Amazon Basics Telescopic Tine Lawn Rake

Product Information

B.D.: I tend to prefer plastic rakes with fiberglass handles because they seem to hold up better and are also generally lighter than wooden or metal options, which makes the plastic-fiberglass rakes easier to use. 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 The handle on this rake has grooves for better gripping and a rim to prevent your hands from slipping down the pole. We were also able to extend and shorten the pole’s length depending on our height and how far we wanted to reach. Our Score Our team researched some of the most important factors to consider before buying a garden rake to help you choose one that’s right for you. Type

Customers liked how lightweight this rake was, as it didn’t tire out their arms during use. They also said that the adjustable pole was easy to use, making it possible for several family members to use the same rake. However, its lightweight nature was also an indicator of its quality. Several customers said that it broke when used for medium- or heavy-duty tasks. Our Experience Fungus growth: Fungus grows in humid and cool conditions, which normally occur in the fall months when your leaves are on the ground. Fungus will start to grow in the leaves, infecting your lawn and creating yellow, white, or brown spots in the grass. Leaf rakes have long, skinny tines that sit in a triangular or fan-shaped arrangement—also called the head—specifically intended to gather up leaves and light materials. Leaf rakes are not meant to be used for branches, stones, or other heavy yard materials and for these tasks we recommend using a metal rake. If you’re looking for a versatile rake, consider one that weighs 2 or 3 pounds. Not only does this allow you to complete a variety of tasks, but it also prevents your arms from getting tired during use. Yard Size We tested it in its shrub position by raking pine straw in between shrubs. We also fully extended it and tested it in a larger bed with pine straw and leaves. The tines performed well in the shrub position, but when we extended them to rake larger debris, they bent under too much pressure.After finishing our tests, we rated each rake based on its ease of use and comfort using a scale of 1-5. Extra features like adjustability and grip material, along with the handle’s length and the head’s width, factored into the ease of use score. The comfort score was based on how tired our arms and hands felt after performing each task. Scoring A rake’s head width refers to how far the tines on the rake fan out. Rakes with a wider head are good for clearing a lot of material at once, but if you’re doing more detailed work around plants, a rake with a smaller head may be a better option. Weight Most tines are made of metal or plastic. Metal tines are more durable, but they’re heavier and tend to make garden rakes more expensive. Rakes with plastic tines aren’t as durable as metal rakes, but they’re more affordable and lightweight. Occasionally, you’ll find tines made of resin that give you the durability of metal and the flexibility of plastic. Head Width

While customers said the product was heavy, they liked that most of the weight was in the head. They said that this allowed the head to break through compact soil without requiring too much force. However, some customers expressed a desire for the handle to be longer. Our Experience Each testing metric was worth five points and a rake’s final score was an average of the three metric scores. Leaves, pine straw, and other materials shouldn’t collect on the tines while you use the rake. Having to stop and clear your tines of materials can slow down your task and increase the time you spend in your yard. ErgonomicsTask efficiency—We gave each rake a rating on a scale of 1-5 based on how efficiently it performed its designated task. Rakes made from fiberglass or aluminum tend to weigh less, whereas steel models offer more long-term durability but may have you tired after an hour or so of raking. Plastic options aren’t susceptible to rust but an all-plastic head may not be as durable as a metal or poly option. Size The rake was also easy to use. We liked that the rubber gripping went several inches down the handle because that allowed it to accommodate larger hands. However, our arms felt slightly tired after using the rake because of its heavy metal head. Our Score

During our task efficiency tests, we counted the number of times we had to pause and clear the rake of leaves, pine straw, or debris. ErgonomicsBecause 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