5 Best Garden Vacuums of 2024

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The Best Garden Vacuums

best garden vacuumm uk review

Is your garden covered in leaves and debris? Thanks to some tall trees and some active kids, it happens often in mine! That’s where the right garden vacuum can come in real handy. I set out on a mission to test and review some of the UK’s top models, seeing not only how well they vacuumed, but how well they shredded and mulched the debris too. After extensive analysis the model that impressed me the most was the Bosch Universal Garden Tidy Leaf Blower & Garden Vacuum. Find out why I think it’s the best choice below.

  1. Best garden vacuum overall - Bosch Universal Garden Tidy Blower & Vacuum

  2. Best budget garden vacuum - VonHaus 3-in-1 Leaf Blower, Garden Vacuum & Mulcher

  3. Best upright vacuum - Hyundai HYBV3000E Electric Leaf Blower, Vacuum & Shredder

  4. Best lightweight garden vacuum - Terratek Leaf Blower, Garden Vacuum and Shredder

  5. Best value vacuum - Handy THEV Electric Leaf Blower & Garden Vacuum

Garden Vacuum Reviews

Editors Choice
  • Well presented assembly instructions that are fairly straightforward to follow
  • The transition between the blower and vacuum is seamless, unlike some other models
  • Well designed and user-friendly ergonomics
  • Fantastic performance when in use, the blower is powerful and able to get into small spaces, whilst the suction is very strong
  • Impressively quiet in use, so it won't bother your neighbours
  • Quick release zip-up collection bag makes it fast and easy to empty the mulched content

  • At 4.7kg it's heavier than other garden vacuums on this list, but on the plus side the shoulder strap is adjustable and comfortable
  • Fitting the blow and vacuum functions during assembly isn't particularly straightforward and can lead to putting the wrong part in the wrong place
  • At 1800W it doesn't have the same power as some of the other models in this garden vacuum review
3 in 1?
Yes
Power
1800W
Shredding Ratio
12:1
Max. Blow Speed
177mph
Weight
4.7kg
Collection Bag
45L
Cable Length
10m
Overall Score 4.4
Assembly Ease
4.5
Design
4.5
Performance
5
Power
4
Ease of Use
4
Safety
4
Value for Money
4.5

The Bosch Universal Garden Tidy Leaf Blower & Garden Vacuum is a powerful piece of kit that lives up to the Bosch name. It did everything I asked of it, didn’t jam or get hot, and cleared the garden without a hitch.

On opening the box I was initially horrified – there are a lot of parts to fit together! Fortunately, the instructions are good and the parts are such high quality that assembly wasn’t actually a problem at all.

Bosch-Universal-Garden-Tidy-UK-review

The instructions are diagram based and I loved the Batman-style speech bubbles to let you know which part to ‘click!’ into place. There’s also a friendly little section about checking for any ‘little animals’ in the work area. Nice one Bosch – a sweet, eco-friendly reminder.

The main issue is the blow and vacuum functions are separate pieces. You have to decide whether to blow or vacuum, then fit the correct end piece.

Bosch-Universal-Garden-Tidy-UK-ease-of-assembly

The suction tube is enormous. It’s a good double the size of other models I’m testing, but it is lightweight and of good quality. This was the only garden vacuum I didn’t have to slam on the floor to fit the tubes inside one another.

Swapping from suction to blow function is simple. There’s a capped screw to unwind, remove the tube, add the new piece and tighten the screw. No tools are required.

It took a good 50 turns to get the blower head off, then another 50 to screw on the vacuum head. Don’t give up! It takes time to release.

The Bosch garden vacuum is designed so that the separate blow and vacuum functions are not compromised.

It has excellent blowing power and when I swapped the heads over its vacuum power was also excellent. The other garden vacuums I tested did not have the finesse provided by doing each function separately.

The extra-large suction tube means blockages would be easier to clear. I didn’t actually have any blockages though, which attests to the excellent design.

