The 7 best garden rakes to buy in 2026, as tested in real-world conditions by our experts

A rake is a core tool for any gardener, and there are a number of different types, useful for a range of jobs, including scarifying the lawn, raking leaves or preparing your soil. Depending on the size of your garden and the range of tasks you take on, you might find you need one or all of the following:

Leaf rake. Rather than leaf blowing, which can be noisy and messy, using a leaf rake is a quieter and more environmentally friendly option. Leaf rakes have a broad, fan-shaped head and are made from metal, rubber or plastic. They have tines that curve down to help them grab leaves.
Lawn rake. If your lawn has developed bare patches or moss, it's probably time to scarify it. Scarifying a lawn is the process of removing thatch - dead clippings, moss and other debris that collects on the soil surface at the base of the grass. This can inhibit grass growth by preventing water and nutrients from reaching the roots, and encourage moss to form. A lawn rake, spring-tined rake or springbok is similar to a leaf rake but with thin pointed metal tines to drag out the debris. It might look unsightly at first, but your lawn will look lush and green in no time.
Soil rake. Specifically designed to create just the right soil surface for sowing seeds, these have a flattened head and fixed tines that bite into the soil and break up clods to create the fine tilth needed for successful germination. The traditional design features a flat head secured to a wooden shaft by a socket, but variations include tubular steel or aluminium shafts with a grip for your hands, and bow-head rakes, which have a more open construction suitable for spreading gravel.

We've reviewed a selection of different types of rakes below, so our comprehensive list is sure to include something to suit you.

Best Buy garden rakes at a glance

• • Best mid-range soil rake: Greenman stainless steel soil rake
  • Best budget soil rake: Wilkinson Sword carbon steel rake
  • Best lifetime buy soil rake: Sneeboer narrow tine rake
  • Best versatile leaf rake 2025: Kent & Stowe 3-in-1 leaf rake
  • Best plastic leaf rake: Spear and Jackson Neverbend plastic leaf rake with tubular steel shaft
  • Best metal leaf and lawn rake: Greenman ash stainless steel lawn rake
  • Best budget leaf rake 2025: Town and Country extra-large leaf rake

Jump to:

• Best Buy garden rakes
• The best of the rest
• How to use a soil rake
• How to use a lawn and leaf rake
• How to choose a garden rake
• How we tested garden rakes

In every review, we award the outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best garden rakes below:

Best soil rakes

Greenman stainless steel soil rake

RRP: £34.95

Our rating: 4.75 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Well-made, from quality materials
• Balanced and easy on the back
• Comfortable handle sits nicely in the hand
• Creates an excellent tilth and drills, and tamps soil down well

Cons

• Heavy to use

Given a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best mid-range soil rake, this traditional-style rake is made from high-quality materials and is beautifully designed. It has a comfortable ash wood handle with a tapered waist and rounded end that sits comfortably in the hand and, despite the 14 stainless steel tines and heavy overall weight, feels nicely balanced and doesn't put strain on the back. It rakes well, easily creating a fine tilth for seed sowing, and the flat head tamps down soil well. For performance and quality, it stands out and was a favourite with our team of testers. It has a 10-year warranty.

Buy the Greenman stainless steel soil rake from Amazon and Ebay

Wilkinson Sword carbon steel rake

RRP: £24.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from My Tool Shed

Pros

• Functional, unfussy design
• Robust and pleasant to use
• Sturdy handle
• Good value

Cons

• Tall users found it too small

This rake is nicely balanced and comfortable to use, with a good length handle that's easy on the back, although some taller users found it to be a little short. It's well-made with sturdy fixtures, and the 12-tine, coated carbon steel head features a no-frills design and a rust-resistant finish. It's one of the cheapest soil rakes in our test, but it feels robust and long-lasting, and it's great value for gardeners on a budget. It comes with a 10-year warranty, and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best budget soil rake.

