Discover the Top 12 Leaf Vacuums Reviewed and Tested for 2025

Leaf vacuums are essential tools for maintaining a tidy yard, combining the functions of blowing, vacuuming, and mulching to streamline leaf cleanup. In 2025, the market offers a variety of models, from corded and cordless to gas-powered options, each catering to different yard sizes and user preferences. This article compiles insights from extensive testing to present the top 12 leaf vacuums, detailing their performance, pros, cons, and practical considerations for buyers.

Why Choose a Leaf Vacuum?

A leaf vacuum can save you precious time and energy in the garden. These are the models that blew us away¡­ We tested four models to see which ones will allow you to finally retire that rake. Leaf blower vacuums aren’t as simple as they sound. Although they’re designed to vacuum up leaves, they don’t work like a household vacuum cleaner. Instead, they use a powerful fan to create suction, pulling leaves into a collection bag while often mulching them to reduce volume. The best leaf vacuum can keep your yard clean and manicured. See how our top picks performed during our hands-on testing.

Top 12 Leaf Vacuums for 2025

1. Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000

Bosch’s leaf blower vacuum and mulcher excelled on test, making it an excellent pick for tidying up your garden with ease. Our expert had no issues assembling everything and they were impressed with the overall construction and durability of the leaf vacuum. The vacuum fared well picking up both wet and dry leaves on grass and concrete, while the large 45L collection bag ensures you won’t need to waste time emptying it midway through the task. A mulching ratio of 12:1 helps too. With the blower attachment, dry leaves moved easily over every surface, although a few stubborn wet leaves clung to grass and astro turf.

• Pros: Durable build, large collection bag, effective on wet and dry leaves.
• Cons: Struggles with stubborn wet leaves on grass.

Shop Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000 on Amazon

2. Billy Goat Self-Propelled KV Lawn and Litter Vacuum

During testing, the Billy Goat Lawn Vacuum blew us away in more ways than one. This lawnmower-like machine is made with several helpful features, including variable height adjustment to accommodate multiple users. It’s powerful and effective on different types of debris, with comfortable operation and intuitive controls. It’s more expensive than other options.

• Pros: Powerful suction, adjustable height, intuitive controls.
• Cons: High price point.

Shop Billy Goat KV Vacuum on Amazon

3. Husqvarna 125BVX 28cc Handheld Mulcher Blower

This professional-grade shredder/blower boasts a 27.2 cc gas engine that produces plenty of debris-chopping power. One of the frustrations with many leaf vacuums is that they’re easily clogged by twigs, wet leaves, and other debris that’s heavier than the average dry leaf. That’s not the case with this model from Stihl.

• Pros: Powerful gas engine, resists clogging.
• Cons: Heavier than electric models, noisy operation.

Shop Husqvarna 125BVX on Amazon

4. Toro Ultra Blower Vac

Toro’s electric Ultra Blower Vac will more than suffice for clearing small areas with light to moderate leaf coverage. It functions as both a leaf blower, outputting 340 cfm of air volume, as well as a vacuum, so you can move the leaves into a pile before mulching them.

• Pros: Lightweight, suitable for small yards.
• Cons: Limited range due to corded design.

Shop Toro Ultra Blower Vac on Amazon

5. Greenworks 40V Cordless Leaf Blower/Vacuum

If a property is too large for a corded leaf vacuum, but mixing fuel for a gas model is too much hassle, check out this battery-powered option from Greenworks. Its 12A lithium-ion battery powers the vacuum’s brushless motor to run up to 60 minutes on a single charge at the lowest setting. This cordless leaf blower/vacuum offers good suction and shredding capability.

• Pros: Long runtime on low setting, no gas required.
• Cons: Limited runtime on high speed (20 minutes).

Shop Greenworks 40V Blower/Vacuum on Amazon

6. Ryobi 40V Leaf Vacuum and Mulcher

Those with lots of leaves to get rid of might want to consider the Ryobi leaf vacuum and mulcher. This model pulls 300 CFM of air at a maximum speed of 75 mph, processing up to eight bags of leaves per charge. It operates on the Ryobi 40-volt rechargeable battery system, so the 40V 5 Ah battery is shareable among a full line of lawn care power tools for maximum efficiency.

