Our favorite, the Fiskars 24-inch Leaf Rake, is lightweight, durable, and has an extra-long handle to prevent backaches and fatigue. Here are the best rakes for a variety of tasks. Our choice for the best overall leaf rake is from Fiskars, a leading manufacturer of garden tools. I have used this Fiskar rake for more than 5 years to gather leaves and small twigs. I love the ease of using a lightweight rake! The handle is comfortable and fits the shape of my hands, and aids in the natural motion of raking leaves. This 24-inch wide rake is lightweight, and the polycarbonate tines are durable enough to take on even the deepest layer of leaves. With an overall length of 67 inches, the 55-inch handle provides plenty of reach to get under trees. Plus, it should give you enough reach to avoid having to bend too much. The curved tines flex and grab leaves easily but help prevent the rake head from clogging. If you regularly wear garden gloves while raking, you may find those unnecessary. On the other hand, the aluminum handle might feel chilly on colder days. Price at time of publish: $19.08
Despite its size, this rake is extremely lightweight and has a broad reach, so you don’t have to exert a ton of effort to use it. While this budget-friendly option might not last as long as others, it has a 5-year warranty, it’s fairly durable, and works well considering the price. So, whether you need a rake for regular yard maintenance or just seasonal leaf shedding, the Anvil Poly Leaf Rake is a solid option. Price at time of publish: $12.98 We found an alternative to steel in the Midwest 10036 Aluminum Landscape Rake, made in the USA. It is built for heavy work. A cushion grip anchors the 66-inch heavy aluminum handle, leading to long, tapered 4-inch-high teeth, measuring 36 inches wide. The sturdy connector, made of powder-coated aluminum, assures a close, solid fit. While this product is specifically designed for moving gravel, such as in driveways, you could easily use it for detritus that builds up besides water such as a river or lake. Turn it over and its straight edge works well for grading a landscape too. Price at time of publish: $104.65 This rake can be used to gather clippings, leaves, and loose lawn debris. When compressed to its narrowest width, it can get under hedges and in between flower beds without damaging delicate plants. The Jardineer Garden Rake Leaf doesn’t require assembly, which is another big plus. We found a few reports of broken and bent parts, but the product is covered by a 1-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $22.99 This rake requires assembly but is simple to put together: All you need to do is attach the handle to the head and secure it with a screw. We found a few reports of broken parts upon delivery, so be sure to take advantage of the limited lifetime warranty if you encounter any problems. Also, at 3.4 pounds, this rake is on the heavier side. While the heft is necessary for heavy-duty jobs, users may find it too cumbersome for raking lightweight leaves. Price at time of publish: $40.41 The Ames rake features a head with two types of tines. The straight-edged tines loosen and remove the dead thatch layer with ease. Flip the head over, and the flare-edged tines can be used to scratch or scarify the soil to prepare it for reseeding, if needed. The head and tines are made of steel, so they are strong enough to pull through the most tangled mat of thatch. Price at time of publish: $49.98 The plastic material is easy to clean and, with a shell-like design, these scoops fit together for compact storage in your garage or tool shed. Now when autumn arrives, you won’t have to dread leaf season—just scoop them up and you’re finished! We’ve noted that the handles can dig into some wrists, based on the particular person. Price at time of publish: $28.99 Made of lightweight galvanized steel that should not rust, this is a great rake for small urban yards. It is not a good choice for heavy tasks, such as spreading mulch or de-thatching grass, but works great for raking leaves. Since the head width can be adjusted, you can get in tight spaces under shrubs and in small garden beds. The handle adjusts and locks at any length from 63 to 32 inches. This not only makes it more comfortable to use but also reduces storage space. Since it collapses into an 8-by-32-inch tool, this rake is great to take along to a campsite to clear away leaves for a tent or campfire. Price at time of publish: $32.99 The bow design helps give efficient spring action when raking. The 54.5-inch fiberglass handle provides the reach needed to make spreading mulch, weed removal, and removing small roots and rocks go more quickly. Price at time of publish: $57.74 The tines are made from plastic resin that is flexible but difficult to break. The 8-inch head and 11 tines pull out an amazing amount of leaves with each pass. While doing an entire lawn with this rake would be exhausting, you can make fast work of clearing leaves from hedges and foundation shrubs. Price at time of publish: $25.99 Made of rust-proof powder-coated steel, this 9-tined tool is extremely lightweight but durable. The tines are strong enough to help with weeding or creating lines for seeding in well-tilled, loose garden soil. To make chores easier, the molded handle has a soft grip for comfortable use. Once you have this tool in your garden caddy, you’re sure to find plenty of uses. Price at time of publish: $14.99 Plastic tines are less durable than other options and better suited for light-duty tasks. Their lightweight construction makes them easier to use for an extended period. But they aren’t likely to last as long as metal rakes, and they’re more likely to bend or break. Polyresin tines straddle the line between metal and plastic. They’re not quite as durable as metal, but they’re stronger than plastic and can handle heavy-duty jobs.
Weight and Comfort
An uncomfortable rake can result in issues with your back arms, and muscles, according to medical experts. A too-short handle can result in excessive bending; a heavy product can result in muscle strain. We recommend that before purchasing a rake, you test it for comfort in a brick-and-mortar store. Adjustable handles are a good choice for a rake intended to be used by people of different heights. A lightweight handle made of polyresin or aluminum can help reduce arm fatigue; a cushioned grip eases hand fatigue. Consider a rake model that can accommodate a handle replacement.
Durability
“Steel rakes are more heavy duty and longer lasting overall than plastic or aluminum,” says Amber Freda, a landscape designer specializing in city gardens in the New York City area. “Aluminum or plastic rakes are best for most standard leaf cleanups because they are lightweight and cover a larger span than steel rakes.” Rakes made with metal tines and handles are usually the most durable. The metal tines seldom break, and can be hammered back into shape if they get bent. Handles made of metal are often adjustable for comfort. But this durability comes at a higher price tag. Aluminum handles are durable but lighter to handle and generally cost less.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce who specializes in the home and garden sector. For expert insight, Sage interviewed Amber Freda, a landscape designer specializing in city gardens in the NYC area, including rooftops, terraces, and townhomes. To select the best leaf rakes for this roundup, Sage considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their material, tines, weight, and comfort.
Some gardeners like to rake leaves several times during autumn to keep the leaf piles smaller. Others wait until late autumn so one weekend of labor takes care of the task. However, “It’s not a good idea to have leaves sitting on your lawn because they can kill your grass by depriving it of sunlight,” Freda points out. It is always best to rake leaves when they are as dry as possible before winter precip makes a soggy mess.