Buy the Wilkinson Sword carbon steel rake from Amazon, B&Q and My Tool Shed

Sneeboer narrow-tine soil rake

RRP: £97.86

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Sneeboer

Pros

• Well-made, quality materials
• Long, comfortable handle
• Narrow head is good for access between rows
• Creates a fine tilth

Cons

• Heavy
• Expensive

This stainless steel narrow-tine soil rake was awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for a lifetime buy. Beautifully designed and handcrafted from quality materials, it has a long ash handle with a knob on the end for extra grip. It fits well in the hand, although it is quite heavy. The narrow head of the rake fits well between rows in the vegetable garden and plants in borders, and the close tines produce an excellent tilth. It's expensive, costing considerably more than some in our test, but it's an excellent tool with a 50-year warranty on the head.

Buy the Sneeboer narrow tine soil rake from Harrod Horticultural and Sneeboer

Best leaf and lawn rakes

Kent and Stowe 3-in-1 leaf rake

RRP: £29.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Marshalls Garden

Pros

• Light and comfortable
• Strong wide head
• Converts to narrow for borders
• Breaks down into two leaf grabbers

Cons

• The hand grip could be longer

This clever rake is well designed and easy to use with a light fibreglass shaft and a cushioned grip, meaning it’s comfortable in use. The strong, broad head gathers leaves efficiently, without spiking, but also breaks down to suit your task. Half clips off for work in tighter areas like corners or in beds and borders, or the whole head comes off in two parts for the nifty scooping up of leaves with both hands. It’s well worth the expense and comes with a 10-year warranty. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best versatile rake in 2025.

Buy the Kent and Stowe 3-in-1 leaf rake from Marshalls Garden

Spear and Jackson Neverbend plastic leaf rake with tubular steel shaft

RRP: £43.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from B&Q

Pros

• Sturdy and strong but flexible
• Very light
• Effective tensioning bar on the head
• Good length warranty

Cons

• Handle grip could be longer

Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best plastic leaf rake, this rake has a 56cm wide sturdy head that hits the ground firmly but with flexibility. The 150cm handle is a good length that doesn't put strain on the back, and the rubber grip stops the hand slipping, although our testers thought it would be helpful if it extended further down the handle, for both hands. Its wide tines grab leaves well, and the flat head has a useful flat section that helps when picking up leaves and grass clippings. The steel shaft has an epoxy coating to prevent rust, and the rake feels light and comfortable to use. It's well-made and an ideal rake for gathering leaves in the autumn and collecting grass clippings through the summer. It comes with a 15-year warranty.

Buy the Spear and Jackson Neverbend plastic leaf rake with tubular steel shaft from B&Q, Debenhams and Tooled Up

Greenman ash stainless steel lawn rake

RRP: £45

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Solid and well-made
• Well balanced
• Excellent for scarifying
• Tine design stops times from spreading

Cons

• Heavy
• Chunky handle

Given a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best metal rake, this well-made lawn rake is solid and strong with a rust-resistant stainless steel head and an ash handle. It's a heavier rake at 1.16kg, with a thick, chunky handle that's 160cm long and ideal for taller gardeners, allowing them to work without putting strain on the back, but it may not be comfortable for smaller gardeners. However, it feels well balanced and comfortable to use, and rakes really well. The angled tines easily tackle moss and thatch in the lawn, but also handle themselves well in borders to drag out leaves, thanks to the spreader bar across the head that ensures constant pressure. It comes with a 10-year warranty.

Buy the Greenman ash stainless steel lawn rake from Amazon

Town and Country extra-large leaf rake

RRP: £12.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Masseys

Pros

• Picks up leaves well
• Good value
• Light, sturdy and flexible
• Recycled/recyclable materials
• Handle slots off

Cons

• Unfinished wooden handle
• Short warranty

This lightweight rake features a broad head that’s good for collecting a lot of leaves at a time. This head also detaches, making it ideal for scooping leaves by hand into a barrow or bag. Made from recycled and recyclable materials, it includes a sustainable wooden handle. While the wooden handle looks quite attractive, it may be more comfortable to use with gloves.

While the warranty is only one year, this is still a lot of rake for the money, and perfect for gardeners looking for something that’s good quality but won’t break the bank. It’s for this reason that we awarded this product a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2025 for the best budget leaf rake.

