When it comes to autumn cleanup, the controversy over whether to use a rake or a leaf blower is a raging one. As a garden owner, you have to keep your yard tidy, which might include storing unsightly leaves in your compost tumbler.
While some people prefer the convenience of a backpack or push blower, others swear by the almighty rake. There’s certainly a lot of personal choice at play here, so if you’re still undecided in the leaf blower vs. rake debate, keep reading to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of leaf blowers and rakes.
What Is a Leaf Blower?
A leaf blower is an automated device that moves leaves and other debris by blowing air. Some leaf blowers include a vacuum attachment that suctions debris and leaves from the ground. Leaf blowers have many uses, they also help clean light snow in the winter, sandy decks in the summer, and dirty walkways and porches.
Leaf blowers come in various types, including corded electric, gas and battery-powered. They are also available in backpack, portable, and wheeled types. The kind you require depends on the work at hand and your personal preferences.
Pros
- Capable of removing leaves from hard-to-reach places
- Saves time and gets the job done faster
- A better solution for those suffering from back pain
- Best for backyards with a lot of space
- Can be used for other tasks, such as blowing away snow and even stones
- Suitable for cleaning gutters
- Gas leaf blowers are generally more powerful
- Electric leaf blowers last longer than their peers
- Requires significantly less physical effort than raking
Cons
- They are bulky and require regular maintenance
- May not be the best choice if you have nearby neighbors because it might blast leaves and debris into their yards
- Causes noise pollution
- Generally on the higher end of your price range
What Is a Rake?
A rake is a gardening tool for moving grass clippings, leaves, and other materials around the yard. Rakes come in various sizes and shapes, but they all feature a set of tines (or teeth) that grab and move waste.
You can use a rake to scrape, scoop, gather or level things like mulch, soil or leaves. It’s a tried-and-true gardening tool that works immensely well.
The heads of some rakes are flat, while others contain sharp metal tines to break up compacted soil or rocks. Leaf rakes also come in various widths, depending on the size of the yard you’re working with. A wider rake can help you rake up leaves faster, but it will put more strain on your body because it pulls larger and heavier piles of leaves.
Pros
- A relatively low-cost tool
- Quieter than a leaf blower, so it’s a preferable option for individuals who live closer to their neighbors
- Better for the environment than a leaf blower because it produces no emissions
- Ideal for backyards with limited space
- A low-impact cardiovascular activity that can help you burn calories
Cons
- Can be challenging to get every leaf out, especially the ones in corners
- Raking can eat up a lot of time, especially when you have a large pile of leaves to remove
- Raking requires a fair bit of physical strength, so it may not be ideal for people with back problems
Leaf Blower vs. Rake: Which One to Choose?
If you’re a laid-back person, you might be tempted to get an electric blower since it’s a quicker and easier way to get rid of leaves in your yard. However, the key is to be thoughtful about what you want and to base your selection on a few crucial considerations, including:
Efficiency
Blowers are more efficient than rakes at clearing leaves and can quickly move large piles of leaves, while rakes are ideal for smaller messes. In addition, a leaf blower will allow you to get between bushes and plants and other spots where rakes could struggle.
Ease-of-Use
Leaf blowers are more user-friendly than rakes. All a blower demands from you is to stroll around your yard, not to mention that you may also be required to wear a shoulder strap while walking to clean the area.
On the other hand, rakes demand more arm power and balance to turn and hold in the right direction, which is why many people choose a leaf blower over a rake.
Noise Level
Rakes are much quieter than leaf blowers. If you decide to get a gas leaf blower, don’t forget to put something in your ears, like earplugs or headphones, because a leaf blower is extremely noisy with a high cfm level. Simply put, a rake is ideal for removing leaves without disturbing your neighbors.
Cost
Even the most pricey rakes are less expensive than low-cost leaf blowers, with most ranging between $10 and $40, depending on materials and size. Rakes will also save you money in the long run since they require almost no maintenance.
On the other hand, leaf blowers can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000+, depending on the type. However, rakes don’t provide automatic cleaning and other features that even the most modest leaf blowers do.
Exercise
With colder weather on the way, there’s no better time to get into the habit of exercising. And, believe it or not, raking is a terrific way to give your body some much-needed exercise since raking will burn at least twice as many calories as leaf blowing.
While raking is an excellent way to get active, some people may not enjoy the constant raking motion. Also, you risk damaging your back or neck, especially if you’re raking a lot. This is one of the primary reasons landscaping professionals prefer leaf blowers.
Maintenance
Since a leaf blower is a machine that runs on gas or electricity, it necessitates regular maintenance and repair, including constant cleaning. On the other hand, a rake requires little to no upkeep and cleaning, saving you time and frustration in the long term. But remember, a well-maintained leaf blower will also endure for many years!
Endnote
A lot goes into deciding whether to buy a rake or a leaf blower, and the leaf blower vs. rake debate can get more grueling than you’d have initially thought.
The best way for youto remove leaves is the one that you are most comfortable with. So, consider all of the factors we’ve mentioned, including the size of your yard and the leaf pile you want to get rid of. Decide wisely and spare yourself a lot of trouble for years to come!
