Mesh gutter guard

The right gutter guards will keep tree debris and shingle grit out of your gutters, reducing how often you need to clean them and virtually eliminating the risk of clogs. Since overflowing gutters can lead to internal and external water damage and even foundation issues over time, gutter guards are an excellent investment to keep your home protected.

Based on our research, HomeCraft Gutter Protection makes and installs the best gutter guards available. Not only do they maintain outstanding customer reviews, including a 4.8-star rating on Google*, but they come with a 25-year warranty for materials and workmanship and a clog-free guarantee for the ultimate peace of mind.

*Third-party consumer review scores are accurate as of September 2024.

Our top picks

HomeCraft Gutter Protection: Best gutter guard

LeafFilter: Best for customer satisfaction

Gutter Helmet: Best for cold climates

LeafGuard: Best for gutter and gutter guard system

All American Gutter Protection: Best for color options

HomeCraft Gutter Protection: Best gutter guard

homecraft card.jpg

Star rating: 4.8 out of 5

Guarantee: Clog-free guarantee?

Warranty: Lifetime warranty for materials and labor

Type of gutter guard: Micro-mesh

HomeCraft’s stainless steel micro-mesh gutter guard with a raised diamond design

Why we picked HomeCraft Gutter Protection

HomeCraft is a full-service gutter company that can clean and repair your existing gutters before installing new guards or handle a complete gutter replacement and guard installation, making it a one-stop shop for all your gutter protection needs.

Micro-mesh gutter guards are among the most effective designs in the industry, blocking nearly all debris, from dirt to pine needles. We like that HomeCraft’s micro-mesh gutter guards are made from 304 marine-grade stainless steel, which is incredibly durable and resistant to saltwater corrosion and heat stress up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The guards have a raised diamond design to elevate debris while allowing water to flow freely through your gutters and fit on any style of gutter.

We also like that HomeCraft Gutter Protection provides a transferable lifetime warranty for materials and labor, which can be a selling point for your home if you decide to move. You also get a clog-free guarantee, which means the company will service any issues you have with your gutter guards.

HomeCraft is our top pick for the best gutter guards but has some drawbacks. HomeCraft’s services are available in just 16 states, primarily in the Southeast and Midwest. Additionally, the company doesn’t offer online quotes, so you’ll have to contact them to get pricing.

Who should use HomeCraft Gutter Protection

We recommend HomeCraft gutter guards for homeowners who want durable, long-lasting gutter guards coupled with new gutters or cleaning services.

Pros and cons of HomeCraft Gutter Protection

Pros

  • Clog-free guarantee for peace of mind
  • Made from 304 marine-grade stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant and long-lasting
  • 4.8-star customer rating on Google

Cons

  • Limited availability — only in 16 states, primarily on the East Coast and Midwest
  • Must call for quote

LeafFilter: Best for customer satisfaction

leaf filter card.jpg

Star rating: 4.2 out of 5

Guarantee: Clog-free guarantee

Warranty: Lifetime warranty for materials

Type of gutter guard: Micro-mesh

LeafFilter’s 275-micron stainless steel gutter guard design has a uPVC frame with a built-in pitch to help shed debris.

Why we picked LeafFilter

LeafFilter gutter guards are a three-piece system that uses surface tension to draw in water while keeping debris out. They’re made of 275-micron surgical-grade stainless steel, a uPVC plastic frame and a sturdy internal hanger fastened to your fascia board. Not only is surgical steel the most corrosion-resistant stainless steel, LeafFilter claims its ultra-fine mesh will keep out particles as small as pollen and shingle grit.

LeafFilter is an excellent option if you’re looking for high-quality customer service and a company that stands behind its warranty, according to customer reviews. LeafFilter has some of the most impressive customer reviews among all of the gutter guard companies we reviewed, including a 4.3-star review on Trustpilot and an A+ rating and a 3.8-star review on the Better Business Bureau (BBB)*.

LeafFilter includes a lifetime warranty that you can transfer if you sell your home, which gives you peace of mind while you live there and acts as a selling point if you decide to move. You also get a clog-free guarantee — the company claims if its gutter guards fail and cause your home interior water damage, it will repair the problem or refund 100% of the material costs of your gutter guards.

LeafFilter is a great option for customer service while installing gutter protection, but this company has some downsides. No online quotes are available, so you’ll have to schedule an in-person inspection. Additionally, the warranty doesn’t include cleaning or repair services.

Who should use LeafFilter

We recommend LeafFilter for homeowners with existing gutters who just want to add protection and those looking for above-average customer service experiences.

