The 5 best garden rakes of 2024

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Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year: the turning leaves can make your neighborhood look like a veritable sunset of striking colors. But with the colorful scenery comes the inevitable yard cleanup, which can feel like an unending and futile chore. With the right lineup of gardening tools, cleaning and tidying your yard doesn't have to be a slog. The best garden rakes make the task of raking the leaves feel easy; effortlessly gliding through piles of roughage in every type of weather.  

We researched dozens of brands, reviewed hundreds of products, and consulted a gardening expert for our top garden rake recommendations. Our favorite rake is the Fiskars Leaf Rake, which is hearty, durable, and has a large head for maximum effectiveness. 

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Our top picks for the best rakes

Best overall: Fiskars Leaf Rake - See at ACE Hardware

Best bow: Bully Tools Bow Rake - See at Walmart

Best small: Corona RK 62060 Fixed Shrub Rake - See at Amazon

Best adjustable: Bond 2060 Adjustable Steel Rake - See at Amazon

Best leaf scoops: ReLeaf Leaf Scoops - See at Amazon

Best overall

The Fiskars Leaf Rake features a patented design with curved tines to more easily grab leaves. The 24-inch wide head also makes transporting large quantities of leaves simple and easy. The durable resin tines are designed to bend without breaking, so they'll stand up to heavy use year after year. 

This tool will cut down your raking time and is built for comfort, too. The extra-long and durable aluminum handle measures 67 inches to help you avoid back strain. The length and the lightweight design make it easy to maneuver without bending or adding extra stress. The teardrop-shaped shaft also provides extra comfort and control.

The Fiskars Leaf Rake comes with a lifetime warranty, so if anything should go wrong, you're covered.

Best bow

There are rakes, and then there are bow rakes, which are for jobs that the former just can't do. The bow rake from Bully Tools is perfect for tasks that are just a bit more labor-intensive than clearing your front lawn of leaves of the fall. If you want to do slightly more serious landscaping — like spreading mulch or moving small rocks — then this rake is ideal.

There are 16 tines on the end of the rake, and they're shorter but much thicker than the tines you might find on a traditional leaf rake. Because it's level-headed, it's better suited for moving around heavier materials.

Made of commercial-grade steel, there's not much that this rake can't handle. The head is actually welded to the handle so you won't have any problems with separation.

The handle is made of reinforced fiberglass so it's solid and easy on your hands, and at 54 inches, it's long enough — but also lightweight enough at three pounds — to keep you from constantly bending over and straining your back. Plus, Bully Tools actually offers a lifetime warranty behind all its products, and this particular bow rake is made entirely in the US.

This rake can be unwieldy when it comes to casual leaf-raking jobs and is heavier than other rakes, which can take its toll over an extended period of time. However, if you have a bigger job requiring something a bit sturdier than what you'd find in most toolsheds, this is definitely a rake to consider.

Best small

There are 11 tines on this rake, each measuring 8 inches in length. The head is made of tempered steel and lightweight aluminum, meaning the Corona Clipper will last you more than enough time.

Each of the tines is surprisingly wide, allowing you to clear more area in less time. And because the rake itself is extremely light (just 11.2 ounces), it won't put any undue pressure on the surface you're raking. So if you're looking to protect moss or save any shrubs and plants, you can rest easy knowing that this delicate rake will eliminate the detritus you don't want while keeping alive the life you want.

While some rakes seem to be more effective in their middles than on their sides, this is not the case with the Corona Clipper. Because its bow is bi-curved, you'll find that you can apply even pressure across the entire surface area you're working with.

Perhaps my favorite element of the rake is its handle. Not only is it made of lightweight aluminum, but it's actually covered with an anti-slip vinyl sleeve. It's not only comfortable on your hands even during long projects, but will also stay put even if you find yourself getting sweaty. The handle is 54 inches long, which should be long enough to help prevent any lower back aches and pains.

Best adjustable

Bond's rake is a popular lightweight and easy-to-use tool that takes the cake in terms of versatility. Designed to reach smaller areas that are difficult for conventional rakes to access, the 22 flat tine head expands from 7 inches up to 22 inches. The adjustable head is a major benefit but be advised that the handle can feel pretty uncomfortable.

Keep in mind that with the adjustability of the head, you'll sacrifice some effectiveness in overall length. The rake is 48 inches long so it won't cover as much ground as other options. This rake is also not designed for rocks and other heavy materials.

Best leaf scoops

Who couldn't use an extra pair of hands? Part rake/part hand scoops, these popular Leaf Scoops get your yard work wrapped up quickly and efficiently, whether your leaves and grass are wet or dry. The one-size-fits-all plastic scoops are excellent for transporting and spreading compost and mulch, too. The closed scoop design keeps small items from slipping out.

The lightweight scoops are easy to store — simply fit them together and hang them up. The Leaf Scoops are covered by a 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Lifetime Guarantee.

Sized to fit all yard bags and trash cans, the closed scoop design keeps small items from slipping out. You can use one as a rake to gather stray leaves to stack for easy bagging or mulching, which can help cut down on the time it takes to gather leaves and finish gardening projects.

What to look for when buying a rake

• Durability: Cheap plastic rakes are meant to be disposable, but you can get a few good years out of them if you're careful. Otherwise, it's common for them to break by the end of the season. If you want a rake for all tasks that are also built to last, look for one made out of a single material, says Taylor Olberding, co-owner of Heroes Lawn Care.
• Handles: Hardwood handles are best because metal handles tend to bend or warp with heavy use, especially over time. Metal is also a valid second option as it will last a lifetime and has very little impact on the environment. However, if you live in a colder climate, you may opt to avoid metal rakes as they can be uncomfortable to handle in chilly weather without gloves. Avoid plastic handles as they are typically not re-useable, can become brittle and break, and take thousands of years to decompose. Olberding recommends a shovel with a fiberglass handle or one that doesn't have bolts between the handle and spade, like an all-metal model, for added durability. 
• Tines: Metal tines are important for many reasons. First, unless they become rusted from poor care or storage, they will last you a lifetime or longer. Second, they provide the appropriate amount of flex and strength necessary for leaves, small twigs, and debris. Plastic tines often break under the same pressure or fail to provide enough flexibility to be of use for the gardener.
• Comfort: Raking can be taxing on muscles. When it comes to rakes, bigger doesn't mean better. It's important for the rake's dimensions to be comfortable and have good ergonomics for the user. Ideally, each family member should have their own rake. If this isn't doable, find a lightweight rake with an adjustable handle and perhaps even adjustable tines.

How we tested

We tested dozens of rakes and put them through various garden cleanup tasks, from gathering leaves on a lawn to spreading mulch around new plantings. In testing, we looked closely at durability, ease of use, and ergonomics to make our final selections for this guide.

Rake FAQ

What are the uses for a garden rake?

The most common use case for a garden rake is raking up leaves and debris. You might also use a rake to distribute mulch or even out and loosen soil. 

Is a plastic or metal rake better?

Metal tines are more durable than plastic ones. They are also more flexible than plastic tines, which can easily snap and break under excess pressure. However, a plastic rake might be a good option if you're on a budget or rake infrequently. 

What is the best way to dispose of garden leaves?

Most municipalities offer free leaf pickup services around the fall and springtime. You can toss leaves in your compost bin or mulch and add them to garden beds as a soil amendment.