The Top 4 Best Gutter Guards for 2023 – See the NEW #1 Gutter Guard!

Are you looking for the best gutter guards in 2023?

If you are considering installing gutter guards, you will want to read this entire article!

While large media outlets might share their “The Best Gutter Guard,” articles, often gutter guard manufacturers are paying them to write all about their gutter guards. Today, we will share our opinion of the best gutter guards and how to pick the right gutter guard for your home!

First, what are gutter guards?

Gutter guards come in all shapes and sizes, but they are all designed to do exactly what their name says; guard your gutters from the elements.

While there are all types of gutter guards, such as screen or micro mesh gutter guards, it is important to recognize that not all gutter guards are created the same (which we will soon detail). A properly fitting and functioning gutter guard should do the following:

1. Protect your gutters from leaves, sticks, and other organic build-up that could clog your gutter system
2. Prevent water 💦 from standing in your gutters due to clogs
3. Assist in preventing birds from nesting in your gutters
4. Act as a barrier for your rain gutters without requiring cleaning
5. Install gutter guards means you don’t have to clean your gutters

As you can see, the role of gutter guards can make them worth the upfront costs, especially when you have new gutters installed in your home. The founder of Top Dog Home Pro – Luke Mitchell – put it this way:

The correct gutter guard will protect your gutters from these issues – birds, leaves, sticks, pine needles – and prevent your gutters from clogging.

Gutter Guard Types:

1. Surface Tension Gutter Guards:

A surface tension gutter guard will protect your entire gutter and can even withstand direct hits from some sticks, while still offering protection of your gutters. The idea is that water can still enter your gutters while these gutter guards protect your gutters from debris and pests.

2. Vinyl & PVC Gutter Covers

Vinyl and PVC gutter covers are unanimously not recommended. While they may offer a cheap solution similar to gutter screens, they often crack, break, and cause more damage than good. However, the vinyl gutter guard option is popular for DIY homeowners.

3. Screen Gutter Guards:

Metal screens or vinyl screens placed in gutters have holes that allow water to enter the gutter. The primary issue with these gutter guards is they don’t work very well and end up sagging into your gutters. Screen gutter guards also require cleaning and maintenance and can be the reason for a gutter clog.

4. Foam Gutter Guards

Foam gutter guards are an inexpensive, easy-to-install gutter guard solution that protects debris from entering your gutters. These do not require professional installation and can easily be taken out to be cleaned. They do require maintenance and cleaning and can also prevent water from entering your gutters during heavy storms.

5. Fine Mesh Gutter Guards (Micro Mesh Gutter Guards)

Utilizing stainless steel micro mesh, this gutter guard is very popular and protects the entire gutter. Designed with oversized stainless steel micro-mesh wire for strength and durability, these guards are rated well for clean performance.

6. Reverse Curve Guards

Gutter Helmet makes what is known as a reverse curve gutter guard. The concept is that the cover protects your gutters while the water runs into your gutters. While this is a popular option, it is often a more expensive gutter guard. These are considered professional gutter guards.

7. Brush Style Gutter Guards

Similar to the foam gutter guards, brush-style gutter guards are long strips of brush – almost like a hairbrush – that you place in your gutters to prevent debris from clogging your gutters. These require cleaning and maintenance annually but are a cheap DIY option.

☑️ Pros include easy to install, do your own gutter guards, and cheap options.

Ranking Gutter Guards: The Best Gutter Guards for Your Home (2023)

Most gutter guards will vary in price, performance, and durability. Keeping this in mind, we have ranked the top brands that we think are worth the “Gutter Guard Installation.” Notice we do not rank any screen gutter guards or DIY gutter guards, only professionally installed gutter guards.

1. Raindrop Gutter Guards (Surface-tension gutter guards):

Almost every article you visit will mention LeafFilter, LeafGuard, or Gutter Helmet gutter guards as the best bet for homeowners. However, micro mesh and reverse curve gutter guards are a pain to work with and have many flaws from needing cleaning to allowing certain debris buildup to occur still.

