6 Best Garden Rakes (2025 Ratings) - This Old House

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. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website gardepot.

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.

How We Rate Garden Rakes

When we tested garden rakes, we zeroed in on three key aspects of how it performed. 

• Task Efficiency: Each rake performed the task it was designed for. We included leaf, shrub, and bow rakes in this review, so the leaf rakes raked leaves, the shrub rakes collected pine straw, and the bow rakes raked dirt.
• Tine Buildup: During our task efficiency tests, we counted the number of times we had to pause and clear the rake of leaves, pine straw, or debris.
• Ergonomics: After finishing our tests, we rated each rake based on its ease of use and comfort using a scale of 1–5. Extra features like adjustability and grip material, along with the handle’s length and the head’s width, factored into the ease of use score. The comfort score was based on how tired our arms and hands felt after performing each task.

Learn more about how we tested garden rakes based on these factors. 

Compare Top Garden Rakes

Our Top 6 Picks

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.

Best Overall

Fiskars PRO Rake

Courtesy Amazon

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.

Pros and Cons of Fiskars PRO Rake

Pros

• Did not collect any dirt in tines
• Came fully assembled
• Easy to use and has comfortable rubber grip

Cons

• Felt heavy in our hands
• Handle could be longer

Key Features

• Handle Length: 60 inches
• Tine Material: Metal
• Weight: 4.74 pounds
• Grip Material: Rubber

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.

Best Large Bow

Midwest Aluminum Landscape Rake

Courtesy Amazon

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.

Pros and Cons of Midwest Aluminum Landscape Rake

Pros

• Worked efficiently on a large amount of dirt
• Was easy to handle
• Did not get any material stuck to tines

Cons

• Assembly was somewhat challenging
• Has too large of a head to fit into compact spaces

Key Features

• Handle Length: 66 inches
• Tine Material: Metal
• Weight: 3.89 pounds
• Grip Material: Foam

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.

Best for Thatch

THE GROUNDSKEEPER II Green Rake

Courtesy Amazon

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.

Pros and Cons of THE GROUNDSKEEPER II Green Rake

Pros

• Easily removed large amounts of leaves and thatch
• Has durable steel tines that grab a lot of debris at once
• Tines are angled in a way that prevents you from needing to bend over or add extra force while raking

Cons

• Adding in the rivet while assembling the rake was difficult
• Material got stuck in the tines easily

Key Features

• Handle Length: 55 inches
• Tine Material: Steel
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Grip Material: Plastic

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.

Best Handle

ORIENTOOLS Garden Rake

Courtesy Amazon

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.

Pros and Cons of ORIENTOOLS Garden Rake

Pros

• Easily handled large lawn material
• Has grooves on the handle for a comfortable grip
• Handle is adjustable based on your height

Cons

• Material occasionally got stuck to tines
• Is not as heavy-duty as some other models

Key Features

• Handle Length: 42–66 inches (adjustable)
• Tine Material: Poly
• Weight: 1.55 pounds
• Grip Material: Rubber

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.

Best for Large Trees

Bully Tools Leaf Rake

Courtesy Amazon

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.

Pros and Cons of Bully Tools Leaf Rake

Pros

• Has a durable, heavy-duty design
• Has a wide head that can grab a large amount of leaves at once
• Features a thick comfortable handle

Cons

• Assembly was difficult and required extra force to get the pieces to fit
• Pine straw got stuck frequently in the tines during our testing

Key Features

• Handle Length: 50 inches
• Tine Material: Poly
• Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Grip Material: Foam

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.

Best Adjustability

Jardineer Adjustable Garden Rake

Courtesy Amazon

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.

Pros and Cons of Jardineer Adjustable Garden Rake

Pros

• Arrives fully assembled
• Adjustable head helps it fit into tight spaces like underneath a porch
• Has a lightweight design that is easy to handle

Cons

• Tines bent under too much pressure when grabbing large debris
• Debris got stuck in tines too quickly

Key Features

• Handle Size: 32–63 inches (adjustable)
• Tine Material: Steel
• Weight: 1.36 pounds
• Grip Material: Rubber

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 9.0

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How We Tested Garden Rakes

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.

