Despite using high-quality machinery for removing the dust from our homes, many of us still bend our backs to remove leaves manually during the fall season. Alternatively, some of us remove the leaves using standard vacuum cleaners, which results in clogging of the tubes. This new year, you can choose to continue with the outdated methods, or shift to a leaf vacuum mulcher.
A close cousin of the leaf blower and vacuum cleaner, the mulcher nevertheless has some vital differences which make it important to gather sufficient information on the category in general and also the best products in the market today. To save you the hassle of going through endless product descriptions that promise the moon and sifting the truth from the marketing claims, we’ve provided below vital information about mulchers, buying tips from experts, and reviews of top rated mulchers available in 2021.
Compare the Best Leaf Vacuum Mulcher – Leaf Blower Reviews 2021
| NAME | IMAGE | PRICE | WEIGHT(LBS) | SPEED(MPH) | OUR RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Black and Decker LSWV36 | See It | 6.9 | 120 | 4.0 |
 | BLACK+DECKER BV3100 | See It | 7.00 lbs | 210 mph | 4.5 |
 | BLACK+DECKER BEBL7000 | See It | 11.2 pounds | 250 miles per hour | 4.5 |
 | Toro 51609 | See It | 10 | 235 | 4.5 |
 | WORX WG509 | See It | 8.6 | 210 | 4.5 |
 | WORX WG505 | See It | 8.6 | 210 | 4.5 |
 | Patriot Products CBV-2455H | See It | -- | -- | 5.0 |
Best Leaf Blower Vacuum Mulcher Reviews
It is one of those balmy summer evenings, and you and your family are relaxing on the green grass beneath a canopy, grilling and listening to music. A strong wind pushes nature debris from the street to your clean green yard, abruptly ending the lingering chill. Finally, you realize the importance of a leaf mulcher and the need to buy one.
Leaf Mulcher Blower: Black+Decker Lswv36 40v Lithium Ion Sweeper/Vac
Specifications
Power source: Battery Powered
Style: blower/vacuum Kit Colour: Orange
Weight: 6.9 Pounds
Air Speed: 120 mph
Airflow capacity:
Noise level: 65 dB
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Breaking away from the tradition of vacuum leaf mulchers with battery support that demands a massive price, this Black and Decker lswv36 40v Lithium-Ion sweeper/vac product comes with a 40w Lithium battery, which allows the product to charge faster and work longer. The available battery power can be used in two modes – maximum power and maximum run-time – so you can modify the model according to priorities set by you. Coupled with the ability to blow leaves if needed and the ability to switch between vacuum and blowing modes easily, this engine product offers enough muscle to clear out the average lawn with ease.
Interestingly, this muscle is coupled with sufficient design specialty for the product to be used in odd-shaped regions. This design includes a built-in scraper in the blowpipe, which allows the user to clear out leaf mats that have been created due to rain, etc.
BLACK+DECKER BV3100 3-in-1 Electric Leaf Blower, Leaf Vacuum, Leaf Mulcher
Highly recommend | Check Price
Specifications
Power source: corded electric
Style: blower/vacuum/Mulcher
Colour: black
Weight: 7 pounds
Air Speed: 120 miles per hour
Airflow capacity: 400 cubic feet per minute
Noise level: 69 dB
This BV3100 12-Amp corded 3-in-1 leaf vacuum model with up to 120 mph blowing power is another affordable leaf vacuum from Black + Decker. It offers high vacuum and mulching performance converting ten full bags of mulch to one bag making your yard clean in a second. It also comes with two easy-to-control power options for each yard. Equipped with a 12-amp electric motor, the Black+Decker BV3100 reduces noise by up to 50% while emitting zero emissions, making it environmentally friendly. Furthermore, with a weight of only 7 pounds, the BV3100 vacuum is easy to use and maneuver, leaving your vast yard immaculate in seconds.
BLACK+DECKER BEBL7000 3-in-1 Electric Leaf Mulcher Vacuum Blower
Specifications
Power source: corded electric
Style: blower/vacuum/Mulcher
Colour: black
Weight: 11.2 pounds
Speed: 250 miles per hour
Airflow capacity: 400 cubic feet per minute
Warranty: 3 years limited
The Black + Decker 3-in-1 Electric Leaf Blower model is one of the most cost-effective but powerful leaf vacuums available. It’s ideal for clearing, edging, and clipping leaves and other debris in general. It has a top air speed of 250 mph and a strong suction, making it ideal for clearing medium and heavy-duty chores. In simple terms, it blows up debris at a pace of 400 cubic feet per minute with a mulch ratio of 16:1, making clean-up quick and easy. With a weight of only 11.2 pounds, the leaf vacuum allows you to cover a vast area. It also comes with two power boost buttons to help you switch on and off to different yard tasks. Furthermore, the Black + Decker 3-in-1 Electric Leaf Blower is affordable and comes with an easy-to-wear backpack.
