Easily, the Toro 51621 is our favorite leaf vacuum for large yards because this is a three-in-one leaf blower, vacuum, and leaf shredder that allows you to blow, suck and mulch the leaves at the same time.
The vacuum is equipped with a 12A electric motor with 350 CFM and a speed of 250MPH which is impressive for such a small machine because you will get plenty of power to suck up more without worrying about overfilling.
It comes with a built-in Impeller shredder that grinds to a 16:1 ratio turning the leaves or other debris into a mulch of half-inch in diameter. The shredder not only reduces the leaves down but is great for repurposing leaves into healthy plant beds.
Doesn’t clog and easily manages heavier piles, and later the piles are converted into shredded pieces by the impeller.
Moist leaves suction was slow but were sucked up after all and that’s the best part of this vacuum as many leaf vacuums suck at picking up wet leaves.
The lightweight design makes it easy for you to carry the vacuum around in your yard or backyard without getting tired.
The vacuum comes with a variable-speed unit that allows you to adjust the speed of the vacuum according to the cleaning task at hand that way you can deal with both easier messes as well as toughest messes.
All in all, the Toro 51621 is an affordable leaf vacuum for large yards that does the sweeping and cleanup of leaves quickly and also features heat dissipation technology. In simple words, this dedicated leaf vacuum is the ideal lightweight leaf blower/vacuum that also handles the disposal process and easily transforms unsightly debris into a mass of usable mulch.
The next best leaf vacuum for large yards is Sun Joe SBJ605E which is used for large-scale yard cleanup. It can keep grass clipping off the driveway and also picks up dust and debris from potted patio plants along with fallen leaves.
Features a 14-ampere motor that offers 440 CFM and 250 mph air making the vacuum suitable for medium-sized lawns to large-sized gardens.
This is an impressive all-in-one-yard tool that can make quick work of up to 16 bushels of dry leaves per shredded bagful.
This is an impressive leaf vacuum for large yards that do the waste removal job efficiently in larger yards and is championed for most yard maintenance but you can use it on small patches of grass as well.
The best part is that you can use this vacuum not only for smaller outdoor spaces but also for surrounding apartments and duplexes. Among smaller cleaning tasks there can be an apartment balcony, wraparound porch, or a curb line of a commercial building.
There are wheels connected with the suction tube allowing you to direct the unit towards the bulk of leaves.
Average-size users will find this vacuum helpful because the suction nozzle wheels and onboard leaf collection bag make the entire system highly usable.
If you are tall, you may want to wear it on your shoulders, thanks to the shoulder strap that helps support the vacuum to reduce arm fatigue. The large velcro strap makes it comfortable for bigger jobs by balancing the weight across both shoulders.
All in all, this is a popular commercial leaf vacuum that is a versatile yard waste removal tool and is also the best-selling one on Amazon. Super-powerful makes it great for intensively manicured yards. The bigger tube offers a combination of leaf-pulling power and resistance to clogging.
The WORX WG509 is our next top leaf vacuum for large yards that you can use to clean fallen leaves from your driveway or backyard. This vacuum can be of super help when trees shed their last leaves of the season.
Don’t expect this vacuum to clean extra-large yards because it is designed to efficiently handle considerably large yards with few leaves. You can also use it for manicured yards of small to midsize with an average annual leaf drop. For large gardens and heavy leaf accumulation, look for a bigger and more powerful leaf vacuum.
I would like to tell you that this compact leaf vacuum has all the bells and whistles beyond simple suction. Without investing a lot of money you can experience excellent blowing and vacuuming experience with a single tool. You would also like the toolless transition from blower to vacuum. Plus, the smaller size of the vacuum makes it easy to store anywhere in a tool shed or a closet.
The vacuum features a metal impeller that shreds at a 16:1 ratio which is great as it will easily convert the large pieces of leaves into small chunks.
All in all, this is an incredibly powerful leaf vacuum that is suited for indoor cleaning sessions like picking up sawdust as well as handles the leaf accumulation effectively.
