10 Best Leaf Vacuums, Tested by Experts Leave a comment

A leaf vacuum is the perfectionist’s outside energy instrument, nice for sucking up each final leaf from underneath bushes and round basis partitions. It’s additionally useful for householders who need to bag their leaves, relatively 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 determine between a leaf blower and a leaf vacuum? You don’t need to! 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 outside energy tools that passes by way of the House Enchancment & Outside Lab, from stress 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 minimize.

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 should know to seek out the precise mannequin on your house. You can too decide up different skilled recommendation on yard care, together with suggestions for mulching and our newest round-up of top-rated garden mowers.

Finest General Leaf Vacuum

Worx Electrical Trivac

Our consultants like the flexibility of the corded-electric Worx Trivac, a robust three-in-one blower, vacuum and mulcher that handles every job with ease and effectivity, which the 5600+ five-star critiques 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 swap, in an effort 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 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 metallic impeller has an 18:1 discount ratio, which means it will probably 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 wire, which is a nuisance to pull round and likewise means you’ll want an exterior-grade extension wire if in case you 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 examined, Solar Joe has established itself has a value-driven identify in outside 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 varied duties, and testers say it’s simple to change 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 security of the bottom. Although the producer doesn’t listing its noise ranking, testers discovered the motor on the Solar Joe to be comparatively quiet.

Finest Heavy-Responsibility Leaf Vacuum

Stihl SHA 56 Shredder Vacuum/Blower Package Vacuum

Stihl’s outside energy tools has impressed our testers with its mixture of outstanding energy and quiet operation — the latter being vital 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 robust subject 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 incredible match for householders whose yard incorporates quite a lot of tough particles, together with twigs, acorns and the like. The SHA 56 can also be an outstanding leaf blower for many who need to 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 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 predict that’s a small value 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 an incredible selection 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 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 gadget can also be simple 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 will want to take care of the facility wire, plus the added value of an exterior-grade extension wire if in case you have quite a lot of floor to cowl.

Finest Massive-Capability Leaf Vacuum

Ryobi 40-volt Handheld Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher

Ryobi’s 40-volt leaf vacuum is a superb decide if in case you have quite a lot 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 glorious at lowering leaves to a high-quality matter, getting probably the most capability out of each bagful. “The one disadvantage is the metallic impeller was a bit extra susceptible to jamming when sucking up tougher stuff like twigs,” says Scherma. “However that is the right vacuum in the event you’re primarily clearing plenty 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 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 necessary 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.

Finest Light-weight Fuel Leaf Vacuum

Husqvarna Fuel Blower Vacuum

Don’t need the effort of a wire? A gas-powered leaf blower is the best way to go, particularly in the event you’re additionally in search of 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 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 good if in case you have quite a 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 wish to put on ear safety.

Finest Worth Fuel Leaf Vacuum

Craftsman Fuel Leaf Blower

This Craftsman incorporates a sturdy gas-powered engine that generates a stable mixture of air velocity and circulation. Our consultants say the vacuum’s light-weight design reduces hand and arm fatigue. Additionally they just like the function set, which features a translucent gas 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.

Finest Backpack Leaf Vacuum

Black + Decker Backpack Blower Vacuum

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 nice for blowing and mulching, particularly in small- to mid-sized yards (like all corded fashions, it’s not perfect 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 comfy 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 pacesetter in battery-powered outside 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 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 a protracted runtime and improved torque, whereas additionally lowering pressure and lengthening the vacuum’s lifetime. Although the gadget 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 swap, the best way you’ll be able to with different prime picks.

Finest Stroll-Behind Leaf Vacuum

Troy-Bilt Fuel Chipper Shredder Vacuum

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 quite a lot 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 circulation. 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 quite a 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 underneath bushes. However make no mistake: Weighing in at 116 kilos, this walk-behind leaf vacuum is quite a lot of garden gear, so be sure you’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 determine top-selling leaf vacuums that you simply’re almost certainly to seek out at shops and on-line. We additionally attend commerce reveals and {industry} occasions like Equip Exposition to remain on prime 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 by way of years of testing on the Good Housekeeping Institute. We additionally contemplate newer manufacturers with distinctive options or improvements.

Based mostly on an in depth assessment of technical information, 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. Just a few of our product consultants additionally took leaf vacuums house to guage 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 function 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 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 wish 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 will be battery-powered, gas-powered or corded electrical. The facility kind that’s greatest for you relies upon largely on the scale of the undertaking.

Battery-powered leaf vacuums provide cordless operation they usually’re additionally the quietest. Due to enhancements in battery expertise, they’re additionally almost 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 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 baggage will be worn on the person’s again whereas others are hooked up immediately beneath the engine. Backpack assortment baggage typically have a higher quantity than people who hold immediately beneath a handheld engine. In case your vacuum has mulching capabilities, you’ll wish to make word of its discount ratio as a way 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: Should you’re seeking to buy an all-in-one instrument that’ll provide help to fight fallen leaves and particles, you might wish to contemplate one of many many engines that may convert between leaf blowing, vacuuming and mulching. It’s necessary to contemplate the benefit of changing between completely different capabilities when buying a convertible instrument. Some convertible vacuums/blowers/mulchers are geared up with a swap 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 as a way to convert. That’s extra of a problem, 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. Should 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 high-quality for minor clean-ups, however you need to be ready to lug round at the least a 10-pound machine in the event you 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 elements concerned. If the tools has a mulching mode, you’ll additionally wish 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 in a position to absorb, which is measured in cubic toes per minute. The upper the CFM, the extra air it will probably absorb. 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 baggage of leaves that the vacuum encountered and the variety of baggage that the leaves have been diminished 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 & Outside Lab gives skilled critiques and recommendation on all issues home-related, together with leaf vacuums. In his position as Director of the House Enchancment & Outside Lab, Dan DiClerico brings greater than 20 years of expertise to the Institute, having reviewed 1000’s of merchandise, together with all types of out of doors energy tools for Good Housekeeping, in addition to manufacturers like Shopper 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 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 checks leaf vacuums and other forms of out of doors energy tools at her house on Lengthy Island, NY.