Photograph: Mark Wolfe
Although broadly associated to leaf blowers, leaf vacuums function in the other way. Whereas leaf blowers disperse leaves by spewing air, leaf vacuums suck fallen foliage by way of a tube and right into a waste bag, very like a home vacuum. A pool leaf vacuum does the identical factor for a swimming pool.
Leaf vacuums are exceptionally helpful for tidying up yards and banishing leaf buildup beneath hedges and flower beds. That will help you discover the best mannequin, we examined fashionable fuel, electrical, and battery-powered leaf vacuums to guage their efficiency in real-life situations. Learn on to be taught a very powerful issues to remember whereas buying, and take a look at our critiques of a few of the finest leaf vacuums in varied classes.
- BEST OVERALL: Toro UltraPlus Electrical Leaf Blower Vacuum
- RUNNER-UP: Solar Joe SBJ605E 14-Amp 3-in-1 Electrical Blower
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Worx WG509 12 Amp TRIVAC 3-in-1 Electrical Leaf Blower
- BEST GAS UNIT: Husqvarna 2-Cycle Fuel Handheld Leaf Blower/Vacuum
- BEST CORDLESS: Greenworks 40V Brushless Cordless Blower/Vacuum
- BEST BACKPACK: Black+Decker 3-in-1 Electrical Leaf Blower
Photograph: Mark Wolfe
How We Examined the Finest Leaf Vacuums
To gauge the performance of those units, we arrange a leafy take a look at course to provide every instrument a good trial in a real-world setting. We used every instrument in each of its configurations, blower and vacuum, to see the way it may construct leaf piles after which vacuum/mulch them. The particles included just lately fallen leaves from the present yr, in addition to previous built-up particles that had collected beneath shrubs over the course of a full yr.
Each one of many fashions reviewed on this information handed the take a look at by adequately blowing out the closely collected particles, gathering the just lately fallen leaves, and grinding up a blended pile. All of them labored extra slowly with moist materials, and have been considerably topic to clogging if the suction nozzle was compelled instantly into the pile with out sufficient air house on the edges.
Our High Picks
After occupied with the assorted choices and the way the various kinds of leaf vacuums may meet your yard care wants, the following step is narrowing the sphere to seek out the very best one. To that finish, we examined a number of fashionable leaf vacuums in several classes, with the efficiency ends in the critiques beneath. (Observe: Whereas we examined the Craftsman 25cc 2-Cycle Engine Fuel Powered Leaf Blower, it didn’t meet our requirements for this challenge.) Preserving your yard, storage, and flower beds freed from fallen leaves could be simpler with any of those high picks.
Photograph: homedepot.com
The Toro UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum is a robust three-in-one leaf blower, high-speed vacuum, and leaf shredder designed for midsize yards. The 12A electrical motor strikes as much as 350 cfm of air at speeds as excessive as 250 mph. In vacuum mode, the impeller shredder grinds to a 16:1 ratio, with 97 p.c of shredded particles measuring lower than a half-inch in diameter.
This plug-in leaf blower vacuum had no hassle dealing with a great deal of leaves—no clogs and solely slight hesitation in heavier piles. Moist leaves moved a bit extra slowly however have been sucked up and floor nonetheless. The light-weight physique of this blower vacuum was straightforward to maneuver, and the vacuum mulcher output was corresponding to the others we examined.
Along with its vacuum capabilities, this variable-speed unit is simply as helpful for preserving grass clippings off the driveway or clearing mud and particles from between potted patio crops because it was for clearing fallen leaves. The distinctive dispersion nozzle blower attachment focuses air in a low, extensive sample that reduces mud clouds, however the blow tube did appear a bit too slim.
