Want a leaf mulcher but don’t want exhaust fumes choking you? Or the hassle of a battery running out of power?
Then the choice is obvious – you want an electric leaf mulcher.
Luckily for you, we have picked our best electric leaf mulchers of 2023.
>>> Jump me straight to the reviews. I already know all about electric leaf mulchers <<<
Best Electric Leaf Mulchers Of 2023:
At A Glance List
Below is a quick view of my favorite electric leaf mulchers of 2023. To find out more about them click on the link to take you to the full review.
Best Dedicated Leaf Mulchers
Name | Mulch Ratio | Rating | |
#1 – WORX WG430 >>> BEST FOR: ♦ Best Buy ♦ | 11:1 | 88% | Read Review |
#2 – Sun Joe SDJ616 >>> BEST FOR: Dry Leaves | 16:1 | 85% | Read Review |
#3 – Flowtron LE-900 >>> BEST FOR: Adjustability | 30:1 | 85% | Read Review |
Best Electric Chipper Shredder Mulchers
Name | Mulch Ratio | Rating | |
#1 – Patriot Products CSV-2515 >>> BEST FOR: ♦ Best Buy ♦ | 20:1 | 91% | Read Review |
#2 – Sun Joe CJ603E >>> BEST FOR: Organic Mulching | 21:1 | 90% | Read Review |
#3 – Earthwise GS70015 >>> BEST FOR: Unjamming | 10:1 | 82% | Read Review |
Best Leaf Blower Mulchers
Name | Mulch Ratio | Rating | |
#1 – Sun Joe SBJ606E >>> BEST FOR: ♦ Best Buy ♦ | 16:1 | 92% | Read Review |
#2 – WORX WG518 >>> BEST FOR: Value for Money | 16:1 | 91% | Read Review |
#3 – Toro 51621 UltraPlus >>> BEST FOR: Comfort | 10:1 | 90% | Read Review |
#4 – Black & Decker BV6000 >>> BEST FOR: Mulch Ratio | 16:1 | 85% | Read Review |
Editor’s Note
I hope you love the products that I recommend here! Just so you know, I work with Amazon and other affiliate partners and may be compensated from the links below.
The Best Dedicated Leaf Mulchers 2023
Dedicated #1: WORX WG430
BEST FOR…
Those wanting to mulch lots of leaves quickly.
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 11:1
- RPM: 8,500
- Motor: 13 Amps
- Weight: 24.3 lbs
- Five Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $$
The WORX WG430 is a powerhouse of a mulcher – allowing you to mulch a huge amount of leaves in no time at all.
So let’s take a closer look:
It is a stand alone mulcher that uses grass trimmer line to mulch leaves and debris at a ratio of 11:1. It cuts leaves up to 13 inches in diameter and you can mulch up to 53 gallons of leaves a minute.
It has a 13 Amp motor that delivers 8,500RPM and it weighs around 20lbs.
It can be taken apart for compact storage and comes with 24 replacement lines and a universal bag holder. It has a two year warranty.
All in All:
This is a simple, well executed mulcher. It is really easy to put together – no tools are required and it does a great job.
The mouth to this mulcher is really large and of course that means you can fit lots of leaves in it – it mulches up to 53 gallons a minute. So it takes minimal time to clear your yard of fallen leaves and produce lots of nutritious mulch.
And the best part?
The mulch itself is of a really good quality. Smaller dry leaves are turned into dust, grass clippings are shredded and even larger wet leaves are dealt with surprisingly well.
Disassembling is simple, which means you can easily and quickly clean it and then it takes up minimal storage space.
The trimmer line lasts quite well, depending on how hard you work this, but when you do need to replace the trimmer line it is really simple and doesn’t need any tools.
You should know:
Despite the dust reducing cooling system this does kick up a fair bit of dust, so you will need to wear a face mask when you use it.
Also the line cutter, just inside the trimmer base, does catch debris and cause it to accumulate in the rim, which you will need to clean out at regular intervals.
In a nutshell:
If you want a stand alone mulcher that lets you mulch lots of leaves very quickly and gives you back some nice mulch – then this is ideal for you. It is well made and easy to use – a great investment!
MY RATING: 88%
Pros
- Simple to set up
- Mulch lots of leaves quickly
- Nice mulch
- Easy to maintain
- Trimmer line easy to replace
Cons
- Kicks up a lot of dust
- Debris accumulates around the rim
Dedicated #2: Sun Joe SDJ616 Shredder Joe
BEST FOR…
Those looking to mulch mainly dry leaves.
