The 9 Best Leaf Grabbers
Editor's Notes
February 15, 2021:
We made a few changes during this update to include a bit more variety in our recommendations, while also eliminating models that were too similar. For example, we removed the ReLeaf Scoops, since they were essentially just a rebranded version of the Gardzen Scoops, and the latter feature padding where they come into contact with the wrists, a known irritation point. We also eliminated the GardenHome Lady Bugs and Midwest Gloves Lawn Claws, as neither offered anything the Rugg Gardex Original didn't, except the plastic they are made of was a bit too flimsy and prone to breakage.
Replacing the eliminated models we have the Bosmere N450, which we like because it keeps your hands in a natural position as you work, as opposed to the Gator Grabber 500C, which, while useful, can sometimes be a bit awkward to use. We also added the XCSource Garden Rake because it not only makes short work of picking up yard waste, but gathering it too. It is similar in usage to the Amazing Rake 3-In-1, but has a bit more of a traditional design that will feel familiar in the hands, so some may like it better.
November 04, 2019:
Even when you have a dependable and powerful leaf blower, you’ll still need to pick up all of those leaves, grass clippings, branches, and other debris for disposal. That’s where a handy leaf grabber can come in handy, to make a lesser chore of all the gathering and pickup.
Joining our selection is the Tabor Tools LS12A, which comes from a company that has been making gardening and landscaping tools since 1982 (including hand pruners, harvesting sheers, sprayers, axes, shovels, and snow pushers). In addition to gathering and picking up leaves, these scoops are great for transporting and spreading compost and mulch. They’re sized to fit into yard bags and trash cans, to help make cleanup quick and efficient. They’re easy to spot in your garage or on your lawn, thanks to their bright red color. And, they’re made of highly durable, crack- and UV-resistant materials.
The Gardzen Large Scoops, another new addition, feature a large, 17-by-17-inch size that makes quick work of picking up large loads of debris, leaves, and trash. As an added bonus, they come with a 72-gallon collection bag and pads to keep your wrists comfortable during use. They’re equipped with hanging holes for easy storage and you can purchase them with confidence, thanks to their money-back guarantee.
Since they’re no longer available, the Mixtitude Garden Scoops and the Garden GrabX leave the list at this time.
October 13, 2018:
Updated images to give better product views, confirmed item availability, and promoted an item to the top three due to its reputation for quality.
Do I Really Need A Leaf Grabber?
When time is of the essence, your best bet is a giant set of molded, plastic gloves to help you fill those bags more quickly.
If you're like a lot of homeowners, your garage or storage shed is probably already overflowing with a growing collection of tools, seasonal recreational gear, and children's toys. It might seem unnecessary to add one more specialized garden tool into the mix, but the simple addition of a leaf grabber to your arsenal can make a huge difference in the amount of time and effort spent on your annual fall clean up. You'll get a lot of bang for your buck, as these gadgets tend to be inexpensive and don't require the same costly maintenance you'd have to deal with if you chose to invest in a leaf blower.
Leaf grabbers come in two basic styles, either in the form of large mitts for scooping up over-flowing handfuls with ease, or long-handled models that don't require any bending over. When time is of the essence, your best bet is a giant set of molded, plastic gloves to help you fill those bags more quickly. This choice will be a little easier on your back because you'll significantly reduce the number of times you need to bend over. You'll want to be sure the handles fit securely over your hands, so you're not constantly dropping them, but take into account whether you plan to wear gardening or work gloves. This type of grabber is very easy to store, as well. They'll often nest inside one another, and come with pre-drilled holes for easy hanging.
When bending over repeatedly is no longer an option, but you still want to get out there and enjoy that autumn sunshine, look for a model that is about the length of a typical rake with a set of grabbers on the end. While you'll still be able to pick up more leaves than you would with just your bare hands, this style comes with a bit of a learning curve in figuring out how to maneuver the leaves into its claws and then into the bag. This method won't save you as much time as the giant mitts, but your back will thank you.
Remember that as you age, the trees on your property will continue to grow larger and shed more leaves with each passing year, but a small change in how you clean up those leaves can be the difference between shelling out major bucks to a landscaping company or continuing to do it yourself.
Other Uses For A Leaf Grabber
Once you own a leaf grabber, you may find yourself reaching for it more often than you'd expect. After all, having a pair of extra-large hands around can only be a good thing. The glove-style grabbers are equally functional when performing the opposite chore of spreading a large quantity of something around. Anyone who has ever faced a giant pile of mulch in their driveway can appreciate the amount of time that can be saved on this back-breaking task.
Don't forget to reach for your leaf grabbers when picking up other yard debris such as thorny branches or pine needles that might poke holes through standard gardening gloves; and you might even want to consider a second clean pair for indoors, especially if you have small children. In households where Legos and other tiny toys seem to multiply overnight, your child might enjoy the novelty of using over-sized hands to scoop them back into the toybox.
The long-handled models make a great tool for cleaning out horse stalls or for the spring dog waste pick-up, especially if you have a larger dog. In fact, they are a perfect choice for picking up anything in your yard that you'd prefer to keep at arm's length. Some styles can be used as a rake in a pinch, to reach items on high shelves, or even knock toys out of trees.
More Leaf Clean-Up Tips
While raking up leaves can be an enjoyable way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors and gorgeous fall weather, you certainly don't need to pick up and bag every single leaf to enjoy these benefits. Tree-loving homeowners will be happy to know that they don't have to cut down any trees to reduce the amount of leaves they'll need to bag and pay to have hauled away this fall.
It's best to mulch leaves back into the grass early in the fall before there is a thick layer covering your lawn.
Investing in a mulching mower is the best way to reduce the over all number of leaves you need to pick up. In fact, many newer models of lawn mowers include a mulching blade as standard equipment. This special blade chops grass and leaf clippings into smaller pieces, causing them to break down and release their nutrients more rapidly. It's best to mulch leaves back into the grass early in the fall before there is a thick layer covering your lawn. In fact, even if your grass growth has slowed down already for the season, you can simply run the mower over the fallen leaves to create a great autumn fertilizer. As long as you can still see the grass showing through the leaves, the grass won't be smothered. Just be sure not to mulch leaves over patches of new grass, or if you've over-seeded a large part of your lawn over the fall. If the grass cover isn't dense enough, even the finest cut leaves may smother the new growth.
Once fall is in full swing, another way to use your mulching mower is to run it over a thicker layer of leaves with the bag attached. Once full, you can remove the bag and spread a layer of chopped leaves over your existing landscaping, allowing the leaves to break down and enrich your soil for next year's growing season. In addition, the leaf cover will provide a bit of insulation for the cold winter months. In the end, you'll have fewer leaves to pick up, saving you time, effort, and money, and giving you a healthier landscape to boot.