7 Best Lawn Sweeper Reviews – Push Your Way To A Clean Lawn
Do you shudder every time you look at the debris on your lawn and think it’s time to sweep it, again? Do you always put the raking and bagging of leaves and debris to the last minute? Chances are you’re cleaning your lawn the hard way. What you need is a lawn sweeper.
A lawn sweeper is a multi-purpose tool that handles the hard work of collecting fallen leaves, pine needles, and sticks with relative ease. Using a set of rotating brushes, the sweeper efficiently picks up the debris on the lawn and stores it in a collecting bag. Not only does the lawn sweeper finish the job quickly but it leaves the lawn looking better than when you clean it manually.
No more straining to collect the leaves only for the wind to blow them away again. And with the leaves neatly collected in the bag, you can use them for mulching, composting, or any other gardening job.
We know it’s not easy to decide on the best lawn sweeper for you. The decision usually comes down to your specific needs, the size of the lawn, and whether you prefer an electric or a gas-powered lawn sweeper. We tested some of the best lawn sweepers in the market and shortlisted them below.
Best Lawn Sweeper Reviews
Our best lawn sweeper reviews cover different types of lawn sweepers and detail what gives each one an edge over the others. As usual, we start with the top three choices then list the other lawn sweepers that made the cut.
1. Sun Joe AJ801E
A multi-purpose electric lawn sweeper that sweeps, dethatches the lawn, cuts the grass, and leaves the lawn in top shape. On top of saving you a ton of work, it also saves you money. This is why the versatile Sun Joe AJ801E is our editor’s choice.
First things first, this nifty tool is powered by a 12-amp motor that does a short job of all the raking, dethatching, and scarifying tasks. The dethatcher is wide enough to sweep a 12.6-inch wide path as you go. And using the 5 position depth control, you can adjust the depth of the raking from 0.4 inches above the ground to 0.4 inches below ground and any depth in between. This makes it easier to cut the roots of the grass, aerate the soil, and encourage the grass to grow healthier and thicker.
Collecting leaves and cutting grass is a breeze with its Airboost technology. It uses steel tines to pick the grass and thatch more effectively leaving behind a greener and fresher-looking lawn. And since it’s electric-powered, you can start it simply with the push of a button. You won’t have to worry about pollutants or exhaust or running out of gas or oil.
As a push lawn sweeper, the AJ801E is easy to handle and operate. You have all the buttons and settings conveniently near your hand to adjust them as you go. And since it only weighs 27 pounds with a motor and all, it doesn’t put much strain on your arms or back even after hours of lawn cleaning work.
The only downside we had with this lawn sweeper was the relatively small collecting bag. It tends to fill up quickly so you’ll have to interrupt your work to empty the bag from time to time.
Pros
- 12-amp motor.
- 5 position depth control for customized lawn scarifying and dethatching.
- Airboost technology.
- Rakes a 13″ wide path in one pass.
- Weighs 27 pounds.
- No exhaust nor pollutants.
Cons
- The collecting bag is too small.
2. Earthwise LSW70021 Push Lawn Sweeper
With an affordable price, a sturdy design, and high maneuverability, the Earthwise LSW70021 lawn sweeper earns our best budget pick. If you’re looking for a lawn sweeper that is lightweight, easy to maneuver around, and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket, the LSW70021 would be at the top of the list.
In addition to the simple design, this sweeper does a good job picking up leaves and other debris off your lawn. The sturdy brush at the bottom of the rake pushes the leaves and pine needles to dislodge them then the rake collects them. You can adjust the height of the rake to go as deep as you like and reinvigorate the grass blades while also giving the lawn a deep cleaning.
You won’t have to go up and down the lawn trying to gather the deeply entrenched leaves and debris. The spinning rake collects about 80 percent of the debris on the first pass. And with its 21-inch wide brush, it makes short work of your lawn sweeping job. The 2.6-bushel collecting bag is not the largest but still big enough to keep you going without the need to stop often to empty it. It is also easy to attach and remove.
