The short answer
All three can keep gutters clear when they are installed well. The real differences are the guard's design, what kind of debris it handles best, how it attaches, and how it is sold. LeafSlugger makes both a solid aluminum cover and a stainless micro-mesh guard; national brands mostly sell one design through in-home sales appointments. We are a certified LeafSlugger installer and dealer, and we also install ShurFlo, Bulldog and other professional-grade guards, so we pick the guard to match your roof and trees.
The three main guard designs
Solid covers (surface-tension or "reverse curve") let rainwater follow a rounded edge into the gutter while leaves slide off. They shed big leaves and pine needles well and are very strong under snow and ladders.
Micro-mesh guards use a fine stainless steel screen that lets water through and stops almost everything else, including shingle grit and small seeds. Fine debris can collect on top and may need an occasional rinse.
One-piece hooded gutters replace your gutters entirely with a gutter that has a built-in hood. They work, but you are buying a whole new gutter system.
Where LeafSlugger fits
LeafSlugger offers the LeafSlugger Cover, a heavy aluminum cover whose hood tucks under the second course of shingles and is sealed, and the LeafSlugger Micro, a stainless micro-mesh on an aluminum frame that is barely visible from the ground. Both install on existing gutters that are in good shape. The manufacturer backs them with a written warranty that we register for you; ask us for the current terms.
National brands
The big national names generally sell one design each: micro-mesh guards, solid covers, or one-piece hooded gutters. Most sell through in-home presentations, often with a discount that expires the same day. The products can be good; compare the guard design, the warranty terms and the price per foot, not the presentation.
Which is best for your house?
Under pin oaks, maples and other big-leaf trees, a solid cover or micro-mesh both work well. Under pines, micro-mesh stops needles that can slip into other designs. Steep roofs and heavy downpours favor guards that handle a lot of water quickly. We look at your trees, roof pitch and gutter condition before recommending one.
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Related: Gutter Guards