The vacuum comes with an integrated dual-stage impeller that grinds or breaks the leaves and other debris into more manageable pieces. It nicely chops and transforms the large piles of leaves into tiny particles so that the bag can store more mulch. The mulching knives aggressively shred twigs and sticks without a problem. So, the credit for reducing the volume of large piles of leaves goes to the impeller.
The vacuum features an ergonomic tube that is long enough that it doesn’t require you to bend which reduces back strain for taller people. Carefully use the tube on large piles because the tube can easily get clogged.
This vacuum comes with an oval-shaped vacuum tube that offers powerful air movement but it can also clog with coarse debris.
The final option for you can be an oscillating tube to prevent the unit from getting bogged down or clogged with piles of leaves.
The next best leaf vacuum for large yards on our list is Husqvarna, which is the best option for heavy leaf accumulation. It operates on an easy-crank engine that quickly starts and has cruise control to operate the vacuum at a certain speed.
As it is a gasoline-powered engine, it will emit fumes and will also produce noise of around 78 decibels which is noisy so you should think before buying this vacuum.
It also features the best suction tube that nicely pulls in debris and wet leaves without getting clogged. Next, there are mulching knives waiting for the upcoming piles to shred into little parts.
This is a versatile vacuum cleaner that can be used for cleaning behind the bushes, central air conditioning units, or other confined areas.
The smaller size of the vacuum makes it easier to clean leaves from between shrubs, under a deck, or a crawlspace.
Other than that, it can efficiently remove leaves from hard surfaces like concrete, pavers, flag stones, bricks, and asphalt.
The vacuum comes with easy to carry reusable backpack-style collection bag for storage and removal of leaves. If you have a bigger yard, you can purchase a large top-loading bag to collect the largest piles of leaves, debris, and other garbage. The mulcher will effectively process the messes to save bag space so that more leaves can be vacuumed.
All in all, this vacuum is powerful enough to dislodge and move wet leaves along with dry debris. It can also work well for removing small pieces of paper litter, and can easily chip branches while grinding twigs through the mulcher.
Furthermore, the vacuum features anti-vibration technology to reduce hand stress or reduce fatigue.
As this vacuum lacks wheels, there is an ergonomic handle that allows the users to turn the machine off/on one-handed. The handle has a soft grip with all required controls on it so it offers plenty of flexibility. There is also cruise control for handling and less fatigue. This way, you can enjoy mobility without the issue of entanglement. The cushioned over-mold grip brings users ample comfort during extended use.
The vacuum runs on gasoline and uses 2-cycle oil and doesn’t take more than 2 pulls for ignition which is impressive.
The overall weight of the unit is 9 pounds which are fairly lightweight but the padded shoulder straps and anti-vibration technology will ensure you don’t get uncomfortable while cleaning with this vacuum.
The final option on our list is Greenworks 40V cordless vacuum that is ideal for large yards and weighs less than 7 pounds which is impressive. The lighter weight also translates to better maneuverability and makes blowing and vacuuming less tiresome.
There is a variable speed controller on the handle that allows you to conserve power when the unit is not in use. Other than that there are 6-speed modes ranging from slower to fastest speed making the vacuum suitable for the toughest messes.
The ergonomic handle with cushioned grip gives you a firm grip of the vacuum that makes the maneuvering easy without excessive bulk. When you will carry this vacuum, you will definitely say that this is a brilliant piece of engineering.
Finally, the vacuum has multidirectional swiveling wheels on the nozzle allowing you to push the vacuum through you lawn with ease. It has pneumatic tires that provide superior stability and freedom of movement.
Leaf Vacuum Buying Guide
When you are buying a leaf vacuum, you should look for a range of options to make the right decision. Let’s take a look at important elements that you should consider while purchasing a leaf vacuum.
