Everything You Need To Know Before Buying The Craftsman Leaf Vacuum
Having an extensive collection of outdoor power tools that can allow you to tackle almost any yard problem is a home maintenance dream. You can finish tough chores faster and more efficiently with the right equipment. However, if you are trying to maximize a small garage space for storing items, it can be difficult to find a place for everything. One way to save space is to select outdoor power tools that have more than one function, like the three-in-one handheld Craftsman 12-Amp Corded Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher (model number CMEBL700).
We've used quite a few standalone leaf blowers, many of which include the ability to operate as a lawn vacuum. But the mulching feature on this Craftsman tool gives it a unique capability that allows it to replace yet another standalone outdoor power tool stored in your garage. However, take note that this machine is designed for residential users. Those who operate lawn care companies or who need to take care of a huge property probably won't find enough power with this model. Additionally, for a large property, we prefer using a cordless option for more freedom of movement.
To help you determine whether you can benefit from this Craftsman model, we relied on online reviews, our experience with similar outdoor power tools, and operational videos and video reviews published on the internet. We'll discuss our methodology more at the end of the article.
Features found in the three-in-one Craftsman outdoor power tool
This Craftsman model works as a standalone tool for leaf blowing, vacuuming, or mulching, depending on the settings and adjustments you make to the product's configuration. Its 12-amp motor allows it to create air movement speeds up to 230 miles per hour as a leaf blower, so it can move larger pieces of debris. It uses an anti-clog impeller that limits problems with clogs when mulching leaves. When using the vacuum feature, it includes a shoulder collection bag for holding the collected debris.
Even though it has some advantageous features, we must mention that on retailer websites, the customer reviews for this three-in-one outdoor Craftsman power tool are not very high. On the Amazon website, 17% of customers gave the product a 1-star review, often claiming that the unit's vacuum collection bag won't remain secured, causing debris to fly around. On the Ace Hardware website, only 42% of customers would recommend the product to a friend. The reviews are even harsher at the Lowe's website, where 37% of customers gave the product a 1-star review. Multiple customers said the unit simply would not start.
You'll have to decide whether the benefit of adding a mulching function to your leaf blower is worth the risk of potentially shaky performance with this Craftsman model.
How we decided to review the Craftsman three-in-one outdoor power tool
When considering multi-purpose outdoor power tools to review, we settled on the Craftsman 12-Amp Corded Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher because of its interesting design. We liked the idea of a three-in-one tool that could handle leaf blowing, vacuuming, and mulching in one unit, saving storage space inside the garage. We have some experience with these power tools. Leaf blowers are extremely popular products, too, making this a good choice for a review that would be of interest.
Although the three-in-one leaf blower has some interesting features and a powerful motor, the customer reviews for this product at retailer websites are poor. As a comparison, we tried the Toro Powerjet F700 (which at one point was the cheapest leaf blower at Home Depot) and found it to be a far more reliable product than the Craftsman model. The Toro model is easier to recommend, even though it doesn't have the mulching function, because of its better performance levels. At Ace Hardware's online site, 90% of customers would recommend it to a friend. It's currently going for $100 at Ace Hardware.