Its good design means you get something that works really well in either format rather than compromising on OK suction and OK blowing with a ‘both-at-the-same-time model’.

This enables the Bosch to have less power and therefore much less noise.

Bosch has paid attention to its ergonomics. The handle is perfectly positioned for easy manoeuvring and the power dial is reachable without stopping the job in hand.

The shoulder strap is adjustable to fit short or tall folk and the machine is lightweight enough that I barely needed to use the wheels.

In fact, I took them off when I swapped from blow to vac and won’t bother putting them back on.

On the downside, the Bosch is heavier than the other models, probably due to the metal fan mulcher. The vacuum mode is heaviest at 4.7 kgs. It’s not unmanageable and the shoulder strap takes most of the strain.

Just something to beware of if you need a very lightweight model.

Bosch-Universal-Garden-Tidy-UK-performance

Top performance for this machine without question. It sucked up piles of leaves in a flash, whereas other models did them one at a time.

I felt and heard larger twigs hit the internal metal mulching fan but it didn’t jam.

I pushed my luck and sucked up a whole sheet of newspaper to see what would happen. It struggled for a few seconds but the page was shredded without incident. I wouldn’t recommend doing this though.

The blower head is much thinner than the vacuum and it’s small enough to get between plants and under furniture. The thin head concentrates its blow power to get damp, sticky wet leaves from deck and patio stones. It’s a nice touch.

When emptied out, the leaves and paper pieces were around 2-3 cms and great as mulch on the flower borders. The quick-release collection bag has ‘moisture-repellent Dirt Deflectors’ that kept the bag dry and clean.

After using it, I dropped it from hip height and nothing broke or scuffed.

Only 1800 watts so it is considerably less powerful than other models, but it works better due to its ‘do-one-thing properly-at-time’ design.

It’s very quiet. Not as quiet as The Handy on its lowest setting, but for its size I was amazed at the quietness.

It wasn’t until after I’d used it that I found out it’s marketed with a ‘Pro Silence’ feature. I can say this does work and it’s nothing like roaring council-issued leaf blowers.

The lower power setting is for use over gravel and it managed to suck up and blow away the leaves on my 10-20mm beach pebbles without the disaster I was braced for.

Bosch-Universal-Garden-Tidy-UK-ease-of-use

Its main body handle and the adjustable directional handle are placed so that it’s easy to move around. I was able to easily suck up leaves from the garden table and hedge tops even though the suction tube is large.

I really like the quick-release zip-up collection bag. It’s a nice touch that makes emptying the mulched leaves into the veggie bed a simple, no-mess affair.

I was concerned that its large vacuum tube would make it unwieldy but this is not the case and it’s very easy to move about.

The motor will only start if the vacuum tube and collection bag is on in vacuum mode, or the nozzle and safety cover in on in blow mode.

The shoulder strap is adjustable and padded and it was comfortable, especially after 20 or so minutes of work. The Bosch is well built and feels safe in use.

However, the power is switched on using the power adjustment knob. I did not have this completely turned off, so when I plugged it in the machine started up. I’d prefer a separate on/off switch.

It’s the priciest of my reviews but it’s the best by far. If you can cope with swapping out the blow and vacuum functions it’s a top buy with plenty of power but enough finesse to make light work of an autumn garden.

It’s pricey but it does an excellent job if you’re happy to swap over the vacuum/blow tubes.

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Runner Up
  • Assembly is easy - only a Phillips screwdriver is needed.
  • The vacuum bag is easy to empty, fastened with a zip.
  • Wheels on nozzle end make it easier to vacuum leaves without holding unit off floor.
  • Can be easily dismantled to facilitate storage, only requiring a couple of screws to be undone.
  • Does not overheat even after extended use.