CFM
CFM stands for Cubic Feet Per Minute, it is the amount of air the machine can move. CFM has a direct impact on the air pushed out and that means you will be able to get a powerful gust of air to disperse leaves, sticks, and twigs.
MPH
MPH stands for Miles Per Hour which is the speed of air and the higher the MPH the more fast air comes out of the tube that can easily move large debris and piles of leaves from your yard, driveway, or deck.
Power
Leaf vacuums are powered by different techniques like electricity, battery, and gas. Gas-powered models have a gas engine that emits fumes out in the air and also produces a lot of noise while you are using the vacuum but it is the most powerful way of vacuuming and requires a lot of maintenance as well. Vacuums that use power cords run on electricity which means no emission of harmful elements makes them eco-friendly the only problem with these is the limitation of the power cord and for longer yards and gardens, you may need an extension cord.
Gas-powered engines are available in two-stroke and four-stroke options. The two-stroke engine is cheaper and the four-stroke engine is expensive but the four-stroke uses a mixture of oil and gas to work properly. You can directly put gasoline inside the fuel tank.
On the other end, there are battery-powered leaf vacuums that rely totally on the stored energy of the battery. The operation of battery-operated leaf vacuums is quieter but the battery lasts for only a few minutes which limits the use of these machines.
Battery Life
When you purchase a cordless leaf vacuum, you should seriously consider the battery life because you will get limited clean-up time, and depending on the usage the battery will be drained accordingly. Never use enough that the battery gets dead, so always end cleaning when there is a little battery left and put the vacuum back on charge. There are different options available in battery-powered leaf vacuum allowing you to choose the one with either limited battery life or higher battery life to cover bigger areas. The other option can be investing in an additional battery which you can swap when the first battery is drained.
You should seriously look at the noise rating of a leaf vacuum because a noisy or loud leaf vacuum can disturb your neighbors which is not good. The maximum noise level the human ear can handle is 60 decibels and you should always get a quieter leaf vacuum with a noise rating of 60 or less than 60 decibels. The quietest leaf vacuums are battery-powered as well as electricity-powered and the loudest leaf vacuums are gas-powered or walk-behind leaf vacuums.
If you still want to use the noisy leaf vacuum then consider putting hearing protection while using the machine to prevent hearing damage and loss.
Weight
Leaf vacuums can be lightest to heavy-weight depending on style. If you have a small yard then you should go for a lightweight leaf vacuum like a handheld unit that will typically weigh under 5-10 pounds and will be much more comfortable to operate and carry around for as long as you desire.
When you have larger areas to cover, you are going to need a bigger and more powerful model which is going to be bulkier so opt for a backpack-style model or simply choose a walk-behind leaf vacuum to manage the extra weight of the unit.
Standout Features
Speed Control
Leaf vacuums come with an option to control the suction speed. A speed control knob allows you to increase or decrease the sucking speed to handle easier-to-tough messes efficiently. Many leaf vacuums are equipped with an option called cruise control which maintains the speed of a vacuum at a certain point for as long as you desire this way you can easily handle tough messes like wet leaves, muddy sticks, or lighter debris without having to keep the throttle engaged.
Anti-vibration
When you are using the leaf vacuum at maximum speed, there will be a vibration in the nozzle and body, and holding the machine for a long time will also shake your body and you can easily get uncomfortable with it. For that, many vacuums feature a technology called vibration-dampening that eliminates maximum vibrations from the vacuum and ensures the machine runs smoothly.
Corded vs Cordless
Cordless leaf vacuums run on the battery which means the independence to move anywhere without worrying about the power cord or power outlet but after a few minutes, the battery will be dead which can limit the runtime. Either you have to replace the battery with a charged one or put the vacuum on charge and wait until it is fully charged to use again. Similarly, gas-powered leaf vacuums also encounter the limitation problem because the fuel tank can get empty and requires refueling and that’s why cordless models cannot provide you with uninterrupted cleaning sessions.
