I’m sure you have experienced this before. Almost overnight, fall arrives, and suddenly, your whole lawn is covered in leaves! Or you have just spent ages mowing the lawn, only to have a copious amount of grass cuttings to deal with.
That’s where needing the best lawn sweeper comes in! These garden cleaners are either lightweight push machines or more heavy-duty tow-behind sweepers that use a set of rolling brushes to collect leaves, grass cuttings, and garden debris into a bag at the back. This is far faster than a rake and requires much less physical exertion.
Lawn sweepers are perfect for those with large lawns that can be hard to clean but also for those who have mobility issues and can’t fuss around with raking their whole lawn. Honestly, I don’t have either of these problems, and I still think a lawn sweeper is worth the investment.
Whatever you need it for, lawn sweepers are an excellent solution for keen gardeners that want their lawns tidy all year round.
In this guide, we are going to be going through five different lawn sweepers and pit them against each other to help you decide which is best for you and your lawn.
Top Three Lawn Sweeper Picks
For a quick little summary before we get into it, here are our three top picks for the best lawn sweepers on the market.
Best Tow Behind Sweeper:
This durable and efficient lawn sweeper is my top pick if you already have a ride-on mower. It has a wide cleaning area and a large hopper, which means you can cut the lawn and sweep up any trimmings without constantly emptying the hopper.
Best Push Sweeper:
Scott’s Outdoor Power Tools Push Lawn Sweeper
I recommend this push sweeper if you have a little extra to spend but don’t have a ride-on mower. It is lightweight, easy to use, and simple to set up and store. It requires no fuel or electricity to power and only needs a little physical effort from you to get going.
Budget-Friendly:
Earthwise LSW70021 Leaves and Grass Push Lawn Sweeper
If you have a low budget and limited storage space, then this lawn sweeper from Earthwise is for you. It is affordable, efficient, and super lightweight, making handling it effortless. It also folds up small for easy storage.
The Best Lawn Sweeper Reviews
In these reviews, we have chosen the best out of the push and tow-behind lawn sweepers that are on the market. The range in size and price so you can choose one that suits your needs and budget the best.
Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper
When it comes to tow-behind lawn sweepers, Agri-Fab is a brand that has really made its mark.
This particular model has a 44-inch catch zone, which allows you to clean large areas of lawn at once. The size is a significant selling point, but the factor that impresses me is its offset design, which allows you to cut the lawn with your mower and sweep up the grass cuttings simultaneously. This is sure to save you a lot of time on your mower.
The hopper is made from a fine mesh bag that has a 25 cu ft capacity, which means you can sweep for a while without having to empty the bag. When it comes to emptying, you can do it using the dump lever without having to leave your mower seat.
Although this model is rather large and heavy at 95lb, it stores away relatively easily as it can fold down to 30% of its original size without needing tools.
The Agri-Fab lawn sweeper comes with a universal tow hitch and a height adjustment lever so you can adapt it to suit your lawn.
- MADE IN USA
- Your purchase includes One Agri-Fab 44-Inch Lawn Sweeper, 45-0492 model
- Set brushes to penetrate the grass to a depth of 1/2 in. (13 mm)
- Lawn Sweeper dimensions: 78” L x 55” W x 52” H | Carton Dimensions:...
- Height adjustment lever with easy to use indicator will never slip and...
- Very large hopper capacity
- Wide sweeping area
- Cumbersome to get hitched
- Heavy
Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper
If the previous 44-inch sweeping area wasn’t enough, then maybe the Ohio Steel sweeper will be more your speed.
I would recommend this sweeper to those with large areas of land to clear because it has a 50-inch swapping area and a 26 cu ft hopper. These dimensions, coupled with the patented spiral brush system, make this model super efficient and worth the price tag.
The Ohio Steel lawn sweeper has a 9-inch wide chute that prevents blockages and features a dump lever that allows you to empty the hopper from your mower. These features make this option really user-friendly and require the most minor physical intervention on your part.
