10 Finest Leaf Vacuums, Examined by Specialists
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 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 a lot of the high picks from Good Housekeeping Institute’s newest assessments are multi-purpose machines that carry out each duties. As with different outside energy tools that passes by means of the House Enchancment & Out of doors Lab, from pressure washers to snow blowers, our consultants thought-about 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 lower.
Our high picks:
After testing our picks, learn on for extra particulars on how our testers select the perfect leaf vacuums, plus every thing it’s good to know to search out the appropriate mannequin to your dwelling. You can even choose 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 circulate | 350 cfm |
| Air velocity | 210 mph |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs |
| Bag measurement | 10.5 gallons |
| Noise score | 50 dB |
Our consultants like the flexibility of the corded-electric Worx Trivac, a highly effective three-in-one blower, vacuum and mulcher that handles every job with ease and effectivity, which the 5600+ five-star opinions 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 outfitted with an on-board conversion change, so as to flip between features shortly 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 dwelling 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, which means it might probably mulch 18 luggage of leaves down to 1, and this mannequin comes with a 10-gallon reusable assortment bag. Whereas it’s additionally very quiet, the massive draw back is the wire, which is a nuisance to tug round and in addition means you’ll want an exterior-grade extension wire 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 thrice 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 outside energy tools that usually punches above its weight,” says Rothman. The system’s 14-amp motor blows as much as 240 miles per hour with six adjustable speeds so you possibly can tailor it to numerous duties, and testers say it’s simple to modify between modes. Rothman additionally referred to as out the devoted gutter cleansing package, with its 15-foot telescoping attachment that permits you to blast leaves out of gutters from the security of the bottom. Although the producer doesn’t record its noise score, testers discovered the motor on the Solar Joe to be comparatively quiet.
Finest Heavy-Obligation Leaf Vacuum
Stihl SHA 56 Shredder Vacuum/Blower Equipment Vacuum
Stihl’s outside energy tools has impressed our testers with its mixture of outstanding energy and quiet operation — the latter being essential 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 robust area 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. “Regardless of 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 a fantastic match for householders whose yard comprises a number of tough particles, together with twigs, acorns and the like. The SHA 56 can be an outstanding leaf blower for individuals who should take care of a thick blanket of leaves come autumn. Take word, nonetheless: The machine has separate tubes for its vacuum and blower modes. Whereas making the conversion was pretty simple 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 elements require extra space for storing. However 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.
Finest Variable-Velocity 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 fantastic 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 choice that gathered and eliminated leaves shortly in our assessments. Our consultants just like the variable velocity management, which seamlessly permits you to alter the facility in each vacuuming and blowing modes. The system can 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. However you’ll need to take care of the facility wire, plus the added value of an exterior-grade extension wire you probably have a number of floor to cowl.
Finest Giant-Capability Leaf Vacuum
Ryobi 40-volt Handheld Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
Ryobi’s 40-volt leaf vacuum is a superb choose you probably have a number of leaves to brush 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 tremendous matter, getting essentially 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 more durable stuff like twigs,” says Scherma. “However that is the right vacuum in case you’re primarily clearing a lot of free leaves out of your garden.”
It converts from vacuum to blower mode with the flip of a knob on the primary deal with, however you additionally want to modify attachments, so it’s not essentially the most convertible combo we examined. The Ryobi can be on the costly aspect, but it surely’s necessary 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 assessments, even when working the variable velocity motor at full tilt.
Finest Light-weight Gasoline Leaf Vacuum
Husqvarna Gasoline Blower Vacuum
Don’t need the trouble of a wire? A gas-powered leaf blower is the best way to go, particularly in case you’re additionally in search of most energy. This Husqvarna gas-powered leaf vacuum can transfer a number 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 you probably have a number of leaves to suck up and don’t want to modify 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 contains a sturdy gas-powered engine that generates a stable mixture of air velocity and circulate. Our consultants say the vacuum’s light-weight design reduces hand and arm fatigue. In addition they just like the characteristic set, which features a translucent gasoline tank and a variable velocity motor, useful when switching between yard cleansing duties or transferring 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 would 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 circulate | 400 cfm |
| Air velocity | 250 mph |
| Weight | 11.1 lbs |
| Bag measurement | Not listed |
| Noise score | 75 dB |
In case your property has a number 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 nice for blowing and mulching, particularly in small- to mid-sized yards (like all corded fashions, it’s not very best for bigger properties due to wire constraints). Testers say the two-speed blower is able to transferring an honest quantity of air in a short time. This mannequin comes with an easy-to-carry backpack-style assortment bag, due to the snug harness, and has a formidable 16:1 discount ratio in mulching mode.
