The Best Bow Rakes of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

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A bow rake, also known simply as a garden rake, differs from a leaf rake in that it has thicker, shorter tines spaced farther apart. Bow rakes are meant for dealing with heavier materials, like sand, dirt, gravel, and compacted turf. This sturdy design makes this type of rake the perfect tool for leveling soil, spreading mulch, gravel, and pine needles, cultivating soil, and other work in the garden and the yard.

We tested six top bow rakes to determine which ones offer the best performance and build quality, spending hours raking through gravel, hard dirt, and mulch. When the dust cleared, we found the Kobalt garden bow rake, with its top-notch build quality, long handle, and wide head, to be the best of these essential lawn care tools. 

Ahead, we break down all of our findings for all six rakes while reviewing what factors you need to consider when shopping for a bow rake for your arsenal of gardening tools.

1. BEST OVERALL: Kobalt 60-Inch Garden Rake
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Anvil 47-Inch Bow Rake
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3. BEST UPGRADE: Razor-Back 60.75-Inch Bow Rake
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4. BEST DUAL SIDED: Ames 57.5-Inch Double Play Bow Rake
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5. BEST VERSATILE: Workpro 65-Inch Bow Rake
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6. BEST DURABLE: Husky 57-Inch Bow Rake
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Best Bow Rakes at a Glance

Our Top Picks

The following recommendations take into account the abovementioned features and overall quality and value. Read on to discover some of the best bow gardening and landscaping rakes on the market. 

Our Ratings

Kobalt has a well-earned reputation for making quality tools at an affordable price, and that’s the case with its bow rake. First, it’s well built, with a steel head and sturdy fiberglass handle. A long metal collar that extends 8 inches from the head up the handle makes for a sturdy connection while protecting the handle from damage while raking. Unlike other bow rakes, the head is constructed of a single piece of metal, so there are no welds that can fail. We also liked the wide 17-inch tines, which allow us to cover a lot of ground with each pull. The tines bit nicely into gravel and showed little to no wear after use. While there is more bend in the handle than we experienced with other rakes, it’s not enough to detract significantly from its performance. The rake weighs under 4 pounds and has a balanced feel to it. The handle also has a comfortable soft rubberized grip that extends from the top of the handle. And at 60 inches long, we didn’t have to bend over as much to rake with it. These qualities made the Kobalt one of the most comfortable metal rakes to use over longer efforts. 

What our tester says: “This affordably priced metal bow rake is durably made and well balanced with a wide head and long handle that make it suitable for big jobs.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Get the Kobalt bow rake at Lowe’s.

Our Ratings

Anvil’s bow rake is built to handle lighter-duty jobs. It’s noticeably smaller, with a narrower 14-tine head and 47-inch length. This makes the rake lighter and hence easier to pull through material than larger 60-inch metal rakes with wider heads. Its compact size made it easier to work the soil in our raised garden bed than the rakes we tested with longer handles and wider heads. Larger jobs were a different story. We found ourselves having to stoop over to spread gravel and larger amounts of mulch. We also weren’t able to create as much leverage with this rake as we could with those that had longer handles, which made it more difficult to move heavier material, like gravel. Durability was mixed with the Anvil bow rake. While the wood handle feels solid and sturdy, the wood is unfinished, which gives it a rough texture and makes it more susceptible to damage from water. The Anvil is a great budget-priced rake for smaller jobs, and its short handle and narrow head make it ideal for those who may struggle to handle longer, heavier rakes. That said, it’s undersized for handling larger jobs that require a metal rake. 

Get the Anvil Bow Rake at The Home Depot.

