Well, if you are here, reading this, I suppose you are in search of a leaf rake that will swipe clean your garden like a magical broomstick. If that is the case, I would love to share some of the most amazing rakes’ reviews with you. Garden rakes are a relatively simple tool for cleaning, but they can get quite annoying at times if not chosen properly. Hence, you have to give special attention to the tines while choosing a rake because they can give you a hard time by bouncing off while cleaning. Therefore, you need to consider a few things that I have added in the buying guide below while buying a rake.
How to Buy the Best Rake
Lawn Debris
There are many different kinds of debris, like pine needles, leaves, acorns, etc. Your first task at hand is to identify the type of debris taking over your garden as different rakes are suited for different purposes. Lightweight rakes that are used for only leaves might not work well on removing other heavy debris. If your problem is more difficult than just dry leaves, you might consider buying rakes that have wider gaps in between. So it does not clog easily.
Grass Height
What is the average height of grasses that grow in your lawn? Are they large enough to get stuck between the rakes? Or are they small enough to expose the ground? These questions are a must ask with their answer inquired carefully. If the ground is swiped with a pointed metal rake, it will leave marks to the ground. Therefore, for shorter grass, plastic rakes are suitable as they dont leave marks on the ground.
Handle Material
Usually, rakes come with three different types of handles, wood, fiberglass, and metal. A wooden handle is a common one and is better for short tasks. Gripping the wooden handle for a long period is not convenient at all. On the other hand, handles made of fiberglass or metal are smoother and lighter. These handles sometimes provide grips that help users even further with long and heavy-duty tasks.
Handle Height
Handle height varies from small to large. Choose one according to your height and arms. If you have shorter arms, than it is better to go with smaller height handles because they won’t require a lot of stretching and effort. Remember! Raking should go in a natural flow.
One good way to find the right height is to compare it with your own height. Note that the handle of the rake shouldn’t be much lower than your chin. That’s because you’ll have to stretch a lot for a longer height, whereas a shorter one will require constant bending.
Rake Width
Most companies write the rake’s width in their product name. This width is measured from the first time to the last. This gives you a rough idea of how much debris you will be able to clean in a single swipe. The width of the rakes is 24 inches, mostly. The wider the rake, the more you can clean in a single swipe. However, if the width is proportional to gaps between the rakes, then you will have to bear with a lot of leaves that will be left behind after each swipe.
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Top Five Leaf Rakes
Amazon.com
Best Grass Rakes
1. Gardenite 63-inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake
63 Inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake - Expanding Metal Rake - Adjustable Folding Head from 7 Inch to 22 Inch. Ideal Camp Rake
This Gradenite 63 Leaf Rake offers smooth and efficient performance with low weight and reasonable price. It is designed to solve the problem of storing large rakes that take up a lot of space. The rakes are adjustable and can be folded or expanded according to the need. The adjustable head can expand from 7 inches to 22 inches. So it does not require large storage space. Moreover, it can be used in narrow places too.
When fully expanded, the rake is 63-inch long with 15 flat tines. When the tines are fully expanded, the gaps between them increase, which allows the leaves some space to fall out. It has a zinc-plated steel handle and is very light and easy to use, ensuring a blister-free raking experience. Also, the metallic finish ads durability to the handles by making them resistant to rust. However, it is worth mentioning that the handles are suitable for people with height less than 6 ft. If you are than that, then you might want to look for something else.
- Lightweight
- Adjustable rake
- Comfortable handle
- Rustproof handles
- Not suitable for users over 6 ft.
2. TRG the Groundskeeper II
TRG GK102R The Groundskeeper II Rake, yellow
The Groundskeeper II is the most versatile rake you’ll ever have. It does not only rake, but also levels the bedding, lifts thatch, spreads rock and mulch, and much more. What’s even more amazing is that you get all this done for only $40, though that doesn’t include the shipping cost.