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 16:1
- RPM: 8,000
- Motor: 13 Amps
- Weight: 13.4 lbs
- Two Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $$
This Shredder Joe works like a dream on dry leaves and utilises a thick cutting line to turn pretty much anything into mulch.
The Shredder Joe SDJ616 mulches leaves up to 12 inches in diameter and has a 19-inch hopper.
You want to know how it works right?
Throw the leaves in and they are shredded by the 13-amp motor and reduced by up to a 16:1 ratio. It can mulch up to 55 gallons of leaves per minute.
It has five different mulch settings to deal with different types of debris and it is recommended you use a 50-foot, 14-gauge extension cord with it.
The stand has telescopic legs (they adjust from 16.5 inches to 29.5 inches) and it weighs 13.4lbs and has a two year warranty.
First of all:
This scores marks for its mulch settings. There is a lever on the side that essentially lets you decide how fine you want your leaves chopped. There are five settings in total and each setting is designed for different types of debris.
They are for: wet leaves, grass, and thatch, dry leaves and coarse yard waste, medium yard waste, fine yard waste and pine needles. It works well and makes mulching your yard waste easier (as long as you select the right setting!).
The secret is:
This has a thicker cutting line than some of its competitors (0.1 inch in diameter) and the cutting head has two attachment points through which you loop the cutting line.
This gives you have four cutting lines, which makes mulching leaves and debris a quicker task. Replacing the line doesn’t require any tools either which is a bonus.
And you know what else?
Aside from the adjustable mulch level this also has adjustable legs! They can be adjusted from a minimum of 16.5 inches high to a maximum of 29.5 inches high.
This is good in terms of making it comfortable to use for your height and also you can put a trash can underneath it to collect debris if needed.
Despite having a pretty powerful 13 amp engine (8,000rpm) this is actually very light, so it is easy to move around your yard as you need. It is mainly plastic, but the hopper itself feels sturdy. It mulches dry leaves particularly well too.
A word of caution:
What isn’t good about this is the leg locking feature!
When you adjust the telescopic legs it uses a twist locking system to secure them in place, this comes unlocked way too easily, especially when the motor is running and it sometimes randomly collapses. Really it needs a push button locking system.
Also the motor is air-cooled and it has a small air-filter to keep it clean. But this filter clogs very quickly which results in the motor overheating and shutting down.
But the bottom line is this:
This is a good price – cheaper than most of its direct competitors and works tremendously well on dry leaves, ignore the fiddly legs and don’t overuse it and you won’t be disappointed!
MY RATING: 85%
Pros
- Adjustable mulch settings
- Thick cutting line
- Telescopic legs
- Light and maneuverable
- Good price
Cons
- Legs collapse!
- Air filter clogs and motor overheats
Dedicated #3: Flowtron LE-900
BEST FOR…
Those after an adjustable, easy to use, mulcher.
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 30:1
- RPM: 4,050
- Motor: 5 Amps
- Weight: 17 lbs
- One Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $$
This is in the same market as the WORX WG430 and where it has an edge is in its adjustability.
The Flowtron LE-900 runs on standard household current and can be placed on top of a trash can or can stand alone on its frame.
Let’s dig a little deeper:
It has a 5 Amp motor and an adjustable shredding setting that lets you control the reduction ratio, it goes right up to 30:1.
The actual unit itself can be adjusted and positioned to any angle depending on how you want to load it. It weighs 17 lbs and comes with a one year warranty.
This is BIG:
The great thing about the Flowtron LE-900 is the ability to control the size of the mulched material you get back. It has a sliding lever control that you can set at fine, medium or coarse.
The mulch ratio on the ‘fine’ setting is 30:1. This is handy, especially when it comes to dealing with wetter or moist leaves – as they are notoriously difficult to mulch and using the coarse setting makes mulching them much easier.
Bottom line is:
As long as you avoid trying to shred twigs this does deal with most other debris admirably. With its heavy duty cutting lines wet leaves, dry leaves, grass cuttings and even pine needles can be turned into nutritious mulch in a matter of seconds.
This is really easy to use. It has knobs on the side of the unit that allow you to rotate the hopper to any angle (up to 180 degrees) so you can easily load your leaves into its 21 inch diameter funnel.
