Top 10 Best Gutter Guards Consumer Reports 2021

As its name suggests, the gutter guard is supposed to protect your rain gutters from clogging. It will cover on the tops of the gutters to only allow water to get in then drain away. Meanwhile, debris is kept out. Simple and helpful enough, right?

Check these 10 best gutter guards if you have already had enough with cleaning falling leaves, dirt, and dust from the roof all the time!

Top 10 Best Gutter Guards 2021 Reviews

Best Budget: Gutterworks Aluminum Speed Screen Leaf Guard

If there is not much debris or fall leaves in your area, you might not need to break a bank for gutter guards. A simple and affordable screen model like Gutterworks Aluminum Speed Screen Leaf Guard is good enough. It has small holes – 1/8 inches x 3/16 inches, to keep almost all dirt and grimes out.

Not to mention, this gutter guard is effortless to install. All you have to do is attach it to the gutter’s lip and back, or if wanted, use zip screws to protect the leading edge. Then, the Gutter Works Aluminum Leaf Guard will do its job excellently.

The problem is that this screen guard cannot block small debris like pin needles!

Pros:

• Extremely cheap
• Easy to install to the gutter
• Small holes that will block big debris
• Durable aluminium material over time

Cons:

• Not effective for small stuff

Best Setup: E-Z-GUTTER GUARD EZ-Quick-10 Gutter Guard

At a glance, you already see that the E-Z-GUTTER GUARD EZ-Quick-10 Gutter Guard is very simple. We confirm that!

This guard features a curved profile to easily snap in and out of the gutter without requiring any fasteners. Then, the tight mesh is in place to block most debris – except for very small stuff like pin needles or dust.

Also, it is worth mentioning that the E-Z-GUTTER GUARD EZ-Quick-10 is built in aluminium which is rust-free and even durable against UV light deterioration. For that reason, we are sure that this guard will last for years to come.

On a side note, before you buy the guard, remember that it only works for 5-inch K-style gutters.

Pros:

• Easy to snap in and out of the gutters
• The tight mesh that can prevent most debris
• Durable against rust and tough weather
• Reasonable price

Cons:

• Limited to 5-inch K-style gutters

Best Durable: FlexxPoint 30 Year Gutter Cover System

If you are really serious about the gutter guard and want to have it on the gutter for many years, then find some models that are as durable and reliable as FlexxPoint 30 Year Gutter Cover System.

Firstly, this guard is also made of aluminium. It is so durable that the manufacturer is totally confident in the product quality and even offers a 30-year warranty without questions.

Secondly, the guard has a 3-point design and ultra-fine meshes that will drain water all the time by keeping wet debris and leaves off its cover. Once those debris sources are dried, they will be removed just by a light wind, meaning that you do not have to clean the gutter and the guard frequently.

However, please keep in mind that the guard is permanently installed to your gutter system, so it is not ideal if you are planning to fix your house at any time soon.

Pros:

• Durable construction that can last for 30 years
• Excellent at blocking the debris and wet leaves
• Circulated waterflow to avoid flood on your roof
• Not expensive at all

Cons:

• Permanently installed to the gutter

Best Brush Guard: GutterBrush Simple Gutter Guard

This is a typical brush gutter guard manufactured by GutterBrush – one of the oldest companies in the industry. The guard is built with stainless steel in the centre and polypropylene bristles all around.

What makes it outstanding as the best brush gutter guard for decades is that GutterBrush Simple Gutter Guard has thick bristles to let water in and restrict the entry of anything else. Moreover, those bristles are double UV-resistant, meaning they will last longer than most other brush guards.

Good as it is, this gutter guard is claimed to be much more expensive, meanwhile, its size is only limited to small gutter systems.

Pros:

• Durable construction
• Easy to fit into gutter systems
• Thick bristles that keep almost all debris out
• Less maintenance than other brush gutter guards

Cons:

• Extremely expensive

Best for Money: Amerimax Home Products 636025

If you like the idea of screen gutter guards and you have a long gutter system in your house, you should get this Amerimax Home Products 636025. Buy one and you will get a pack of 25 pieces that possibly fit K-style gutters between 4 inches and 6 inches.