We think Raindrop gutter guards are the best after years of working with numerous brands. Here is our exact methodology behind ranking them as the best option for gutter guards:

1. They cover your entire gutter system and ensure no birds or debris can enter the gutter (unlike reverse curve gutter guards)
2. The only thing that can enter these gutter guards is super small debris and the occasional pine needles.
3. The manufacturer offers a no-clog guarantee we can uphold as an installer.
4. The cost is affordable for homeowners and cheaper than other reputable brands.
5. Ensure the water still enters your gutters, instead of water runoff occurring during heavy storms

2. LeafFilter (Mirco-mesh gutter guards):

LeafFilter has the best marketing and wins the popularity contest – hand’s down. This is why they are number two, and overall, their performance offers 90% satisfaction (this is direct from their website, where they state 9 in 10 customers will recommend LeafFilter gutter guards).

Similar to Raindrop gutter guards, they protect the entire gutter and are also self-cleaning for the most part. As with most micro mesh gutter guard materials, the flush mount may lead to debris sitting on top of the gutter guards. Additionally, sometimes water has trouble making it’s way to your gutters. However, performance aside, this gutter guard is number two because it by far one of the more expensive options to have installed.

3. All American Gutter Protection (Mirco-mesh gutter guards):

Very similar to LeafFilter, the All American Gutter Protection offers protection and ensures no leaves, pine needles, dirt, shingle grit, maple spinners, seedlings, twigs, sticks, birds, animals, or wasps will enter your gutters.

A fairly reputable gutter guard, the same comparison can be drawn with LeafFilter and we rank them #3 simply because the reputation is not as strong as LeafFilters. Price points are similar and vary based on your location and also the installer.

4. LeafGuard (Reverse curve gutter guards):

Reverse curve gutter guards are known to work well except when heavy rains occur. Most curves have no way of slowing down the water coming off your roof and the water will fly off your gutters (not good). Because of this and paired with the fact that birds love to nest in gutters with reverse curve gutter guards (they now have a little roof), we rank them last.

They are also pricey and technically challenging to have installed/moved.

How to Pick Gutter Guards:

To pick the right gutter guards for your home, there are three essential factors you will want to consider:

1. Self-cleaning and maintenance
2. Performance
3. Price

The order of importance is worth noting; self-cleaning gutter guards are necessary. What is the point in utilizing gutter protection if you have to turn around and clean the protection? The entire point of a gutter guard is to prevent your gutter system from clogging and having to clean your gutters constantly.

Be sure always to install gutter guards that are self-cleaning. This will limit your selection but remember, a low price isn’t always the best. Factor two – performance – often goes hand in hand with self-cleaning gutter guards. So when looking for the best gutter guards, remember that performance during heavy rain storms is key!

Lastly, price should always be a factor. Most reverse curve gutter guards are costly to install, repair, and replace. They often come with technical warranties if any at all. You will want to factor price into your equation, but don’t sacrifice quality for price!

Frequently Asked Gutter Guard Questions:

What to consider when choosing the best gutter guards?

When selecting the top gutter guards, you will want to consider the best-performing gutter guards and whether you have to clean them. One of the important reasons for purchasing new gutter guards is to prevent clogged gutters. However, cleaning gutter guards isn’t fun or easy, so we recommend self-cleaning gutter guards.

What are the types of gutter guards?

Types of gutter guards include:

• Surface tension gutter guards
• Micro mesh gutter guards
• Screen gutter guards
• Brush guards
• Foam gutter guards
• Vinyl/PVC gutter covers

Should you hire Pro vs. DIY Gutter Guards?

You should always hire a professional gutter guard installer to install your new gutter guards to protect your existing gutter system fully and ensure it is done correctly. A lot of the “DIY Gutter Guards” are cheaply made and can cause more issues than they help with. Installing gutter guards yourself is hard work that requires expertise and proper safety measures such as ladder safety.

Do gutter guards work in heavy rain?

Some gutter guards work great during heavy rain storms, while others don’t. The brand of gutter guards plays a large role in how much water your gutters can handle. Reverse curve gutter guards, for example, are not as efficient during heavy storms. Certain gutter guards, such as mesh gutter guards, can get easily clogged by small debris, and this causes water to roll off your roof.

What are the advantages of Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards protect your gutter system from small debris buildup, bird nesting, and other things that can clog your gutters. When your existing gutter system is brand new or several years old, the right gutter guard can help prolong the life of your gutters and mean fewer gutter cleanings. Ultimately, gutter guards can save you money in annual gutter cleaning fees.