Leaf blowers and blower vacuums A leaf blower or blower-vacuum will quickly deal with dust, dirt and fallen leaves. We've tested how noisy and safe they are to use. Join us now for instant access Join more than 100,000 members today and you'll get: Thousands of test results and research you can trust Everything in one easy place Expert support a phone call away if things go wrong Leaf blowers produce a strong jet of air that blows away debris. Blower-vacs do this too – and when set to vacuuming they can also suck up the debris, mulch it (to some extent), then deposit it in a collection bag. Our test combines battery-electric (cordless) leaf blowers and mains-electric blower-vacuums. Leaf blowers are simpler and lighter because they only have one function, while blower-vacs have the added versatility of vacuuming. The best type for your needs will depend on the size and layout of your yard. Petrol models are the best choice for large sections.

They can also be used in wet weather, which we don’t recommend for mains-electric models because of the risk of shock. However, all the models in our test have two-stroke engines, so there’s the added hassle of mixing petrol and oil, as well as unpleasant exhaust fumes. They’re harder to start than electric blower vacs as they almost always use a pull cord, and require more steps to convert between blower and vacuum modes. Mains-electric blower vacs perform as well as petrol models, and they’re usually easier to use. But their range is limited by the power cord, which is annoying to drag around. Battery-electric (cordless) blower vacs aren’t yet powerful enough to match the performance of petrol or mains models, and they run for less than half an hour before needing a recharge. However, they can be a good option for smaller sections where you don’t have too many leaves to deal with. To see our buying tips, become a paying Consumer member or log in at the top of this page to find out more.

Mulch ado about nothingbest vacuum cleaner for german shepherd hair A selling point for blower vacs over leaf blowers is their ability to mulch collected leaves, which reduces the volume of waste. couch cleaning service long islandThe mulch can then be spread on your garden to improve soil health. best vacuum cleaner affordableMany manufacturers claim “mulch ratios” upwards of 10:1 (i.e. 10 bags of loose leaves reduce to one bag of fine mulch). air duct cleaning coupons michiganBut take these claims with a grain of salt – in previous tests we found the ratios to be closer to 4:1, especially with densely packed or wet debris.best way to clean dust from window blinds

Look for models with a metal impeller (fan) rather than plastic – they’re more effective at chopping up leaves and thereby reducing the volume of waste, and they’re more durable. dryer vent duct cleaning servicesSome models feature “mulching knives” on the impeller to aid in chopping up the material. Become a paying Consumer member or log in at the top of this page to find out more. More on Home, heating & renovation Check out more of our tests, articles, news and surveys in our Home, heating & renovation section. Garden loppers and secateurs Line trimmers and lawn edgers Thanks for requesting to reset your password. We've sent you an email with instructions on what you need to do. If you haven't received the email within the next five minutes please call us on 0800 266 786. Sorry, the information you are trying to access is available to paying members only.

Your membership helps us deliver our services and advocate for a fair deal for all New Zealand consumers. Not a member yet? Avoid expensive mistakes and join more than 80,000 other savvy consumers making smart decisions. Up to date expert test reports and research on a wide range of products. Expert advisors to assist with any consumer-related issues. Deals from Consumer Trusted Businesses to help you save. New Zealand's most trusted source of consumer advice. An independent, non-profit supporting kiwi's for over 50 years. Or, become a member now > WD 6 P Premium The WD 6 P Premium multi-purpose vacuum cleaner has a 30L stainless steel container, socket for power tools, innovative filter removal technology, filter cleaning & performance regulation. The WD 5 Premium is an extremely powerful multi-purpose vac with 30L stainless steel container, flat pleated filter in a removable cartridge, as well as filter cleaning and blowing function.

Powerful and energy-efficient vacuum cleaner with a robust 20L stainless steel container, flat fold filter in removable cartridge & parking position for work breaks. The powerful, energy-efficient WD 3 Premium multi-purpose vacuum cleaner is equipped with a robust and corrosion-free 17L stainless steel container, a cartridge filter, and new accessories. The most customised devices ever. Kärcher offers an extensive and useful range of accessories for daily use with its multi-purpose vacs. From the right floor nozzle and the appropriate hose to specialised filter systems, all our components are designed to work together in the best possible way. In this way, Kärcher multi-purpose vacs can meet the specific requirements of the location in which they are being used and ensure outstanding cleanliness in all areas. The ideal device for every purpose. Kärcher offers the right solution for every domestic requirement with the new WD range - for both occasional and intensive use.

