The 9 Best Gutter Guards of 2022

Gutter guards are a vital component of any functioning gutter system. They keep debris and pests out of your gutters and downspouts, allowing rainwater to be effectively channeled away from your home.

As a homeowner, gutters can be easy to leave off of any to-do list for property maintenance. However, the fact that they are relatively out of sight should not diminish their importance. A properly functioning gutter system will prevent damage to your roof and fascia, your foundation, and surrounding landscaping. Keeping gutters clean of debris with the right gutter guards is a great way to reduce maintenance and cleaning frequency and ensure the long-term upkeep of your home.

Here, we’ve outlined the best gutter guards for varying sets of homeowner needs. Whether you’re in the market for a heavy-duty guard for high rainfall and leafy autumns or just need a simpler DIY fix, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more about the best options for your home and gutter system.

Top 9 Best Gutter Guards of 2022

• LeafFilter Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard: Best Professional Installation and Cost
• HomeCraft Gutter Protection Gutter Guard: Best Designed
• All American Gutter Protection Gutter Guard: Best Performance Warranty
• Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard: Best DIY Option
• A-M Aluminum Gutter Guard: Least Noticeable
• Amerimax Home Products Lock-in Gutter Guard: Best Mesh
• Tidy Gutter K-Style Foam Gutter Guard: Best Foam
• GutterBrush Gutter Guard: Best Brush
• Frost King Gutter Guard: Best Plastic

LeafFilter Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard – Best Professional Installation and Cost

*image via @leaffilter on Instagram

LeafFilter claims our top spot for best gutter guards, with a 9.7 rating. Its proprietary three-piece design has gained consistently high marks, as it can be installed on your existing gutters while keeping out even the smallest of debris. The design ensures minimal maintenance and blends in well with your existing gutter system, while professional crews offer the best installation process on the market.

LeafFilter has been a high-quality provider of gutter guards in the U.S. for 15 years. It’s available across 43 states and features excellent customer service and installation teams, which aim to make your gutter guard purchasing experience as smooth as possible. When you hire LeafFilter to install gutter guards on your home, you’ll be treated to a professional consultation, custom measuring of all required materials, and a quick and easy installation by qualified personnel.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 275-micron stainless steel mesh keeps the smallest debris out of your gutters
• Installation comes with a lifetime warranty
• LeafFilter can install new gutters if needed

Cons

• No DIY option available

LeafFilter Cost

LeafFilter gutter guards will cost you between $17 and $45 per linear foot. This is due largely to the fact that these gutter guards require professional installation. DIY gutter guards would likely be cheaper but would come without the lifetime warranty, and quality LeafFilter can provide.

What LeafFilter Customers Say

LeafFilter currently enjoys an A+ rating with BBB. While this is impressive for any home service provider, the 4.4/5 rating it has across nearly 90,000 Trustpilot reviews is far more telling regarding its quality.

Customers are most-pleased with this company’s professional installation crews and were impressed with the ease and peace of mind that they were treated to throughout the quote and installation process. Pricing can be a common sticking point with most negative customer reviews. Still, company representatives have a history of negotiating with clients to render service at the best price for both parties.

HomeCraft Gutter Protection Gutter Guard – Best Designed

HomeCraft Gutter Protection is one of the best gutter guard companies on the market. Originally founded by a father-son team, they now service gutter protection needs in ten states with a patented raised-grid design. As a home improvement option, this gutter guard provider is one of the best options due to its versatility and quality.

HomeCraft gutter guards can fit roofs of any material and gutters of any size. This is an excellent option, no matter the size or profile of your existing gutter system. All HomeCraft quotes come with full material and installation costs and a lifetime warranty.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides full gutter repair and installation if needed
• Aluminum frame and steel screens make for sturdy construction
• Gutter guard systems can fit any existing gutter

Cons

• Need an in-person quote and consultation to get an accurate price
• Only serves ten states

HomeCraft Cost

Average gutter guard installation costs for systems in this material will range between $4.50 and $7.75 per linear foot. This includes material and labor costs. Since this provider offers service across ten states — primarily in the Southeastern U.S. — price points can be difficult to nail down. Get a quote from them to ensure your own price point before gutter guard installation.

