There are quite a few simple tools that every homesteader and gardener requires. A long-lasting, light, and easy to maneuver leaf rake is one of them. I use my rakes daily for a variety of chores and tasks. Caring for homestead acreage is no simple or easy task. Come fall, our yard becomes the repository of several dozen varieties of leaves, not to mention acorns and other nuts.
I frequently toss a rake in the back of my vehicle when I assist fellow gardeners on projects like the community garden and cleaning up wildflower areas. I’ve helped set up tents in which having a leaf rake along would have been ideal for moving debris from underneath the footprint. You just never know when a good leaf rake will come in handy.
The 5 Best Leaf Rakes
- Gardenite 63 Inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake (Our Top Pick)
- Fiskars Leaf Rake
- Amazing Rake 3-IN-1 Yellow Ergonomic Lightweight 17-Inch Lawn Leaf Grabber Yard Garden Pickup Tool
- Tru Temper 2812400 10-tine Bedding Fork
- Professional EZ Travel Collection Telescopic Foldable Rake
Our Top Pick for the Best Leaf Rake
Our top pick for the best leaf rake is the Gardenite 63 Inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake.
The adjustable head and long handle are perfect for any situation. This rake is very lightweight, and while it may not seem so, it’s actually very durable. Gardenite Leaf Rake is the best choice if you feel traditional rakes aren’t good enough for you.
Check the price on AmazonWhat to Look for in a Leaf Rake
Knowing which rake to invest in is simple when you know what to look for. In this article, I share my experience and knowledge on how to find the right leaf rake for you. The following criteria represent the most important aspects to consider when deciding which leaf rake best meets your needs.
What the professional’s use won’t always be the best choice when it comes to hobby gardening and farming. I have included several unique options that serve some very important personal needs that aren’t a concern to the professionals, such as telescoping.
Durability
No one wants to purchase a rake only to have it break apart the first time on the job. Often the cheap plastic rakes at your local supply store end up doing this. They are meant to be disposable and only last a season. Sometimes, they haven’t even lasted us that long.
However, that’s not what a homesteader or frequent gardener needs, especially when there are so many better options out there. It’s neither cost-effective nor environmentally sound and sustainable to purchase a cheap plastic rake every year.
Ask yourself, how long is this rake meant to last with regular seasonal use?
The answer should be decades, but we’ll settle for at least five years to make it both cost-effective and less environmentally damaging. A durable rake typically has two main features, metal tines attached with a spring metal hinge, and a hardwood handle.
Hardwood handles are best because metal handles tend to bend or warp with heavy use, especially over time. Hardwood handles can be reused should the rake head or tines fail. Metal can be a valid second option as it will last a lifetime and has very little impact on the environment.
However, those who live or typically rake in colder climates may want to consider avoiding metal rakes as they can be uncomfortable to handle in colder weather without gloves.
I highly suggest avoiding plastic handles. They are typically not re-useable, can become brittle and break, and take thousands of years to decompose.
Metal tines are important for many reasons. First, unless they become rusted from poor care or storage, they will last you a lifetime or longer. Second, they provide the appropriate amount of flex and strength necessary for leaves, small twigs, and debris. Plastic tines often break under the same pressure or fail to provide enough flexibility to be of use for the gardener.
Homeowners can, however, reduce their plastic tines breakage by 90% by not using them also as a scoop.
Comfort of Use
Raking takes lots of time and can be taxing on muscles. When it comes to rakes, bigger doesn’t mean better. It’s important for the rake’s dimensions to be comfortable and have good ergonomics for the user.
Every rake is not created equal in this way. Instead of purchasing one giant rake for the entire family, each family member should have their own rake. If this isn’t doable, finding a lightweight rake with an adjustable handle and perhaps even adjustable tines are the way to go so that each user can customize the correct ergonomic fit for their use.
This is especially important for those of differing heights and strengths. This will not only save time on the chore but also time spent recovering from it. It’s inefficient for women and children to wield the same rake as a man, not to mention it’s hard on their bodies.
Those are the most important aspects to look for in a rake. Pretty simple once you know them isn’t it?
5 Best Leaf Rake Reviews
1. Gardenite 63 Inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake
A best seller due to its jack-of-all-trades abilities, the Gardenite 63-inch Adjustable Garden Leaf rake with an expandable head leads the competition.
Remember when I said ergonomics matter? This rake is a perfect example of a household that only wants to purchase one for all members and all jobs. It’s lightweight, making it ideal for time-intensive tasks. It has an extra 15-inches of length than comparable rakes, making it ideal for households with tall gardeners.
