Best Lawn Sweeper

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Lawn sweepers are essential tools that make yard cleanup more efficient by quickly removing leaves, grass clippings, and debris, saving you time and effort compared to raking. These tools help maintain a neat yard and promote healthier grass by preventing thatch buildup. Available in both push models for smaller lawns and tow-behind versions for larger properties, lawn sweepers can accommodate various needs. Some models also feature adjustable brush heights to handle different grass lengths and debris types. When choosing a lawn sweeper, consider factors like yard size, debris type, and frequency of use, as well as the tool’s capacity, durability, and ease of operation. We tested eight popular lawn sweepers to find the best options for different yard sizes and requirements.

  • Agri-Fab Push Sweeper

    10

    We think the Agri-Fab 26″ Push Lawn Sweeper is a useful tool for tackling light yard debris, but it has some limitations.

    10

    We think the Agri-Fab 26″ Push Lawn Sweeper is a useful tool for tackling light yard debris, but it has some limitations.

    Pros

    • Easy to push and maneuver
    • Large 7 cubic foot capacity
    • Adjustable brush height

    Cons

    • Struggles with wet or matted leaves
    • Requires some strength to use
    • May miss small twigs and debris

    We tested the Agri-Fab 26″ Push Lawn Sweeper on a variety of yard surfaces. Its 26-inch wide brush picked up most dry leaves and grass clippings quickly. The large 7 cubic foot bag meant fewer stops to empty debris.

    Adjusting the brush height was simple. We found setting it to barely touch the grass worked best. This let us sweep efficiently without damaging our lawn. The lightweight design made pushing and turning easy, even for longer cleaning sessions.

    The sweeper stumbled with wet or packed leaves. It also missed some small twigs and acorns. While not perfect, it still saved us lots of time compared to raking. For basic yard cleanup in dry conditions, this Agri-Fab model offers good value and convenience.

  • Earthwise Push Lawn Sweeper

    9.7

    We think this lawn sweeper is a decent option for basic leaf collection, but it has some limitations to keep in mind.

    9.7

    We think this lawn sweeper is a decent option for basic leaf collection, but it has some limitations to keep in mind.

    Pros

    • Light and easy to push
    • Wide 21-inch sweep path
    • Adjustable height settings

    Cons

    • Only works well on dry leaves
    • Requires multiple passes
    • Not suitable for wet or windy conditions

    We tested out the Earthwise 21-inch push lawn sweeper on a variety of yard surfaces. It’s very lightweight and simple to maneuver around the lawn. The wide 21-inch brush width helps cover ground quickly when sweeping up fallen leaves.

    One thing we liked was the adjustable height settings. We could easily switch between sweeping leaves off grass versus hard surfaces like driveways. But we found it works best on flat areas with short, freshly cut grass.

    This sweeper struggles with anything besides dry leaves. We tried it on pine cones and small twigs, but it couldn’t pick those up. It also didn’t do well in damp conditions – the wet leaves just got stuck in the brushes. On windy days, a lot of debris blew away before reaching the collection bin.

    We had to make several passes to get most leaves picked up. The first pass only grabbed about 70% of leaves. For a totally clean lawn, we needed 3-4 passes in some spots. While not perfect, we still found it faster and easier than raking by hand.

  • Gardena Leaf Collector

    9.5

    We think this leaf collector is a good choice for people with small to medium yards who want an eco-friendly way to tidy up leaves and grass clippings.

    9.5

    We think this leaf collector is a good choice for people with small to medium yards who want an eco-friendly way to tidy up leaves and grass clippings.

    Pros

    • Easy to push and maneuver
    • No motor means quiet operation
    • Adjustable height for different surfaces

    Cons

    • Small bag needs frequent emptying
    • Not ideal for very large yards
    • May struggle with wet or matted leaves

    We tested the Gardena Leaf Collector on a variety of yard surfaces. It worked well on short grass and paved areas, picking up dry leaves and grass clippings with ease. The adjustable height let us sweep effectively on different surfaces.

    The collector was light and easy to push. We liked that it didn’t make any noise. This made yard work more pleasant. The handles felt comfortable, and we didn’t have to bend over much.

    One downside we noticed was the small bag size. We had to empty it often when cleaning a larger area. It also didn’t work as well on wet leaves or in very thick grass. For big yards with lots of trees, a larger powered model might be better.

  • Agri-Fab 52″ Lawn Sweeper

    9.4

    We recommend this lawn sweeper for its large capacity and effective debris collection, making yard cleanup a breeze.

    9.4

    We recommend this lawn sweeper for its large capacity and effective debris collection, making yard cleanup a breeze.