Buy the Town and Country extra-large leaf rake from Amazon and Masseys

Best of the rest

Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test.

Soil rakes

Wilkinson Sword stainless steel soil rake

RRP: £34.99

Our rating: 4.25 out of 5

Available from My Tool Shed

Pros

• Quality construction and materials
• Comfortable to use
• Performs well

Cons

• Heavier weight

This rake features a classic design and is well made with a quality finish. It has a stainless-steel head and a weatherproofed ash handle and feels well balanced during use, though it is a little heavy. It performs well with no clogging and has a 10-year warranty.

Buy the Wilkinson Sword stainless steel soil rake from My Tool Shed

Wolf Garten multi-change soil and close-toothed rake

RRP: £24.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from B&Q

Pros

• Easy to change heads
• Close-toothed rake head produces fine tilth
• Lightweight handle with long grip

Cons

• More expensive than buying a single rake
• Need both heads for the best finish

We tested both a soil rake head and a close-toothed rake head from Wolf Garten, plus a Wolf Garten handle. The former rakes soil well, and the close-toothed head enables you to produce a fine tilth. The lightweight handle has a long grip, which is helpful for saving your back, and the combination of the three works efficiently and well. You do need to buy each part separately, which does make this more expensive than other high performers. It comes with a lengthy 35-year warranty.

Buy the Wolf Garten multi-change soil and close-toothed rake from B&Q

Burgon & Ball RHS endorsed ground rake

RRP: £38.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Burgon & Ball

Pros

• Quality construction
• Well balanced and comfy
• Head held with sturdy rivets
• Rakes well

Cons

• Not efficient for tamping the soil down after sowing
• Not ideal for seed drills

This rake features a stainless steel bow head and an FSC hardwood handle. It's a good length, ideal for reducing strain on the back, and it's well-made. It rakes smoothly and well; however, it's inefficient when tamping down the soil after sowing or creating seed drills. It features a hanging loop for easy storage and has a lifetime warranty.

Buy the Burgon & Ball RHS endorsed ground rake from Burgon & Ball

Kent & Stowe Garden Life stainless steel soil rake

RRP: £29.99

Our rating: 3.75 out of 5

Available from Marshalls Garden

Pros

• Super-lightweight
• Well balanced
• Compact yet sturdy

Cons

• Handle is too short
• Hole in the handle irritates the user's hand

This option is much lighter than Kent & Stowe's standard soil rake at 960g. It's well-balanced and feels comfortable in the hand. It also rakes well. It features 12 stainless steel tines and an FSC ash wood handle, which is short and slender, and the whole tool feels robust and compact. It's best for small gardens and young or less strong gardeners, and it comes with a 15-year warranty.

Buy the Kent & Stowe Garden Life stainless steel soil rake from Amazon, Marshalls Garden and B&Q

Leaf and lawn rakes

Spear and Jackson Neverbend Deluxe lawn (flexo) rake

RRP: £43.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Good grip along the length of the handle
• Scarifies well

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy and unbalanced
• Handle feels short

With a nylon-covered tubular steel shaft and powder-coated carbon steel head and tines, this durable rake can withstand rust and knocks well. It feels strong and long-lasting, and performs well, but it's quite heavy in comparison to other lawn and leaf rakes we've tested. The handle is shorter than some, so this rake would be best for shorter gardeners. It’s not as easy to pick up leaves with the head as with some other leaf and lawn rakes we've tested, and it's comparatively expensive as well. It comes with a 15-year warranty.

Buy the Spear and Jackson Neverbend Carbon Deluxe Flexo Lawn Rake from Amazon, My Tool Shed and Tooled Up

Burgon & Ball RHS endorsed leaf rake

RRP: £39.99

Our rating: 4.25 out of 5

Available from B&Q

Pros

• Flat tines don’t spike leaves
• Good length handle
• Strong

Cons

• Thick handle
• Tines very springy
• Small head

This simple rake is light and comfortable, with a fibreglass handle and plastic head. The two rubber hand grips sit just where you need them for a cushioned hold, and the head itself rakes without leaves catching on the tines. The solid section at the top helps make picking up leaves easier. However, the head is small and, therefore, best for working in borders and on small lawns. It is also too bouncy when in use, which makes raking slower. It comes with a lifetime warranty.

