Which is the best lawn rake?
While many people focus on the larger or powered garden tools, the humble rake is one of the most important implements needed in the garden. It is also one that is generally used most frequently. Given how important it is, one needs to take care in selecting the correct garden rake. Some might decide that a range of rakes is ideal. That makes sense in certain garden environments.
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What is a lawn rake used for?
Raking up dead leaves, grass clippings, and general garden debris is the first thing that comes to mind. The garden rake is, however, used for many other reasons. The right rake is ideal to scarify your lawn, remove moss, thatch, and old roots. They can even be used for cleaning garden paths and clearing out ponds.
Other uses include spreading topsoil or fertilizer on new planting areas. When pruning hedges, the right rake can help you to remove the cut branches and leaves from the hedge.
Best Lawn Rakes Reviews
I looked at all the leading options on the market and considered the build quality, materials used, and the effectiveness. Consumer feedback was also taken into account. The summary table below shows the best lawn rakes for various different categories.
Underneath the table you’ll find more detailed reviews plus our Lawn Rake FAQ!
Best Metal Lawn Rake
- All steel head fabrication
- 20 hardened steel tines
- 48 Inch ash shaft
This is not the cheapest rake on the market but if you are looking for something strong and tough then the Bulldog 9128N is an option to consider. It certainly lives up to the Bulldog concept used in the name. It is constructed from hardened steel and has 20 durable tines. The shaft is made from robust ash and is a decent 48 inches.
This popular rake is ideal for all your raking requirements but perfect for scarifying the lawn. It is one of the top choices of home gardeners as well as professional landscapers.
Pros:
- Well-made from quality materials
- Durable
- Perfect for scarifying the lawn
- Versatile
Cons:
- Handle not designed to be replaced
- Quality materials and workmanship come at a price
Features:
- Ash shaft – 48 in
- Hardened steel tines – 20
Best Lawn Rake For Leaves
- Raking up garden waste: The fan rake is optimally suited to raking up dead leaves, blossoms, weeds and grass clippings
- Quick and effective: The elastic, galvanised spring steel tines and working width of 50 cm make raking simple in the direction of pull
- Wobble-free work: The reliable combi system technology ensures reliable, wobble-free work
Gardena is a well-established and trusted name in garden equipment. They have been around for many years and have a reputation for quality products that are reliable, durable, and fair value for money.
This rake is your best friend if you want to rake up leaves, grass clippings, and other garden debris without wasting time. It has a 50 cm span making work quick and easy. The tines are spring steel. They are well made and galvanized for durability.
The wooden handle is also tough and able to handle the workload. Another notable benefit is the versatile Gardena combi system. This saves money and effort as the handles can be used with other combi system garden equipment. The rake is easy and comfortable to use thanks to the effective tines as well as the comfortable ergonomic grip.
One of the most outstanding benefits of this rake is that it features an amazing 25 years warranty. Despite the slightly higher price than the average rake, you will not need to replace it all that often.
Pros:
- Trusted brand
- Wide coverage for faster work
- Versatile combi system
- Comfortable handle
- Excellent warranty
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
Features:
- 130 cm combi system wooden handle
- Galvanized spring steel tines
- 50 cm Working width
Best Adjustable Rake
- Fully adjustable 15 steel tined rake head
- Expands from a 7 (178 mm) to 24 and quot; (610 mm) span to suit all raking applications
- Simple and easy to use adjustable mechanism
We are not all the same height and gardens come in all shapes and sizes. An easily adjustable lawn rake makes the world of difference. Many are not that durable but, fortunately, the Spear and Jackson Neverbend model is an exception to the rule. The quality materials and workmanship have a lot to do with this.
Spear and Jackson, for those few not familiar with the brand, have been in business for a very long time. They have developed a reputation for quality products that are durable, reliable, and affordable. This practical rake is no exception.
The Neverbend Carbon Adjustable Lawn Rake is a versatile rake is ideal for all garden raking purposes. It is fast and efficient with leaves and garden debris while still able to deal with more challenging tasks such as scarifying.
Something that is rather unique to the Spear and Jackson Lawn Rake is that the rake head width is adjustable. This allows you to tackle any garden environment with ease and convenience. It can expand from 178 mm to 610 mm.
The aluminium handle is not only durable but also light, making the rake easy to maneuver.