This one is simple to function as well, you just need to slide the flat side of those guard pieces under the roof shingle and lock them to the gutter lip. The pre-notches design will eliminate gaps, if any, between the guards so that there will be no way for debris to accumulate.

The quality build, however, is not that good. Many consumers found those guards to hang off the gutters after heavy snow.

Pros:

• An affordable package of 25 pieces
• Easy “lock-in” installation
• The tight-expanded mesh that blocks most debris
• 10-year warranty included

Cons:

• Not durable under tough weather

Best Overall: Raptor Gutter Stainless Micro Mesh Guard

The next on the list is Raptor Gutter Stainless Micro Mesh Guard, which is by far the best gutter guard with a package of advanced features. Moreover, the price is surprisingly affordable.

For your information, this Raptor gutter guard has 900 holes per one square inch so it can filter almost all debris from pine needles to wet leaves.

In addition, the V-bend technology in combination with the patented front trough allows water to go straight into the gutter and clean all debris itself. As a result, it reduces time and effort to clean and maintain the gutters later.

All are good, except for the fact that Raptor Gutter Stainless Micro Mesh Guard is designed for standard 5-inch gutters. If you have a bigger and smaller gutter system, the Raptor is not effective, we are afraid.

Pros:

• Reasonably priced with lots of helpful features
• Ultra micro-mesh to filter all debris
• Self-cleaning ability with V-bend and trough technologies
• A 25-year warranty supported with the package

Cons:

• Only suitable for standard 5-inch gutter

Best Warranty: LeafTek 5″ x 200′ Gutter Guard Leaf Protection

The 30-year warranty of FlexxPoint gutter guard is impressive enough, however, LeafTek 5″ x 200′ Gutter Guard Leaf Protection even offers a longer warranty – 35 years. This is because the manufacturer is extremely confident in its guards to last over time.

It makes sense, given that the 5″ x 200′ Gutter Guard Leaf Protection is made of the leading-quality .019 gauge aluminium. The ⅛-inch hole is also helpfully small to keep leaves, pin needles, seeds, and twigs from entering and damaging the guard. Moreover, the raised ridge construction helps remove the water faster.

Nonetheless, ready to invest such an amount to get all helpful features as above.

Pros:

• Extremely sturdy and built-to-last
• Helpful holes to keep debris out
• Raised ridge construction supported
• A warranty of 35 years

Cons:

• More expensive than many others

Best Stylish: Gutter Guard 3 Inch Filter Strainer

Is it necessary that a gutter guard be stylish? – Yes, we do think that a gutter guard should be both functional and beautiful not to affect your house’s style. That is why we bring this Gutter Guard 3 Inch Filter Strainer at your fingertips.

With a spherical shield head, the gutter guard will change the flow direction of leaves and even pin-sized grimes down into the tube. Thus, you are free of cleaning the gutter and gutter guard later. Besides, the small and lightweight construction will hardly add any pressure to your roof system.

However, we would prefer it more if the guard is a bit bigger. It will not be able to fit all gutter sizes like this.

Pros:

• Buy one get four
• Lightweight and stylish
• Effective filtration design
• Long-lasting stainless material

Cons:

• A bit small for rain reasons

Best Rated: Shur Flo X Leaf Guard Gutter Protector

Shur Flo X Leaf Guard Gutter Protector is the most preferred guard so far for reason that it is lightweight, durable, easy-to-install, and most importantly – good at preventing clogs on the gutter.

Accordingly, this gutter guard is designed to fit along with the roofing and over the gutter as a filtration system. The rainwater can flow through the ridges along the panel bottom, meanwhile, debris is caught on the top. As a result, you and your house can rest assured of the rain seasons.

We also like that the Shur Flo X Leaf Guard Gutter Protector has a low-profile design, making the guard invisible from the ground. In other words, you do not have to worry that the guard can destroy your roof’s style.

The only disadvantage is its price, which is much more expensive than most of the gutter guards on the list.