Buy the Burgon & Ball RHS endorsed leaf rake at B&Q

Magnusson leaf rake

RRP: £23

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from B&Q

Pros

• Good-length handle
• Grips positioned well on the handle increase comfort

Cons

• Narrow head
• Lacks strength
• Too flexible

This is a well-thought-out, traditional springbok rake with a rust-resistant stainless steel head and a long, FSC-certified wooden handle. It has flat tines, specifically designed for leaf raking rather than scarifying lawns. Unfortunately, this feature also means that it cannot spike leaves in the way that a more traditional ‘wire’ rake would.

Although this rake gathers leaves well, the tines are quite springy, which can make raking a little slow. The head is also relatively compact, which makes it great for storage but means this rake is best for working in smaller areas where a nimble form-factor is helpful. It feels strong and well-made, has a handy hanging strap for storage, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Buy the Magnusson leaf rake from B&Q

Corona BigLOAD junior rake

RRP: £32.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Burgon and Ball

Pros

• Very light
• Large and long, so ideal for taller users
• Rakes quickly and easily
• Well designed with a strengthened handle and tensioning bar

Cons

• Too big for use in borders
• Handle grip could be longer
• Plastic coating on the handle split quickly in use
• Storage could be an issue due to size

This very large leaf rake has an extra-wide plastic head and an aluminium handle with a plastic coating. There's also a vinyl grip to help you hold the rake firmly, and the handle extends into the head, giving extra stability and strength. It's very light to use, and its broad head means it rakes across the lawn quickly and effectively, but it's too big for working in borders. The overall length of 1.97m is ideal for protecting the back and makes this rake very comfortable for taller gardeners, but may be awkward for smaller gardeners and those working in restricted spaces. It feels well-made, and we liked its size and strength, although unfortunately, in our test, the plastic coating quickly split and cracked, which made it uncomfortable and sharp in the hand. However, it does come with a 10-year warranty.

Buy the Corona BigLOAD junior rake from Burgon and Ball

Town and Country 2-in-1 lawn rake

RRP: £12.99

Our rating: 3.75 out of 5

Available from Tooled Up

Pros

• Recycled and recyclable materials
• Handle slots off
• Good value

Cons

• Tines don’t scarify well
• Tines too wide apart to collect leaves
• Unfinished wooden handle

This lightweight and eco-friendly rake features a sustainable wood handle and a detachable head, allowing for compact storage. The design makes it easy to handle and good value for money, with recycled and recyclable materials used throughout. However, the tines are set quite far apart, making it less effective at collecting smaller leaves, and it does not scarify as well as some other models. The unfinished wooden handle is best used with gloves for comfort. The head can be removed and used as a leaf grabber, adding to its practicality. This rake comes with a one-year warranty.

Buy the Town and Country 2-in-1 lawn rake from Masseys and Tooled Up

Bulldog leaf lawn rake 48

RRP: £26.36

Our rating: 3.5 out of 5

Available from Thompson & Morgan

Pros

• Feels solid
• Tines rake well

Cons

• Heavy and inflexible
• Short handle grip
• Leaves stick to tines

The Bulldog leaf lawn rake 48 is a robust and solidly built plastic rake with a coated metal handle. Its cranked tines and tensioning bar help it rake leaves effectively, though leaves can sometimes become caught in the tines. The rake feels sturdy in use, and the solid section of the head aids in gathering leaves, but the tool is heavy and inflexible, and the handle grip is rather short. This rake is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Buy the Bulldog leaf lawn rake 48 from Amazon and Thompson & Morgan

Wilkinson Sword adjustable rake

RRP: £12.99

Our rating: 3.75 out of 5

Available from Tooled Up

Pros

• Light and easy to use
• Adjustable length and width
• Good in borders

Cons

• Flimsy and uncomfortable
• Leaves get stuck in tines
• Can’t scarify

This light and adjustable aluminium rake offers a head width ranging from 19-61cm and an extendable shaft from 1.26-1.6m, making it suitable for a variety of garden tasks and easy to store. The short rubber grip can be uncomfortable during prolonged use, and the rake feels somewhat flimsy and springy. While it is effective for raking in borders and smaller areas, it's less suitable for scarifying, and leaves can become stuck in the tines. It comes with a ten-year warranty.

