7 Best Lawn Sweepers (Reviews and Buyer’s Guide)

A lawn sweeper, also called a leaf sweeper unit, is a convenient tool to have for efficiently removing debris, including grass clippings, pine needles, twigs, leaves, and a lot more.

In this guide, we will be reviewing our picks of the 7 Best lawn sweepers and offering you information about best lawn sweeper use, maintenance, and more!

What Is A Lawn Sweeper Used For?

For domestic plant enthusiasts, it is always a pleasure to take in how clean and well-kept your yard or lawn looks. While a variety of outdoor equipment is required to ensure a neat lawn, one of the most helpful pieces of equipment out there are the lawn sweepers.

Ignoring fallen leaves in the yard leads to said leaves rotting and damaging grass, causing your lawn to have bare spots. Not only that, trying to rake the leaves demands a lot of time and effort. No one wants to spend hours of the day raking leaves, only to repeat the process soon enough.

As an alternative to leaf blowers, rakes, garden vacuums, and grass baggers, lawn sweepers offer more power and capacity. Furthermore, the rotating brushes ensure the grass remains unharmed.

Best lawn sweepers have been built to make the job of cleaning grass clippings, leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other types of debris a lot easier. And we’re here to tell you about our Top 7 picks!

OUR FAVORITES

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The 7 Best Lawn Sweepers Reviews

There are a variety of lawn sweepers available in the market. But, not all of them are top-notch. To make it easier for you, here is the list of the 7 best lawn sweepers that can help you in cleaning your lawn and garden.

1. Earthwise Leaf & Grass Push Lawn Sweeper – Best Budget-Friendly

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The Earthwise lawn sweeper is about the size of a manual mower. It has 21-inch width sweeping brushes (two per section) that clear away grass clippings, leaves, debris, and even pine cones faster and easier.

The line of two brushes counter-rotate as your push the lawn sweeper along. It is similar to pushing a manual mower. It successfully collects the leaves and other debris into a basket. It is very easy to empty the basket once it is full. All you have to do is grab the middle bar, lift it up lightly and dump it out.

You can adjust the sweeper’s height according to the type of place you are cleaning. You can quickly adjust the height of the sweeper and clean lawns, patios, sidewalks, and driveways accordingly.

Item weight: 13 pounds

Material: Pine

Operation mode: Manual

You can adjust the sweeper’s height according to the type of place you are cleaning. You can quickly adjust the height of the sweeper and clean lawns, patios, sidewalks, and driveways accordingly.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Easy to use
• Lightweight and compact design make it easy to store.

2. Agri-Fab Push Lawn Sweeper – Best Overall Lawn Sweeper

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Agri-Fab produces well-engineered products. Their line of sweepers happens to be easy-to-use and offer high-quality. The Agri-Fab 45-0218 is regarded as one of the best lawn sweepers in the market.

It requires a lot less effort to push this lightweight machine. But don’t get put off by its relatively light build, though. The poly construction body and zinc-plated steel frame of this machine make it strong and durable. The replaceable vinyl bag has a 7 cubic feet capacity. Now, while the bag is kind of small and fills up quickly, we have still ranked this machine high due to its construction and maneuverability.

Item weight: 25 pounds

Material: Poly construction, plastic wheels

Operation mode: Manual

It doesn’t matter whether the leaves that you want to clear away are whole or not. The Agri-Fab 45-0218 can quickly pick up any kind of leaf. And as expected from Agri-Fab products, this lawn sweeper comes with a 3-year warranty.

Pros

• Durable wheels
• Minimum assembly required
• Collapsible hopper easily hooks and unhooks

3. Agri-Fab Push 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper – Best Offset Tongue Lawn Sweeper 

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The good thing when using tow behind lawn sweepers is that a strong pull allows such a unit to deal with more difficult debris. Such lawn sweepers have more powerful brushes that pick up the debris that is not possible with push models.