Toro 51609 Ultra 12 amp Variable-Speed (up to 235) Electric Leaf Blower/Vacuum with Metal Impeller
Features and Specifications
Power source: corded-electric
Style: 3 in 1 blower/vacuum/leaf shredder
Colour: Red
Weight: 10.00 lbs
Air Speed: 235 mph
Air Volume: 390 cfm
Noise level:
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Matching the WORX product closely, this offering from Toro comes with a powerful motor that can create airspeed of up between 112 and 235 mph. Coupled with a bag capacity of 390 CFM and a number of variable speed levels, this allows the product to offer mulching and blowing options without compromising on overall versatility or quality.
Where Toro really shines though is in the hardware – there is a special metal impeller blade in this mulcher too, and for good measure, it has been coated with magnesium. Furthermore, depending on the speed being used, there are two inserts – power insert and concentration insert, which decide the type and speed of leaf mulching/blowing. When added to the “Ultra” blower mechanism and the range of speed options, it becomes clear how this product can achieve a 16:1 leaf volume reduction ratio in a short span of time.
WORX WG509 Electric TriVac: Leaf Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
Features and Specifications
Power source: Corded Electric
Style: 3-in-1 Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
Colour: Black
Weight: 11 lbs
Air Speed: 80 mph to 210 mph
Airflow: 350 Cubic Feet Per Minute
Mulch ratio: 8:1
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Boasting a variable airspeed of 75 to 210 mph, this WORX offering’s 12 amp motor is further enhanced by options like six speed settings and throttles control. This system allows the product to scatter/collect leaves from large areas, as well as remove them slowly from sensitive and narrow regions. Indeed, such versatility extends to the function modification system as well, with vacuum and blowing modes being interchangeable using a simple hardware button.
In addition, two points need to be made about the design – the product comes with a special angled tube having a curved tip, which makes removing leaves from inaccessible areas easier. Secondly, the product’s mulching system is composed of a two stage mechanism – a standard mulching stage followed by a rare impeller mulching mechanism that reduces the leaves to minute pieces with a volume that is 18 times lesser than the original volume of the leaves consumed. Last but not least, the machine carries out all these tasks without raising the noise level above 71 decibels.
WORX WG505 TRIVAC 12 Amp 3-In-1 Electric Leaf Blower and Vacuum Mulcher
Features and Specifications
Power source: Corded Electric
Style: 3-in-1 Blower/Mulcher/Vacuum
Colour: Orange and Black
Weight: 11 lbs
Air Speed: 80 mph to 210 mph
Airflow: 350 CFM
Mulch ratio: 16:1
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The second WORX candidate on this list, WG505 offers a powerful 12 amp motor that boasts a maximum air speed of 210 mph and a minimum of 75 mph. Like its cousin mentioned above, there is no requirement for tube-changing when it comes to shifting the work mode, and this, coupled with the 1-bushel capacity bag that comes with the product, allows the user to work in different modes without having to change anything beyond the configuration of a lever on the product.
In the true spirit of a leaf vac mulcher, the product comes with a metal impeller that can turn 16 bags of leaves into one bag of leaf dust. This is coupled with the nice 14 gallons per minute processing capacity of the vacuum system, which ensures that the fine leaf dust is created at a speed that is convenient to your schedule.
Patriot Products CBV-2455H 24-Inch Honda Gas Powered Walk Behind 3-In-1 Leaf Vacuum/Chipper/Blower
Features and Specifications
Power source: Gas Powered
Style: Walk Behind Leaf Vacuum/Chipper/Blower
Colour: Clear
Weight: 181 pounds
For a hassle-free leaf blowing or vacuuming of medium to large yards, Patriot CBV-2455H is the way to go. The efficient gasoline-powered engine taps on the walk behind mower design to give you the two-in-one garden machine. Though two in one, switching from vacuum to blower needs no tool and happens in seconds at the flip of a handle. With its Honda engine, it provides enough power to clear a 24-inch wide space in one pass, thus providing faster service.
During mowing, the leaf blower channels the leaves to the high-capacity collection bag thus giving easy work. Its hooded vent design limits the dust reaching the operator hence making it suitable for clearing driveways, and sidewalks. The two-year warranty and the CARB compliant status speak boldly of its quality and clears any doubt on the indecisive mind. Although it produces minimum fumes, the Honda leaf blower is a must-buy garden equipment as it promises to change your yard outlook.
