Garden vacuums are a fantastic tool for maintaining your outdoor space throughout the year. Autumn brings an entire new landscape to the garden, with leaves changing into browns, golds, and oranges until eventually falling to the ground.
While unquestionably beautiful, these seasonal changes bring a lot more garden maintenance than you might expect, especially in larger spaces with lots of trees and other foliage. Fallen leaves quickly become a nuisance, causing surfaces to become dangerously slippery, not to mention covering lawns with an unsightly brown surface that may cause water logging.
So, when autumn comes and your garden has lots of fallen leaves, a garden vacuum becomes an invaluable tool to help maintain things outside. Commonly mistaken for a leaf blower, garden vacuums work much the same but suck up the leaves and other debris into a handy collector bag.
This makes gathering up fallen leaves and loose debris much quicker and easier, removing the need for any raking. Also, many garden vacuums are multifunctional, working as both a leaf blower and vacuum, allowing you to gather up any fallen leaves as best suits the situation.
Simply put, garden maintenance becomes much easier and more efficient throughout the year when you have access to a great garden vacuum, so it’s certainly a worthwhile investment for many!
Makita BHX2501 24.5 cc 4-Stroke Petrol Handheld Leaf Blower / Vacuum
The Makita BHX2501 is a robust petrol-powered leaf blower and garden vacuum that is suitable for gardens of various sizes. Whether you want to quickly gather small amount so leaves or need to clean larger areas of leaves, this powerful but lightweight tool is well-equipped for the job.
Consisting of a powerful 24.5cc 4-stroke engine, the Makita BHX2501 can blow and vacuum high volumes of garden waste, even if its wetter or thicker.
In fact, the top air speed of 231km/h is strong enough to move more than leaves, with sticks, stones, and other loose materials easily managed with the powerful blower. Vacuuming power is just as impressive, with a solid 10.1 m³/min airflow.
Better still, the vacuuming function works alongside a mulching function that significantly reduces the overall volume of the waste, so you can easily use the gathered waste for compost or simply dispose of it.
- Powerful 24.5 cc 4-stroke engine
- 3-in-1 function that blows, vacuums and mulches
- Removable vacuum tube reduces size for easier storage
- 4-stroke engine for fewer emissions and more efficient fuel consumption
- Mechanical decompression system for consistently easy starting
- 2 part blower tube for easy storage in cramped sheds and garages
McCulloch GBV345 Petrol Leaf Blower/Vacuum
Providing you don’t mind handling heavier tool and are okay filling it with fuel, petrol-powered garden vacuums such as the McCulloch GBV345 offer unrivalled performance.
Powered by a robust 25cc petrol engine, the GBV345 has top air flow speeds of 345km/h that will make short work of even the thickest, wettest pile of leaves and other debris – it’s even got enough power to move small stones, sticks, and other waste commonly found around the garden.
Better still, there is an adjustable speed setting that lets you choose a speed suitable for the task at hand, while you can also attach a flare nozzle for concentrated airflow. You can even set it on cruise contorl once you find the right setting, increasing comfort by removing the need to constantly push down on the speed button.
As a garden vacuum it also has some seriously impressive suction power while there is also an integrated shedder function, both combining well to significantly reduce leave waste. For example, the 16:1 shredding ratio is higher than most electrical models, making the GBV345 a great option for anyone dealing with a lot of leaves.
Even as a petrol garden vacuum, the GBV345 isn’t difficult to operate. A soft start pull cord makes starting the garden vacuum quick and easy, while there is an antivibration system that significantly reduces fatigue.
It weighs 4.9kg, which initially appears on the heavier side (and is heavier than most electric models) but still relatively lightweight for using around the garden.
- Powerful 25cc petrol engine
- Variable speed controls with top air speed of 345km/h
- Cruise control for comfortable handling
- 3-in-1 function with blowing, vacuuming, and shredding
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Cordless Garden Vacuums
Greenworks Tools 40 V Cordless Vacuum / Blower
This two in one cordless garden vacuum from Greenworks is a great product for quick and easy garden maintenance. Weighing very little and being cordless makes it very easy to manoeuvre around the garden and driveway, with anywhere from 10-23 minutes of runtime depending on the battery.