In our opinion, one of the best tow behind lawn sweeper in the market happens to be the Agri-Fab Push 45-0492. This model has an upgraded dump lever that can function without you having to get off from the tractor’s seat. It has four robust brushes that sweep debris in a flow-thru hopper bag. The bag’s capacity is thrice more than a 2-bin bagger, which is 25 cubic feet. Hence, you won’t have to empty the bag several times while sweeping.

Item weight: 95 pounds

Material: Steel housing and Semi-pneumatic wheels

Operation Mode: semi-automatic

This lawn sweeper has universal compatibility. Hence, it can easily attach to any brand of tractor. One of the most unique features of the Agri-Fab Push 45-0492 lawn sweeper is its offset tongue capability, allowing for mowing and sweeping in one go to save time and effort.

The height adjustment feature enables you to adjust the brushes and not the whole machine. This feature ensures the correct orientation of the sweeper and tractor. The wheels of this machine have bronze inserts making them long-lasting.

Pros

• Features a large bag for collecting debris
• Mow and sweep with the offset tongue
• Durable construction to last years

4. Agri-Fab 45-0320 Tow Lawn Sweeper – Best Easy-to-Use Tow Lawn Sweeper

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Plus, the debris bag in this model is only 12 cubic feet. This is not even half of the capacity of the bag of the 45-0492. This is the main issue of using this model. The less capacity of the bag means that you have to empty the bag more frequently.

However, you can empty the vinyl bag while you are sitting in the tractor. You won’t have to get up from your seat. All that is required is that you pull the release rope.

Item weight: 67.9 pounds

Material: Steel housing and semi-pneumatic wheels

Operation: Semi-automatic

One of the reasons we selected it as our easy-to-use pick is due to the video tutorials it comes with. If you don’t have the time to read through a manual, watching the informative guide video will have you be an expert at using this tow lawn sweeper in no time.

This model is for people who want a durable product at a lesser price than that of the 44” (45-0492). Of course, it gets the job done when it comes to cleaning your lawn.

Pros

• Very efficient
• More affordable than the Agri-FAB 44”
• Fast and quiet operation
• Informative video tutorials

5. Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Push Lawn Sweeper – Scratch-Resistant Lawn Sweeper

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Scotts is a company that is well-known for its outdoor products. The products manufactured by this company are also environmentally friendly. The same is true for the Scotts Outdoor Power Sweeper.

The 26-inch sweeping width is perfect for cleaning your lawn or yard in less time. You can easily collect grass clippings, leaves, and debris using this push lawn rake. You can adjust the height of the Scotts push rake for optimal cleaning performance on your lawn, patio, yard, and sidewalk. It features a scratch-resistant coating.

Item weight: 19.86 pounds

Material: Plastic

Operation: Manual

The brushes of this model are made of plastic. They are stiff with just the right amount of flexibility. Overall, this is a great product and is much better than manually raking. It is easy to assemble and works great when picking up all kinds of leaves. However, it is not ideal to use it for picking up pine needles or acorns.

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Perfect for small lawns and yards
• Features scratch-resistant coating

6. Ohio Steel Pro Sweeper – Best Heavy-duty Lawn Sweeper

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It can sweep quite fast and has a large collection hopper to do away with frequent emptying. Also, as a heavy-duty lawn sweeper, you know it will last you a very long time.

Take note; it has a patented spiral 11-inch brush to pick up debris. The brush-to-wheel ratio is 4:5:1. This is big enough to prevent clogging as the debris flows to the 26-cubic-foot hopper and makes for a hassle-free cleaning experience.

Item weight: 102 pounds

Material: Steel housing and rubber tires

Operation: Semi-automatic

Not only leaves and grass, but this sweeper also does an excellent job of picking up acorns, pine cones, and other heavy debris. You can expect top-notch performance due to the efficient cleaning ability and load capacity. It features a 5-position hitch adjustment that enables use with a range of tractors.

