Whether you need to clear up autumn leaves, thatch your lawn to remove dead grass, or even put soil in your garden bed, a high-quality garden rake is a must for any homeowner. But finding the right garden rake for you depends on several factors, such as the intended use, your lawn size and location, your height, and more. You can expect to spend anywhere from $15–$75 on a garden rake, depending on the size and functionality.
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To help you find the best garden rake for you, we personally tested several of the top models on the market. After our testing, the Fiskars - PRO Rake stood out as our top overall rake for gardens, while the Midwest Aluminum Landscape Rake is our top pick for fall cleanups. Read our guide below for more of our top garden rakes.
Advertisement The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products. Best Overall Fiskars PRO Rake /5 Check Price Best Large Bow Midwest Aluminum Landscape Rake /5 Check Price Best for Thatch THE GROUNDSKEEPER II Green Rake /5 Check PriceGarden rakes keep your lawn and garden tidy. In this review, we examined several types of garden rakes and put them through a variety of tests to see how they performed and felt. Here are our top picks among the models we tested.
When we tested garden rakes, we zeroed in on three key aspects of how it performed.
Learn more about how we tested garden rakes based on these factors.
Good for: Customers looking for a heavy-duty rake for leveling fine materials like dirt or sand.
This bow rake has short metal tines attached to its wide head. The head isn’t as wide as other bow rakes, making it best for smaller tasks around your yard, like leveling a small patch of sand or dirt.
Courtesy Amazon $67.48 – Buy on Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.This rake received full points for task efficiency and tine buildup, but we deducted points from the ergonomics score because of its weight.
Review Category Score (Out of 10) Task Efficiency 10/10 Tine Buildup 10/10 Ergonomics 8/10 Overall Rating 9.5/10 Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.Good for: Customers with a large yard who need to remove or even out a large amount of material.
This bow rake has a wide head, making it best for large yards. It also has long, rounded teeth for smooth raking, a striking edge for grading, and a heavy-duty rib construction to maximize head stability.
Courtesy Amazon $75.99 – Buy on Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.This rake had a similar score to the first bow rake, receiving full points for task efficiency and tine buildup. However, it lost more points for ergonomics because it was wider and heavier than other rakes we tested.
Review Category Score (Out of10) Task Efficiency 9.8/10 Tine Buildup 10/10 Ergonomics 6/10 Overall Rating 9.4 Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.Good for: Customers looking for a rake to help remove dead grass from their lawns.
This rake features round and stiff steel tines that we found were useful for grabbing up large amounts of leaves, thatch, and pine needles. Its lightweight design is easy to maneuver, and its spring-loaded tines reduce the amount of pressure you have to use while raking, easing the tension on your arms and shoulders.
Courtesy Amazon $44.99 – Buy on Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.This rake performed very well on thatching dead grass, and it grabbed a large amount of leaves and pine needles in our test yard. However, part of the assembly was difficult, and we had to stop frequently to remove leaves from the tines.
Review Category Score(Out of 10) Task Efficiency 9/10 Tine Buildup 5/10 Ergonomics 10/10 Overall Rating 9.3 Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.Good for: Those looking for an adjustable rake for clearing leaves and other material.
This rake has an adjustable handle that’s between 42 and 60 inches long, allowing people of different heights to use this tool. It also has a rubber grip on the end to prevent slipping during use.
Courtesy Amazon $29.99 – Buy on Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.This rake was comfortable to use, but it had issues with materials getting stuck in its tines.
Review Category Score(Out of 10) Task Efficiency 9.5/10 Tine Buildup 7/10 Ergonomics 10/10 Overall Rating 9.4/10 Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.Good for: Those looking for a rake to assist with fall cleanup in an area with a lot of broad-leaf trees.
The tines on this rake fan out in a circular shape instead of a triangular one, giving it more width. Its tines also make the rake efficient at collecting large amounts of leaves. Additionally, the rake has a reinforced fiberglass handle with triple-wall construction for durability, includes double-sided support ridges on the tines to prevent breakage, and features a 90-degree angle design on the tines for greater efficiency.
Courtesy Amazon $40.41 – Buy on Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.This rake received full points for task efficiency, but we deducted some points for the remaining two metrics because of the pine straw buildup and the rake’s head width.
Review Category Score (Out of 10) Task Efficiency 10/10 Tine Buildup 6/10 Ergonomics 8/10 Overall Rating 9.3 Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.Good for: Homeowners who need the flexibility to fit a rake head in both large and compact areas.
This rake’s head is adjustable, allowing you to use it as a shrub rake in tighter spaces around plants or shrubs. You can also use this rake as a leaf rake for larger spaces like those around trees where large amounts of leaves collect.
Courtesy Amazon $26.99 – Buy on Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.This rake was easy to use, so we gave it full points for ergonomics, but it lost points in the other two categories because of its bendable and buildup-prone tines.
Review Category Score (Out of 10) Task Efficiency 7/10 Tine Buildup 5/10 Ergonomics 10/10 Overall Rating 9.0This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
Garden rakes need to be efficient, durable, and comfortable. When we tested these rakes, regardless of whether they were leaf, shrub, or bow rakes, we noted how efficiently they pulled in a large amount of debris and how much material got stuck in the tines, which can slow the process down.
