Shrub rakes with long handles and narrow heads (8-in. to 12-in.) easily access confined spaces and gaps between plants.

Because this rake’s head is adjustable, customers were able to use it for both small and large raking tasks, saving them money and storage space. However, several customers said that the rake was flimsy and that both the pole and tines bent under a slight amount of pressure. Our Experience A good half of the length of the handle is covered with the Softgrip technology that makes this leaf rake a pleasure to use. It lets you hold comfortably anywhere all along the upper half of the handle while keeping the rake in a good position for raking up the leaves and other organic debris from your lawn. The handle is slightly curved at the top for further efficiency. Overall its a great piece of kit. Pros The magic of an adjustable leaf rake is that it can spread out like a paper fan to cover a larger work area. However, if you need to do some detail work around a fence or air conditioning unit, the rake can collapse to fit into tighter spaces. Adjustable leaf rakes are light-duty tools used for superficial lawn cleaning. They’re effective for gathering grass clippings, leaves, and other small debris. An adjustable leaf rake is like having a broom for your lawn. Thatching rake This model also includes an 8-inch hand rake that snaps onto the handle so you can take it on and off as needed while working. Hand rakes can clean tight spaces, which is especially handy when trying to rake up thin pine needles, which have a tendency to pile up in small nooks and crannies. Rakes can weigh less than one pound or more than four. Their weight depends on their size and the materials used in their construction. Lighter rakes are good for tasks like raking dry leaves, while heavier rakes are good for heavy-duty tasks like moving dirt or leveling sand.Although it is on the pricier end of the rake spectrum, this price is justified by the rake’s premium materials and construction. It uses tempered US steel for a 24-tine head that’s finished with a rust-resistant powder coating. The 16-inch-long tines that spread to 22 inches wide do an efficient job of grabbing leaves. With a 49-inch handle, the rake’s overall length is just over 66 inches. Coated with a polyester water-resistant finish, the fiberglass handle sports a comfortable rubber grip to help reduce fatigue during prolonged use. The rake head at the other end of the pole, the most important part in my eyes, is constructed of lightweight plastic and is nice and wide at 60cm, so around 2ft. Pros Protect your body. If you plan on being outside for any extended period of time, it's wise to apply sunscreen. Also, stay hydrated. Raking is hard work!

Five common types of rakes exist: lawn/leaf rakes, shrub rakes, bow rakes, thatch rakes, and hand rakes. Lawn/Leaf A thatching rake is a heavy-duty tool with sharp, curved blades on either side of the head. The main purpose of this tool is to break up thatch, a matted and entangled layer of organic matter (both living and dead) that accumulates around the base of the grass in your yard. While small amounts of thatch may be beneficial, too much can damage your yard. The adjustable aspect of a thatching rake is the tilt of the head. The closer to a 90° angle you get, the deeper the blades cut into the thatch. Features Size The tines are made of steel and offer some spring, unlike some of the plastic ones you can find. This lets you confidently rake large clumps of wet leaves without worrying about breaking the tines. It’s also great for collecting moss and thatch after scarifying too. ProsThis type of rake removes the layer of organic material between your lawn and the soil’s surface, also known as thatch. Thatch rakes have sharp metal tines or blades that can be used to break up thatch. Hand Shrub rakes are similar to lawn rakes, but they have a narrower head that can fit in tighter spaces, such as around bushes and along fences. Bow

While the Gardena hand rake is at a higher price point than many other hand rakes you’ll find, it’s made to last and could easily be by your side for decades. Gardena even provides a 25-year warranty. Altogether, it’s the best leaf rake in the hand rake category.Tine buildup—A rake lost one point if we had to pause to clear its tines. If we didn’t have to clear the tines, the rake received full points for this metric. It’s up to you to decide what you need to make your task as easy and comfortable as possible and then find the best match. Each rake performed the task it was designed for. We included leaf, shrub, and bow rakes in this review, so the leaf rakes raked leaves, the shrub rakes collected pine straw, and the bow rakes raked dirt. Tine Buildup The most important choice that you need to make regarding adjustable garden rakes is which kind to get. There are two main types, so the choice is fairly straightforward. Leaf rake Gardena is a household name in Europe, even if it might be a little less recognizable in the United States. The Gardena system makes customization an integral part of everything it does: manufacturing sturdy, adjustable gardening tools that easily customize and morph so that your hoe, broom, and rake can connect to the same handle.