The whole sweeper weighs only 13 pounds making it easy to push around. The two large front wheels of the sweeper allow you to maneuver the sweeper and clean narrow corners and difficult angles.
On the downside, the sweeper is not designed for heavy debris such as rocks, gravel, wet debris, or pinecones. As a lightweight sweeper, it doesn’t do a good job with heavy materials hidden between the grass blades. For that, you’ll need a more heavy-duty lawn sweeper.
Pros
- Lightweight and sturdy.
- Adjustable rake.
- 21-inch wide sweeper.
- Easy to maneuver into narrow corners.
Cons
- Doesn’t collect wet debris, pinecones, or small rocks.
- The collecting bag doesn’t have side deflectors to prevent leaves from spilling over.
3. Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper
We all dread the day we have to sweep the lawn. It’s tiring, too much work, and it means we have to spend long hours under the sun. But the Agri-Fab 45-0492 takes care of this difficult chore and lets you finish the job without working up a sweat. This is a tow sweeper that you can attach to an ATV or a tractor. It is versatile, efficient, and easy to operate.
Efficiency is written all over this lawn sweeper. From the 44-inch wide rake to the semi-pneumatic tires and the 4 high-performance brushes. This wide rake means you will have to make fewer passes on the same area to get it thoroughly clean. The tires are designed to have better traction even on wet grass. The sweeper also has a handle that lets you empty the bag without the need to get off the tractor.
The collecting bag is large enough to take in 25 cubic feet of material. It is easy to hook onto the sweeper and take off. This will come in handy not just when sweeping the lawn, but also when you use the versatile sweeper to apply fertilizer, grub control, and even apply ice melt in the winter. The adjustable brush height makes performing all of these tasks a breeze. This versatility is the main reason we chose the Agri-Fab as our premium pick.
The only reason this sweeper didn’t make it to the top of our list is that besides needing assembly, the drive pin powering the brushes tends to jam when you drive the sweeper backward. This requires you to dismantle the brushes and reset the ratchet gear to fix it. Other than that, this is a solid pick for your various lawn jobs.
Pros
- Versatile lawn sweeper.
- Two semi-pneumatic tires.
- 44-inch wide rake.
- Collects all debris including cones and nuts.
Cons
- The brushes tend to jam if you drive the sweeper backward.
4. Craftsman CMXGZBF7124266
For difficult debris and stubborn leaves that refuse to get off the grass, Craftsman CMXGZBF7124266 has the right tool. Twelve-inches reinforced brushes that pull out heavy debris and wet leaves and shove them into the collecting bag. This is a towing lawn sweeper that you pull behind you. But it has a sleek design and comfortable shape that makes sweeping the lawn an easy task.
First, the wheels measure 11.5 inches in diameter and 2 inches wide allowing the sweeper to practically run over any terrain. The brushes are also designed with speed in mind. With an impressive 8.5:1 wheel to brush ratio, the reinforced brushes work faster collecting the debris and leaves as you tow the sweeper behind you. You can hook it up to a tractor or an ATV and sweep large areas with comfort and ease.
The collecting bag has a 22 cubic feet capacity making it ideal for large lawns. And since you can empty the bag without leaving the tractor, you will finish your work much faster without interruptions.
The Craftsman sweeper has a sturdy structure. Made from heavy-duty steel, it can handle the rough treatment of towing behind a tractor on uneven lawns. The heavy frame along with a massive 42-inch rake gives the sweeper more efficiency in collecting different debris of various sizes and weights. It collects wet debris, acorn, stuck leaves, as well as small rocks.
The downside to this sweeper is, of course, its weight. You’ll need a tractor or an ATV to tow it since it’s usually too heavy for you to pull it manually.
Pros
- Frame made from heavy-duty steel.
- 42-inch wide rake.
- Easy to empty bag from the tractor seat.
- 22-cubic feet bag.
- 8.5:1 brush to wheel ratio for faster sweeping.
Cons
- Requires a tractor or ATV to tow it.
- Not suitable for small lawns.
