When you think of an exciting job, you probably don’t think of drainage systems and making water move through the right channels. So, here’s our list of the best gutter guards to help you do this chore easily. If you’re tired of water spilling over the gutter of your rooftop, this article has the answer for you. No more will the beautiful coat of paint on your walls look shabby and damaged. Gutter guards can help channel water through the downspout and ensure that debris is kept out of the gutter. A gutter guard would help solve the problem of overspilling while also keeping your gutter free of clog. So keep your gutter clean, and your house protected with these gutter guards and stay worry-free. With various options available, choosing the right gutter guard may be difficult. So, go through our list to learn more about the listed products and choose accordingly.

Types of Gutter Guards

1. Brush gutter guards

This type of gutter guard consists of cylindrically shaped brushes with long bristles. It happens to be one of the most affordable solutions to keep debris out of the gutter and is relatively easy to install. All you need to do is place it in the gutter. No screws or tools are required to install brush gutter guards. Brush gutter guards act as filters, trapping the debri at the top of the bristles while allowing the water to flow into the downspout.

2. Foam gutter guards

Foam gutter guards are similar to brush gutter guards in the manner of their operation and installation. They can be installed easily, without requiring special tools or screws. They allow the debri to be caught at the surface and allow water to flow through the sponge. They are an attractive solution as gutter guards mainly because of their affordable price. However, like brush gutter guards, they too suffer from dirt build-up. Over time, grit and small dirt particles get trapped in the sponge-like structure and require in-depth cleaning. Since the foam material absorbs water, the foam needs to be cleaned thoroughly before reusing it.

3. Reverse curve gutter guards

Reverse gutter guards are traditional gutter guards that cover the gutter instead of sitting inside it. They are designed with a curve to allow the debri to slide off the cover and onto the ground. Reverse curve gutter guards have a small slit opening through which water passes and enters the gutter. While this is a century-old tried and tested solution, it does have its drawbacks. After a while, the slit opening gets clogged with dirt, forcing the water to spill over the curve rather than enter the gutter. Reverse curve gutter guards may require the services of a contractor for installation.

4. Screen gutter guards

Screen gutter guards are usually metal panels with small holes. The idea behind that is to allow water to pass through the holes while the debri remains on the surface. There are 2 kinds of screen guards— hinged and flat. Hinged screen guards consist of a metal sheet that is curved away from the gutter so that debris falls off the roof and onto the ground. On the other hand, a flat one is a flat sheet that is usually attached under the shingles of the roof.

5. Mesh gutter guards

While they are very similar to screen guards, one point of difference is that mesh guards have smaller or finer holes than screen guards. This allows them to trap smaller debri and dust particles on the surface of the mesh. Just like screen guards, mesh guards can be angled or flat. Most mesh guards are installed with the help of screws and are placed under the shingles of the roof. However, there are a few mesh guards that fit into the gutter well and do not require additional reinforcement. One of the most common downsides to using mesh guards is that the dirt build-up hampers the flow of water through the holes and into the gutter.

11 Best Gutter Guards

1. Best Easy Installation:Raptor Gutter Guard By Gutterglove

The Raptor Gutter Guard is designed for 5-inch wide or narrow gutters and does an excellent job at keeping out leaves, pine needles, grit, and pests. The mesh is corrosion and rust-resistant. The company makes use of an advanced Trough Technology that allows the water to run straight into the gutter instead of dripping over the mesh. This gutter guard is 48 ft long and carries a long warranty period of 15 years. This video will help you make an informed decision about your purchase. Pros

Easy installation Made of aluminum and stainless steel Unique micro-mesh filter V-Bend technology

Cons

May require constant cleaning to allow water to pass through dirt build-up

2. Best Slender design:FLEXXPOINT Gutter Covers

This gutter guard cover by FLEXXPOINT is made out of premium domestic aluminum and has a length of 120 ft. Its flat and slender design ensures that it cannot be seen from the ground level. Taking longevity into consideration, the company has included stainless steel fasteners to hold the gutter guard in place. The 3-point design system on this gutter guard allows leaves and debri to remain on the surface. The unique design allows air to pass through and elevate wet leaves. This allows water to pass into the gutter despite the debri collected on the surface. The gutter guard comes with a 30-year warranty. Watch this video to get a detailed review of the product. Pros

Easy installation Permanent solution Does not damage shingles Available in multiple colors

Cons

It may not be suitable for snowy areas.

