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If you want to cut down on gutter cleaning time, consider a gutter guard. They’ll help prevent frustrating clogs and expensive home repairs down the line.

Keeping your gutters clean and free of clogs is an important job, especially if you have large trees on your property. Gutter guards sit on top of (or inside) your gutter, and act as a filter to allow water to flow through, while preventing leaves, pine needles, and other debris from getting inside.

You’ll still need gutter cleaning tools to clean their surface, but it's much easier and more pleasant than scooping out stagnant, wet sludge from the gutter itself. Along with saving you the hassle and time on gutter maintenance, gutter guards will also extend the life of your gutters, which prevents you from having to replace them too soon. Plus, there are plenty of reasonably priced options on the market.

Read on for our recommendations on the best gutter guards for your home, plus a rundown on important things to consider before shopping.

Consider both the type of weather in your area, as well as the debris that your gutter guards will generally have to deal with. If you don’t experience much rain, or lack any substantial trees on your property, you can probably get away with a lighter-duty PVC option. Heavy rainfall and large amounts of weighty debris like pinecones or leaf piles will require a heavy-duty guard that won’t bend or snap under a heavy load.

You should also take installation into account. More heavy-duty guards will need to be screwed into the gutter itself, so make sure you’re either comfortable working with power tools on top of a ladder, or have the budget to hire a professional to handle it for you. Snap-on guards fit into the front lip of the gutter, and are the easiest options to install. If you decide on a DIY project, you’ll need to climb a ladder to install the guards, so make sure to always observe ladder safety protocols while you work.

We selected these products by using our own personal experience installing gutter guards, as well as comprehensive online research. We combed through highly-regarded review sites to ensure we weren’t missing any top-rated options, and researched customer reviews to eliminate any guards with excessive quality control, structural, or installation issues. We also did our best to include a range of installation options, so whether you prefer to drill the guards into place, or simply snap them in position, you should find an option that suits your needs.

Constructed of stainless steel mesh with an aluminum frame, these guards should be durable enough to last a long time, and if any issues do arise, the 25-year warranty will have you covered. Its corrosion-resistant screws are especially durable as well, and their self-tapping design, combined with the included magnetic hex screwdriver bit, make installation convenient.

Their steel mesh provides an attractive, professional look, and is tight enough to prevent fine debris, like shingle grit, from entering the gutter. They’re versatile as well, suitable for use on gutters 5 inches or smaller gutters.

With no screws or fasteners to deal with, these Amerimax guards are a great choice for those who want hassle-free installation. You simply slide them into your gutter and the flexible PVC construction allows you to snap them into place.

While it likely isn’t going to be durable enough for areas that get a lot of heavy debris, like pinecones and leaves, their low cost and easy installation could still make them a useful option for the right customer.

Constructed of industrial grade 0.018 aluminum, these guards are extremely strong and won’t rust or corrode over time—plus they come with a lifetime warranty.

The guards are designed with 380 holes per foot, so they’ll perform well even in heavy rainstorms. You can install them on a wide range of gutter types too, including old-style spike and farrow gutters, so there’s a good chance they’ll be compatible with what you have. You’ll need to supply your own screws — make sure to buy 1/2-inch #8 zip screws — so keep that in mind.

This aluminum gutter guard is about as easy to install as it gets, and its low price makes it ideal for those on a tight budget. The raised profile reduces debris buildup on top too, unlike options that can flex downwards.

Since its mesh pattern is more open than tighter designs, thin objects like pine needles may fit through, so it's best used in areas without those trees. It’s also not as versatile as other options, and will only be able to fit 5-inch K-Style gutters.

These guards are significantly more expensive than the other options on our list, but if you’re looking for a high-end product that’s built to last, they could be worth the price.

The guards designed to fit the majority of 5-inch residential and commercial gutters—including K-style and box types—and their micro-mesh cover ensures that only water will be able to pass through.

They’re available in 15 different colors too, making it easy to customize them to your home’s paint or roof color. Plus, the included zip-screws are color-matched for a progressional-quality look.

Designed to fit directly onto the downspout of your filter, these Massca guards are ideal for those who don’t want to hassle with complex installation of full-length guards. They’re simple to mount yourself and don’t require any screws or fasteners, so no need to lug a power drill up the ladder.

With a weatherproof, non-corrosive aluminum construction, they're durable enough to last a long time. If you’re not satisfied, the 30-day money-back guarantee will have you covered. These can also be placed in the bottom of the downspout to prevent rodents and other small animals from nesting.

The unique stepped shape of this guard is designed to prevent water from flowing over the edge of the gutter—something that can happen with flatter models—making them ideal for areas that experience frequent, heavy rainfall.

The durable, powder-coated steel finish will stand up well against the elements, and the 15-year warranty is a nice perk to boot. The front side must be mounted using self-tapping screws, but the rear slides against the shingle-side, so they’re still relatively simple to install.

If easy installation is your priority, consider this brush-style guard. Instead of screwing or snapping into place, you simply slide the long, steel brush inside the gutter and you’re all set.

Its long polypropylene bristles allow water to flow freely through, while preventing leaves and pine needles from entering the gutter and downspout. It's simple to clean too: Just pull it out, shake the debris loose, and push back inside.

The flexible wire body allows it to bend in any shape you like. The only major drawback is that it doesn't give you the same professional look as flat guards.