Raking leaves is one of those jobs that simply has to be done to keep your yard in perfect condition. A leaf rake is one of the simplest and long-lasting tools you can get for this. Being such a reliable piece of gardening equipment, you’d be forgiven for thinking that they are all the same. In reality, using a low-quality rake can turn what should be a simple job into a bit of a nightmare.
To ensure you’re getting the perfect model for you, we’ve looked at materials, length, head width, weight, and overall build quality. We’ve put in the countless hours of research, so you don’t have to. Added to this, we’ve also consulted expert sources to give you the highest quality information. For this article, we’ve examined 52 different products and included the 10 best leaf rakes. We have to say that the True Temper Clog Free Poly Leaf Rake 24-in. tops the list.
More features: clog-free design, ideal for medium to large yard spaces
True Temper has been able to make a truly brilliant leaf rake that will make light work of any large jobs. It is a plastic leaf rake which enables it to have enough flexibility while also remaining durable and hard-wearing.
Its unique design makes it ideal for those that have large lawns and need to get through a lot of work. That is helped with the rake never clogging up due to its ingenious design. Some will argue that the head doesn’t have quite the same level of durability as a metal leaf rake, but it’s still well-made and has many advantages. You just need to avoid being too rough with it.
The 48” shaft is the perfect height for many users. Furthermore, it comes with a hardwood handle that is covered with padding, making it very comfortable to hold. The assembly is very simple and also allows it to be stored easily. Overall it’s a leaf rake that ticks all the right boxes and makes your garden chores a lot easier to complete.
More features: 15 tines, anti-rust zinc coating
For those looking for an affordable metal leaf rake, this could well be the perfect option for you as it’s a steel leaf rake with plenty of qualities. One of those is that it’s also a collapsible leaf rake and able to be adjusted from 31″ up to 64″. This helps it to be ideal for a wide range of uses.
The adjustability here is excellent as not only do you have it in the handle but also with the head. You can change it from a wide leaf rake at 24″ down to something a lot narrower at 7.5″. It’s this type of versatility that helps it to stand out from the competition.
Those adjustments also mean you can take it down to its most compact size for easy storage. While on the whole, it’s quite sturdy, the handle can feel a little flimsy when fully extended. Still, this is an excellent leaf rake that should allow you to use it for many years to come.
More features: durable construction, perfect for quick cleanup, 10-year free replacement warranty
Is durability your number one concern? If so, you’re going to love this rake as it’s made from traditional materials and has a no-frills design. There is no adjustability to be found here, but that won’t bother many users. Instead, they’ll love being able to simply grab this rake and get to work.
The steel head is going to be able to get through a lot of work, and the ash handle allows you to apply plenty of pressure while enjoying a more traditional feel. The weight, head width, and handle length are all in the middle range making this a rake most people would be able to easily use.
That type of design also makes the rake very easy to maintain with a minimum amount of fuss. If anything goes wrong, then you’re going to be backed by a 10-year parts warranty that will give you peace of mind. It’s a rake not only looks great but is also very easy to use.
More features: 25 extra-wide tines, Bi-curved bow design, lifetime limited warranty
This leaf rake is going to be ideal for those looking for something a little smaller and more portable. At only 1.3lbs, it is very easy to carry and use for extended periods. A downside to that is the head only being 19” wide, but that will still be enough for most gardens.
The limited lifetime warranty should give you confidence in its construction, which is made from steel on the head and aluminum on the handle. That’s added by a vinyl sleeve that will work to give it fantastic grip. It’s a great mix of materials, which should allow the rake to be long-lasting.
Some users have reported that the handle can make it a little difficult to use, but most people are more than happy with it. The overall design of this bow-shaped rake is highly effective to be able to clear up those leaves in no time at all. It’s easy to use and ideal for small to medium-sized lawns.
More features: durable poly tines with double-sided reinforcement, lifetime limited warranty
In contrast to the last rake that we looked at, this one as an extremely wide head at 30”. It’s ideal for those that want to be able to clear a large area of leaves very quickly. The downside here is that it makes it much harder to reach those difficult spots, and there is no adjustability here.
There is also a limited amount of flexibility in the head, too, despite it being made out of plastic. It all adds up to it being quite a blunt instrument. To combat this, you may want to also get a handheld leaf rake. If you need to rake a wide-open area, this task isn’t going to be an issue.
Plastic is often seen as an inferior material, but the heavy-duty construction enables it to excel, and the fiberglass handle makes it comfortable to use. It does have a slightly higher weight than other models we’ve looked at but is still easy enough for most people.
More features: high-quality construction
Here, we see another rake that is made from a great mix of materials with a metal head and a wooden handle. While it looks great, that handle isn’t the most durable, and if you put too much pressure on it, it may break.
