The Best Leaf Mulchers of 2024 to Make Yard Care a Cinch, Tested
Few sights are as lovely as the red and gold hues of falling leaves, but having to rake and bag them—with no leaf mulcher in sight—can quickly make leaves lose their appeal. It only takes one good soaking rain for dried leaves to become a soggy mess, increasing the risk of lawn disease.
Shredding leaves in a leaf mulcher significantly reduces their bulk and, better still, creates organic mulch for use around perennial plants. We tested some of the best leaf mulchers to make yard cleanup easier, whether recycling the leaves at home or bagging them up to place at the curb.
Finding the right leaf mulcher for your needs depends on the amount of leaf accumulation, yard size, and your leaf collection preferences. Our test group included models with a variety of strengths and purposes. Our Best Overall pick is the Worx WG430 13-Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher thanks to its fast shredding and high efficiency. Check out our reviews based on this hands-on testing, and then read on to learn what to look for when shopping for the best leaf mulcher.
- BEST OVERALL:Worx WG430 13-Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Ryobi 40V Vac Attack Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Worx WG512 Trivac Electric 3-in-1 Leaf Mulcher
↓ Jump to Review - BEST CORDLESS: Greenworks 40V 340 CFM Cordless Battery Leaf Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST GAS: Husqvarna 125BVx Gas Leaf Blower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ELECTRIC: Black+Decker 12-Amp Leaf Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WALK-BEHIND: Billy Goat KV601SP Lawn and Litter Vacuum
↓ Jump to Review - BEST 3-IN-1 COMBO: Toro Ultra Leaf Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Flowtron LE900 Leaf-Eater Mulcher/Shredder
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Leaf Mulchers
We spent 5 days in a half-acre backyard grinding up fallen leaves with 11 different leaf mulchers. Each mulcher had to run the gamut of large and small as well as dry and wet leaves, along with whatever small twigs, pine cones, and acorns found their way into the mix. Note: While our testing included the Sun Joe CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper, we found that its narrow hopper and flywheel chopper are designed for grinding up sticks, not for shredding leaves.
The first testing day was under dry conditions, with slightly moist leaves that we had recently blown into a pile. For the handheld vacuum/mulcher models, we held the suction tube at or slightly above the level of the leaves, as they should be used according to each manufacturer’s instructions. We simply turned on and fed the stand-alone models by the armload.
On the second day, we attempted to put the vacuum/mulcher models through more stressful conditions, feeding them with wet, matted leaves and large, leathery magnolia leaves. During this test, we also pushed the suction tubes farther into the leaf piles to see if they would become clogged or simply stop. To stress the stand-alone models, we used large baskets to “force-feed” extra-large quantities.
Ultimately, all of the models that made our list passed both tests. For the average testing, each mulcher shredded without hesitation, filling its bag. During the stressful testing, several clogs occurred, but none were catastrophic, nor did they take more than a little thump on the side of the suction housing to clear the clog. In all, each leaf mulcher in this group worked as expected or even better than expected.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 11 |
| Time spent testing | 5 days |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $114 to $2,100 |
Our Top Picks
We put several leaf mulchers to the test in an average backyard to determine real-life performance. The following models proved to be dependable, reliable, and effective at shredding dry leaves. Here’s how some of the best leaf mulchers on the market fared when we put them through their paces.
Best Overall
Worx WG430 13-Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Stand-alone
- Power source: 13-amp plug-in electric
- Mulching ratio: 11:1
What We Like
- Easy setup and takedown
- Shreds directly into a disposable leaf bag
- Shreds much faster than vacuum types
What We Don’t Like
- Single-task tool
- In storage most of the year
- Leaves must be lifted to feed the hopper
This electric Worx leaf mulcher is designed with the sole purpose of shredding leaves, which it does quickly and efficiently. The upright model operates via a heavy-duty 12- to 14-gauge extension cord, and its rugged 13-amp motor provides an 11:1 mulch reduction ratio.
The cylindrical molded plastic unit sits atop strong steel legs (minor assembly required). Rather than metal or plastic blades, this leaf mulcher uses the same type of plastic line found in string trimmers. It features a large intake hopper and shreds up to 53 gallons of leaves per minute.
The Worx WG430 shreds much faster than any blower/vacuum-type leaf mulcher we tested. We dropped leaves into the hopper by the armload (or basket full), and they were gone before we could pick up the next load, allowing us to fill a 30-gallon trash bag with shredded leaves in less than 5 minutes. The trimmer lines shredded five bags of leaves and other fine yard debris before we needed to replace them, a task that took under 2 minutes. For users with a lot of leaves to shred, this mulcher does the job quickly and efficiently, even bagging the material for disposal.
Read our full review: Worx WG430 13-Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher
Get the Worx WG430 leaf mulcher at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Runner-up
Ryobi 40V Vac Attack Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher Kit
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 4.5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Handheld
- Power source: 40-volt (V) 5-amp-hour (Ah) battery
- Mulching ratio: 16:1
What We Like
- Cordless leaf vacuum mulcher kit includes 5 Ah battery and charger
- 2-in-1 vacuum and mulcher with tough metal impeller
- 12-minute runtime per charge on high; fills eight 30-gallon bags
- Large debris bag
What We Don’t Like
- Does not include a shoulder strap
- Vacuum and mulcher only; does not convert into a leaf blower
A handheld cordless leaf blower vacuum mulcher offers the freedom of mobility and easy storage. The Ryobi 40V Vac Attack leaf mulcher vacuum uses a durable steel impeller to shred leaves and debris to 1/16 of their original size and produces enough vacuum power to fill eight 30-gallon bags in 12 minutes. It conveniently shares the same 40V cordless power platform with more than 80 other Ryobi tools and comes with a 5 Ah battery and charger.