It can also be used as a stand alone mulcher, supported by its steel frame or just placed on top of a trash can to quickly collect your mulch.
To top it all off:
Despite its rugged polyethylene funnel and steel legs this is pretty lightweight – weighing only 17 lbs and can be moved around easily thanks to its carrying handles.
It also has a nifty storage space built into the side for 36 spare cutter strings – which is a nice feature.
Another intelligent design piece is the foam air filter which is easy to remove and clean the dust that inevitably builds up from mulching leaves.
This isn’t to say it is perfect:
It does get through a lot of line, but you get 36 spare strings with it, so that helps!
Also the frame is a bit flimsy – in particular the two screws on the side, which are plastic, do pop out and wear down quite quickly.
So it all adds up to this:
That aside this thing is perfect for its intended use – mulching leaves and pine needles. It is nice and adjustable, mulches quickly and should last for years!
MY RATING: 85%
Pros
- Variable mulch setting
- Deals with leaves, grass and pine needles well
- Easy to use
- Versatile
- Lightweight
Cons
- Goes through string quickly
- Stand is flimsy
The Best Electric Chipper
Shredder Mulchers 2023
Chipper #1: Patriot Products CSV-2515
BEST FOR…
Those looking for the most powerful electric shredder out there.
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 20:1
- Cutting Capacity: 2.5 inches diameter
- Motor: 14 amp
- Weight: 95 lbs
- Two Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $$$
The Patriot Products CSV-2515 is a hugely power leaf shredder – the daddy of all electric shredders, it will eat through anything you throw at it.
Ok let’s get down to business:
This is a wood chipper and leaf shredder with a 14 amp motor that generates 1.5hp. It mulches at a ratio of 20:1 and weighs 95 lbs.
It comes with a collection bag, safety goggles and a two year warranty. It has two heavy duty wheels and a plastic handle so it can be wheeled around.
You know what will hit you?
The first thing you might notice about this is just how well made it is. It is an American product, very well designed and solidly built.
It has a strong, heavy cast, steel body, a nice thick plastic hopper and a strong motor (more about that later) all protected by a high quality shut-off switch. It doesn’t rattle or feel the slightest bit cheap – right from the off you get confidence that this will do a good job for you.
What does this mean?
That this might be the most powerful electric leaf shredder out there!
To give it its dues a lot of the power is for the dual wood chipping function, but this is a beast, it will shred and mulch pretty much anything you throw at it.
Green laurel leaves? Tick. Grapevines? Tick. Weeds, castor bean plants, rose canes? Tick, tick, tick.
It really is that good!
Talking about the power this uses huge bearings, these take the load off of the shaft that drives the cutter and shredders and prolongs the life of the unit – another clever build factor. It also utilises a thermal shut-off to further protect the motor.
The mulch you get is, in short, excellent. It really breaks leaves and debris down into a fine finished product that is excellent for composting, your flower beds, etc.
I would go so far as saying the quoted 20:1 mulch ratio might be under selling it – it might be even better than that.
Despite this being a beefy machine (it weighs just under 100lbs) the large wheels make it relatively easy to maneuver the CSV-2515 even on inclines.
Be warned though:
When you move it you need to grab the plastic handle that is embedded on the top of hopper (also made of plastic), to pull it back and roll it forward.
Pulling the plastic handle puts stress on the handle and also the plastic hopper, which could fatigue over time so you need to be careful.
It is also difficult to get at clogged material in the unit to clear it out, due mainly to the shape and design. It isn’t impossible just takes a bit of time.
So what does this all mean?
Overall you won’t get a more powerful shredder than this – if you have a large yard and wood to chip as well – this will be perfect for you!
MY RATING: 91%
Pros
- Incredibly well made
- Immense power
- Can deal with anything
- Lovely mulch
- Easy to maneuver
Cons
- Plastic handle on plastic hopper could break
- Awkward to unclog
Chipper #2: Sun Joe CJ603E
BEST FOR…
Those mulching any type of organic waste
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 21:1
- RPM: 60 (no load)
- Motor: 15 Amps
- Weight: 38.6 lbs
- Two Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $$
When you have a chipper shredder, there is no guarantee that it will be good at everything else aside from the wood chips that it would be chipping or shredding.
Let me tell you
The Sun Joe CJ603E is very versatile.
Whatever you will be chipping or shredding, rest assured that this product will be able to give you a fine output.
