Keeping the yard and garden in check may seem like a full-time job, and it certainly can be if you don't have the right tools. Choosing the best rake could make all the difference, making landscaping chores easier. Here are a variety of different rakes; each one works for a different type of yard work.
TRG GK102R The Groundskeeper II rake
Everyday solution
Here's a versatile rake that serves a variety of different groundskeeping tasks, from leaves to mulch.
Pros:
- Flexible round tines
- Tough fiberglass handle
- 21-inch wide head
Cons:
- Head detaches too easily from handle
While it works fine for leaves, this rake is also great for spreading mulch and gravel, as well as removing leaves and debris from shrubbery. Because of the flexible round tines, you can brush off shrubs without causing damage to leaves and stems. It's an excellent tool for landscapers and groundskeepers, and it's also a great tool for homeowners with big yards.
Amazing Rake back-saving garden rake
Leaf picker-upper
This tool will prevent back pain caused by bending over to move and haul leaves.
Pros:
- Prevents back pain
- Removes the need to bend over when picking up leaves
- Moves large quantities of leaves and debris at a time
Cons:
- Not durable for heavy long-term use
Sometimes raking the leaves is not the worst part of the job. If bagging and moving the leaves causes you back pain, you need a leaf scooper like this one. The Amazing Rake scoops up armloads of leaves, grass, and yard debris so you can bag and move them without so much bending. Bag all of your leaves without strain, and you'll be amazed at how much better you feel after a long day of yard work. This rake can also prevent long-term damage to your spine over time.
Professional EZ Travel Collection adjustable telescopic folding rake
Take your tool on the go
For mobile landscapers and gardeners, it's important to keep lightweight, easy-to-carry tools like this one.
Pros:
- Folding design lays flat
- Lightweight materials
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Handle may bend with rough use
Storage and travel are easy with the Professional EZ folding rake. The telescoping head collapses down to a smaller, flat shape so you can easily fit it into a car or truck with other tools. This way, it's easier to carry and store during transport. This is a good solution for mobile landscapers, and it also works for homeowners with limited storage space. The collapsed rake head can also be used to fit the rake into the garden's nooks and crannies.
Midwest 10036 aluminum landscape rake
The big one
Here's the daddy of all rakes. It's wide and strong for the hard work of daily landscaping.
Pros:
- 46-inch wide head
- Heavy-duty construction
- Works for a variety of tasks
Cons:
- It's heavy
For hard landscaping work, only an extra-wide landscaping rake will do. This one is great for all kinds of tasks, such as spreading mulch and gravel, breaking up soil, and of course, raking leaves or brush. Since it's made of heavy-duty materials, the landscape rake will hold up to long hours of hard work. While it's excellent for big jobs, it might be too wide for more delicate gardening tasks.
Fiskars 397940-1001 PRO garden rake
Till all the dirt
Here's a solid garden rake for basic gardening work like breaking in, tilling, and grading soil.
Pros:
- Tough metal tines
- Long handle, standard head
Cons:
- Product contains a lot of stickers and branding
The tough tines and smooth back bar make this the best tool for tilling and grading the toil. Since it's not overly wide, you can also use it to pull up weeds and rocks between plant rows. It's great for both preparing and maintaining any garden. And you can trust a Fiskars tool for quality build and durability.
Bully Tools 92630 30-inch poly leaf rake
Trees shed 'em and this tool gathers 'em
Just leaves? This is the rake you'll need if your yard is full of deep piles of leaves or pine needles.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Lightweight
- Tough fiberglass handle
Cons:
- Tough handle can cause blisters
If moving deep leaf piles is on your honey-do list, this is your rake. It's a beast of a leaf mover with a wide fan of tough tines that can grab layers of leaves that are several inches deep. It will move leaves fast and make raking the yard a lot easier. This rake is a heavyweight that can be used year after year, and it's made in the USA.
AMES 2915100 adjustable self-cleaning thatch rake
Touch up lawns in an instant
Here's a very specific rake for a very specific job—removing the thatch (dead or mowed grass clippings) from the lawn.
Pros:
- Long, sharp tines
- Easy to shake out thatch from tines
- Handmade in the USA
Cons:
- It's expensive
AMES tools are handcrafted in the USA from traditional materials like hardwood and steel. Although it's not super lightweight, this rake gets the job done efficiently, and it will last a lifetime. The self-cleaning head is excellent at clearing thatch, and the back can be used to move piles of grass clippings at once. This is one tool that is necessary for a green, thriving lawn.
Superio kids garden rake
Kid-sized for help in the yard
Here's a great way to get the kids involved in yard work; buy them these rakes!
Pros:
- Two-for-one deal
- Small kid-sized tools
- Teaches kids to value hard work
Cons:
- Head detaches too easily from handle
Is it time your kids learned a thing or two about hard work? Or maybe your family just does a great job of delegating to all ages. Either way, a kid-sized rake will be just the thing to get the young ones out and moving. Since this rake comes in a set of two, you can afford to give one to each child in your home.
Rake in a hard day's work
Who knew there were so many different kinds of rake in the world? For a versatile rake that's great for many groundskeeping tasks, go for the TRG GK102R The Groundskeeper II rake. It's a workhorse that serves many different jobs around the yard.
If you just need a good leaf rake, you can't beat the Bully Tools poly leaf rake. Its wide head and tough build will move leaf piles quickly. Although your choice will depend on the task at hand, we're confident that the rakes on this list are the best available for all kinds of landscaping work.
Why trust us?
At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.