Pros:
- Reputable company
- Comfortable non-slip PVC grip
- Light and durable handle
- Adjustable head
- Expandable handle length
- Versatile
- Decent guarantee and after-sales support
Cons:
- Some found it to be overpriced
Features:
- Fully adjustable handle
- Adjustable tine width
- Lightweight
Best Lawn Rake For Moss
- Hammer finish epoxy-coated head for improved resistance to rust
- Tubular aluminium shaft
- Long, soft-feel grip
While this may look like an average garden rake it is the ideal option for removing moss from your lawn while performing other general raking tasks perfectly. The tubular steel shaft is light yet tough. The durability and strength of the handle and the tines make it a great option for moss removal.
Lawn moss is unsightly and can be tricky to remove. This rake makes the job a lot easier. The head is epoxy coated and carbon steel. This gives it not only the strength to get the job done but also the durability to keep going for many years.
Pros:
- Ideal for moss removal
- Well-established brand
- Tough and durable
- Lightweight
- Effective head
- Versatile
- Good after-sales support
Cons:
- Does not draw heavy soil well
Features:
- 20 spring steel rake tines
- Tough and strong
- Light shaft of tubular steel
Best Fiskars Rake
- Leaf rake extra wide for cleaning the leaves, flowers, weeds and grass in the garden and on paths, Ideal for large areas
- Easy and efficient sweeping thanks to 27 flat curved plastic prongs and 65 cm length shaft, Ergonomic handle on tool head for easy pickup
- Optimal long handle for comfort while using, no straining of muscles or back, Lightweight aluminium handle for effortless operation
This is an extremely popular rake that is a top-seller. For those not familiar with Fiskars Rakes, they are a successful brand of quality multi-purpose garden rakes, garden equipment, and other products. Fiskars® is a well-established company with a proud history.
The extra large Solid Leaf Rake is your best option for quickly and efficiently removing large amounts of grass clippings, leaves, or garden debris from your garden. The 65 cm head is wide and will make quick work of your raking needs.
The tines are rigid and firm with just the right curve design to stop leaves blocking the rake. Removing leaves from the tines is a breeze. The rake is comfortable and ergonomic and allows for a pleasant taking experience. The handle is quality ash wood with a good covering of lacquering. It not only looks good but performs exceptionally well.
Pros:
- Quality construction
- Wide operation
- Durable
Cons:
- Some users found it heavy
- Could be too wide for certain applications
Features:
- Durable ash wood handle, finished in lacquer
- Wide head (65 cm)
- Good flex
Best Rake For Artificial Grass
- PERFECT FOR ARTIFICIAL GRASS: Ordinary garden rakes are far too heavy-handed for artificial grass, while brooms and brushes tend to flatten out the tufts. The Bergman Astro Lawn Rake gently lifts grass tufts back to their original upright position without damaging your astro turf
- GENTLY REMOVE DEBRIS: The AstroRake from Bergman Tools has 194 high-grade polyamide filament bristles that gently remove moss, leaves, stones and debris. Gently lifting tufts which can get flattened by footfall, pets and bad weather
- LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO USE: The twist and lock telescopic powder-coated steel handle means you can clean your artificial lawn with ease. The rake extends from 78cm to 130cm long with the head attached. The head itself has a sweep area of 45cm
You could be mistaken for thinking that artificial grass does not need much from a rake. This is not the case. This Bergman model has been specifically designed to handle the challenges of raking an artificial lawn. The action is slightly different.
The rake is gentle enough to not affect the grass while still being effective on leaves and other debris. It will effortlessly remove any stones, grass, or other material from the grass. This leaves the artificial lawn looking great with very little effort.
The Bergman Astro Turf Rake will remove all manner of debris from your artificial lawn with minimal hassle and fuss. This product is designed for smaller patches of artificial grass and is not perfect for larger or commercial applications. When used correctly, it works perfectly wells as most users will attest to.
Pros:
- Fast and efficient
- Gentle yet effective
- Does not damage turf
Cons:
- Some found the length and breadth too little (probably commercial users)
Features:
- Specifically designed for artificial grass
- Steel powder-coated handle
- Extendable handle
- Expandable rake head
Best Lawn Leveling Rake
- 【Reinforced Rake Pole】 The plate and the Thicken pole of the lawn leveler tool are both made of stainless steel, 3-stage assembly pole,more stable to use, easy to disassemble and store.
- 【Save Time and Energy】rakes for lawns heavy duty's spreading plate is 20” x 10”.Long-56” stainless steel handle allows you to cover more working space without bending over, and saving back pain.
