When you work hard to maintain a carefully manicured lawn, fall can be a very frustrating time. Those first few dead leaves might not be a big deal, but wait a few weeks and they will really start to pile up. I put together this list of lawn vacuum reviews to help you keep your lawn looking spectacular all autumn long.
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Lawn vacuums are relatively new tools that can make a huge difference in the time it takes you to deal with those piles of dead leaves. With these great new tools, you can quit wasting your weekends raking endlessly as more and more leaves continue to fall. And the best part is, they completely eliminate the infamously difficult job of bagging up those big piles of leaves.
If you’ve never purchased a lawn vacuum before, the process of choosing the best tool for you can be a little bit intimidating. Should you just go with a brand you trust? Or is there a better option out there that you just haven’t heard about yet?
Not to worry, I’ve got you covered. I’m going to walk you through the lay of the land and show you all of the different types of lawn vacuums on the market today. We’ll consider the options that are available and discuss the features you should look for to make sure you’ll be very happy with the decision you make.
Product Name | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
---|---|---|---|
A | $ | ||
Remington RM1300 Mulchinator Electric Vacuum, Mulcher/ Blower Combo | A- | $$ | |
B+ | $$$ | ||
A- | $ | ||
A | $$$ |
**Below, you'll find more detailed reviews, but you can also click links above to check current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon.
If you search for lawn vacuums online, you’ll be amazed at all of the different options that are available. There are lawn vacuums designed for huge commercial properties like resorts and golf courses.
There are simple mechanical sweepers designed for lawns, driveways, and sidewalks. And there are many different blower/vacuum combinations that are perfect for private homeowners who want to keep their lawns clean and attractive all year long.
At the very high end of the spectrum you will find trailer attachments for lawn tractors. These are large machines with gasoline or diesel-powered motors that suck leaves into a shredder and then collect them in a large bin.
Popular models are made by Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, and Brinly. The investment for the attachment ranges from about $1,000 up to about $2,000 – and, of course, you also need to own a yard tractor to pull the vacuum attachment.
The next price option is the walk-behind shredder vacuum. These machines resemble your standard walk-behind lawn mower, except instead of using a rotary blade for cutting grass they have a vacuum that sucks debris into a shredder and then collects it in a rear-mounted bag.
These machines start around $500 and range all the way up to $1,500 and more. These may prove to be a good option for some people, but they do have a major drawback. The operator has to cover the entire lawn, and it is difficult to maneuver the vacuum in tight spots like corners, nooks, and ledges.
It is often much faster and more efficient to use a blower to move all of the leaves into one big pile – rather than attempting to gather them where they lay. And that is why the next option is my personal favorite for almost all home yard and garden applications.
The combination blower/vacuum is the best option for most private homeowners. The design of the tool is a modification of the traditional blower, which has been around for a long time. By rearranging the handle and attachments, these machines can reverse their blowing action to create strong suction for vacuuming up leaves – and more.
These combination units are extremely mobile – the user simply carries the machine with them as he or she walks. You use the blower to make a pile of leaves, and you use the vacuum to make that pile of leaves disappear. When they are sucked in, leaves are shredded into mulch material and blown into an attached collection bag.
The best feature of the combination blower/vacuum is its reasonable price tag. These units start at about $50 and range up to about $200. That’s a great deal when you consider the amount of raking and bagging work that this machine will eliminate – and the time that it will save.
Finally, you will find several mechanical sweepers that are still available on the market. This design has been around for a long time. But these sweepers never really caught on because, well, they don’t work very well.
A pair of rotating brushes catches leaves and physically moves them up into a collection bin above. Several passes are required to capture the majority of leaves, and even then many leaves will be left on the ground.
Prices for these mechanical sweepers range from about $50 up to about $200. You might notice that the investment is the same as the combination blower/vacuums – and for my money, the combination blower/vacuum is definitely a better tool.
All of the products that I review below are combination blower/vacuums. I think you will find that this design is the most dynamic, with the most applications for the average homeowner.
When you are selecting a new blower/vacuum unit, there are several different factors that need to be taken into consideration. Let’s take a closer look at the features and characteristics you should look for when you’re shopping.
Because these units don’t have wheels or a stand, you will be supporting the entire weight of the tool as you work. Ergonomic design can help somewhat with the fatigue that comes from carrying the machine around – but regardless of the design, its weight should definitely be a consideration.
If you have limited strength for any reason – you should compromise on power to get a lighter product. If weight is not a consideration for you – you will find that the most powerful gasoline-powered units are also the heaviest.
The biggest differentiator here is gas-powered or electric. Gas gives you more power, but also means a heavier tool.
If you have already decided that you will choose one of the lighter electric motors, there is still one big choice left for you to make – battery or cord.
