Best Overall
Toro Leaf Blower Vacuum
- It’s a blower, vacuum, and mulcher all in one machine.
It’s a blower, vacuum, and mulcher all in one machine.
- This device is very loud and shrill when operating.
This device is very loud and shrill when operating.
With all the appliances on the market to care for your lawn and garden, it’s always convenient to find a product that can tackle several tasks and save space in your storage shed. That’s one of many reasons why we chose the Toro UltraPlus Blower Vacuum and Leaf Collection System as the best overall leaf vacuum. Its multipurpose design allows it to function as a leaf blower, vacuum, and mulcher in one convenient machine.
It sports an eight-foot hose that expands to double its size, enabling you to reach into tough-to-access corners of your yard and like your garden, under the deck, and more. It’s a corded model, so there’s no running against the clock to finish your chores before the battery dies. If you have a long extension cord, you’ll be able to use it to clean even large outdoor areas with ease.
At just 8.9 pounds, this tool won’t weigh you down or be a burden to operate when carrying or cleaning up. It comes with a bottom-zip bag that attaches and detaches to the machine, so you can easily transition it from a leaf vacuum to a blower whenever you’d like. If you want to provide extra nutrition to your lawn or flower beds, you can use this leaf blower as a mulcher, too.
Like most leaf vacuums, this model is quite loud when operating. We recommend wearing earplugs when operating this device to avoid potentially damaging your hearing.
Product Details: Weight: 8.9 pounds | Power Source: Corded electric | Maximum Air Volume: 405 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 260 mph | Runtime: N/A
Best Budget
Greenworks Blower/Vacuum
- It can turn 10 bags' worth of leaves into one bag of mulch.
It can turn 10 bags' worth of leaves into one bag of mulch.
- It has a very short cord, so you’ll have to buy an extension cord to use it.
It has a very short cord, so you’ll have to buy an extension cord to use it.
Homeowners who have a small yard or don’t plan to use a leaf vacuum often may not want to splurge for a top-of-the-line model that won’t get frequent use. When this is the case, we recommend the Greenworks 12-Amp Two-Speed Blower/Vacuum.
In addition to blowing leaves and vacuuming up lawn debris, this model can mulch leaves too, making it a versatile option that eliminates the need to buy multiple yard tools. It can turn 10 bags of leaves into one single jam-packed bag of mulch, and with a CFM of 375 cubic feet per minute, it’s powerful enough to quickly move or vacuum up debris.
The machine comes with a leaf bag with a convenient zipper for easy leaf removal once you’re done vacuuming. It effortlessly converts from blower to vacuum without having to use extra tools, and there are two speeds to choose from for better control over debris. This lightweight tool weighs just a little over nine pounds and offers almost no vibration, so it’s comfortable to use without any fatigue. Plus, the company also offers a four-year warranty on this product.
This corded electric model is the best choice for anyone on a budget. However, you’ll need to buy a good outdoor extension cord to use with it, so keep that in mind when calculating overall costs.
Product Details: Weight: 9.2 pounds | Power Source: Corded electric | Maximum Air Volume: 375 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 230 MPH | Runtime: N/A
Best Splurge
Billy Goat Lawn Vacuum
- It’s capable of picking up leaves and litter in your yard including cans, bottles, and trash.
It’s capable of picking up leaves and litter in your yard including cans, bottles, and trash.
- It’s quite heavy if you need to lift it into a trunk.
It’s quite heavy if you need to lift it into a trunk.
If your yard is covered in sticks, dense leaf cover, and other debris that needs removal, the Billy Goat Self-propelled KV Lawn and Litter Lawn Vacuum is perfect for tackling large jobs. This walk-behind machine is the best option for anyone undertaking a garden overhaul or renovation thanks to its powerful operation and large 40-bushel leaf collection bag.
The vacuum can propel itself forward at a speed of 2.7 mph, and it works similar to a lawn mower, so there’s no heavy lifting involved in keeping your yard clean. However, if you need to transport this leaf vacuum to a different location, it’ll be quite heavy to lift into the bed of a truck or back of a car.
In addition to tackling organic debris, the Billy Goat Self-Propelled KV Lawn and Litter Vacuum can effortlessly suck up trash like cans, bottles, and more. This is because it features a five-blade serrated impeller to break down everything it sucks up, making it easy to dispose of litter of any kind in your yard.