  • Takes a while to get the hang of - burying the small nozzle in a pile of leaves will cause it to block.
  • The bag fills up quite quickly when using the vacuum - it needs to be emptied to avoid it getting too heavy.
  • Can clog when vacuuming wet leaves, best to use on dry leaves and avoid twigs.
  • The plastic clips holding on the vacuum bag may break if not looked after.
  • Vacuum may function better if held directly over debris, not coming in from the side.
3 in 1?
Yes
Power
3000W
Shredding Ratio
10:1
Max. Blow Speed
Not listed
Weight
3.56kg
Collection Bag
35l
Cable Length
10m
Overall Score 3.8
Assembly Ease
4
Design
4
Performance
3.5
Power
3.5
Ease of Use
4
Safety
4
Value for Money
3.5

The Von Haus model is a 3000-watt garden vacuum with an integral mulcher and leaf blower. Von Haus is a good brand and it performed all the various functions well despite having no power adjustment.

The picture-based instructions are simple and designed for the most confused of folk (like me) to put the blower together without fuss.

VonHaus-3-in-1-Leaf-Blower,-Garden-Vacuum-&-Mulcher-review

The two tubes have a very stiff connection and need a good deal of banging or someone with strong hands to force them together. The screws and clip-on shoulder strap plus bag were fairly simple to fit.

No complaints, other than the stiffness.

VonHaus-3-in-1-Leaf-Blower,-Garden-Vacuum-&-Mulcher-assembly

This garden vacuum is well designed. It’s lightweight and simple to fit up with only two tubes, a set of wheels, a bag, and a shoulder strap to fit on the main engine.

I like the little flashes of orange. They’re bright and cheerful and give the blower a little more interest than others. The bright orange function switch is easy to see and well-positioned for quick swap overs.

It has sturdy wheels and a tough shoulder strap to take the strain, so there’s no effort involved at all. Overall, it’s compact and lightweight, perfectly designed for small to medium gardens with trees.

VonHaus-3-in-1-Leaf-Blower,-Garden-Vacuum-&-Mulcher-performance

I got a decent enough performance from this garden vacuum.

It had enough power to effectively round up wet leaves and make a pile that I could then vacuum. The blower tube is thin at the tip to concentrate power and get between your plants or furniture without inflicting hurricane damage.

Collected leaves and ripped newspaper were shredded to 2 cm pieces in no time which is a good size for mulching and composting. The 35-litre collection bag sucked up debris for about 15 minutes before it was full.

Emptying the zip-up bag was quick and easy straight into a raised bed. It’s smaller than other collection bags I’m testing but was big enough for 15 minutes of leaf vacuuming.

All good so far. However, this was the only one that blocked. I think it was because the suction tube is fairly small and a large, damp maple leaf got trapped in the fan. I had to turn off the machine and remove the tubes to shake it free.

After use I dropped it from hip height and although it scuffed nothing broke.

At 3000 watts it’s just as powerful as comparative brands. It’s more than enough to tidy up an average-sized garden.

There’s no power adjustment which is a shame because I couldn’t vacuum over my pebbles on a low setting. It’s all or nothing with the Von Haus.

VonHaus-3-in-1-Leaf-Blower,-Garden-Vacuum-&-Mulcher-ease-of-use

It’s easy to switch between blow and vacuum modes with its flip switch and a squeeze trigger in the handle activates its motor.

At only 3.5 kg this garden vacuum is easy to manoeuvre. I didn’t feel tired because the flexible shoulder strap took its weight and left my arms free to direct the tip.

My only gripe is that the adjustable shoulder strap slips out of position.

The Von Haus garden vacuum has a thermal cut-out switch The thermal cut out will activate and shut down the appliance should it overheat. It then needs 60 minutes before use.

When you let go of the activation trigger the machine stops. This is a great safety feature, but do be careful when picking up the machine in case you accidentally squeeze the handle before you’re ready to go.

It has two cable clearance hooks to keep your working area clear. A small but essential safety feature in my opinion.

This is another good value for money machine.

Letting go of the fact it blocked for a moment, this blower is powerful and its suction is strong enough to lift a large pile of leaves.