3. Best Anti-Rust:A-M Gutter Guard

This gutter guard has 384 holes per foot and works well even under severe weather conditions like storms and heavy rainfall. The ingenious design allows air to move from the bottom to the top and remove the debri that builds on the surface. It is designed for 5 to 6-inch gutters and can be installed on all types of hangers. The bubble hole design on the gutter guard allows water to freely flow into the gutter. This product is available in a size of 200 ft and enjoys a lifetime warranty. Here’s a video to help you know more about this product. Pros

Anti-rust 100% aluminum Requires little maintenance Works well with all roof types

Cons

Might not work well with spike ferrule style gutters

4. Best Self-Locking installation:Amerimax 3’ Lock-In Gutter Guard

This mesh type gutter guard allows water to smoothly flow through large holes into the gutter. It does a good job of keeping leaves and other such debri on the surface. It is easy to install and does not require the services of an expert. The slender design allows it to blend with the roofline and keeps it out of visibility from the ground level. This pack contains 25 pieces and has a warranty period of 3 years. Pros

Self-locking installation Powder-coated steel construction Can handle high water volumes Filters leaves and debri

Cons

May not be able to filter smaller debri well

5. Best Heavy-Duty:THE GUTTERBRUSH SIMPLE GUTTER GUARD

This brush style gutter guard is ideal for numerous weather conditions. It can withstand heavy rainfall, dry temperatures, and heavy snowfall. The cylindrical-shaped bristles keep leaves and debri out of the gutter. The thin bristles allow water to flow into the downspout without running over the gutter. This product is 60 ft in length and is suitable for 5-inch K-style gutters. Pros

Easy installation Long bristles Heavy-duty galvanized steel wire core Year-round protection

Cons

May require constant cleaning

6. Best Blockage-Resistant:E-Z Gutter Guard

This reverse curve gutter guard allows water to seep through its slits and into the downspout. The outward curve is designed to remove debris from the top of the surface to avoid blockages. This gutter guard is designed for various kinds of weather conditions and can easily be snapped out of place for regular maintenance. It is matte black, which adds to its overall appeal and blends in well with rooftops. Pros

Quick installation Rust-free aluminum body No UV breakdown No pre-clog filter

Cons

The edges might be a little too sharp

7. Best Stainless Steel Mesh:Superior 5” Style Gutter Guards

This gutter guard by Superior Gutter Guards protects your gutters from clogs and dirt build-up. The rust and corrosion-free body is capable of withstanding erratic temperatures. The rainwater enters smoothly through the tiny holes on the mesh and keeps out fine debri. This is ideal for home use and can be removed from time to time for cleaning. This is ideal for 5-inch gutters and comes in a length of 48 ft. It also carries a warranty of 20 years. Pros

Keeps out insects DIY installation Raised design Stainless steel mesh

Cons

Water may spill off the guard in case of clogging

8. Best Easy-To-Maintain:The Wedge Downspout Gutter Guard

This pack of 4 gutter guard covers fits in well with minimal effort. It is designed uniquely to allow large debri to remain on the surface. The large holes allow water to flow through the debri and into the downspout. This gutter guard fits 5-inch gutters and comes with the necessary connectors for installation. While it looks very much like a strainer and a normal gutter filter, its unique pattern makes it stand out. Pros

Easy installation Inclined design for easy flow Restricts leaves from entering the downspout Easy to maintain

Cons

It has plastic construction.