Our Ratings

Razorback’s bow rake is designed for heavy-duty jobs and daily use. It boasts a durable fiberglass handle and a wide 15-tine head. Not surprisingly, it bit deeply into gravel and hard dirt with ease. While it did require more strength to use, it also pulled up more material with each stroke than any other rake we tested. Its long 60.75-inch length allowed us to use it from an upright position, which was easier on our back while also allowing us to cover more ground with each pull. The rake is one of the most durable we tested, thanks to a steel ferrule and two rivets that connect the head and handle. All of the other rakes we tested use a single rivet to make this connection. The handle is comfortable to use with its rubber grip on the end of the handle and at the midsection, which made it easier on the hands during extended testing. Razorback’s metal rake is among the priciest and heaviest we tested, but worth it if you find yourself using a bow rake often or have bigger jobs to tackle that require a bow rake. 

Get the Razorback bow rake at The Home Depot. 

Our Ratings

Ames’ metal rake has a double-sided head that makes it an effective tool for both raking and leveling out. The head consists of a typical bow rake side with 16 tines, while the reverse side has shallow scalloped tines designed for smoothing out surfaces. This pairing worked particularly well for spreading gravel. We were able to use the rake side for distributing a pile of gravel, then flip the head to smooth it out. Along with its dual functionality, the Ames rake is also one of the lightest we tested, weighing just 3 pounds. We experienced less arm fatigue over 30 minutes of consistent use than we did with other heavier rakes. At 57.5 inches, the handle is long enough to make it comfortable to use for longer jobs. We also like the rubberized grip on the end of the handle that provides cushioning for the hand. The metal head doesn’t feel quite as substantial as some of the other rakes we tested at its price point. Still, its dual sides and lightweight make it a great all-around metal rake for spreading out mulch and gravel. 

What our tester says: “The double-sided design of this bow rake gives you more options when grading and leveling mulch, soil, and gravel.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Get the Ames bow rake at The Home Depot.

Our Ratings

WorkPro’s metal rake is a versatile, affordable, and lightweight bow rake, and the only one we tested that has an adjustable length. The handle consists of four steel pieces that screw together, which allows you to change its length to suit the job or user height. At full length, it measures 65 inches long, making it the longest metal rake we tested. This added length prevented us from having to crouch over, saving our backs, and was also ideal for reaching under larger shrubs and bushes. Despite that added length, it’s one of the lightest rakes we’ve tested, making it easy to use. 

The head has a durable, heavy-duty feel, and the tines bit nicely into gravel and mulch. While we liked the versatility of this rake, we found that the handle did flex more than single-piece handles. The segments also had a tendency to loosen over extended use. The rake has a foam grip on the handle that adds cushioning for the hand. While this made the rake more comfortable to use, the foam doesn’t feel as durable as the rubberized grip on other rakes we tested. 

Get the WorkPro metal rake at Amazon.

Our Ratings

Husky has a reputation for making sturdy gardening tools, and this heavy-duty bow rake is a great example of that. It comes equipped with a thick wood handle that gives it a durable feel. There’s no play in the head to handle connection. The handle also has a thick polyurethane finish that resists water. While the finish makes the handle somewhat slick, there’s a rubber covering the end of the handle that gives you something to grip onto. During testing, the tines cut nicely through tougher materials like gravel and hard dirt, which made it easy to move heavier material around. The rake has a balanced feel to it, and with its 57-inch length, we could keep a more upright position while raking to save our backs. It’s a sturdy well-made bow rake that should last a long time. 

Get the Husky Bow Rake at The Home Depot.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Bow Rakes

After selecting six of the top bow rakes from proven brands, we then put each of these rakes through testing, using them to spread gravel and mulch and break up hard soil. While testing, we evaluated each rake based on several factors. We considered how well the tines cut into material. We also assessed the weight and balance of each rake to determine how easy each one was to use. We also evaluated the build quality of each rake, noting any flex in the handle while using the rake and how securely the rake head was attached to the handle. Finally, we considered each rake’s performance as it pertained to its price tag to determine its overall value. 

Our Testing Scores

What to Consider When Choosing a Bow Rake

All bow rakes, like most types of rakes, are hardly alike, and a number of factors affect how well they work. Keep reading to learn about several of the most important features to consider when choosing the best bow rake for your yard.

Material

While leaf rakes often have plastic heads, bow rakes almost always have metal heads and tines. The tines on this heavy-duty rake are typically steel. They may have a powder coating for extra weather resistance. 