What HomeCraft Customers Say

HomeCraft Gutter Protection is one of the highest-rated gutter guard companies in the business. While it only has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau, customer reviews on this platform rate it at a 3.47 across more than 80 reviews. Similarly, Trustpilot reviews have this company at a 4.6/5, with only 5% of the 107 reviews reporting poor service.

Some of the most common complaints report a lack of follow-up after quotes, as well as somewhat high pricing. Better customer experiences praise the quality of the product and speed of installation.

All American Gutter Protection Gutter Guard – Best Performance Warranty

All American Gutter Protection is one of our top choices due to the quality of its product and its history within the industry. After more than 50 years in business, this provider has a lengthy track record for quality of installation and for standing behind its work via a lifetime performance guarantee.

Although it only services gutter needs in 14 states, All American Gutter Protection is one of the leading options for both gutter guards and gutter system installations. Whether you have four or six-inch gutters, or any style, the experts here will be able to provide gutter protection solutions after you get a quote.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Guaranteed for the life of your home
• Stainless steel screens are resistant to corrosion
• Offers plenty of discounts, including $300 off a total gutter guard system installation
• Offers more than 30 colors to go with any home

Cons

• Only services 14 states
• Professional installation only

All American Gutter Protection Cost

You should contact All American for an estimate if you’re within its operating territory. Simply provide contact information and an address, and you’ll be put in contact with a service representative. As stated above, All American Gutter Protection offers plenty of discounts, including:

• 20% or $300 discounts via a downloadable coupon
• Military discounts
• Senior citizen discounts

What All American Customers Say

All American is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating. Customers rate this provider’s pricing and quote process very highly and often mention the ability of this provider to stay within given quotes regardless of circumstances on the job.

As is the case with many multi-state providers, you’ll have to look into reviews from your local branch to get a better idea of how your job will be serviced.

Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard: Best DIY Option

Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard is our top pick for the best DIY gutter guards. Raptor gutter guards are manufactured from high-quality material and come with all the instructions, tools, and fasteners you’ll need to install on your own.

Although you’ll likely need to purchase multiple gutter guard kits to cover your entire gutter system, buying through Amazon makes this process incredibly simple. This will fit multiple gutter sizes and can stand up to most climates and conditions. Unlike most DIY options, this product also comes with a 25-year warranty, which covers you in the event of poor performance.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 25-year product warranty
• Multiple size options
• Includes installation guide and self-tapping screws with purchase
• Durable materials that promise to hold up to extreme weather

Cons

• A bit more costly than other DIY options

Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guard Cost

Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards are readily available on Amazon and include all installation hardware and instructions with the initial purchase. Costs range from $125 to $150 for a 48-foot kit. Since most homes require more than that, you’ll likely have to purchase multiple kits for full coverage.

What Raptor Customers Say

On Amazon, Raptor Micro-Mesh Gutter Guards maintain a 4.6/5 rating through nearly 4,000 reviews. Most customers rate the quality of the product and the speed of delivery. That said, DIY rain gutter modifications aren’t a trivial project. Installing these is a significant undertaking and should be planned out properly, with the proper tools and preparation.

Raptor is a fantastic choice for any DIY installation and compares favorably to GutterGlove or any other option you could find at Home Depot.

A-M Aluminum Gutter Guard: Least Noticeable

A-M Aluminum Gutter Guards are our pick for the least noticeable gutters on the market. When you buy A-M gutter guard kits, you’ll be treated to fast shipping through Amazon and a high-quality product that can stand up to most conditions.