It’s a budget-friendly machine that will do a good job of clearing up an average-sized garden – but maybe choose another if you have large span leaves and want to adjust the power. Basically, this machine does what it says it will, and no more. It doesn’t like large wet leaves.

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Also Good
  • The sound isn't as loud or disruptive as some other models.
  • The length can be adjusted which means it's comfortable for people of different heights.
  • Variable speeds make it easy to avoid moving stones and bark if you don't want to.
  • The zip positioned on bottom of collection bag makes it very easy to empty without detaching bag.
  • The power cable is 2 m longer than most models, allowing a little more movement without an extension cable.
  • The collection bag is good quality and is durable, lasting a long time.

  • If wet leaves are vacuumed they can block the machine and be difficult to remove.
  • The instruction leaflet could be more detailed and doesn't explain all the features clearly.
  • The upright angle can feel more uncomfortable than other vacuums that have non-angled nozzles.
3 in 1?
Yes
Power
3000W
Shredding Ratio
10:1
Max. Blow Speed
186mph
Weight
3.3kg
Collection Bag
45l
Cable Length
12m
Overall Score 3.9
Assembly Ease
5
Design
4
Performance
3
Power
4
Ease of Use
3
Safety
4.5
Value for Money
4

The Hyundai 3-in-1 electric leaf blower is a little different in design to the other vacuums I’ve tested. It’s an upright ‘sit-up-and-beg’ model like a home hoover.

The design is different but it still has 3000 watts. I wasn’t keen on the upright design, but it suits gardeners that can’t swing a blower from their shoulder.

Hyundai-HYBV3000E-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Vacuum-&-Shredder-review

No assembly is required for this leaf blower vacuum. All I had to do was attach the 45-litre collection bag and the padded shoulder strap. It’s always good when something comes ready to go out of the box, therefore it’s one of the best garden vacuums for those who hate assembling products!

Hyundai-HYBV3000E-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Vacuum-&-Shredder-assembly

The Hyundai has a 12-metre power cable, 45-litre bag and a telescopic chute with 9 working heights. It starts at 70 cm and goes up to 100 cm. I’m 5’7” and I needed all the 100 cm to work comfortably. The height adjustment is great for storage.

It has ergonomic handles to manoeuvre it about and the upright design is more user friendly than the shoulder swinging large blowers if you struggle to move comfortably.

Hyundai-HYBV3000E-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Vacuum-&-Shredder-performance

Not great. I’d be exaggerating to say it took 5 minutes to suck up one slightly damp leaf, but it wasn’t far off.

Dry leaves disappeared faster, but honestly, who has totally dry leaves in the UK? Mine are always soggy, especially the ones at the bottom.

You have to put the vacuum right over a leaf and wait for it to disappear. It took a very long time to clean a pile of leaves and I wouldn’t want to do that again.

The blower function is more powerful, but without the ability to swing it around the leaves just blow away in a straight line – you can’t round them up sheepdog style. I think the best way to use this would be to blow the leaves against a corner wall.

It did a good job of shredding leaves and newspaper into roughly 2 cm squares which is perfect for composting or mulching. When I sucked up a small stone it made a horrific noise but continued to work.

I knocked it over afterwards and nothing broke, so it’s sturdy enough for rough garden use.

3000 watts is more than enough to clear a patio, deck, or garden border A dial speed controller on the side simply rolls up and down to manage the power, so it’s easy to control. I used its low power to suction above beach pebbles and there were no mishaps.

Hyundai-HYBV3000E-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Vacuum-&-Shredder-ease-of-use

It’s easy to start and switch off with a trigger squeeze button in the handle. The vacuum to blower function switch is simple, and the bag is quickly emptied ready to go again. However, it isn’t easy to use.

I had to bend over and position the vacuum vertically above each leaf for it to work which was a frustrating waste of time.

However, I can see it’s a better design for people who can’t manage to swing a 1.2 metre machine around on their shoulder and it’s certainly easier than raking, brushing with a broom and bending down to pick up armfuls of leaves.

