The leaves rakes don’t have alternatives in garden work. This tool makes it possible to keep the area clean and helps in the processing of the soil. I have made a list of the best leaf rake options based on expert reviews and real customers’ feedback.
A quality leaf rake can be very difficult to choose. This tool has different designs and is made of different materials (aluminum, polymer, stainless steel, or painted metal). You need to consider the parameters of your garden and the features of various models to make a purchase. Hopingly, my recommendations will help you choose the best rake according to your needs.
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5 Best Leaf Rakes Reviewed
- Bully Tools 92630 30 – Top Pick
- Corona RK 62061 Fixed Tine Leaf Rake – Runner-Up
- Bully Tools 92312 Leaf and Thatching Rake – Premium Pick
- 63 Inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake
- Omni Products JT Pro Tools Telescopic Adjustable Foldable Garden Rake
The top 5 leaf rake models I have selected here are highly durable, functional, and long-lasting. You’ll find models from American manufacturers that offer a one-year or lifetime warranty for their products in the review.
1. Bully Tools 30″ Poly Leaf Rake: Top Pick
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Bully Tools garden leaf rake is designed and manufactured in the USA. This American company is considered one of the best in the field of garden tools. The rake model I’d like to describe first has a size of 30 inches. It is enough to clean even a large area of the garden in a short time. I like this model because the manufacturer provides a limited lifetime warranty. It proves the quality of the brand’s garden tools is remarkable.
This device has a versatile design. Thanks to its springy bars, you can clean the area from grass and leaves effectively. The universal aluminum handle makes the grip of the tool comfortable, and the construction itself is very light. The handle is fastened firmly and easily with a special screw. All the components of these wide rakes are made of impact-resistant and high-quality materials, which ensures long service life.
This rake is designed exclusively for picking up leaves and small, non-weighty debris. The tines of the rake are suitable for working on the lawn and the ground. Do not use them to pick up gravel or heavy debris.
- USA-based brand;
- Sturdy fiberglass reinforced handle;
- Easy assembly;
- Extended 30″ length.
- Not suitable for cleaning heavy debris in the garden.
2. Corona 19” Fixed Tine Leaf Rake: Runner Up
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Corona RK 62061 is a small 19″ wide fixed rake. This model is perfect for removing leaves and light twigs in the garden. Due to its low weight of 1.3 pounds, the tool is quick and easy to work with. Even a teenager can use it!
The steel rake is bright red. The longer handle is made of aluminum, which makes it lighter. The flat design of the working teeth allows for loss-free removal of working debris, while the teeth’ galvanization protects them from corrosion. The working part of the ergonomic leaf rakes is made of a springy material, which significantly increases the durability of the gardening equipment.
Corona provides a lifetime limited warranty on these products.
- Anti-slip handle;
- All-time warranty;
- Steel rods do not damage plant roots when working in the garden;
- Galvanized steel tips.
- The handle length is 54 inches, which is shorter than other models.
3. Bully Tools 24” Thatching Rake: Premium Pick
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I have already mentioned a similar rake from this American company at the beginning of this review. The peculiarity of this model is the smaller width of the rake. Sometimes, a narrow rake helps to work on small areas with a lot of bushes and trees more conveniently.
I like that this small leaf rake is made of commercial strength steel. The same quality material is used for the manufacturing of professional tools, gardening equipment, and machinery. Therefore, you can calmly store the rake outdoors, and they will not corrode due to the protective galvanized coating. The manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty on the steel leaf rake and other tools.
Due to the handle made of fiberglass, which is much stronger than conventional plastic or thin steel, the model is intended not only for home use but is widely used as a commercial leaf rake. The material of the handle is very lightweight and practical.
The holder is 66 inches long, and the rake weighs 3.39 pounds.
- Rugged housing that does not rust;
- Optimal width for large and small yards;
- Low weight.
- The handle is too short.
4. Gardenite 63” Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake: Affordable Option
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These premium Equinox International garden leaf rakes can expand up to 22 inches. At the same time, the holder is 63 inches long. You can adjust their width yourself, depending on the area you want to clean. This way, you can work even in tiny areas. What makes this leaf rake special is that the item is made of galvanized steel. This prevents corrosion even if you leave the rake outside, and they will withstand the rain all the time. The cheaper rake models from other manufacturers are not entirely galvanized, so they can rust.
The minimum width of the rake’s head is only 7 inches. You don’t have to make any effort to adjust the width. These rakes weigh slightly over 2 pounds, which is heavier than some similar models from other American brands (for example, Bully Tools 24” Thatching Rake).