Buying Guide for Garden Rakes

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.

Type

Five common types of rakes exist: lawn/leaf rakes, shrub rakes, bow rakes, thatch rakes, and hand rakes.

Lawn/Leaf

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

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

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.

Thatch

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.

Hand

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.

Material

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.

Handle

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.

Tines

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.

Head Width

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.

Weight

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 want to learn more, please visit our website Garden Rake Manufacturer.

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.

Yard Size

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.

Tips for Raking Your Lawn Effectively

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. 

Rake in the Right Season

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.

Rake in the Right Direction

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.

Use Proper Technique

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.

Rake Frequently

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.

Consider Composting

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.

The Bottom Line: Our Top Garden Rake Picks

Garden 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. 

• Best Overall: Fiskars PRO Rake
• Best Large Bow: Midwest Aluminum Landscape Rake
• Best for Thatch: THE GROUNDSKEEPER II Green Rake
• Best Handle: ORIENTOOLS Garden Rake
• Best for Large Trees: Bully Tools Poly Leaf Rake
• Best Adjustability: Jardineer Adjustable Garden Rake

Garden Rake FAQs

Below are some common frequently asked questions about garden rakes.

A spring tine or leaf rake has prongs (also known as ‘tines’) laid out in a fan shape that go down at the ends. This rake is particularly useful across your lawn.

Some leaf rakes have plastic heads and aluminium handles, making them lighter to use.

Telescopic lawn rakes have adjustable handles and heads. This allows you to set your ideal height and width. These can be fiddly to use.

Rubber rakes are available to clear leaves. You can also use these to clear debris across your beds and borders. The gentle rubber is less likely to damage new plant growth.

Search for spring tine rakes online or search for leaf rakes online

Hand rake

There are many varieties of short-handled hand rake available. These include solid steel models and ones with softer fan-shaped heads. Hand rakes can be useful when working in raised beds and containers or when kneeling to work in borders.

Search for hand rakes online

Leaf blower

You could use a leaf blower instead of a rake to move leaves on your lawn into big piles. They reduce bending and you can use them from a seated position. Some are combination blower/vacuums, also allowing you to suck up leaves.

Leaf blowers are heavier than a rake and may take practice to master. You may only want to use one for a few minutes at a time.

Search for leaf blowers online

Long-handled leaf grabber

Alongside raking comes clearing debris. A long-handled leaf grabber uses a scissor action to collect fallen leaves and debris. This limits any bending. You will need to use both hands to work them.

You may also see these called ‘grab and lift’ rakes or leaf collectors.

Search for long-handled leaf grabbers online

Litter picker

A litter picker allows you to collect debris without bending via the push of a button. You can work it with one hand, if you have the strength to keep pressing the gripping button. During autumn, if you get heavy leaf fall in your garden, it may take a long time to clear using a litter picker.

Search for litter pickers online

Leaf tarp

This is essentially a large plastic sheet that you can rake leaves onto. The sheet has handles at each corner. This allows you to make it into a bag shape and transport the leaves to your compost / garden waste bin.

Search for leaf tarps online

2. To clear leaves from the lawn

As autumn comes to an end, our lawns are often covered in a mass of brown leaves. These may be fun to crunch through, but they are not very good for the the lawn if they are left over winter.

Raking up leaves and other debris helps keep our lawn healthy.

3. To remove dead grass and moss from the lawn

Every couple of years, it can be worth giving the lawn a thorough rake to clear dead grass and thatch. This helps improve the health of your lawn, making it easier for water and nutrients to get to the soil. Use a lighter spring tine rake for this, as a steel rake may damage your lawn.

This activity is also known as ‘scarifying’ – read more in our guide to lawn care.

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