5. Brinly STS-427LXH
Another two lawn sweeper that takes care of the heavy debris and makes a quick job of lawn sweeping with minimum effort. The Brinly STS-427LXH has got it all. High-performance, extra weight, and bulkiness where it matters. With adjustable brushes, you will be able to collect all types of debris regardless of their size, shape, and weight.
To help the lawn sweeper do such a good job, it comes equipped with 6 high-velocity brushes with a decent 5:1 brush to wheel ratio. Whether you have small rocks on the lawn or it’s a dethatch problem that gives the grass such an unsightly look, little can escape those spinning brushes. Combine that with a 42-inch wide rake that cuts by half the number of passes you need to make across the lawn to get the sweeping job done.
But we all know that a powerful sweeper with a wide rake and efficient brushes will also need a large hamper to collect the debris. And that’s another point where this lawn sweeper from Brinly excels. The sweeper comes with a large bag with 20 cubic feet of capacity. It takes a while to fill the bag before you have to make a stop to empty it out. Add to that the patented collapsible design that allows you to fold the sweeper and store it upright in a small place. Overall, it’s a good choice for people who need to sweep large areas.
On the downside, besides requiring assembly, the wheels tend to skid on wet grass. That’s because the tires don’t have solid treads and on bumpy terrain, the sweeper would miss some spots.
Pros
- 6 adjustable high-velocity brushes.
- 20 cubic feet capacity hopper.
- 42-inches wide rake.
- 5:1 brush to wheel ratio for good contact with the ground.
- Patented collapsible design for storing in small areas.
Cons
- Requires assembly.
- The wheels skid on wet grass.
6. Agri-Fab 45-0218
Agri-Fab is an established brand in lawn equipment and the Agri-Fab 45-0218 is a push lawn sweeper designed with your comfort in mind.
The first thing the Agri-Fab delivers on is the design of the wheels. The two poly wheels have plastic tires with heavy treads to give the sweeper good traction on any surface. Even on uneven lawns, you won’t have a problem pushing the sweeper and collecting the difficult debris pooled in low depressions in the ground. The brush to wheel ratio is 4.5:1 which translates into a less physical effort to handle the machine and reduces the strain on your back and shoulders.
With a 26-inch wide rake, the sweeper gives you a decent sweeping range that makes it easy to sweep small to medium lawns in a short time. Adjusting the height of the brushes is straightforward and simple. That way you can pick different debris as you go without having to stop and waste time fiddling with the brushes.
The sweeper is also customizable and you can change its height to suit your arms’ reach. This is especially convenient for lanky people who don’t like to bend over as they push the lawn sweeper.
One disadvantage we found with this sweeper has to do with its weight. The sweeper is a little on the heavy side weighing 25 pounds and requires some maneuvering to operate and push it where you want it to go. Otherwise, the lawn is a good pick if you have a small lawn with nothing heavier than small twigs and leaves cluttering it.
Pros
- Two poly wheels with plastic tires for better traction.
- Seven cubic feet collecting bag.
- Sweeper height and brush height are both adjustable.
Cons
- Heavy sweeper that is hard to maneuver in narrow places.
7. Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper
The Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper puts quality front and center and aims to deliver a heavy-duty yet customizable tow sweeper that fits in all settings. And in that, the Ohio-based company passes the test with flying colors. With a 50-inch rake, spiral brushes, and customizable hitch, the sweeper makes sweeping large lawns a painless task.
The spiral brushes are this sweeper’s claim to fame and what makes it stand out among the other sweepers on this list. This unique spiral movement of the patented brushes means that they sweep more efficiently and collect even the most obstinate debris on the lawn. Not just that, but since the brushes don’t put much strain on the gears, the wear and tear of the internal parts will be slower and the sweeper will serve you for years before you need to replace any parts.
To keep the sweeper moving nimbly, the wheels run on sealed ball bearings for extra long life. The prominent treads on the plastic tires give the wheels better tractions even on uneven lawns and wet grass.
Customization is a key feature in the design of the 50SWP26. With 5 adjustable positions, you can lift or lower the hitch to attach it to most modern tractors. The hitch pin is also included. But it’s the 50-inch rake that got our attention. It’s the widest rake on this list and allows you to cover large areas of the lawn in one pass. And when you’re done, you can detach the collapsible sweeper and store it in a small corner in your shed.