Buy the Wilkinson Sword adjustable rake from Tooled Up

Our expert testers trial hundreds of garden tools to find out which will do the job well and offer the best value, comfort and quality. If you're looking for more kit for your garden tidy up see our reviews of the best garden gloves, the best leaf blowers and the best cordless mowers.

How to use a soil rake

To use a soil rake effectively, follow our tips below:

• When preparing a bed for sowing, use the tines to break up the top layer of soil, removing any lumps or small stones
• You'll create what is known as the tilth, the top layer of soil, which is ideal for seed sowing, giving them room to establish a root system in the freshly raked soil
• You can use the edge of the rake to create a seed drill, ideal for controlling the depth at which you want to sow your seeds.
• Use the back of the rake to even out the soil surface

How to use a lawn and leaf rake

To rake efficiently and look after your back, follow our tips below:

• Don't overreach and use small strokes, raking in sections to make lots of small piles rather than one huge one
• Raking onto a tarp makes collecting as you go easier, and leaves can then be poured into bags or a wheelbarrow so they don't keep blowing away
• Rake when leaves are dry rather than wet, as they're less heavy to carry
• To remove thatch from a lawn, rake vigorously in more than one direction to get as much thatch out as you can. Use a metal-tined lawn rake for this job
• Add your collected leaves and thatch to the compost, or make leaf mould by storing wet leaves in plastic bags with small holes in them, or by making a leaf mould bin

How to choose a garden rake

Having the right rake that suits you and your needs will help make spring soil preparation, or the autumn tidy up, easy and pleasurable. Think about the following aspects before you choose:

Is it comfortable and the right fit? Rakes come in different lengths and weights, and it’s important to pick one that suits you. The more rakes you can try for size, the better. A rake should feel good in your hand, so make sure the handle is comfortable, smooth and thick enough for a good grip. It’s also essential to find a rake that feels well balanced, while also being neither too heavy and tiring to use nor too light to grab the soil, thatch or leaves without you pushing down hard. Choose a longer handle and a heavier weight if you’re tall and strong, or a lighter one if that suits you better. Weigh up the rake in your hands to see if it feels balanced, and if the handle is long enough for your reach.

Which materials do you prefer? A stainless steel head is rust-resistant and usually more expensive, while carbon steel is stronger but cheaper and often coated to preserve it against rust. Traditional handles are made from wood, which often balances the rake head nicely and makes for a sturdy, warm-to-the-touch grip. Metal handles offer a strong alternative but can be cold to the touch and slippery when wet.

Where are you working? Think about how much you’ll use this rake, and what your soil conditions are like. If you have a plot with less-than-ideal soil, then something sturdy and strong will fit the bill, but a keen vegetable gardener with well-worked beds might want something with more tines that are closer together to create a fine tilth quickly. Narrower heads are suitable for working between rows and in smaller spaces.

How we tested garden rakes

The BBC Gardeners' World Magazine reviews team tested a range of different soil, lawn and leaf rakes, using them to rake a range of soils to a fine tilth, remove leaves from borders and lawns, and to scarify and remove thatch from the lawn. The following criteria were used to calculate the scores, with equal weight given to each:

• Design: Observed the materials the rake is made from, any special features, how it was packaged and storage features
• Comfort: Evaluated the weight of the tool, the length of the handle and its balance, any grip and how it feels in use
• Performance: Tested how well it rakes, whether leaves got stuck on the tines, and whether it’s easy to pick up leaves and thatch
• Value for money: Considered all of the above, plus whether it feels well-made and built to last, the length of warranty and if its design is worth its price

For more information on our testing process, see How we review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, freelance powered tools tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, freelance garden writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com, and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

This review was last updated in January 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.