Top Rated Leaf Blower vacuum mulcher 2021 comparison chart
| NAME | IMAGE | PRICE | WEIGHT(LBS) | Speed(MPH) | OUR RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | DEWALT DCBL720B | See It | 7.59 | 90 | 4.5 |
 | Greenworks 24012 | See It | 4.5 | 160 | 4.5 |
 | WORX WG518 | See It | 10.8 | 250 | 4.5 |
 | WORX WG520 | See It | 11 | 115 | 4.0 |
 | GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 | See It | 8.9 | 125 | 4.5 |
 | Tanaka THB-260PF | See It | 13 | 180 | 5.0 |
Best Leaf Blower Vacuum Review 2021
DEWALT DCBL720B 20V MAX Lithium Ion XR Brushless Cordless Blower
Features and Specifications
Power source: Battery Powered, Air Powered
Style: Gen 1
Colour: Clear
Weight: 3.44 Kilograms
Speed: 90 mph
Airflow: 400 CFM
Noise Level: 61 dB
Among the most popular of the brushless handheld blowers in the market today, this Dewalt offering manages to clear a marvelous 400 CFM courtesy of a superior axial fan design and a number of electrical innovations. Combine this with 90mph top speeds and you have a blower that can handle even the toughest of yards.
At the same time, this Lithium-Ion monster is easy on the muscles, weighing in at just 7.1lbs. This allows its maximum capacity of 20V battery to be utilized without ending up with muscle cramps. Throw in a variable trigger and speed lock, and it becomes clear that this blower engine is the ideal solution for all except the largest of yards.
Greenworks 24012 Single Speed Electric Blower Engine
Specifications
Power source: Corded Electric
Style: Corded
Colour: Green
Weight: 4.5 Pounds
Speed: 160 mph
For those seeking a lightweight no-frills solution for their lawns/backyards, this Greenworks device comes with a healthy 7amp motor that can be bumped up to 9amps for some added power. At either rating, the motor ensures excellent clearing, going up to 530CFM and speeds of up to 160mph.
All of this is packed into an ergonomic design that doesn’t exceed 20 inches (Its blower tube measures 20 inches long), nor demands that you carry more than 4.8lbs. With no gas or cord hassles to deal with along the way, these features combine with the safety lock mechanism to ensure that small to medium homeowners get their best bang for the buck.
WORX WG518 Electric Blower/Mulcher/Vac, 12Amp
Specifications
Power source: Corded Electric
Style: Leaf Blower, Mulcher & Vacuum
Colour: Black and Orange
Weight: 10.8 Pounds
Speed: 250 mph
Mulch ratio: 16: 1
One of the most versatile multipurpose garden tools from WORX, the 3 in 1 Handheld Leaf Blower WG518 offers two speeds for those who prefer greater adaptability. Given that the powerful motor translates this into 250mph and 400 CFM at full capacity, the adaptability is hardly a trade-off for sheer power. Add to that the 16:1 mulching ratio and you have a powerful all-rounder.
Of course, this all-rounder can also brag about a total weight of 10.8lbs, which is remarkable considering this is a multipurpose unit and not simply a blower. Equally remarkable is the handheld blower’s ability to provide decent recharge cycles by virtue of its efficient 12amp motor. Add to these convenience features such as the one-touch blower to mulcher conversion and safety lock mechanisms, and you have a great option for the suburban homeowner seeking more than the average blower.
WORX TURBINE 12 Amp Corded Leaf Blower with 110 MPH and 600 CFM Output and Variable Speed Control – WG520
Specifications
Power source: Corded Electric
Style: Corded Turbine Blower
Colour: Red/Yellow
Weight: 7.2 Pounds
Speed: 110 mph
Airflow: 600CFM
If achieving high CFMs in the range of 450-600 CFM is your goal, the Turbine is your ideal companion. Having been fitted with a top-end motor and WORX’s trademark Turbine fan technology, this beast pumps out 60-110mph without stretching the engineering.
On the power front, the Turbine uses the more traditional corded power supply but amply compensates for the reduced mobility this causes, courtesy of the efficient 12amp motor and a weight not exceeding 6.4lbs. Add variable speed control and decent safety features to the mix and the Turbine appears as one of the best corded offerings, even for homeowners with comparatively large lawns/backyards.
GreenWorks Pro GBL80300 Leaf Blower
Power source: Battery Powered
Style: Blower
Colour: Green/Black
Weight: 8.9 Pounds
Speed: 125 mph
Airflow: 500CFM
Among the few cordless units to lay claim to being a true gas-blower replacement, this GreenWorks Pro unit backs up its boast with a motor capable of achieving up to 500 CFM clearance. With blow speeds reaching an admirable 125mph, the Pro managed to remove everything from autumn leaves in the garden to water on the patio.