Pros and cons of LeafFilter

Pros

  • Lifetime warranty for materials and labor
  • 12-month financing available
  • Outstanding customer service ratings, including 4.3-star on Trustpilot

Cons

  • May not completely stop ice dams, which can damage your roof or gutters
  • No online quotes available
  • Only offers cleaning and repair services as an additional service after purchasing its gutter guard

*BBB ratings accurate as of September 2024

Gutter Helmet: Best for cold climates

gutter helmet card.jpg

Star rating: 4.2 out of 5

Guarantee: Clog-free guarantee

Warranty: Lifetime warranty for materials and workmanship

Type of gutter guard: Surface tension helmet

Gutter Helmet, made from PermaLife-coated aluminum, installed on a Minnesota home

Why we picked Gutter Helmet

Gutter Helmet’s patented design fits over your existing gutters and features a solid, curved aluminum surface with horizontally ribbed channels. The company claims rainwater naturally adheres to the textured surface and is directed into your gutter, while leaves, twigs and other debris slide off its angled bull-nose design. The gutter guards are coated with a five-layer coating, called PermaLife, to protect against corrosion, chalking and fading.

Gutter Helmet professionals can also install Helmet Heat, a hidden heated cable system to help melt snow and prevent ice dams from forming on the edge of your roof. The GFCI-protected cable features a self-regulating conductive core that heats up only when needed and is designed to shut off immediately in the case of a circuit short, making it both safe and energy-efficient. This makes Gutter Helmet the best option for homeowners who deal with heavy snowfall or ice buildup.

Gutter Helmet is one of the longest-standing companies in the gutter guard industry, and it still maintains outstanding customer reviews, including a 4.33-star rating on the BBB. It offers standard gutter guards with a clog-free guarantee, free maintenance if your gutters do get clogged and a transferable lifetime warranty.

There are some drawbacks to consider. The company doesn’t handle gutter installation or repair, so you may have to pair its services with another provider if you need more than gutter guard installation.

Who should use Gutter Helmet

We recommend Gutter Helmet to homeowners in colder climates who routinely deal with ice dams and gutter clogging during and after heavy snowfall.

Pros and cons of Gutter Helmet

Pros

  • Lifetime product and clog-free warranties
  • Installs heating cables to prevent ice buildup and blockages
  • Excellent customer service ratings, and A+ rating from the BBB

Cons

  • No online quotes available
  • No gutter installation, repair or cleaning services

LeafGuard: Best for gutter and gutter guard system

leafguard card.jpg

Star rating: 3.9 out of 5

Guarantee: Clog- and maintenance-free guarantee

Warranty: Transferable lifetime warranty for materials and labor

Type of gutter guard: Seamless gutter system with surface tension helmet

LeafGuard’s integrated gutter system shown with color options

Why we picked LeafGuard

LeafGuard is both gutter and guard in one. Its gutters are made from aluminum 20% thicker than the industry standard with downspouts 30% larger than competitors’. The seamless one-piece design gutters are supported every 2 feet, twice the industry standard, and can handle 32 inches of rain per hour. LeafGuard’s reverse-curve gutter systems work on all roof pitches and types because each is custom-fit to your home on site.

Because you get gutters and gutter guards in one installation, you don’t have to worry about coordinating with a third-party gutter company. This makes the whole process a bit more convenient than it would be with a guard-only provider.

The brand also offers a clog-free and maintenance-free guarantee and a lifetime transferable warranty for ultimate peace of mind.

While the all-in-one gutter system from LeafGuard is a great option if you know you want new gutters in addition to your gutter guards, it’s not ideal for homeowners looking to add gutter guards to existing gutters. If you recently got new gutters installed, you should look to another provider.

Who should use LeafGuard

We recommend LeafGuard to homeowners who need an entire gutter system, not just gutter guards.

Pros and cons of LeafGuard

Pros

  • All-in-one solution for gutters and gutter guards
  • Online quotes available for convenience
  • Lifetime warranty for product and clogs

Cons

All American Gutter Protection: Best for color options

all american gutter card.jpg

Star rating: 3.8 out of 5

Guarantee: Performance guarantee

Warranty: Lifetime performance warranty

Type of gutter guard: Micro-mesh

Close-up of an All American Gutter Protection micro-mesh and anodized steel gutter guard

Why we picked All American Gutter Protection

All American Gutter Protection’s gutter guards are made in the United States of a stainless steel micro-mesh screen and a 100% anodized aluminum body. The anodized layer is made from aluminum, meaning that unlike an applied layer (like paint), it won’t chip, flake or peel. Additionally, anodized aluminum is three times harder than standard aluminum and 60% lighter than stainless steel or copper.

