LeafFilter vs. Gutter Helmet (2024)
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- We recommend LeafFilter over Gutter Helmet for most homeowners due to it’s reliability and strong reputation with it’s customers.
LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet are professional gutter guard installers that both provide impressive products, a robust suite of services, and transferable lifetime warranties. After a thorough review of each company, we recommend the LeafFilter product over Gutter Helmet because of its effective micro-mesh guard, higher average customer review scores, and more reliable installation process.
Gutter Helmet offers a reverse-curve gutter guard, and there are some situations when it could be the better choice for your home. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about both providers to help you pick the best gutter guard for your needs.
LeafFilter vs. Gutter Helmet: Which Costs More?
To determine the cost of gutter guard installation, we read hundreds of customer reviews, noting any responses that mentioned pricing, and surveyed 1,000 gutter guard customers. The only cost data we could find on Gutter Helmet is hosted on a distributor website. Based on our findings, Gutter Helmet costs more per linear foot than LeafFilter.
You can review our findings in detail below. Note that these pricing figures are estimates, and the cost of installing gutter guards on your home will depend on several factors, such as your total length of guttering, roof pitch, and gutter condition.
LeafFilter Cost
Based on more than a dozen customer reviews that cited pricing figures and our survey of 129 LeafFilter customers, LeafFilter costs between $2,500 and $7,000. Our survey respondents noted an average cost per linear foot of $27.64. You can expect to pay around $4,100 for a 150-linear-foot LeafFilter gutter guard system.
Some commenters on Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau (BBB) reported prices at or above $10,000. These responses were prevalent enough that we took a closer look and concluded that LeafFilter’s sales tactics were behind the higher cost ranges. Multiple customers said that LeafFilter sales representatives initially presented an inflated price of $8,000 to $10,000 or more. During negotiations, they lowered the cost to a more reasonable range.
This sales tactic is not uncommon in the home improvement space. Expect an average cost of around $4,100 for a 150-linear-foot system, but don’t be surprised by an initial quote that’s two or more times that. You’ll need to negotiate and be firm with your budget to get a fair price on your LeafFilter system.
Gutter Helmet Cost
We read every available Gutter Helmet customer response on BBB and Trustpilot, but none mentioned cost figures. There were too few respondents who used Gutter Helmet in our survey to create a reliable average. Gutter Helmet doesn’t host any price information on its website.
The only data we could find is hosted on Lednor Home Solutions, which owns and distributes Gutter Helmet. According to Lednor, you can expect to pay between $35 and $65 or more per linear foot for products such as Gutter Helmet. For a standard-sized gutter system (150 linear feet), this price range will result in a total cost of $5,250 to $9,750 or more.
How Do LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet Compare?
LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet both offer high-end products. LeafFilter’s screen uses surgical-grade stainless steel woven into a 275-micron mesh filter, which is fine enough to block small particles such as shingle grit. This screen is set within a uPVC frame with a tight seal. During our firsthand testing process, we tried to force pine needles between the filter and frame and noted we couldn’t penetrate the seal. The system’s built-in 11-degree pitch forces most debris to roll off. Any remaining debris is easy to clean with a garden hose.
Gutter Helmet offers a different take on gutter protection. It uses a reverse-curve design atop a raised platform. This platform features horizontal stiffening ribs, scratch-proof paint, and a rough texture to slow the flow of water. These elements work together to counteract overflow problems prevalent in reverse-curve systems.
Customer reviews back up the effective performance of each system. However, we believe LeafFilter is a better choice for homeowners. LeafFilter offers a more generous warranty and has higher customer review scores. While Gutter Helmet offers a unique reverse-curve design and a lifetime transferable warranty, customer reviews express dissatisfaction with the dispatch fee that accompanies services, even those covered under the warranty.
Review the table below to compare the two providers at a glance.
| Factor | LeafFilter | Gutter Helmet |
|---|---|---|
| Gutter guard options | Three-piece system, including micro-mesh filter, uPVC frame, and structural hangers | Reverse-curve aluminum guard with raised frame, heavy-gauge metal supports, and PermaLife scratch-proof coating |
| State availability | 47 states | 30 states |
| BBB rating | A+ | NR |
| Warranty | Lifetime, transferable | Lifetime performance, transferable |
| Average customer review score | 4.2 out of 5 stars | 3 out of 5 stars |
| Good for | Blocking small debris; filtering heavy rainfall; easy cleaning | Self-cleaning; blocking oak leaves and other medium or large debris |
LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet Fast Facts
LeafFilter
Best Filtration
Gutter Helmet
What Are the Pros and Cons of LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet?
