Keep Your Lawn Pristine With These Plastic Rakes for Leaf Cleanup

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A reliable rake is an essential part of any landscaping tool collection, and indispensable when it comes to gathering leaves, pine needles, and other lawn debris. Plastic rakes are especially popular because they strike the ideal balance of affordability, function, and maneuverability thanks to their flexible and lightweight heads.

They’re easy to clean, too—just hose them off when you’re finished and hang them up in your garage or tool shed. Although their plastic construction won’t rust, corrode, or bend like metal rakes sometimes do, they’re not as durable when it comes to heavy-duty use. Still, plastic rakes are great for a wide range of tasks and will save you some elbow grease on those long days working out in the yard.

The Best Plastic Rakes

• Best Overall: Truper 30456 Tru Tough Rake

• Best Budget Option: Fiskars Leaf Rake

• Best Wide-Head Rake: Bully Tools 92630 Poly Lawn and Leaf Rake

• Best Shrub Rake: Ames Union Tool 64197 Shrub Rake
  

• Best Comfortable Grip Rake: Truper 30463 Tru Comfort Grip Rake
  

What to Consider

Make sure the rake you choose is the right size for the job you’ll be using it for. The larger the width of the rake head, the more leaves it will be able to capture with each pass, and the faster you’ll get done with large raking projects.

Extra-wide rakes can be too bulky for smaller tasks, like raking between shrubs or garden beds, and their size can make storage a challenge if you don’t have much space.

Pay attention to the handle length, too. If you’re especially tall, make sure to go with an option that has a long handle so that you can effectively use it with both hands. Otherwise, you may find yourself stooping over, making for an uncomfortable day’s work.

How We Selected

The original author of this piece, Alex Rennie, used his experience as part of a professional landscaping crew at a large state park to help determine the best plastic rakes, from brands he’s used for decades to knowledge of the most durable materials. We looked at factors like the design details and the handle and rake materials to make sure our recommendations last longer than a job or two. Keep in mind, plastic rakes aren’t meant for gravel or heavy debris—but these plastic rakes will have your lawn free of leaves and other small unsightly piles in no time.

30456 Tru Tough Rake

Not too big, not too small, this 22-inch wide Truper rake is just right for a range of lawn care and cleanup tasks. The poly head is easy to spray down and clean with a garden hose when you’re finished working, and the lacquered ash-wood handle is durable enough to withstand significant wear and tear.

It’s not the cheapest option, but Truper has been making hand tools for over 40 years, and its products are designed to last a long time. Plus, when it comes to warranty, you really can’t beat the 10-year free replacement offer.

Plastic Leaf Rake

This rake is lightweight and easy to maneuver without skimping on construction. The aluminum handle is just as durable as wood or fiberglass but a lot lighter. Its extended length means you won’t be hunched over raking, saving you back pain after a long day of work.

The wide head picks up leaves fast and the plastic tines are meant to flex without breaking, so you can dig into a pile of debris without digging into the ground for efficient pick up.

92630 Poly Lawn and Leaf Rake

This rake is designed with several features that make it extra strong and sturdy, including a reinforced wood core inside the handle. Double-sided support ridges on the tines bolster their strength to prevent breakage during strenuous tasks. The 90-degree angle on the tines coupled with their spacing allows them to efficiently pick up small debris with only a couple of passes. The angle also allows you to easily scoop and dispose of large piles of leaves.

It has a comfort grip on top of the handle to prevent hand fatigue and we appreciate that Bully Tools offers a limited lifetime warranty on all of their products.

Union Tool 64197 Shrub Rake

The compact head of this Union Tool rake is perfect for tasks that larger, wider rakes aren’t designed to do, like cleaning around the base of shrubs and bushes. Its 48-inch handle is made of durable hardwood, and makes it convenient for you to sneak its ten plastic tines into cramped or tight areas.

It does require assembly upon arrival, but this process should be quick and easy.

30463 Tru Comfort Grip Rake

If you have a large cleanup in your future and aren’t looking forward to potential blisters, this Truper Tru Tough rake and its cushioned handle could be exactly what you need.

You won’t have any trouble maintaining a sturdy grip as you work, and the light weight make things even more comfortable. Instead of the usual small grip at the top, this handle has a soft grip on two-thirds of the handle so you don’t get blisters.

The 24-inch head is large enough to tackle large leaf and debris coverage, and the entire tool can be sprayed down clean when you’re finished.

Clog Free 30-in Lawn and Leaf Rake

The extra-wide, 30-inch head of this Craftsman rake allows you to cover a large area with each pass, ensuring that your cleaning project will get done efficiently and effectively. This large size and the 2.5-pound weight—heavier than most options—will require a bit more elbow grease than narrower rakes, but if you’re fine with that, the speedy operation could be worth the effort.

The unique clog-free design of the tines themselves should also cut down on the frustrating and time-wasting process of clearing out stuck leaves and sticks.

Dual Tine 26-Inch Plastic Leaf Rake

This rugged model combines a thick, double-tined head with a steel handle, creating a heavy-duty rake that’s perfect for frequent, heavy use. The double-tined head is perfect for both digging into stubborn leaf and debris piles, as well as easily pulling that debris in the direction you want it.

The rubber-coated steel handle is durable enough to stand up to regular wear and tear without issue, and the cushioned grip at the top makes it easy to maintain control as you work.

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