When it comes to keeping your garden tidy, one of the biggest things that stand in your way are leaves.
Even if you have a leaf blower that you rely on to clear a path, that still means the leaves are moved somewhere or have to be placed in the trash, and could even end up back where you didn’t want them to be.
The solution to this problem, and one of the most satisfying gardening tools to you, is the leaf mulcher. With one of these, you’ll quickly suck up leaves and other debris, then chop it up and turn it into mulch that’s easier to get rid of and can even be used around the garden.
So, what do you look for in the best leaf mulcher?
A quality leaf mulcher needs to be powerful enough to chop up the leaves, have a good capacity, and be easy to use.
Depending on the type of model you want, these mulchers might suck up the leaves using a vacuum or have you dump them in, and then they’re chopped up and sent to a bag or back out again to use as you choose.
We’ve compiled the best leaf blower vacuum mulcher reviews and everything they offer, good and bad, so you can find the perfect one for your garden. With one of these in your gardening tool line up, you’ll finally get the tidy yard you always wanted, and have a lot of fun in the process.
We’ve hand picked some of our favorite mulchers on the market today to suit every gardener’s needs, and with features and specifications that cover all makes and models. Check out our recommendations for the best leaf mulchers around and exactly what they can bring to your garden.
Table of Contents
Best Leaf Mulcher- Reviews & Buying guide for 2021
Best Overall: Worx Bladeless Electric Leaf Mulcher
- Power: 13.0Amp
- Weight: 20lbs
- Type: Mulcher
If you want a steady and powerful leaf mulcher to make light work of your garden debris, our absolute favorite is the Worx Bladeless Electric Leaf Mulcher.
This mulcher runs on electricity and has a 13.0 Amp motor powering it up. You’ll be able to mulch up to 53 gallons of leaves every minute which means most gardens can be cleared and clean in just a few minutes each weekend.
Although it might not have as high of a cutting ratio as others, it’s easily the most stable leaf mulcher around. When you’re dealing with one of these portable models, safety is key, and you can feel how durable and well made the Worx is.
With that much power generating through it and the ability to cut and chop as fast as it does, customers found this stability to be one of its best features.
However, they weren’t too fond of how noisy this leaf mulcher was though, and when compared to the others it seemed to be quite a bit louder. If you’re hoping for a calming experience and one you can even do in the early hours of the morning, keep looking, but the Worx can’t offer you that.
The recorded mulch ratio of the Worx Bladeless Leaf Mulcher is 11:1 which means it’ll make 11 bags of mulch into just one.
It weighs only 20lbs so it’s easy to move around as needed, but with the strength and stability that is hard to find with a sharpened power tool like this. It goes down as easily as it’s put together for easy storage when the job is done.
To put together your new leaf mulcher there are no tools required and Worx has been sure to add everything in the instruction manual as well as offering ongoing customer support.
With a bag attached, you’ll collect the leaves and debris that’s been mulched so it can go straight into the compost or on top of your garden to be recycled and used again, but you’ll have to purchase this separately to make it work.
If you want a powerful and reliable leaf mulcher, the Worx Bladeless is our favorite.
This is the best electric leaf mulcher for moderate size needs and it works quickly to get the job done.
Runner Up: Earthwise Electric Leaf Mulcher
- Power: 13.0Amp
- Weight: 28.7lbs
- Type: Mulcher and shredder
If you want a multipurpose mulcher that can be adjusted to whatever gardening needs you have for the day, this one from Earthwise is a great choice.
The Earthwise Electric Leaf Mulcher runs on a 13.0Amp power supply and has three settings to choose from so you can get the consistency of mulch you want. It offers 55 gallons per minute of cutting prowess and does it all without any blades, but rather powerful nylon like you’d find on a string trimmer.
The best feature about this leaf mulcher is its opening funnel that makes the whole job easier and less messy.
With its larger 19 inch size, it’s easier to stuff leaves in, and even to do in a hurry, compared to other smaller ones that need you to place them in carefully. This saves a lot of time on the job and means even the largest leaves can fit in with ease.
On the downside though, there are a few safety features worth noting that might not make it ideal for everything. The Earthwise doesn’t turn off when you put your hand inside the opening nor does it shut down when the plastic cover is removed.
You’ll want to keep kids far away and be careful when you’re operating it otherwise things could go wrong. Anything larger than twigs shouldn’t go in it either, or the whole device can get clogged up fast.