The only problem we had with this sweeper was the lack of instructions. It’s a bit tricky to attach it to old model tractors despite the customizable hitch. So a detailed manual would come in handy.
Pros
- 50-inch rake.
- 5-position customizable hitch.
- Patented 11-inch spiraled polypropylene brushes.
- Sealed ball bearings.
- Collapsible design for easy storage.
Cons
- No detailed manual included.
Lawn Sweeper Buying Guide
While the above reviews show in detail the advantages and drawbacks of each product, it helps to know what features to look for. This buying guide tells you all you need to know about lawn sweepers and how to use and maintain them.
Types of Lawn Sweepers
As we have seen, lawn sweepers come in different types that impact their functionality. While looking around for the best lawn sweeper for you, you should consider the size of your lawn and whether you prefer an electric sweeper or a gas-powered one. Here are the main types to consider and compare.
- Electric Lawn Sweeper: Electric types are more convenient for the busy homeowner who wants to finish sweeping the lawn in a short time without having to worry about filling up the tank or the exhaust coming off the machine. On average you should look for a sweeper powered by a 12-amp motor like Sun Joe AJ801E. This powerful output saves you a lot of time and effort to get the job done.
- Gas-power Lawn Sweeper: These sweepers need to be attached to an ATV or a tractor. They give you more power than electric lawn sweepers and are meant for large areas. Choose this type if you have a large lawn. Sweepers such as Agri-Fab 45-0492 are heavier but do a good job removing different types of debris such as pine needles, acorns, nuts, small rocks, and wet leaves.
- Manual Push Lawn Sweeper: The third type is the push lawn sweeper. This one is not powered by an electric motor nor does it get attached to an ATV. You’ll need to push them across the lawn to sweep it. Most models of this type are lightweight and easy to maneuver. Look for one that doesn’t weigh more than 13 pounds such as the Earthwise LSW70021. The wheels should be large and have treads for good tractions.
If you have a small- to medium-size lawn, then an electric lawn sweeper is the right type for you. They do the job quickly and with less effort. These types are usually more expensive than manual push lawn sweepers which are also suitable for small lawns. But if you’re a contractor or have a large lawn, then a gas-powered lawn sweeper (or a tow lawn sweeper) is more ideal for you. They cover large areas and are more powerful and efficient than the other two types.
Key Features to Look for in a Lawn Sweeper
Once you have decided on the best lawn sweeper type for your specific lawn, the next thing to turn your eyes to are the features. Every lawn sweeper in the market brags about this feature and that, but which are the features that really matter to you and help you sweep your lawn quickly and with minimum hassle? Here are the key features to look for in a lawn sweeper.
Sweeping Path
The rake size of the lawn sweeper translates into a wide or narrow sweeping path. The wider the rake, the larger the sweeping path, and the fewer passes you have to make to cover your whole lawn. On average most lawn sweepers have rakes between 12 to 40 inches wide. Some heavy-duty and commercial sweepers such as Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper have an impressive 50-inch rake that is suitable for large lawns, football fields, and parks. But for small to medium-size lawns, you would need a 26-inch rake or less.
Collecting Bag
The hopper capacity makes a big difference when sweeping an especially large or cluttered lawn. A small-capacity hopper means you will have to stop your sweeping to empty the bag more frequently. This wastes your time and makes the task seem longer and more tiring. Look for a lawn sweeper with a hopper capacity above 20 cubic feet especially gas-powered types. Some brands such as Craftsman CMXGZBF7124266 allow you to empty the hopper from the comfort of the tractor without having to leave your seat.
Wheels
Since all lawn sweepers regardless of their type run on wheels, the quality and material of the tires should factor into your decision. The wheels should be flat, made from plastic, and have treads for good traction. Some models we reviewed here such as the Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper have sealed ball bearings for easy movement and maneuverability. A good set of wheels will not skid on wet grass and run smoothly on uneven surfaces.
