Best Leaf Mulcher
A leaf mulcher is a piece of equipment designed to shred leaves that have fallen in your yard. As you rake them up, you load them into the mulcher, which chops them into smaller pieces. The two main advantages of a leaf mulcher are that it means the leaves take up less space, and aids in the process of decomposition. If you regularly chop up leaves, a leaf mulcher is an essential piece of yard equipment.
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Budget
Pick
Earthwise 13 Amp 13 in. Corded Electric
Topic Description
A leaf mulcher is actually a green purchase: not only does it allow you to recycle your leaf mulch as compost, but it’ll save you having to transport your yard waste to the dump. The real benefit is convenience. Instead of four bags of leaves, you’ll end up with one or two bags of leaf mulch, which is easy to store or add to your plant beds or flower pots. The big advantage a leaf mulcher provides, therefore, is the ability to turn your waste into a new product and to do so in an efficient and space-saving way. An all-in-one device will also serve as a leaf blower and a vacuum, saving additional space and further increasing efficiency.
Methodology
In order to compile our list, we considered the following factors as evidence of being high-quality items:
- Power
- Price
- Brand name
- Warranty length
- Other features
- Weight
- Size
Generally, since there are two main types of leaf mulcher, we ensured that all of our reviews scored highly on the quality criteria. We then identified two all-in-one models and three of the regular stand-alone leaf mulchers for consideration. Regardless of what you’re looking for, the five models below represent high-quality options for your leaf mulching needs.
Our #1 Pick
Black & Decker BV6000
Description:
This one was our stand out pick for the simple reason that it’s a full-service mulcher. Rather than a static device, you add leaves to, this one is a blower, vacuum, and mulcher all in one. Bringing the quality of Black & Decker engineering to the table, this will solve all of your leaf collection and mulching needs in an extremely efficient way. Not only is it an excellent mulcher, but it will save you need to buy at least one other piece of equipment.
- Size: 15.6 in. x 20.8 in. x 9.9 in.
- Weight: 12.9 lbs
- Warranty: 2-Year Limited Warranty
What We Like:
- The blower can generate up to 250 mph of force and has two speed settings.
- It also contains its own disposable leaf bag system, meaning all you have to do is point at the leaves and it’ll give you a full-on mulching system.
PROs
- Easy to Use. The fact that this is a vacuum and a mulcher means all you need to do is switch it on and then operate it like a vacuum cleaner. It couldn’t be simpler to use.
- Brand Name. Black & Decker have rightfully earned a good reputation for quality. The 2-year warranty underpins this too.
CONs
- Awkward Plug.The plug system seems a little cumbersome, particularly compared with the overall simplicity of operating this machine.
- Expensive Disposable Bags. Given you have to buy special bags, they can be expensive if you’re mulching large numbers of leaves.
Budget Pick
Earthwise 13 Amp 13 in. Corded Electric Leaf Mulcher/Shredder
Description:
Usually, when we make our budget pick, we end up choosing a smaller version of the overall product. Most companies offer a limited, scaled-down version at a lower price point. However, this isn’t the case with this Earthwise model. Coming in at $120, it’s cheaper than many high-end models, but it seriously packs a punch when it comes to size and speed. Although it doesn’t have the features of the Black & Decker model, if you are talking about pure mulching, this is a brilliant option at a wallet-friendly price.
- Size: 48.4 in. x 19 in. x 19 in.
- Weight: 28.27 lbs
- Warranty: Manufacturer's Warranty
What We Like:
- The sheer volume of leaves this can get through is impressive - with a 55 gallon per minute leaf mulching capacity, this makes short work of even the biggest pile of leaves.
- It also has three different mulching settings, so you can choose exactly the level you want.
PROs
- Portability. This model comes with wheels and a funnel handle so you can easily move it around the yard.
- Efficiency. This mulcher makes it extremely easy (and quick) to shred leaves.
CONs
- Size.There’s no real avoiding the fact that this is a large piece of equipment - taking up lots of space in the yard and when being stored.
- Replacement Parts. It can be tricky to find replacement parts for the model.
High-End Pick
Worx 6.8 in. 13 Amp 2 HP Leaf Mulcher Model #WG430
Description:
The luxury aspect of the Worx 6.8 inch is the multitude of options it gives you. Unlike some of the other brands on the market, this mulcher allows you to use different types of bags to collect the shredded leaves, giving you flexibility. On top of this, the whole machine is designed with quality in mind, including an innovative bladeless technology that is less prone to diminishing over time.
- Dimensions: 22.6 in. x 22.6 in. x 13.2 in.
- Weight: 24.3 lbs
- Warranty: 2-Year Limited Warranty
What We Like:
- The power behind the shredder is truly impressive.
- The Flex-A-Line technology in the mulcher means that it shreds the leaves without using blades; instead, taut string chops the material. This leaves far less space for clogging and general breakdown, meaning the power will continue without being diminished even after years of use.
PROs
- Compact. This model does a great job of compacting the leaves down, making storage seriously easy.