Its head can get into areas as small as 7-inches and expand up to 22-inches for scooping up leaves or raking larger areas, like lawns. If you have shrubs or smaller plants with only a foot or less between them, this rake makes the delicate task of raking between them a cinch without even breaking your stride.
Meant to be long-lasting, the entire rake is made from zinc-coated steel. The tines have molded ends, unlike a lot of the competition, making grasping leaves easier. I become frustrated with other rakes when the metal tines release leaves forcing me to re-rake an area. This rake’s design will help prevent that from happening. It meets all of our criteria, best yet, it’s 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Pros
- Long handle 63-inches
- Expandable telescoping head 7 to 22-inches effective for large and small areas
- Lightweight
- Great customer service
Cons
- Tines can be too wide to pick up small leaves
- Can be awkward if you’re used to traditional, heavier rakes
- Handle feels flimsy
2. Fiskars Leaf Rake
A personal favorite of mine and for those that prefer the upright angle and motion of push-broom type tools, the Fiskars Leaf Rake maybe your ideal rake.
Its patented 24-inch head design has extra-wide curved tines that grab leaves and is resistant to clogging. This type of design is perfect for moving lots of leaves. The design is especially helpful at reducing lower back strain as the gardener can stand upright and make smaller passes with more punch.
I hesitated to try this rake because of the plastic head. However, the Fiskars brand is known for its quality products designed to last a lifetime. It’s very sturdy, pretty lightweight as far as rakes go, and works well for a variety of gardener heights.
While this rake is great at moving dry leaves, it’s not that great with large piles of wet leaves. Before I got this rake, I was blowing through those large plastic ones every year. If your main task is moving leaves from a large area of ground, you can’t go wrong with this rake.
Pros
- Tight-spaced tines, you won’t miss small leaves
- Plastic head is more sturdy than it may seem
- Lightweight
- Long handle 67-inches
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Has difficulty with heavy leaves and pine straw
- Tines might not be sharp enough
3. Amazing Rake 3-IN-1 Yellow Ergonomic Lightweight 17-Inch Lawn Leaf Grabber Yard Garden Pickup Tool
On the pricier side yet still very affordable, the Amazing Rake Garden Pickup Tool is the biggest back and time saver of the bunch.
Instead of having to rake all of the smaller piles into one large one and then bending over to pick those up into the bag or bin, rinse and repeat, this rake helps you to do that as you go. Similar in design to the handheld indoor item retrievers, this leaf retriever allows you to move large amounts of leaves without ever bending over or touching the leaf pile.
If you tend to have other small debris like acorns and berries or frequently have bug visitors in your leaf piles this rake will prevent you from having to handle them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve raked an entire garden, bagged the leaves, and then had to pick up individual acorns that slip through the tines of other rakes.
If you’re like me and have difficulty with spending long hours bending and lifting, this rake is like having your own personal assistant. It’s strong but made of light plastic.
Pros
- Works nicely to pick up leaves and debris
- Easy on the back, no need to bend
Cons
- Works well but can’t truly replace traditional rakes
- Not very durable
- Heavy for what it’s made of
4. Tru Temper 2812400 10-Tine Bedding Fork
You really can’t go wrong when it comes to this bedding fork. Ideal for home gardeners or farmers. The Tru Temper Bedding Fork has a sturdy forkhead with 10 round steel tines that are tempered for longevity. The long 48-inch hardwood handle is strong and the cushion end grip gives you good comfortability and control while you rake through the soil, mulch, or sawdust in a horse stall.
Pros
- 10 round steel tines are tempered for longevity
- Hardwood handle is strong and durable and has a cushion grip
Cons
- Steel tines are not ideal for heavy-duty tasks
5. Professional EZ Travel Collection Telescopic Foldable Rake
Featuring a clever adjustable and portable design, the Professional EZ Travel Collection Telescopic Foldable Rake is a great functional tool for any urban gardener or people who need to carry their rake with them.
Pros
- Adjustable head (7.5 to 21.75-inches)
- Telescopic handle (37 to 68-inches)
- Strong rake head
- Compact, lightweight, and comfortable to use
Cons
- Handle can bend easily
Our Top Pick for the Best Leaf Rake
Our top pick for the best leaf rake is the Gardenite 63 Inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake.
The adjustable head and long handle are perfect for any situation. This rake is very lightweight, and while it may not seem so, it’s actually very durable. Gardenite Leaf Rake is the best choice if you feel traditional rakes aren’t good enough for you.
Check the price on Amazon