However, it’s important to look beyond standard performance and also examine how easy it is to use a rake. Raking can be an exhausting task, especially if you have a large lawn or garden area, so a high-quality rake should work with you to rake the leaves instead of adding resistance. We examined how well these rakes felt when working by examining their height, grip, adjustability, and tine angle. We also took note of how easy each rake was to set up and how well it held up to continuous use in our lawns and gardens.
Before buying a garden rake, there are several important factors you should consider. Start out by figuring out the type of rake that works best for your specific needs. From there, examine the material to see if it will be comfortable to use and durable. You should also make note of the size of the rake, both in height and width, and consider the size of your yard to find a rake that matches.
Five common types of rakes exist: lawn/leaf rakes, shrub rakes, bow rakes, thatch rakes, and hand rakes.
Lawn rakes are typically used to clear your yard of leaves, but they can also be used for clearing other debris like pine straw. They have a long handle for a wide reach, and their metal or plastic tines fan out in a triangular shape.
Shrub rakes are similar to lawn rakes, but they have a narrower head that can fit in tighter spaces, such as around bushes and along fences.
Bow rakes are used for heavy-duty tasks like leveling dirt and sand. They have straight and wide heads with short tines. The tines point straight down and are made of thick metal.
This type of rake removes the layer of organic material between your lawn and the soil’s surface, also known as thatch. Dethatching rakes have sharp metal tines or blades that can be used to break up thatch.
The video below shows This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook demonstrating how to de-thatch a lawn using a rake designed for the task.
A hand rake is a smaller version of a shrub or bow rake. It has a shorter handle and fewer tines, and it’s designed for use around smaller plants like vegetables and flowers. Its short handle gives you ultimate control of where the tines touch.
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Rakes are typically made of metal, plastic, wood, or fiberglass. The materials used for the rake handle and tines can be the same or different.
In general, rake handles are made of metal, wood, plastic, or fiberglass. Hardwood handles can last for years if you sand them to prevent splinters and apply oil to repel debris, but they’re heavier than other handles and can rot or warp if not properly maintained. Metal handles are also durable as long as they have a rust-resistant coating. Plastic and fiberglass handles are the most lightweight options, but fiberglass can crack if left in the sun, and plastic can bend under pressure.
Most tines are made of metal or plastic. Metal tines are more durable, but they’re heavier and tend to make garden rakes more expensive. Rakes with plastic tines aren’t as durable as metal rakes, but they’re more affordable and lightweight. Occasionally, you’ll find tines made of resin that give you the durability of metal and the flexibility of plastic.
A rake’s head width refers to how far the tines on the rake fan out. Rakes with a wider head are good for clearing a lot of material at once, but if you’re doing more detailed work around plants, a rake with a smaller head may be a better option.
Rakes can weigh less than one pound or more than four. Their weight depends on their size and the materials used in their construction. Lighter rakes are good for tasks like raking dry leaves, while heavier rakes are good for heavy-duty tasks like moving dirt or leveling sand.
If you’re looking for a versatile rake, consider one that weighs 2 or 3 pounds. Not only does this allow you to complete a variety of tasks, but it also prevents your arms from getting tired during use.
Consider your yard size before buying a garden rake. If you have a large yard with a lot of trees and garden beds, consider an all-purpose rake like a lawn rake or shrub rake. If you want to prepare gardening beds, you may want a specialized rake like a hand or thatch rake.
Having a quality rake is one thing, but there are also steps you can take to ensure you’re getting the most out of your trusty outdoor yard tool. Here are some tips to keep in mind when using a garden rake.
While fall is the most common time for raking, it’s important to rake throughout the year. Regularly raking in spring and summer prevents debris from smothering your grass. Raking before winter helps prevent mold growth from matted leaves.
Always rake in the same direction as the grass grows. This reduces the risk of uprooting or damaging the grass blades, especially if you have a delicate or recently seeded lawn. By raking with the grain, you ensure a more even collection of leaves and debris.
Maintain good posture while raking to avoid back strain. Bend your knees slightly, keep your back straight, and use a sweeping motion rather than pulling with just your arms. This will reduce fatigue and allow you to rake more effectively.
Instead of letting leaves and debris build-up, rake more frequently to make the task more manageable. Frequent raking reduces the amount of labor involved and can help prevent your leaves from becoming compacted or moldy, which can harm grass and soil.
Instead of bagging up all the leaves, consider adding them to a compost pile. Leaves break down into nutrient-rich material that can be used to enrich your soil in future gardening projects. Shred them first for faster decomposition.
Below are some common frequently asked questions about garden rakes.
When it comes to gardening, a few simple tools can make all the difference! Let's dig in to our most frequently asked questions about garden tools:
Depending on what type of gardening you are doing, you may need slightly different versions of these items — for example, if you are are gardening solely in planters on the patio, you can stick with a trowel and skip the larger shovel. Here are some essential gardening tools:
The best thing you can do to prolong the life of your tools is to store them inside (in a shed, garage, or barn) and up off the ground. Rain, snow, and UV exposure from the sun will definitely age tools fast.
