Gold and red hues of falling leaves look marvelous. Until you realize you have to spend hours raking and bagging them in your yard. You’re probably familiar with raking leaves. With regard to shredding them in a leaf mulcher, it effectively aids you in reducing their quantity and (if that’s what you prefer) utilizing the chopped leaves for mulching around your perennial flowers and shrubs.
If you’re sick of raking fallen leaves and stuffing them into bags, do buy a solid leaf mulcher. It shrinks huge piles of leaves to a tiny chopped-up mulch. No more endless yard work this fall! Keep reading to learn how to choose the best leaf mulcher for your needs.
Explore the Types of Leaf Mulchers
The ultimate mission of leaf mulchers is to shred leaves. Yet, when shopping for the perfect unit for your needs, you should consider a slew of features and decide whether they resonate with your needs or not. Below, we’ll briefly outline the main types of leaf mulchers and their peculiarities:
- gas-powered: the most powerful leaf mulchers on the scene. They require neither an extension cord nor batteries, but they are on the heavier side compared to their battery-powered and electric brothers;
- battery-powered: fairly powerful, effective, more eco-friendly and non-toxic compared to the gas-operated leaf mulchers. The only downside is your dependence on battery power;
- corded: these honeys are quiet and a breeze to utilize. They don’t need batteries and are budget-friendly.
There are also handheld and standalone leaf mulchers. The former function in a vacuum-like manner, sucking up the leaves which then pass through spinning impeller blades for chopping. As for standalone units, they can be positioned in a central spot in your garden and used for dumping and shredding all the dried leaves.
Other Factors to Consider
Additional factors to take into account when shopping for the most suitable unit go beyond leaf mulcher classification, the type of power that operates the equipment, and its overall performance. When you make up your mind as to the type of power that’s ideal for your yard (and lifestyle), don’t forget to consider the following vital points:
- metal or plastic blades: the former are more robust, while the latter may be cheaper;
- noise: if noise is a problem, opt for the quietest models of battery-operated and corded units;
- mulching ratio: this parameter specifies how much the unit will reduce the leaves’ total size;
- ease of use: electric and battery-powered leaf mulchers are easier to use, because in order to operate gas-powered units, you have to mix fuel, add engine oil, service a carburetor, etc.
Conclusion: Know Your Needs First
Everyone’s requirements in terms of yard cleanup are different. If this is your first time shopping for a leaf mulcher, analyze the perks and drawbacks of every model that catches your eye. And don’t forget about the tips we’ve provided above. Leave a comment below if you have anything to add on the topic. Your opinion matters a lot.
