If you enjoy working in the great outdoors and cultivating your food and flowers, you likely have your very own garden. Gardens are a ton of work, but they’re also one of the most rewarding hobbies that you can have. Regardless of what you’re growing in your garden or how big it is, garden rakes are some of the most important tools you can have.
If you’re new to the gardening game and are unsure which garden rakes are right for you, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll look at all the best options on the market and how to choose the best garden rake to make your gardening efforts successful.
The 9 Best Garden Rakes
Best Overall Garden Rake
Bully Tools Bow Rake
If you’re looking for the best garden rake that combines quality, durability, and an affordable price, look no further than the Bully Tools Bow Rake. This rake features no less than 16 tines made of stainless steel, and they’re strong enough to handle garden work, yard work, and even spreading gravel on your driveway.
This rake also comes in multiple lengths of 66″ or 58″ and incorporates a fiberglass handle and a rubber grip so it won’t slip out of your hands while working up a sweat.
Pros
- Made of extra-thick steel for added durability and strength
- Voted one of the top garden rakes of 2020 by Business Insider
- Commercial grade design
Cons
- While not overpriced, it’s on the spendy side, ringing in between $40 and $50
Runner-Up for Best Garden Rake
Fiskars Small Bow Rake
If you’re looking for garden rakes with a slightly smaller head but extra strength, the Fiskars Small Bow Rake is an excellent option. Since it’s a small bow rake, the head isn’t as wide as other rakes, and the tines aren’t quite as long. However, this compact design gives the head extra strength and durability for spreading fine materials like dirt, sand, and small gravel.
This option from Fiskars is ideal for tight spaces or when you want to rake between rows of plants. The back of the head is smooth and sturdy for tougher spreads, and it’s made of steel for added strength. The handle is rust-proof aluminum and has a rubber grip on the end for your hands to hold onto.
Pros
- Perfect for tight spaces or thin rows
- One of the most durable garden rakes on the market
- The rubber grip is a nice touch
Cons
- Because of how heavy the head is, your hands are likely to get tired from using it.
Best Garden Rake on a Budget
Blue Hawk Steel Garden Rake
While $40 to $60 isn’t a ton of money to spend on a garden tool, it’s more than some people want to part with. Not everyone needs a fancy or heavy-duty garden rake and simply needs something for temporary use. The Blue Hawk Steel Garden Rake might be for you if you fall into this category. It only costs $10, and it will accomplish whatever you need.
This garden rake is very lightweight, has a rubber grip, and has a surprisingly durable build. The 14 tines are made of welded steel, the handle is made of fiberglass, and it weighs only 2.5 pounds. All in all, you could do much worse than this affordable and functional garden rake.
Pros
- Very affordable
- The rubber grip is ideal for hot days
- Strong enough to get the job done
Cons
- Not as durable as the other rakes on this list
- Not fit for repeated heavy use
Best Wide-Head Garden Rake
Aluminum Bed Rake
Wide-head garden rakes, better known as bed rakes, are meant for different purposes than a traditional garden rake. They feature an extra-wide head with added tines and are meant for leveling out broad areas in your garden. If this is what you need, the Aluminum Bed Rake from Hoss Tools is one of the best bed rakes that money can buy.
It features a 66.5″ aluminum handle and a head in 30″ or 36″ widths. Each of the tines are 2 1/4″ long, made of steel, and are strong enough to pull old plants and crops right out of the ground.
Pros
- The long handle is very strong and perfectly balanced
- This product is built to last a lifetime and take a beating
- Strong enough to remove most plants from your garden and make way for new ones
Cons
- Slightly spendy at $80 to $99, but worth the price
Best One-Handed Garden Rake
Edward Tools Mini Rake
If you have a small garden or need a small rake to get up close and personal to your plants without hurting them, the Edward Tools Mini Rake is a top option. This little rake is short, light, tough, and means business. The rubber grip on the end will fit perfectly in various hand sizes and makes it ideal for hot summer days.
The construction of the head, tines, and handle is of heavy carbon steel and strong enough to tear out old plants, dig into tough dirt, and last a lifetime. Edward Tools is so confident in their product that they offer an unlimited lifetime warranty on it if anything happens.
Pros
- An unlimited lifetime warranty is a plus
- Ergonomic easy-grip handle
- Strong, durable construction
Cons
- Meant for small areas and not for a large garden
Runner-Up for Best One-Handed Garden Rake
Japanese Hand Rake
The Japanese Hand Rake is another excellent option for smaller hand rakes. This is a particularly nifty little garden rake because you can adjust the length and width to your liking. There’s a wing nut on the front of the rake that you simply turn to get the width of the head and length of the handle to where you want it to be.
