5 Best Leaf Vacuums – 2022 Buying Guide

By Maria Hernandez / February 23, 2022 / 0 Comments

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Are you looking for the best leaf vacuum on the market? Look no further because I’ve found high-quality leaf vacuums designed to make short work of your gardening chores. Use these devices to keep your lawn clean and free from fallen leaves. Additionally, you can use a leaf vacuum to suck up twigs and other types of debris affecting the aesthetics of your lawn.

Take a look at the five products we’ve reviewed in today’s article and read the buyer’s guide to help you pick the best leaf vacuum for your requirements.

Our Top Picks

  1. Best Overall: Toro 51621 Ultraplus Leaf Blower Vacuum
  2. Most Quiet: Greenworks Leaf Vacuum and Blower
  3. Best Lightweight: Worx Trivac Leaf Vacuum
  4. Most Durable: Sun Joe Blower, Vacuum and Mulcher
  5. Best Multipurpose: Black+Decker 3-In-1 Electric Leaf Blower

Leaf Vacuum Buying Advice

Best Overall: Toro 51621 Ultraplus Leaf Blower Vacuum

Floor Critics Rating (4.7):

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: 45 x 9 x 14 inches
  • Power source: Corded electrical
  • Speed: 250 MPH
  • Airflow: 410 CFM

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Works as a mulcher
  • Impeller is made from durable metal

Cons:

  • Doesn’t pick up bark from trees
  • Leaf bag may not be big enough
Toro 51621 Ultraplus Leaf Blower Vacuum
Toro 51621 Ultraplus Leaf Blower Vacuum

The Toro 51621 leaf blower and vacuum is a powerful device that cleans up leaves and debris in no time. This gardening tool has a 350 CFM blower and a 410 CFM vacuum mode. The leaf blower and vacuum have variable speeds for improved control.

You’ll appreciate that the Toro Ultraplus leaf blower and vacuum weighs 8.9lbs so it’s light enough to carry around for an hour or two. This is a 3-in-1 device because it works as a mulcher, blower, and vacuum. Extra features include a bottom zip bag, cord storage hook, and shred ring.

The Toro leaf vacuum has an ergonomic handle so it’s comfortable to hold. What’s more, the vacuum nozzle is long so you don’t have to bend over to use the device (which helps your back!). This leaf vacuum is a powerful machine with a speed of 250 MPH.

Most Quiet: Greenworks Leaf Vacuum and Blower

Floor Critics Rating (4.5):

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: 32.72 x 8.66 x 11.38 inches
  • Power source: Corded electric
  • Speed: 230 MPH
  • Airflow: 375 CFM

Pros:

  • Comes with a 4-year warranty
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to operate
  • Has a mulching feature

Cons:

  • Mulching ratio may be insufficient for some users
  • Dust may escape from the bag
Greenworks Leaf Vacuum And Blower
Greenworks Leaf Vacuum And Blower

The Greenworks leaf vacuum and blower is a corded electric device so you can use it for hours without it shutting off. This leaf vacuum is ideal for small- to medium-sized lawns with heavy leaf fall. The device comes with a large bag that you can open easily to dispose of the leaves you’ve vacuumed.

The Greenworks leaf vacuum has a powerful 12 amp motor that produces a speed of 230 MPH, and it clears debris and leaves off your lawn effortlessly. There is a 2-speed control to provide better handling when vacuuming or blowing away leaves. You’ll also appreciate that this machine can convert from vacuum to blower with a switch so you don’t need any tools to convert the airflow

If you’re looking for a lightweight leaf vacuum that’s easy to operate, then you may want to consider the Greenworks device. The device has virtually no vibration and has a 1dB noise level, so it’s quieter than most leaf blowers and vacuums.

Best Lightweight: Worx Trivac Leaf Vacuum

Floor Critics Rating (4.6):

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 9 inches
  • Power source: Electric-corded
  • Speed: between 80 and 210 MPH
  • Airflow: 350 CFM

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Adjustable speeds
  • One hand operation
  • 18:1 mulch ratio

Cons:

  • Doesn’t have a high capacity air nozzle like the WG520 model
  • Not portable
Worx Trivac Leaf Vacuum
Worx Trivac Leaf Vacuum

The Worx Trivac leaf vacuum is an electric-corded device, which means it won’t run out of power while you’re cleaning up leaves. It’s a 3-in-1 leaf vacuum that works as a leaf blower and mulcher. To switch between leaf vacuum, blower or mulcher simply flip the switch.

The metal impeller cuts leaves down to an 18:1 mulcher ratio. That’s 18 bags of leaves that have been reduced to one bag! This leaf vacuum also has two speeds of 80mph for tighter corners and 210mph for larger yards.

The advantage of the Worx Trivac leaf blower is that it’s comfortable to hold thanks to its ergonomic design. This leaf vacuum has a one hand operation system and it’s lightweight so it won’t weigh you down while you work.

