These Are the Best Mulchers to Help You Get Rid of Leaves This Fall.

My “autumn leaf philosophy” has changed a lot over the years, from laissez faire due to disinterest, to being deeply responsible for bagging every last leaf, to mulching all the leaves for compost, and finally landing back where I started. Although I personally think it’s best to leave the leaves where they fall (for the benefit of insects and other critters). But if you’re still on the leaf-fighting journey and the thought of raking your life isn’t appealing, why not vacuum your lawn instead? Some leaf blowers work in reverse and also act as mulchers. After mulching, you’ll have a much easier time getting rid of the leaves (since you’ll be putting more leaves in the bin or bags, or composting them much faster). If you’re interested, here are the best mulchers that will get the job done.

What you need from a vacuum mulcher

When you’re shopping for a vacuum mulcher, there are four things you should really consider.

• How heavy is it, including the battery, if used wirelessly? You’ll be carrying the instrument over your shoulder, and the weight can quickly affect how much enjoyment you get from your new instrument/friend.
• How big is the suction device? You don’t want it to get stuck. This will happen anyway, but the larger the hole, the less often it will happen.
• How big is the bag? Sizes vary and you may not be able to wait to empty it until it’s full if it weighs too much. Plus, the larger the bag, the less often you’ll have to empty it.
• How loud is it? While I generally only recommend electric mulchers, they are still the loud tools that most residential areas complain about. A vacuum mulcher is essentially just a leaf blower, so be sure to check how loud the one you’re eyeing will be. (This is important for your own ears, too, but ear protection is always a good idea.)

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 100 MPH 600 CFM Cordless Blower/Mulcher/Vacuum

Price: US$369. Weight: 12.2 lbs. Collection bag capacity: 10.5 gallons. Noise level: 65 dB. Air consumption: 600 cubic meters feet per hour. Air speed: 100 mph.

The Ryobi Cordless Mulcher wins for its impressive airflow and huge collection cone circumference. With the lowest noise level of any vacuum cleaner, it’ll be easier on your ears, if not your wallet or shoulder. However, with so many people already attached to the Ryobi brand, if you’re already sitting on 40V batteries for this line, this is a powerful option.

Greenworks Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Price: US$208. Weight: 5.6 lbs. Collection bag capacity: 10.5 gallons. Noise level: 70 dB. Air consumption: 340 cubic meters feet per hour. Air speed: 185 mph.

If you’re not familiar with the Greenworks brand, their leaf blower/mulcher is a good tool to start with. They have a proven track record in landscaping tools, and they’re the lightest of the bunch, with a light weight (5.6 pounds) and reasonable noise levels. It has decent airflow and great reviews at a mid-range price. Although the suction unit could be larger, it is a great option for small/light jobs.

Sun Joe Electric Hand Blower/Vacuum Cleaner/Mulcher

Price: $79.98. Weight: 9.1 lbs. Collection bag capacity: 18 gallons. Noise level: 96 dB. Air consumption: 440 cubic meters feet per hour. Air speed: 250 mph.

Sun Joe does an excellent job in the yard and I have used their other mulchers in the past. This blower/vacuum cleaner is a winner among budget users, it has excellent airflow and speed, and you can’t beat the large capacity of the waste bag, a whopping 18 gallons, and the shape and size of the waste bag is high capacity. However, you’re unlikely to exhaust the bag’s capacity as it gets quite heavy, especially with wet leaves, and the tool itself weighs 9 pounds. It’s also louder than other models, so some ear protection is necessary.