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Shred away your task with one of these leaf mulchers .
In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
Although it was fun to jump into leaf piles when you were a kid , raking up leaves does n’t seem quite as gratifying when you ’re an grownup . as luck would have it , leaf mulchers can make M cleanup a lot easier — often without any raking at all thanks to flip mulchers that double as leaf vacuums — and can helpimprove your lawn and soil healthas well .
“ foliage mulchers turn leaves into fine , natural mulch , make them an first-class tool for managing debris and retain your space wield in the tumble , ” saysAlex Roman , associate merchant of outdoor power equipment at The Home Depot . “ Many mass opt for a leaf mulcher over raking because it saves time , postulate less forcible cause for bombastic yards , creates worthful mulch , and meliorate lawn health . ”
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
As you ’re shopping for a leaf mulcher , you ’ll need to decide between a handheld and stationary unit — and select a exponent source that make well for your needs . We test a diverseness of leaf mulchers , some of which also operate asleaf blowersandleaf vacuums , to find the best stationary , corded , cordless , and accelerator model for every pace .
What We Tested
We tested some of the top leafage mulchers on the market , putting them to use in our own backyards . We looked at ease of setup and operation along with how well-fixed the handheld models were to hold and carry around the yard . We then evaluated how effectively the foliage mulchers chop up wet and dry leave of absence and pasture clippings on a variety of surfaces . memorise testing processbelow .
Our Top Picks
Best Stationary
WORX 13-Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher
If you have a large property and a deal of leaves to parcel out with , this stationary unit can mulch them more quickly than handheld unit of measurement .
It ’s a bit unenviable to move around your K .
While you ca n’t easily carry this leaf mulcher around the railyard with you , this stationary unit from Worx can handle a lot of leaves quickly . It mulch up to 53 gal of leaves per minute , and we found it to be well-to-do to use and very efficient at mulch our roll up leaves . You only rate folio into the hop-picker on top , and the whole will deposit the mulched leave into a dish you’re able to attach to the bottom of the mulcher — or you’re able to vamoose the bag entirely and just let the mulched foliage flow onto your railyard .
Credit: Amazon
With an 11:1 mulching ratio , the mulcher can turn 11 bags of leaves into mulch that match in just one bagful . The mulcher uses string - trimmer line to mulch leaves , mean you wo n’t have to mess with cut blade . The mulcher worked as well on clean and dried leaves , and the trough was empty within six to eight seconds after we filled it . The Worx mulcher was also able to hack up some small branchlet that we circumstantially gather up with the leaves . We did not examine to use pixilated leave in the mulcher , as the instructions discourage against this .
The mulcher was well-fixed to assemble ; it read us less than five moment to put together and required no extra tools . While the foliage mulcher is lightweight , we did note it was a little inapt to move around , as we need to lift the whole social unit , rather than dragging or rolling it . Our 5’9 ” tester see the mulcher was a well-situated pinnacle for him to rank leaves into . We did find out this mulcher to be gaudy since the mechanism is basically two strand trimmers run at once .
Because this is a corded unit , you ’ll need to put it near an exterior outlet or use an extension cord that ’s rated for outside use . We needed a 150 - foot cord to reach all areas of our yard , and we liked that it continue securely attach to the leaf mulcher as we moved it around our outer space .
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Like other stationary unit , this mulcher does n’t help you pile up the leaves , so you ’ll need to run down them into a pile and then add the folio to the mulcher , rather than doing cleansing and mulching at the same time as you may with a handheld leafage vacuum - mulcher jazz band . At the end of the season , we found this mulcher light to salt away thanks to easy - to - remove legs .
Product detail : character : Stationary |Power Source : cord electric |Weight:20 pounds |Decibels : Not listed |Mulching Ratio:11:1
Key Terms to Know
Best Corded
Worx Electric Leaf Blower/Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher
The angled tube design lets you reach under patio furniture and shrubs .
We necessitate two hands to toggle the on / off switch during examination .
If you want to have a leaf blower , vacuity , and a mulcher , the Worx WG509 is a effective means to get all three mapping in one tool — pull through on cost and decreasing the bit of tools you need to salt away . It does a great line minimizing yard permissive waste , with an 18:1 mulching ratio ; plus , it has several features that make it well-situated and commodious to use , such as varying speed setting and a sail control clitoris that foreclose you from needing to hold down a clit or trigger for long periods of meter .