It won’t start without the collection bag in place and turns off when you release the trigger. It’s a safe machine with its long 12-metre power lead that cuts down on the need for an extension cable.

I think because you aren’t swinging it around this is a safer model against accidents such as blowing a load of sharp gravel into the cold frame (why are you looking at me and The Handy?)

If you can’t manage a garden vacuum that swings on your shoulder this is the next best thing and it’s certainly worth the money to avoid getting on your hands and knees.

Personally, I prefer the Bosch or The Handy but this Hyundai model has a place for sure. It’s the best garden vacuum if you want an upright model where you don’t have to support the weight – I’m going to give it to my mother who has rheumatoid arthritis and I know it’ll suit her down to the ground.

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  • One of the more lightweight machines making it easy to manage.
  • A fairly priced product in terms of the quality/value provided.
  • The collection bag is easy to empty.
  • Works well to clear hard surfaces like decking and patios.

  • The assembly instructions are quite poor so you do need to work some things out.
  • May clog with leaves relatively frequently and require unblocking before continuing.
  • Does not reliably work very well on damp/wet leaves.
  • No possibility to adjust power so care needs to be taken around stones to avoid vacuuming them by accident.
3 in 1?
Yes
Power
3000W
Shredding Ratio
10:1
Max. Blow Speed
167mph
Weight
3kg
Collection Bag
35l
Cable Length
10m
Overall Score 3.5
Assembly Ease
3
Design
3.5
Performance
3
Power
3.5
Ease of Use
4
Safety
4
Value for Money
3.5

The Terratek is a lightweight 3-in-1 blower, vacuum, and mulcher that clears up your fallen leaves with a minimum of fuss. There’s no power adjustment but it’s easy to use as it feels very manageable. On the downside, the plastic tubing broke when I dropped it.

Terratek-Leaf-Blower,-Garden-Vacuum-and-Shredder-review

The instructions have poor directions, so I floundered for a while. Once I’d figured it out the tubes fitted with only a small amount of bashing and the three screws were good quality.

Although I could work out the assembly, it was a frustrating start. The instructions could be better.

Terratek-Leaf-Blower,-Garden-Vacuum-and-Shredder-assembly

The Terratek is well designed and one of the best garden vacuums for those who need a lightweight model. It’s only 3 kg in weight even though the machine is 1.2 metres in length.

It’s well balanced and ergonomic enough to use for extended periods of time. I used the vacuum function for 20 minutes before it got too hot and my arms weren’t sore at all.

This is good design from Terratek and I’m impressed with its user-friendly ergonomics at the price point. However, when I dropped it from hip height, the plastic tubing cracked.

If you buy this, use the shoulder strap at all times.

Terratek-Leaf-Blower,-Garden-Vacuum-and-Shredder-performance

The performance is good overall. It did what I needed, which was to vacuum up fallen leaves after blowing them into a pile.

However, it took some time, overheated a little, and I found the motor to be louder than other models. It’s not so loud that you’d need ear defenders like council-issue blowers, but the neighbours won’t be impressed at 7am.

The 35-litre bag is a fairly decent size, but it’s smaller than others I’ve tested and the zip is a pain, it kept getting caught on the bag material the way a coat zip sometimes snags. It caused a fight and some language.

It has 3000 watts so it’s comparable with other models I’ve tested. It has plenty enough power to blow damp leaves off a deck and the vacuum does a slow but steady job of suctioning them up.

With patience, you can cover a decent-sized patio, but the machine may overheat before you finish. It needs a good ten minutes to cool off and although the thermal trip switch wasn’t activated I felt like the machine was too hot to continue.

There’s no power adjustment, so it’s all the power or no power. This makes it unsuitable for suctioning above gravel or pebbles.

Terratek-Leaf-Blower,-Garden-Vacuum-and-Shredder-ease-of-use

As a lightweight machine, this vacuum felt easy to manage. It’s easy to switch between the vacuum and blower with its bright orange flip switch, and a squeeze trigger starts the engine. Let go of the trigger and it automatically stops, so it’s very simple to use.