To elaborate
Whether you are feeding the tool with twigs or with leaves, a fine nutrient-rich mulch will come out of it.
That’s a guarantee.
You know why that is?
Because this tool is powerful.
The rated voltage is 120 volts and 60 Hertz.
In terms of its power, it is equipped with a 15-amp motor.
The result?
Even branches that are 1.73 inches thick are just common prey to this predatory tool.
Next
The chipper / shredder hsa a couple of wheels that are seven inches. This would allow ease of movement when using the tool.
But it’s also really light.
How light?
It weighs just 38.6 lbs.
Okay, that’s not generally a light product. But for a wood chipper, that’s actually quite light.
The design is also compact, which makes it easy to store.
It’s safe, too
This is truly important.
The safety hopper has a locking knob system so that the motor will not continue to operate when the chipper / shredder is open.
Let’s talk about the chipping & shredding
This product has a 21:1 mulch ratio.
That’s pretty outstanding!
Imagine the decrease in waste. It will surely help you clear out your yard.
You know what else?
This is actually not a loud model.
That’s probably because of the low revolutions per minute.
You don’t need to wear earplugs when you use the Sun Joe CJ603E.
By the way
Remember I said that this is a versatile tool that could process various types of natural debris? That’s true.
There’s a caveat though.
Check this out:
You can’t put the debris together at once. You have to feed this Sun Joe tool one item at a time or it will jam.
As for leaves, you have to feed the machine a few pieces at a time.
If not
It would have a hard time processing them.
To be fair
This is a really powerful and versatile machine.
MY RATING: 90%
Pros
- Can process branches up to 1.73 inches thick
- 21:1 mulch ratio
- Compact design
- Has a safety system
- Not loud
Cons
- Will jam with bulk load
- Can only handle few pieces of leaves at a time
Chipper #3: Earthwise GS70015
BEST FOR…
Those looking for a mulcher shredder that is easy to unjam!
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 10:1
- Voltage: 120
- Motor: 15 Amps
- Weight: 31 lbs
- Two Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $$
The Earthwise GS70015 is durable, portable, easy to clear jams from and has a nice design, but is let down slightly by a couple of minor faults.
So let’s get busy:
The GS70015 has a 15 amp motor that runs on 120 volts. It is a dual wood chipper and leaf shredder and comes with 1.2 bushel collection bin.
It mulches at a 10:1 ratio and has wheels so it can be wheeled around your lawn. It weighs 31 lbs and has a two year warranty.
It turns out:
This has quite a simple but effective design. In fact it reminded me somewhat of a giant food processor! It has a plate with two blades that spin and cut off a bit at a time.
The chipper plate itself is thick, in a steel enclosure and made of tough steel. In fact that is synonymous with the device as a whole which is made of plastic and metal, with the most important parts being metal.
The good news is:
The blades are also reversible, so you can flip them over and there is a second sharp edge you can use – meaning less time spent sharpening and longer use in general!
It comes with a nice 1.2 bushel collection bin which keeps things neat and tidy and means you spend less time cleaning up.
Finally:
The two durable back wheels make this nice and portable, aided by the fact it is pretty light you will have no trouble wheeling it around your yard.
This gets a big thumbs up from me for being so easy to open the housing in case you need to clear any jams (a safety switch prevents the motor from running when the housing is open) and it has a nifty function to stop the motor overloading and is also pretty quiet.
I don’t like:
The interlock switch that makes sure the top of the unit is securely in place to allow the motor to start. The switch is effectively a sliding plunger that goes into the switch body.
Whenever the switch is open or closed dust enters the body. Pretty quickly this covers the contacts and they can’t make electrical contact and the unit won’t turn on.
Also the holes you feed the leaves through to shred are too small. It means it is quite a time consuming process feeding them into the shredder/mulcher and requires a bit of pushing and prodding.
Let’s rewind and:
Overall whilst it doesn’t match up to some similar shredder mulchers this does a good job and it is easy to operate and clear out jams, something you can’t always say for leaf mulchers!
MY RATING: 82%
Pros
- Durable
- Reversible blades
- Nice collection bin
- Easy to open to clear jams
- Portable
Cons
- Interlock switch poorly designed
- Leaf feeding hole is too small
The Best Electric Leaf Blower Mulchers 2023
Blower #1: Sun Joe SBJ606E
BEST FOR…
Those looking for a top quality mulcher at a budget price.