• Pros: High mulch ratio, battery compatibility.
• Cons: Short runtime (12 minutes on high).

Shop Ryobi 40V Leaf Vacuum on Amazon

7. Craftsman BV245 Gas Leaf Blower/Vacuum

Leaf cleanup is a cinch with the Craftsman BV245, a high-performance gas leaf blower that also vacuums and mulches. Craftsman packed a lot of power into a lightweight, ergonomic design, allowing homeowners to clean lots of leaves quickly. A potent 27-cc, full-crank engine powers it with airspeeds up to 205 MPH and air volume up to 450 CFM.

• Pros: Lightweight for a gas model, high power.
• Cons: Noisy, requires fuel maintenance.

Shop Craftsman BV245 on Amazon

8. Black+Decker BV3600 Electric Leaf Blower/Vacuum

This combination leaf blower and vacuum is a great example of the value you get from Black+Decker’s budget-priced power tools and yard machines. With its power boost function, it produces an impressive 400 CFM air volume and a top speed of 250 MPH.

• Pros: Affordable, high air volume.
• Cons: Corded, limiting range.

Shop Black+Decker BV3600 on Amazon

9. Worx WG509 TRIVAC

The overall best electric leaf blower is the WORX WG509 TRIVAC, but the Sun Joe 6-amp blower is the most affordable. It’s powerful in both vacuum and blow modes (air speed vac: 126km/h, air speed blow: 252km/h).

• Pros: Versatile, easy to switch modes.
• Cons: Corded design restricts mobility.

Shop Worx WG509 TRIVAC on Amazon

10. Troy-Bilt Gas Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum

The multifunctional Troy-Bilt Gas Powered Chipper Shredder Vacuum offers a powerful suction, and a handy chute for quick mulching of small sticks. We did, however, find it quite difficult and cumbersome to set up (especially the hose), and the instructions weren’t very helpful.

• Pros: Multifunctional, powerful suction.
• Cons: Complex setup, heavy.

Shop Troy-Bilt Chipper Shredder Vacuum on Amazon

11. Ego Power+ Cordless Leaf Blower Kit

This leaf blower is similar to the Ego Power+ 670 CFM Blower in terms of specifications. It has slightly lower airflow and wind speed numbers, but it performs very similarly in real life. The airflow feels very powerful, and it never had any trouble removing any debris we aimed it at.

• Pros: Powerful, cordless convenience.
• Cons: Louder than some models.

Shop Ego Power+ Cordless Blower on Amazon

12. Stihl SH 56 C-E Shredder/Vacuum

This scaled-down version of Stihl’s SH 86 is ideal for homeowners looking for a machine that can help with their leaf-clearing needs. With its 27.2 cc engine, it’s capable of sucking up and mulching leaves without clogging, even when it encounters damp material or twigs and acorns.

• Pros: Reliable, handles damp debris well.
• Cons: Gas-powered, requires maintenance.

Shop Stihl SH 56 C-E on Amazon

Comparison Table of Top Leaf Vacuums

Model	Power Source	CFM	Weight (lbs)	Mulch Ratio	Price Range
Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000	Electric (Corded)	300-500	10.6	12:1	$100-$150
Billy Goat KV Vacuum	Gas	1700	133	N/A	$1700-$2000
Husqvarna 125BVX	Gas	425	9.6	16:1	$200-$250
Toro Ultra Blower Vac	Electric (Corded)	340	8.5	10:1	$80-$120
Greenworks 40V	Battery	340	9.9	10:1	$150-$200
Ryobi 40V	Battery	300	10.4	8:1	$180-$220
Craftsman BV245	Gas	450	11.1	16:1	$200-$250
Black+Decker BV3600	Electric (Corded)	400	8.1	10:1	$60-$100
Worx WG509 TRIVAC	Electric (Corded)	350	9.3	10:1	$70-$110
Troy-Bilt Chipper Vacuum	Gas	1000	125	N/A	$700-$800
Ego Power+ Blower	Battery	670	9.7	N/A	$250-$300
Stihl SH 56 C-E	Gas	412	11.5	14:1	$200-$250

Testing Scenarios and Performance

To gauge the functionality of these devices, we set up a leafy test course that gave each tool a fair trial in a real-world setting. We used each tool in both of its configurations, blower and vacuum, to see how it could build leaf piles and then vacuum/mulch them. The debris included recently fallen leaves from the current year as well as old, built-up debris that had accumulated beneath shrubs over the course of a full year. The models reviewed in this guide passed the test by adequately blowing out the heavily accumulated debris, gathering the recently fallen leaves, and grinding up a mixed pile. However, they all worked more slowly with wet material and were also somewhat subject to clogging if the suction nozzle was forced directly into the pile without adequate air space at the edges.

