Best Leaf Vacuum in the UK in 2022: Cordless Electric or Gas-Powered? Buyers’ Guide

A leaf vacuum does not come as a separate device but rather is integrated into a more versatile unit with a blower or mulcher/shredder. A vac can be electro, battery- & gas-powered. These devices differ in power, debris bag capacity, and the availability of a built-in mulcher/shredder.

Having a mulching feature in your leaf vacuum is pretty convenient, with a mulch ratio ranging from 6:1 to 16:1. The electric WORX features the highest mulch ratio of 16:1.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the high-class leaf vacuums and their cutting-edge alternatives offered by different manufacturers on the global market. They differ in capacity, power source, functionality, and purposes.

Leaf Vacuum Features: Suction Power, Capacity, Mulching and Impeller Potency | Buyer’s Guide

• Suction power. This parameter directly depends on motor power which actually determines the overall performance of a leaf vacuum. In other words, the more powerful a motor is, the higher the efficiency of a unit will be. Practically, that means the volume of debris the device is capable to handle. Thus, residential-grade devices with a 1-2 kW motor (1,3-2,7 HP for gas-power models) feature comparatively low capacity to clean small areas or deal with light-duty tasks.

• Capacity. This spec shows the possibility of your leaf vacuum which mainly refers to CFM (cubic feet per minute) or airflow it can generate to suck an adequate amount of debris efficiently. In particular, taking into consideration the rated capacity of a unit, you can determine the scope of work it is designed to perform. 

Airspeed in MPH (miles per hour) is a less critical parameter for a leaf vacuum as it primarily impacts the blowing capacity of a unit. Thus, if you are planning to purchase a versatile model with a blowing mode, you should also figure out the speed ratings. In particular, 100 MPH will be more than enough to sweep plenty of dead leaves, grass, stems, and similar debris away without any hassle. 

• Mulch ratio. The mulching function became possible due to integrated blades in front of an impeller. It allows shredding incoming grass and leaves, thus reducing considerably the volume of debris accumulated in a collecting bag. This fact, in its turn, increases runtime as there’s no necessity to switch off a leaf vacuum mulcher for cleaning the bag too often. Besides, achieved mulch is a perfect and free-of-charge natural fertilizer for the plants in your garden. The mulching ratio shows the difference between incoming debris volume and its amount after processing. 

The majority of advanced models are capable of demonstrating 10:1 and up to 16:1 ratio. However, there are some extra-powerful options featuring an unmatched 24:1 mulching ratio. 

Overall, it would be unreasonable to buy a leaf vacuum that can’t be operated in a mulching mode. Otherwise, instead of a collecting bag, your tool should come with a high-capacity waste bin or a container. The latter would increase the size and weight of a device. 

• Impeller. All incoming debris passes through a fan system which is commonly called an impeller of a leaf vacuum. An impeller features several channels which ensure different speeds of the air passing through them. This allows separating light and heavy debris – leaves and branches from dust, clods, or small pebbles. Such design contributes to the durability of a unit. Besides, a leaf vacuum impeller is typically equipped with blades that shred the sucked objects. 

A cutting system can be offered in a blade design to handle heavier and more challenging debris, and it may consist of a sharpened gear that is designed to handle lighter debris. The reliability of a cutting system depends on the material it is made of. In order to prevent damage from the incoming solid objects like small rocks, pieces of wood, etc. Metal impellers would become the most preferable option capable of withstanding severer exposures. However, some high-grade advanced flexible and composite materials will also serve you well. 

• Noise level. Battery-powered or an electric-corded leaf vacuum creates a tolerable noise level that is within 78 dB during the operation of a unit. On the contrary, gas-powered models are very loud in operation. Their noise level commonly exceeds 98dB and requires protective gear like earplugs or other hearing protectors for a user. This type of leaf vacuum is designed to deal with larger cleaning projects in the areas with the permitted noise level regulations corresponding to the specs of your machine.

10 Best-Selling Leaf Vacuums / Leaf Suckers in the UK | Comparative Table