Best Leaf Vacuum Mulcher 2020 | Top Leaf Blowers Reviewed | Buying Guide

A leaf vacuum mulcher is a type of vacuum machine that is used for sucking fallen leaves. Trees regularly shed leaves that can turn to be an ugly picture on porches, patios, driveways, lawns, sidewalks, and decks. As a result, you may need a way to collect them and that is where a leaf vacuum mulcher is used.

A leaf vacuum mulcher is also used in shredding the leaves into small pieces once they are collected. Through mulching, the leaves size is reduced making it easy to dispose of them.

Whenever you are planning to buy a leaf vacuum mulcher, you have to understand that there are several factors you need to consider to make sure you get the best one. This guide will help you.

Top 5 Leaf Vacuum Mulchers

1. Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower, Vacuum

Toro Blower offers perfect services with the versatility of use in everything related to your clean-up chores. It has a ragged impeller made of a hard metal alongside a swift air conditioner offering effective mulching services and for longer periods. It is extremely powerful with a whole 250 mph airstream with the ability to clear any debris, heavy leaves and also sticks.

Talking of design, it has blower inserts that offer multiple applications hence tackling any work at a given space. 

You can convert it with lesser efforts to an assertive vacuum with zero complement tools thus reducing 88% of mulched debris into half its size hence well-fitting into an average bag. This makes it easily portable to carry around. Its vacuum bag is fitted with a bottom zipper for ease of use. Once your day work is done attach the storage hook into the blower and wrap the extended cord around it. This makes it easy to store.

Specifications:

• Weight: 8.5 pounds
• Dimensions: 9 x 41 x 14 inches
• Power source: Corded Electric
• Speed: 250 miles/hr.
• Cord length: 100 ft.

2. Toro 51621 Ultra plus Leaf Blower Vacuum

This leaf blower is not only a great mulching product but is also proven by a controlled laboratory test and the results are just but amazing. It has a maximum airspeed of 260mph. Among the included parts, the shredz ring and an oscillating nozzle facilitate ease of use when cleaning the yard. It is a whole three in one machine constituting a high-speed vacuum, powerful blower and a leaf shredder with a full guarantee of no leave left behind in your yard. 

An in-built variable speed controller is fitted in this vacuum to ensure you choose the right speed for your own pace. This makes it easy for you to control both the blower and the vacuum. It has a cord storage hook, wrap the cord around the blower when storing. For security purposes use the cord lock to ensure that the cord is secure, safe and out of the way.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 45 x 9 x 14 inch
• Product weight: 8.90 pounds
• Speed: 260 mph
• Power source: Corded-Electric
• Warranty: 2 years

3. Greenworks GMAX 40-volt Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum

You are going to love the performance of this blower, its features and speed. It is built with higher efficiency motors and a lightweight construction. The vacuum gives a gas-like performance with a normal running time that will leave you cleaning your yard with the least time possible. 

They are created with everyone in mind in that they are easy to start and very light as compared to most products you may have used before. It is digitally controlled and gives the motor grater torque, quiet operation and long-running periods and a durable nature. Variable speed dial helps you to set the most appropriate speed hence cleaning your yard is effortless and easy. Support 340 CFM airflow that makes it easier to clear wet and sticky leaves from your cleaning area.

Specifications:

• Item weight: 5.60 pounds
• Speed: 185mph
• Voltage: 40 volts 
• Power source: Battery powered
• Speed selection: 6 speed

4. WORX WG509 TRIVAC 12 Amp 3-in-1

WORX WG509 TRIVAC features a 3 in 1 design with vacuum, mulcher and blower. It is easy to use and one can convert from vacuum to leaf blower mode with much ease just by flipping a switch. The metal impeller is offered a dual-stage with shredder blades that give an approximate mulch ratio of 18:1. A built-in electric speed control is an added advantage and can be used for heavy debris and cleaning around corners. 

Every machine needs to be maintained and for a mower to last long cleaning inner parts is essential. In this blower a quick-release lever makes it easy to clean the debris. Just like the above products this too features 350 Cfm and operates at a speed of 210 mph which is highly efficient to clear large piles of dry and wet debris. It is highly durable, easy to use with maximum comfort hence you will enjoy every bit of your yard cleaning.

Specifications:

• Weight: 11 pounds 
• Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 9 inches
• Voltage: 120 volts 
• Maximum speed: 210mph
• Power source: corded electric

5. WORX TRIVAC 3-in-1

This machine combines almost all the great features everyone would like to have in a leaf blower. It is lightweight and can be switched from blower to vacuum with ease. They all include a powerful motor that generates 350 airflows in cubic feet per minute. The motor, 12 amp, gives it the power needed to clean and eliminate both dry and wet leaves, sticks and small logs. It offers enough speed to clear all debris with minimal efforts and at a distance as well as adjustable airflow to clean around the corners and increase its maximum performance. It is by far one recommended and most used product. 

The power generated when in vacuum and blower modes is enough for a single hand handling. From all the above products this is the lightest of all with just 9.5 lbs.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 9 inches
• Weight: 9.5 lbs.
• Voltage: 12 
• Power source: Corded-Electric
• Maximum speed: 210 mph

Buying Guide: Leaf Vacuum Mulcher

Type of vacuum mulcher

This is the first factor you have to consider since there are different types of vacuum mulchers and they come with different features. There is gas, cordless and electric type of vacuum mulchers.

You have to make sure that you get whichever type of leaf vacuum mulcher that will serve you well.  