The Earthwise Electric Leaf Mulcher weighs around 28.7lbs so it’s quite heavy to cart around, but features wheels that make the job easier.
The 19-inch funnel has a 13″ bladeless cutting diameter inside and works well with most dried leaves and lightweight debris, but shouldn’t be used for anything thicker.
This leaf mulcher is electric and comes with a bag, elastic band, and attachment clips so you have everything you need to get started. When you need to pack it up, it rolls away with its attached wheels and funnel handle, making a lightweight footprint that won’t take up much space at all.
To get your hands on the Earthwise Corded Electric Leaf Blower, go to Amazon for the lowest price. It comes with free shipping and free returns from Amazon, as well as Earthwise’s two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Alternative: Sun Joe Leaf Mulcher and Shredder
- Power: 13 Amp
- Weight: 13.4lbs
- Type: Mulcher and shredder
Sun Joe has a massive range of gardening tools, and their electric mulcher and shredder is a top contender for the best.
This powerful device operates with 13 amps and reaches speeds of 8,000 RPM, making it one of the fastest on the market and reasonably priced as well. The device weighs just 13.4lbs making it incredibly lightweight and can be wheeled around wherever it’s needed, giving you better portability.
This leaf mulcher has the best reduction ratio of any of the others we reviewed, so if you have a lot more to work with, this could be ideal. The Sun Joe is capable of reducing 16 gallons of leaves into just one gallon, and it does so without breaking a sweat.
When your garden is bigger and its dead leaves are getting out of control, a mulcher with this capacity is ideal, and it was the best feature according to reviewers.
The worst feature though was the line changing requirements, with people finding that the Sun Joe Leaf Mulcher and Shredder device got clogged a lot easier.
Some people noted having to change the line a few times in one session if larger twigs and branches made it through, so it’s only suited to lightweight leaves and debris that can be broken down easily.
You’ll need an extension cord attached to this to bring it out into the garden with a maximum length of 50 feet, so make sure it’s suitable for your yard.
The dust reducing motor ensures that the blowback and fine dust that comes from doing this job won’t make its way into this important part, and helps keep the shredder chugging along for years to come.
The Sun Joe Leaf Mulcher doesn’t come with any bags but is compatible with leaf bags, and they can be attached easily to the bottom chute.
To change the settings, there’s an easy to read control dial, so you can make it faster or slower depending on the materials it’s working with. However, it’s recommended to remove twigs and branches before you send them through the chute, otherwise, there may be jams.
This is a reasonably priced leaf mulcher that’s lacking nothing in power. Sun Joe offers their usual two-year warranty from the date of purchase, and you’ll get free returns and free shipping from Amazon to sweeten the deal.
Should you have any problems, Sun Joe has a full time customer support line as well, so it’s ideal for people who’ve never used one of these mulchers before and with more than enough power to get the job done.
Best Leaf Vacuum Mulcher: Worx Trivac Leaf Blower, Mulcher and Vacuum
- Power: 12 Amp
- Weight: 9lbs
- Type: Mulcher, Blower, and Vacuum
When you want the best leaf blower vacuum mulcher to do more than just one job, our top pick is the Worx Trivac 2.0.
This is a three in one tool that blows leaves, vacuums them up, and mulches them, and all in an easy handheld package that weighs just 9lbs and can be operated with one hand. This is the best leaf mulcher and blower powered by electricity, and a quick way to clean up your yard with ease.
The best thing about this tool is its power, with an incredibly strong vacuum that makes it easy to collect the random leaves laying around and mulch them. The blower is just as powerful and offers 600 CFM out of the tube, so no matter what you plan on doing with it, it’s got enough air and suction to get the job done.
However, as a handheld model, the Worx Trivac 2.0 doesn’t have the capabilities of the larger leaf mulchers. This is purely because some leaves are too big to fit through it and make their way to the shredder.
You might be able to chop them up first, but it defeats the purpose of using one of these devices, so you’re better off avoiding the large leaves that won’t fit. It has a 16:1 ratio, which is remarkable, but the shredder blade might not even get a chance if the leaves can’t fit down the tube.
This tool features a detachable bag that releases easily with one hand, and you can then tip out your mulched leaves and debris where you need them.
There are two speeds to choose from depending on what you’re doing, and the highest speed goes all the way up to 70mph which is impressive for something this size.
