Best leaf blowers, mulchers, vacuums for the yard

In this guide, you will learn about the best leaf blowers, mulchers, and vacuums of all possible types. Depending on the size of your project, you can choose a gas-powered or electric model, a portable and unsophisticated device, or a versatile and multi-use tool.

Best Leaf Vacuums

With this tool, you will keep your yard and walkway clear of fallen leaves without breaking a sweat. Leaf vacuums can be of three types: gasoline-powered, corded, and battery-powered. When choosing the fuel type, consider the size of your projects. Gasoline-powered units are more powerful and are best suited for large projects. However, these devices are pretty noisy, require more maintenance, and contribute to air pollution. Electric leaf blowers are cleaner, easier to use, and more portable, especially battery-powered ones. And yet, they have downsides, too. Corded leaf blowers will restrict your mobility while cordless ones have a limited battery runtime and are recommended for smaller projects.

Well-established brands tend to offer leaf blowers that have extra useful features. For example, the two-mode BLACK+DECKER LSWV36 Lithium Blower/Vacuum comes with a mulching function that reduces the volume of vacuumed leaves at up to 6:1 ratio. Equipped with a rechargeable 40-volt 1.5Ah Li-ion battery, the device has a longer runtime and recharges in just an hour.

Best Leaf Vacuum Mulchers

If you have to deal with large volumes of leaves and debris, you may want to have a dedicated leaf vacuum mulcher. The difference between these devices isn’t confined to the power source type. There are wheeled self-propelled leaf vacuum mulchers capable of cleaning large areas and handheld models for removing debris and leaves from the backyard. Leaf vacuum mulchers are made with an impeller that rotates at different speeds expressed in RPMs. Branded products can produce the air speed of up to 170 miles per hour (mph) and more. Last but not least, you need to consider the airflow volume. Options with a high airflow, expressed in CFM, should be made a priority when choosing a leaf vacuum mulcher.

The Greenworks 40V Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum is very fast and comes with a variety of speeds. Made with a brushless motor, it is more powerful and has a longer run-time — up to an hour. The unit features 6 speeds to choose from, with a top speed of 185 MPH. With a max airflow of 340 CFM, this tool clears well both hard surfaces and grass.

Best Backpack Leaf Blower

What I like about backpack leaf blowers is that they allow you to comfortably clean large areas like parks. Indeed, this is a common choice of professionals, and understandably so. In addition to convenience, these devices typically feature a noiseless yet powerful motor, dampeners reducing vibrations, and some other useful features. Backpack leaf blowers differ by the power output expressed in kW for electric units and HP for gasoline-powered ones. As for the latter, gas-powered backpack leaf blowers can be of two types: two-stroke and four-stroke. The four-stage models are better in handling heavy-duty loads while two-stage backpack leaf blowers are more lightweight and cost less money.

The Husqvarna 965877502 350BT Gas Backpack Blower is made with an energy-efficient and high-performance X-torque engine. The device is comfortable to operate due to its ergonomic padded harness and hip belt. The unit is quiet and lightweight (9.4 lbs.) while the length of the blowing tube can be easily adjusted. The blower features 425 CFM airflow, 1.1 HP power output, and a 17-ounce fuel tank.

Best Gas Leaf Blowers

The major advantage of gas leaf blowers is that they are very powerful, with speeds reaching 150 mph and more. The thing is that fuel generates more blowing force than an electrical power source can do. On top of that, gas blowers are equipped with a forced-air cooling system preventing them from overheating. There are two types of gas blower engines, two-phase and four-phase, with power ranging from 0,3 HP to 5,4 HP. These products are often portable and available in a handheld or a backpack design. They work well and are suitable for all types of projects, including removing leaves and debris from backyards, patios, garages, and walkways. The downside lies in the higher price, air pollution, bigger weight and noise level.

The Makita BHX2500CA Engine Blower is a powerful and fuel-efficient four-stroke engine. It features a large-capacity muffler, compact and lightweight design (less than 10 lbs.), translucent 17.7-ounce fuel tank, and quick start. The product complies with EPA and CARB emission standards and requires less maintenance than many other gas-powered analogs.

Best Electric Leaf Blower

One of the major advantages of a corded electric leaf blower is a small weight. The unit has neither a battery nor a gas engine, so it is free of extra weight and is more convenient to carry around. Since corded models are plugged into a power outlet, you will not need to worry about running out of fuel or battery. Just do your job as long as you want. However, some homeowners view the blower’s corded design as a disadvantage because it limits their movements. This problem can be eliminated with the use of an extension cord. Another problem with these devices is that cords can pose safety hazards.

When buying an electric leaf blower, you may want to choose a multifunctional option like the BLACK+DECKER (BV6000) 3-in-1 Electric Leaf Blower. With 250 MPH of blowing power, the device can be used as a blower, a vacuum, and a mulcher. It is made with a 12 amp motor, provides a 16:1 mulch ratio, and weighs just 8 pounds. This electric blower boasts silent operation, generating just 68 dBA of the noise level.

Best Cordless Leaf Blower

If your problem is difficulty in accessing a power outlet but want to stick with electric units, your choice is a battery-powered leaf blower. Unlike gas-powered alternatives, cordless models are quieter, lighter, and start immediately once you press the button. Also, these devices are more versatile, providing you with a range of power options. And finally, they are more environmentally-friendly and will not produce the smell of gasoline. Unlike corded electric blowers, they have no cables, something that allows you to take the tool in any part of your yard or actually wherever you want. As for disadvantages, battery-powered leaf blowers are not high in power, have short runtime, and require battery charging. To summarize, a cordless option is great for small areas or locations where a power outlet isn’t present.

We recommend buying the EGO Power+ LB5804 580CFM Cordless Leaf Blower with variable speeds delivering up to 580 CFM. Made with a 56V rechargeable Li-ion battery, it will provide you with more than an hour of runtime on a charge. The device features a turbo button and revolutionary cooling technology.

Best Walk-Behind Leaf Blowers & Commercial Leaf Vacuums

If you need to clear huge amounts of leaves and do it quickly, choose a walk-behind leaf blower. Such a device is not as portable as its handheld alternative but it really works like a beast. A branded walk-behind leaf blower is about four times more powerful compared with a regular handheld one, delivering as many as 1,000 CFM and more. When shopping for your walk-behind leaf blower, make sure that it is equipped with both back and front wheels for better maneuverability as well as an adjustable chute. We also recommend choosing a model with a foldable design for easy storing. The downside is that this type of machine may not perform well on uneven terrain and is not energy-efficient. It is also pretty noisy, especially when compared to electric blowers. For homeowners who need to clear a large lawn or a backyard surrounded by trees, a walk-behind leaf blower is the best bet.

These devices should not be confused with commercial leaf blowers, which are used by professionals to remove leaves in parks and other large areas. The latter ones are also heavy-duty and designed to cope with large amounts of leaves. However, this advantage doesn’t come at the expense of portability, therefore, commercial leaf blowers can be both backpack and handheld.

The Troy-Bilt TB672 208cc Jet Sweep Wheeled Leaf Blower is an excellent example of a gas-powered walk-behind leaf blower. With a 1,000 CFM airflow and a 14-inch high-performance impeller, this machine will become an irreplaceable tool for any large garden or lawn. While being powerful, the unit is very convenient due to its semi-pneumatic ball-bearing wheels and a rubberized grip handle.