Pros:

• Built-to-last construction
• Invisible from the ground
• Increased airflow and waterflow
• Back up by a 25-year warranty

Cons:

• Expensive

Best Foam Gutter Guard: GutterStuff Pro 5-Inch K Style

Some gutter guards mentioned above are helpful for small debris like pine needles, however, they cannot completely prevent it. If you want to find an absolute solution, better buy this GutterStuff Pro 5-Inch K Style.

This gutter guard is made of an imbued foam that will block the debris forever and still let the rainwater get through easily. That foam is even germicide and UV-protected, therefore, you can sit back and and go about your day, knowing that this will keep all uninvited guests from getting through your roof

We also appreciate GutterStuff Pro 5-Inch K Style for its ease of installation. You just need to simply trim the foam and insert it according to the gutter’s size with no tools.

The only problem is that instead of gutter maintenance, you will need to clean the foam frequently to ensure its best performance.

Pros:

• Not high priced
• Durable foam to filter any debris
• Ease of installation
• Compatible with different gutter styles

Cons:

• Required to blow the foam frequently

How to Choose the Best Gutter Guards?

The idea of gutter guards seems straightforward. However, the manufacturers keep adding new technologies to make those guards more user-friendly and useful over time. Thus, as a newbie, you might not know what to choose from at least a hundred options out there. Then, take notes of three factors as follows:

1. Types of gutter guards

Reverse curve gutter guards

So far, these guards are the most commonly used in big houses because of their effectiveness to resolve the clogging issues. Their design allows moving rainwater, leaves and debris down to the ground quickly.

Nonetheless, the installation is complicated and expensive. You might need to lift the roof shingles up or even buy a new compatible gutter.

Screen gutter guards

Large-opening screens on the top of the gutters can keep big debris out, fine objects can still get through though. Not to mention, the screens can fall off under heavy wind and might take your roof away!

The only advantage is their affordability.

Micro-mesh gutter guards

At a glance, micro-mesh guards look similar to the screens, but with much smaller holes and openings. Thus, you can expect a maintenance-free gutter from months to come. Furthermore, these guards are often made of durable stainless steel, backed up by reliable warranties.

The high price is the only drawback!

Brush gutter guards

Crafted with stiff bristles, the guards can fit inside the gutters and stay upright to prevent any debris from leaking in. They seem easy to install but not helpful – we confirm.

The brush gutter guards cannot block small pin needles or maple spinners. As a result, they easily get clogged in a very short time.

Foam gutter guards

These guards can also fit inside the gutters like the brush guards. The porous foam is in place of the bristles.

This makes the guards much cheaper. Unfortunately, seedlings and small trees often grow in the foam and damage the gutters from inside out.

2. Installation

Different types of gutter guards require specific installation steps.

Screen, brush, or foam models are easily set up so you can expect a fast DIY work. However, if you choose reverse curve or micro-mesh gutter guards, you might need to ask for a professional installation. At that time, consider the extra cost.

3. Other Costs

You must clean the gutters at some points, meaning you have to remove the gutter guard and reinstall it later. Thus, think about cleaning and maintaining cost besides the price of gutter guards themselves and the installation cost.

Ensure that the total cost is under your budget.

FAQs

1. Do the gutter guards really help?

Of course.

Without the gutter guards, the stormwater and debris might get clogged on your roof. Then, the unclean water and stuff might leak into your house’s foundation and damage it.

2. Can the gutter guards be bad to the roof?

Helpful as the gutter guards, some consumers have claimed them as a waste of money. For instance, the screen or brush guards cannot filter the fine debris out and there are still clogs on your roof.

That is true, so better to use one of the best gutter guards and buying guide that we introduced you above.

3. Does gutter guards add extra cost to gutter cleaning?

Yes, but for your house’s sake.

You might need to pay extra for installation and maintenance cost. Meanwhile, you will have to clean the gutters less frequently and remove debris pressure on the roof.

Wrapping Up

Do not wait any longer to get one of the best gutter guards above. Otherwise, there will be more and more leaves and debris on your gutter system and might cause a flood or even damage your roof. Thus, refer to the reviews and buying guide carefully so that you can make a wise choice!