While LeafFilter is our top pick, each company has strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick look at where each company succeeds and where it could improve.
LeafFilter Pros and Cons
Pros
- Blocks debris as small as pine needles, seedpods, and shingle grit
- Offers a lifetime transferable warranty
- Has high average customer reviews on BBB and Trustpilot
Cons
Uses aggressive sales tactics that some customers compare to buying a used car- Doesn’t offer its additional services outside of gutter guard installations
Gutter Helmet Pros and Cons
Pros
- Self-cleans with runoff from the roof system
- Features raised platform with stiff ridges and a textured surface to prevent overflows
- Has PermaLife scratch-proof pain to improve corrosion resistance and longevity
Cons
Costs more than the industry standard- Charges a dispatch fee for any services
LeafFilter vs. Gutter Helmet: What Services Do They Offer?
LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet offer impressive gutter guards and additional services such as gutter installation and cleaning. LeafFilter only provides additional services with its gutter guard installations. Gutter Helmet’s available services depend on the franchise location but aren’t limited to guard installations. Below, we’ll discuss the service offerings provided by each company.
LeafFilter Services
LeafFilter offers additional services such as gutter installation, cleaning, and repair and downspout installation. However, it doesn’t offer these services outside of gutter guard installation. If you want your gutters repaired or to install an all-new gutter system, you’ll need to purchase LeafFilter gutter guards. LeafFilter doesn’t offer post-installation servicing outside of what’s outlined in its warranty and guarantee.
Gutter Helmet Services
Gutter Helmet works with franchise and branch locations, so its services vary depending on your local office. Lednor Home Solutions, the company that owns Gutter Helmet, offers the following services in addition to gutter guard installations:
- Fascia and soffit repair
- Gutter cleaning
- Gutter repair
- Roof replacement
- Seamless gutter installation
- Sectional gutter installation
The table below breaks down the key factors of each brand and how they compare.
| Factor | LeafFilter | Gutter Helmet |
|---|---|---|
| Blocks small debris | ✔ | |
| Uses high-quality materials | ✔ | ✔ |
| Provides a lifetime warranty | ✔ | ✔ |
| Offers a performance guarantee | ✔ | ✔ |
| Offers free quote | ✔ | ✔ |
| Provides financing options | ✔ | ✔ |
| Has quotes good for 1 year | ✔ | |
| Offers gutter installations | ✔ | ✔ |
| Offers gutter cleaning and repair | ✔ | |
| Has an average customer review score of 4 out of 5 stars or higher | ✔ | ✔ |
What Type of Gutter Guard Performs the Best?
Micro-mesh guards are the most effective type of gutter guard. These guards block the most debris, are effective in most climates, and promote water flow. Our firsthand testing process involved testing every type of gutter guard, and micro-mesh systems performed the best by a wide margin. Micro-mesh screens are also the easiest to clean because they offer a smooth surface from which debris slides off. LeafFilter’s micro-mesh system is one of the best we’ve reviewed. Its guard is expertly built and performed as advertised during testing.
Reverse-curve gutter guards, like Gutter Helmet, can keep most debris out of a gutter system. Reverse-curve guards use a solid helmet-like cap that blocks debris but has a small opening along the front where water can pass through. As the water rolls off your roof shingles onto the guard, it carries debris and pushes it to the ground. This design makes reverse-curve guards among the most efficient for self-cleaning and preventing debris buildup. However, we tested two DIY reverse-curve gutter guards and noted this type can be prone to overflowing. Also, small debris, such as pine needles, can get caught inside the opening.
What Are Customers Saying About LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet?
For this review, we read hundreds of customer reviews on independent review sites, including Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. Analyzing customer reviews gave us greater insight into how these companies treat their customers and what you can expect when working with them.