Pros
- The adjustable handle and head are perfect for multiple purposes
- Strong enough for heavy raking but nimble enough for gentle missing
Cons
- Not meant for large areas at a time.
Best Shrub Rake
Corona RK Fixed Shrub Rake
If you need a garden rake to clean up your shrubs and debris after trimming or pruning your bushes, the Corona RK Fixed Shrub Rake is a top option. This rake is the perfect size and material in that it’s nimble, and the head is thin enough to work around tight spaces. However, it’s also strong enough to pick tough debris out of your bushes without damaging the shrub.
It also features a long handle of up to 54″, ensuring that you can reach every part of your bushes.
Pros
- The long handle is ideal for taller shrubs
- Very lightweight at less than one pound
- The 8″ wide head is big enough but not too wide that you risk ruining plants during cleanup
Cons
- Won’t fulfill the needs of other gardening duties outside of cleaning up after your shrubs and trees
Best Leaf Garden Rake
ORIENTOOLS Garden Rake
If you need a garden rake that’s better suited for raking up leaves than it is for use in your garden, give ORIENTOOLS Garden Rake a try. This bad boy has a 21″ wide head full of plastic tines just waiting to rake the leaves in your yard. The handle is poly to ensure strength, longevity, and durability.
This rake also has an adjustable handle that stretches from 42″ to 60″ long, making it so that anyone can use it. Top it all off with the handy-dandy rubber grip and the fact that you can easily disassemble the rake for storage, and you’ve got yourself quite a tool.
Pros
- Adjustable handle
- Poly construction and rubber grip
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
Cons
- Smaller debris tends to get stuck between the tines.
Best Garden Rake for Making Rows
Row Maker
The Row Maker from Hoss Tools is a keeper if you need a garden rake that can make new rows rather than spread dirt around old ones. This tool features four sharp and heavy-duty tines, the shape and depth of a garden row. To use it, all you have to do is drag it behind you wherever you want the rows to be, and the tool does the rest.
This tool offers several spacing options to get your rows right where you want them. It’s also made of powder-coated steel, ensuring lifelong use and durability.
Pros
- Perfect for making new plant rows in your garden
- Adjustable tines for varying row depths and widths
Cons
- Meant specifically for row-making rather than traditional raking
How to choose the best Garden Rake
Material
The material that your garden rake is made of is extremely important. The head and tines should be durable, rust-resistant, and strong, which usually means steel. The handle should be lightweight but strong and rust-resistant. A rubber grip on the handle where your hands go is also a bonus.
Tine
The tines are the pointy parts on the head of your rake that do the actual raking. Tines come in different lengths, sizes, numbers, and materials to cater to whatever your needs are.
Head Width
The head width will determine where and how you can use your garden rake. Garden rakes with wider heads are good for broad areas, but handheld garden rakes with smaller heads are better for tight spots.
Weight
Your garden rake should be heavy enough to handle heavy-duty work but not so heavy that your arms tire out after using them.
Yard Size
If you’re shopping for a leaf garden rake, the size of your yard is a huge consideration. The bigger your yard is, the bigger your rake should be.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is just as important as durability and strength. If your garden rake is unwieldy and tough to control, you’ll likely damage your shrubs, plants, yard, and anything else you rake.
Keeping Your Garden Rake in Great Shape
You might not realize it, but your garden rake needs cleaning and maintenance to stay in the best condition.
After each use, clean your rake well. Remove any dirt clumps or yard debris (leaves, grass clippings, twigs, etc). Wipe the tines clean (or use a garden hose for especially heavy dirt) and also sanitize the tines to prevent the spread of diseases.
Check wooden handles for any splinters that need to be sanded off. Periodically apply a coat of varnish or polyurethane to a wooden handle as well.
Store your rake in a shed or garage, preferably on a hook to keep it off the floor where it could be damaged or cause injury if stepped on.
The Best Garden Rakes Make Gardening a Breeze!
Like most tools and supplies for gardening, there are tons of garden rakes available. Knowing which rake you need and the tasks it’s going to fulfill is vital. However, as long as you adhere to this article’s guide and rake options, you’re guaranteed to get one of the best garden rakes on the market.
There are tools for all kinds of gardening tasks you should know about. Check out our Garden Tools page to learn more — you’re sure to find ideas for expanding your garden tool collection this year!
Interested in learning about more gardening tools? Then visit my garden tools page for tips, product advice, and comprehensive guides!
- About the Author
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Jalin Coblentz was born and raised in northeast Ohio in the heart of farming country and grew up working in the family garden growing corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables.
Canning and preservation were also a way of life for Jalin growing up, and he spent countless hours helping his mother, grandmother, and aunts with these duties. It’s now his passion to share his skills and knowledge with others to help them achieve their own growing goals.