- 【Multi-Function】Distributes application materials, removes stones from soil, breaks up small clods of sand or loam, mix soil with fertilizers better.Perfect for yard, garden, pasture and golf course.
Leveling out a lawn or planting a whole new patch of grass? Then this rake is going to make a world of difference! This is a solidly constructed lawn level rake made from stainless steel that will easily stand the test of time.
The pole comes in three separate parts for a total length of 142cm. However, you can request an free extension on purchase which adds another section and increases the length, providing 185cm to work with. This means you can cover large areas quickly without need to strain excessively.
The 50 x 25cm head is solid and well-designed. It’s weight helps to smooth out, mix and spread the soil when sowing and leveling. It will also break up any chunks and loosen in rocks lodged in the surface.
The manufacturer has offered a quality guarantee and will replace or refund any issues so you can buy with confidence. To top it off, it even comes with a free set of gloves to protect your hands!
Pros:
- Robust stainless steel construction
- Long pole allowing quick coverage of large areas
- Manufacturer’s quality guarantee
Cons:
- By nature, it’s reasonably heavy, which may be a struggle for some users. If this is the case, stick to the shorter length pole and you’ll do less work with your back and arms
Features:
- Ultra sturdy construction
- 50 x 25cm leveling rake head
- Handle extension on request
- Competitively priced
Lawn Rake Buyer’s Guide
Metal or plastic?
This all depends on what you intend to use your rake for. If you are simply raking up autumn leaves or a bit of grass clippings, a plastic rake will do you well. They are inexpensive and effective. The downside is that they are not that durable and will not be effective for scarifying the lawn.
If you need something more durable that will pick up stones, sand, and other waste from your garden, a metal option is probably better. They are also able to remove thatch and moss and scarify your lawn.
Lawn rake FAQ
Can you rake the lawn after fertilizing?
Before we answer that question, it is vital that you rake before you fertilize. You do not want any leaves or garden debris in the way.
When fertilizing correctly, at the right time, you should let the fertilizer settle for about two days before raking. By that time it has sunk in and some has been absorbed into the soil. The only time you need to rake directly after fertilizing is if the spread is uneven for some reason. In this case, rake gently to evenly distribute the fertilizer.
Can you rake the lawn in spring?
Raking is a year-round process although the goal might change according to the season and weather conditions. At the beginning of spring your lawn is still dormant and probably not looking too happy. Autumn or very early spring is the best time for this.
Aggressive raking or scarifying is not recommended, particularly if you have had a cold winter. Rather wait until new growth has started before raking.
If you have heavy thatch on your lawn it will not be a bad idea to work that over with a heavy-duty rake or a scarifier. Be careful not to damage the roots on the new growth and only do this once it has warmed up. If you did a great job in autumn, this will not be a major job. If you still have heavy thatch in spring, some effort will be needed.
After a cold winter, you might also notice matted patches of lawn. These are normally related to snow mould. It is a good idea to rake these up and remove them. This will allow new growth to flourish.
The point is that you can rake your lawn in spring but only do it for the right reasons and do not be too rough on the grass. Let it grow and prosper.
Can you rake the lawn when wet?
Wet leaves left on your lawn will prevent the sun from reaching the grass growth. They will also hold back nutrients and water. If you mow often, this will not be an issue. A good mulching lawnmower will not only remove the leaves but turn them into nutrients for the soil. This will promote healthy growth for a splendid green lawn.
The only warning when mowing wet lawn is to be gentle. Do not rake aggressively as this will damage the developing leaf blades and possibly even the roots.
Why rake lawn in spring?
As discussed above, you want to rake if thatch or moss has built up. You also want to keep the lawn area clear so that it not only looks great but allows for sun, moisture, and nutrients to work on the lawn area.
Lawn rake or scarifier?
While you can scarify with a rake it is much harder work and will not do as good a job as a quality scarifier. The best solution is to use the correct scarifier when necessary and keep the lawn neat and thatch free with a rake the rest of the time.
When should I rake and scarify my lawn?
The ideal time for this is late autumn or early spring. Wait until the weather has warmed up a bit but do not leave it too long. Mid to late spring will result in damage to healthy new growth. You want to scarify just after the dormant period.
Best Lawn Rakes – Final thoughts
We have covered a number of the best lawn rakes on the market. There is something to suit all garden needs and budgets. There is no perfect rake but the one that is right for your garden and your needs. This might mean investing in a few rakes.
Choose wisely as they are one of the most important garden tools you need.
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