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Editor’s Note: We reviewed our current product picks as of November 2022 and have updated our list to include a new vacuum from Craftsman. At the time of publishing, the Troy-Bilt CSV 060 was no longer available for purchase. The only other push-style model we've come across that's in stock is the Billy Goat KV601SP, but it's priced at a rather steep $1,549. We’ll continue monitoring the product landscape to make sure we’re bringing you the most up-to-date products and industry information.
A handheld leaf vacuum works wonders for clearing out pesky leaves that are difficult to get to with a rake or lawn mower. Their long snouts let you access those hard-to-reach places, like in between fence posts, behind your home's downspout, or around your AC unit. Their powerful suction helps them pick up yard debris like conifer needles, pine cones, litter, twigs, and acorns.
The Best Leaf Vacuums
1
2
Best Backpack-Style Vacuum
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 VACPACK Leaf Vacuum
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3
4
A Cordless Option Perfect for Small Jobs
Greenworks Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Vacuum
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5
Best Gas Leaf Vacuum
Husqvarna Husqvarna 125BVx Handheld Gas Leaf Blower/Vacuum
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6
A durable lawn mower bag
CRAFTSMAN Double Bagger Leaf Collection System
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7
An Affordable Lawn Mower Bag
TerraKing Lawn Tractor Leaf Bag
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8
What to Consider
➥ Your Yard
Unsurprisingly, the first thing you'll need to do is assess where you'll be using it. Our tests determined that leaf vacuums work best to remove leaves from hard surfaces like asphalt, brick, concrete, and flagstone. They work on decks, just as long as the leaves aren't wedged between the deck boards. You can also use them to clear debris from small patches of grass — but if you have a large yard, we recommend raking first and then sucking up the pile of leaves you just accumulated.
➥ Power Source
You'll also want to pay attention to the vacuum's power source (more on that below), the size and shape of its collection bag, as well as its weight — that way, you know you can handle it and are confident it's large enough for the jobs you need to complete.
➥ Gas vs. Electric
- Gas-powered leaf vacuums: This type of leaf vacuum are much more powerful and noisy than their corded and cordless counterparts. They are a good choice for people who want to suck up more than just leave since they easily resist clogging, especially from twigs and wet leaves. They're more mobile, too, which also makes them a great choice for folks with a large yard.
- Cordless leaf vacuums: These are a good option for folks with small, manicured lawns. They grant you freedom from the cord without requiring you to deal with fumes and the maintenance that comes with gas-powered engines.
- Corded leaf vacuums: This type must be plugged into an outlet, which hinders their overall mobility. On the plus side, they have an unlimited runtime. If you plan to use the vacuum in a workshop or garage, you'll be happy with a corded model.
How We Chose
We researched and compared the latest leaf vacs to find the best ones on the market right now. Our colleagues over at our sister site, Popular Mechanics, have tested several of our picks over the last two years to clean up dry, fallen leaves and pine cones in both the yard and home garden beds. They also tested them by sucking up damp debris (think wet leaves, pine needles, and twigs) in a commercial parking lot.
I spoke with senior editor Roy Berendsohn, one of the most seasoned industry experts when it comes to lawn care and outdoor power equipment. He says that the most effective leaf vacuum is actually a lawn mower since it holds more debris and supports its collection bag on a frame instead of on your shoulder. Lawn mowers also cover more ground in less time. So, be sure to check out our recommended lawn mower leaf bag below.
For those who don't need or have the space for a lawn mower, or for those who have complicated landscapes, a leaf vacuum is still a great option for keeping your yard free of debris. Our picks are lightweight, affordable, powerful, and reliable, and they'll get your yard looking its best in practically no time. Shop our favorite leaf vacuums to keep your yard as clean as a golf course.
Pros
- Does an excellent job at sucking up leaves and debris
- No need to carry the bag by hand
Cons
- Isn't self-propelled
This Craftsman shredder is a midrange push leaf vacuum with loads of performance. It can shred leaves and chip small branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter, and its long vacuum hose will take care of tight corners and narrow passages with ease. Our only complaint is that it's not self-propelled.