We thought it was sluttish to put together ( it only took us a few min ) , and we appreciated the helpful whole step - by - stone’s throw photos in the manual . We used this product to collect leave in a small backyard . The leaf electric fan function worked well on both concrete and grass and easy moved leaves that were damp with break of the day dew . When the vacancy was on , the tube needed to be faithful to the pile to pick up the leaves , which ensured it only sucked up junk we want to gather — and did n’t accidentally pick up other thing .
We liked that the destruction of the vacuity pipe is tilted and flattened somewhat , so we could well reach underneath patio furniture and shrubs . A hefty flow of air of up to 350 CFM and 210 MPH speeds made spry employment of blow and sucking up leaves ( depend on the circumstance ) . Because it ’s cord , you do n’t need to care about recharging a battery , but you are specify by the reach of your extension corduroy . We thought this tool was loose to maneuver and like the extra hold that made it easy to carry , but we found that the cord did get in the way of life sometimes .
We did find we needed to sometimes use two hand to toggle the on / off switch . But we found it easy to swap out the blower for the vacuum ( you just require to turn a telephone dial ) and empty the collection bag , thanks to a zipper on the side of the bag . The leaf blower volume was about what we expected , while the vacuum / mulcher setting was a little louder — it sounded like a loud indoor emptiness . Overall , this leaf mulcher / blower / vacuum combo is a good value , especially if you ’re on the hunting for all three tools .
Product Details : Type : Handheld |Power origin : Corded Electric |Weight:9.3 Cypriot pound |Decibels : Not listed |Mulching Ratio:18:1
Best Cordless
Greenworks 40V Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower / Vacuum
This tool features a cruise control button , so we did n’t have to invariably fight down a trigger during use .
We found the tool to be a moment prospicient and bulky , but the wheel made it more comfortable to apply .
With cordless folio electric fan , you do n’t have to concern about adding gasolene — and you ’re not limited by an electric cord . This Greenworks 40V model offers a good amount of power ( with an air flow capacity up to 340 CFM and hurry up to 185 MPH ) to set aside you to expeditiously take care of both wry and stiff leaves .
With a runtime of up to 21 minutes , this mulcher let us get a salutary amount of yard cleanup done before needing to recharge the battery — but you may need to be after meter for recharge ( or just buy an extra battery ) if you have a declamatory yard and a raft of leaves to strip up .
We found the setup to be easy ( only four steps were required ) as was switching between the blower and vacancy modes . A varying speed telephone dial with six unlike speed preferences — as well as a turbo release for maximum might — render us a draw of ascendancy over how much power we want to use , and the cruise control button let us hunt down the dick at a set hurrying without needing to view as down a button .
When operating the product as a emptiness , the leaf accumulation old bag can carry up to 17 gallons of cloth — allowing you to clear a large domain before necessitate to empty the bag ( specially since it has a 12:1 mulching proportion ) . The leaf cetacean mammal also feature a battery indicant lighter , so we could see when the charge was run low .
We used this foliage electric fan / vacuum to blow grass press cutting off our concrete front porch steps , driveway , and backyard terrace , as well as to vacuum-clean up some grass and weed debris along the patio ’s boundary . It effectively clean up all the Gunter Wilhelm Grass clippings , as well as some pebbles ; it only struggle a little when we test to use it to remove clippings from an outside rug .
This product is a bit bulky , weighing nearly 17 pound with the battery , which might be a concern for some users . We find it comfortable enough to carry around for an protracted catamenia of time , though , in part because of its ergonomic features , such as the extra handle that allows you to use two hands to manoeuvre the cetacean where you require it and the two rack on the bottom which help oneself move the unit around when the vacuum tube is attached . We call back the disturbance degree was sensible , but we did need to shut it off to have a conversation .
ware Details : eccentric : Handheld |Power Source : Battery / Cordless |Weight:10 Irish punt ( without battery ) |Decibels:69 decibels |Mulching Ratio:10:1
Best Gas
Husqvarna 2-Cycle Gas Leaf Blower
The tool ’s subway system length can be adjusted to make it more comfortable for user of dissimilar heights .
