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 beneath bushes and round basis partitions. It’s additionally useful for owners who must bag their leaves, slightly 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 must! That’s as a result of many of the high picks from Good Housekeeping Institute’s newest assessments are multi-purpose machines that carry out each duties. As with different out of doors energy gear that passes via the Dwelling Enchancment & Outside Lab, from pressure washers to snow blowers, our specialists 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 most effective leaf vacuums, plus every little thing you have to know to search out the precise mannequin in your residence. You may also choose up different knowledgeable 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
| Kind | Corded-electric |
|---|---|
| Air stream | 350 cfm |
| Air velocity | 210 mph |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs |
| Bag measurement | 10.5 gallons |
| Noise score | 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 process 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, as a way to flip between capabilities 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 residence 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 could actually 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 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.
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 gear 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’ll be able to tailor it to varied 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 permits you to blast leaves out of gutters from the protection of the bottom. Although the producer doesn’t checklist 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 gear 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 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 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, check engineer on the Good Housekeeping Institute.
It’s an awesome 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 must take care of a thick blanket of leaves come autumn. Take word, nevertheless: 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 cupboard space. However ultimately, 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 awesome alternative for owners with small- to mid-size yards,” says Rothman, who notes that the Toro is a straightforward to make use of and reasonably priced possibility that gathered and eliminated leaves shortly in our assessments. Our specialists just like the variable velocity management, which seamlessly permits you to 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 allows you to change from blowing to vacuuming with out instruments. However you will want to take care of the facility twine, plus the added price of an exterior-grade extension twine you probably have loads of floor to cowl.
Greatest Giant-Capability Leaf Vacuum
Ryobi 40-volt Handheld Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
Ryobi’s 40-volt leaf vacuum is a good choose you probably have loads of leaves to comb up, due to 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 downside is the steel impeller was a bit of extra susceptible to jamming when sucking up more durable stuff like twigs,” says Scherma. “However that is the right vacuum when you’re primarily clearing a lot of 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 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.
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 when 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 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 loads 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 just’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 strong mixture of air velocity and stream. Our specialists say the vacuum’s light-weight design reduces hand and arm fatigue. Additionally they just like the function 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’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
| Kind | Corded-electric |
|---|---|
| Air stream | 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 timber, 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 excellent for bigger properties due to twine constraints). Testers say the two-speed blower is able to transferring 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.
Greatest 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 gear. This cordless leaf vacuum is one other instance, with its mixture of reliability and efficiency. Although the air stream isn’t as highly effective as with gasoline 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 lowering 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 operate, so it’s not as simple as flipping a change, the way in which you’ll be able to with different high 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
Execs
- Provides in a chipper and shredder
- Good for giant properties
Cons
- Requires far more storage
| Kind | Fuel-powered |
|---|---|
| Air stream | Not listed |
| Air velocity | Not listed |
| Weight | 125 lbs |
| Bag measurement | 18 gallons |
| Noise score | Not listed |
Take one look and you may see straight away that walk-behind leaf vacuums are a distinct breed of garden care gear. This one from Troy-Bilt provides in a chipper and a shredder, good when you stay on a big property with loads of timber and fallen branches. It makes use of a distinct engine than gasoline leaf blowers, which is why the producer doesn’t checklist air velocity and stream. 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 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 beneath 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 specialists within the Dwelling Enchancment & Outside Lab begin by surveying {the marketplace} to determine top-selling leaf vacuums that you just’re almost definitely to search out at shops and on-line. We additionally attend commerce exhibits and {industry} occasions like Equip Exposition to remain on high of the newest in garden and yard care. Subsequent, we determine 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 take into account newer manufacturers with distinctive options or improvements.
Primarily based on an in depth evaluation 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 couple of of our product specialists additionally took leaf vacuums residence to judge them within the real-world situations of their yards. Efficiency assessments centered on how shortly and cleanly fashions sucked up small piles of leaves across the yard, in addition to from gutters when that function 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 common elements to contemplate 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 may be battery-powered, gas-powered or corded electrical. The ability sort that’s greatest for you relies upon largely on the scale of the mission.
- Battery-powered leaf vacuums provide cordless operation and so they’re additionally the quietest. Because of enhancements in battery know-how, they’re additionally almost as highly effective as gasoline machines.
- Fuel-powered leaf vacuums nonetheless are usually probably the most highly effective however they’re additionally louder, tougher 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 measurement: Some assortment luggage may be worn on the person’s again whereas others are connected instantly under the engine. Backpack assortment luggage usually have a higher quantity than those who cling instantly under a handheld engine. In case your vacuum has mulching capabilities, you’ll need to make word of its discount ratio in an effort 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: When you’re trying to buy an all-in-one software that’ll aid you fight fallen leaves and particles, you could need to take into account one of many many engines that may convert between leaf blowing, vacuuming and mulching. It’s necessary to contemplate the convenience of changing between completely different capabilities when buying a convertible software. Some convertible vacuums/blowers/mulchers are geared up with a change that enables them to alternate from operate to operate. Different machines include completely different tubes or nozzles that you must connect and detach in an effort to convert. That’s extra of a trouble, however our assessments 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. When 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 usually heavier and probably tougher to function. “Light-weight leaf vacuums that weigh as little as 5 kilos are high quality for minor clean-ups, however you ought to be ready to lug round not less than a 10-pound machine when you plan on sucking up loads of yard particles,” says Rothman. Heavier vacuums additionally are usually extra sturdy.
How is leaf vacuum energy measured?
There are just a few elements concerned. If the gear has a mulching mode, you’ll additionally need to take note of its claimed capability.
- Cubic toes per minute (CFM): The ability of a leaf vacuum is partly decided by the air stream, 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 could actually absorb. 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 lowered to via mulching. Most mulchers have a discount ratio of both 10:1 or 16:1.
Why belief Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Dwelling Enchancment & Outside Lab offers knowledgeable evaluations and recommendation on all issues home-related, together with leaf vacuums. In his position as Director of the Dwelling Enchancment & Outside 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 gear for Good Housekeeping, in addition to manufacturers like Client Experiences 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 lower.
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 other forms of out of doors energy gear at her residence on Lengthy Island, NY.
Dwelling Enchancment & Outside Director
Having written hundreds of product evaluations and how-to articles on all facets 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 Dwelling Enchancment & Outside 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.