Most Durable: Sun Joe Blower Vacuum and Mulcher

Floor Critics Rating (4.6):

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: 32.68 x 12.79 x 9.1 inches
  • Power source: Electric
  • Speed: 250 MPH
  • Airflow: 440 CFM

Pros:

  • Lightweight device
  • 3-in-1 design
  • Quick and easy vacuum to blower conversion

Cons:

  • Bag may not be durable
  • Not suitable for bigger yards
Sun Joe Blower Vacuum and Mulcher
Sun Joe Blower Vacuum and Mulcher

The Sun Joe is another 3-in-1 gardening device used for blowing leaves away or sucking them up into a large bag. This machine also works as a mulcher to cut up debris into smaller pieces to increase bag capacity. This is an affordable leaf vacuum that’s user-friendly. 

This leaf vacuum is an electrical device so it will never run out of power. As long as it’s plugged into an outlet, you’ll be able to operate the device. It has a maximum vacuum airflow of 440 CFM and a maximum blow airflow of 150 CFM. Furthermore, it has a mulching ratio of 16:1 to reduce large leaf piles.

The leaf vacuum has a powerful 14 amp motor that generates a speed of 240 MPH. There are six wind speeds for the blower and it converts easily into a vacuum without the need for tools.

Best Multipurpose: Black+Decker 3-In-1 Electric Leaf Blower

Floor Critics Rating (4.4):

Key Features:

  • Dimensions: 38 x 9.88 x 20.75 inches
  • Power source: Electric
  • Speed: 230 MPH
  • Airflow: 385 CFM

Pros:

  • Easy to operate
  • Lightweight
  • Durable bag

Cons:

  • Converting from blower to vacuum may be difficult
  • Mulcher ratio may be too small for some users
Black+Decker 3-In-1 Electric Leaf Blower
Black+Decker 3-In-1 Electric Leaf Blower

Black+Decker makes powerful handheld electric leaf vacuums and blowers. This device has a 12 amp motor that produces a speed of 230 MPH. It converts into a blower, vacuum, and mulcher. To increase bag capacity, the mulcher has a ratio of 10:1.

This leaf vacuum weighs 8.1lbs, so it’s not too heavy to carry. Since it’s a corded electric device, it won’t run out of power when you’re cleaning up leaves in your yard. It has a powerful 12 amp motor that produces 230 MPH of wind speed for the blower and a 285 CFM for sucking up leaves.

The Black+Decker leaf vacuum and blower have an anti-clog vortex so leaves and twigs don’t jam up your machine. It’s a powerful electric device that has a two-speed switch so you can have better control of your machine.

Side by Side Comparison

ProductOur RatingDimensionsPower
Source
SpeedAirflow
Toro 51621 Ultraplus Leaf Blower Vacuum
Toro 51621 Ultraplus Leaf Blower Vacuum
View on Amazon –>
View on Home Depot –>
Best Overall

Overall: 4.7
45 x 9 x 14 inchesCorded 250 MPH410 CFM
Greenworks Leaf Vacuum And Blower
Greenworks Leaf Vacuum and Blower
View on Amazon –>
View on Walmart –>
Most Quiet

Overall: 4.5
32.72 x 8.66 x 11.38 inchesCorded230 MPH375 CFM
Worx Trivac Leaf Vacuum
Worx Trivac Leaf Vacuum
View on Worx –>
View on Amazon –>
Best Lightweight

Overall: 4.6
20 x 15 x 9 inchesCorded80 to 210 MPH350 CFM
Sun Joe Blower Vacuum and Mulcher
Sun Joe Blower Vacuum and Mulcher
View on Amazon –>
View on Snow Joe –>
Most Durable

Overall: 4.6
32.68 x 12.79 x 9.1 inchesElectric250 MPH440 CFM
Black+Decker 3-In-1 Electric Leaf Blower
Black+Decker 3-In-1 Electric Leaf Blower
View on Amazon –>
View on Home Depot –>
Best Multipurpose

Overall: 4.4
38 x 9.88 x 20.75 inchesElectric230 MPH385 CFM

The Complete Leaf Vacuum Buyer’s Guide

When choosing a high-quality leaf vacuum, there are a few features you must consider first. In this buyer’s guide, I will explain what types of leaf vacuums you can get and what the difference between MPH and CFM is. Furthermore, I will discuss some features to look out for before you buy your device.

Types of Power Sources

There are three types of leaf vacuums that you can buy. In this section, I will provide the pros and cons of each type so you can decide which device will work well for you.

  • Gas: A gas leaf blower and vacuum is a commercial product that’s used to clean up bigger lawns. It’s a portable device that allows you to move around freely.
    The advantage of the gas-powered leaf vacuum is that it comes with a more powerful engine that outperforms electrical amps. On the other hand, gas leaf vacuums are high maintenance devices because you must change the engine oil regularly and they’re noisy. However, they clean up yards faster thanks to its powerful suction or blowing capabilities.
  • Battery: Leaf blowers that operate on batteries are also portable devices. These machines are lightweight and are suitable for small- to medium-sized yards.
    Battery-powered leaf vacuums are eco-friendly and they produce less noise. The only downside to these machines is that they run out of battery life and they’re not as powerful as corded or gas machines. However, they work well for small leaf cleaning jobs.
  • Electrical: Corded electric leaf vacuums must be plugged into an outlet for them to operate. So, if you experience a power outage, you won’t be able to use this type of leaf vacuum.
    However, there are some high-quality leaf vacuums on the market that provide powerful airflow that sucks up leaves easily. What’s more, an electric leaf vacuum doesn’t emit harmful pollutants, and they have unlimited run time.

