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Best Leaf Vacuums

Updated March 2022
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum
Toro
UltraPlus Leaf Blower/ Vacuum
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

Very effective and comes with everything you need for collecting and blowing leaves as well as vacuum mulching.

Pros

Works quickly and reduces the number of bags you need for backyard leaves. Holds up well through several seasons. Has variable speed on both suction and blowing and can blow leaves at speeds of up to 250 mph.

Cons

May pick up items that are too large for it to shred, causing it to sometimes get "stuck" or "jammed".

Best Bang for the Buck
BLACK+ DECKER Leaf Blower & Leaf Vacuum
BLACK+ DECKER
Leaf Blower & Leaf Vacuum
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Reliable and durable piece of equipment that’s made from a trusted brand name is efficient for leaf removal.

Pros

Adjustable speed and strong metal fan make this great for collecting and mulching leaves. Leaves are deposited in a removable bag for easy clean up. Equipment operates on a 12 amp motor that can blow leaves at speeds of up to 250 mph.

Cons

May not work well on large piles of leaves or wet leaves that are too difficult to pick up.

CRAFTSMAN Leaf Blower/Leaf Vacuum & Mulcher
Craftsman
Leaf Blower/Leaf Vacuum & Mulcher
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Can be used as a leaf blower or vacuum to clear leaves from small yards and driveways.

Pros

12 amp motor allows for powerful operation and comfortable straps allow you to wear the 55L mulch bag that attaches to leaf vacuum. Easily switch between a leaf blower or vacuum depending on what you need.

Cons

Leaf Blower can be very loud when in use and it's recommended to use earplugs.

Husqvarna Handheld Leaf Blower/Vacuum
Husqvarna
Handheld Leaf Blower/Vacuum
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

Simple, straight forward design and efficient features makes this easy for anyone to use.

Pros

Powerful leaf blower can blow at up to 170 mph and sharp blades mulch leaves down to a compact size when in vacuum mode. Easy to operate and handle, this is great for anyone new to leaf blowers.

Cons

Switching between vacuum and blower can be time consuming.

Greenworks 40V Brushless Cordless Blower/Vacuum
GreenWorks
40V Brushless Cordless Blower/Vacuum
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Best for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

Battery lasts up to 21 minutes on high when fully charged making this great for ridding small spaces of leaves.

Pros

6 speed options are easy to set and can blow leaves at up to 185 mph. Includes an efficient battery and charger for cordless leaf removal and boasts an easy tool-free design to switch from blowing to vacuuming.

Cons

Some found the leaf blower to be more efficient than the vacuum.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
60
Consumers
Consulted
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Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best leaf vacuums

People love the shade and beauty of trees in the spring and summer. But in the autumn, you may start cursing those trees on your property. When the leaves fall to the ground, your beautiful trees suddenly become a lot of work. Raking leaves by hand can be a challenge, and a power leaf blower still requires someone to pick up the piles (although you may be tempted to just blow your leaves into your neighbor’s lawn when he’s at work).

The best solution is a leaf vacuum, which looks like a leaf blower, except that it sucks the leaves into a collection bag for disposal or recycling. Many leaf vacuums even allow you to switch between blowing and vacuuming functions, making this a versatile outdoor power tool.

To learn more about how a leaf vacuum can make your autumn more enjoyable, check out our guide, which is full of information and tips on what to consider before you shop. If you’re ready to buy, take a look at one of our top recommendations.

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When operating a leaf vacuum, don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry around it. Tie back long hair, too. These items could become entangled in the machine.

Key considerations

Size and style

  • A handheld leaf vacuum is a common style for many homeowners. It has a handle to make it easy to carry and aim. Oftentimes, the collection bag will fit over your shoulder.
  • A backpack leaf vacuum is another option, which allows you to carry the heavy part of the unit over your back. These usually are a little bigger than handheld models.

  • Large vacuums look almost like a walk-behind lawn mower, sucking leaves quickly into a large bag. Very few homeowners will use this type of device, as it’s made for large properties or commercial use.