It’s well balanced on the shoulder strap and easy to swing around rounding up leaves. It’s a shame the zip-up bag lets it down because there’s nothing else to complain about in terms of use.

The Terratek has a thermal cut-out safety feature, good ergonomics, and a trigger release handle that makes it safe to use.

There’s always the 10-metre cable to trip over, but this is true of all the garden vacuums I’m testing. Terratek has included two cable tidy hooks on the handle and the body to help prevent a tumble.

It’s half the price of a Bosch and about the same as The Handy and Von Haus but I’d say it’s a little inferior given it got hot and the plastic tubing broke. Plus there’s no power adjustment which is a pity.

The best thing about this blower is its light weight. If you have concerns about supporting a heavier machine, it’s a good option to consider. Just be sure to wear the shoulder strap so that it doesn’t fall to the floor.

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  • This garden vacuum works well even on larger leaves, wet leaves and small twigs.
  • Power can be adjusted using the thumb wheel so can control blower strength.
  • The variable power means you can avoid vacuuming up gravel by accident but still get the leaves.
  • Can vacuum up wet leaves (when tackled in manageable units)
  • The 10 m cable is a good starting length even though you'll possibly still want to use an extension cord.

  • The clips to detach the bag can be quite difficult to undo - easier to leave attached and empty.
  • Due to the small zip opening on the collection bag, you may need to scoop the leaves out instead of tipping them.
  • When resting on the wheels the angle of the nozzle is not optimum for vacuuming.
  • May struggle with tougher leaves such as holly.
  • May need to stop between vacuuming and blowing to clear debris from inside unit.
3 in 1?
Yes
Power
3000W
Shredding Ratio
10:1
Max. Blow Speed
Not listed
Weight
4.9kg
Collection Bag
45l
Cable Length
10m
Overall Score 4.1
Assembly Ease
3.5
Design
3.5
Performance
4
Power
4
Ease of Use
5
Safety
4.5
Value for Money
4

The Handy Blow Vac is a garden vacuum, blower, and mulcher in one. It’s a good price and has all the extras like wheels and variable power. I tested it on leaves, twigs and newspaper then dropped it on the patio. It’s a good bargain buy.

The Handy is pretty easy to assemble. Out of the box it looks like a pain, but it’s just a case of fitting the two tubes together with a screw and then the tubes onto the main body.

Handy-THEV-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Garden-Vacuum-review

It’s all very simple, in fact, the wheels just slip over the end like a collar and the collection bag clicks into very obvious connectors. The instruction book is clear and I had no problems figuring out what went where.

On the downside, it was hard to fit the tubes together because one slips inside the other and it’s hard to push them because the plastic is sharp.

In the end, I got them partway, then banged them together on the floor before adding the safety screws to finish the job.

Handy-THEV-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Garden-Vacuum-assembly

The Handy blow vacuum looks professional and when it’s pieced together looks like a study piece of machinery.

The adjustable ergonomic handle is in exactly the right place and its 45-litre collection bag is sufficiently large enough to collect a lot of leaves. I managed a wheelbarrow full, but the bag was bursting.

A big plus point is the pointed nozzle tip which is smaller than some of the other vacuums I’m testing. The small nozzle made it easy to get between plants without damaging their foliage. My newly planted euonymus hedge lived to see another day.

As a little extra The Handy comes with a free hanger to store the machine off the ground. It’s sturdy enough for the weight of the blower – which is barely anything.

Handy-THEV-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Garden-Vacuum-performance

Excellent performance, I can’t fault The Handy. It sucked up leaves and twigs efficiently and blew them with enough force that the damp ones were shifted from the patio.

When the 45-litre collection bag was full the engine slowed down. This is a great plus that means you don’t overwork the machine.

The Handy has an internal mulcher that shreds the leaves as they’re sucked up. It works very well, shredding down leaves to perfect compost bin size without any blockages or mishaps along the way.