LeafFilter Reviews
LeafFilter has positive reviews across the board. Its BBB page boasts more than 6,000 reviews with an average rating of 3.95 out of 5 stars. It has more than 123,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with an average rating of 4.4 stars. Most customers praise the professionalism of LeafFilter sales representatives, installation crews, and customer service. Other positive reviews praise the effectiveness of LeafFilter’s product and how easy it is to clean. The following review highlights customer satisfaction with the product and installation crew:
“LeafFilter’s technology is superior to all other gutter covers I’ve dealt with in 50 years. The secret is the surgical steel micro mesh that lets water through, but almost nothing else. The LeafFilter representative knows his product very well, is proud of it, and knows that LeafFilter has the installation teams to install them properly. I’ve tried many other brands over the years, but I wish I’d started with LeafFilter.” —John Haueisen, Jan. 30, 2024, on Trustpilot
Negative reviews mention LeafFilter’s high-pressure sales tactics, its tendency to freeze over in winter, and occasional installation errors such as uncleaned debris after installation, as shown in the following review:
“Everything that was promised wasn’t done. Downspouts were not cleaned out, loose downspouts was not secured, and all trash was not removed. Reported problems to salesman, but nothing was done to correct the problems.” —Bill, Dec. 21, 2023, on Trustpilot
After reading hundreds of comments, we believe LeafFilter’s gutter guards function as advertised. Reviews also indicate that LeafFilter’s installation crew quality can vary between branch locations. To help ensure a positive experience with LeafFilter, we recommend reading the reviews of your region’s branch location before reaching out. To get the best price for your LeafFilter gutter guard, be firm with your sales representative and negotiate on price.
Gutter Helmet Reviews
As a smaller company, Gutter Helmet has far fewer reviews than LeafFilter. Across Trustpilot and BBB, Gutter Helmet has 54 reviews as of the time of writing this article. It has 3 out of 5 stars across its BBB reviews and 3.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Customers praise Gutter Helmet for the professionalism of its sales representatives and for the promptness of its installation crews, as seen in the following review:
“From estimating to repair, the Gutter Helmet team was very professional. They showed-up when scheduled and replaced four panels damaged by high winds. The price was right and the work was done quickly, while respecting our property.” —Harold W., June 7, 2023, on BBB
Critical reviews highlight leaking and clogging issues, including clogs caused by pine needles and tree leaves. Another consistent complaint refers to a “dispatch fee” that customers have to pay when Gutter Helmet comes out to service their property, as shown in the following review:
“I called Lednor Home Solutions – Gutter Helmet November 21, 2023 to conduct annual review of Gutter Helmet gutter guards after the leaves dropped from the trees at my Arlington, Va. home. Lisa informed me that they have implemented a new policy in July 2023 which includes a $50 Dispatch Fee for any inspection. As I have never paid for this fee in the past, I asked them when were customers notified and could they send me the documentation. They informed me that they are informing customers as they call in and there is no documentation. She said that the system is guaranteed for life but any inspection without cause would have to include a dispatch fee. I was informed when I purchased the system that the system was guaranteed for life and that any inspection would be free. Isn’t this a breach of contract?” —William W., Nov. 21, 2023, on BBB
After reading available Gutter Helmet customer reviews, we believe it offers a well-built product that performs better than the DIY reverse-curve guards we’ve tested. However, customer reviews indicate it clogs with pine and tree leaves.
The “dispatch fee” it charges customers isn’t standard practice in the gutter guard industry, especially if the damage is covered under the warranty. Most gutter guard providers offer “no clog guarantees” that promise to fix issues at no cost to the customer.
Our Final Thoughts on LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet
While LeafFilter and Gutter Helmet are both reliable gutter guard installers offering high-end gutter protection systems, LeafFilter comes out on top. Based on our research and firsthand testing, LeafFilter’s gutter protection system blocks more debris than Gutter Helmet. LeafFilter offers a more generous warranty and has higher average customer review scores than Gutter Helmet. The major benefit of Gutter Helmet is its additional service offerings, which can be purchased independently from a professional installation, unlike LeafFilter.
FAQ About LeafFilter vs. Gutter Helmet
Is LeafFilter better than Gutter Helmet for pine needles?
LeafFilter is better than Gutter Helmet for pine needles. During our firsthand testing, we found that LeafFilter’s guard blocked 100% of the pine needles we applied. Reverse-curve systems like those used by Gutter Helmet typically have difficulty protecting against pine needles. Learn more about the best gutter guards for pine needles.
Can LeafFilter handle heavy rain?
Yes, LeafFilter can handle heavy downpours without overflowing. We applied water at varying speeds during our testing to determine how well LeafFilter performed in heavy rain. We found that it withstood heavy downpour conditions before overflowing.
What are the downsides of LeafFilter?
The downsides of LeafFilter are its high price, pushy sales tactics, and tendency to freeze over in the winter. While ice dams are a common problem for micro-mesh gutter guards, installing heat tape can counteract this issue.
What are the downsides of Gutter Helmet?
The downsides of Gutter Helmet are its inability to stop small debris, its high price tag, and its non-standard service fee for warranty-covered repairs.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our gutter guard recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each gutter guard product and provider. We conduct research by reviewing product specifications and provider website information, speaking with customer representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score each provider against our review standards for gutter guard design, customer support, the quote process, services, and reviews to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