As our least-noticeable gutter guard, this product can fit on both hidden hangers and k-style gutters and does not have to be installed under your last row of roof shingles. This makes it an excellent DIY option, as no special expertise is required.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Can fit most roof types
• Heavy-grade aluminum can withstand downpours and harsh conditions
• Sold in 200-foot kits, which is enough for most homes
• 380 holes per linear foot

Cons

• Single-layer construction can allow some smaller debris through

A-M Cost

Your cost will largely depend on the gutter size and the quantity of gutter shielding you’re buying. You’ll be able to buy as little as 23 linear feet, and as much as 200 linear feet of gutter guards, in either five or six-inch widths. Two hundred feet of five-inch guards cost $264.99 ($1.32/ foot), while the same quantity of six-inch guards costs $289.99 ($1.46/ foot). You can also purchase a sample pack to test different sizes on your gutters for just $5.99.

That said, you’ll have to buy all other hardware on your own. This particular gutter guard requires 1/2-inch #8 zip screws to securely fasten onto an existing gutter system.

What A-M Customers Say

Across more than 3,200 reviews on Amazon, A-M gutter guards maintain a 4.7 rating. Most customers compliment the sturdiness of the design, as well as the easy-to-use tabs for seamless joints. If you have the necessary tools and a long-enough ladder, then installing these gutter guards is a great way to extend the life of your gutter system and reduce gutter cleaning and maintenance frequency.

Amerimax Home Products Lock-in Gutter Guard: Best Mesh

Amerimax Home Products’ Lock-in Gutter Guard is our pick for the best mesh gutter guard. It provides a fairly simple solution for clients in areas with less extreme weather patterns. The material itself is fairly pliable, which eases installation while keeping most larger debris out of your gutters.

Amerimax’s easy “lock-in” installation allows for it to fit on almost any gutter. Simply slide the straight edge under your shingles while snapping the leading edge into your gutters. Despite the simplicity and ease of installation, Amerimax Gutter Guards come with a 10-year warranty for any product failure.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to install on corners and tight areas
• 75 feet of material per package
• Compatible with most gutter types and sizes

Cons

• Not as durable as many other options
• Can allow some smaller debris to accumulate in your gutters

Amerimax Gutter Guard Cost

Amerimax Gutter Guards are sold in 75-foot packs broken up into 25 three-foot sections. These packs cost $99.73 on Amazon, which equates to $1.33 per linear foot.

What Amerimax Customers Say

Amerimax Gutter Guards are currently rated at 4.5/5 on Amazon, with sturdiness, clarity of instructions, value, and ease of installation all ranking above 4.6. This product is at the top of the list for most people looking for a quick gutter guard fix. The guard material won’t hold up to heavy debris, but this is often a tradeoff you’ll have to make for ease of installation.

Tidy Gutter K-Style Foam Gutter Guard: Best Foam

Foam gutter guards present one of the easiest options for DIY installation. They are lightweight, easy to cut to size, and sold in various widths to fit most gutter types. Tidy Gutter’s K-Style Foam Gutter Guards are our pick for the best foam guards due to their relative sturdiness.

When compared to other foam guards, these are a great choice. That said, if you live in an area with more extreme weather conditions, you may want to consider a micro-mesh or more durable option.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Lightweight
• Relatively inexpensive
• Easy to install

Cons

• Doesn’t hold up to heavy debris or rainfall

Tidy Gutter Cost

You can purchase Tidy Gutter foam guards in lots of 40 linear feet. These can come in four, five, or six-inch wide, 10-foot long sections. 40 feet of these foam gutter guards cost the following amounts on Amazon:

• Four-inch: $91.88 ($2.30/ foot)
• Five-inch: $91.88 ($2.30/ foot) 
• Six-inch: $142.53 ($3.56/ foot)

What Tidy Gutter Customers Say

Tidy Gutter customers give the product mixed reviews. The most common complaints about this gutter guard typically cite durability as the primary issue. People are often attracted by the ease of installing foam guards, but they typically do not last long under even moderate weather conditions. Debris buildup is fairly common, as are resulting ice dams in the winter. That said, if you live in an arid or warmer climate, this may be a great option.

