16 Super-Useful Tools for Dealing with Leaves — The Family Handyman

By T. Lacoma

Updated on Oct. 23, 2024

With fall comes of the promise of leaves, clumping up on your grass and matting down on your flowerbeds (even old needles make an appearance). These leaves foster mold and block the sun, so removing them ASAP is a smart move. We've got the best leaf rakes, blowers, mulchers and every other fall tool you will need.

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While falling leaves are a beautiful part of autumn, they can quickly become a nuisance and make yardwork a challenge. To keep your yard looking tidy as winter approaches, consider investing in leaf-collecting tools to simplify the cleanup. Options range from traditional tools like rakes to modern equipment such as leaf vacuums and mulching mowers. Your choice depends on factors like budget, yard size and how much effort you want to put in. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a guide featuring over a dozen leaf-cleaning tools, highlighting their pros and cons.

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If you don’t have many leaves but they are still a nuisance on your driveway or deck, a leaf blower can help to quickly clear things up. You can choose from gas, electric, or cordless leaf blowers based on the size and scope of your leaf collection requirements. Most homeowners find cordless leaf blowers to be more than adequate since they are efficient, eco-friendly, and easy to use.

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Also, check these helpful and best tips for dealing with fall leaves.

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If your mower is equipped with a simple mulching blade and your lawn is covered in leaves, think about a mulching session before the final cleanup. Your lawnmower can shred the leaves ahead of time for fast disposable or use in your garden. It’s the best of both worlds.

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The Amazing Rake is a versatile tool combining the functions of a regular rake with a grabber claw, making it perfect for collecting leaves and yard debris. It eliminates the need to bend down and pick up leaves by hand, reducing strain and simplifying the task. This clever manual tool is an efficient way to keep your yard tidy throughout autumn without the backbreaking effort.

When buying tools for collecting leaves, consider the following factors:

Tyler Lacoma is a product journalist specializing in technology, security, DIY, home improvement and more. His work has appeared across numerous trusted publications including MSN, CNET, Yahoo, Digital Trends, U.S. News and World Report and Family Handyman.

Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Family Handyman, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.

In creating this guide, we evaluated over 35 different rakes, leaf blowers and vacuums, considering factors like industry standards, tool weight and portability, ease of handling, motor power and cleanup. We selected the final options based on approachability, availability and various choices to suit every budget and skill level. See Family Handyman‘s testing methodology.

Yes, battery-powered leaf blowers can be powerful enough for large yards. They’re rated by battery size and runtime, which helps you determine if the model can cover your yard size. They’re also more mobile than gas or plug-in options.

For a good leaf rake, focus on the tines. Metal tines are the most durable, resisting bending and breaking better than bamboo. You also want a sturdy shaft—whether wood or synthetic—because a rake is useless if the shaft breaks.

As for leaf vacuums, check the manufacturer’s recommendations, typically in the user manual. If used regularly, clean it regularly. Perform routine maintenance annually, replacing parts like the spark plug if needed.