The solid steel head is 24” wide and able to cover a large area. It also gives you the right level of flexibility needed to clear your lawn efficiently. It enables you to work very quickly and end up completing a large job in no time at all.
It has a good weight, which also makes it very easy to maneuver around your garden. It all adds up to great value for money, and this rake will help you keep your garden in perfect condition. As long as you don’t put too much pressure on the middle of the rake, you’ll find this to be a beautiful and convenient tool.
More features: dual tines, detachable hand rake
This dual tine leaf rake gives you plenty of reasons to love it. With 26” head, this is a large leaf rake that will be able to cover a wide area very quickly. It also makes a perfect lawn leaf rake not only for taking leaves away but also dethatching grass. That versatility helps to make it a fantastic model.
The rake head itself is highly effective, but a unique feature here is the detachable hand rake. It gives it the functionality that you rarely see with an otherwise simple product. Trying to use the full rake for those tight areas can be frustrating, but this solves that issue.
At 3.35lbs, it’s heavier than some of the other options we’ll see here. While most people aren’t going to see that as an issue, there are others who will get arm ache after extended periods. If you’re looking for a rake that is great at both removing leaves while also dethatching grass, then this is going to be your best bet.
More features: 15 tines, easy to store
While the previous leaf rake we looked at was highly versatile, this model is simple but elegant. It’s excellent at sweeping up those leaves in no time at all with a high level of efficiency and ease.
One of the most notable features of this leaf rake is the 63” shaft it has. It’s longer than most models out there, and this will allow you to get into those hard to reach areas. The expandable head gives you a good range of use, but a few users didn’t like that the tines are spaced too widely. This can be solved if you reduce the head width, but this does mean losing some capture range.
The rake is made from steel to give it exceptional durability, and that is helped by it being coated in zinc to reduce any chance of corrosion. It adds up to a rake that is ideal for those who have high demands and are worried about breaking a plastic leaf rake. This model finds the perfect balance between weight and sturdiness.
More features: set of two rakes, 24 and 30 tines, durable design
GardenAll has been able to make this amazing package of two rakes, which are both able to perform at a high level. The steel model is more aggressive, while the plastic one has a wider head and able to cover a greater area.
The handles on both models are well-designed to give you a maximum level of comfort. Both allow you to apply plenty of pressure to clear difficult areas. They don’t have much flexibility in the tines but are still brilliant at getting the job done.
They are both easy to store while also being simple to use. That level of usability will seem appealing to those who can often find using rakes hard work. The rakes are very well-made, and the set of two gives you excellent value for money. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a 2-in-1 solution.
More features: 24 tines, large D-shaped handle
If you struggle to apply the right amount of pressure with a regular leaf rake, then you may find this model very useful. The Large D-shaped handle makes it very easy to grip and complete your jobs with minimal effort.
At 4.2lbs, it isn’t the lightest rake available, but that extra handle helps to make it easy to use. As well as the extra handle, the tines are also perfectly curved to give you optimal performance with a level of efficiency that you’ll love.
The rake is made from steel, which helps to give it an impressive level of strength and durability. It’s a rake that you’re going to be able to use with confidence, even in those more stubborn areas. The bright colors help to give it a great look, and this is a rake that you’ll be able to use for years to come.
The leaf rakes may seem like simple tools and that they all look the same. However, in reality, we can see that their quality and construction greatly varies. Here, we’ll explain which features are important and what you should be looking out for. We do that by looking at all the key aspects in more detail and then running through some FAQs to give you all the information that you need. Once you’ve finished with the buying guide, you’ll be all clued up on what separates them.
As it is usually the case when buying any garden tool, you’ll need to ask yourself a few key questions about what tasks you’ll be doing. Do you need to dethatch grass? Will you be sweeping up dry leaves from a small garden? Or wet leaves from a large garden? Or maybe you need a rake for your roof? All in all, you will be looking for a rake that is able to match your requirements. To get the right rake for you, it’s a good idea to make a note after each section if this guide to see how important it is to you. By the end, you’ll be able to pick the best leaf rake for your needs.
You’ll see a few different blends of materials with various types of metal, wood, and plastic. It’s too simple to say one material is better than another. However, everything depends on how the rakes are constructed.
For the head, you’ll be looking at either metal or plastic. Metal is more durable and rigid, but it could scratch the surface, making it unsuitable for clearing leaves of driveways, for example. If you need a bit more flexibility, then a plastic head may well be preferred, but less force can be applied with these.
Handles are usually made of wood, but this means that you won’t be able to adjust the height of the leaf rake. Plastic and metal have the capability of adding an adjustable mechanism, but can lose some stability. The answer, therefore, depends on you. Do you prefer a rigid rake with a heavy-duty head? Then a wooden handle and a metal head would be the answer. Do you need adjustability and flexibility? A plastic head and a fiberglass shaft may be the best option.