Thanks to a wide range of devices with varying power outputs, container sizes and equipment features, we will have the right device for you. You can rely on Kärcher. * Compared with Kärcher multi-purpose vacs from 2013 The most powerful ever. Now with up to 20% more power. The power of multi-purpose vacuum cleaners is not described by air stream (l/s) or vacuum pressure (mbar) but by the value of the suction power (W). The suction power of a device is measured according to the standard IEC 60312 measured from the floor nozzle of the device. This combines both the air stream value and the vacuum pressure value, measured from the floor nozzle. The higher the suction power, the more power the vacuum cleaner has. The aim in developing the new Kärcher multi-purpose vacs was to build extremely powerful devices. This is why we didn't just ideally design the devices, we also developed new accessories. In doing so, we built the new vacuum cleaners to be 20% more powerful than the previous models of the WD range.

Its higher performance comes from new, more energy-efficient motors, floor nozzles and hoses that have been redeveloped from scratch, optimal sealing of the device and accessory connectors, as well as a vacuum designed for optimised flow. All of these elements combine to make the suction nozzles perform even better than before. Overview of benefits: optimum dirt intake, considerable time saving, versatility. More power, less consumption! Our new Kärcher multi-purpose vacs are not only extremely powerful, but also stand out with their low energy consumption. Thanks to highly efficient motors, we have decreased the energy consumption by up to 30% relative to previous models. As an example, the suction power of the most powerful top class model, the WD 6 P Premium, is equivalent to that of a Kärcher 2000 W multi-purpose vac from the 2013 range. Its actual electric power consumption, however, is only 1300 W. This means it is easy on both your electricity bill and on the environment.

The most innovative ever. Easier than ever before. With the patented innovative filter replacement technology, available in the mid-class and top-class ranges of our WD 4-6 devices, the filter can be removed in seconds. In addition, the flat pleated filter, made popular in our professional cleaner range, is contained in a filter box in the device head - which means extra-quick removal in two easy steps. Just open up the filter cartridge, remove it and empty the filter - all done! Summary of benefits: quicker and more convenient filter removal, no contact with dirt, no spreading of dust, simple manual filter cleaning. Consistently high suction power. Thanks to the integrated filter cleaning function, dirty filters in all the top devices WD 5-6 can be quickly and efficiently cleaned simply by pushing the filter cleaning button. This means that even with difficult home cleaning tasks, consistently high suction power is available (see illustration). Summary of benefits: no manual cleaning required, no interruptions, no contact with dirt, high suction power.

The most convenient ever. More practical, more efficient. The new standard accessories have been specially developed for the new Kärcher multi-purpose vacs and, in combination with the devices themselves, open up unimagined cleaning efficiency. The ergonomically shaped removable handle ensures optimum air flow. It also allows you to maintain a comfortable posture while cleaning, as the accessories can be quickly and conveniently attached directly to the suction hose. In devices of unit class WD 5-6, the special composition of the handle prevents static electricity from building up, ensuring trouble-free vacuuming - even in renovation work.Overview of benefits: no blockages, simple and convenient vacuuming even in the narrowest spaces, safe protection from static electricity. The new suction hoses have a wider diameter and are highly flexible.Overview of benefits: no blockages, continuous vacuuming without interruption, freedom of movement in use. Robust plastic suction pipes

The quality of the new plastic pipes has been improved. They are extremely resilient and durable.Overview of benefits: higher quality for a longer working life. First class floor nozzles Whether for dry or wet, fine or coarse dirt, the specially developed floor nozzles ensure optimum dirt intake, have ideal glide properties and can be quickly and simply adapted to wet or dry conditions. In the case of the clip floor nozzle, this is achieved by swapping the attachments over, while with the switchable floor nozzle there is a convenient foot switch. The special floor nozzles ensure all-round cleaning satisfaction.Overview of benefits: rapid and complete dirt removal, ideal for wet and dry dirt, low-effort vacuuming. Better constructed and optimised. WD features at a glance. 1 Removable handleThe ergonomic handle can be easily removed from the suction hose in order to attach other accessories such as brushes. 2 Easy filter removalPatented innovative technology make removing and emptying the filter quick and easy, avoiding any contact with dirt.