The Best Rakes
A rake is either a leaf rake or a garden rake, and the two are different tools for different work. Leaf rakes are wide, flexible, and light. Garden rakes (bow rakes) are narrow, rigid, and heavy. Both must hold their tines under load, resist bending, and connect to the handle at a socket that does not loosen. These are the ones worth keeping.
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How to Choose
For leaf raking: wide head (24 to 30 inches), flexible tines that spring back to shape, and a light handle. For soil work: a bow rake with rigid steel tines and a solid-socket head. The handle should be 54 to 60 inches to avoid back strain. Hardwood or fiberglass handles only.
True Temper 24-Inch Poly Leaf Rake
If you only buy one, make it this one. Read the full guide below for alternatives at every price point.
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Six things that separate the good from the rest.
24 to 30 inches for leaf raking. 14 to 16 inches for garden work. 8 inches for tight spaces and detail work.
Steel tines for soil work. Poly tines for leaf raking. Steel is stronger but heavier. Poly is lighter but cannot handle packed soil.
Leaf rake tines must spring back to shape after flexing. Garden rake tines must be rigid enough to break soil.
54 to 60 inches to avoid back strain. A handle that is too short forces you to hunch over.
Hardwood or fiberglass. Avoid pine or softwood handles that snap under moderate load.
Bolted or riveted socket connections are strongest. Press-fit connections loosen over time.
The Picks
True Temper 24-Inch Poly Leaf Rake
A 24-inch poly head with flexible tines that spring back after every stroke. The head is wide enough to cover ground quickly and light enough to use for an hour without fatigue. The hardwood handle is smooth and comfortable.
The leaf rake that clears a yard without wearing you out. Wide head, light weight, no fuss.
Find on Amazon arrow_forwardBully Tools 92309 Bow Rake
A 16-inch steel bow rake with 14 tines. The bow design provides spring action that absorbs shock when hitting rocks or roots. 14-gauge steel tines do not bend. Fiberglass handle. Made in America.
The garden rake for soil prep, grading, and clearing debris. Steel tines that do not bend.
Find on Amazon arrow_forwardTrue Temper 8-Inch Shrub Rake
A narrow leaf rake for tight spaces between shrubs, under hedges, and along fences. The 8-inch head reaches where a full-size rake cannot.
The detail rake. Gets into the tight spots that a full-size leaf rake misses entirely.
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