While the assembly process might not be easy for everyone, once assembled, you can easily adjust the brush’s height. The tires are made of rubber that helps in maintaining grip and brush speed as you make your way around the yard. To prevent the machine from clogging and jamming, it is advised to raise the height of the deck when picking heavy debris and long grass clippings.

Pros

• Collects large volume and covers a wide path in a short time
• Features a unique spiral-design brush
• Comes with a large bagger capacity

7. Agri-Fab 45-0456 Smart Sweep Tow Lawn Sweeper – Best Value for the Money

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With one simple motion, it can easily be attached to a tractor or a riding mower. While in motion, its brush design doesn’t skip over fallen leaves or other types of small debris. Moreover, the exclusive offset hitch tube lets you simultaneously cut and sweep lawn clippings and debris for added convenience.

Item weight: 92 pounds

Material: Steel housing, semi-pneumatic tires, and plastic gears

Operation: Semi-automatic

The other exclusive features include the ergonomic dumping mechanism, which allows you to stay on the tractor while emptying the hopper bag. The one-button brush height adjustment ensures no debris is left behind. The patent-pending retainer lock allows for easy bag removal. The folding hitch tube and folding bag arm collapse the smart sweep for compact storage. The overall construction is quite sturdy, and you get to use a unit that’s durable while looking stylish.

Pros

• It features a 1:1 gear ratio
• Easy to empty dump handle
• Adjustable brush height

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Types Of Lawn Sweepers

There are two types of lawn sweepers. Let’s talk about them!

The Pull behind or tow-behind Lawn Sweepers

These lawn sweepers are operated by towing them behind a tractor or riding a lawnmower. They are large and save you the physical effort required to push a lawn sweeper. They pick up more debris in less time; hence they are very efficient.

However, the tow-behind lawn sweepers tend to be pricey. They are suitable for large lawns that have a large amount of debris that has to be cleaned frequently. These lawn sweepers are preferable to the push lawn sweepers as less manual labor is required and the lawn gets cleaned up faster.

Push Lawn Sweepers

You have to manually push these sweepers like a lawnmower on the area that you want to clean. As you push the sweeper by walking, the wheels of the machine will spin its brushes to collect debris. The debris will collect in a hopper that has to be emptied when it is filled up.

To empty the hopper, you have to detach it and throw the debris in the trash. To continue using the sweeper, you have to reattach this hopper.

These units are quiet, environmentally friendly (as they don’t use gas/petrol), and are compact in size, saving you storage space. We recommend the push lawn sweepers for small lawns or yards.

How To Use A Lawn Sweeper

Using the best lawn sweeper is easy. However, before we get to the “how to use” part, let’s quickly go over how a lawn sweeper operates.

As you move the lawn sweeper, either by pushing or while sitting from the tractor (depending on the type you select), the wheels of the unit rotate. This causes the brushes to move through the grass, removing any debris or grass clippings.

Lawn sweepers evenly clear away stuff from the grass with their gentle yet sturdy rotating brushes. The design of such sweepers ensures that the grass on your lawn remains undamaged during the cleaning process.

The different types of debris that’s picked by the sweeper then flow into the hopper/bag. Once the hopper gets filled, you can simply dump it into the trash. A sweeper will mostly be able to hold twice as much as a bagger preventing you the hassle of frequently emptying it when it fills up. Some best lawn sweepers don’t even require you to get off the tractor’s seat to empty the bag.

Using the Lawn Sweeper

The following are general guidelines for using a lawn sweeper. Take note that the following steps may differ for different sweepers. However, the general process is similar for all lawn sweepers!

• First thing’s first. You should collect large debris from the lawn. Large debris includes rocks, pinecones, and branches. You need to do this because lawn sweepers aren’t meant for picking up large items.
• Now, if necessary, you should mow your lawn. You should mow the yard because sweepers tend to work well on freshly mowed grass.
• Simply adjust the sweeper by setting the brush height a bit lower than the grass height.
• Now, it’s time for you to start pushing the lawn sweeper.