Test Results Highlights

• Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000: Excelled on concrete and grass, with minimal clogging on dry leaves.
• Billy Goat KV Vacuum: Handled large debris volumes effortlessly, ideal for commercial use.
• Greenworks 40V: Performed well on light to moderate leaf piles but struggled with runtime on high settings.
• Troy-Bilt Chipper Vacuum: Powerful but heavy, best for large yards with varied debris.

Buying Guide for Leaf Vacuums

When shopping for a leaf vacuum, there are options at various price points. Here’s what to consider:

Power Source

• Corded Electric: Lightweight, plug-in electric leaf blowers are among the most widely available and can be found at mass merchants, home centers, online retailers, and hardware stores.
• Battery-Powered: Cordless battery-powered leaf vacuums offer the best of both corded and gas worlds. “When stepping up to a ?- to ?-acre yard, that is when the cordless units come into play,” Baker says. “You have ultimate versatility, and low noise without the smell of gas.”
• Gas-Powered: A major manufacturer of gas-powered outdoor power equipment, brands like Husqvarna make premium handheld gas and battery blowers, many of which are marketed to professionals.

Key Specifications

• CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): The maximum air volume of a leaf blower/vacuum is measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm) and refers to the air volume that is expelled or sucked from the machine’s nozzle in 60 seconds. Most leaf vacuums will have a cfm of somewhere around 300 to 500.
• MPH (Miles per Hour): Airspeed determines how fast the leaf blower can clear a section of your yard over a distance. Both numbers are significant, not just one.
• Mulch Ratio: The mulch ratio measures how many bags of leaves the leaf vacuum can shred down to one bag. A higher ratio means less frequent emptying.

Practical Considerations

• Weight: A leaf vacuum’s weight may not seem important to consider at first, but once you’re sweating in the hot sun and your arms are growing tired, you may wish you had bought a leaf vacuum a couple of pounds lighter.
• Noise Level: Leaf blowers are one of the noisiest garden tools out there, so we’ve measured the noise level of every model on test. Most on this list recorded just under 96dB at maximum speed.
• Collection Bag Capacity: The collecting bag’s capacity is measured in bushels or gallons and typically ranges between 1 and 1.5 bushels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are leaf vacuums worth the investment?

Leaf vacuums are ideal for those with medium to large yards who want to save time on leaf cleanup. They combine blowing, vacuuming, and mulching, reducing manual labor. However, for small yards, a rake or basic blower might suffice.

2. Can leaf vacuums handle wet leaves?

Most leaf vacuums can handle wet leaves, but performance varies. Gas-powered models like the Husqvarna 125BVX and Stihl SH 56 C-E excel with wet debris, while corded models may struggle with clogging.

3. How do I maintain a leaf vacuum?

• Empty the collection bag regularly to prevent clogging.
• For gas models, check fuel levels and clean air filters.
• For battery models, charge batteries fully and store them properly.
• Inspect blades and tubes for debris buildup after each use.

4. What’s the difference between CFM and MPH?

CFM measures the volume of air moved per minute, indicating how much debris can be handled. MPH measures airspeed, affecting how far leaves are moved. A balance of both is crucial for effective performance.

5. Can I use a leaf vacuum on gravel driveways?

Yes, but use the lowest speed setting to avoid sucking up rocks, which can damage the vacuum. Test a small area first to ensure proper suction strength.

Conclusion

The top 12 leaf vacuums for 2025 offer diverse options for every yard size and budget. From the versatile Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000 to the heavy-duty Billy Goat KV Vacuum, each model has unique strengths. Consider your yard’s needs, power source preferences, and key specifications like CFM and mulch ratio when choosing. For more insights, check out Consumer Reports’ Leaf Blower Guide or Good Housekeeping’s Leaf Vacuum Reviews.