The 6 Best Leaf Vacuums For Mulching, Bagging, and More

The Worx Trivac stands out among hybrid leaf vacuums for its impressive leaf-blower capacity. With its wide vacuum tube, it moves 350 cfm of air, and its metal impeller is unlikely to jam or break. Plus, it has a solid 18:1 mulching ratio.

I love that it uses the same tube for blowing as it does for vacuuming, so you don’t have to remove and attach tubes to switch from vacuum to blower. All you need to do is flip a switch to alternate between the two functions. This easy-to-use feature makes your fall cleanup easier.

Key Specs

For cordless, battery-powered leaf blowers and vacuums, Greenworks offers the best design, power, and runtime you’ll find. This leaf vacuum uses a large 40-volt battery and a variable-speed trigger and a “turbo” button to give it a power boost when you need to clear wet leaves and twigs. Plus, switching the machine from blower to vacuum is easier than with other models I’ve tried, thanks to its quick-conversion design.

Like other handheld leaf vacuums, this Greenworks model doubles as a blower with a modest 340 cfm air volume, making it suitable for lighter leaf-clearing tasks. With its limited runtime, the Greenworks leaf vacuum is not suitable for larger jobs, but it works well for mulching small piles of leaves or clearing a patio.

Key Specs

Toro’s electric Ultra Blower Vac will more than suffice for clearing small areas with light to moderate leaf coverage. It works as both a leaf blower, delivering 350 cfm of air, and a vacuum, so you can move leaves into a pile before mulching. A quick-release latch system makes it easy to switch between blower and vacuum on the fly.

Though it isn’t as powerful as some of our other picks, it still reduces leaves to pieces less than half an inch, making them easier to bag or use as compost. I also like the fact that Toro equips this vacuum with a metal impeller, making it less likely to jam on debris like twigs and large clumps of leaves. If you only need a little help, skip the gas-powered leaf vacuum and choose this user-friendly model instead.

Key Specs

If you don’t mind paying the premium price tag that comes with this top-brand yard-care equipment, you won’t find a more powerful leaf vacuum than the Stihl 86 C-E. With its large 27.2cc gas engine, it can pick up and grind heavier material, including wet clumps of leaves, acorns, and twigs.

The SH 86 also has useful quality-of-life features you won’t find on all gas leaf vacuums, including an anti-vibration system that helps keep your hands and arms from going numb on long leaf-clearing jobs. It also features an “Easy2Start” system that lets you start the motor with a quick pull.

Beyond its vacuuming capabilities, the Stihl SH 86 also serves as an excellent handheld blower, with an impressive max air volume of 444 cfm. If your annual leaf-collection duties involve clearing large landscaped areas or breaking down many piles of leaves, the Stihl SH 86 may be worth the investment.

Key Specs

For homeowners who want to collect and mulch leaves in one pass, the Craftsman CSV060 is a gas-powered lawn vacuum built for tackling seasonal yard cleanup. Its 24-inch clearing width helps cover lawns, driveways, and walkways, while the engine powers the vacuum and chipping system.

Craftsman says the machine reduces eight bags of leaves to one, making the resulting material easier to dispose of or add to a compost pile. It can also chip small branches and twigs up to 1.5 inches in diameter into mulch. A two-bushel collection bag supports longer cleanup sessions, and the included 3-foot extension tube helps you reach leaves tucked beneath shrubs. With vacuuming, chipping, and collection, the CSV060 is a versatile option for homeowners who want to streamline fall yard work.

Key Specs