This rake model has thin tines with large gaps between them. Therefore, the rake is not suitable for twigs and heavy debris. Only leaves and grass are easy to pick up.
- Fully galvanized housing;
- Adjustable width;
- 63″ long holder.
- Not suitable for rocks and heavy branches.
5. Omni Products Telescopic Adjustable Leaf Rake: Compact Model
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This is a popular model of telescopic adjustable leaf rake from Omni Products. It’s a very lightweight folding rake that is adjustable in width. The rake has an adjustable width of legs from 7.5 to 19 inches. This is convenient for working on complex landscaped areas with different terrain and a large number of plants.
The handle length is adjustable from 32 to 62 inches, which is suitable for people of different heights. Despite the extendable base, the length of the handle is not very long. The length of the rake holder is only suitable for short people.
This rake will be easy for you to work with since it weighs only 2.7 pounds. The design of this rake is very handy because the holder can be folded, and the base has a comfortable handle.
- Rugged housing that does not rust;
- Optimal width for both large and small yards;
- Low weight.
- The handle is too short.
Leaf Rake Buyer’s Guide
When choosing a leaf rake, you need to consider the conditions when you will use it. Some people need a rake for a large lawn garden, while others have to clean a small garden with shrubs and other plants. I have prepared a Buyer’s Guide so that everyone can consider the individual conditions of the application of rakes.
Criteria of choice the best rake for leaves:
- Material;
- Length of the handle;
- Width of the rake;
- Construction strength and type;
- Manufacturer and warranty.
Rake material
Manufacturers use different materials for the production of the working surface of the rake. The most popular model is one with the working part and the shaft made of hardened aluminum. The weight of such a product is less than 2.2 lbs.
It is best to buy a rake made of galvanized steel or fiberglass. These materials don’t rust, so they will last longer. Some companies make rakes not from metal but from environmentally friendly materials. For example, you can find bamboo leaf rakes, which are not inferior in capacity to models made of metal.
Rake sizes
The length of the handle should match the height of the person using the rake. Optimally, the length of hand rakes for picking up leaves should be about 55-60 inches for a person of average height and 65-70 inches for a tall person.
Width
Pay attention to the width of the rake. Some models in the review have a larger width (more than 25-30 inches) to work in a spacious garden with few plants. For example, Bully Tools 30″ Poly Leaf Rake. Narrower rakes like Corona 19” Fixed Tine Leaf Rake are designed for working in small gardens with trees and shrubs.
Rake type
Choose the type of fan rake design depending on the working conditions. For example, a rake with flexible plastic tines and a wide working surface makes it easy to pick up leaves and other lightweight debris. On the other hand, metal rakes with thicker tines and a reinforced base are suitable for picking up branches.
FAQ on Leaf Rakes
You may still have questions about choosing a leaf rake and how to use the tool properly. That’s why I’ve prepared a section with answers to the most typical customer queries.
What is the difference between garden and leaf rakes?
The garden rake is made of solid metal. They do not bend. The gaps between the tines are much larger than those of a leaf rake. Garden rakes are used to pick up heavier and larger debris: stones, large branches, etc.
Is it ok to leave leaves on the lawn over winter?
You need to clean your garden before winter because you can only leave a small number of leaves there for the cold season. This is done to ensure that the leaves do not cover the lawn in a dense layer. Otherwise, the lawn grass may rot and die. Wet leaves do not allow air to penetrate the soil, and plants die under the leaves.
Is it better to rake leaves in the fall or spring?
Rake leaves both in fall and spring. There are many fallen leaves in the fall that you need to remove for the winter so that plants do not die under the decomposed leaves. In the spring, however, the soil must be prepared and cleared for planting new plants, watering, and fertilizing.
Choose the Best Rake for Garden Work
There are many competitors of garden tools on the world market, but I have selected the best rake models for cleaning up fallen leaves and small branches in the garden. In the guide, I have also explained the difference between garden rake vs leaf rake.
A leaf rake is a must for every gardener. The lawn should always be clean, without fallen leaves. In winter, under a layer of snow, uncollected leaves from the lawn turn into the compress, which in turn decreases the quality of the lawn. Therefore, you should clean fallen leaves from the lawn in the fall, as well as provide aeration and scarification. In the spring, you need to clean the garden, too, to fertilize the soil and plant new seedlings.
Which kind of rake do you use currently: a garden rake or a leaf rake? When do you prefer to remove leaves from the garden?