For gas-powered leaf vacuum mulchers, they are designed to use gasoline as a source of power. As a result, they are very noisy and heavy. Another factor is that they require regular maintenance and they cannot be used in a place with extreme heat. 

However, if you want to perform the job quickly by moving from one place to another easily, gas-powered vacuum mulchers can be good.

For electric leaf vacuum mulchers, they are designed to use electric motors to run. These types of machines are lighter, produced less noise and easy to store. However, they have a downside which is less power when compared to the gas types. At the same time, they have to be plugged into an electrical outlet to use them.

Electric leaf vacuum mulchers are mostly preferred by homeowners who do not have a lot of work to do or space to cover.

Cordless leaf mulchers are another type that is gaining popularity among people. This is because these machines are lightweight and easy to handle since they do not use any cables or gas. They are charged and can last for up to 40 minutes and some cases more with one charge.

They are easy to use and handle.

Power

When it comes to considering the power of the vacuum mulcher, it does not matter whether it is electric, gas or cordless, you have to look at how much suction power it can produce. The suction power determines how fast it can do the job.

The suction power is directly connected to the motor power. The more power the motor is, the higher the suction power and the most effective the vacuum mulcher is.

A good leaf vacuum mulcher should have a motor with a power rating of above 12- amp.

Speed Adjustment

Leaf vacuums are designed with a lot of power and can produce very high speeds when in operation. It is not all the time you need this type of speed. It is good when you are in an area without any plant that can be damaged such as a grass field.

However, when working near delicate plants such as flowers, you have to be careful about the speed as it can damage some of the plants. Make sure that you buy a vacuum mulcher that has speed adjustment capabilities.

By doing so, you will be able to control the speeds when working in different areas.

Cutting Ratio

One of the main purposes of having a mulcher is to reduce the size of leaves collected. Through this, you can reduce the amount of trash you have and it is easy to dispose of it when it is in a small size.

As a result, you have to consider the cutting or mulching ratio of a leaf vacuum mulcher before buying. The goal is to get one with the best ratio to reduce the size of leaves collected as much as possible.

You will find out that most manufacturers make a machine with ratios ranging from 10:1 to 18:1. To make sure that you get the best results, make sure that you go for a mulcher with a ratio of above 12:1. These specifications are always indicated on the product.

Weight 

For such a machine used to move around the field of backyard collecting leaves, weight is a crucial factor to consider. You do not want a machine too heavy that you cannot use it for 30mins. 

Make sure that you look at the weight for your convenience. Ensure it is light enough to be used for a long period.

Collection bag

The collection bag on a leaf vacuum mulcher is meant to collect all the leaves that you are collecting and shredding. As a result, the capacity of the bag matters. A small bag means that you have to keep on emptying it now and then.

However, a machine with a large bag will allow you to use it for a long time without having to empty it. It also has to do with the area you are planning to cover. If it is too huge, then you need a big bag.

Impeller quality

An impeller is a shredding fan that is contained in a mulcher. Whenever you are shopping for a good leaf vacuum mulcher you have to consider the nature of the impeller. Many manufacturers make their mulchers with plastic impellers.

However, if you are looking for a good machine, then make sure that it is made of strong and durable impellers that cannot be easily damaged by debris, rocks, stones or wood. Impellers made of metal such as aluminum, or steel can serve this purpose very well.

Collection Tube

Different types of leaf vacuum mulchers are designed with a different type of collection tubes. They are designed differently and they function differently. When buying make sure that you get the one with a large tube to allow sucking of leaves with easy without getting clogged.

The collection tube should also be designed in a manner it can allow small pieces of leaves to pass through. It should also be strong to avoid cracking from heavy debris passing through it.

Price

The price of a leaf vacuum mulcher is a crucial factor to consider when buying. You have to make sure that you get a machine that can serve you in the right way and offers value for your money.

To do this, make sure that you consider several leaf vacuum mulchers and compare their prices with features. High-quality mulchers will always cost a bit higher than the low-quality ones. 

Tips on using a leaf vacuum mulcher

Here is how to use a leaf vacuum mulcher

The process is very simple. Make sure your mulcher is powered. Depending on the type of mulcher you are using, it should be either plugged into an electrical outlet, powered with enough gas or charged.

The next step is to have it on the location you want to work on. Have the collection bag well fitted. In case the machine has a speed adjuster, make sure that you set it to the right speed. Ensure that the group does not have hard debris like stones and wood that may damage the mulcher.

Switch it on and move it over the leaves you want to collect.

Can you turn a leaf vacuum into a blower?

Yes. Many manufacturers understand that at one point you may need a blower. As a result, there is an option to convert the vacuum mulcher into a blower.

For the modern type of vacuum mulchers, most of them are fitted with options where you change the mode within a few seconds.

However, for the traditional ones, you will have to do more since the process is manual. Make sure that the power source is disconnected. Check the user manual to understand the process better.

Can it be used on gravel?

Yes. It is possible to use a leaf vacuum on gravel. However, this is a practice that is not recommended. If you are doing this with a vacuum using plastic impellers, the chances of breaking are very high. This is because the vacuum is most likely going to collect gravel which can damage it.

Between gas, electric and cordless vacuum mulcher, which on is better?

The three types are made differently and they have their advantages and disadvantages. For gas-powered vacuum mulchers, they are the most powerful. However, on the downside, they are very noisy and heavy. They can be used for heavy work.

For electric models, they are less powerful. They require to be connected to an electrical source. The best thing about them is that they are lightweight and easy to use. They are easy to maintain. 

For cordless ones, they are less powerful but do not require any connection but just charging. They are more portable and lightweight.