Product Specs
- Energy supply: 12A plug-in electrical
- Airflow: 410 cfm, 250 mph
- Weight: 8.9 kilos
Execs
- 2-in-1 instrument with blower and vacuum modes
- Light-weight design; reduces person fatigue from prolonged use
- Highly effective airflow quantity and pace
- Good bag design; features a strap for carrying
Cons
- Requires an influence wire
- Considerably clumsy connection for vacuum tube
- Vacuum tube could also be too lengthy for shorter customers
Get the Toro UltraPlus blower vacuum on NAMEAmazon.
Photograph: homedepot.com
The Solar Joe SBJ605E contains a 14A plug-in electrical motor able to transferring 440 cfm of air as much as 250 mph. In small- to medium-size landscapes, this instrument could make fast work of as much as 16 bushels of dry leaves per shredded bagful. Help wheels on the base of the vacuum tube and a group bag that mounts on the bottom of the unit take the majority of the burden from the person’s shoulders.
Contemplating that it has probably the most highly effective electrical motor of the take a look at group, at a comparable weight, we anticipated the Solar Joe’s to carry out considerably higher than the remaining. Although it held its personal in hands-on testing, it didn’t vanquish the competitors—actually, efficiency was comparable throughout the board. What’s extra, whereas the suction nozzle wheels and onboard leaf assortment bag assist to scale back person fatigue for average-size customers, taller people could discover it tough to regulate the strap top correctly to achieve these added advantages.
This instrument may very well be the suitable alternative for small to midsize yards with a mean annual leaf drop. At 96 decibels, the noise degree is barely larger than the competitors. However the power-to-weight ratio is favorable, significantly for many who can reap the benefits of the weight-reducing design options.
Product Specs
- Energy supply: 14A plug-in electrical
- Airflow: 440 cfm, 250 mph
- Weight: 9.1 kilos
Execs
- Good airflow; tackles most jobs with ease
- Snug design; ideally suited for extended use
- Onboard assortment bag for handy yard work
Cons
- Small assortment bag wants emptying extra usually
- Considerably awkward for taller customers
- Bigger leaves can clog the tube
Get the Solar Joe electrical blower at The Residence Depot or Finest Purchase.
Photograph: amazon.com
The Worx WG509 modifications between its three modes with the flip of a swap. There’s no want to alter the tube or use instruments to go from blowing to vacuuming. When it’s time to make use of the vacuum mulcher mode, a metallic impeller reduces leaves in a 16:1 ratio (16 baggage to 1 bag). The 1-bushel assortment bag features a shoulder strap to scale back fatigue.
For leaf season, this can be among the best leaf blower/vac designs. It’s the solely unit we examined that may change from blower to hoover with out utterly reconfiguring the tubes, which made it tremendous straightforward to work with. It additionally delivered energy corresponding to fashions twice the worth. It did clog on some coarse particles, however it carried out effectively general.
The mannequin solely has two speeds, however it reaches a high pace of 210 mph with a 350 cfm. An ergonomic tube design reduces again pressure by placing the tube at a parallel angle to the bottom. The angle additionally helps it attain beneath and round landscaping parts.
Product Specs
- Energy supply: 12A plug-in electrical
- Airflow: 350 cfm, 210 mph
- Weight: 9.5 kilos
Execs
- Angled tube supplies snug attain
- Simply switches between blower and vacuum modes
- Fast-release bag design permits for straightforward emptying
Cons
- Not effectively designed for two-handed operation
- Barely awkward energy wire place
- Taller customers get much less profit from the tube design
Get the Worx leaf blower on Amazon or at The Residence Depot.
Photograph: amazon.com
For giant gardens and heavy leaf accumulation, it’s exhausting to beat the Husqvarna 2-Cycle Fuel Leaf Blower/Vacuum, which pulls in air at speeds of as much as 170 mph and options an air quantity of 425 cfm. Its easy-crank engine allows fast beginning, and an auto-return cease swap mechanically resets the vacuum for easier beginning. It additionally options cruise management for simpler dealing with and fewer hand fatigue.