The engine provides a powerful suction of up to 1700 CFM at 3550 RPM, and its gas engine means that you won’t have to worry about staying near an electrical outlet or running out of battery.
Product Details: Weight: 133 pounds | Power Source: Gas | Maximum Air Volume: 1,700 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: N/A | Runtime: N/A
Best Gas
Stihl Handheld Blower/Mulcher/Vac
- It has an ergonomic design and anti-vibration technology for smooth and comfortable operation.
It has an ergonomic design and anti-vibration technology for smooth and comfortable operation.
- Gas tools have more maintenance demands and costs in the long term.
Gas tools have more maintenance demands and costs in the long term.
The best gas leaf blowers offer a more powerful operation, higher CFM, and longer runtime than electric or battery-powered models. The Stihl SH 86 C-E Gas Handheld Blower/Mulcher/Vac combo is a very efficient tool for keeping your yard spotless, thanks to its airspeed of 170 miles per hour and CFM of 444 cubic feet per minute. It comes with everything you need to clean up leaves, small twigs, and other trash from your garden, including a leaf collection bag and a shredder.
It easily converts from a blower to a vacuum to a mulcher, so you won’t have to buy separate machines to keep your yard clean or spend a lot of time switching out parts. To make yard work as comfortable as possible, this machine has ergonomic soft-grip handles and anti-vibration technology for less user fatigue.
Everything this leaf vacuum collects goes into a zip bag that’s easy to open, remove, and re-attach, and there’s also a shoulder strap making it even easier to hold and carry this machine around. A stop switch is attached to the handle so if you need to pause for a moment, you won’t need to re-throttle. It also has a reusable and washable air filter.
As is the case with most gas-powered yard tools, the Stihl SH 86 C-E Gas Handheld Blower/Mulcher/Vac combo is quite loud compared to an electric leaf vacuum. It will also require more maintenance than an electric model, and you’ll need to buy gas to power it.
Product Details: Weight: 12.3 pounds | Power Source: Gas | Maximum Air Volume: 444 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 170 MPH | Runtime: Unlimited
Best Cordless
Greenworks Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum
- It has six different air speeds and lightweight design for powerful yet comfortable operation.
It has six different air speeds and lightweight design for powerful yet comfortable operation.
- The battery only lasts 21 minutes, so a backup battery is advised for larger yards.
The battery only lasts 21 minutes, so a backup battery is advised for larger yards.
At only 5.6 pounds, the Greenworks 40V Brushless Cordless Blower/Vacuum is ideal for whizzing around the garden picking up leaves and debris with ease. With a CFM of 340 and air speed of 185 miles per hour, it’s strong enough to make quick work of your yard work while remaining easy to control.
Its 21-minute battery life is perfect for tackling most small to medium-sized yards, but if you want to use it for longer than that, you can buy an extra battery pack to swap out halfway through your yard work. All batteries in the Greenworks 40V line are interchangeable, so if you already have any cordless Greenworks tools, you’re good to go.
Features include a seamless and easy transition between blowing and vacuuming modes, and a soft grip handle that make this tool comfortable to use. We also like its variable speed dial with six speed settings, which makes it easy to control where the leaves end up when using it as a leaf blower. It also has a long-life brushless motor that’ll last through multiple seasons.
The tool comes with the vacuum bag, one 40V battery, and its charger, and there’s a three year tool and battery warranty to boot. Just keep in mind that its shorter battery life makes it less suitable for large yards since you will need to swap out the batteries or recharge frequently.
Product Details: Weight: 5.6 pounds | Power Source: Battery powered | Maximum Air Volume: 340 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 185 MPH | Runtime: 21 minutes
Best Corded
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 VACPACK Electric Leaf Blower
- The leaf collection bag has backpack straps for easy carrying.
The leaf collection bag has backpack straps for easy carrying.
- It’s quite loud and can feel heavy after using it for long periods of time.
It’s quite loud and can feel heavy after using it for long periods of time.