GutterBrush Gutter Guard: Best Brush

GutterBrush Gutter Guards are our choice for the best brush option for DIY guards. The three-foot lengths this supplier offers make customization for any gutter system fairly easy. Once you’ve purchased the right size GutterBrush guards, installation is among the quickest you’ll experience with any gutter product.

The downside to using brush guards, in general, is the lack of long-term durability and resistance to cold weather. Plastic gutter components tend to do poorly in colder weather for long periods. If you live in an area with lots of tree cover or cold winters, you should reconsider purchasing any brush gutter guard.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to install
• Can fit almost any gutter size
• Available from plenty of retailers, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon

Cons

• Not optimal for larger debris
• Can be aesthetically displeasing when debris builds up on the brush

GutterBrush Gutter Guard Cost

Your GutterBrush gutter guard cost will depend largely on the size of your gutter system. GutterBrush provides a number of sizes, each with different price points. We’ve listed a few different options with their corresponding prices here:

• 4-inch: $4.13 per foot
• 5-inch: $3.32 per foot
• 6-inch: $4.48 per foot

The prices listed here are as they currently appear on GutterBrush’s website.

What GutterBrush Customers Say

GutterBrush currently holds a 4.4/5 on Amazon across more than 700 reviews. Positive reviews seem to come from clients in areas with little or no tree cover and milder conditions. As stated, this is a fantastic choice for clients who have to contend with more mild weather patterns and debris. Many negative reviews reported clogs or relatively early replacement.

Frost King Gutter Guard: Best Plastic

For DIY plastic gutter guards, look no further than Frost King. This provider offers two distinct options — a pliable 1/2 inch mesh and a snap-on screen. Each can provide a viable solution for keeping your gutters clear of debris while still allowing for the free flow of rainwater.

Given the 1/2-inch holes in the mesh and the slightly smaller ones in the screen, this likely won’t be a viable choice if you have a lot of evergreen or pine trees on property. Even if not, these guards could allow for shingle grit and similar small debris to accumulate over time and eventually clog your gutters. If you’re able to check your gutters regularly, then this could be a good choice for you.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to install
• Readily available at major retailers
• One of the cheapest options for gutter protection on the market

Cons

• Mesh screen can allow small debris in
• Plastics can be less resistant to extreme cold

Frost King Gutter Guard Cost

Frost King Gutter Guards are among the most cost-effective solutions for homeowners in this area of maintenance and renovations. Prices will vary across retailers, but you can currently expect to pay the following for these products:

• Plastic mesh: $10 for a 20-foot length
• Snap-on screens: $20 for 30 feet (in 3-foot sections)

What Frost King Customers Say

Frost King’s plastic mesh gutter guard is one of the higher-rated products in its niche on Amazon. With more than 3,200 reviews and a 4.3/5 rating, customers were pleased with how well these guards kept out the larger debris, including leaves, light branches, and pests. These guards can snap under the shingle line and into any gutter size, making them ideal for DIYers who would rather skip the more technical side of cutting gutter guards to size.

Types of Gutter Guards

There are several different types of gutter guards, each with varying levels of durability, installation difficulty, and overall structure.

Screen

Screen gutter guards are best for homeowners that deal with minimal debris but very heavy rainfall. They typically have slightly larger openings, which allow for high quantities of rain to pass through easily. Such guards are made from aluminum or stainless steel and will hold up to heavier debris if need be. If your gutter guard consists solely of a screen, you’ll need to do semi-regular cleaning to keep it in working order.

Mesh

Mesh gutter guards are a slight upgrade from the screen option above. Relative to screen guards, mesh guards have a more condensed hole pattern, which tends to guard against smaller debris more effectively. Both mesh and micro-mesh guards typically come in stainless steel with aluminum frames for stability.