Regardless, it still turns on a dime and isn't too difficult to push. What you'll like most, though, is that it eliminates the need to carry a heavy bag of leaves around your shoulder.
Key Specs
Model Number | CSV060 |
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Vacuum Width | 24 inches |
Motor | 163-cc Briggs and Stratton engine |
Power | Gas |
Bag Capacity | 2 bushels |
Pros
- Comfortable for large jobs
Cons
- Impeller is made from plastic
One of the biggest downsides to leaf vacuums is that their included leaf bags are usually satchel-style — similar to a mailbag. They're awkward to sling over your shoulder because they need to be frequently adjusted, and they start feeling heavy extremely fast — especially if you're sucking up wet leaves.
BLACK+DECKER's VACPACK is a much more comfortable solution to sucking leaves, as its vacuum bag is styled more like a backpack. It's easier to wear and has a larger capacity, and therefore it doesn't feel as cumbersome. Its vacuum bag is zipper-free, so it's easy to empty, too.
When used in blower mode, it delivers an impressive 250 mph airspeed. Plus, its air volume (400 CFM) is stronger than models that cost $50 more. If you want a blower/vac/mulcher that won't make you fatigued, this one is worth buying.
Key Specs
Model Number | BEBL7000 |
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Weight | 11.1 pounds |
Motor | 120 volts, 12 amps |
Power | Wired |
Air | 400 CFM / 250 MPH |
Pros
- Metal impeller works hard to crush leaves
Cons
- Transitioning between blower to vacuum isn’t as intuitive
This blower vac from Toro is one of the most powerful vacs money can buy. You get a 250 mph airspeed that's strong enough even for wet leaves that are clumped together. It offers an ergonomic design that's comfortable to hold, but it weighs 9 pounds — so it's not the best option to use one-handed.
The Toro is bundled with plenty of attachments for getting around tight spaces. It comes with a bag, is equipped with a rugged metal impeller for crushing leaves, offers variable speed control, and is covered by a 2-year warranty.
You should probably pick up an extension cable, too, because this model is corded. This option's air volume (410 CFM) isn't as high as the Worx WG512, and it's harder to alternate between the blower and vacuum modes. Regardless, it's still a reliable and easy-t0-use pick.
Key Specs
Model Number | 51621 |
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Weight | 8.9 pounds |
Motor | 120 volts, 12 amps |
Power | Wired |
Air | 350 CFM / 250 MPH |
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Pros
- Only weighs 6 pounds
Cons
- Susceptible to clogs
If you don't want to be held back by a cord or deal with gas fumes, this cordless, battery-powered vac from Greenworks is your best option. This is the same manufacturer behind our favorite budget electric snowblower.
This kit comes with a 40-volt 4Ah battery, two attachments, and a debris bag. It has a 60-minute run time, weighs about 6 pounds, and has a convenient push-button start. Despite being battery-powered, it offers 185 mph blowing speeds, which is strong enough to move even wet leaves.
During a Popular Mechanics test with the Greenworks, they actually ran out of leaves before its battery ran out of juice — which says a lot about the power it packs. Best of all, this cordless pick is an excellent option for both the eco-conscious and folks with small yards.
More: We Compared 30 Leaf Blowers to Find the Best
Key Specs
Model Number | 24322VT |
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Weight | 9.9 pounds |
Motor | Intelligent TRUBRUSHLESS Motor |
Power | Battery |
Air | 340 CFM / 185 MPH |
Pros
- Adjustable fan speed
Cons
- Bag is difficult to remove
If you prefer the convenience of a gas-powered vacuum and don't want to fuss with any annoying cords or swapping battery packs, this Husqvarna is equally reliable, convenient, and powerful. Our colleagues at Popular Mechanics say that this vacuum is extremely well-built: It starts easily with just one pull, and it has enough power to suck up and shred dry leaves with a vengeance.