What Are MPH and CFM?

When you’re shopping for a leaf vacuum, you’ll see two common units of measurement: CFM (cubic feet per minute) and MPH (miles per hour).

MPH refers to how fast the air flows through your vacuum. For example, if your leaf vacuum has 150 MPH, that means the air flowing through the machine is traveling at 150 miles per hour.

On the other hand, CFM refers to how much air is moving through your machine. For example, if your leaf vacuum has a CFM of 350, that means it’s sucking up 350 cubic feet of air per minute.

Choose a leaf vacuum that has high CFM and MPH numbers for superior airflow and suction capabilities.

Features To Consider

There are features you must consider first before buying your leaf vacuum machine. In this section, I’ll discuss the importance of weight, bag size, and the noise level the machine produces.

Noise Level

Leaf blowers and vacuums are noisy by default. But some machines are quieter than others. Additionally, there are some areas in the U.S. that have laws against noise pollution. Take a look at the dBA rating of your leaf vacuum and make sure it adheres to the state’s laws.

Another reason to consider the dBA rating is not to disturb your neighbors whenever you’re cleaning up your garden. Choose a machine that has low noise levels.

Weight of The Leaf Vacuum

Ideally, you want a leaf vacuum that’s lightweight so it doesn’t put strain on your body when you’re cleaning up leaves in your yard.

Commercial leaf vacuums and blowers are the heaviest because they have an engine integrated into the machine. Battery and corded machines can either be heavy or light depending on the design of the machine.

Before you buy your machine, take a look at how much the leaf vacuum weighs and consider whether you’ll be able to hold up that weight when cleaning your yard.

Bag Size for Leaves

Bag size is extremely important, especially if you have heavy leaf fall around your yard. You want to be able to suck up as many leaves as possible without emptying the bag. The size of leaf vacuum bags are measured in gallons or bushels.

A bag size ranges between 1 and 1.5 bushels. For smaller yards, you won’t need a big bag. However, if you have a large yard or you have plenty of trees around your house, pick a bag with 1.5 bushels.

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Can It Mulch?

Some leaf vacuums are 3-in-1 devices that can vacuum, blow, or mulch leaves. If you want to reduce the size of the leaf collection inside the bag, then pick a machine that can mulch. The mulcher will cut leaves and other debris into tiny pieces, which will make more room inside the bag for more leaves.

Take a look at the machine’s mulching ratio before buying it. The ratio is measured by how well the leaf vacuum reduces the volume of leaves. For example, a mulcher with a ratio of 16:1 will mulch 16 bags of dry leaves down to a single bag after vacuuming.

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FAQs

Do Leaf Vacuums Work Well?

Yes, leaf vacuums work well if you buy a high-quality machine with high MPH and CFM measurements. You also want to pick a machine that mulches because it reduces the sizes of the leaves to make more space inside the vacuum bag.


Will A Leaf Vacuum Suck Up Grass?

Yes, a leaf vacuum can suck up grass. You can use a machine that has a powerful suction to clean up loose grass clippings around your yard to keep it neat.


Where Can You Use A Leaf Vacuum?

You can use a leaf vacuum in areas where leaves have fallen between rocks. You can also use your machine to suck up leaves at the base of your fence. Additionally, you can use a leaf vacuum to clean up decks and your pavement.


Which Leaf Vacuum Is Best?

The best leaf vacuum is the Toro 51621 Ultraplus Leaf Blower Vacuum. This is a 3-in-1 machine that mulches, blows, and vacuums leaves. It has a 12 amp motor with a speed of 250 MPH and an Airflow of 410 CFM. It’s a corded electric device so you can use it as long as it’s plugged into an outlet.

Final Thoughts

If you have plenty of trees around your house that create a mess when fall arrives, then you may want to consider buying one of the leaf vacuums I’ve reviewed. You should also consider buying a machine according to the size of your yard. If you want to move around freely without electric cords, then buy a battery or gas-powered machine.

On the other hand, if you simply want to clean off your deck or tidy up the areas around your fence, then get a corded electric leaf vacuum.

The clear winner of this round up review is the Toro 51621 Ultraplus Leaf Blower Vacuum. It’s a powerful 12 amp machine that’s lightweight, easy to use, and reduces leaves by 97% thanks to the metal impeller.

If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with leaf vacuums, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.

About Maria Hernandez

Senior Floor Critic, 25 years of experience in residential and commercial cleaning

Maria Hernandez has 25 years of experience in residential and commercial janitorial and cleaning services. From hardwood to carpet to marble floors, Maria has developed a deep expertise in cleaning and maintaining many different flooring types. Visit Website.

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