Micro-Mesh

Micro-mesh typically factors in the best gutter guard options on the market. Such screens keep out most debris while allowing for optimal water flow through your gutters. These are often used as overlays on more porous screens to provide the best protection while allowing water to pass through during the heaviest rainfall. Such guards will come with higher price tags but will be worth the cost if you’re concerned with shingle grit or pollen accumulation over time.

Reverse Curve/ Surface Tension Helmets

Reverse curve gutter guards are installed at the same pitch as the roof, yet they have a unique pattern that tries to grab water before it slides off the roof. The reverse curve or surface tension gutter guards use gravity to collect as much water as possible while letting debris fall off naturally. Installation of these guards often requires professional help, as such crews will have the necessary tools to make the job easy.

Foam Inserts

Foam inserts are cut to fit your gutters and are fairly easy to install on your own. Their snug fit and flat tops allow for water flow into your gutter systems while most debris is held away. Foam tends to deteriorate quickly relative to most other gutter guard materials. This is best used in more mild or dry climates unless you’re prepared to do regular maintenance.

Brush

A brush gutter guard sits within a gutter and employs bristles to catch debris and keep it from clogging waterways and downspouts. This design can be effective in heavy rain, but it does require you to clean your gutters much more often. Most of the brush designs on the market will be DIY-friendly and highly affordable.

Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Gutter Guard for Your Home

Before embarking on any home renovation project, you should first consider all of your options, as well as each facet of whatever job you’re taking on. Here, we’ve outlined all the key factors to consider ahead of your gutter guard installation.

Material Quality and Durability

Gutter guard material will be a huge determining factor in your choice of gutter guards.

• Foam: Foam gutter guards are among the cheapest and easiest to install, but this typically comes with the tradeoff of reduced quality and longevity. These can be a viable solution in dry or less extreme climates, but you should be sure to check and clean your gutters regularly with these guards in place.
• Plastics: Plastic gutter guards are a definite step up in quality from foam, but they are far from top of the line. Such gutter guards come in solid or mesh screens, as well as reverse curve models. They can be extremely effective at keeping even heavy debris out of your gutters.
• Stainless steel: One of the most durable options for gutter protection is stainless steel gutter guards. This material is used to manufacture the majority of mesh and micro-mesh screens, which makes it a vital component in many of the best gutter guards available.
• Aluminum: Many of the best gutter guards are built with a combination of stainless steel and aluminum. Depending on the gauge used, these can be manufactured to varying degrees of quality.

Size and Length of Your Gutters

The average full-scale residential gutter system spans 200 linear feet. Of course, you can measure the outer footprint of your home to get a total length figure for gutter guard material. For most multi-story homes, however, professional consultation and installation could be needed.

Cost

Establishing a budget is of vital importance for any home maintenance project. Your cost will depend on a few factors, including the following:

• Linear feet of gutters 
• Gutter guard material
• Home size
• Professional or DIY installation

Even if you plan on going the DIY route, getting a professional consultation ahead of your gutter guard project may be worth your while.

Visual Appeal

Most gutter guards are designed to be totally invisible from the ground. However, there are some pitched or very visible slope options. If you install a gutter guard that does not match your roof or your home, it will be very noticeable.

Look for companies that have different color options to ensure a match with your home. Curb appeal should be a consideration once the functionality of your gutter guards is ensured. Many providers offer options that will allow you to have both.

Warranty Options

Warranty options for gutter guards vary widely. Some will offer none, while others offer ten or 25-year or lifetime transferrable warranties. Transferring a warranty to a new home buyer offers some great value and allows homeowners to feel as though they got their money’s worth when purchasing the gutter. Such plans typically cover the cost of replacement if your gutter guard starts to deteriorate, rust, or corrode.

Advantages of Using Gutter Guards

Here, we’ve outlined the principal advantages of installing a gutter guard system on your home. Ultimately, they will extend the life of your gutter system.