Brushes
After weighing in the different features, the final decision might come down to the quality of the brushes. There’s no surprise there since the brushes do all the heavy work of picking the debris and passing it through the chute to the hopper. Sun Joe AJ801E uses Airboost technology to improve its sweeping and raking powers. It also collects the thatch off the grass with efficiency. On the other hand, Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper comes with a patented set of 11-inch spiraled polypropylene brushes which does a good job collecting difficult debris of different shapes and weights.
Weight
The weight of the sweeper is only a factor to consider if you’re choosing a push lawn sweeper. Tow sweepers are attached to an ATV or a tractor so it doesn’t matter how heavy they are since you’re not doing the pulling. But electric and manual push lawn sweepers have to be light enough for you to operate them without putting too much strain on your shoulders and back. Aim for a lawn sweeper that weighs less than 15 pounds for manual sweepers. In that regard, the Earthwise LSW70021 is considered a lightweight sweeper since it only weighs 13 pounds.
Tips for Using and Maintaining a Lawn Sweeper
Whether you buy a versatile and feature-rich lawn sweeper or a basic and less costly one, your maintenance will help you get the most out of it. Here are a few tips to help you use the lawn sweeper the right way and avoid any issues.
- Always wear protective gear such as eye glasses and gloves while sweeping the lawn especially if you’re using push lawn sweepers.
- If your lawn is a little bumpy or uneven, you should slow down the lawn sweeper to help it pick the debris in low areas. This will also protect the sweeper against damage.
- Don’t use the lawn sweeper to clean large debris. This could clog the chute or worse, cause serious damage to the sweeper. Remove all large debris such as branches and rocks manually before you start sweeping.
- Sweep the lawn regularly like once a week or every two weeks to prevent the piling up of debris.
- In general, you shouldn’t try to sweep wet grass. Not only will that make it hard for the sweeper to move, but wet debris is also more difficult to collect.
- Most lawn sweepers have adjustable rake heights. Use different heights to pick various types of debris. Heavier debris such as small rocks needs a lower rake to pick them up compared to leaves for example.
Lawn Sweeper FAQs
Here are some of the common questions related to lawn sweepers and how to use them.
What type of debris should I use the lawn sweeper to collect?
In general, most lawn sweepers collect fallen leaves, pine needles, twigs, nuts, acorns, and small rocks. Tow lawn sweepers are usually more heavy-duty and can handle more debris than electric or manual push types.
How often should I sweep my lawn?
The more frequent you sweep your lawn the better. That way you won’t have debris piling up in the lawn which usually takes a longer time and harder work to clean. Lawn experts recommend you sweep your lawn once a week or twice a month.
I heard about the brush to wheel ratio. What is that and why is it important?
The brush to wheel ratio tells you how many rotations the brush or set of brushes make on the lawn with every rotation of the wheel. The higher the ratio, the more speed and cleaning efficiency you get. For example, a 4.5:1 brush to wheel ratio means the brush rotates four and a half times on the grass collecting leaves and debris as the wheel covers enough space to make one rotation.
The Last Word
In this guide, we reviewed lawn sweepers of all types and sizes. We covered push and tow sweepers, electric and gas-powered lawn sweepers. Then we compared brushes, sweeping path sizes, and hopper capacity. We also discussed what made each lawn sweeper stand out and its drawbacks. Based on that we picked Sun Joe AJ801E as our editor’s choice simply because it shines in all the areas that count. The 12-amp motor powers the versatile sweeper and makes a quick job of the lawn sweeping chores. You can also use this multi-purpose machine to dethatch the lawn and keep it looking clean and well-manicured.
For our budget value, we recommend the Earthwise LSW70021. It has a friendly price tag and a 21-inch rake that takes care of sweeping our small or medium-size lawn. The manual push sweeper only weighs 13 pounds making it easy to operate and maneuver.
And if you have a large lawn then the tow sweeper Agri-Fab 45-0492 with its 44-inch wide rake will get the job done. It collects different types of debris, helps you apply grub control, spread fertilizer and seeds, and even apply ice melt as well.