Rake handles come in wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and steel. 

• Wood handles are relatively lightweight and can last for decades—but watch out for splinters. It’s best to use gardening gloves when working with a wooden rake. 
• Aluminum is lightweight and often the material of choice for collapsible telescopic handles. 
• Fiberglass is lightweight, sturdy, and rust-resistant.
• Steel makes for the strongest rake handles, but it adds extra weight. Coated steel and stainless steel are also rust-resistant. 

Length

In terms of ease and comfort of use, the length of a rake makes it or breaks it. The handle should be long enough to ensure the user doesn’t have to bend or stoop while working, but not so long that it’s unwieldy. 

Bow rake handles range in length from about 40 to 70 inches. Taller gardeners should look for rakes that are at least 60 inches long. A 55-inch rake should be comfortable for DIY landscapers who are 5 feet 5 inches and shorter. Some rakes have adjustable telescoping handles to make them suitable for gardeners of varying heights. 

Head and Tines

The bow-shaped head gives this tool its name. The smooth side allows gardeners to push or pull materials for leveling. The heads of bow rakes are almost always made of steel. Be aware that forged steel is sturdier than stamped or cast steel. Look for a head that is either welded to the handle or has steel connecting joints so it won’t separate with heavy use. 

A bow rake usually has between 14 and 18 tines, and they’re typically 2 to 4 inches long. The tines can be straight or slightly curved. The curved ones provide a little better grip. 

Comfort

For a long day of gardening or yard work, comfort is key, and that all depends on the bow rake’s handle. An ergonomic design helps to prevent repetitive strain injuries, while cushioning prevents discomfort in the hands and fingers. A nonslip handle provides increased control even in damp or sweaty hands. Height impacts comfort, too. A rake should be long enough to suit the height of the user.

Weight 

Weight is a key consideration in a bow rake. A model that’s too heavy will cause arm, shoulder, and back pain, not to mention fatigue. Bow rakes generally weigh between 1 and 5 pounds, and are, on average, heavier than even metal leaf rakes. That’s because while many lightweight leaf rakes have plastic heads, bow rakes almost always have heavier steel heads. Rakes with fiberglass handles typically weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds. Wood and steel rakes tend to weigh 3.5 pounds or more. If weight is a primary concern, look for a model with a fiberglass handle. 

FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bow rakes. 

Q. What is a bow rake used for?

In addition to raking leaves, bow rake uses include leveling dirt, sand, or gravel and spreading mulch or pine needles.

Q. Can you rake wet leaves?

Yes. While leaf rakes are a great tool for raking dry leaves, bow rakes can manage damp or waterlogged leaves as well. 

Q. How long do bow rakes last?

A bow rake made of high-quality materials will last for 15 years or longer. 

Q. Where should I store my rake when it’s not in use?

Metal rakes are made from steel, which can rust if left out in the elements. With that in mind, it’s best to store a bow rake in your garage or a shed. 

Q. Are metal or plastic tines better?

That depends on the type of rake. All bow rakes have metal tines, which allow them to spread heavier material, like dirt, gravel, and mulch. A leaf rake can have either metal or plastic tines. While metal tines are more durable, plastic tines are lighter, making them easier on the back over longer leaf collection efforts.

Q. What is the best way to dispose of garden leaves?

The best way to dispose of leaves is to recycle them. You can shred them and add them to a compost pile. Shredded leaves also make great mulch around trees and shrubs, and they do a great job of suppressing weed growth around plants in gardens. You can also use a lawn mower to chop the leaves into tiny pieces, which allows them to drop below the grass blades to nourish the soil. If you can’t find a use for leaves on your property, then check with your local municipality for leaf pickup. 

Meet the Tester

Tony Carrick has contributed to BobVila.com since 2020. He writes how-to articles and product reviews in the areas of lawn and garden, home maintenance, home improvement, auto maintenance, housewares, and technology.

Additional research provided by Savannah Sher.

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