After fueling up with a 50:1 mixture of gasoline to 2-cycle oil, the Husqvarna engine began simply with simply two pulls. Highly effective air motion on the suction tube simply pulled in piles of leaves, and the tube remained unclogged, even when pulling in moist particles. The mulching knives aggressively shredded twigs in addition to leaves with out a drawback. The one concern we skilled was the marginally awkward really feel of the curved tube that feeds the bag with shredded leaves.
Although the unit weighs in at 9.6 kilos, a shoulder strap helps help the vacuum to scale back arm fatigue. The Husqvarna additionally options anti-vibration know-how to scale back hand stress.
Product Specs
- Energy supply: 28cc 2-cycle fuel engine
- Airflow: 425 cfm, 170 mph
- Weight: 9.6 kilos
Execs
- Cruise management and anti-vibration know-how to scale back fatigue
- Comfortable-grip deal with with simply accessed controls
- Cordless design permits freedom of motion
Cons
- Considerably awkward inflexible bag tube
- Clumsy tube conversion
- Requires blended fuel
Get the Husqvarna leaf blower/vacuum on Amazon or at Lowe’s.
Photograph: amazon.com
If a property is simply too massive for a corded leaf vacuum, however mixing gas for a fuel mannequin is an excessive amount of trouble, try this battery-powered choice from Greenworks. Its 12-amp lithium-ion battery (included together with the charger) powers the vacuum’s brushless motor to run as much as 60 minutes on a single cost on the lowest setting.
This cordless leaf blower/vacuum presents good suction and shredding functionality. The runtime was longer than many comparable battery-powered blower/vacuums. However nonetheless, at about 20 minutes per cost on excessive pace, in an average-size yard with a lot of leaves, customers would both must have a second battery charged and able to vacuum after blowing, or they might want to cease and recharge sooner or later within the challenge.
The vacuum attracts in air at six pace choices as much as 235 mph, with a formidable airflow quantity of 380 cfm, which is appropriate for gentle to reasonable leaf accumulation. A metallic impeller breaks up leaves for mulching earlier than depositing them within the assortment bag. An even bigger battery places the burden at 9.26 kilos, so customers will want some energy for longer jobs.
Product Specs
- Energy supply: 40V 4Ah rechargeable battery
- Airflow: 380 cfm, 235 mph
- Weight: 9.26 kilos
Execs
- Good suction energy; nice for moist leaves
- Good runtime per cost; ideally suited for reasonable yard sizes
- Toolless transition from blower to hoover
Cons
- Further battery could also be essential to keep away from downtime
- Suction tube could clog with coarse particles
- Increased worth than plug-in and fuel fashions
Get the Greenworks blower/vacuum on Amazon.
Photograph: amazon.com
Why lurch sideways with a loaded bag of leaves when you can carry them in a backpack and stroll usually? This Black & Decker three-in-one electrical leaf blower makes the job much less awkward and extra snug for larger jobs by balancing the burden throughout each shoulders. The 12A motor on this backpack leaf vacuum/blower pushes 400 cfm of air as much as 250 mph, and the blower unit weighs in at 11.1 kilos.
This blower was not the lightest or probably the most highly effective of the take a look at group, however it carried out effectively nonetheless and excelled in person consolation. The backpack characteristic and versatile particles tube relieved the added weight (simply over 2 kilos heavier than the lightest mannequin we examined). Because the bag crammed, the good thing about a balanced load turned much more pronounced. The one disadvantage was that the positions of the facility wire and on/off swap weren’t as handy in vacuum/backpack mode.
Vacuuming, mulching, and blowing efficiency for this unit have been common in contrast with the take a look at group. Nevertheless, these with bigger yards or restricted endurance could respect the improved steadiness and luxury of working with a backpack-style instrument.
Product Specs
- Energy supply: 12A plug-in electrical
- Airflow: 400 cfm, 250 mph
- Weight: 11.1 kilos
Execs
- Handy backpack-style assortment bag
- Good suction energy nice for giant or moist leaves
- Zipperless assortment bag permits for easy emptying
Cons
- Barely awkward swap placement
- Energy wire generally slips out
- Screwdriver required to change from blower to hoover
Get the Black+Decker leaf blower at Amazon, The Residence Depot, or Ace {Hardware}.