Due to its gas - powered engine , this leaf mulcher is the loudest on our leaning .
While this Husqvarna tool just has “ leaf blower ” in its name , it actually also work as a leaf void and mulcher . It gives you loads of exponent — up to 470 CFM and speeds up to 170 MPH — making it a good choice for enceinte properties with caboodle of leave-taking .
When run in our M , the varying - amphetamine gas pedal let us choose how much power we wanted , and a sail controller setting signify we did n’t have to keep hold a button while running the tool for extended periods of time . The metro on the unit can be aline from 22.5 to 25 inch to make it more comfortable for masses of vary heights , and the kit amount with both a flat and round schnozzle that you may well change out for various task .
We used this Cartesian product on a M with a premix of terrain and a wooden deck , and we found the blower had a raft of index , let us easy move both wet and dry leaves , as well as sticks and pine needles , off a crushed rock music driveway while keeping the rock in place . The vacancy / mulcher was also very efficient at picking up leave and small sticks and work on well on mismatched terrain .
Like other gas tools , this mulcher does emit fumes , but its engine has been designed to contract emissions . Typically , throttle mulchers and vacuum cleaner are hard to pop out than electric models , but this product features an aura purge system , which remove line from the carburettor and fuel system , which made it easier for us to commence . After you strike the point button , the blower / vacuum mechanically reset to the “ on ” position , which also help make it light to start . It features a two - cycle locomotive engine , so you ’ll need to ruffle the included oil with flatulence to power it .
We found the tool easy to set up thanks to a two - page inauguration instruction leaflet , and the leaf cetacean mammal begin on the first twist . The vacancy / mulcher components required a few extra steps but were not hard to put together either . We found it leisurely to switch between the cetacean and the vacuity / mulcher once we got the hang of it .
After add gun to the leaf cetacean / vacuum , we did find it a little dense as we carried it around the yard , but we switched hands periodically to avail figure out this payoff . We found the handle comfortable to hold and felt it was a good shape for helping us control and train the blower and vacuum . ( The maker suppose the handle is design to reduce strain on your arms , wrist joint , shoulder joint , and back , and we found that to be genuine . )
In damage of noise , we felt this tool was a fiddling quieter than other gas models we ’ve used in the past , and we were capable to talk ( albeit , clamorously ) to others while it was run . The collection bag for the emptiness / mulcher was only able to hold about ¾ of a 5 - gal pail , but it did a adept caper of mulching the debris into small pieces and compacting material .
Product contingent : case : Handheld |Power Source : gasolene |Weight:9.6 pounds |Decibels:112 |Mulching Radio:16:1
The Bottom Line
After testing a variety of leaf mulchers , some of which were also foliage blowers and vacuums , we pick out our preferent modelling in each of four family : stationary , corded , cordless , and gas . TheWORX WG430 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcheroffers a powerful stationary option that helps you mulch a portion of leaves speedily . The best cordless option was theGreenworks 40V Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower / Vacuum ; this handheld puppet allows you to hoover up leaf and mulch them as you are walk around your G and garden .
Our Testing Process
We tested a amount of 12 folio blowers , mulchers , and vacuums over a two - week period in our own yards on a variety of aerofoil and terrains . We choose a motley of gasolene , corded electric , and cordless / shelling - operate tool , so we could equate their king stratum and features . Some models we test could only perform one function , while other model compound two or three functions in one product . To take mannequin for testing , we looked for top product from popular brands , admit Worx , Husqvarna , Ryobi , and Milwaukee . Testers evaluate each electric fan , vacuum , or mulcher based on how easy it was to set up and apply , how effectively it moved or sucked up leave of absence and/or grass press clipping , how trashy the cetacean mammal / vacuum / mulcher was , and whether it seemed like a good value for the price .
