Another reviewer said it best: it's a better blower than vacuum. That about sums it up.The blower works pretty well. I think I might like a bit more power, but it works plenty well for this price. I'm tall, so I have to hold it a bit low to get leaves moving well. The vacuum is OK. I feel a little silly using it in plain view of the neighbors. It gets clogged easily, so until you've developed a decent technique with it you'll be cleaning it out frequently (especially if leaves are damp). It's also a little awkward to keep the bag strapped over your shoulder while vacuuming, so I just let it hang to the side.The blower is defintiely worth the money, but if you have a big yard maybe get a dedicated yard vac for picking things up. I've taken to just laying a yard bag on the ground and pushing the piles into it with my hands...