10 Greatest Leaf Vacuums, Examined by Specialists
A leaf vacuum is the perfectionist’s out of doors energy software, nice for sucking up each final leaf from underneath bushes and round basis partitions. It’s additionally useful for owners who need to bag their leaves, somewhat 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 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 checks are multi-purpose machines that carry out each duties. As with different out of doors energy tools that passes via the House Enchancment & Outside Lab, from pressure 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. Listed below are the ten that made the lower.
Our prime picks:
After testing our picks, learn on for extra particulars on how our testers select the most effective leaf vacuums, plus all the things you have to know to seek out the correct mannequin to your house. You too can decide up different professional recommendation on yard care, together with tips for mulching and our latest round-up of top-rated lawn mowers.
Greatest Total 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 process 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 features 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 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 twine, which is a nuisance to tug round and likewise means you’ll want an exterior-grade extension twine in case you have a big yard.
Greatest 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 identify in out of doors energy tools that usually 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 may tailor it to numerous duties, and testers say it’s straightforward to modify between modes. Rothman additionally referred to as out the devoted gutter cleansing equipment, with its 15-foot telescoping attachment that permits you to blast leaves out of gutters from the protection of the bottom. Although the producer doesn’t listing its noise score, testers discovered the motor on the Solar Joe to be comparatively quiet.
Greatest Heavy-Obligation Leaf Vacuum
Stihl SHA 56 Shredder Vacuum/Blower Equipment Vacuum
Stihl’s out of doors energy tools has impressed our testers with its mixture of remarkable 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 normal. The battery-powered machine was an absolute beast in our powerful area checks, 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 an amazing match for owners whose yard incorporates loads of tough particles, together with twigs, acorns and the like. The SHA 56 can also be an outstanding leaf blower for individuals who need to cope with a thick blanket of leaves come autumn. Take be aware, nonetheless: 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 straightforward as flipping a swap, a comfort discovered on fashions that use the identical attachment for each modes. Plus, the additional components 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.
Greatest 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 an amazing selection for owners 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 rapidly in our checks. Our consultants just like the variable velocity management, which seamlessly permits you to modify the facility in each vacuuming and blowing modes. The machine can also be straightforward to function, due to its push-button electrical begin and quick-release latch that permits you to swap from blowing to vacuuming with out instruments. However you’ll need to cope with the facility twine, plus the added price of an exterior-grade extension twine in case you have loads of floor to cowl.
Greatest Massive-Capability Leaf Vacuum
Ryobi 40-volt Handheld Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
Ryobi’s 40-volt leaf vacuum is a good decide in case you have loads 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 decreasing leaves to a superb matter, getting probably the most capability out of each bagful. “The one disadvantage is the steel impeller was a bit of extra susceptible to jamming when sucking up tougher stuff like twigs,” says Scherma. “However that is the proper vacuum in the event you’re primarily clearing a number 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 probably the most convertible combo we examined. The Ryobi can also be on the costly facet, nevertheless it’s essential 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 checks, even when working the variable velocity motor at full tilt.
Greatest Light-weight Fuel Leaf Vacuum
Husqvarna Fuel Blower Vacuum
Don’t need the trouble of a twine? A gas-powered leaf blower is the way in which to go, particularly in the event you’re additionally in search of most energy. This Husqvarna gas-powered leaf vacuum can transfer loads of air in a rush — 425 cubic toes 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 in case you have loads 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.
Greatest Worth Fuel Leaf Vacuum
Craftsman Fuel Leaf Blower
This Craftsman encompasses 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. Additionally they just like the characteristic set, which features a translucent gas tank and a variable velocity motor, useful when switching between yard cleansing duties or shifting throughout totally 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’ll additionally want extra upkeep, together with routine oil checks.
Greatest 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 loads 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 sweet 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 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 snug harness, and has a formidable 16:1 discount ratio in mulching mode.
Greatest Light-weight Cordless Leaf Vacuum
Greenworks Cordless Blower Vacuum
Our consultants have been testing Greenworks merchandise for the higher a part of a decade and so they’ve come to know the model as a frontrunner 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 circulate isn’t as highly effective as with fuel or corded-electric gadgets, this battery-operated mannequin permits you to 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 decreasing pressure and increasing the vacuum’s lifetime. Although the machine can convert from a vacuum to a blower, it makes use of separate tubes for every perform, so it’s not as straightforward as flipping a swap, the way in which you may with different prime picks.