Many models connect to your household power by extension cord. This limits your mobility to the length of the cord you are using, and also introduces an element of inconvenience as you will frequently need to stop working to reposition your cord and move it around obstacles like trees and furniture. If you don’t already own a very long extension cord, you will need to factor the cost of a new cord into your buying decision.
Some newer models have been introduced that use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to power the blower/vac combo. This option gives you the absolute best mobility, with a lightweight tool and no cord to limit your movement. But, as you would expect, you will have to sacrifice power to get that added mobility. Lithium-ion units are typically less powerful than gas and corded electric motors.
Blower/vacuum combinations require some reconfiguration to switch between blowing and vacuuming. Depending on the design of the product you choose, this can be a fairly simple process or it can be difficult and time-consuming.
If speed is your most important criterion – be sure to choose a machine that is easily configured for both tasks.
Below you will find 5 of the best blower/vacuum combinations that are available today. This list should help you to find the perfect tool for your personal situation.
To build this list, I took into consideration the motor type and power rating, the configuration of the tool and attachments, the overall weight, manufacturers’ warranties, and the marketplace reputation for each of these blower/vacuum combinations. I’m sure you will find something here that works well for you within the budget that you have available.
Product Name | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
---|---|---|---|
A | $ | ||
Remington RM1300 Mulchinator Electric Vacuum, Mulcher/ Blower Combo | A- | $$ | |
B+ | $$$ | ||
A- | $ | ||
A | $$$ |
Toro’s 51619 features a powerful 12-amp corded electric motor. It has an analog variable speed control on the blower and the vacuum. In blower mode, it tops out at 250 mph, which is the best in the business. In vacuum mode, it can move 410 cfm (cubic feet of air per minute), also the best in its class.
Features include a large metal impeller for powerful mulching, a bottom-zip collection bag, and a built-in cord lock. It converts between blowing and vacuuming with no tools required. And at only 8.5 pounds, this is one of the lighter blower/vacuum combinations on the market.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
The Remington Mulchinator uses a 12-amp corded electric motor with a 2-speed control. On high speed, this machine blows up to 150 mph and vacuums up to 350 cfm. It features a quick shift lever to switch from blowing to vacuuming on the go, with no tools required.
The plastic impeller produces a 10:1 debris reduction ratio, with debris collected in the attached bottom-zipping collection bag. This machine weighs in at 12.4 pounds, which is a little heavy when compared against similar tools in the same category.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
The Black & Decker BV2500 uses a 12-amp corded electric motor to achieve 200 mph blowing speed. This unit features a low noise design that won’t exceed 65 decibels during normal operation.
The most impressive feature of this model is that it switches between blowing and vacuuming with just the push of a button. It has a clog-resistant vacuum design and its plastic impeller condenses 10 bags of leaf litter into 1 bag. The machine has an average weight, at 11.9 pounds. And the manufacturer provides a 2-year warranty.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
The WORX WG518 has a 12-amp corded electric motor. On high power it blows at 250 mph, which is best in class. And it vacuums at 385 cfm, which is very high. It has a metal impeller which boasts a 16:1 mulching ratio.
Like the Black & Decker model, this unit switches between blowing and vacuuming with the push of a button, although some configuration is required. The included collection bag holds 1 bushel of debris. The weight is average at 10.8 pounds. And the manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty.
The most impressive feature of this model is that it switches between blowing and vacuuming with just the push of a button. It has a clog-resistant vacuum design and its plastic impeller condenses 10 bags of leaf litter into 1 bag. The machine has an average weight, at 11.9 pounds. And the manufacturer provides a 2-year warranty.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
The Troy-Bilt TB2BV features a 27cc 2-cycle gas engine – and it is the only gas-powered vacuum that made this list. It blows at 150 mph, which isn’t too impressive. But it’s vacuum can move 450 cfm, which is best-in-class. This unit provides a 10:1 debris-reduction ratio.
Weighing in at only 12 pounds, this gas engine is no heavier than many of the electric models. And if you don’t enjoy the hassle of starting up a cold 2-cycle engine, a separate engine starter can be purchased for push-button starting. Troy-Bilt backs this machine with a limited 2-year warranty.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Think about the square footage you need to clean, and the amount of leaf fall you normally deal with. If you can negotiate the terrain easily with an extension cord, then the Toro 51619 just might be the best choice for you.
If you have too much land to work with a corded tool, then the Troy-Bilt TB2BV will get you all of the functionality you need without compromising on a heavier machine.
Do you have experience with one of these blower/vacuum combinations? Or maybe you have used another unit that isn’t included on this list? Use the comments section below to share your experience with us and let us know what has worked well for you.
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
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