Electric vs. two-cycle leaf vacuums

Some leaf vacuums will use a two-cycle motor. This means you’ll mix gasoline and oil to fuel the motor. These are loud units, but they deliver significant power.

Other leaf vacuums will run on electricity. A corded leaf vacuum must be plugged into a wall outlet while you use it. You’ll want a long extension cord for this style of leaf vacuum for better freedom of movement. Some electrical units may use a rechargeable battery, giving you even more freedom.

Electric leaf vacuums are easier to maintain and use than two-cycle units. They also weigh less. But they don’t have as much power as the two-cycle leaf vacuums.

Features

Versatility

Oftentimes, leaf vacuums will also have the ability to work as a leaf blower or leaf mulcher. It’s nice to have some versatility in this type of machine, as having a three-in-one unit is convenient for conserving storage space.

Accessories

Certain models of leaf vacuums will give you the option of adding accessories for extra features. These accessories can help you complete certain jobs faster. Accessories include kits for blowing leaves out of gutters, disposable leaf bags, extension tubes, and shoulder-strap collection bags.

Vacuum tube size

Larger diameter and longer vacuum tubes will suck up more debris in less time. This allows you to complete your jobs faster.

Leaf vacuum prices

Inexpensive: Basic handheld leaf vacuums will cost roughly $40 to $100. Typically, these units will run on electricity. They don’t provide a lot of power compared to more expensive models. They’re good for clearing sidewalks and small patio or lawn areas.

Mid-range: For $100 to $250, you can find leaf vacuums that may be either handheld or backpack-style units. Both two-cycle and electric-powered leaf vacuums will be available in this price range, and they work nicely for an average-sized yard.

Expensive: Large walk-behind leaf vacuums can cost $250 and up. Commercial units may cost as much as a few thousand dollars. These units do require some maintenance to keep running, but they’ll speed up a big leaf-removal job.

Tips

  • Hold the vacuum close to the ground for greater suction power. But be careful: if you place the tube directly on the ground, you may pick up sticks and other debris in addition to leaves. This extra debris could damage or clog the machine.

  • Some leaf vacuums will allow you to use a setting that mulches the leaves while they’re vacuumed. If you mulch as you vacuum, you’ll be able to fit more yard waste into the collection bag, perhaps up to three or four times as much.

  • Because you’ll often have to stop vacuuming to empty the collection bag, this job can take a long time. For extremely large yards with multiple trees, you’ll want a large-capacity leaf vacuum or a large collection bag to finish the job more quickly.

  • You can use a smaller leaf vacuum more efficiently if you blow or rake the majority of the leaves in the yard first. Then, you can use the leaf vacuum to quickly suck up the leftover leaves, finishing the job.
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If using an electric-powered leaf vacuum with an extension cord, only use a cord that’s rated for outdoor use.

FAQ

Q. What safety equipment should I use with a leaf vacuum?

A. Manufacturers may have specific safety recommendations, so always read the user manual for your model. At a minimum, you should wear safety goggles to protect eyes from flying debris, such as sticks. Wear ear protection, as these machines will generate excessive noise. Some people will want a dust mask if the leaves are especially dry.

Q. Are leaf vacuums really noisy enough that I need ear protection?

A. These are extremely loud outdoor power tools. Repeated or extended exposure to these machines could lead to hearing damage. They’re loud enough that some neighborhood associations ban their use during certain hours of the day. Some areas have banned the use of leaf vacuums and blowers entirely.

Q. How does a leaf vacuum work?

A. A leaf vacuum will work similarly to the vacuum you use in your home. Just aim the vacuum tube of the leaf vacuum at the leaves and tiny debris you want to collect, and the unit does the rest. The leaves and debris will be pulled into a collection bag. Once it’s full, you’ll empty the bag and start working again.

Q. What are some downsides to using a leaf vacuum?

A. The primary drawback to a leaf vacuum is the noise it generates. Additionally, if you have a model with a tiny collection bag, you might become frustrated with how often you must empty it. However, larger collection bags make the leaf vacuum more difficult to carry over your shoulder. Take care when working around rocks or large sticks. With a powerful leaf vacuum, some of these items may be sucked into the unit, which may cause damage or create dangerous flying debris.

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