3 cheap Ryobi tools that beat hiring out your fall yard cleanup

Published Nov 8, 2026, 12:00 PM EST Sydney Butler is a technology writer with over 20 years of experience as a freelance PC technician and system builder and over a decade as a professional writer. He's worked for more than a decade in user education. On How-To Geek, he writes commerce content, guides, opinions, and specializes in editing hardware and cutting edge technology articles. Sydney started working as a freelance computer technician around the age of 13, before which he was in charge of running the computer center for his school. (He also ran LAN gaming tournaments when the teachers weren't looking!) His interests include VR, PC, Mac, gaming, 3D printing, consumer electronics, the web, and privacy. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Research Psychology with a minor in media and technology studies. His masters dissertation examined the potential for social media to spread misinformation. Outside of How-To Geek, he hosted the Online Tech Tips YouTube Channel, and wrote for Online Tech Tips, Switching to Mac, and Helpdesk Geek. Sydney also wrote for Expert Reviews UK. He also has bylines at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, Tom's Hardware, MakeTechEasier, and Laptop Mag. Everyone loves the look and feel of autumn, and what kid doesn't love jumping into a pile of leaves? But what about the poor person who had to rake all that leaf litter up in the first place? Outdoor maintenance in the fall is expensive, and often in ways that aren't immediately apparent. If you're using your own time to clean up, that's worth something in terms of lost opportunity costs. Likewise, if you're paying someone and effectively renting their tools, that's a repeatable expense that just keeps climbing. The thing is, if we're talking about a job that happens at one time of the year, every year, then you want something that's moderately durable and highly cost-effective. That's essentially the Ryobi business model. They're DIY-grade tools that work effectively, but aren't designed for heavy-duty, year-long use. These tools will save you time and money, without breaking the bank, and next year they could give you pure profit. An Expand-It gutter blower could replace a paid cleaning visit A more grounded way to clean up high Credit: Ryobi Ryobi's "Expand it" range of attachments is a way to give you access to more tool types, without buying multiple copies of the same underlying brainpower and control system. This gutter blower attachment works with several popular string trimmer models. Credit: Ryobi Swap out the trimmer head for this, using the right number of extensions to reach your gutter, and you can clean it from the safety of the ground. There will be no falling from the roof here, so that's one potential hospital bill you won't have to pay! Not to mention, you won't have to pay a professional to get up there either. That said, this is not a heavy-duty tool, so it's best used to prevent your gutters from getting clogged in the first place, rather than trying to clean gutters that are packed with dense, wet leaves. $129 might feel a little stiff upfront, and if you don't already own a compatible string trimmer, the numbers make less sense, but you're in the right situation; this can be a real money-saver. Ryobi Expand-It Gutter Blower Attachment Shape String trimmer attachment Item Weight 9.28lbs Convert your compatible Ryobi string trimmer into a gutter blower that lets you clear out your gutters from the safety of the ground. A cheap corded blower keeps the break-even point low It's not that bad to be tied down Leaf blowers are the mainstay of Autumn garden maintenance, and most people already have one if they live somewhere where falling leaves are an issue. However, if you're a new homeowner or you're in the market for a new leaf blower, then stop and think whether you really need a cordless model. These days, power tools are all about amazing modern battery technology, but you can buy a corded 440 CFM Ryobi blower for just $56. The same money in the cordless world nets you a significantly weaker blower without a battery. If you're already invested in the Ryobi battery ecosystem, this might not be a bad deal. However, to get the same blowing performance in a cordless form, you're looking at around $100 plus the cost of the batteries. Having a cord is no big deal unless you have a specific yard size or layout that makes it impractical. Even then, if you happen to own a portable power station that can meet the energy needs of your corded blower, you're pretty much set. RYOBI 135 MPH 440 CFM 8 AMP Corded Electric Jet Fan Blower RY421021 Material Plastic Item Weight 7lbs A corded 440CFM blower at a very reasonable price that will take care of just about any domestic debris A compact pressure washer can handle the pre-winter cleanup "Now, water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend." - Bruce Lee Credit: Ryobi Autumn isn't just about the leaves that are falling now; it's a gentle reminder that winter is just around the corner, and this is probably your last chance to properly clean walkways, patios, and driveways before the weather makes it impractical. The go-to solution to clean the dirt and grime hidden by the leaf litter is a pressure washer, but a professional-grade model is no joke when it comes to the price tag. But since you'll only need it at certain times of year, you can buy a 1800PSI Ryobi pressure washer for just $100. If you've never owned a pressure washer before, just the savings in car wash fees will get your Benjamin back in no time flat. A pressure washer is one of those things you didn't know you needed in your life until you actually own one, at which point you suddenly find all sorts of jobs for it. Also, fair warning: if you have dogs, they go absolutely nuts because of the intense water spray. Ryobi 1800 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer Material Plastic and aluminum Item Weight 16lbs This affordable high-pressure washer makes cleaning your sidewalks and porch quick and easy. Make like a tree and get out of here Time is money, and unless you truly enjoy spending hours cleaning up leaf litter, spending some scratch on a time-saving (but affordable) Autumn-busting power tool will pay you back in spades. Or is that rakes? If all else fails, and you're at your wit's end, maybe invest in a chainsaw, and cut all those leaf-shedding trees down. That'll show 'em who's boss! OK, maybe deforestation isn't the answer, so let's stick to dealing with those leaves early, with sensible, moderately priced tools, before it becomes a much more expensive problem.