    Pros

    • Big 26 cubic foot hopper
    • Wide 52-inch sweep path
    • Easy dump-from-seat feature

    Cons

    • Assembly can be tricky
    • Quite heavy at 86 pounds
    • May struggle with very wet debris

    We tried out the Agri-Fab 52″ Lawn Sweeper on a big yard full of fall leaves. The wide 52-inch sweep path helped us clean up fast. We liked how it picked up not just leaves, but grass clippings and small twigs too.

    The huge 26 cubic foot hopper was a game-changer. We didn’t have to stop and empty it as often as smaller models we’ve used before. When it was time to dump, the rope let us do it right from the tractor seat. This saved us a lot of time and effort.

    We found the brush height easy to adjust. This let us set it just right for different types of debris and grass heights. The semi-pneumatic wheels gave a smooth ride, even on bumpy lawns. While it’s on the heavy side, it felt sturdy and built to last. We think it’s a solid choice for anyone with a big yard to keep tidy.

  • GreenSweep Push Sweeper

    9.3

    We think the GreenSweep Push Sweeper is a decent option for light yard cleanup, but it has some drawbacks to consider.

    9.3

    We think the GreenSweep Push Sweeper is a decent option for light yard cleanup, but it has some drawbacks to consider.

    Pros

    • Easy to assemble and store
    • No motor means always ready to use
    • Adjustable brush height for different surfaces

    Cons

    • Lightweight design may struggle with heavy debris
    • Assembly instructions could be clearer
    • Performance varies based on walking speed

    We tried out the GreenSweep Push Sweeper on a leafy lawn. Its 21-inch wide brush picked up most leaves and small twigs as we pushed it along. The 3.5 cubic foot collection bag filled up quickly, which was nice for less frequent emptying.

    The foam-padded handle felt comfy in our hands. We liked how we could adjust its height. At 14 pounds, it was easy to push around the yard. But this light weight also meant it sometimes skipped over wet leaves or larger debris.

    We found the brush height adjustment handy. It let us switch between short grass and longer patches. But we had to go slow – walking too fast made leaves fly over the bag. While not perfect, it beat raking for small cleanups. Just don’t expect it to handle big leaf piles or heavy yard waste.

  • Brinly Lawn Sweeper & Dethatcher

    9.1

    We think this 2-in-1 lawn sweeper and dethatcher is a solid choice for homeowners with large yards looking to save time on lawn maintenance.

    9.1

    We think this 2-in-1 lawn sweeper and dethatcher is a solid choice for homeowners with large yards looking to save time on lawn maintenance.

    Pros

    • Combines sweeping and dethatching in one pass
    • Large 20 cubic foot capacity
    • Wide 42-inch sweep path

    Cons

    • Assembly can be tricky
    • Hamper material could be more durable
    • Pricier than basic lawn sweepers

    We tested the Brinly STS-42BHDK on our sprawling one-acre test yard, and it impressed us with its efficiency. The 42-inch sweep path made quick work of fallen leaves and grass clippings. We loved how it picked up debris while dethatching in a single pass, cutting our usual lawn care time nearly in half.

    The 20 cubic foot hamper is a standout feature. We made fewer trips to empty it compared to smaller models we’ve used. The easy-dump design let us unload without leaving the tractor seat, which was a nice touch.

    While using it, we noticed the 6-brush design and 5:1 brush-to-ground ratio did a thorough job. It grabbed most debris on the first pass, even in damp conditions. The adjustable brush height came in handy on uneven parts of our lawn.

  • Agri-Fab Push Sweeper

    9

    We can’t recommend this push lawn sweeper due to quality issues and assembly difficulties.

    9

    We can’t recommend this push lawn sweeper due to quality issues and assembly difficulties.

    Pros

    • Large 13 cu. ft. hopper capacity
    • Steel frame for durability
    • Forward dump feature for easy debris removal

    Cons

    • Difficult assembly process
    • Wobbliness and stability issues
    • Inconsistent performance on uneven ground

    We tried out the Agri-Fab 30-inch Push Lawn Sweeper hoping it would make yard cleanup easier. The 13 cubic foot hopper seemed promising for collecting lots of leaves and grass clippings. We liked the idea of the forward dump feature to empty debris without much effort.

    Putting it together was a real challenge. The instructions weren’t clear, and some parts didn’t fit well. Once built, the sweeper felt wobbly as we pushed it around the yard. We had to keep adjusting the height to get it to pick up leaves properly.

    On flat areas, it did an okay job sweeping up debris. But it struggled on bumpy ground, often jamming or missing leaves entirely. The bag tore easily too. For the price, we expected better quality and performance. There are likely better options out there for keeping your lawn tidy.