It was also a favorite of our sister site Good Housekeeping for its comfortable ergonomics and numerous capabilities. It features a flared nozzle for easy pickup, an adjustable fan speed so that you don't blow away or suck up any flowers, and a vacuum bag for collecting debris.
Key Specs
Model Number | 125BVX |
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Weight | 9.6 pounds |
Motor | 28 CC |
Power | Gas |
Air | 425 CFM / 170 MPH |
Pros
- Extremely large capacity
Cons
- Cart is sold seperately
Our lawn care expert Roy Berendsohn says it's a common misconception that a leaf vacuum will work much like an indoor vacuum, but unfortunately, that's not the case. He says you should use a lawn mower with a bag if that's what you're going for. George R, a reviewer at Lowes, said the bag is well worth the price since it alleviated all hard work from raking. He added that it could be difficult to empty when the bag is full.
This leaf collection system from Craftsman harnesses the airflow from your lawnmower's cutting deck to collect up to 20 bushels of leaves. We appreciate that it has a zipper opening to ease the dumping process. The accessory attaches to your mower's tow cart in minutes and has a collapsible frame to make it easier to store in the off-season.
More: 10 Rakes to Gather Up Leaves With Ease
Key Specs
Model Number | 19A30043791 |
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Capacity | 20 bushels (27 cubic feet) |
Mounting Type | Rear (tow cart not included) |
Material | Plastic |
Compatibility | Ride-on lawn tractors with 42-inch and 46-inch decks |
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Pros
- Can hold more than 100 pounds of leaves
Cons
- May require some clamps to keep it securely fastened
This is simply a giant bag that attaches to the output of your ride-on mower — and yes, it's as simple as it sounds. Just strap on the bag, fire up the mower, and mow down some leaves.
Damien Schmitt, a vlogger from Green Bay, Wisconsin, said the Lawn Leaf Bag is an ingeniously simple way to collect leaves with a riding lawn mower and grass catcher. “It takes what would be a 3-hour job to just 30 minutes,” Schmitt said.
It’s an effective solution for clearing leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your yard, especially since most traditional leaf vacuums’ bags fill up very quickly and don’t hold a whole lot. This lawn tractor leaf bag will require less emptying, and you won’t have to carry it around, either!
Key Specs
Model Number | BEBL7000 |
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Capacity | 40 bushels (54 cubic feet) |
Opening Size | 120 inches |
Material | Polyester fabric |
Compatibility | Ride-on lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers |
Pros
- Switches from blower, mulcher, and vacuum in seconds
Cons
- Feels cumbersome for large jobs
This tool from Worx is the ultimate triple threat. It functions as a blower, a mulcher, and a yard vacuum, and it switches among them in seconds.
According to Popular Mechanics' Roy Berendsohn, you can simply turn a dial on the machine's side to rotate its motor by 90 degrees and then slip the vacuum collection bag into place over the impeller to change from blower to vac modes.
It’s powered by a 12-amp motor that won’t pump out smelly fumes as a gas-powered blower would, and it’s equipped with a metal propeller that absolutely annihilates scattered leaves.
The Worx WG512 forces 600 cubic feet of air per minute from its nozzle at a maximum speed of 75 mph, meaning that it expels air at a greater rate than most.
Weighing in at 9.6 pounds, note that this leaf vacuum is on the heavier side. Fortunately, its included collection bag has a strap, which helps make it easier to carry.
Key Specs
Model Number | WG514 |
---|---|
Weight | 9.6 pounds |
Motor | 120 volts, 12 amps |
Power | Wired |
Air | 620 CFM / 70 MPH |
Brandon Carte
Senior Electronics Editor
Brandon Carte has been covering technology at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been writing about the latest gadgets, appliances, and scouring the internet for the products that make life easier. His reporting has been featured on , Good Housekeeping and USA Today. When he's not researching washing machines or testing robot vacuums, you can find him at concerts, swimming laps, or at the movies. He thinks smartphones are too big, prefers MP3s to Spotify, and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.