6 Best Gutter Guards of 2023, Tested by Experts

Jul 11, 2023

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Because no one likes having to clean the gutters when they start to overflow with gunk.

No one enjoys cleaning their gutters, but it's essential to keeping your home in good condition — and if you install gutter guards, you can lessen the amount of leaves and debris that can accumulate, streamlining your outdoor upkeep and saving yourself a lot of headaches and money in the long run.

That's why we extensively researched the best gutter guards, interviewing home improvement experts and combing through customer reviews to review and rank the top-performing options on the market that will keep your home protected during even the most volatile weather.

It's typically more cost-efficient to invest in gutter guards rather than paying for gutter cleaning, which can cost about $150 on average per session, and needs to be done at least two to three times a year. "The gutter system is one of the home’s most important protections. It keeps the water away, and gutter guards keep the whole system working at peak levels by preventing leaves and other debris from clogging the gutters and stopping rain water from flowing safely off the roof," says Dan DiClerico, the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab. "Bottom line: Gutters protect your home, gutter guards protect your gutters."

A clogged gutter doesn't just prevent proper rainwater runoff, it can contribute to a whole host of problems, like roof leaks, basement water damage, mold growth and even a few unwelcome pests — which is why even when you do have gutter guards, you need to make sure they are cleaned out every three to four months, either by a professional or yourself with gloves and a scooper.

After our reviews, keep scrolling to read more about what to consider when shopping for gutter guards. If you're looking for more ways to upgrade your home, check out our guides to the best roofing materials for your home and the best leaf blowers for your yard.

Not only is this guard specifically designed to handle extreme downpours while keeping dirt, grime and debris out of your gutters, but its sleek design allows it to easily blend in with your house, thanks to hidden hangers that make it less visible from the ground. Its aluminum construction will stay rust- and rot-free.

According to reviews, it's easy enough to DIY by yourself, although we advise hiring a professional for something as intricate as gutter guards. "A very good product at a fair price and its excellent design is simple to install," one reviewer wrote. Another said, "The opportunity cost of not having to climb a ladder to clean the gutters and downspouts makes these an incredible value."

As a winner in our 2022 Home Renovation Awards, LeafFilter's gutter protection impressed our experts in testing.

In the Lab, we were wowed by the stainless-steel construction that provided a strong stable framework, only enhanced by hidden support hangers. Thanks to the micro-mesh material, water is drawn through the screen and can easily pass through into the gutter without chunks of leaves, pine needles, asphalt roof granules and more getting through. “The installers were top-notch, professional, prompt and highly capable," one tester said. “My entire gutter system is doing a much better job managing rainwater, and I haven't had to clean the gutters or guards once in the four months since they went in.”

Since LeafFilter creates custom gutter protection, you can expect to pay between $10 to $35 per linear foot, an increase to the average cost of $2 to $35 per linear foot, since these custom guards need to be professionally installed and the price factors that in. That being said, having gutter guards provides security and solace in knowing that they are secured and will stay in place even in the most aggressive weather compared to an at-home DIY job with other brands.

Although micro-mesh can be difficult to install on your own — meaning you might have to shell out a few extra dollars to get it professionally installed — this heavy-duty cover is great at blocking leaves, rocks, pine needles and other debris. The stainless steel is rust-resistant and less likely to bend and warp due to exposure to the elements. With over 3K five-star ratings, this Amazon best-seller is a favorite for its somewhat easy installation process, sturdy build and streamlined look that prevents it from being an eyesore. "I am a contractor and this is the best quality and the best price I have found!," one reviewer wrote. Meanwhile another user said, "They are so rigid; they are easy to slide into tight-fitting areas. You will never have to replace them!" Though others noted that they may need to be adjusted based on your gutter measurements.

If you often have to fish large leaves, sticks and branches out of your gutters (like, say, if you live in an area with lots of large trees), metal mesh screens are a great way to protect your gutter. These powder-coated steel guards, which come in a pack of 25, are designed to slide under shingles and lock in to the front lip of the gutter.

Although the mesh lets water pass through and flow easily through the gutters, the sizable holes will allow smaller rubble to get through, which can lead to build-up — meaning it might not be the best choice if you deal with smaller pieces of debris on a regular basis. That said, as a top choice on Amazon, reviewers like that these feel sturdy and stay in place securely with no fastening. "They snap right into our gutters, have a rounded top to allow debris to roll off," said a reviewer.

