10 Greatest Leaf Vacuums, Examined by Specialists
A leaf vacuum is the perfectionist’s outside energy instrument, nice for sucking up each final leaf from beneath 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 many of the high picks from Good Housekeeping Institute’s newest exams are multi-purpose machines that carry out each duties. As with different outside energy tools that passes by way of the House Enchancment & Out of doors 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 minimize.
Our high picks:
After testing our picks, learn on for extra particulars on how our testers select the perfect leaf vacuums, plus every part it’s essential know to seek out the fitting mannequin to your residence. You may also choose up different professional recommendation on yard care, together with tips for mulching and our latest round-up of top-rated lawn mowers.
Greatest General 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 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 change, so as to flip between capabilities rapidly 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 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 will probably mulch 18 luggage of leaves down to at least one, 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 if 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 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’ll be able to 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 lets you blast leaves out of gutters from the security 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 outside energy tools has impressed our testers with its mixture of remarkable energy and quiet operation — the latter being crucial 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 discipline exams, 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 terrific match for owners whose yard comprises quite a lot of tough particles, together with twigs, acorns and the like. The SHA 56 can be an excellent leaf blower for many who need to cope with 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 easy in our exams, 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 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 a terrific alternative for owners with small- to mid-size yards,” says Rothman, who notes that the Toro is a simple to make use of and reasonably priced possibility that gathered and eliminated leaves rapidly in our exams. Our specialists just like the variable velocity management, which seamlessly lets you modify the ability in each vacuuming and blowing modes. The system can be simple to function, because of its push-button electrical begin and quick-release latch that permits you to change from blowing to vacuuming with out instruments. However you will want to cope with the ability twine, plus the added price of an exterior-grade extension twine if in case you have quite a lot of floor to cowl.
Greatest Massive-Capability Leaf Vacuum
Ryobi 40-volt Handheld Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
Ryobi’s 40-volt leaf vacuum is a superb choose if in case you have quite a lot of leaves to comb up, because of 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 wonderful at decreasing leaves to a positive matter, getting essentially the most capability out of each bagful. “The one disadvantage is the steel impeller was a bit extra liable to jamming when sucking up more durable stuff like twigs,” says Scherma. “However that is the proper vacuum if you happen to’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 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, 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 exams, even when working the variable velocity motor at full tilt.
Greatest Light-weight Gasoline Leaf Vacuum
Husqvarna Gasoline Blower Vacuum
Don’t need the effort of a twine? A gas-powered leaf blower is the best way to go, particularly if you happen to’re additionally searching for most energy. This Husqvarna gas-powered leaf vacuum can transfer quite a lot 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 if in case you have quite a lot 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 just’ll need to put on ear safety.
Greatest Worth Gasoline Leaf Vacuum
Craftsman Gasoline Leaf Blower
This Craftsman includes a strong 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 characteristic set, which features a translucent gasoline tank and a variable velocity motor, useful when switching between yard cleansing duties or transferring 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 is going to 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 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 sweet for blowing and mulching, particularly in small- to mid-sized yards (like all corded fashions, it’s not preferrred for bigger properties due to twine 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, because of 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 they usually’ve come to know the model as a pacesetter in battery-powered outside tools. 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 fuel or corded-electric units, this battery-operated mannequin lets you 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 system 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 change, the best way you’ll be able to with different high picks.
Greatest Stroll-Behind Leaf Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Gasoline Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Gasoline-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Troy-Bilt Gasoline-Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum
Professionals
- Provides in a chipper and shredder
- Good for giant properties
Cons
- Requires rather more storage
| Kind | Gasoline-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’ll see straight away 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 if you happen to stay on a big property with quite a lot of bushes and fallen branches. It makes use of a unique engine than fuel 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 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 beneath bushes. However make no mistake: Weighing in at 116 kilos, this walk-behind leaf vacuum is quite a lot of garden gear, so ensure you’ll put it to work earlier than making the funding.
How we check the perfect 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 just’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 high of the most recent in garden and yard care. Subsequent, we establish manufacturers which have carried out the perfect and proved essentially the most dependable by way 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 intensive evaluate of technical knowledge, our specialists chosen numerous 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 residence to judge them within the real-world situations of their yards. Efficiency exams 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 perfect leaf vacuum
There are a number of normal components 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 sort, the dimensions 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 ability sort that’s finest for you relies upon largely on the dimensions of the challenge.
- Battery-powered leaf vacuums supply cordless operation they usually’re additionally the quietest. Due to 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 start out and require additional care upkeep, together with mixing the oil and fuel.
- Electrical leaf vacuums have a twine that restricts mobility however ensures a vast runtime.
✔️Assortment bag kind and measurement: Some assortment luggage might be worn on the person’s again whereas others are connected instantly beneath the engine. Backpack assortment luggage usually have a higher quantity than those who grasp instantly beneath a handheld engine. In case your vacuum has mulching capabilities, you’ll need to make word of its discount ratio as a way 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 instrument that’ll aid you 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 essential to think about the benefit of changing between totally different capabilities when buying a convertible instrument. Some convertible vacuums/blowers/mulchers are geared up with a change that enables them to alternate from perform to perform. Different machines include totally different tubes or nozzles that you must connect and detach as a way to convert. That’s extra of a problem, however our exams 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 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 probably tougher to function. “Light-weight leaf vacuums that weigh as little as 5 kilos are positive for minor clean-ups, however you have to be ready to lug round at the very least a 10-pound machine if you happen to plan on sucking up quite a lot of yard particles,” says Rothman. Heavier vacuums additionally are typically extra sturdy.
How is leaf vacuum energy measured?
There are a number 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 ability of a leaf vacuum is partly decided by the air stream, 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 will 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 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 luggage of leaves that the vacuum encountered and the variety of luggage that the leaves had been lowered to by way 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 supplies professional critiques 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 every kind of outside 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 house. She additionally routinely exams leaf vacuums and other forms of outside energy tools at her residence on Lengthy Island, NY.
House Enchancment & Out of doors Director
Having written hundreds of product critiques and how-to articles on all features of residence 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 maintaining home at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, the place he lives together with his spouse and children.
