Gutter cleaning is necessary to keep your rain gutters draining correctly. But it can also be dangerous. The task essentially guarantees that you’ll be at least one story up on a ladder. To mitigate this danger, there exist a number of innovative gutter cleaning tools that let you clean from the ground.
One such tool is our very own GutterSweep. It’s a rotary cleaning tool that utilizes the power of a drill to sweep debris out of your gutters. Another popular tool is Gutter Clutter Buster. This gutter cleaning tool relies on the power of a vacuum to suck out debris.
Both tools provide extended reach, allowing you to clean from the ground ladder-free. But the similarities basically end there. So you may be wondering, “Which gutter cleaning tool is best for me?”
In this guide, we’re going to take a close look at GutterSweep and Gutter Clutter Buster. We’ll explain the functions and features of each tool, their prices, some pros and cons, and more.
By the time you’re finished here, you’ll understand which tool is right for you, and you’ll be ready to clean your gutters safely and reliably.
Gutter Clutter Buster
How Does Gutter Clutter Buster Work?
At its core, Gutter Clutter Buster is a simple tool. It’s basically a cane-shaped tube that attaches to a wet/dry vacuum. From there, simply reach the tool up into your gutters and power on your vacuum. It will suck out leaves, twigs, shingle granules, and more common gutter debris.
Since it utilizes a wet/dry vacuum, it doesn’t matter whether your gutters are filled with dry debris or clogged with water. The tool can handle whatever junk may be in its way.
How Much Reach Does Gutter Clutter Buster Offer?
The original Gutter Clutter Buster kit comes with a 60-inch cane-shaped attachment. You can also purchase 54-inch extension rods from the manufacturer. The company also makes several kits, each with a different number of extension rods included.
How Much Does Gutter Clutter Buster Cost?
There are four different Gutter Clutter Buster options available. These include the original tool, a kit with two extension rods, a kit with three extension rods, and a kit with four extension rods. Their prices are:
- Gutter Clutter Buster: $129.95
- Gutter Clutter Buster Kit (with 1 extension rod): $189.95
- Gutter Clutter Buster Kit Plus One (with 2 extension rods): $229.95
- Gutter Clutter Buster Kit Plus Two (with 3 extension rods): $264.95
You may also purchase individual extension rods for $44.50. The company also offers kits that include a vacuum in case you don’t already own one:
- Gutter Clutter Buster Tool and Vacuum Combo: $339.95
- Gutter Clutter Buster Kit and Vacuum Combo: $529.95
- Gutter Clutter Buster Kit Combo Pro: $619.95
- Gutter Clutter Buster Kit Combo Pro Max: $699.95
Pros of the Gutter Clutter Buster
One of the stand-out features of the Gutter Clutter Buster is how lightweight it is. When you’re reaching up to clean your gutters from the ground, your arms will strain quickly. The tool itself weighs about two pounds, resulting in less exertion and quicker cleaning.
The wide selection of kits makes the tool very versatile, too. With four kits available, an additional four kits available with a vacuum included, and extension rods available, you’d be hard-pressed not to find the right combination to work for your gutters.
Finally, everything Gutter Clutter Buster makes is made in the USA. From initial concept to the finished tools themselves, the entire process takes place domestically.
Cons of the Gutter Clutter Buster
The Gutter Clutter Buster comes standard with a 2.5” diameter. This width, unfortunately, is not adaptable. While that size is fairly common for wet/dry vacuum attachments, if your vacuum requires a bigger or smaller size, the tool won’t be compatible.
Perhaps the tool’s biggest advantage is also one of its biggest disadvantages: it requires a vacuum. That’s great if you already have one, but if you don’t, the tool won’t be very useful to you. As we mentioned, the company sells their kits with vacuums, but they’re relatively expensive.
Also, when it comes to the functionality of the tool itself, some users have reported that it clogs easily. This is especially true if you’re vacuuming wet, muddy gutters. Clogs like this can hamper and elongate the cleaning process.
GutterSweep
How Does GutterSweep Work?
We’ve done an in-depth review of GutterSweep before. But to summarize, GutterSweep is a rotary cleaning tool. It attaches to a drill, and the drill operates a paddle brush attachment that sweeps debris from your gutters.
It also attaches to a hose. When you’re finished sweeping, swap the paddle brush out for the water jet nozzle. This nozzle lets you spray and scrub out any remaining debris. GutterSweep allows you to clean wet and dry for thorough, reliable results.
How Much Reach Does GutterSweep Offer?
The GutterSweep kit comes with two 36-inch extension poles for a total of 72” of reach. You can also purchase two additional 36-inch extension poles. Use as many poles as you need in order to clean one-story, two-story, or three-story gutters.
How Much Does GutterSweep Cost?
GutterSweep is a comprehensive, all-in-one gutter cleaning kit. Aside from the extension poles, the standard kit includes everything you need to clean your gutters (except a drill). With that in mind, the standard kit and extension kits’ prices are as follows:
- GutterSweep: $74.99
- GutterSweep Extension Kit: $49.99
The original kit includes plenty of tools to use, too. You’ll find two extension poles, a curved pole and a right-angle gear drive, a drill adapter, a flow-through hose adapter, the water jet nozzle, the paddle brush, a hose adapter water control valve, and a handle grip.
Pros of GutterSweep
One of the best things about GutterSweep is that it includes everything you need to clean your gutters. The kit is comprehensive. The only other barriers to entry are a drill and a hose. Both of these are common household items, but even if you don’t have either, they’re relatively cheap.
Also, the combination of the paddle brush and water jet nozzle let you clean both wet and dry. This precise approach removes large debris first, then lets you flush the remaining debris down your rain gutters. You’ll wind up with cleaner gutters, you’ll avoid mold growth, and you’ll experience less clogs.
Finally, at around $75 for the kit, its price point is highly economical. Especially if you already own a hose and a drill, GutterSweep offers a great value for its asking price.
Cons of GutterSweep
One of GutterSweep’s biggest caveats is the wildness of its paddle brush. Unlike Gutter Clutter Buster which neatly sucks debris away, GutterSweep’s paddle brush flings gutter junk all over. It won’t be in your gutters anymore, but it’ll definitely wind up just about everywhere else.
It’s also a bit on the heavy side. It’s certainly lighter than it appears, but its attachments, extension poles, and motorized components may be demanding on your arms as you use it. Just be sure to rest as needed.
Finally, GutterSweep won’t work unless you own a drill. Thankfully, you don’t need a top-of-the-line drill to get the best out of the tool. A $25 - $35 option will work perfectly. Still, just be aware of the potential extra cost.
Which Gutter Cleaning Tool Should You Get?
There you are — an in-depth comparison between two of the most popular DIY gutter cleaning kits on the market. Even at this point, though, you still may be wondering, “Which one should I get?”
If by chance you already own a wet/dry vacuum, Gutter Clutter Buster is a great option. The more powerful your vacuum, the more effective the tool will be. All the gutter debris — both wet and dry — ends up in the vacuum for neat, easy disposal.
GutterSweep, on the other hand, has a much lower barrier to entry. Even if you don’t own a drill or a hose, you can buy both of them and a GutterSweep kit for less than the cost of a basic Gutter Clutter Buster kit.
When it comes to choosing your rain gutter cleaning kit, keep in mind the compatible tools you already own. Keep your budget in mind, and balance the ease of use of both tools. Choose the one that best fits your home improvement tool repertoire.
GutterSweep isn’t the only rotary cleaning tool out there, either. We also make similar tools for chimneys, dryer vents, and even all-purpose cleaning. Be sure to take a look at our rotary cleaning guide to learn more.