9. Best Flexible:Kraftex Gutter Guard

This gutter guard strainer is quite flexible and can easily be installed in several gutters. The strainer is waterproof and will stand the test of time. The gutter filter works well to keep larger debri like leaves out of the gutter while allowing the water to smoothly flow into the downspout. This is most effective if placed near the entrance of the drain spout. Pros

Minimum maintenance Non-corrosive aluminum Heavy-duty materials Prevents rodents from burrowing

Cons

May not keep finer particles out of the gutter

10. Best For Blocking Fine Particles:EasyOn 5” Gutter Guard

It’s easy to see the brilliance of this gutter guard at just one look. The entire construction is made out of metal that is covered with fine holes to keep the debri out of the gutter. It features a sleek design which makes installation on any gutter possible. This gutter guard is low maintenance since it does a good job at blocking out almost all kinds of debri. This product is available in 100 ft with 25 sections at 4 nominal feet each. Pros

Made of heavy-duty materials Easy installation Blocks even fine particles Flexible and adaptable

Cons

It might not be ideal for snowy weather.

11. com Gutter Valley Splash Guard – Low Gloss White

This gutter cover works exactly as it is advertised to work. It sits well in the gutter channel and routes water directly into the downspout. It is specifically crafted to ensure that water does not overshoot the gutter and fall to the ground. This is a good solution for areas that have a large amount of rainfall throughout the year. The lightweight design also makes it a worthy competitor on our list of the 11 best gutter guards. Pros

Available in multiple colors Self-tapping screws Good for high water flow Quick installation

Cons

It may not be suitable for separating debri.

Now that you’ve had a good look at the different options available for purchase, it’s time you selected the one you need. However, before you do that, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a gutter guard.

How To Choose The Right Gutter Guard?

Material

One of the most important considerations when purchasing a gutter guard is the material used to make it. While there are quite a few options to choose from, choosing the right one becomes crucial. Some of the most common and popular materials include aluminum, galvanized steel, vinyl, wood, copper, and stainless steel. While aluminum seems to be the most common material used for gutter guards, wood seems to be the most uncommon. Aluminum gutter guards are generally inexpensive, rustproof, and lightweight. However, when it comes to durability, galvanized gutter guards wear the crown. Vinyl is the most affordable choice but is too brittle and may not be able to withstand changing climatic conditions. Copper and stainless steel gutter guards are not only durable but also retain their looks. It’s safe to say that it’s best to purchase a gutter guard that is made of copper or stainless steel.

Styles

There are 2 basic styles to choose from. This includes U and K style gutter guards. While both perform well, the only differentiation factor is individual preference concerning aesthetics. K-style gutter guards come in a K shape while U-shaped gutter guards come in a half-round shape. The most modern shape happens to be the K-style gutter guards.

Types

There are 5 types of gutter guards to choose from. This includes a brush, foam, reverse curve, mesh, and screen gutter guards. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. While a brush gutter guard is easy to install, it is difficult to maintain. The same can be said of foam gutter guards that usually soak up a lot of the water and finer dirt particles. Reverse curve, screen, and mesh gutter guards are the most popular ones. Apart from being popular, they work best under most conditions.

Installation

Installation procedures can be tiresome and difficult for certain types of gutter guards. This is why a few resort to screwless solutions like brush and foam based gutter guards. These are the easiest to install as they do not require any screws or special equipment. Furthermore, unlike many of the reverse curve, screen, and mesh gutter guards, they do not require to be fixed under the shingles of the roof.

Do Gutter Guards Work In Heavy Rain?

The answer to this question may not be as simple as it seems. While gutter guards do work in heavy rain, their effectiveness is reduced. The heavier the rain, the less effective the gutter guard will be. This is because the force of the water may cause the water to spill over the gutter guard.

Why Trust MomJunction?

We have compiled this list of the best gutter guards for your home based on the reviews of numerous users. We have also included the pros and cons of each product and the types of gutter guards, and explained how to choose the right one based on your requirements. These gutter guards will keep the drainage systems clear by channeling the water and debris through the downspout. The list also offers a buying guide for your convenience.

Best Drain Cleaners Best Shower Drain Hair Catchers Best Toilet Plungers Best Undermount Kitchen Sinks