Although it doesn’t have a universal hitch, it has a five-position hitch adjustment that will fit most ride-on mower brands.
This model has an option to have an offset drawbar that will allow for simultaneous cutting and sweeping. I recommend going for this option as it will save you a lot of time and effort.
While this machine can fold up, so it is smaller to store, this does require the use of tools, which isn’t the most convenient setup.
- 50” Sweeping Width; 26 cu. ft. capacity hopper
- 11″ spiraled polypropylene brushes – an Ohio Steel patented exclusive...
- 4.5 to 1 brush to wheel turning ratio
- Extra wide 9” chute prevents clogging
- Collapsible hopper removes completely for quick and compact storage
- Very efficient brush system
- Large chute to prevent clogging
- Offset bar doesn’t come standard
- Bulky to store
Scott’s Outdoor Power Tools Push Lawn Sweeper
What about those of us that don’t have a ride-on mower?
This Scott’s push lawn sweeper is an excellent option if you have a small lawn and want to get it cleaned quickly. The sweeper can simply be unfolded, and it is ready to go, which is a lot less hassle than hitching a tow-behind.
The lawn sweeper has a sweeping area of 26 inches and a 4.4 cu ft hopper, so it will take some time and a few trips to empty the hopper to clear a larger or more messy lawn.
Even though it has an adjustable height lever, the brushes are not as efficient as the tow-behind lawn sweepers, so this option only has an 80% pick-up rate on the first go, meaning you may need to cover the same area more than once.
A push sweeper like this Scott’s option does require some physical work on your part, but I think the fact that this option weighs 17lbs makes it totally manageable to operate without causing you too much strain.
Although its weight might make it less durable, it means that this little lawn sweeper is very easy to store. The whole machine folds flat and can be simply hung from a set of hooks on the wall.
- Scotts Lawn Sweeper with 26” Sweeping Width. Light weight and easy to use
- Scotts Lawn Sweeper recommended for level ground only. The push sweeper has...
- Height of brushes must be adjusted to your lawn. Set brushes ¼” Deep...
- Scotts Lawn Sweeper only works on dry leaves and debris, sweeps up 80% on...
- Lawn Sweeper does not work for collecting rocks, nuts, pinecones, or any...
- Smaller sweep area
- Lightweight
- Easy to store
- Only 80% pick up on the first go
- Needs to be emptied often
Craftsman CMXGZBF7124266 Hi-Speed Tow Lawn Sweeper
The Craftsman lawn sweeper is a large and heavy option at 72.4lbs, and while this may be hard to handle and store, it does mean that it is very durable and long-lasting.
It has a sweeping area of 42 inches, so it is on the smaller side compared to the other tow-behind sweepers. It has a hopper capacity of 22 cu ft, so it will also need frequent emptying. I think the size of the hopper should be a more appropriate size in relation to the sweep size.
Luckily, the hopper can be emptied into your compost without having to leave your mower seat.
The main selling point that I see for this model is that it has an 8.5:1 gear ratio, which means you can sweep efficiently at any speed with its set of six brushes. This is helped along by the diamond tread wheels that supply the traction needed to do their job thoroughly.
The Craftsman lawn sweeper has a universal tow hitch and an adjustable brush height.
- 12 in. Reinforced brushes whisk material into the bag
- Giant 22 cu. Ft. Hopper capacity (18 bushels)
- Large 11.5 in. X 2 in. Wheels with diamond Tread provide maximum traction...
- 8.5: 1 Brush to wheel ratio fast turning brushes equal more sweeping action
- Empty the hopper from the tractor seat on standard Tractors
- Sweeps efficiently at any speed
- Large sweeping area
- Hard to store
Earthwise LSW70021 Leaves and Grass Push Lawn Sweeper
It may seem from these other options that lawn sweepers are only for the few that can afford their hefty price tag, but the Earthwise lawn sweeper is here to dispel those worries.
This push lawn sweeper is the cheapest of the options we are recommending, but it is a good one to consider even if it is not the most durable model on offer.