It’s designed for comfortable use, with the garden vacuum being very well balanced and featuring a cushioned mould grip for easier. There is even a carry strap included but because it weighs just 3.9kg so you probably won’t need it!
The lightweight design is even more impressive when looking at the power the garden vacuum has. For instance, it has top air speeds of 185km/h and a top airflow of 340 m³/h, so can easily blow and vacuum various volumes of waste as needed.
This impressive performance is down to the inclusion of a Digi-Pro brushless motor, which at top speeds can even blow small stones and gravel – perfect for maintaining paths, patios, decking and driveways around your home!
While a lack of a shredding/mulching feature is somewhat disappointing, the impressive suction capabilities and very large 45L collection bag mean that this is not too notable, although people using in especially large areas may need to empty it a few times.
Also, as part of the Greenworks cordless power tool range, the lithium-ion batteries (sold separately) can be used with different tools. So, if you already have a cordless Greenworks garden tool (like a lawn mower) and are looking for a garden vacuum, then this is a very good buy!
- Weighs just 3.9kg
- Top air speed of 185km/h
- Top airflow of 340 m³/h
- Blowing and vacuum function
Einhell Power X-Change Cordless Leaf Vacuum / Blower
If you require a lightweight garden vacuum that can be used anywhere outside then be sure to consider the impressive Einhell Power X-Change. As a cordless garden vacuum that weighs just 3.38kg, it’s one of the lightest models on the market and couldn’t be easier to operate, even for prolonged periods.
Despite being so lightweight the garden vacuum has plenty of power, producing a top air speed pf 210km/h and a maxim suction power of 720 m³/h. This makes it suitable for gardens small and large, with it capable of gathering as much or as little waste as needed.
Better still, you can control the speed using the electronic speed control function. This lets you adjust both the vacuum and blowing speeds to accommodate different situations. Whether you need to quickly gather some leaves or want to gently gather them together, just adjust the speed as needed.
Being cordless really enhances the usability of the garden vacuum, as there are no cords restricting movement or tripping you up. This makes the garden vacuum especially useful in larger gardens, although its certainly great to use in smaller spaces too – even more so if there are tight spaces that are difficult to navigate.
Not only does it blow and vacuum leaves and other smaller debris, there is a shredding option that helps to reduce waste volume. With an impressive 10:1 shredding option you can expect to gather a lot of leaves without ever needing to empty the bag, which has a spacious 45L storage capacity.
It’s generally very comfortable and easy to operate being such a lightweight model, yet there are features to improve usability if needed. For example, there is an adjustable comfort harness for added balance and stability, while there are also large wheels that lets you set it on the ground and operate from there.
- Electronic speed control
- Weighs just 3.38kg
- Blowing, vacuuming and shredding function
- Large wheels for easier operation
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Electric Garden Vacuums
Bosch ALS 2500 Electric Garden Blower and Vacuum
The Bosch ALS 2500 is a dual function leaf blower and garden vacuum, letting you round up all the leaves and debris before sucking it up into the spacious 45L collection bag for easy disposal.
It’s a very lightweight model, weighing just 3.2kg in leaf blowing mode and a slightly heavier 4.4kg vacuuming mode, so operating the ALS 2500 isn’t too strenuous or likely to cause fatigue. Should you feel the effects of the weigh, there is a padded carrying strap for additional comfort and support.
Equipped with a powerful 2500W motor, the ALS 2500 has an 800 m3/h flow rate that provides ample power for most garden maintenance tasks. There are variable speed settings for the leaf blower, which tops out an impressive 300km/h speed for quicker gathering of leaves.
Once ready, simply switch to the vacuum mode and inhale the leaves as needed. It’s capable of handling an impressive volume of waste, with a 45L zip locked collection bag storing wet and dry leaves with ease.
Better still, before the leaves are transferred to the collection bag, they are shredded up to reduce the overall volume. The 10:1 shredding ratio means the garden vacuum can store an impressive volume of waste – you probably won’t need to stop and empty it unless you’re working on a huge area!
The shredding function is also useful for anyone creating their own compost, as the waste is already prepared for disposal and will start composting straight away. If you don’t, simply unzip the bag into your waste bin and enjoy quick and easy cleaning around the garden.