The Worx Trivac 2.0 is the best leaf mulcher vacuum if you like to do things easily, and thanks to the one handed operation and lightweight, you’ll never even break a sweat. It features a cord that allows for ongoing electricity supply which means no gas to fill up or batteries to recharge.
Amazon offers additional protection plans, as well as free shipping to your door and the option to return it for free should it not be the best leaf mulcher and vacuum you’ve ever used.
Runner Up: Toro Super Blower and Vacuum
- Power: 12 Amp
- Weight: 7.2lbs
- Type: Blower, Vacuum, and Mulcher
When you’re shopping on a budget, Toro Super Blower and Vacuum is an economical way to clean the leaves from your yard. This is a blower and vacuum in one, as well as offering leaf mulching, and it operates at 225mph with a 390cfm capacity.
You can operate the Toro with one hand and easily maneuver it thanks to it lightweight construction of just 7.2lbs, making it one of the lightest on the market.
What customers loved more about the Toro Super Blower and Vacuum was how easily it could be changed between tasks, and how little it cost to invest in.
With a switch of a button, you can be using the powerful blower and then switch to picking up leaves and mulching them, without adding anything on or needing any tools to achieve this versatility.
Due to the low price, you’re getting an even better deal and purchasing three tools for the price of one which makes it even more impressive.
However, as a lightweight corded model, it certainly can’t compete with the best gas leaf blower vacuum mulcher and even some of the electric models and has a smaller leaf shredding reduction ratio.
Customers found this was only suitable for small yards with minimal leaves, and not good if you’re working with a lot, so you’ll have to spend extra to upgrade. For those areas with large leaves and debris, make the switch to a standing model with a wide mouth, otherwise, you’ll work harder than you need to.
The Toro Super Blower and Mulcher is a corded electric device and it operates with a powerful 12 Amp motor that makes it solid competition for others that are twice its cost.
You’ll be able to reduce the debris you’ve sucked up to less than ½ inch which can then be thrown into the compost or scattered over the garden, and all with ease.
When you’re done with the job, the Toro Super Blower and Vacuum features an easy latch that can be controlled with one hand to release the fresh mulch.
As it runs on electricity, you’ll be able to use it all day without running low, provided you can get an extension lead that suits your yard. Its overall dimensions are 9.00 x 9.00 x 14.00 inches so it’s easy to carry in one arm, which frees up your other to keep working as you go.
It comes with free shipping and returns, plus all of the parts you need to get started, it’s a great way to equip yourself with a blower and mulcher for smaller sized gardens.
FAQs of Leaf Mulchers
Leaf mulchers come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on the size of your garden and how much time and effort you want to spend on it, there’s likely to be the perfect fit for you.
We’ve answered some commonly asked questions that people have about these tools to give you some insight into what they’re all about.
A leaf mulcher is a smart purchase for anyone with a lot of dead leaves and debris to deal with or those who can’t use the mulching compartment of their mower.
They help leaves break down faster than having them in a compost bin, and allow them to be used again in the garden elsewhere.
A leaf mulcher is designed to break down leaves and other lightweight debris, and a shredder is made for larger and denser materials like wood.
Most backyards will only require a mulcher to keep them in order unless you plan on chopping branches and other large pieces from the garden.
There are two options for shredding leaves and depending on what you want to do with them, either will suffice. You can run a lawnmower over dead leaves and have it mulch otherwise insert them into a leaf mulcher for a more efficient method.
The leaf mulcher can deal with larger quantities at a time, may have a vacuum function, and can be adjusted depending on what you want to do with the final product, like having them go into a catcher.
Certain species of trees aren’t ideal for composting, and these are usually plants low in nitrogen and calcium but high in lignin.
Trees like oak, holly, and beech shouldn’t be placed in a compost bin as they can be harder to break down and have a negative impact on the existing pile.
Turning Old Leaves in Gold
Having access to freshly mulched leaves can be a godsend in the garden, regardless of how you plan on using them. Rather than leaving them to lay around only to be blown back into your path, having a leaf mulcher is the fast and fun way to deal with them.
With our help and recommendations of the best of the best leaf mulchers, you’ll be equipped with a gardening tool that you’ll never look back on.
Any of our selections of mulchers can improve efficiency, help you to recycle old debris, and add an enjoyable element to the hard work, so they’re an investment worth making.