On the other end, the corded leaf vacuums offer unlimited run-time, thanks to the constant supply of electricity that keeps the machine up and running but the cord length can limit your functionality means you may need an extension cord to extend the power cord to navigate around the yard freely.
Product Type
Handheld
Handled leaf vacuums are the highest-selling models and are most commonly used by homeowners because they are lightweight and easy to work with. But, they are not ideal for heavy-duty applications like cleaning large yards or driveways as they constantly require refueling.
A handheld leaf vacuum is the smallest piece of equipment capable of collecting and distributing leaves. A handheld leaf vacuum can only be a vacuum or a hybrid unit that works as a blower as well as a sweeper. But, they are small in size and have the smallest collection bag that traps debris securely.
Corded
Corded leaf vacuums are cheaper and they prevent you from the hassle of gasoline or recharging batteries. All you got to do is insert the plug into an outlet and start vacuuming dirt, leaves, and debris from flowerbeds, walkways, and pathways.
Keep in mind that corded leaf vacuums can only work in areas where there is a power outlet in your reach and if you have a bigger property to cover, going with a corded leaf vacuum might not be a good option.
Cordless
Cordless leaf vacuums are super convenient because there is no hassle with a power cord or power outlet. You can freely move around but still, you are dependent on the battery or gas.
The downside of cordless models is that they have the additional weight of the battery but compared with gas-powered handheld leaf vacuum they are still lighter.
To get the best out of a cordless leaf vacuum, purchase an additional battery to use when the first battery dies so that you can instantly replace the battery to keep cleaning your hard.
Electric leaf vacuums use durable brushless motors and are suited to mostly sized outdoor spaces where there is an electrical outlet exists. There are rechargeable batteries that only last for a brief period.
Gasoline
Gas-powered vacuums are the most powerful leaf vacuums that you can use and are mostly used by people with acres of land or ground to clean because they want the greatest amount of power.
But, gasoline-powered engines emit fumes and produce a lot of noise which can be a serious problem for health-sensitive people.
Other than that, these units are heavier, and carrying them or moving them for a long time can make you a lot tired.
However, consumers still purchase these models because they offer plenty of air wind speed and airflow which is not possible with either electric or battery-powered vacuums.
Backpack
Backpack leaf vacuums can be electric, battery-powered, or gas-powered but the idea behind the backpack vacuums is to carry the machine on your shoulders so that the weight of the vacuum is equally distributed on your entire body, not on just your hands. You might have guessed that walk-behind vacuums are not going to be lightweight and that is true.
There are shoulder straps with a padded backplate that keeps the vacuum on your shoulders comfortably allowing you to carry it as long as you want.
The application of backpack vacuums is relatively uncommon because professional landscapers use such machines to manage bigger yards or lawns. Similarly, residential users can also utilize this vacuum for cleaning their backyard by simply wearing the vacuum on the back and moving the nozzle while handling the speed trigger.
Walk-behind
The final type of leaf vacuums is walk-behind leaf vacuums and they are best suited for commercial applications and are also expensive compared with other types of leaf vacuums.
If you have a ton of residential place to clean you can get a ton of power from walk-behind vacuums because they are powered by gasoline and offers the highest CFM which makes them a superior yard tool.
A walk-behind vacuum looks like a lawnmower that not only does the sweeping/cleaning but also mulches the grass and collects it in a large collection sack.
Always invest in a decent leaf vacuum that can pick leaves from paths, grass, borders, and pavements. You can use the in-build blower to accumulates the leaves in a pile and later suck the pile and put it in your green waste recycling store or bag to make leaf mould.
A leaf vacuum can be a piece of ideal yard equipment for tidying up yards and banishing leaves beneath hedges and mitigating an unsightly mess. Other than that, it can also help you with picking up leaves, pinecones, and debris accumulated over flowerbeds.
A leaf vacuum can also be used as a leaf blower in which it simply inverts the airflow to disperse leaves by spewing air and while used as a vacuum, it can be used to tidy up yards, banishing leaf buildup beneath hedges and flower beds.