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 16:1
- Voltage: 120
- Motor: 14 Amps
- Weight: 8.6 lbs
- Two Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $$
Thanks to a massive 440 cfm suction power the Sun Joe SBJ606E can collect large, heavy, even damp leaves and thoroughly pulverise them, churning out top quality, fresh mulch.
But first:
This is powered by a 14-amp motor, and has a top air speed of 250mph and a maximum air flow of 440cfm. It has a mulching ratio of 16:1.
It weighs 9.1lbs and comes with an 18 gallon collection bag and a two-year warranty.
No doubt about it…
This thing mulches!
The suction, as mentioned, is almost unparalleled in electric leaf mulchers. It sucks up all kinds of leaves as if they aren’t there.
Then it shreds them and bags them at a 16:1 ratio – the resulting mulch is a very fine, high quality output.
Here is the secret:
The high quality, solid metal impeller, which mulches better and won’t chip or crack when hit by gravel or meaty twigs.
The wheels on the vacuum tube work well too, they take the strain off of your arms and you can wheel this along the ground picking up the leaves.
It has six different speeds, a quality build of high impact plastic, it is quiet and easy to convert from blower to vacuum.
I do have a couple of gripes:
When you are mulching the wheels on the vacuum tube take the strain and it is easy to use, but when you are leaf blowing it is a little heavy to hold.
Linking into this the simple addition of a dedicated shoulder strap would really help. Given how much though Sun Joe have put into this I am surprised one is not included.
But in summary:
This is a wonderful all-in-one device – a top quality mulcher and a top notch leaf blower, with some really innovative features.
All in all a superb product.
MY RATING: 92%
Pros
- Huge suction power
- Wonderfully fine mulch
- Solid metal impeller
- Wheels on vacuum tube are a great idea
- Quiet
Cons
- A little heavy when leaf blowing
- Could do with a dedicated shoulder strap
Blower #2: WORX WG518
BEST FOR…
Those looking for a top quality mulcher at a budget price.
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 16:1
- Voltage: 120
- Motor: 12 Amps
- Weight: 7.5 lbs
- Three Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $
Top quality price and top quality mulcher – the WORX WG518 has a lot going for it!
So let’s fire away:
This blower mulcher has two speed control and mulches to a 16:1 ratio. It is powered by a 12 amp motor, weighs 7.5lbs and comes with a 1.2 bushel leaf collection bag.
You also get a vacuum tube, a leaf concentrator nozzle and a three year warranty.
And you know what?
This is a great mulcher! It even obliterates small twigs and acorns that might happen to get sucked up the tube. Dry leaves are no match for it either and then are pulverised into dust. It works EXTREMELY well on that front.
This is no doubt aided by the top notch build quality. It has a solid metal impeller, has a fantastic ergonomic handle and feels so well balanced that it can use it with just one hand without feeling fatigued.
Now:
Be careful as the two speed control packs a lot of power when you switch it to high setting and you might need to put that second hand on the device to keep it steady!
It is nice to have the versatility of speeds though and the top speed is certainly really powerful.
Converting from blower to vacuum is simple, it is sturdy and solid and doesn’t feel at all flimsy and stores easily but most impressive of all is the price. You get way more than you should really as this is incredibly reasonably priced, it is a bargain.
But a warning:
There isn’t much wrong with this but the vacuum tube is wider at the lower end than the upper end and this, combined with a ridge midway down the tube, does mean it clogs up fairly easily.
Also the bag design is such that when you have it on your shoulder it is difficult to hold it in a way that the entry chute to the bag isn’t blocked.
In short:
But really two such faults are minor when it comes to it – this is a wonderful mulcher at a wonderful price. Buy it, you won’t regret it!
MY RATING: 91%
Pros
- Lovely mulch
- Mulches almost anything (within reason!)
- Really comfortable to use
- Runs very smoothly
- Great price
Cons
- Vacuum tube does clog a little
- Bag design could be improved
Blower #3: Toro 51621 UltraPlus
BEST FOR…
Those looking for a top quality blower mulcher that is very comfortable.
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 10:1
- Voltage: 120
- Motor: 12 Amps
- Weight: 8.9 lbs
- Two Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $$
The Toro 5162 UltraPlus is so smooth to use you can almost forget you are holding it. It mulches well too!