I ripped up a sheet of newspaper to see what would happen, The Handy took it in its stride and hoovered up all the 10cm x 10cm bits shredding them down to 2-3 cms in size.

The engine felt a little hot after half an hour but it cooled down after a ten-minute break, just as the instructions described.

After use, I dropped it from hip height. It didn’t break, but the plastic scuffed a fair amount.

It has 3000 watts which is enough to blow damp leaves into a neat pile and suck up the dry ones.

I was impressed by the full power of this machine especially because it’s the quietest of the blow vacs. It’s no louder than a modern hairdryer even when the power is high. This is a real plus point if you have neighbours or a wildlife-friendly garden

On its lowest setting, it doesn’t do much other than make a noise.

The lower setting is for use above gravel and pebbles, but it didn’t suck up or blow away any leaves above my gravel on anything lower than half the power.

Handy-THEV-Electric-Leaf-Blower-Garden-Vacuum-ease-of-use

The Handy is well balanced and I was able to lift and point it without any strain.

The handle is positioned so I didn’t overstretch and the shoulder strap is strong enough to take most of the weight, but it could do with being a little longer. This leaves your hands free to manoeuvre the tip into difficult places such as under a bench.

Switching between blow and vacuum is simple. Push a lever to swap and adjust its power with a wheel. It’s user-friendly and obvious what does what so there’s no stress involved.

The support wheels work well, but I was able to hold The Handy off the ground for a full half-hour without getting tired. It’s light enough to manage without the wheels, but I can see they’d be useful for folk with trouble lifting.

The trigger automatically turns off when you let go which is good because it keeps things safe if you trip over the long 10-metre power lead. They’ve anticipated this by adding 3 x cable tidies to keep your working area clear – a very nice touch.

I like the immediate engine back off when the collection bag is full too, it is easy to drift off when you’re vacuuming because it’s a very zen activity.

After I’d tested the functions, I lifted the machine and dropped it onto my patio. It scuffed the plastic but nothing broke.

This is a good value for money and one of the best garden vacuums for those on a budget.

It’s powerful enough on full whack for garden work. I live near a wood and my garden is full of leaves. It managed to clear a good half of these before the machine (and me) needed a break.

The price point is half that of the Bosch and to be honest, I like not having to change the blow and vacuum heads over.

Overall, it sounds an odd thing to say but this is the most respectful of the blowers. It’s quiet and the nozzle is thin enough to leave plants unscathed. I’d like to see maybe a little more power and running time but overall this is a good bargain buy.

A good mid-range price but you have to let it cool down after 20-30 minutes.

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Product Tester

I tested some of the best garden vacuums to determine their rank based on assembly ease, design, performance, power, ease of use, safety, and value for money. Here’s how I tested these fundamental aspects of each garden vacuum:

  • Assembly Ease: The designs that could be assembled within 15 minutes or that came pre-assembled were rated as better for the everyday gardener. For some garden vacuums, I had to bang the parts against the ground to connect them because they were so stiff, so those were marked down, as this could be tough for many gardeners. Instructions that were less detailed and didn’t have pictures were rated down, as these were much trickier to assemble.
  • Design: I assessed each model’s design and how this impacted its ease of use and performance, with more fiddly models being marked down. I also considered whether the garden vacuums were made from high-quality parts and could withstand heavy use. And I checked the positioning and effectiveness of functional features such as handles, shoulder straps, wheels, and power dials or buttons.
  • Performance: I tested each model’s suction, blowing, and mulching functions. I assessed how well each garden vacuum did for each setting, trying them over different surfaces and materials, such as tables, tight corners, gravel, wet and dry leaves and sheets of newspaper. I checked the width of the suction tube and assessed whether it ever experienced blockages when in use. The model that got blocked was marked down, as you don’t want a garden vacuum that blocks easily!
  • Power: Models with adjustable power settings were more versatile, making them better for everyday use, so these were rated higher than single-power models. Models with 3000+ watts are typically considered better for garden use. However, if it was less powerful, I tested whether the manufacturer made up for this with a clever design or greater efficiency.
  • Ease of Use: Models that weighed more than 4 kg were marked down as these may be too heavy for people with medium or large-sized gardens. If it weighed more than this, I checked the design for wheels or a sturdy strap to help manage the additional weight. Some models also had handy features like quick-release collection bags, which made them easier to use. I tested these to see how much mess they left when I removed them from the garden vacuum itself. I also tested the balance between how compact and lightweight each model was by trying them out in different garden sizes.
  • Safety: Safety is key, so I made sure to test all aspects of the garden vacuums for safety. Designs where the motor only starts up when all the elements were safely in place were marked higher, and those with an on/off switch were given top marks as those that didn’t would start immediately as you plug them in. Additional features like a thermal cut-out switch or automatic power cut-out when you let go of the trigger were also given top marks.
  • Value for Money: The 3-in-1 blower, vacuum, and mulcher models were the best value for money, as they offered 3 functions in one tool. When I tested value for money, I considered what features you got with each model and how helpful these features were. I assessed whether the models with power adjustment settings, ergonomic handles, straps, and a good balance between weight and performance were still affordable, and those that ticked the most boxes were given higher marks.

