Head-to-head · Best Leaf Mulchers

Ryobi 40V Cordless Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher vs WORX 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

WORX 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.6 vs 3.2). WORX 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher is best for: homeowners who rake large piles of dry leaves and want to shred them quickly into bags. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Leaf Mulchers

Ryobi 40V Cordless Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher

3.2

4 sourcesall derived$148as of Oct 10

protoolreviews found that a metal impeller delivers a 16:1 volume reduction ratio, making it efficient at compressing dry leaves and sawdust into the collection bag. The unit includes wheels on the tube to reduce arm fatigue, though Mother Daughter Projects DIY reported they break off over time and offer little help on uneven ground. Additionally, the fabric collection bag is difficult to clean and impossible to replace with an official Ryobi part. This tool fits homeowners managing small yards or workshop debris; those needing a robust solution for extensive removal should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Mulches leaves into a fine powder with a 16:1 volume reduction ratio
— Includes wheels on the bottom of the tube to assist with maneuvering and reduce arm fatigue
— Backed by a 5-year warranty for long-term peace of mind

Watch-outs

— The fabric collection bag is difficult to clean and impossible to replace with an official Ryobi part
— Internal mechanisms are prone to jamming when vacuuming wet leaves, thick twigs, or rocks
— Front wheels can break off over time and provide limited assistance on bumpy terrain

$148 · Buy at superarbor.io Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Leaf Mulchers

WORX 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher

4.6

2 sourcesall derived$125as of Oct 17

The WORX WG430 is a stand-alone, corded 13-amp leaf mulcher that uses trimmer line rather than blades, with a rated 11:1 reduction ratio and a capacity of up to 53 gallons of leaves per minute. Bob Vila named it best overall after testing 15 models, finding it shreds much faster than any blower/vacuum type, and The Spruce also made it its top pick after shredding New England fall leaves with it. Both found it easy to set up and store, while The Spruce noted wet leaves and twigs are its weak points. It suits owners who already rake leaves into piles and want to cut a large volume down quickly; anyone who wants to vacuum leaves off the lawn or shred sticks should look at a handheld or walk-behind model.

Strengths

— Shreds up to 53 gallons of leaves a minute; Bob Vila filled a 30-gallon bag in under 5 minutes
— Easy to assemble, operate and pack away for off-season storage
— Drops mulch straight into a bag; plastic yard bags attach easily and stay put

Watch-outs

— Made for leaves only: twigs pass through unshredded or shoot back out
— Wet leaves shred slower and coarser, down to about 3:1 in The Spruce's testing
— Leaves must be gathered and lifted into the hopper by hand

$125 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Ryobi 40V Cordless Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher

This model delivers a 16:1 mulch ratio using a metal impeller, matching the WORX Trivac's reduction capability but offering cordless convenience unlike the wired competitors. However, its fabric collection bag is difficult to clean and cannot be replaced with an official part, whereas the Yard Force YF8000LS includes bonus hand rakes for easier debris management.

WORX 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher

The WG430 is a stand-alone, hopper-fed shredder, whereas the WORX Trivac WG512 and ECHO Shred-n-Vac are handheld units that blow and vacuum leaves off the ground; Bob Vila found the WG430 shreds faster than any blower/vacuum type it tested. Unlike the gas-powered ECHO and the battery-powered Ryobi 40V, it is corded and needs an extension cord, and at 20 lb it is set down in one spot rather than carried around the yard.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Ryobi 40V Cordless Leaf Vacuum/Mulcher	WORX 13 Amp Electric Leaf Mulcher
Mulch Ratio	16:1	—
Weight	12.7 lb	20 lb
Power Source	40V Lithium-Ion	—
Construction Material	Metal Impeller	—
Model	—	WG430
Type	—	Stand-alone (stationary)
Motor	—	13 amps, corded electric
Mulching Ratio	—	11:1 (rated)
Capacity	—	Up to 53 gallons of leaves per minute
Cutting Head	—	Trimmer line
Extension Cord	—	12- to 14-gauge heavy-duty

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