Let’s get to work:
It is a blower/vacuum/mulcher, which includes three separate inserts and an oscillating nozzle.
It has a variable speed control knob and a 10:1 mulching ratio. It has a 12 amp motor and a 15 gallon bag. It weighs 8.9lbs and has a two year warranty.
Bottom line is:
This is just a really lovely, well made, well designed and high performing blower/mulcher.
The handle is really comfortable, it seems light and has a variety of grips you can use and the collection bag has the zipper on the bottom, which makes it easier to empty. Little design factors like that go a long way.
For one thing:
The motor and impeller are really well balanced as you get no vibration at all. It feels smooth and if you suffer from conditions like arthritis, etc, this may well be the perfect blower mulcher for you.
It has a variable speed knob, which allows you to adjust the air speed when you are both blowing or mulching. It works fantastically well, and gives you the ultimate in control, as it is infinitely adjustable and the air movement is so precise.
This thing mulches so well! Toro flag up their ‘Shredz-All Shred Ring’ claiming it ‘pulverises vacuumed materials’. I was sceptical about this, but their claim is 100% true!
It is as good as it says it is!
It is a little blue toothed ring that really shreds leaves down to a very fine mulch. This means you can get a huge amount of leaves in each bag before you need to empty it (via the zip at the bottom as I mentioned above).
It is small and strong and sturdy. And considering the amount of power this packs (a lot!) it is really quiet too. Powerwise it seems on a par with lots of gas powered units, but sound wise it is a lot quieter.
Finally switching from blower to vacuum is done via a quick release latch – it doesn’t need any tools and takes a matter of seconds.
It isn’t all sweetness and light:
It has a cord hook you can wrap the cord around, but because of the way it is angled, the cord can come off and if you aren’t careful you might end up unplugging yourself.
Also it doesn’t have an on/off switch (instead you turn the speed right down), this, to me, seems an oversight.
Let’s recap:
All in all this is a pleasure to use. It mulches fantastically well, is comfortable to use, quiet and won’t break the bank. I love it!
MY RATING: 90%
Pros
- Really comfortable
- Fantastic variable speed control
- Mulches very well
- No vibration
- Quiet
Cons
- Cord management system isn’t great
- Needs an on/off switch
Blower #4: Black & Decker BV6000
BEST FOR…
Those looking for something with a great mulch ratio.
Product Spec
- Mulch Ratio: 16:1
- Voltage: 120
- Motor: 12 Amps
- Weight: 8.1 lbs
- Two Year Warranty
- PRICE GUIDE: $
The Black and Decker BV6000 has a great mulch ratio and an innovative impeller design, it is pretty well priced too!
Let’s get started:
This comes with two disposable bags and a diffuser to use with them, a detachable shoulder strap, a concentrator attachment (for stubborn debris), a blower tube and a vacuum tube.
It has two speed selections and a 12 amp motor with a 16:1 mulch ratio. It weighs 8.1lbs and the bag that comes with it holds 1.5 bushels. It has a two year warranty.
This is a fine mulcher, by that I mean the 16:1 mulch ratio is fantastic!
Think I am exaggerating?
It shreds and mulches debris down to the smallest consistency – you can fit so much mulch in the collection bag it is incredible. Less work for you as you won’t need to empty your mulch bag so often.
It has a very sturdy aluminium impeller. What I particularly like is how Black and Decker have adjusted their design when compared to the previous model of this unit.
Basically:
It used to be the case that the blower and vacuum nozzles attached in the same place and the design of the nozzle determined if the unit was in blowing mode or vacuuming mode.
With the new design the blower nozzle attaches to the exhaust port and the separate vacuum nozzle attaches to the intake port. This gives the BV6000 much more power when it comes to blowing and vacuuming.
This part is easy:
Whilst it doesn’t have the infinite speed control of the Toro 51621 it does have a two speed selection which is handy.
You can have it on the lower speed when you are working around flower beds or more delicate areas and then whack it up to high speed for more stubborn debris.
To top it off:
The design of the collection bag is nice. It is easy to open, as it unzips on two of its four sides, and even easier to dump the mulched material on your yard.
I like the square vacuum tube. It makes it easier to get at level surfaces and gives you a lot more vacuuming power.
Also the impeller is really simple to access, you can easily remove the guard and get to it to clean and/or sharpen the blades – so maintaining this is a cinch.