As the name suggests, the Earthwise model, and other push mowers like it, are the best option if you are trying to tidy your garden in an eco-friendly way. This is because they require no fuel or electricity and don’t produce harmful emissions.
With a 21-inch cleaning area and 3.2 cu ft hopper, I suggest this push lawn sweeper for those of you with relatively small lawns. It weighs only 13lb, so it is quick and easy to use, even if you have to take multiple trips to empty the hopper.
This model is not suitable for clearing large debris like pinecones.
- Ultra lightweight and easy to use, 21" brush width yard sweeper, Leaf...
- Works best on flat surfaces, short or recently cut grass; good for dry...
- Do NOT use in wet or windy conditions. For best results: only use in dry...
- Adjustable leaf sweeper rake height for easy and efficient collection of...
- Not ideal for collecting rocks, nuts, pinecones, or any other material...
- Affordable
- Easy to store
- Small sweep area
- Not durable
Buyer’s Guide
So now that we’ve had a look at some of the lawn sweepers on the market, let’s learn a little more about them.
Lawn sweepers work in a very similar way to a vacuum but without suction. They have a set of sturdy rolling brushes that are stiff enough to catch and deposit all the leaves and other bits and pieces but not too firm that it damages your grass.
The debris is then deposited into a bag in the hopper at the back of the sweeper. This is a very efficient way to keep your lawn clean without having to rake your entire lawn manually.
Tow Behind vs. Push Sweepers
There are two main types of lawn sweepers: tow behind and push sweepers.
The one you choose ultimately comes down to whether or not you have a ride-on mower.
The tow behind lawn sweepers have a hitch attached at the front where it is connected to a ride-on mower. Once it’s hitched, you can simply run your mower like normal. These machines make cleaning your garden almost effortless and are best suited for large lawns.
The downside of tow-behind lawn sweepers is that they are generally relatively large and heavy. This makes them cumbersome to handle and store. They also require you to already have a ride-on mower to attach to it, which, in turn, you need to buy fuel for.
The other version is push sweepers. These are usually relatively lightweight and easy to operate. They are also far more affordable than their tow-behind counterparts. I would recommend this kind of lawn sweeper to those with smaller lawns.
If being eco-conscious is at the top of your priority list, then I think a push option is the choice for you. The main selling point of push lawn sweepers is that they don’t require fuel or give off any harmful emissions. They are also straightforward to get going as they don’t require hitching.
The downside to push lawn sweepers is that they are not as efficient and require some physical exertion to get them to work.
What To Do With Lawn Sweepings
A huge plus side to a lawn sweeper is that it collects all the garden debris into one neat bag.
We suggest having a quick look-through to make sure there are only organic materials in the bag before putting the whole lot on the compost heap. If there are any larger pieces, you can chop them up with garden shears.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do lawn sweepers work on wet grass?
While you can use a lawn sweeper on wet grass, we do not recommend it.
The wet leaves and grass tend to clump together and block up the brushes, so you will not be able to clean the lawn as efficiently. We suggest waiting until the lawn and leaves have dried thoroughly before attempting to use a lawn sweeper.
How do you use a tow behind lawn sweeper?
Tow behind lawn sweepers essentially acts like little a little trailer that hooks to the back of a ride-on mower.
Each one comes with a hitch that you connect and then ride your mower as usual as the sweeper picks up leaves and debris behind you.
Do lawn sweepers work on uneven ground?
While some brands may be a little hardier, most lawn sweepers work best on flat surfaces. If your lawn has a few divots or gradual terrain changes, then the lawn sweeper should be able to work just fine.
Final Verdict
I know I certainly didn’t realize that I needed a lawn sweeper, but after looking at home much time and effort you can save, it really is a no-brainer.
All in all, our favorite lawn sweeper of the bunch is the Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper. It has a large capacity, is relatively easy to store for its size, and will clean large areas of lawn without having to empty the hopper constantly.
After going through this guide, I have no doubt that you will be able to pick the ideal sweeper for you that will help you keep your lawn pristine.