A Recap of Our Suggestions
- BEST OVERALL: Toro UltraPlus Electrical Leaf Blower Vacuum
- RUNNER-UP: Solar Joe SBJ605E 14-Amp 3-in-1 Electrical Blower
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Worx WG509 12 Amp TRIVAC 3-in-1 Electrical Leaf Blower
- BEST GAS UNIT: Husqvarna 2-Cycle Fuel Handheld Leaf Blower/Vacuum
- BEST CORDLESS: Greenworks 40V Brushless Cordless Blower/Vacuum
- BEST BACKPACK: Black+Decker 3-in-1 Electrical Leaf Blower
What to Think about When Selecting the Finest Leaf Vacuum
Leaf vacuums are available varied sorts and with different-sized assortment baggage. There are additionally three energy supply sorts—fuel, electrical, and battery energy—with every choice affecting runtime and suction. Have a look beneath at some essential elements that may make it easier to decide the motor sort, energy, and design that may work finest for you.
Kind
Leaf vacuums are made in a number of sorts, and a few sorts work higher in sure conditions and setups than others.
- Handheld leaf vacuums are the smallest and least highly effective choice, however they’re usually probably the most inexpensive and lightest. These fashions could be vacuum-only or a hybrid that works as a blower and/or sweeper too. Whereas handhelds sometimes have the smallest assortment baggage, some fashions could cross into backpack territory (see beneath) and have considerably bigger vacuum baggage. A cordless leaf vacuum can also be sometimes handheld to supply optimum maneuverability.
- Backpack leaf vacuums are normally hybrid fashions which have leaf blowing as their predominant perform. Backpack fashions are likely to have bigger assortment sacks that want emptying much less usually.
- Stroll-behind leaf vacuums resemble garden mowers, however as a substitute of reducing grass, they suck leaves up into a big assortment sack. These fashions maintain probably the most leaves and will embrace a mulch perform as effectively. Nevertheless, they’re costlier and can’t be used as a leaf blower.
Electrical vs. Fuel
Like garden mowers, leaf vacuums can be found in electric- and gas-powered variations.
- Electrical leaf vacuums are quieter, simpler to keep up, and sometimes inexpensive. Corded leaf vacuums are finest suited to modestly sized out of doors areas, since they require entry to {an electrical} outlet. A cordless leaf vacuum blower with rechargeable batteries permits room to roam and is compact sufficient to be simply saved. Nevertheless, they don’t match the facility of different leaf vacuums and may solely be used for comparatively transient intervals of time between costs.
- Fuel-powered leaf vacuums supply higher energy and the flexibility to cowl a lot of floor in a single go. Consequently, these fashions are sometimes costlier. Fuel leaf vacuums additionally run loud, emit fumes, and require sustaining the right gas-to-oil ratio.
Energy
To determine the facility of a leaf vacuum, examine the product description for 2 numbers: mph and cfm. The mph stands for miles per hour—on this case, referring to how rapidly air is suctioned into the unit and thru the tube. Most items run between 110 and 180 mph, though some could attain extremes of 250 mph or so.
Considerably extra essential than airspeed, nevertheless, is cfm, or cubic ft per minute. This describes how a lot air strikes by way of the vacuum within the span of 60 seconds, indicating how highly effective the unit is. Whereas mph supplies an concept of how rapidly leaves can undergo the tube, cfm tells how a lot can undergo suddenly.
The cfm rankings for leaf vacuums vary from between 150 to 600. A unit with a cfm beneath 200 could also be all that’s wanted to wash up an house balcony or a small yard, however for bigger areas, it might be fascinating to spend money on a higher-cfm unit.
Runtime
The runtime of a battery-powered leaf vacuum can restrict the quantity of labor that may be completed. Most fashions supply at the very least 20 to half-hour of runtime on the very best energy ranges. At decrease ranges, the battery could run for 45 minutes or extra.