Note:
Whilst the bag is really easy to empty and on the whole well designed, the way it attaches to the main unit could be improved. It is a short attachment and kinks quite easily, meaning you lose suction.
Also switching between blower and mulcher is not as simple as on some competing models.
All in all:
You have to remember this is pretty cheap as well and all in all it offers wonderful value for money – better than most other models in the same price bracket and the main thing is, it mulches really well!
MY RATING: 85%
Pros
- Great mulch ratio
- Well design impeller
- Speed control
- Good collection bag
- Square vacuum tube
Cons
- Bag attachment isn’t great
- Switching functions is a bit cumbersome
To Help You Decide…
Why A Mulcher?
Mulchers transform dead leaves and debris, which would normally end up in landfill, into nutritious compost that is good for your garden or flower beds.
Leaf mulch provides nutrients that helps plants grow and aerates the soil when mixed into your garden and flower beds.
Even better:
It can also help retain water in the soil, this reduces watering time and saves you money.
So instead of putting this back into the waste stream, why not put it back into your soil in a healthy and nutritious way?
Why Electric?
Why should you choose an electric mulcher over a gas powered mulcher? Well there are several advantages:
- Generally they are cheaper – gas mulchers are generally between $60 and $400, whereas electric mulchers are between $40 and $170.
- There are no expensive maintenance or fuel costs.
- They are lighter than gas mulchers
- No fumes, no pollution.
- They are much quieter than gas mulchers
- Simply plugin and turn on – no priming or warming them up
How To Choose An Electric Leaf Mulcher
Electric leaf mulchers have many things in common, so you might want to consider the below when you are making your purchase:
Mulch Ratio
The mulch ratio is simply the rate at which the leaves are compressed. So a 12:1 ratio means that for every 12 bags of leaves you mulch you should (theoretically) get one bag of mulch in return. The higher the mulch ratio the better.
Some mulchers have adjustable mulch settings to deal with different types of debris, so you might want to consider this as well.
Weight
Think about how large your yard is and how many leaves you might have to mulch. Carrying a leaf mulcher for a long time will eventually put strain on your shoulder and arms, no matter how light or well designed it is.
Try and look for a mulcher that is well balanced and comfortable to use.
Handle and Shoulder Straps
Continuing with the theme of comfort, see if the mulcher has a shoulder strap to support the weight of the device and also look at the handle design and, if possible, test it to see if it is comfortable.
Impeller Type
The impeller is the thing that physically does the mulching. Always go for a metal impeller if possible as it will mulch better and last longer, however leaf mulchers with metal impeller generally will cost a little more than those with plastic impellers.
Easy Access
Even the best leaf mulchers will invariably jam at one time or another. Look at how easy and safe it is to get to the impeller to remove any possible jams.
Price
As ever you will probably have a budget you need to stick to, just remember the most expensive leaf mulcher isn’t always the best!
Check the video below to find out more about mulching.
In Summary
I hope you have found this rundown of some of the best electric leaf mulchers of use. Aside from electric mulchers there are a whole host of other fantastic leaf mulchers out there as well.
Mulch is a fantastic way of improving your garden soil and making sure you have a beautiful garden.
If you do have any questions or are uncertain about anything please feel free to drop me an email and I will do my best to help you. I have also included, to the right, the links to some websites that may be of use to you.
Don’t forget you can also check out my Reviews Section for individual product reviews or my Site Index for everything on my site on one page.
This site is extremely thorough and helpful! It is very easy to navigate and you give great advice on yard mulchers. Thank you for the great advice!
Thanks Shay, I am glad you find it useful!
That’s such a great review for the mulchers. We recently moved to the house with a big yard and I was looking for one myself. I would definitely prefer 2-in-1 blower/mulcher to avoid taking extra space, but was wondering if those mentioned are cordless as my yard is too big?
Hi! Thanks for your kind message, but unfortunately these are all electric leaf mulchers so do require a power point and a cord. I do have a number of battery powered mowers in my general Best Leaf Mulchers list though.
I just bought land in Hawaii so I have been searching for a good mulcher. I got overgrowth everywhere so I need a good solid machine. I’m going for the Worx model it looks like it will be able to handle it well. I’m going to have to check out your weed wacker section next. Thanks for the thorough reviews. Cheers!
Sounds lovely Shaun! The WORX WG430 is a fantastic pick – it is reliable and solidly made, I am certain it won’t let you down. Let me know how you get on!