and so they’re additionally the quietest. Due to enhancements in battery know-how, they’re additionally practically as highly effective as gasoline machines.
- Gasoline-powered leaf vacuums nonetheless are typically probably 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.
- Electrical leaf vacuums have a twine that restricts mobility however ensures an infinite runtime.
✔️Assortment bag type and dimension: Some assortment baggage might be worn on the consumer’s again whereas others are hooked up instantly beneath the engine. Backpack assortment baggage usually have a higher quantity than those who cling instantly beneath a handheld engine. In case your vacuum has mulching capabilities, you’ll need to make be aware of its discount ratio to be able 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 baggage are reusable whereas others are disposable.
✔️Convertibility: When you’re trying to buy an all-in-one device that’ll enable you to fight fallen leaves and particles, chances are you’ll need to take into account one of many many engines that may convert between leaf blowing, vacuuming and mulching. It’s vital to think about the convenience of changing between completely different capabilities when buying a convertible device. Some convertible vacuums/blowers/mulchers are geared up with a swap that enables them to alternate from perform to perform. Different machines include completely different tubes or nozzles that it’s a must to connect and detach to be able to convert. That’s extra of a trouble, however our checks 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. When 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 think about that extra highly effective engines are typically heavier and presumably harder to function. “Light-weight leaf vacuums that weigh as little as 5 kilos are high-quality for minor clean-ups, however try to be ready to lug round no less than a 10-pound machine for those who plan on sucking up a whole lot of yard particles,” says Rothman. Heavier vacuums additionally are typically extra sturdy.
How is leaf vacuum energy measured?
There are a couple of elements concerned. If the tools has a mulching mode, you’ll additionally need to take note of its claimed capability.
- Cubic toes per minute (CFM): The facility of a leaf vacuum is partly decided by the air circulation, or how a lot air it’s ready to absorb, which is measured in cubic toes per minute. The upper the CFM, the extra air it may possibly absorb. Probably the most highly effective vacuums have 400 CFMs and up.
- Miles per hour (MPH): Then there’s air pace, i.e. how rapidly a lead vacuum takes in air, which is measured in miles per hour (mph). Above 200 mph is right.
- Mulcher discount ratio: That is the ratio between the variety of baggage of leaves that the vacuum encountered and the variety of baggage that the leaves had been decreased to by means of mulching. Most mulchers have a discount ratio of both 10:1 or 16:1.
Why belief Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute House Enchancment & Out of doors Lab offers professional critiques and recommendation on all issues home-related, together with leaf vacuums. In his position as Director of the House Enchancment & Out of doors Lab, Dan DiClerico brings greater than 20 years of expertise to the Institute, having reviewed hundreds of merchandise, together with every kind of out of doors energy tools for Good Housekeeping, in addition to manufacturers like Client Studies and This Outdated Home. 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 intently 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 checks leaf vacuums and different kinds of out of doors energy tools at her house on Lengthy Island, NY.
House Enchancment & Out of doors Director
Having written hundreds of product critiques and how-to articles on all facets of house 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 House Enchancment & Out of doors Lab on the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can usually be discovered retaining home at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, the place he lives together with his spouse and youngsters.