A machine with dual functionality can be of a lot of help for yard maintenance because a blower will help you to disperse the leaves from all sides to make a pile and then the vacuum can collect them easily.
You will also see an impeller in a range of vacuum/blower combos and the biggest advantage of an integrated impeller is to trap and chop the collected dirt or leaves into little, manageable sizes. This way, you can store more mulch and compost in the bag in large quantities. The other advantage of the impeller is that it prepares organic materials to be redistributed and recycled as mulch and compost without manually doing the breaking and chopping off the debris. Those having a large garden or lawn will find this feature helpful.
Advantages of Leaf Vacuum
A powerful leaf vacuum is the only solution for your planting nutriments as well as managing your leaves debris into a storage bag. The blower-mulcher features an air duct where you can attach a disposable bag to store all the processed collection of leaves and debris but you can also use a bucket if you have large quantities of processed leaves. Keep in mind that the blower/vacuum combo is much more powerful and capable compared with a traditional leaf blower to do the same job.
Cordless Leaf vacuum
A cordless leaf vacuum is more of a portable vacuum that uses a battery instead of a power cord or gas tank which means it’s lightweight and allows you to clean any part of the yard or garden without any limitations like a power cord.
Don’t expect heavy-duty power from a cordless leaf vacuum as they offer an ample amount of power that suits medium-duty jobs like smaller yard maintenance and leaf removal from backyards.
Another advantage of cordless leaf vacuums is higher portability due to their lightweight allowing you to efficiently do your landscaping, lawn ornaments, and gazeboes.
A downside of cordless vacuums is the frequent recharging as the battery will offer a couple of minutes or in most cases an hour of backup that can impact your mobility but you can keep an extra battery to swap as soon as the first battery dies to keep up the cleaning work.
Gas-powered leaf vacuums
Gas-powered leaf vacuums are bulky, emit fumes, and require a lot of maintenance but they offer something that none other can offer and that’s power, a lot of power.
Once you fill the oil tank with gasoline and oil, if using a two-cycle gas engine, you can easily vacuum acres of lawn or yard because we are discussing leaf vacuums for bigger yards, and what else could be ideal than a gas-powered leaf vacuum.
Don’t ignore the fact that with the usage of a gas-powered leaf vacuum there will be emission of hazardous levels of hydrocarbons, a lot of noise, which can cause trouble for you by the police as well.
Pool leaf vacuum
If you need is a leaf vacuum to clean your swimming pool, then get yourself a traditional leaf vacuum/blower combo but a specialized one because not all vacuums can collect wet, submerged leaves and organic debris. So, when you have the job of cleaning a pond, get a vacuum that can handle water easily and efficiently.
There are certain pool leaf vacuums capable to do this job that uses a garden hose or pool pole, to create vortexes of water to capture leaves and other dirt particles.
A suitable option would be getting a manually operated unit because you not only have complete control over the machine but that’s also cost-effective for you as well.
The best part about pool leaf vacuums is the inclusion of bumpers to protect the delicate surfaces of the pool interior from scratches or damage.
Budget Leaf vacuum
If you don’t want to invest a lot of money on a leaf vacuum but still looking for a specialized lawn equipment tool, then we have got your back. We were able to hand-pick a few portable and powerful leaf vacuums for all budget ranges as well as suitable for all demands of yard work.
Don’t confuse a less expensive leaf vacuum with an expensive one as many people tend to go with cheaper leaf vacuums for cleaning enclosed porch, decks, or courtyards.
Robert Smith is a technology lover and loves to write about laptops, monitors, printers, tablets, Apple products and anything that's related to computers and games. He is passionate enough that he maintains this blog regarding tech updates on a daily basis.
Robert Smith is a technology lover and loves to write about laptops, monitors, printers, tablets, Apple products and anything that's related to computers and games. He is passionate enough that he maintains this blog regarding tech updates on a daily basis.