Becky's Smart Buying Tips

  1. The best garden vacuum will offer 3-in-1 functionality, allowing you to vacuum, blow, and mulch. However, if that’s a bit more complicated than what you’re after, machines with a vacuum-only function are still great for garden tidying.
  2. One tip to bear in mind, if you choose a multifunctional machine, is that it will be less time consuming if you don’t have to switch nozzles to change between vacuum and blow functions. However, separate blow/vacuum nozzles can improve the accuracy of each function.
  3. If you have a small to medium garden (approx. 250 – 750 m²) then a 1800 W mid-power model will provide enough power to clear up the leaves. In a large garden (upwards of 750 m²) 3000 W will be more suitable.
  4. Weight is another factor to think about. A heavy vacuum of around 5 kg can get heavy after a prolonged period. Make sure the blower has wheels, or some form of harness, to help manage the weight.

Out of the products I tested, my top pick is the Bosch Universal Garden Tidy. It’s a 3-in-1 vacuum, leaf blower and mulcher, with separate heads for blowing and vacuuming to improve efficacy. It can vacuum several leaves at a time (which is more than can be said for some machines!) and doesn’t stumble over small twigs either.

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Compare Product Features

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  • Bosch Universal Garden Tidy Blower & Vacuum
    best garden vacuums Bosch Universal Garden Tidy Blower & Vacuum
    • 4.4
    • Yes
    • 1800W
    • 12:1
    • 177mph
    • 4.7kg
    • 45L
    • 10m
  • VonHaus 3-in-1 Leaf Blower, Garden Vacuum & Mulcher
    best garden vacuums VonHaus 3 in 1 Leaf Blower, Garden Vacuum & Mulcher
    • 3.8
    • Yes
    • 3000W
    • 10:1
    • Not listed
    • 3.56kg
    • 35l
    • 10m
  • Hyundai HYBV3000E Electric Leaf Blower, Vacuum & Shredder
    best garden vacuums Hyundai HYBV3000E Electric Leaf Blower, Vacuum & Shredder
    • 3.9
    • Yes
    • 3000W
    • 10:1
    • 186mph
    • 3.3kg
    • 45l
    • 12m
  • Terratek Leaf Blower, Garden Vacuum and Shredder
    best garden vacuums Terratek Leaf Blower, Garden Vacuum and Shredder
    • 3.5
    • Yes
    • 3000W
    • 10:1
    • 167mph
    • 3kg
    • 35l
    • 10m
  • Handy THEV Electric Leaf Blower & Garden Vacuum
    best garden vacuums Handy THEV Electric Leaf Blower & Garden Vacuum
    • 4.1
    • Yes
    • 3000W
    • 10:1
    • Not listed
    • 4.9kg
    • 45l
    • 10m

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