The 10 Best Reacher Grabbers
Special Honors
ULine Pro Trash Picker If you need to grab at objects high up in a gutter or tree, or collect litter from the ground as part of your job while riding around in a cart, the ULine Pro Trash Picker, which has a 96-inch reach is a smart choice. It features an inline handle and has a maximum load capacity of 10 pounds. uline.com
Editor's Notes
July 14, 2020:
Whether you are dealing with permanent or temporary mobility issues, or have a job that requires you to pick up a lot of stuff off the ground, like clearing litter from a park, reacher grabbers can be an invaluable tool. When compiling our list, we kept the many varied used in mind and did our best to include options that are well suited to just about any task.
If you are outfitting a team of people for a beach clean up or employees who are responsible for keeping park grounds free of trash, few are better than the ArcMate EZ 40S. It is built tough enough to withstand commercial use, and the 40-inch reach should completely eliminate the need for any bending.
Without a doubt, the most versatile option is the TackLife RG01, though the RMS Soft-Grip is a close second. The former has an angle-adjustable shaft, which means you can set it to almost any position that makes grasping at an object easier and more comfortable, plus it boasts an impressive 12-pound vertical load capacity. The former folds in half for storage and has an integrated clip that allows you to attach it to a wheelchair or walker. Additionally, because only one part of the jaw moves, many may find it easier to use when precision maneuvering is important.
Since we think many users will find trigger grips to be the most comfortable to use, they make up the majority of the options on our list. That being said, we do realize that some may prefer an inline handle, like that found on the Unger Professional Nifty Nabber. The Duro-Med Rotating Claw falls somewhere between a trigger grip and an inline handle, which can make it a good choice for people who don't find either of the other styles perfectly fits their needs.
While there isn't a lot of innovation from year to year on reacher grabbers, we did decide to remove the Sammons Preston. With a maximum weight lifting capacity of just one pound, we felt its usability around the home was greatly limited.
June 08, 2019:
Depending on your needs and personal circumstances, a reacher grabber can be anything from a convenience to a luxury to an absolute necessity. For some people suffering from reduced mobility, the right tool can really improve quality of life as it eliminates precarious stretching to reach objects that are too high or too low to grasp comfortably. A good grasper brings everything back within reach.
To get the most out of your grasper tool, you need to consider strength of grip, ease of operation, value, length, and material durability. For this update, we re-evaluated selections based on these key considerations, favoring longer models made of aluminum over those made of plastic. Longer ones are a bit more versatile than their shorter cousins, though there's certainly a place for short ones, and a couple of them made our list.
Added the Zayad Foldable Claw as a top selection because of its ability to grasp up to five pounds and its exceptional value and sturdiness for the price. We also removed one item due to concerns about its availability, and replaced an expensive Sammons Preston model with one from the same manufacturer that offers similar construction and benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Benefits Of Using A Reacher Grabber
When doing yard work, a reacher grabber can be an invaluable tool.
Reachers grabbers are simple tools that can aid a person in retrieving an item that is just out of reach, whether because it is too high or too low. They are designed with a long shaft, which is connected to a sort of gripping device that can be activated when the user squeezes the handle.
Reacher grabbers are beneficial to a range of people. Elderly who may have trouble bending over to grasp items that have fallen can use one so they don't have to strain themselves. They can also use one to grab items off of high shelves without having to risk falling from a step ladder. For people in wheelchairs or those with certain types of mobility disabilities, picking up items off of the floor can sometimes be nearly impossible. With a reacher grabber, the worry of dropping an item and being unable to retrieve it is a thing of the past.
It may not be a secret that reacher grabbers can be helpful for the elderly and those with medical issues, such as arthritis, spinal cord injuries, or any other type of disability, many people don't realize how convenient they can be for the average person. It is not uncommon to drop an item and have it roll underneath the couch or some other piece of heavy furniture. With a reacher grabber, one can retrieve the dropped item, without having to move the furniture. If one has a lot of high cabinets in their home, but doesn't have much space and would rather not store a step ladder of some kind, a reacher grabber can allow them to access all of their items, while taking up hardly any storage room.
When doing yard work, a reacher grabber can be an invaluable tool. Oftentimes when working in the yard, it is necessary to reach into areas that are hard to access or just plain dirty. Examples of this include trying to get at some debris that has fallen into a murky pond, or trying to clear leaves away from a bush with thorns. Reacher grabbers allow one to accomplish these tasks without getting dirty or taking the chance of getting stabbed by thorns. They can also be used to pick up garbage that may have fallen out of the bin when being dumped into the garbage truck.
Types Of Reacher Grabbers
Reacher grabbers can be broadly categorized into three main types suction cup, claws, and rotators. Reachers grabbers which have a suction cup gripping mechanism have a jaw with two suction cups at the tip, one at each end. As with every type of reacher grabber, they have a trigger somewhere in the handle that controls the closing of the jaws, and they will automatically spread open again once the trigger is released. Suction cup grabbers are ideal for picking up slightly rounded items which might slip out of claw reacher grabbers or be damaged by them. This includes items like golf balls and delicate electronics. They are also very effective for changing light bulbs without having to purchase a dedicated bulb changer.
Claw reacher grabbers are ideal for really small objects, like sunglasses and keys.
Claw reacher grabbers are ideal for really small objects, like sunglasses and keys. They are also the best choice if one will be picking up items attached to a ring of some sort or a handled bag. Claw reacher grabbers will usually have some kind of non-slip gripping surface at the tips of the claws. Not only does this make grabbing items easier, it also helps to prevent damaging items.
A rotating reacher grabber has a head that is capable of rotating a full 90 degrees. This makes them especially useful as one can grasp items that have either a vertical or horizontal orientation, without having to twist their wrist. This can be a boon to those with wrist injuries. Rotating reacher grabbers can have either a claw or suction cup-based gripping mechanism.
Picking The Right Reacher Grabber For You
Picking the correct reacher grabber depends on how it will be used. Those who plan on using one to regularly lift heavy objects might do well to pick a very sturdy model with a high weight capacity, even if it weighs twice as much as other brands. If one does not have a lot of arm strength every extra ounce can make a difference in which case one that weighs just eight or ten ounces might be the best choice.
Some reacher grabbers have small metal magnets in the gripping tips. This can be especially beneficial when trying to pick up really small metal items that are difficult to grip. A locking jaw is another feature that many people find useful. While the majority of reacher grabbers automatically spring open once the trigger is released, some have the ability to be locked in place and can continue to grasp an item without the user having to keep pressure on it the whole time. For those with arthritis, this can make using one significantly easier and less painful.
Those who plan on taking their reacher grabber everywhere they go would do well to purchase one with a folding shaft. This will allow it to be easily stored during travel. Others may appreciate a model with an adjustable shaft. Some have the ability to increase the shaft length anywhere from ten to twenty inches when needed.