- Easy to Clean. The bladeless design makes cleaning an absolutely breeze.
CONs
- Expensive. The price is definitely a barrier for a lot of people.
- Mechanical Issues. The bladeless system means that if something goes wrong, it can be tricky to fix by yourself.
Pick #4
Toro 51619 Ultra Electric Blower Vac
Description:
This is another version of the leaf blower, vacuum, and mulcher style, which is a really useful combination. Like the Black & Decker, this can generate serious power when it gets going, due partially to the new impeller technology in later models.
- Dimensions: 9 in. x 41 in. x 14 in.
- Weight: 8.5 lbs
- Warranty: 2-Year Residential Use
What We Like:
- The combination design makes it easy to hold and use, and yet it can still generate 250 mph of force when it blows.
- The variable speeds also mean you are in charge of how much power you use. All in all, this is a great user experience.
PROs
- Convenient. Really everything about this design is convenient, from the three-speed design to the extra-fine shredding technology.
- Power. It really is astounding how much power this generates for such a light piece of equipment.
CONs
- Difficult to Hold. Unsurprisingly, when this is blowing at 250mph, it can be difficult to hold on to.
- Shoulder Strap. The attachment that helps carry the bag is particularly weak.
Pick #5
Flowtron LE-900 The Ultimate Mulcher Electric Leaf Shredder
Description:
The best thing about the Flowtron design is how it does the job with little fuss. This is not a complex design, nor does it have a load of additional features. However, for pure leaf mulching ability, this is an extremely high-quality option.
- Dimensions: 23 in. x 19.5 in. x 19.5 in.
- Weight: 17 lbs
- Warranty: 1-Year Limited
What We Like:
- We liked the build quality of the mulcher.
- Small details like the high-density polyethylene funnel and the steel leg construction make it seem sturdy and help to ensure it doesn’t diminish over time. These details demonstrate the attention to detail from the manufacturers and are indicative of a high-performance level.
PROs
- Power. Although not a large device, this has a powerful shredding ability - more than comparable to the other mulchers on this list.
- Storage. Because of its size, this is easy enough to store, which makes life easier if you have limited space.
CONs
- Short Warranty. A 1-year warranty doesn’t give a lot of confidence for the user.
- Weight. Although small, a 17 pound weight can make lugging it around your yard somewhat tricky.
LAWN MULCHER BUYER’S GUIDE
Why buy a leaf mulcher?
Although a leaf mulcher may seem like a luxury or extravagant purchase, they can actually be extremely useful. If you deal with large amounts of leaves in your yard, a leaf mulcher can not only save you hours of work, but can also help your yard grow.
As a rule of thumb, if you bag more than one bag of leaves at a time when working in your yard, you can justify a leaf mulcher. If, however, you use one wheelbarrow or less than one bag, then a leaf mulcher probably isn’t for you.
By mulching the leaves, you reduce the space they take up (a bag of unmulched leaves is roughly twice the size of mulched leaves). It also speeds up the process of decomposition; this means that you can use the leaves as compost and use it to help your plants grow. This actually removes the need for you to dispose of the leaves, since you can recycle them as compost.
Leaves make optimal compost because they don’t impact the pH of the soil (not to mention they save you money on having to buy in specialist mulch.
Tips for purchasing the right leaf mulcher
The key thing to consider when buying a leaf mulcher is precisely what you’ll be using it for. For the casual user, the strong recommendation is to buy a multi-function device, such as the Black & Decker model that was our top pick. This will allow you to save space by getting a leaf blower, vacuum, and mulcher all in one. Moreover, these are hand held devices that are easy to store on the wall – not taking up valuable storage space.
If you do deal with a large volume of leaves, then buying a stand-alone leaf mulcher is a possibility. Here, the best tip is to choose a bladeless operation. Blades can easily become jammed or clogged, and diminish over time. By contrast, bladeless models endure much longer and are far easier to clean and maintain yourself. Moreover, bladeless models are actually more powerful, meaning you can get through more mulch (which takes up a smaller volume) in less time.
Key features to consider with leaf mulchers
The key things to look for when you are buying a leaf mulcher are the following:
QUALITY
Although quality can be difficult to discern when the model is brand new, there are certain indicators. These include the materials used to build it (look for steel and stainless steel), as well as the warranty (the longer the better). You can also go with trusted brand names.
BLADE VS. BLADELESS
As mentioned above, bladeless technology is preferable, since it will last longer and work more efficiently. However, if you get a blade-based mulcher, ensure that it passes the quality checks (above).
BAG SYSTEM
One long-term consideration is the type of bags you use with the mulcher. If you are planning on long-term usage, you will get through a lot of bags. Some mulchers require the use of their own bag system. This can very quickly become expensive. Instead, you should favor ones that attach with many types of standard bags. This will make life far easier (and cheaper!).
A leaf mulcher is definitely a purchase worth considering as it can cut down the time and energy you put into your yard work sessions.