Blocking debris

Anything from shingle grit to pine needles to leaves and large debris can get stuck in your gutters. These can block water flow and lead to long-term deterioration of your gutter system without regular cleaning and maintenance.

Keeping rodents and insects away

If you are not careful, pests can turn your gutter system into a home. When your gutters have debris in them, they may also have standing water. Aside from causing corrosion and rust, this can be a breeding ground for mosquitos and other insects. Gutter guards will help prevent this from happening.

Improving drainage

Gutter guards allow for the proper water drainage from the roof. If your gutters are clogged, water will flow over the gutters and pool around the home’s foundation. Over time, faulty gutters can cause damage to your foundation and surrounding landscaping, as well as your roof and fascia.

Lessening gutter maintenance & cleaning

Getting up on a ladder and cleaning your gutter is a chore that no one enjoys. That aside, working at height on a ladder can be hazardous. Ladder-related falling injuries are among the most common risks to homeowners. The right gutter guards will lessen the frequency with which your gutters need to be cleaned.

DIY vs. Professional Installation

For certain gutters and gutter guards, DIY installation is a perfectly viable option. Similarly, if you live in a single-story home, it can be a fairly easy home renovation project, which requires minimal tools and expertise. Many DIY gutter guard kits come with detailed instruction manuals and materials lists, making the process easy.

Professional installation may be a better option for many gutter guard projects. Going with the right pro in your area can provide a number of benefits, including quality assurances and lifetime warranties for any products that are installed on your property. Getting a professional assessment of your job and having a pricing figure in mind may be a good idea, even if you ultimately decide to do this on your own.

Final Thoughts

We at House Method recommend carefully considering each facet of your gutter guard project before moving forward. Go over all relevant factors, including your budget, weather patterns, tree coverage, existing gutter condition, roof warranty, and more, before you decide on a gutter provider or DIY gutter guard product.

At the end of the day, quotes are always free from any licensed professional. Getting a home consultation from such a provider will make setting budgetary and material expectations far easier, regardless of the route you end up going. No matter what material you choose for your gutter guards or whether you choose to go with a professional installer, we believe that you’ll find a leading option for your needs in our list above.

How we Ranked, Reviewed, and Tested the Best Gutter Guards

Here, we’ve broken down our rating methodology for gutter guards. You should know that we’ve taken the utmost care to provide the most up-to-date information and to ensure that you make the best choice for your budgetary and home maintenance needs.

Why Trust House Method? Our Gutter Ranking Methodology

At House Method, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. We’ve done the homework for you and have researched over 50 gutter guards so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each gutter guard and gutter guard provider company according to our methodology.

We also dug into the details of each gutter guard to ensure that you could make the best decisions for your home and keep your gutters debris-free for years to come.

To make the most of our research, we developed a formula to objectively determine the best gutter guards based on the following criteria:

• National coverage – If applicable, How many states does the company cover? We found the number of states covered by each company.
• Customer service: How is the customer experience when calling the providers? Based on our phone calls, we were able to judge each company’s customer service.
• Trust: What do customers rate the company? We looked into what customers are saying about their experience with the company.
• Unique perks: Does the company offer discounts or cover special items? We looked for perks offered by each company that set them apart from the competition.
• Warranty terms – We looked into the warranty of lifetime warranty terms if it is offered by the provider.
• Construction materials – What is the gutter guard made out of? What are the extra parts needed? We found what each company’s guards are made from and how they are installed.
• Installation process – Does the company do in-person estimates? What are customer experiences when professionals install the gutter guards? We looked into how the installation process works for each provider.
• Cost – How reasonable are prices in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors.
• Buying process – if the gutter guard is a DIY installation, how easy is the buying process? We looked for shipping costs and shipping time, as well as where the product can be bought from.

Disclosure: House Method participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. House Method may earn a commission when a purchase is made through an Amazon.com affiliate link on the page.