A gravel rake is a gardeners must! Although designed for use on gravel, it can be used for so much more than just this so you can be sure that you are going to get your monies worth! There are multiple uses for a gravel rake – the main one being collecting dead leaves and debris from a gravel path and redistributing gravel so that it is spread evenly on your paths or driveways. Not only will this really neaten and freshen up your paths and driveways but it will help to ensure that they are long lasting too!
Like we mentioned, gravel rakes are handy for so much more than just that! They can be used for removing leaves and debris from grass and even from bedding areas too! We definitely think that if you purchase a gravel rake you will be surprised as to the amount of uses that you find for it! We have compared some of the best gravel rakes so that you don’t have to, including all the key features that you need to ensure you purchase the right one!
Best Pick – Roughneck ROU68636 Aluminium Landscape Rake
- Ideal for preparing soil for planting or laying turf
- TUBULAR FIBREGLASS HANDLE washable with soft grip
- 36 LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINIUM TINES
- HANDLE LENGTH 1700mm (67")
- HEAD WIDTH 900mm (36”)
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In A Hurry?
If you gravel is looking rather sorry for itself, with membrane and weeds fighting for attention then get reading this bit of the article. All the essential information you need before you can get back out there and reclaim your gravel!
Build Materials
You will often find the head and the handle of your gravel rake are made from different materials, so you need to look at both of these to decide what is going to be right for you. The most popular material for the head of the rake is metal, as this is going to be strong, long-lasting and durable. You will then find that the handle is either a continuation of this metal, meaning that the rake is going to be relatively light but also strong, or will be made from wood, which offers a more traditional (yet still long-lasting) style. Make sure to check the type of metal that your rake is made from. Aluminium is going to be the best to go for as this will be rust-proof, but steel is a close second providing it is high quality (just remember to bear in mind that it is going to be heavier)!
There are occasions when you will find the full rake made from wood, which will usually be cheaper and is softer on the ground than a metal rake being scraped along. However, there are downsides to this, such as the maintenance that wood needs to be kept in good, rot-free condition, and the stability of the tines on the rake. Wood isn’t going to be quite as strong as metal, particularly not over time, so you could find some of the teeth breaking off, which is going to make it much more difficult to rake your gravel evenly.
Fibreglass is becoming a more popular choice for the handle of many gravel rakes – although it won’t offer the traditional look of wood it is light and durable, plus rust free, so arguably a more long lasting material. However, they are more expensive and although they won’t rust like other metals do, they can become brittle and break if they are left outside for too long in adverse weather, so this is worth factoring in.
It is worth considering that some gravel rakes will be perfect to also use on vegetable patches or larger bedding areas in your garden, so making sure that you purchase a gravel rake that is able to withstand these conditions too could take you money in the long run.
TOP TIP: If you are opting for a metal rake made from steel then look to see if the rake has been powder-coated before you buy. If it hasn’t then this will rapidly increase the rate at which is rusts and becomes worn.
Size and Weight
Gravel rakes come in a wide range of different sizes depending on what you are looking for. A larger rake with a wider head is going to be able to cover a larger area of your paths and driveways in one sweep, which can help you to get the job done quicker. However, they can then become quite heavy which can make them difficult to work with so it is important to find a reasonable balance. Not only this, but a wider head on your gravel rake could make it difficult to maintain smaller pathways and potentially damage grass or bedding areas on either side, so it is important to think about exactly where you are going to be raking! For this very reason, there is a wide variety of sizes that you can opt for when looking at the heads of your gravel rakes, from as small as around 20 inches up to around 40 inches!
You also need to consider the height of the rake – particularly if you aren’t “average” height. The right height of gravel rake is going to help to reduce back pain and fatigue when you are working and this can normally be judged by if the rake is about the height of your mouth/nose when standing straight on the floor. We found the average height of the handle to be between around 65 inches and 75 inches but there are models that come outside of this range by quite a bit!
When looking at the weight of your gravel rake, without a doubt you will find a lighter weight easier to work with overall and this is largely dependent on the build material that you opt for (more on this above). If you are only going to be working with small types of debris in your garden, such as leaves and grass cuttings, then you can probably get away with opting for the lightest rake you can find. However, there are occasions when a heavier gravel rake may be more popular. For example, if you are hoping to use your rake to also even out the gravel in your garden, then opting for a heavier gravel rake could make this process easier as it will have more strength to push larger pieces of gravel.
Teeth
The next thing you need to look at is the number and style of teeth that you have found on your rake. The thicker the metal the better, as this is going to help your rake to last longer – thinner teeth can be prone to breakage or becoming bent. We would also recommend looking out for blunt teeth – these won’t become worn as easily, nor will they scratch and mark the gravel that you are working with. Rounded teeth won’t become clogged with leaves as you work, so will save you time but also will avoid the teeth becoming rotted if the leaves are left there!
