The Best Gutter Guards to Catch Leaves and Debris

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.

We researched the top-performing brands and favorites of our in-house home improvements experts. We also looked at previously tested picks or similar alternatives to top-tested products that received high marks online.

When choosing the right gutter guards for your home, there are a few factors to keep in mind that will vary from person to person:

✔️ Installation: Although you can install most, if not all, gutter guards yourself, our Lab experts' advice is to hire a professional who is 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," recommended DiClerico. He said 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," DiClerico said. 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 quotes from 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. These are some of the most common combinations:

• Plastic grid screens: These plastic screens with a grid design are usually the cheapest option, costing around $1 or less per foot. They're known for being easy to install and inexpensive, however they can be flimsy and prone to collapse in extreme weather conditions so they are best suited for environments with arid, nonvolatile weather patterns.
• Metal mesh screens: Made from sheets of aluminum or stainless steel with holes punched into it, metal mesh screens are an inexpensive option, costing around $2 to $4 per foot of material. They are great at trapping large pieces of debris, though seeds or granules from an asphalt roof can often get through the cracks and build up in the gutters. Since they are made with more durable materials compared to something more flexible like plastic grid screens, they are good at withstanding heavy rainfall, snow or ice.
• Micro-mesh screens: These steel or aluminum frames covered with a fine mesh screen are excellent at keeping debris out of the gutter while withstanding even the heaviest of rainfall. However, they can be a bit pricier than other options, costing around $10 per foot (usually $20 with installation), and can be more difficult to install (in other words, it's highly recommended to hire a pro).
• Gutter inserts: Although not a traditional choice, these brush or foam inserts slide in and sit inside the gutters, allowing water to pass through while trapping leaves, dirt and more. Generally about $3 to $4 per foot, these can be affordable and somewhat easy enough to install on your own. Keep in mind that you'll typically need to clean the inserts more frequently than traditional gutter guards.
• Surface-tension gutter covers: These metal covers have a curved front that allows water to drain into the gutter while debris flows over and off the roof. Like micro-mesh screens, they can cost around $10 per foot (usually $20 with installation), but they do a wonderful job at preventing debris from building up, although they aren't advisable for areas that receive heavy downpours. They usually require more screws and bolts to fit properly to the gutters, but as long as you're fine with paying a pro to do it for you, you should have no problem.
• Gutter-and-gutter guard combos: These high-performing systems not only look sleek on your house, but most times they are custom-made to fit your home perfectly. Although they can be quite expensive and usually require a professional to install, they are an excellent option if you live in an area with volatile weather and you need something that will stand up to it. For instance, if you reside in the Northwest, you can get great benefits from a custom system like this. Whereas if you're from the South, you can save your money and find something more affordable that better suits your needs.

For most homes, yes. Gutter guards stop leaves, debris and more from clogging your gutters while allowing water to flow through the gutters and off your roof. Not only do gutter guards help with rain runoff, but they prevent birds and animals from burrowing in your gutters or building nests. 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 regions, like wet, heavily wooded areas, 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.

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. 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," said DiClerico. "Bottom line: Gutters protect your home. Gutter guards protect your gutters."

All gutter guards need to be cleaned eventually, but how often they need to be cleaned depends on the model. While the best systems (including micro-mesh screens) offer enough protection that you rarely need to clean them, DiClerico still recommended cleaning them once a year, especially if there are a lot of leaves and debris on your roof. Foam inserts are more budget-friendly, but you're sacrificing effectiveness and consequently, you'll have to clean them more often.

DiClerico advised cleaning the gutter guards by climbing up a ladder to clean the gutters by hand. Or if you want to keep your feet on the ground, some leaf blowers and pressure washers have special attachments for this.

Either way, you'll be cleaning your gutters less often than you would need to without gutter guards: "The whole point of putting in gutter guards is so that you don’t have to climb up on a ladder a few times a year to clear away leaves and other muck," DiClerico says.

If you live in not-so-sunny climates, certain gutter guards will be better suited to withstand intense conditions. "Many mesh screen systems can handle extreme weather, especially those that are designed to be anchored to the fascia board," DiClerico said. On the other hand, he advised against snap-in guards and gutter inserts for homes that experience heavy rain and snow.

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The 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.

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. Assistant Commerce Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute Isabella Cavallo recently updated this article with more picks and information.

O'Sullivan and Cavallo consulted with Dan DiClerico, director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab at the GH Institute, to write and update this story. He 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.