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While trees add to your home’s curb appeal, they can also wreak havoc on your gutters, filling them with leaves, pine cones, and seed pods year-round. To prevent this debris from clogging your gutters and causing them to overflow—and reduce time spent on a ladder yourself—consider purchasing a gutter guard.
These flat covers sit on or inside your existing gutters, acting as a filter to allow water to flow through while preventing leaves and seeds from getting inside. Gutter guards aren’t 100 percent effective and still need to be cleaned periodically, but this task then becomes much easier than the alternative of scooping out stagnant wet sludge from the gutter itself.
The Best Gutter Guards
- Best Overall: Raptor Gutter Guard Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard
- Best Heavy-Duty: A-M Gutter Guard Aluminum Gutter Guard
- Best Permanent Solution: Waterlock Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards
- Best for Heavy Rain: Amerimax Home Products Hoover Dam Gutter Guard (10 Count)
- Best PVC: Amerimax Home Products Snap-in Filter Gutter Guard (25 Count)
What to Consider
Before selecting a gutter guard, consider the weather in your area and the debris that your gutters generally deal with. If you don’t experience much rain or lack any substantial trees on your property, you can probably get away with a lighter-duty PVC option. Heavy rainfall and large amounts of weighty debris like pine cones or leaf piles require a heavy-duty guard that won’t bend or snap under a heavy or fast-falling load.
You should also take into account the installation of the guard you’re considering. Heavy-duty guards must be screwed into the gutter itself, so make sure you’re either comfortable working with power tools on top of a ladder or have the budget to hire a professional to handle it for you. Snap-on guards fit into the front lip of the gutter, making them the easiest option to install. Some gutter guards are only compatible with certain gutters, so double-check to ensure they fit your specific gutter shape.
If you decide to install it yourself, make sure to always observe ladder safety protocols while working.
How We Selected
The original writer of this story, Alex Rennie, selected these model using his personal experiences working with gutter guards. For those he didn’t get his hands on, he researched products and vetted specs to ensure none of the guards had excessive-quality control, structural, or installation issues. He considered each gutter guard’s material, prioritizing weather-resistant all-steel construction, gutter size, overall length, and ease of installation. He also included options to suit DIYers with a range of experience and those who plan to hire out the job.
Pros
Durable steel construction- Includes screws and hex driver bit
- Tight mesh filters even the smallest debris
Cons
- Does not fit 6-inch gutters
Constructed of stainless steel mesh with an aluminum frame, these guards are built to last. If they don’t, the company’s 25-year warranty has you covered. They come with corrosion-resistant screws that are durable and easy to install with a self-tapping design. A magnetic hex screwdriver bit is also included.
The stainless steel mesh gives your gutters a professional look, even if the project is 100 percent DIY. The mesh is tight enough to prevent fine debris, like shingle grit, from entering the gutter and the versatile size is suitable for use on gutters 5 inches or smaller.
Key Specs
| Gutter Size | 5 in. or smaller |
|---|---|
| Length | 48 feet |
| Material | Stainless steel, aluminum |
Pros
- Made with heavy-duty aluminum
- Easy to connect together
- Great for heavy rain
Cons
- Screws are not included
These guards are extremely strong, and thanks to their industrial-grade aluminum, won’t rust or corrode over time—plus they come with a lifetime warranty. They feature 380 ⅛-inch diameter holes every linear foot, making them well-suited to handle heavy downpours.
They also work with a wide range of gutter types, and the relatively flat design is practically invisible from the ground—unlike some bulkier options. The only caveat is that screws aren’t included. Make sure to buy at least one half-inch #8 zip screw per foot for proper installation.
Key Specs
| Gutter Size | 5 in. |
|---|---|
| Length | Approximately 4 feet per section |
| Material | Aluminum |
Pros
- Installs without any hardware
- Rugged and strong construction
- Easy to remove for maintenance
Cons
- Holes aren’t small enough for tiny debris
These E-Z Gutter guards are simple to install: You simply slide the back side under the roof and push the front down until it locks into the gutter—that’s it. This design is also easy to snap back out when you need to remove them for cleaning.
Their steel construction is durable enough to maintain its shape and fit over time, and won’t bend or buckle like lighter-duty options. They fit into 5-inch residential gutters and come with a limited lifetime guarantee. The mesh holes are somewhat large though, and may not be suitable for homes with trees that produce smaller seeds or pollen tassels.
Key Specs
| Gutter Size | 5 in. |
|---|---|
| Length | 4 feet per section |
| Material | Steel |
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Pros
- More than two dozen colors available
- Very durable
- Filters debris while also directing water
Cons
- Not as easy to install as other options
These durable guards are designed to fit the majority of five-inch residential and commercial gutters, and the micro-mesh cover protects against super-fine debris like pollen, seeds, and pine needles. Small channels on the underlying side direct water away and avoid any pooling on top.
In short, it’s the most comprehensive coverage of any options we recommend. They’re available in 15 different colors too, making it easy to customize them to your home’s paint or roof color. The included zip-screws are color-matched for a professional-quality look.
Key Specs
| Gutter Size | 5 in. |
|---|---|
| Length | 5 feet per section |
| Material | Aluminum, stainless steel |
Pros
- No hardware needed for installation
- 3-foot sections are easy to work with
Cons
- Won’t stand up to pinecones
With no screws or fasteners to deal with, these Amerimax guards are a great choice for those who want hassle-free installation. You slide them into your gutter and the flexible PVC construction snaps them into place.
While they likely aren’t durable enough for areas that get a lot of heavy debris, like pine cones and leaves, the low cost and easy installation still make them a useful option for homeowners without a lot of trees around. These are only available in white, so make sure they match your home’s color scheme.
Key Specs
| Gutter Sizes | 4–6 in. |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 feet per section |
| Material | PVC |
Pros
- Powder coated steel for durability
- Directs water into gutter
- 15-year limited warranty
Cons
- Only fits K-style gutters
This guard has a stepped shape that directs flowing water down into the gutter, but is still flat enough to encourage leaves to slide or blow away. The grates are also small enough to block out smaller debris and seed pods, preventing overflows that would otherwise get into your walls or under the shingles.
The powder-coated steel construction prevents rust, and Amerimax’s 15-year limited warranty has you covered if any issues arise. These guards are only designed to fit K-style gutters (their profile resembles the letter “K” if you’re not sure about your own), so may not be compatible with some homes.
Key Specs
| Gutter Size | 4–6 in. |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 feet per section |
| Material | Aluminum |
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7
Best Color Variety
Flexxpoint FlowGuard Premium 50-Year Gutter Cover System
Pros
- Available in four colors
- Strong enough to withstand heavy loads
- 50-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Permanent installation may not be convenient for some
These aluminum gutter guards are available in black, brown, matte aluminum, and white, so you can match them to your home’s existing paint scheme. Three raised ridges along the length of the guard elevate leaves and debris that end up on top, promoting airflow and increasing their ability to dry up and blow away.
We were especially impressed with Flexxpoint’s 50-year manufacturer warranty. Interlocking ends make it easy to connect them together during installation, and the necessary stainless steel zip screws are included.
Key Specs
| Gutter Size | 5 in. |
|---|---|
| Length | 4 feet per section |
| Material | Aluminum |
Alex Rennie
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
Danny Perez
Commerce Editor
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