You also need to check for the number of teeth that come with your gravel rake. The more teeth you find the better as this will allow a much greater surface area to be covered when you are raking. Not only this, but with teeth that are closer together you will be able to collect even finer pieces of debris and leaves that have fallen onto your gravel – leaving a much more perfect finish!
Best Budget – Green Blade 1 BB-GR101
- Strong steel shaft with rubber grip
- Manufactured with a carbon steel head comprising 12 polished teeth
- Durable rust - resistant finish
- Use to break and level soil
- Ultra strong, lightweight design and comfort handle
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Best Gravel Rake Features
Here are some of the features we found on the best gravel rakes, that we think are definitely worth looking out for.
- Comfort grip – Chances are you are going to be using your gravel rake regularly, so although it needs to be practical, you also need to think about your own comfort when you are using it. Some of the best gravel rakes have foam or rubber padding around the top of the rake where your hands sit, to reduce fatigue and rubbing whilst you are working. You also want to look out for gravel rakes that have either a second grip section, or an extended grip, so that your second hand will be comfortable further down the rake as well.
- Replaceable head – Some gravel rakes have a handle and head that are joined together in a socket. This means that if the head becomes worn or damaged from raking this can be replaced easily, instead of having to replace the whole tool. It is worth mentioning though that this can make them weaker at the join so check for a high-quality model.
- Flat edged rake – Some of our favourite rakes have a head with a flat, straight edge above the teeth. This allows you to flip the rake over and use the other side to level out the gravel that you are working on much easier than trying to use the teeth. If you are wanting that perfectly smooth look for your gravel paths then this is definitely a feature to look out for! This is also great for moving large piles of gravel if your path or driveway has been a little neglected and you have underlay showing in some areas.
- Braced Head – This is actually now a more common feature, but still one that is worth a mention. Look out for a gravel rake that has a braced head – two pieces of metal (usually) that form extra stability in joining the head of the rake to the handle. This saves all of the pressure and strain going down one main joint between the handle and the head of the gravel rake so not only increases the pressure that you put in but helps to reduce breakage and damage to your rake when used regularly.
- Plastic teeth – Plastic, flexible teeth are not something that we would normally recommend for a gravel rake as you are going to find yourself having to put in considerably more effort, plus some are prone to breakage. However, if you have particularly fine gravel and low levels of debris then you could actually find plastic teeth a much better option. It will smooth out your gravel beautifully and avoid any damage or scratches.
Best of the Rest
- Landscape rake with a cast aluminium head and a wooden shaft
- The head has 18 teeth and is attached to a 1.8 m (72 in.) handle
- Width: 68 cm (27 in.)
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- ✔Heat treated carbon steel head for strength and durability.
- ✔Epoxy coated can help to reduce soil adhesion and improved rust resistance
- ✔Soft-feel handle for comfortable use and extra grip.
- ✔Product dimensions :Total length: approx 130cm ;handle length: approx 120cm.Rake head length:33.5cm .Rake head wide:8 cm
- ✔Designed specifically for the young gardener
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I rake my gravel driveway?
This really depends on the amount of debris that builds up in your garden, for example how often you mow your lawn and whether there are many trees and shrubs in your garden. If your driveway is prone to collecting debris then we would recommend raking around once a week, particularly through summer and autumn when there will be more garden debris. However, if your garden is more low maintenance than that then you may be able to get away with once a month!
How to look after my gravel rake?
Although we appreciate that you are buying your gravel rake to look after your paths and driveways, the rake itself is going to need some looking after! It is really important that you wipe down/clean your gravel rake after use, particularly if you have been using it to remove debris such as weeds and leaves from your gravel. This is because these can become stuck in between the tines and repeated exposure to this debris can cause any metal or wooden parts to rot or rust.
Can you get a warranty with a gravel rake?
Yes! There are many gravel rakes that come with a warranty, which helps to provide ease of mind when making your purchase. Some of the best gravel rakes actually come with a lifetime warranty – so you will never need to buy another one! You can’t ask for much better than that!
How do I rake my gravel driveway?
The first thing to do is use the rake to remove any leaves, debris or weeds from the driveway (it is worth using weed killer a couple of days before if you have the time). Once you have removed the majority of the garden waste from the driveway set about levelling the surface. For areas that are particularly uneven use the flat side of the gravel rake, and for general neatening you can get away with using the teeth.
How can I stop the teeth from breaking on my gravel rake?
One of the downsides to a plastic gravel rake is the fact that the teeth can be prone to snapping and breaking. The best way to avoid this is to remove any large stones or debris from the area by hand before you start raking. Then make sure that you only work on the surface of the gravel rather than digging the rake down deep into the gravel.
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