Such work, however, was achieved without any strenuous effort given that the entire unit (battery included) weighs in at less than 8.2lbs. This is all the more remarkable when you realize that the battery packs 80V, charges in less than half an hour and can provide over an hour of service at top speeds. Consider these with the all-too-evident lack of a trailing power cord, and you have a unit that packs a punch without straining the back!
Tanaka Commercial Grade THB-260PF Gas Powered Handheld Leaf Blower
Power source: Gas Powered
Style: Vacuum Capable
Colour: Red/Grey
Airflow: 393CFM
Noise Level: 68 dbA
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The commercial-grade leaf blower suits small yard blowing jobs. With a lightweight of 10.1lbs, it’s easy to bear in one hand and experience less fatigue. Its 25cc engine and the 1.3HP drive the high-velocity air of 393 CFM (at round tube) output to blow all types of debris from the yard without any struggle. The cruise control and the innovative high fan nozzle allow for easy and efficient work of directing debris.
With a noise level of 68dbA, it is relatively quiet to operate in the neighborhood. To further reduce the fatigue during operation, it has the soft grip handle feature that supports the comfortable hold and in addition, allows you to rest your finger off the trigger for protracted operations. Thus you don’t have to constantly press on the trigger from start to finish. Although it’s gas-powered, the PureFire, low emission technology, and CARB compliance make it hard to ignore!
What is a Leaf Mulcher Vacuum?
Leaf vacuum mulcher engine, as the name suggests, uses a vacuum to remove leaves from lawns, patios and other areas. Unlike the ordinary vacuum cleaner that you use to remove debris from your lawn, the mulcher has special blades that slice and dice the leaves into small pieces. These can, depending on the type of the best leaf mulcher vacuum (discussed below), be removed or restored to the lawn to act as fertilizer.
Mulching leaves every fall is vital because of a number of reasons
- Helps uncover grasses and flower beds, thereby allowing them access to sunlight and pollen.
- Ensures snow/rain during winter falls on the flower beds directly. If snow falls on leaves lying above flower beds, they can suffocate the plants underneath.
- Prevents leaves from turning into a soggy mat come spring rain.
- Prevents growth of crabgrass and dandelions, according to research by MS University.
- If left as mulch in open areas, they decompose and act as mulch.
- Ensure that an unsightly mess of leaves is not created in the lawn.
Other reasons
Despite recognizing the importance of removing leaves and/or mulching them, some garden owners consider mulchers to be a professional-only appliance. They instead prefer normal vacuum cleaners or leaf blowers without mulching facilities. Doing so is tantamount to doing a disservice to your lawn because
- Ordinary vacuum cleaners cannot remove the leaves because of their typically larger size and presence of hard leaf stems. Using a vacuum cleaner will not only clog the tubing, but can cause worms and bugs to enter the cleaner along with the leaves. This can create a headache later when using the cleaner for cleaning the interior of the house.
- Leaf blowers without mulching attachments/options are usually meant for moving the leaves from one place to another without breaking them down. You will still have to remove the leaves separately, unless you want to be criticized for leaving heaps of leaves around. Further, such removal prevents the lawn from benefiting from the mulch being mowed into the lawn as fertilizer.
Types of Leaf Vacuum Mulchers
Since leaf mulchers evolved from various other gardening tools, they do not have a standard classification of their own. However, you need to know some broad classifications that set one mulcher apart from another –
Bag or without bag
Standard leaf mulchers
Come with a bag or basket in which the mulched leaves are collected, to be thrown away or returned to the soil as the need may be. The bags themselves are carried on the shoulder, or pulled/pushed along with the mulcher itself by means of an extra wheel.
Mulchers without bags
They are somewhat cheaper, but they tend to throw the mulched leaves back onto the ground. This is acceptable as long as you begin mulching from the edges of the garden and intend to return the leaves back into the ground, but in other circumstances, it is best to collect the leaf residue together in a bag for easy disposal/dispersal.
Gas or electric
Gas Leaf Mulchers
Belonging to the older generation of leaf vacuum mulchers, these products use gas to run the mulcher. The obvious benefit of this is that the mulcher can be carried around regardless of the electric supply situation. Indeed, if you are planning on opening a garden cleaning service and/or have to work in large areas (like orchards), a gas-powered leaf vacuum mulcher is a good idea.
The problem however is that the gas mulchers are extremely heavy, and cannot be used in areas of extreme heat. Further, gas mulchers are extremely noisy and can produce smoke if proper maintenance is not carried out.