What to Know About Leaf Mulchers Before Shopping
Type
Leaf mulchers are available in two master types : stationary and handheld . Both crop well , so it ’s in the main a matter of personal druthers , saysLou Manfredini , Ace Hardware ’s home expert . “ The hand-held devices are like a vacuum , and you take the air around the pace and suck up the leaves , ” he say . “ But those can become heavy as the smaller bag fills up , and then you have to dump that into a large bag for disposal . ” For object lesson , theGreenworks 40V Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower / Vacuumweighs near 17 pounds once you tote up the battery , which may be too toilsome for some to use well .
Stationary models ( sometimes name to as stand - alone models ) , such as theWORX WG430 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher , are designed to be set in one daub in your grand . You put leaves into the hopper on top , and as the leave are shredded by the mulcher , they are deposited into a grip below . You ’ll have to crease all the leaves into a pile and then add them to the leaf mulcher — but you wo n’t have to carry the mulcher around the yard . “ Stationary models are ideal for turgid yards with heavy leaf collection , as they handle larger volumes and command less forcible exploit , ” Roman says .
Power Source
There are three power choices to choose from : cord electric , cordless ( which run on a battery that needs to be charged ) , and accelerator pedal . Each one has advantage and disadvantage . Traditionally , gas folio blowers have offered the most power ; theHusqvarna 125BVx Gas Leaf Blower , for example , offers aura flow capacity up to 470 CFM and speed up to 170 MPH and can help oneself you expeditiously take care of a lot of leaves on a gravid prop . However , new corded and cordless modelling are give gas theoretical account a run for their money . “ I call back as far as power to mulch the leaf , the difference is minimal , with gas having a flimsy border in major power , ” Manfredini say . “ But you are burning flatulence and create carbon copy dioxide emissions which an galvanizing unit does not . ”
Corded and cordless foliage mulchers are usually quieter than gas pedal mannequin . With corded role model , such as theWORX WG509,you do n’t have to vex about recharging a battery and you’re able to use it for as long as you involve — but you ’re limited by the length of your extension cord . “ Cordless models volunteer the mellow portability since they do not call for a superpower source or cord , ” Roman says . That said , you’re able to only act upon for as long as the assault and battery explosive charge lasts . If you still have work to do , you ’ll have to expect for the battery to recharge or plan to purchase an extra barrage so you’re able to swap in a novel one . Battery indicator lights on modeling such as theGreenworks 40V Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower / Vacuumcan help you keep tabs on how much commission you have leave .
Size and Weight
These factors will chiefly come into shimmer for hand-held foliage mulchers . Since you ’ll be expect these models all around the yard for an extended clock time , you ’ll want to make trusted they are easy enough to channel comfortably . The optimum weighting will vary from somebody to somebody , so it ’s a good idea to pay care to the weight listed in the intersection information .
You may also want to consider the distance of the cetacean / vacuum cleaner tube and opine about whether it will be comfortable for someone of your acme to handle . If more than one person will be using the foliage mulcher , bet for modeling like theHusqvarna 125BVx Gas Leaf Blower , which features an adjustable tube distance to make it more comfortable for mass of varying heights .
Included Accessories
Generally , handheld leaf mulchers come with a vacuum vacuum tube and leafage ingathering travelling bag . If they are cordless , they will normally come with a battery and charger . If you have a large M , you may desire to consider purchasing an surplus stamp battery or two so you may continue make while one battery charges . Some leaf vacuum cleaner / mulcher models may arrive with more than one hooter for the end of the emptiness tube — or you may be able to purchase an extra one individually .
Safety
As with any top executive creature , it ’s important you lie with how to apply it , so we recommend reading the manual of arms before go . In addition , it ’s a good melodic theme to weary personal protective equipment , such as safety goggles , Roman suggests , as it ’s possible that some bit of junk may fell out of a stationary leaf mulcher ’s hopper as it is being chop up up . Also keep safety machine in judgment as you are frequent for a leaf mulcher and liken feature . “ Look for leaf mulchers with features such as bladeless system , easy - semivowel roller wheels , and ergonomic designs for enhanced prophylactic and ascendency , ” Roman says .
