For work in the garden, a rake for leaves is an essential tool. When choosing a leaves rake, you should pay attention to its type and features, and to the quality of materials from which the product is made.
Looking for a rake for leaves? We can help you choose the right rake for leaves. We will tell you about the features and tips on the proper use of rakes for leaves. Furthermore, we have also collected the best rakes for leaves and rated them based on customer feedback.
What is rake for leaves?
The main purpose of this type of tool is to collect garbage and fallen leaves not only in flat areas but also in hard-to-reach places. A distinctive feature of the rake for leaves is the shape of their tip, which is similar to a fan.
In a nutshell
- Rake for leaves is a useful tool in the garden for clearing yard or lawns of unwanted.
- Important that the length and width of leaves rake match your height and strength. Larger and wider rakes require more power than smaller, narrower models.
Best Choice – Fiskars Solid Leaf XL Rake
Features:
- 27 flat curved plastic prongs.
- Ergonomic handle on tool head for easy pickup.
- For cleaning the leaves, flowers, weeds, and grass in the garden and on paths, Ideal for large areas.
What types of Rakes for Leaves are Available and Which One is Right for You?
When buying a rake for leaves, you have four options to choose from:
- Plastic rakes for leaves.
- Stainless steel rakes for leaves.
Best Leaf Rake with Expandable Head
Jardineer 63 inch Adjustable Garden Rake Leaf
Features:
- The 23” Larger head of garden rake.
- 1” strong aluminum handle.
Best Leaf Rake with Extra-long handle
Fiskars PRO Leaf Rake
Features:
- An extruded aluminum handle and double-bolted connections for ultimate strength and durability.
- Metal tabs keep the tine rod locked in place, so steel tines won’t come loose or break under pressure.
Best Rake for Leaves with Hardwood Handle
True Temper Clog Leaf Rake
Features:
- 24-inch poly head rake.
- 48-inch hardwood handle for long sweeps.
Best 3-in-1 Leaf Rake
Alterra Tools 3-in-1 Leaf Rake
Features:
- Can be used as a 30″ Wide rake, 7″ Shrub rake, or a leaf grabber for your convenience.
- Detachable handles: two aluminum handles Measuring 23. 5″ And 47″.
Rake for Leaves Buying Criteria
Next, we’ll show you what aspects you can use to choose between the many possible rakes for leaves.
Criteria you can use to compare different rakes for leaves include:
- Material.
- Width.
- Number and size of tines.
- Handle.
In the following paragraphs, we will explain what the individual criteria are.
More info: Rake: what are there, what are they made of, and how to choose?
Material
Rakes for leaves are generally made from the following materials:
- Plastic.
- Stainless steel.
Depending on the characteristics you expect from the material from which the rake for leaves is made, you should choose the appropriate rake.
What distinguishes a plastic rake for leaves, and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Rakes for leaves made of plastic have a relatively low price because plastic is cheap to produce. This type of rake for leaves impresses with its lightweight. Thus, the work in the garden will be more pleasant and easier for you.
In addition, plastic is very flexible and soft, which means that you will not get stuck on your lawn so often. Another great advantage of plastic is that it can be shaped in any way. For example, this allows you to give the tines a curvature, which can be helpful when dethatching or collecting pine straws.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Easy | Production may not be environmentally friendly |
| Moldability | Danger of cheap products |
| Flexible | |
| Inexpensive |
Plastic rakes are not functional or durable, but they are quite lightweight. A plastic rake does not damage plants when picking up small debris. For hay, a plastic rake is a perfect tool.
What distinguishes a stainless steel rake for leaves and what are its advantages and disadvantages
Stainless steel thatch rakes for leaves are the most common on the market. They are slightly more expensive than those made of plastic, but the material used is also of higher quality. Stainless steel is very strong and sturdy, which allows you to remove even the most stubborn weeds. Metal tines of rakes for leaves last much longer than plastic when used similarly, and have the added advantage of being durable enough to use for picking and raking without worrying about the risk of breaking the tines in the process.
Furthermore, it is a very durable material, as it is insensitive to external influences and is considered virtually indestructible.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Very robust and stable | Expensive |
| Durable | Not flexible |
| Rust protection | Higher weight |
One disadvantage of stainless steel is that the rakes for leaves bring a lot of weight. This makes working with the rake more strenuous, and you have to use more force.
Also, the tines are not as flexible and soft as plastic. However, this can be both disadvantageous and advantageous, depending on the condition of your lawn and the rake’s intended use.
For example, a slightly harder rake is desirable for dethatching, while a soft and flexible rake for leaves makes more sense for collecting leaves in a manicured lawn that is free of moss.
Width
Rakes for leaves vary in width from 7″ to 30″. The wider the rake, the more material you need to use and the heavier the rake. This automatically makes it more bulky.
Also, wider dethatching rakes for leaves require more physical effort to move through the grass
So when buying, make sure that the width of the rake matches your height and strength. Therefore, rakes for leaves with a slightly smaller width are recommended for people who are small in stature. The advantage of a wide rake is that it covers a larger area. This means that you can work a lot more lawn in less time than with a narrower model.
So a wide rake for leaves is desirable if you have a large garden and don’t want to spend a lot of time gardening. The shape of your garden should not be neglected. If there are narrow corners that the wide rake cannot reach, it is worth buying the narrower model.
Number and size of tines
The number and size of tines can vary greatly. There are rakes with 15 tines and ones with 30 tines.
Of course, the number of tines must always be seen in relation to the width of the rake for leaves. As a rule of thumb, however, the higher the number of tines, the closer they are to each other and the better you can pick up small objects on your lawn. However, the closer the tines are to each other and the bigger they are, the harder it will be for you to get the rake through a heavily overgrown and dense lawn.
In such cases, a rake for leaves with fewer tines and wider teeth is better suited.
So take a look at your lawn and its condition and decide how many tines your rake needs.
Handle
The main thing to consider when choosing a rake handle is its length. This is usually between 23.5 “and 65”.
A shorter handle is recommended for people who are not tall, as it is easier for them to use it. Taller people can buy a longer rake. It is best to hold the rake in your hands before buying it. You will immediately notice if it sits comfortably in your hand and if it is too long or short.
So if you are only looking for a new “end item”, cheaper offers without a handle will be optimal for you. However, if you are looking for a complete rake for leaves, including the handle, note that in the product description.
Best Brands of Rakes for Leaves
- Fiskars;
- Jardineer;
- True Temper.
Rake for Leaves Price:
Rake for Leaves Under $60:
- True Temper Clog Leaf Rake;
- Fiskars PRO Leaf Rake.
Rake for Leaves Under $45:
- Fiskars Solid Leaf XL Rake;
- Alterra Tools 3-in-1 Leaf Rake.
Rake for Leaves Under $30:
- Jardineer 63 inch Adjustable Garden Rake Leaf.
FAQ
What’s the easiest way to rake up leaves?
A light raking with a leaf rake rather than a garden rake is the best. Leaf rakes are more flexible.
What should I look for in a leaf rake?
Leaf rakes come with fiberglass, aluminum, or wood handles. Any of these work well, and you just need to make sure that they are lightweight and maneuverable. It is also a good idea to purchase a rake with a grip, which will help prevent blisters.
Is it better to rake leaves wet or dry?
Don’t rake wet leaves. Dry leaves are light as a feather and easy to rake.
