Bow Rake vs Landscape Rake: Which One Should You Buy?

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Bow rake vs landscape rake: what each tool does

A bow rake has a straight row of metal tines, held by a curved bow support that connects the head to the handle, plus a long handle for hand work. The Feblomst listing describes a bow rake for breaking up hard soil, spreading compost or mulch, leveling garden beds, dethatching lawns, clearing leaves and smoothing gravel driveways. A bow rake works close to the house, in beds and along paths, where control matters more than width.

A landscape rake, in tow-behind form, is wider and is made for leveling and grading across open ground, such as a gravel driveway, a field edge or a large lawn area. In the tow-behind form, it is pulled behind a tractor, so it covers ground faster than a hand rake but needs open space to turn and work. For close work around beds and obstacles, a hand bow rake stays the better choice, while for wide, open leveling, a tow-behind landscape rake fits the job.

Tool	Best for	Limit
Bow rake	Beds, paths, small lawns, soil, mulch and gravel work by hand	Slow across large open ground
Landscape rake (tow-behind form)	Leveling large areas, gravel drives and field edges	Needs open ground and towing power

See the best bow rake picks for hand rakes, and the best landscape rake for gravel picks for wide gravel work.

How to choose for your property

Start with the size of the ground to cover. Beds, paths and a small lawn suit a bow rake, because the head fits between plants and along edges. A long gravel driveway or an open field suits a tow-behind landscape rake, because width covers ground with fewer passes. Obstacles such as beds, fences and trees favor a hand bow rake, while open, clear ground favors a wider tow-behind landscape rake.

Handle type matters for comfort and storage. Fiberglass handles suit wet work and resist moisture, wood handles suit a classic feel, and adjustable handles suit different heights and tasks. A detachable rake or a rake with a hanging hole stores easily in a shed or garage. For dirt work, see the best landscape rake for dirt picks, and for collection choices, see lawn sweeper vs rake.

Bow rakes in this guide, in ranked order

The four bow rakes below are listed in ranked order, with head, handle and weight taken from each listing. Read the notes after the table for contradictions inside the listings, where the title and bullets are followed over the spec table.

Rake	Head	Handle	Weight
Bully Tools 16-Tine Bow Rake	16 tines, 10-gauge steel head	66 inch total, fiberglass	3.7 pounds
Feblomst Bow Rake	14 tines, 14 inch head	Adjustable to 36 or 48 inches, aluminum	1.23 kg
WORKPRO Bow Rake	17 tines, metal head	Adjustable, high-strength material	1.4 kg
Truper Bow Rake	14 teeth, welded head	Wood, 45 and 48 inch stated	16 ounces

Bully Tools 16-Tine Bow Rake: a heavy duty bow rake with a 16-tine, extra-thick 10-gauge steel head and a fiberglass handle, at 66 inches total length, for leaves, grass, mulch and soil. The listing states robotically overwelded connections, moisture-resistant fiberglass and assembly in under a minute with a Phillips head screwdriver. It suits lawn cleanup, soil leveling, mulch spreading and gravel work in residential and commercial settings.

Feblomst Bow Rake: a multi-purpose rake with a 14 inch wide head and 14 clog-resistant metal tines, each fitted with a protective rubber cap, for breaking up soil, spreading compost or mulch, leveling beds, dethatching lawns, clearing leaves and smoothing gravel driveways. The handle extends to 36 or 48 inches, with an aluminum handle and a back-saving design. Note a contradiction: the spec table lists a tine count of 15, while the title and bullets state 14 tines, so 14 tines is followed here.

WORKPRO Bow Rake: a 65 inch bow rake with a 17-tine metal head, an adjustable handle, a detachable design and a hanging hole at the grip, for loosening soil, gathering leaves, leveling lawn and light tilling. Note a contradiction: the bullets describe a steel head, while the spec table lists aluminum, so steel is followed here. The weight is 1.4 kg. The spec table head size of approximately 5 inches is not used here, because the listing does not state what that measurement covers.

Truper Bow Rake: a welded bow rake with 14 teeth, a matt-black painted head and a wood handle, for occasional use as a reliable tool. The title gives a 48 inch rake, while the bullets give both a 45 inch premium grade waxed hardwood handle and a 48 inch handle length, so the title length is followed here. No warranty term is stated in the listing, only the word warranty with no length.

Safety

Wear eye protection and sturdy shoes, and clear sticks, stones and other debris before raking. Clear the work area, and watch for children, pets and bystanders nearby, and for hidden obstacles in tall grass or mulch. Store rakes with tines down, or hang a rake with a hanging hole by the grip, so the head does not catch a foot. On slopes, keep footing steady and avoid rushing across wet or loose ground.

FAQ: mowing large lots

Can a bow rake level a gravel driveway?

Yes, for a small driveway or path. Feblomst lists smoothing gravel driveways and Bully Tools lists gravel rake tasks, while a tow-behind landscape rake suits a larger driveway.

What is a landscape rake used for?

A landscape rake, in tow-behind form, is used for leveling and grading large areas, such as gravel drives, field edges and open lawn ground, where width covers ground faster than a hand rake.

Which rake suits a small garden bed?

A bow rake suits a small bed, because its head fits between plants and along edges. The Feblomst rake lists a 14 inch head for lawns, gardens, yards and raised beds.

Do bow rakes need assembly?

Some do, and some come apart for storage. The Bully Tools rake lists assembly in under a minute with a Phillips head screwdriver, while the WORKPRO rake detaches for compact storage.

How do I store a bow rake?

Store it with tines down, or hang it by the grip if it has a hanging hole, in a dry shed or garage. The WORKPRO rake lists a hanging hole at the grip for space-saving storage.

More mowing guides

• Best Bow Rake (2026): 5 Rakes for Lawns and Gardens Compared
• Best Landscape Rake for Gravel (2026)
• Best Landscape Rake for Dirt (2026): 5 Picks for Soil Work
• Leaf Blower vs Rake: Which One Should You Buy?

See every Tow-Behind Attachments guide.