With a rake, you need to think about stability, reach, and usability. Firstly, the longer something is, the more it will flex, and the less stable it will be. If you need to apply a lot of pressure your rake, then you’ll likely want it to be shorter rather than longer, such as with the Flexrake Classic 24 In. Spring Leaf Rake.
The longer something is, the more reach it has. A longer rake will be better for shorter people and also those who need to reach in difficult areas. If you need both close control and reach, then it may be the best idea to get a rake with an adjustable handle as with the MLTOOLS Leaf Rake.
Also, the longer something is, the harder it is to control. A short user trying rake with an extra-large handle would face a lot of difficulties. For most people, a standard length will be perfect.
For shorter users, the 40-inch handle should be great, while for taller people, we recommend something that has a 50-inch handle length and higher.
Like with handle length, there are different situations where head width is important. If you are clearing a large open garden and want to get the job quickly, then a wide head, such as we see with the Bully Tools 30″ Poly Leaf Rake, would be ideal.
Trying to use such a rake in corners or by the side of a shed, however, can be difficult. In these situations, you could opt for a smaller head, such as seen with the Corona 19 In. Fixed Tine Leaf Rake, which is going to be more compact and easier to control.
Do you need a rake that can do it all? Then the answer may be to get a versatile one, such as the Gardenite Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake. This can go from 7” to 22” and is a great option for those looking to get their job done quickly.
The weight is something that you may not even consider when it comes to a leaf rake, as they all weigh a few pounds. While the difference between 1lb and 4lbs may not seem like a lot, when you’re holding it for quite a while, then that strain can start to take its toll and begin to hurt.
If you’re strong and fit, then a heavier model will be fine, and that extra weight can help to give it some durability and strength. If you need a solution to clear up some simple leaves, then it’s better to look for a lighter model that is going to be easier to use, such as the Corona 19 In. Fixed Tine Leaf Rake, which weighs just 1.3lbs.
Tines are the spokes that grab onto the leaves. The number of them isn’t really the important figure, but more how tightly spaced, they are. But with most heads being a similar size, it’s a fairly accurate assumption that more tines mean they are tighter together. Why is that important? Well, you want to grab leaves and not a lot of else.
If you are trying to rake leaves off a gravel drive, for example, then a rake with tightly spaced tines may not be ideal as it may take the gravel with it when raking through.
The AMES 26 In. Dual-Tine Poly Leaf Rake is an example of a beastly set of dual tines. The reason for that is that this rake is meant to take everything with it, including the thatched layer in the grass. So if you want a perfect lawn, it’s a brilliant option.
The True Temper 24 In. Clog Free Poly Leaf Rake is also a great example of a rake with evenly spaced tines that is ideal for almost all leaf raking tasks.
Leaf rakes are going to get through a lot of work, and you have to consider whether or not a warranty will be worth it. You want to have some consumer protection from any defects in the manufacturing process, and most leaf rakes are going to give you that. Some companies offer a limited warranty, and this is often limited to such defects. If you snap your rake first time using it, a lot of warranties won’t cover that.
With rakes not being high-value items, while a warranty is nice, it’s better to make sure you’re getting a highly rated one.
As with any product, leaf rakes have a price range that covers top-end products to ones on the budget end of the scale. With high-quality rakes, they all come in at a similar price range, with $30 being a figure that a lot of the top rakes come to.
At around $40, you see rakes that have a higher level of craftsmanship with the wooden handles. The Flexrake Classic 24 In. Spring Leaf Rake has an excellent mix of materials and can get through a lot of work.
Just below that, you have the Bully Tools 30″ Poly Leaf Rake and the AMES 26 In. Dual-Tine Poly Leaf Rake that are more specialized with an extra-wide head and dual tines, respectively.
At that $30 range, you have the likes of the True Temper 24 In. Clog Free Poly Leaf Rake, which is excellent with great usability while also being durable and highly effective.
At just over $20, the MLTOOLS Leaf Rake is great value for money as it has a high level of durability and is even adjustable. With all of these rakes being fairly close in price range, it’s a good idea to choose one which is most suited to your needs.
We’ve looked at some amazing rakes here, but our favorite one was the True Temper 24 In. Clog Free Poly Leaf Rake as it works very quickly and efficiently while allowing you to avoid any frustrations with a leaf rake that clogs.
There are some other excellent options here, such as the MLTOOLS Leaf Rake, which also happens to be pretty affordable and versatile.
Lastly, you might want to try the Truper Tru Tough Steel Leaf Rake 24-in if you want a durable rake. The steel head is going to be able to get through a lot of work, and the ash handle allows you to apply plenty of pressure while enjoying a more traditional feel.
The seven other products on this list are also brilliant with their own qualities. It’s our hope that with this information, you will be able to find the best leaf rake for your gardening needs. Once you have it, you’ll be able to turn what can be a tiresome job into something quick and easy!