Other Leaf Mulchers We Tested
Ryobi 40V Vac Attack Cordless Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher
you’re able to get over 30 second of runtime with thisRyobi cordless model . A vacuum and mulcher in one , it can mulch 16 suitcase of leaves down to just one handbag . We recover it easy to put together and use , and we liked the ascendence and the sucking great power but found its system of weights of 12.7 pounds to be too heavy to gestate around for long . We got trite hold in the unit long before the battery charge track down out . While we found it gentle to open up the aggregation cup of tea and knock down its contents , the magazine holding the bag to the tube did come loose while we were using it .
LawnMaster Red Edition BV1210E 1201 Electric Blower Vacuum Mulcher
At just 9 pounds , theLawnMaster BV1210Eis lightweight , especially see that it ’s a leaf blower , vacuum , and mulcher all in one . It ’s also quite powerful with an air flow content up to 380 CFM and speeds up to 240 MPH . It features a 16:1 mulching proportion and includes a 14 - gallon collection bag that will take a while to take . Because it ’s a corded model , the cord limits your movement to some extent — and our tester obtain that the long extension cord she used became unmanageable to channelise . That sound out , if you are okay with a corded model , this is definitely a base runner up for the adept corded mulcher . Our tester was very impressed by the superpower of the leaf blower and emptiness and reckon the collection bag was fairly large and promiscuous to empty .
Your Questions, Answered
Do leaf mulchers work on wet leaves?
leafage mulchers do work on wet leaves , but they in all probability wo n’t work quite as well as they do with ironical parting . It will in all likelihood take you longer to mulch wet leaves , Manfredini tell , plus the units are more likely to constipate when the leave are wet . In general , the more powerful leafage mulcher models will handle lactating leave of absence better .
What is the lifespan of a leaf mulcher?
As with many tools , leafage mulchers will likely last longer with right maintenance . “ A leaf mulcher can last up to 10 years , depending on factors like sustainment and usage , ” Roman says . “ veritable upkeep , such as cleaning , sharpening blades , and visit them for wear and teardrop , can significantly protract its lifespan . ”
Is mulching leaves better than picking them up?
Stationary leaf mulchers require you to still scan leaves before you mulch them , while handheld mannequin have you vacuum up leaves and mulch them , without touching a pitch . It ’s really a topic of personal druthers , but a leaf mulcher can avail you reduce your yard waste — and reduce the amount of yard waste acquire to our landfills . Mulching leave and supply them to your compost mint can also avail you better your garden soil in the spring .
“ Proper recycling of tree diagram leaves in fall allows you to add constitutional matter to your grease for free , ” explainsBob Mann , senior director of expert and regulatory affairs with the National Association of Landscape Professionals . “ parting make great compost if wield aright . The decomposition process does take a couple of years to complete , and you do call for to now and again turn the pile , but what you ’ll be left with is a dark , lightweight mulch that is suited for use in gardens , flower beds , or to broadcast over your lawn . ”
Even if you prefer to cast out the mulched leaves rather than adding them to yourcompost bin , leaf mulchers can facilitate you greatly reduce the number of bags of leaves you ’ll have to take in — and drag on to the American Stock Exchange .
Who We Are
Renee Freemon Mulvihillis a writer speciate in home and garden topics . To compose this piece , she studied the results from our leaf mulcher product examination , compared product contingent , and check in with a few expert about using leafage mulchers : Lou Manfredini , Ace Hardware ’s home expert;Alex Roman , associate merchandiser of out-of-door power equipment at The Home Depot ; andBob Mann , senior theatre director of technological and regulatory affairs with the National Association of Landscape Professionals .
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list , you may have notice ourBHG Recommends stamp of approval . production that make the seal have been put through stringent testing to ensure they ’re worth a touch in your abode . We grease one’s palms most of the products we examine ourselves , but at times we are provided samples by companies if buying is n’t an option . In these cases , we use the same testing criteria we utilise to test the purchased products .
Credit: Lowe’s
During testing, the controls on the Worx Electric Leaf Blower/Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher were straightforward.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
This Greenworks Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower/Vacuum effectively cleared debris from a variety of surfaces.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
In addition to the body, the blower comes with an adjustable tube, a standard nozzle, a flared high-velocity nozzle, a vacuum kit, and a 2.6-ounce engine oil.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The handlebar on the Greenworks Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower/Vacuum made it easy to control the model with two hands.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We were able to store the leaf blower by hanging it vertically.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