It features 28 round and stiff steel tines that, unlike the flexible ones, are more effective. The total width of the head measures to up to 21 inches. The handle is made up of fiberglass with a length of about 55 inches. This height might be an issue for some people. With this rake, you can easily remove leaves, barks, twigs, gravel, sticks, and mulch.
- Versatile functionality
- Lasting build
- Suitable for twigs and gravel too
- Constantly leaf build up between the tines
3. TABOR TOOLS Telescopic Rake
TABOR TOOLS J16A Telescopic Metal Rake, 63 Inch Adjustable Folding Leaves Rake for Quick, Expanding Handle with Adjustable 8-23 Inch Width Folding Head.
This telescopic rake is the best for quick raking sessions. With an adjustable raking head, this model allows you to reach the narrowest areas of your lawn that you could not cover with other rakes. You can also rake the areas between your plants without damaging them. You can set it to any width between 8 to 23 inches and lock it for secure functioning. The lock is super reliable and does not shift no matter what conditions it meets.
The handles are made up of superior quality steel for lasting performance. An added feature is its adjustability. You can set the length of the handles at any point between 32 and 63 inches. To keep at the desired point, you can simply turn the lock and secure its position. No screws involved!
Moreover, it can easily take impacts of the harsh weather conditions and still stand strong. With the rubberized grip, you can get the job done quite comfortably. Since the rake can be adjusted in width and height, you’ll not have even the slightest of issues in storing it. Its tines are rustproof and therefore do not require much maintenance.
- Adjustable height and width
- Easy maintenance
- Comfortable grip
- Resistant to weather impacts
- Cannot be used for wet leaves or other heavy debris
4. Ames 26-inch Dual Tine Leaf Rake
AMES 2714000 2-in-1 Dual-Tine Poly Leaf Rake with Comfort Grip, 71-Inch
“The leaves hate it, and you will love it.” This is the rake to consider when you want the job to be done quickly. It has two sets of tines, one of which can be separated and used for other gardening purposes. This tines set is small in size and is used to remove thatch and debris. The other set of tines is permanently attached to the handle and cannot be separated.
This rake is about 26-inch wide and is bigger than the other tines described above. Its width makes it easier to clean a wide area in one go, but it can also give the user a hard time managing the rake because of its heaviness. With gaps in the branching parts, this Poly Leaf Rake makes it easy to rake in windy conditions. The company claims that they have structured the rake in a way that makes it “clog-free”, but the garden rake doesn’t live up to the expectations in this regard. It is not completely anti-clogging, though it is better than many of its competitors. It comes with a 15 years warranty, so you can contact the company in case of any inconvenience.
- Dual rakes
- Durable
- Covers a wider area
- Suitable for windy conditions
- Heavy
5. Razor-Back 24-Tine Steel Rake
RazorBack 2.13" X 24" X 68" Fiberglass Handle Steel Rake Wit
$38.96
The Razor-Back rake is another fantastic product. With a 51-inch fiberglass handle and a cushioned grip, it offers significantly convenient raking. However, like the Gradenite’s rake mentioned above, this too is not suitable for people over 6 ft. But that’s not all. Having a comfortable grip allows you to easily reach and rake even the hard-to-reach areas. It can also be used over uneven grounds. Its flexible steel tines can pull out the thatch easily from the ground.
This rake has been praised by most of its users for its strong built and heavy-duty. It has a lifetime warranty, which is the most pleasing thing to get with a rake since the tines are unpredictable and a sensitive part. The steelhead of the leaf rake is bolted to the handle for a secure connection. But some users have complained regarding the bolts.
- Robust Construction
- Lifetime warranty
- Fiberglass handle
- Cushioned grip
- Lacks a secure connection between the rake and its handle
Conclusion
There is a variety of rakes available to buy from, but your choice should depend upon the task at hand. I hope my buying guide will help you get the most appropriate rake for your task. You can also give the reviewed rake a glance for a quick view of the top five rakes you can consider. In my opinion, Gardenite 63-inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake offers the best value for your money.