This leaf vacuum/mulcher performed very well with both freshly fallen dry leaves (on the low-speed setting) and old, moist, and matted leaves and debris (on the high-speed setting). The heavy-duty vacuum bag held more debris than most of the other handheld units we tested, which was ideal for bigger piles. It was easy to unload directly into lawn and leaf bags. However, we also noted that this tool worked best where the leaves were already piled up, since even with adjustable wheels on the suction tube, the large bag made it more difficult to maneuver.
Being a “single tasker” might be a con for some shoppers. Unlike other cordless leaf suction machines, the Ryobi vacuum/mulcher does not convert to a leaf blower. Those who are most interested in space savings might instead prefer a three-in-one option. In our tests, we alternated between blower and vacuum frequently, and it would have been more of a hassle to switch back and forth. We preferred to keep a dedicated leaf blower on hand at all times.
Get the Ryobi leaf mulcher at The Home Depot or Amazon (tool only).
Best Bang For The Buck
Worx WG512 Trivac 12-Amp Electric 3-in-1 Leaf Mulcher
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 4.5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Handheld
- Power source: 12 amp plug-in electric
- Mulching ratio: 16:1
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Stress-free, ergonomic design
- Switch modes by turning a dial
What We Don’t Like
- Struggles with extra-large leaves
- Limited by extension cord length
- Suction tube may be too short for some users
The Worx WG512 is much improved over the previous Trivac incarnation. It uses a single tube for both blower and vacuum modes, with an easy-to-use dial to switch modes. The 12-amp corded electric motor uses an upgraded metal impeller fan to grind leaves and debris at a mulching rate of 16:1. It weighs in at 8.6 pounds and moves air at a rate of up to 600 cubic feet per minute (CFM).
In our tests, the WG512 showed a good balance of power and relatively quiet operation, with a noise operating level listed at 70 decibels. It easily pushed wet and dry leaves around the yard and then quickly dispatched them in vacuum/mulcher mode. When we forced the issue by shoving the vacuum tube deep into a leaf pile, the tube clogged briefly but righted itself as soon as we pulled it back out of the pile. The single-tube design, simple mode change dial, and better-than-average air handling ability made this model stand out. As a handheld corded electric model, it seems best for small to midsize yards with moderate to heavy leaf cover.
Get the Worx WG512 leaf mulcher at Amazon, Lowe’s, Walmart, or Worx.
Best Cordless
Greenworks 40V 340 CFM Cordless Battery Leaf Blower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 4/5; Noise 5/5; Value 3.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Handheld
- Power source: 40V lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Mulching ratio: 10:1
What We Like
- Cordless; offers more freedom than corded models
- 20 minutes of runtime per charge
- Battery is compatible with all Greenworks 40V tools
- Bag includes shoulder strap
What We Don’t Like
- Somewhat underpowered for moving the heaviest debris
- Battery makes the machine heavier
Put the power of lithium-ion energy to work with the Greenworks cordless leaf mulcher. This battery-operated mulcher includes a high-performance G-MAX 40V lithium-ion battery that produces up to 340 CFM of blowing power and runs up to 20 minutes on the highest mode. It offers six speed adjustments and both a narrow blowing tube and a wider-angle vacuum tube for versatile yard cleanup. The mulcher weighs 9.92 pounds, features a 10:1 reduction ratio and aluminum-alloy impeller blades, and includes a reusable mulch collection bag.
We wanted to see if this cordless tool had adequate power to collect and shred leaves without changing batteries or running out of charge. After using it in blower mode to collect a pile of leaves, we switched to vacuum mode and proceeded to fill the collection twice, plus another partial bag. Altogether, it worked for more than 20 minutes on the highest power setting.
Get the Greenworks leaf mulcher at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy (80-volt model), or Greenworks.
Best Gas
Husqvarna 125BVx Gas Leaf Blower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Handheld
- Power source: 28-cubic-centimeter (cc) 2-cycle gas engine
- Mulching ratio: 16:1
What We Like
- Gas engine eliminates recharge time
- Stronger airflow than cordless models
- Ergonomic design, anti-vibration handle, and cruise control
- Grinds 1.3 cubic yards of yard waste to fit inside 17-gallon vacuum bag
- Easy to start; engine starts on the first or second pull
What We Don’t Like
- Reconfiguring from blower to vacuum for leaves is a bit cumbersome
Shoppers with bigger lots and more leaves to deal with may find a gas-powered leaf mulcher most convenient. The compact handheld Husqvarna 125BVx saves storage space while eliminating the hassle of charging batteries and running extension cords. It is powered by a 28cc 2-cycle engine that generates airflow of 425 CFM at speeds up to 170 miles per hour (mph). In vacuum/mulcher mode, it mulches leaves and other small yard waste at a 16:1 ratio. We also selected this model for our Best Leaf Vacuums guide.
Several details on this machine make it a superior choice. The easy-crank engine features a low resistance recoil starter in addition to an auto return stop switch to eliminate flooding at startup. In our tests, it started on the first or second pull every time. Then, the operator can use the variable trigger for immediate responsiveness or set the cruise control lever for consistent blow force to eliminate hand fatigue. Other comfort features include an overall lightweight build (just over 9.5 pounds), an anti-vibration handle, and an ergonomic design with the blow tube in line with the handle for optimal performance. It also includes a shoulder strap to reduce user fatigue.
We noted the vacuum’s powerful suction and resistance to clogging. It filled the bag noticeably faster than the battery and electric-powered models, but we did not record the times. Also, the metal mulching impeller worked aggressively on everything small enough to enter the tube, including hard items