Finest Light-weight 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 tools. This cordless leaf vacuum is one other instance, with its mixture of reliability and efficiency. Although the air circulate isn’t as highly effective as with fuel or corded-electric units, this battery-operated mannequin permits you to clear and take away leaves unrestricted by a wire, 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 lengthening the vacuum’s lifetime. Although the system 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 best way you possibly can with different high 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 way more storage
| Sort | Gasoline-powered |
|---|---|
| Air circulate | Not listed |
| Air velocity | Not listed |
| Weight | 125 lbs |
| Bag measurement | 18 gallons |
| Noise score | Not listed |
Take one look and you’ll see immediately that walk-behind leaf vacuums are a unique breed of garden care tools. This one from Troy-Bilt provides in a chipper and a shredder, good in case you stay on a big property with a number of bushes and fallen branches. It makes use of a unique engine than fuel leaf blowers, which is why the producer doesn’t record air velocity and circulate. 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 a number 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. However make no mistake: Weighing in at 116 kilos, this walk-behind leaf vacuum is a number of garden gear, so be sure to’ll put it to work earlier than making the funding.
How we check the perfect leaf vacuums
Our product consultants within the House Enchancment & Out of doors Lab begin by surveying {the marketplace} to determine top-selling leaf vacuums that you simply’re most definitely to search out at shops and on-line. We additionally attend commerce reveals and {industry} occasions like Equip Exposition to remain on high of the most recent in garden and yard care. Subsequent, we determine manufacturers which have carried out the perfect and proved essentially the most dependable by means of years of testing on the Good Housekeeping Institute. We additionally contemplate newer manufacturers with distinctive options or improvements.
Primarily based on an intensive overview 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 dwelling to guage them within the real-world situations of their yards. Efficiency assessments targeted on how shortly and cleanly fashions sucked up small piles of leaves across the yard, in addition to from gutters when that characteristic 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 the perfect leaf vacuum
There are a number of common elements to think about when deciding which leaf vacuum is finest 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 kind, the dimensions and type of its assortment bag, in addition to its weight and sturdiness.
✔️Energy kind: Leaf vacuum engines could be battery-powered, gas-powered or corded electrical. The facility kind that’s finest for you relies upon largely on the dimensions of the undertaking.
- Battery-powered leaf vacuums supply cordless operation they usually’re additionally the quietest. Because of enhancements in battery expertise, they’re additionally almost as highly effective as fuel machines.
- Gasoline-powered leaf vacuums nonetheless are typically essentially the most highly effective however they’re additionally louder, tougher to begin and require further care upkeep, together with mixing the oil and fuel.
- Electrical leaf vacuums have a wire that restricts mobility however ensures an infinite runtime.
✔️Assortment bag type and measurement: Some assortment luggage could be worn on the consumer’s again whereas others are connected instantly beneath the engine. Backpack assortment luggage usually have a better quantity than people who hold instantly beneath a handheld engine. In case your vacuum has mulching capabilities, you’ll need to make word of its discount ratio with the intention to decide what number of shredded leaves can match inside 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: In case you’re trying to buy an all-in-one device that’ll provide help to fight fallen leaves and particles, chances are you’ll need to contemplate one of many many engines that may convert between leaf blowing, vacuuming and mulching. It’s necessary to think about the convenience of changing between completely different capabilities when buying a convertible device. Some convertible vacuums/blowers/mulchers are outfitted with a change that enables them to alternate from operate to operate. Different machines include completely different tubes or nozzles that it’s a must to connect and detach with the intention to convert. That’s extra of a problem, however our assessments have discovered that these units are inclined to carry out higher at each vacuuming and blowing.
✔️Weight: Most leaf vacuums are handheld and comparatively light-weight. In case you’re in search of one thing extra heavy-duty, like a extra highly effective leaf blower that additionally has robust vacuum capabilities, you’ll have to think about that extra highly effective engines are typically heavier and presumably tougher to function. “Light-weight leaf vacuums that weigh as little as 5 kilos are tremendous for minor clean-ups, however you have to be ready to lug round at the very least a 10-pound machine in case you plan on sucking up a number of yard particles,” says Rothman. Heavier vacuums additionally are typically extra sturdy.
How is leaf vacuum energy measured?
There are just a few elements concerned. If the tools has a mulching mode, you’ll additionally need to take note of its claimed capability.
- Cubic ft per minute (CFM): The facility of a leaf vacuum is partly decided by the air circulate, or how a lot air it’s in a position to absorb, which is measured in cubic ft per minute. The upper the CFM, the extra air it might probably soak up. Essentially the most highly effective 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 right.
- Mulcher discount ratio: That is the ratio between the variety of luggage of leaves that the vacuum encountered and the variety of luggage that the leaves had been diminished 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 gives professional opinions and recommendation on all issues home-related, together with leaf vacuums. In his function 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 all types of outside energy tools for Good Housekeeping, in addition to manufacturers like Shopper Experiences and This Previous Home. He has huge hands-on expertise with each model included on this report, in addition to many others that didn’t make the lower.
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 house. She additionally routinely assessments leaf vacuums and different kinds of outside energy tools at her dwelling on Lengthy Island, NY.
House Enchancment & Out of doors Director
Having written hundreds of product opinions and how-to articles on all features of dwelling possession, from routine upkeep to main renovations, Dan (he/him) brings greater than 20 years of {industry} expertise to his function 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 preserving home at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, the place he lives along with his spouse and youngsters.