To adjust the brush height on your sweeper:

1. Loosen the adjustment knob.
2. Raise the brush by simply pushing down the lever.
3. The best adjustment is recommended to be the level where the brush happens to be half an inch lower than the grass height.

Other things to keep in mind:

• For tow-behind sweepers, you should always attach the end of the rope to the towing vehicle to keep it away from the wheels and other rotating parts.
• You should not hold the rope while you are towing.
• Keep the sweeper away from fire (when not in use) because excessive heat can damage the brushes and the hopper bag.

When To Use Lawn Sweepers?

Once the leaves begin to fall, you should use a lawn sweeper. This is the right time because leaves are dry, as rotten leaves can damage the grass. It is also good to use a lawn sweeper to clean driveways and sidewalks after light snow of less than ½ inch.

You can also use a lawn sweeper as soon as you’re done mowing. However, if the mowed grass is too wet, we recommend waiting a bit because freshly cut clippings can be tough to sweep if they aren’t dry enough.

Lawn Sweepers Vs Baggers

Yes, we understand that baggers efficiently do the job of collecting grass clippings. However, a lawn sweeper can not only pick up grass clippings, but it can do so much more. It can pick up large leaves, broken leaves, pine needles, and even small acorns.

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How to Determine Which Lawn Sweeper To Buy

We all love the greenery in our yards and gardens. The trees look splendid during the summer. However, we all know that the leaves will fall when Autumn comes around. To prepare yourself for inevitably cleaning the yard, it’s best to think about investing in a reliable lawn sweeper.

The ideal best lawn sweeper will pick up lawn debris quickly and easily, making your garden look clean and well-kept without you having to use a rake throughout the year.

Which Sweeper Is Right For Your Needs?

When wanting to buy a lawn sweeper, keep these factors in mind:

• Ensure that the lawn sweeper you intend to buy has a tear-resistant hopper, stamped steel or poly housings, and sturdy brushes.
• Tow-behind lawn sweepers should be purchased by people who own a tractor or at least could borrow a tractor to use such a lawn sweeper. The review list above mentions some of the best tow-behind lawn sweepers.
• Size of your garden matters: Lawn sweepers come in different widths. A large lawn would require a 42-46” lawn sweeper. A small garden would only need a 20”-26” push sweeper.
• Similarly, different lawn sweepers also come with hopper bags of various capacities. A small yard would need a 12 cubic-feet bag, while a large lawn would require a 26 cubic-feet hopper.
• When buying a lawn sweeper, make sure the hitch works with the type of tractor you will be using. It’s best to opt for multi-hitch models.

How To Maintain Your Lawn Sweeper

Once you have bought a good-quality lawn sweeper, you should learn how to properly maintain it and secure your investment.

• Always ensure that you follow the assembly process. Once assembled, you should perform a check before using the lawn sweeper.
• If you use a lawn sweeper on a weekly basis, you should run a check every month.
• Don’t forget about the wheels. You should keep them clean. Also, ensure the axel joints are greased.
• Before using a lawn sweeper, analyze the brushes. Using a unit with worn out brushes will only lead to you wasting time trying to clean your yard.
• Don’t forget to empty the hopper bag once you’re done, even if the bag isn’t full yet! Take note; certain bags can tear if they are overfilled. Also, try reinforcing the bag’s base with some durable tape.
• Before using a lawn sweeper, ensure the chute’s not clogged.
• Remember to clean the sweeper after you’re done using it for the day.
• When putting the sweeper away for storage, cover it in some plastic tarp to avoid it getting ruined during winter.

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Final Thoughts

A lawn sweeper can do many jobs and is a good alternative to leaf rakes, leaf blowers, and mower baggers. The best lawn sweeper will have great sweeping power and durability yet be easy to use. After carefully considering many tow behind and push lawn sweepers, we recommend the Agri-Fab 44-0218 26” push lawn sweeper. However, feel free to re-read our lawn sweeper review list to find one that works best for you.

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