  • Craftsman 42″ Tow Sweeper

    8.7

    We recommend this Craftsman lawn sweeper for its large capacity and efficient sweeping action, though assembly can be tricky.

    8.7

    We recommend this Craftsman lawn sweeper for its large capacity and efficient sweeping action, though assembly can be tricky.

    Pros

    • Huge 22 cubic foot hopper
    • 42-inch wide sweeping path
    • Empties from tractor seat

    Cons

    • Confusing assembly instructions
    • Some quality control issues
    • May struggle on uneven terrain

    After using this Craftsman sweeper, we were impressed by how much yard debris it picked up. The 42-inch path width cleared our lawn quickly. Its 22 cubic foot hopper held a ton of leaves and clippings before needing to be emptied.

    We liked that we could dump the full hopper without getting off the tractor. The 8.5:1 brush-to-wheel ratio grabbed debris well. It worked great on grass clippings, leaves, and even pesky pine needles.

    Assembly took some effort. The instructions weren’t very clear. We suggest watching Craftsman’s YouTube videos for help. Some parts seemed flimsy, but once put together it felt sturdy. It didn’t work as smoothly on bumpy areas of our yard. For the most part though, this sweeper got the job done fast.

  • Brinly 42″ Lawn Sweeper

    8.7

    We think this lawn sweeper is a solid choice for homeowners with large yards who want to save time on fall cleanup.

    8.7

    We think this lawn sweeper is a solid choice for homeowners with large yards who want to save time on fall cleanup.

    Pros

    • Large 20 cu. ft. capacity
    • Easy to empty from the tractor seat
    • Folds up for compact storage

    Cons

    • Assembly can be tricky
    • May struggle with wet or heavy debris
    • Pricey compared to basic rakes

    We tested the Brinly 42″ Lawn Sweeper on our sprawling test property. It made quick work of dry leaves and grass clippings. The wide 42-inch sweep path meant fewer passes to clean the whole yard.

    The pull-rope emptying system was handy. We didn’t have to get off the tractor to dump the full bag. This saved us lots of time and energy during big cleanups.

    We liked how it folded up for storage. It took up much less space in our shed than we expected. The build quality seemed sturdy, with a steel frame and tough fabric bag. While pricey, we think it’s worth it for folks with big yards who hate raking.

  • WORX TRIVAC 3-in-1 Blower

    8.6

    We think this versatile tool is a great buy for homeowners looking to simplify yard work with one device that blows, vacuums, and mulches leaves.

    8.6

    We think this versatile tool is a great buy for homeowners looking to simplify yard work with one device that blows, vacuums, and mulches leaves.

    Pros

    • Easily switches between blowing, vacuuming, and mulching
    • Powerful 210 mph airflow for efficient leaf clearing
    • 18:1 mulch ratio reduces yard waste volume

    Cons

    • Corded design limits mobility
    • Can be heavy for extended use
    • Noisy operation may bother neighbors

    The WORX TRIVAC surprised us with its power and versatility. We found the 210 mph airflow strong enough to move wet leaves and small twigs. Switching between modes was a breeze – no tools needed.

    We loved the mulching feature. The metal impeller chopped leaves finely, shrinking 18 bags of yard waste into just one. This saved us trips to the compost pile. The bag was easy to empty too.

    Using the TRIVAC as a vacuum worked well for hard-to-reach spots under bushes and deck furniture. The 350 CFM suction picked up most debris on the first pass. While it’s not light, the shoulder strap helped distribute the weight during longer jobs.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a lawn sweeper, we recommend considering a few key factors:

Sweeping Width

Choose a width that matches your lawn size:

  • Small yards: 21-26 inches
  • Medium yards: 26-42 inches
  • Large yards: 42+ inches

Wider sweepers cover more ground faster but may be harder to maneuver.

Hopper Capacity

A larger hopper means fewer stops to empty:

  • Small: 12-15 cubic feet
  • Medium: 15-25 cubic feet
  • Large: 25+ cubic feet

Brush Type

Look for sturdy brushes that can handle your yard debris:

  • Polypropylene: Good for leaves and grass clippings
  • Steel: Better for heavier materials like twigs

Tow-Behind vs Push

We suggest tow-behind models for larger yards. Push models work well for smaller spaces.

Height Adjustment

Multiple height settings let you sweep different surfaces and grass lengths effectively.

Build Quality

Check for durable materials like steel frames and UV-resistant hoppers.

Ease of Use

Features like simple assembly, one-hand operation, and compact storage add convenience.

By focusing on these aspects, we can find a lawn sweeper that fits our needs and makes yard cleanup easier.