If you live in an area with a more arid climate that doesn't experience much rain or snow or with little surrounding nature, a plastic gutter guard can work quite well to keep those gutters debris-free. Although plastic is flimsier than metal and isn't ideal if you find yourself constantly needing to clean out your gutters, it's a good choice if you're searching for something that acts as a basic barrier that doesn't need to withstand heavy debris like rocks, sticks, wet leaves, mud, etc.

Plastic grid screens are often cheaper (one roll covers up to 20 feet of gutters) and simple to install, but don't stay intact for more than a few years, which means you will need to replace them. Although some reviewers mentioned it didn't hold up well in extreme heat or cold, they did like that it was quick to install, budget-friendly and overall how great of a job it did at keeping larger pieces of debris out of gutters. One customer wrote, "The grid is not fine enough to keep out the small debris, but overall it works well and is very inexpensive."

Designed to slide in with no resistance or fastening, these standard GutterBrush inserts help stop gutter overflow by trapping leaves, dirt, weeds, mud and even ice in its thick bristles. Available in a variety of lengths from six feet up to 105 feet, these inserts can simply be pulled out when necessary to clean and then reinserted to prevent clogging and extensive water damage.

Reviewers love how they not only prevent debris buildup, but how they also act as a repellent for animals. "These were easy to install and they keep our gutters clean. Gutterbrush also keeps the birds from building nests inside our downspouts."

Our team of scientists and consumer product specialists in the Good Housekeeping Institute have been evaluating home improvement and outdoor products for decades, and we're committed to bringing you trustworthy and unbiased recommendations based on our experts' extensive knowledge and firsthand experience.

When compiling our list of the best gutter guards, our experts considered the cost, material, type, durability, installation process and ideal regional location for each.

While we haven't yet tested all of the picks on our list, we considered top-performing brands and favorites of our in-house home improvements experts. We also looked at previously tested picks or similar picks to top-tested products that received high marks and five-star picks online.

There are a few important things to keep in mind when determining which is the right gutter guard for your home.

✔️ Installation: Although you can install most, if not all, gutter guards yourself, we advise hiring a professional as they are better equipped to handle the safety measures required to work on a roof. That being said, a lot of gutter guards come with step-by-step instructions so if you choose to do so, you have the option to DIY them yourself.

✔️ Cost: "Don’t spend top dollar on the best system on the market," recommends DiClerico. He says you can typically find a decent deal when it comes to the various types of gutter guards including installation fees. On average, homeowners spend $1,000 on the installation of gutter guards in addition to the gutter guards themselves. That’s assuming you'll use 200 linear feet of gutter, which is typical. "There is a wide range on either side of that average, from $200 for plastic DIY guards up to $5,000 or more for professionally installed metal covers," Dan says. Of course, if you have a multi-story home with steep pitches and complicated roof lines, you can expect to pay a lot more, anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. Keeping this average cost in mind allows you to make sure you're getting the best price when you get quoted by a professional.

✔️ Type and material: There are three main types of gutter guards: screens, inserts, and covers, and they can be made of different materials. Although it can be a personal decision, it's best to consult an expert to make sure you choose the right one for your home. Inserts usually slide in with little-to-no tools required, while screens and covers typically need to be locked, snapped or screwed in. There are some of the most common combinations:

The short answer? For most homes, yes.

Not only do gutter guards help with rain runoff, but they prevent pesky critters from burrowing in your gutters and building a nest. They also help keep rainwater from leaking into your home's foundation, which can lead to structural issues, mold, flooding and more.

There are certainly different climates, like wet, heavily wooded regions, where it will be more of a necessity to have gutter guards installed than others. But no matter where you live, any home can benefit from the extra protection that gutter guards provide.

Good Housekeeping writers and editors are experts when it comes to researching and recommending products to keep your home in tip-top shape.

For over three years, Assistant Editor Annie O'Sullivan has written about gifts, holidays, home and more for Good Housekeeping. For this story, she relied on her own in-depth research and insight from online reviews to find the best gutter guards on the market.

She also consulted with Dan DiClerico, the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who has over 20 years of experience writing product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership from routine maintenance to major renovations.

Annie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and previously reported for Runner’s World, NBC New York/NY 4 and Woman’s Day. Annie also has experience writing entertainment news and celebrity-focused content.

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