All American Gutter Protection offers gutters and gutter guards in 30 different color options to match your home, including copper-colored aluminum to blend into existing gutters. If you’d like new gutters installed with your gutter guards, the company can accommodate that by installing new seamless gutters, making it a one-stop shop for gutter upgrades.

All American Gutter Protection is known for high-quality customer service, too, as evidenced by its 3.39-star rating on the BBB and its 4.7-star rating with Google Reviews. All American backs its products with a lifetime performance warranty, and although there’s no specific clog-free guarantee, it does mention that it will do what it can to fix any issues you run into.

Who should use All American Gutter Protection

We recommend All American for homeowners looking for unique gutter colors or gutter guards that can match existing gutter colors, including copper.

Pros and cons of All American Gutter Protection

Pros

  • Lifetime performance warranty for peace of mind
  • Excellent customer service reviews, including a 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews and an A rating from the BBB
  • 30 color options to match your home or existing gutters

Cons

  • No in-house financing available
  • Availability in some states is limited to a single city
  • No online quotes available for convenience

Our picks at a glance

The table below provides a quick side-by-side look at our picks for the best gutter guards to help make your decision a bit easier.

Best for
Availability
Clog-free guarantee
HomeCraft Gutter Protection

Best overall

16 states

Yes

LeafFilter

Customer satisfaction

46 states

Yes

Gutter Helmet

Cold climates

40 states

Yes

LeafGuard

Gutter and gutter guard system

36 states

Yes

All American Gutter Protection

Color options

50 states*

No

*Availability in some states is extremely limited.

What didn’t make the cut

There are a few companies that scored just below our top picks, which we consider “honorable mentions,” that didn’t make our list of the top five providers.

  • Gutter Guards America: Gutter Guards America offers more services than most competitors, including gutter and gutter guard installation, gutter cleaning and repair and roof repair and replacement. However, the company doesn’t include a clog-free guarantee with its products, and you get only a one-year workmanship guarantee.
  • ABC Seamless: ABC Seamless is another great company if you’re looking for additional services, including roof repair and replacement, siding replacement and soffit and fascia replacement, in addition to gutter and gutter guard installation. As far as the gutter guards go, you get a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty but no workmanship warranty or clog-free guarantee.

Why should you install gutter guards?

Gutter guards offer a few key benefits, one of which is nearly maintenance-free gutters. Most homeowners need to clean their gutters at least twice per year and likely more if there are any nearby trees.

Debris trapped in your gutters or downspouts can cause clogs, which are unsightly and can also weigh down your gutters and pull them away from your home over time. Clogged gutters can cause severe property damage, including rotting fascia and soffits and even foundation damage.

Installing gutter guards will keep virtually all debris out of your gutters so you can avoid clogs and the damage they can lead to. You’ll also save on gutter cleaning costs each year, so your gutter guards should eventually pay for themselves.

Gutter guard buying guide: 4 factors you should consider

The gutter guard you choose will significantly impact your customer experience, how well your gutters stand up to clogs and more. The following factors are some of the most important to think about when deciding which gutter guard installation company is right for you.

Cost

Gutter guard installation costs can range from $130 up to $13,000 for a LeafGuard system on a large, multi-story home.The average cost sits somewhere around $1,300.

DIY options are the least expensive, but they don’t come with clog-free warranties like some professionally installed options, and they don’t offer warranties or guarantees.

For professional installation, your price will typically be higher if you have multiple stories that you need gutter guards installed on or if your existing gutters need repairs before your installer can put on gutter guards.

Material and type of gutter guard

There are a few kinds of gutter guards you can install:

  • Brush inserts
  • Foam gutter guards
  • Helmet guards
  • Mesh and micro-mesh covers

Brush and foam guards are inexpensive DIY fixes. They can be purchased from big-box or online retailers and installed on your own. However, they leave the danger of climbing a ladder and the burden of cleaning your gutters beforehand to the homeowner. They also need to be replaced frequently.

On the other hand, high-performance helmet and micro-mesh gutter guards leave the hard parts to a pro. Professionally installed gutter guards are typically made from plastic, aluminum or steel, and the best gutter guards are made from aluminum or steel.

They perform better, last longer and often come with lifetime workmanship warranties and no-clog guarantees.

Warranties and guarantees

Ideally, you want a transferable lifetime warranty to get maximum protection while you live in your home and an additional selling point if you decide to move. In terms of guarantees, look for a no-clog guarantee with the assurance that the installer will clean your gutters for free if the product fails at any point.

For the best-in-class warranty protection and guarantees, we suggest going with HomeCraft Gutter Protection. You get a lifetime transferable warranty and a no-clog guarantee with your professional installation.

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