The Black + Decker Power Boost Blower/Vacuum Leaf Collection System is a must for those with smaller yards. Its power boost button amps up the suction for collecting wet leaves and heavier debris with ease. We like that the leaf bag has backpack straps, which helps distribute the weight across your back for easier carrying as it fills up and gets heavier. What’s more, this unit comes with mulching capabilities and an extra-long hose for more control.
The tool requires very little assembly and is really easy to use. Its flexible tube makes it a breeze to get into the corners of your yard and other hard-to-reach areas like under the porch or into garden beds. The leaf bag—which simply rolls and clips into place when not in use—has a wide opening for easy emptying.
At 14 pounds, this leaf vacuum is a bit heavy, so you may notice your arms starting to fatigue if you have to use it for long periods of time. It’s also a little on the loud side at 75 decibels on its lowest setting.
Product Details: Weight: 14.4 pounds | Power Source: Corded electric | Maximum Air Volume: 400 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 250 MPH | Runtime: Unlimited
Best Mulching
Husqvarna 2-Cycle Gas Leaf Blower
- It can turn 16 bags of leaves into just one bag of mulch.
It can turn 16 bags of leaves into just one bag of mulch.
- You need a screwdriver to switch attachments out.
You need a screwdriver to switch attachments out.
Whether you want to add mulch to your lawn as fertilizer or you need to minimize the number of leaf bags you go through, the best leaf vacuums will have mulching capabilities to lend a hand. The Husqvarna Handheld Leaf Blower/Vacuum has a 16-to-one mulching ratio, meaning it transforms 16 bags’ worth of leaves into just one, saving you space and trips to the trash can.
With both vacuuming and leaf-blowing capabilities, the Husqvarna Handheld Blower/Vacuum has a maximum air speed of 170 miles per hour and a CFM of 425, meaning it’s powerful enough to tackle regular yard maintenance and big tasks alike. The machine’s collection bag has an adjustable strap that can be worn over your shoulder, alleviating the weight of heavy garden debris from your arms. This enables you to use it for a longer amount of time.
We also like that this machine has a smart stop and start button, resets the switch every time you turn it off for easier start-ups next time. It features cruise control and variable speed settings, so you can increase or decrease the power for better precision over where leaves end up.
Switching between attachments isn’t the easiest on this device, and you’ll need to have a screwdriver on hand to do so. If you plan on swapping out attachments frequently, keep this in mind.
Product Details: Weight: 9.6 pounds | Power Source: Gas powered | Maximum Air Volume: 425 CFM | Maximum Air Speed: 170 MPH | Runtime: Unlimited
Best Walk-Behind
Troy-Bilt Gas Self-Propelled Chipper/Shredder/Vacuum
- The unit can vacuum, mulch, chip, and shred.
The unit can vacuum, mulch, chip, and shred.
- It’s more expensive than other options and heavy, so it may be difficult for some to use.
It’s more expensive than other options and heavy, so it may be difficult for some to use.
The Troy-Bilt Leaf Vacuum Head Self-Propelled Gas Chipper Shredder Vacuum is one of the best choices if you’re looking for a versatile walk-behind option. This gas-powered machine has a 163cc Briggs and Stratton 4-cycle engine, which is the kind you’d find on powerful lawnmowers. Plus, it can vacuum, mulch, chip, and shred.
Its vacuum width is 24 inches, so this is one of the best leaf blowers if you have a larger garden. The tank can take 32 ounces of fuel for plenty of go-time and even though it doesn’t have an electric start, it still starts quickly. Just keep in mind that at 135 pounds, it may be difficult for some people to use.
In addition to its large vacuum head (which is adjustable to six height positions), it also features an onboard 7-foot hose (10 if you add the included extension) so you can get into corners and tighter spots, or around delicate flower beds and under bushes. Whatever you pick up can be turned to mulch at an 8:1 ratio, and the chipper chute can also take sticks and branches of up to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Everything is collected into two included bags for either scattering around your lawn, composting, or disposing of. This unit allows you to comfortably push it as you would a walk-behind mower, and its self-propelling technology means you hardly have to put any elbow grease into it; the machine practically pulls itself along at either a high or low speed, according to your preference.
While it’s more expensive than other options, it also comes with a two-year limited warranty.
Product Details: Weight: 135 pounds | Power Source: Gas powered | Maximum Air Volume: N/A | Maximum Air Speed: N/A | Runtime: Unlimited