Electric-supply only Leaf Mulcher Vacuum
Some products need an electric supply instead of gas to work, and this allows them to be quieter and cleaner than gas mulchers. Further, since gas tanks are not needed, the products are lighter and can be moved quickly and stored without fear of gas leaks.
The flipside of these mulchers is that they can only work in the area serviced by the power cord and/or generator
Battery powered leaf mulchers
The most advanced mulchers available, these products come with a small but powerful battery that can be used when the mulcher is out of power cord range. At other times, electric power allows the product to run and the battery to charge simultaneously.
The problem with these mulchers is that they typically come with a high price tag, though with improvement in technology, the prices have come down vis-à-vis the other mulcher categories. Indeed, many of the best blower vac mulcher today are those that come with both electricity-only and battery powered hybrid functional modes.
Tips for Choosing the Best Leaf Vacuum Mulcher
Each person has his/her own garden size, tree composition and time schedule, and this area vital to deciding what type of product will be the Best Leaf Vac Mulcher for him/her. However, as general pointers when going shopping for a mulcher, you should keep in mind
Motor specifics
While the best products mentioned above never go below 12 amp motor power, the threshold for acceptable products is 10 amp. Below this air speed, it is impossible to obtain thorough mulching regardless of the overall capacity of the machine to handle leaves.
Reduction ratio
The reduction ratio refers to the ratio in which the original leaf volume is reduced when passed through the mulcher. Good ratios are in excess of 16:1 and can go up to 18:1 for top products.
Speed variations
All of us have garden sections that are filled with nothing but tough grasses, and also parts having delicate plants. Using the leaf vacuum mulcher at full speed in the former makes sense, but can damage the plants in the latter. Variable speeds, which can save these plants from damage is, therefore, a vital feature of any product. Aim for products with at least 2 genuinely different air speed variations.
Easy mode switching capability
Most modern mulchers also come with a leaf blower and vacuum integrated, so it makes sense to be able to shift from one mode to another at short notice. The best products come with a single lever or switch for making this transition.
Powerful impellers
Though it is not necessary for impellers to be made of metal, it is important for them to be present and be capable of taking high leaf debris impact while chopping the leaves into fine pieces.
Nozzle/pipe design
The nozzle or pipe (also called tube) of the product should be designed to fit into small spaces without creating a vortex of dust and residue that increases your work. A curved nozzle and a wide tube are the best solutions for the average garden mulcher, though more specialized attachments are always useful.
FQAs
When it comes to removing waste from your yard, a leaf vacuum is your greatest friend. Yes, a leaf vacuum, also known as a blower vacuum, can be used to suction mulch. Ideally, the vacuum sucks up debris, shreds it, reduces it to mulch, then collects it in a bag. However, the leaf vacuum has limitations, such as the fact that it only works with dry leaves and can only amass a small amount of debris at a time.
It is incredibly impossible to choose between these two gardening tools, as they perform nearly identical tasks. However, there are a few slight variations between the two. The primary function of a leaf blower is to blow or push debris, while a leaf vacuum can both blow and suck the debris. So, on which gardening tool to pick, we recommend a leaf vacuum, but what will ultimately determine your choice is the job at hand.
There is a lot of debate about whether a leaf blower or a leaf vacuum is better for cleaning damp leaves. While a strong leaf blower may blow wet leaves to some extent, it is best to wait until they are dry or use a traditional rake. Wet leaves consume a lot of energy and can quickly clog your leaf vacuum, rendering it worthless. Remember to also use your vacuum as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
A leaf vacuum mulcher’s function is not to suck up gravel because doing so could cause mechanical damage to the machine. However, use the lowest setting of the vacuum if you need to suck up other debris, such as leaves from a graveled yard.
Collecting debris in your home compound using a traditional rake or by hand is a daunting task. Fortunately, in the present day, there is a wide range of tools that can help you perform this particular task with ease. A leaf vacuum mulcher is one of those finest cleaning tools that does not disappoint. It sells for a reasonable price that varies depending on power options, performance, and features.
Conclusion
Mulchers are a varied and somewhat specialized branch of the large family of vacuums and blowing appliances, and as we have seen, their position cannot be supplanted by other products of the family, regardless of the minor similarities that may exist. Given how important proper mulching is for the health of your garden, it is wise not to experiment with anything short of the top leaf mulchers in the market. Our guide has tried to explain in brief the basic tenets of buying a good mulcher, and then how the top products fit into these categories. It is earnestly hoped that this information, when combined with the special circumstances of your garden, can help produce a clean, fertile and flourishing garden through the purchase of the ideal best leaf vacuum mulcher.