You can sharpen pruners, snips, loppers, and gardening knives. If you are a casual gardener, you can get away with a once-a-year sharpening – maybe plan for the end of the season so you can be ready to go once spring planting arrives. If you have a big operation and are regularly pruning or trimming several days a week, you’ll probably want to sharpen a few times throughout the season.
Consider the handle color of a tool before buying it- green or brown tools will be lost easier. If the handle is not already brightly colored, try wrapping it with some brightly colored tape or tying bright flagging onto it. Carrying several tools around the garden? A tool tote, apron, or bucket organizer keeps your tools all within easy reach!
Snips allow you make precision cuts without damaging nearby sems. Pruners are perfect for light pruning and deadheading, as well as harvesting herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Loppers have large jaw openings to allow for bigger, more substantial cuts. When pruners and loppers don’t make the cut, turn to a pruning saw.
There are two styles of blade styles to choose from. Anvil pruners have one blade that's a flattened surface and another like a knife. The sharp blade cuts down through the branch, coming down onto the flattened anvil. Bypass pruners work more like a pair of scissors, with two sharp blades that slide past each other to make the cut. Anvil pruners are strong and durable, but they don't let you get quite as close as the bypass style. Unless they're very sharp, they also tend to crush the plant's tissues rather than make a clean cut. To keep your hands from tiring, look for some sort of spring-action between the handles to help force the blades apart after you make each cut. Pruners come in a range of sizes and weights; select a tool that's appropriately scaled to your hand.
Handheld pruners can typically handle branches up to 1/2 inch in diameter. Many loppers can handle branches around 2 inches in diameter. Use a saw for anything larger. Manufacturers will often specify what diameter their particular tool can handle. Of course, a chainsaw can be used for the largest branches and tree trunks.
Good news — your plants won't mind either type of watering can! Plastic is economical, lightweight, fairly durable, and can come in many colors. Metal cans will last a long time if cared for correctly, and are generally quite aesthetically pleasing. Consider the size, weight, budget, care level, and look you are going for when selecting a can.
To avoid corrosion, make sure that the water is drained out fully after each use — tipping it over allows it to dry out. Rinse out any fertilizer residue well. If the nozzle has a removable attachment, take it apart to let the entire can dry thoroughly. Bring watering cans indoors during freezing temperatures.
Sprinkler systems are great for broadcasting water evenly and quickly over a large area (i.e. a newly seeded meadow or perennial bed), while drip irrigation provides a more targeted approach. Drip irrigation (or soaker hoses) are excellent at directing water right into the soil, reducing water loss due to evaporation.
In North America, there is a standard size for hose nozzles, called garden hose thread, or GHT. Adapters for hoses of different sizes are widely available and inexpensive. Standard outdoor faucets are 1/2" or 3/4".
Make sure that you have appropriate filters to prevent debris from entering your rain barrel — mesh screening, a clean gutter and spout, and no cracks or holes in the lid of the barrel. Stick to opaque barrels to prevent algae growth (which is not inherently harmful but can clog the system). Use the water rather than storing it for too long to keep it cycling and not stagnant. If necessary, empty the barrel and scrub clean.
Soaker hoses can get clogged with soil and mineral deposits that are in your water. If you have mineral deposits you will see visible staining accumulate on your hoses. You can clean this up by soaking your hose in a vinegar solution. You can also flush your hose with running water a few times a season. Remove the end caps and let any debris work itself out of the lines.
Drain your soaker hose before freezing weather to prevent the hose from splitting. You can leave in place for the winter or store in a shed/garage. Adding a layer of mulch like straw over it will help protect it from the harsh elements.
Coiling your hose correctly and storing out of UV rays either in a hose pot or on a reel will help prolong the life of the hose. Drain hoses thoroughly at the end of the season to ensure freezing/thawing cycles don't crack the hose.
If you'll ever be digging a hole or moving compost from a cart to the garden, you'll need a shovel. The business end of a shovel is relatively thin, rounded, and comes to a point. The top edge is flat across, and is usually rolled or has a flattened "step" so you can apply some foot pressure if the digging gets tough. The width of a shovel blade may be narrow or broad, but it will always be slightly dished to hold the soil in place. A spade, which has a flattened rectangular head, is a different tool entirely. Spades have flat blades and are generally smaller than shovels. Spades are great for slicing through roil and roots, as well as edging garden beds.
Forged steel will last the longest and can handle the heaviest of workloads. Stainless steel will resist rust too. Aluminum is very lightweight but that also makes it prone to bending; not recommended for heavy duty digging.
When you're loosening soil and mixing in compost, the tool of choice is a garden fork. Garden forks are also useful for digging, dividing and transplanting perennials, especially if the soil is moist. Most have 5 or 6 tines that are about ¼-inch square and about 12-inches long. Handles are usually waist-high with a D-grip. A smaller, handheld garden fork (typically called a cultivator) is perfect for loosening the top layer of soil and breaking up weeds.
The perfect tool for keeping the edges of your lawn clean and crisp is an edger. Just rock it back and forth to slice through turf grass quickly. As an alternate, you can also use a straight edged spade.
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