Battery-powered fashions that embrace two or extra interchangeable batteries can enhance the out there work time. Whereas one battery is in use, the opposite battery costs. Cost instances range from 1.5 to three hours and generally longer relying on the battery dimension. The quantity of labor should still be restricted with interchangeable batteries, however it can present extra work time than a single battery.
Some producers present batteries which are interchangeable with the model’s different energy instruments. In these circumstances, shopping for energy instruments of the identical model can add to the variety of batteries out there. Finally, that may prolong attainable work time much more.
Versatility
Some leaf vacuums supply bells and whistles past easy suction. In actual fact, most vacuums as of late are literally leaf blowers with a vacuum perform. That gives additional use choices with a single instrument.
Leaf vacuums are finest suited to smaller out of doors areas, like these surrounding flats and duplexes. Some fashions additionally supply a mulching choice, nice for repurposing leaves into wholesome plant beds.
Ease of Use
The leaf vacuum’s mixture of options and design could make it simpler or tougher to make use of. Bag dimension, for instance, determines how usually it can have to be emptied. Bigger baggage imply much less frequent emptying, however they are often awkward and heavy to hold.
Weight additionally impacts ease of use. Fuel-powered leaf vacuums weigh probably the most, although some battery-powered fashions are virtually as heavy. For these with a big yard, fuel energy is sensible as a result of it may possibly hold a constant excessive energy all through the entire yard.
Nevertheless, for these with smaller yards, the sunshine weight of a handheld or a battery-powered mannequin could be extra snug. Fashions with a backpack bag mix the lighter weight of a handheld leaf vacuum with the comfort of a backpack.
Lastly, there are controls to think about. Set off switches and on/off buttons instantly on the deal with are simpler to make use of. This enables the person to show the machine on or off one-handed. Toolless conversion for hybrid fashions can even add to ease of use.
FAQs
Leaf vacuums aren’t sophisticated when you perceive how they work and how much options are wanted for particular jobs. Nevertheless, since they aren’t as frequent as leaf blowers, you would possibly nonetheless end up scratching your head as you have a look at the specs. Right here, we reply a few of the most typical questions on leaf vacuums that can assist you make the suitable alternative.
Q. What machine is finest for selecting up leaves?
Handheld leaf vacuums work finest for small yards and few leaves. As soon as the dry or moist leaves begin piling up, a backpack or an electrical mannequin will supply longer working instances and a bigger collection-bag capability. Fuel leaf vacuums additionally work effectively for giant yards, although they do require extra upkeep and could be heavy.
Q. How highly effective does a leaf vacuum have to be?
Take a look at the leaf vacuum’s mph and cfm when figuring out the facility. Whereas these measurements aren’t volts or amps, they’re a greater indicator of the amount of leaves the vacuum can deal with. Speeds of anyplace between 110 to 220 mph are normally sufficient for leaf elimination.
The cfm tells you the amount of dry or moist leaves the vacuum can transfer without delay. Increased numbers (at 200 or larger) imply extra highly effective suction and elimination. Nevertheless, a mannequin with a well-designed tube can present sufficient suction at 95 cfm and above.
Q. Will a garden vacuum decide up grass clippings?
A garden vacuum can decide up grass clippings. Nevertheless, relying on its energy and cfm, it might wrestle with moist clippings.
Q. Are you able to clear gutters with a leaf vacuum?
Though the angle of use shouldn’t be fairly proper, it’s attainable to wash gutters with a leaf vacuum. Nevertheless, a leaf vacuum could not have the facility to take away moist leaves.
Q. How do I swap from blower to hoover?
The method of switching from blower to hoover will depend on the make and mannequin of the machine. Some fashions require nothing greater than the flip of a swap. Others require additional instruments to take away a blow tube earlier than functioning as a vacuum. Examine the proprietor’s handbook for particular directions.
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