Greatest Stroll-Behind Leaf Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Fuel Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Fuel-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Fuel-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Professionals
- Provides in a chipper and shredder
- Good for big properties
Cons
- Requires far more storage
| Sort | Fuel-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 may 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 in the event you stay on a big property with loads of bushes and fallen branches. It makes use of a special engine than fuel leaf blowers, which is why the producer doesn’t listing 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 loads of floor quick throughout 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 loads of garden gear, so be sure to’ll put it to work earlier than making the funding.
How we check the most effective leaf vacuums
Our product consultants within the House Enchancment & Outside Lab begin by surveying {the marketplace} to establish top-selling leaf vacuums that you simply’re most certainly 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 most recent in garden and yard care. Subsequent, we establish manufacturers which have carried out the most effective and proved probably the most dependable via years of testing on the Good Housekeeping Institute. We additionally think about newer manufacturers with distinctive options or improvements.
Based mostly on an intensive assessment of technical knowledge, our consultants chosen numerous 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 couple of of our product consultants additionally took leaf vacuums house to judge them within the real-world situations of their yards. Efficiency checks targeted on how rapidly 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 degree of the motor.
What to search for when selecting the most effective leaf vacuum
There are a number of normal components to contemplate 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 scale and type of its assortment bag, in addition to its weight and sturdiness.
✔️Energy kind: Leaf vacuum engines might be battery-powered, gas-powered or corded electrical. The facility kind that’s finest for you relies upon largely on the scale of the challenge.
- 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 fuel machines.
- Fuel-powered leaf vacuums nonetheless are typically probably the most highly effective however they’re additionally louder, harder to begin and require additional care upkeep, together with mixing the oil and fuel.
- Electrical leaf vacuums have a twine that restricts mobility however ensures a limiteless runtime.
✔️Assortment bag type and measurement: Some assortment luggage might be worn on the consumer’s again whereas others are hooked up straight under the engine. Backpack assortment luggage typically have a higher quantity than people who cling straight under 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 luggage are reusable whereas others are disposable.
✔️Convertibility: In the event you’re trying to buy an all-in-one software that’ll provide help to fight fallen leaves and particles, chances are you’ll need to think about one of many many engines that may convert between leaf blowing, vacuuming and mulching. It’s essential to contemplate the benefit of changing between totally different capabilities when buying a convertible software. Some convertible vacuums/blowers/mulchers are geared up with a swap that permits them to alternate from perform to perform. Different machines include totally 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 gadgets are inclined to carry out higher at each vacuuming and blowing.
✔️Weight: Most leaf vacuums are handheld and comparatively light-weight. In the event 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 contemplate 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 superb for minor clean-ups, however you ought to be ready to lug round at the least a 10-pound machine in the event you plan on sucking up loads of yard particles,” says Rothman. Heavier vacuums additionally are typically extra sturdy.
How is leaf vacuum energy measured?
There are a couple of components 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 circulate, or how a lot air it’s in a position to absorb, which is measured in cubic toes per minute. The upper the CFM, the extra air it may possibly soak up. Probably the most highly effective vacuums have 400 CFMs and up.
- Miles per hour (MPH): Then there’s air velocity, i.e. how rapidly a lead vacuum takes in air, which is measured in miles per hour (mph). Above 200 mph is good.
- 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 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 House Enchancment & Outside Lab gives professional critiques and recommendation on all issues home-related, together with leaf vacuums. In his function as Director of the House Enchancment & Outside Lab, Dan DiClerico brings greater than 20 years of expertise to the Institute, having reviewed hundreds of merchandise, together with all types of out of doors energy tools for Good Housekeeping, in addition to manufacturers like Shopper Stories 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 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 & Outside Director
Having written hundreds of product critiques and how-to articles on all elements of house 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 & Outside Lab on the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can typically be discovered maintaining home at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, the place he lives together with his spouse and youngsters.