- Dual function provides both leaf blowing and garden vacuuming
- 10:1 shredding ratio to further compact
- Variable blowing speeds of up to 300km/h
- Lightweight design
- Large 45L collection bag
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VonHaus 3 in 1 Leaf Blower - 3000W Garden Vacuum & Mulcher (Best Budget Option)
The VonHaus 3 in 1 Leaf Blower is a multipurpose tool that blows, gathers, and mulches leaves and loose debris around the garden for quick and easy maintenance.
Powered by a robust 3000W electric motor, this mode has high speed functionality that is perfect for rounding up large volumes of leaves around your garden. The top speed mode kicks into action during blowing, slowing down slightly in vacuum mode but becoming no less efficient.
It’s simple to use and weighs just 3.5kg, so operating for longer periods should not be an issue. If you start feeling the effects, you can make use of the handy dual wheel at the nozzle that lets you rest the garden vacuum on the ground as you use it.
There’s a shoulder strap included if you want better balance or to reduce the weight when walking around the garden. Most people probably won’t feel the effects of this because it’s so lightweight but having the option to reduce the effects of the weigh is a welcome option.
When vacuuming the leaves there is a mulching function that significantly reduces the volume of the waste, with a 10:1 shredding ratio that makes short work of even the wettest leaves. This results in a high-volume waste capacity that means less time emptying the 35L bag and more time vacuuming!
While variable speed settings would be a nice addition, each mode adjusts its speed accordingly, so it’s still performing at optimal speeds whether blowing or vacuuming.
- Powerful 3000W motor
- Powerful 3000W motor
- 10:1 shredding ratio to further compact waste
- Includes heels and a shoulder strap for easier operation
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Buying Guide
If you’re looking to buy the best garden vacuum you need to consider a few factors to make sure that you choose something that is suitable for your needs. These will influence what type of garden vacuum is best for your situation, as there are many makes and models that suit different conditions.
After all, the last thing you want is to spend money on a garden vacuum only to discover that it isn’t the best model for your requirements, so check the guide below for all the info you need to know to choose the best garden vacuum:
Power Source
Electric
Electric garden vacuums are probably the most popular due to their affordable price and solid performance. As they are plugged into a mains outlet, they are generally very lightweight so easy to operate, although the cord length may restrict movement in larger gardens, so always make sure it has enough reach.
Petrol
Petrol-powered garden vacuums offer the most power of any type, making them the best option for larger areas with lots of trees. This type of vacuum is cordless so very convenient for bigger spaces, although its also the heaviest type so may require a lot more effort to operate for long periods.
The engines are typically 2 or 4-stroke models that offer ample power for vacuuming large volumes of leaves and other debris, although it’s quite noisy to operate and requires fuel to be manually added – the fuel may also need mixed depending on the engine type.
Battery
Battery operated garden vacuums are electric models that utilize lithium-ion batteries rather than needing mains power. This means they’re cordless leaf blowers and very lightweight, making them one of the easiest to operate.
However, they aren’t the most powerful and have a limited run time, so may not be suitable for larger gardens, although they are perfect for smaller gardens with minor maintenance requirements.
Weight
It’s important to consider the weight of the garden vacuum and how much work it’s doing. You’ll be carrying this around for varying lengths of time, so you don’t want it to be too heavy to carry, especially if you need to do a lot vacuuming.
So, be sure to check the weight of the garden vacuum and think about how long you’ll be operating it for. Petrol models are typically the heaviest, while corded and cordless models are the lightest, so be sure to find the right balance between weight and power.
For instance, a petrol garden vacuum may be heavier but the additional power means you’ll use it for less time compared to a cordless vacuum, which would be lighter but need to be used for longer.
Speed
It’s good to have a garden vacuum with several speed options to suit different requirements. For instance, low speeds are fine for smaller leave piles and minor debris, while higher speeds are recommended for larger or widely spread piles of leaves.
Think about how leaves you need to clean up on average and whether you may benefit from variable speed settings to accommodate different times of the year.
Functions
While all garden vacuums suck debris through the nozzle and into a collection bag, there are other function modes that may be useful for your garden. For instance, most have dual blow and vacuum functions, which is very useful for rounding up leaves into piles before vacuuming them away or placing them in your garden shredder.
Other useful functions include shredding/mulching, which helps to reduce the volume of leaves gathered for longer working times, while also being great for composting.
Last update on 2024-09-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
