Best Lawn Sweeper
If you’ve ever done yard work, you’ll know how important a lawn sweeper can be. Although a lawnmower keeps the grass in check, a lawn sweeper will catch the small pieces of debris that lie on your lawn – think things like pine needles, acorns, and even leaves. If you want a pristine lawn – or to prolong the life of your lawnmower, then a lawn sweeper is an essential purchase.
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Our #1
Pick
Agri-Fab 45-0218
26-Inch Lawn Sweeper
Budget
Pick
Earthwise LSW70021 21-Inch Lawn Sweeper
High-End
Pick
Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper
Topic Description
Lawn sweepers are large mechanized brooms, which use rotating brushes to pick debris up off your lawn, and place it into a hopper for collection. In the majority of cases, you can adjust the height of the sweepers in order to give you a more precise and tailored approach to sweeping.
Lawn sweepers have two main functions: first, they keep your lawn looking immaculate. If you have leaves that regularly fall, pine needles that shed, or anything else that falls on your lawn, a lawn sweeper will catch it and bag it. Second, lawn sweepers can help to protect your mower from picking up too much debris, some of which may harm the inner mechanism. A lawn sweeper is an investment in a perfect lawn and a longer-running lawnmower.
Methodology
In order to build our list, we considered the following factors: build quality, size and weight, path size, hopper size, brand name, and price.
This helped us to select the highest quality items available on the market. We were then able to use this information to pick a range of different options; this means that, whatever your specific needs, you’ll be able to find a model that fits your specific needs.
Our #1 Pick
Agri-Fab 45-0218 26-Inch Push Lawn Sweeper, 26 Inches
Description:
Lawn sweepers are deceptively complex pieces of technology. Given that many don’t have engines (including this model), it’s remarkable the difference in performance between different types.
Engineering matters a great deal, and it’s for this reason that the Agri-Fab gets our nod for the best available. Simple but important details like the gear ratio and the collapsible bag make using this much easier. All in all, this is an extremely well-designed piece of equipment.
- Size: 52.5 x 31 x 33 inches
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Warranty: 3-year warranty
What We Like:
- We like that the hopper bag has a large, 7 cubic feet capacity; it’s designed to be easy to empty as well, even when full.
- The designers also showed that they know their market, as this is an easy model to store.
- Some really well-designed brushes also make this an effective tool to use.
PROs
- Effective. The real test is how effective it is, and this model is extremely good at capturing even the smallest pieces of debris.
- Materials. The poly construction used in this model is both durable and lightweight.
CONs
- Performance. It does work best in conjunction with a rake and a leaf blower, so don’t assume it can do it all on its own.
- Assembly. It can be tricky to assemble out of the box.
Budget Pick
Earthwise LSW70021 21-Inch Leaf & Grass Push Lawn Sweeper
Description:
If you want something cheap and cheerful that does a solid job, then the Earthwise is a great option. It has a respectable 21” brush, giving you a decent-sized path to work with. It also comes in at roughly half the cost of the others on the market (including the Agri-Fab model that was our top pick). The real question to ask is whether it’s half as effective, and the answer is a resounding ‘no,’ making this excellent value for money.
- Size: 44 x 28 x 29.5 inches
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year warranty
What We Like:
- Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because this is the ‘cheap’ option, that it comes without the advanced features of others on the market.
- We liked the adjustable leaf sweeper rake height, which makes it really easy to tailor it to your lawn. Overall, this makes debris collection extremely easy and efficient.
PROs
- Sturdy. Given the price, this feels like an extremely reliable piece of equipment.
- Lightweight. At only 13 lbs, this is about half the weight of its competitors, making it easy to maneuver around your lawn.
CONs
- Warranty. The one-year warranty length does leave a lot to be desired.
- Struggles with some kinds of debris. There are some types of debris - such as grass cuttings - that this model struggles with.
High-End Pick
Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper, 44-Inch
Description:
Another Agri-Fab model gets our nod for the luxury pick. Although this one really is ‘luxury’ when it comes to the price, which is nearly four times our budget model and twice the average cost – it really earns it when it comes to features. If you’re not budget-conscious, and you want a lawn sweeper that will do an exceptional job, this is the one for you.
- Size: 78 x 52 x 55 inches
- Weight: 92 pounds
- Warranty: 3-year warranty
What We Like:
- We like that this model has a great brush to wheel ratio of 5.6:1.
- It also has a huge hopper capacity of 25 cubic feet (for reference, our ‘Top Pick’ Agri-Fab model has a ratio of 7 cubic feet).
- One of the most luxurious elements of this is the sheer size of the thing; not only the hopper but also the weight and the path - 44 inches means this is built to cover a large area.
PROs
- Lever. Since this one is designed to be towed, it’s nice that you can pull the dump lever without getting up from your seat.
- Storable. The entire sweeper can fold up without the tools, which saves space.
CONs
- Heavy. At 92 lbs, this is a seriously big piece of equipment. You’ll need some good tractor control to maneuver it with precision.
- Price. There’s no avoiding the fact that this is $320.
Best Heavy Duty Lawn Sweeper
Agri-Fab Inc 45-0546 52-Inch Lawn Sweeper
Description:
If the Agri-Fab 44” is the luxury model, this is the brute force model, designed to leave (almost literally) no stone unturned in the search for a perfect lawn. The 52-inch path is enormous – so big, in fact, that this comes with semi-pneumatic tires; this is like towing a piece of farm equipment around the lawn. If size is what you need, then this is a great option for you.
- Size: 70 x 60 x 38 inches
- Weight: 86 pounds
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
What We Like:
- Don’t let the size of this thing confuse you - it comes with finesse too.
- The tires actually help to make the ride smooth, so you’re left with none of the rattling you can sometimes get with other models.
- The 26 cubic foot bag is one of the largest on the market and will mean you need to dump far less often. All in, this is a quality piece of equipment.
PROs
- Tailored. The ‘infinite brush’ height adjustment means you can set the sweeper as high or as low as you need, giving you ultimate control.
- Portable. Despite the size of this machine, it’s still relatively portable, especially because the hopper collapses for easier storage.
CONs
- Design Quality. Some of the online reviews centered on the quality of the design, which could be slightly higher, especially given the price.
- Difficult to Assemble. This is not easy to put together out of the box.
Pick #5
Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper, 50"/26 cu. ft.
Description:
After a lot of Agri-Fab models, it’s good to consider another option. The Ohio Steel model is strong in terms of quality and attention to detail. Although at the pricier end of the spectrum, this model is well worth it in terms of size, speed, and overall performance. It certainly feels like the most powerful model we have on our list – particularly relative to size.
- Size: 57.5 x 17.5 x 12.5 inches
- Weight: 102 pounds
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
What We Like:
- Once you find the appropriate height and angle that is best for your specific towing machine, this lawn sweeper works like a dream picking up all kinds of debris in its path.
- The hopper is also sizable, measuring 26 cubic feet.
- All in all, this is an extremely efficient and reliable piece of equipment.
PROs
- Warranty. A 3-year limited warranty is a great offering for a lawn sweeper.
- Powerful. In addition to being sturdy, it also feels powerful. There’s some serious heft behind this machine.
CONs
- Cost. This is definitely a pricier model.
- Hardware. Have some extra nuts and washers on hand, as the nuts and washers tend to come loose.
LAWN SWEEPER BUYER’S GUIDE
Push vs. tow-behind lawn sweeper
Before you decide anything else, you need to consider whether you want a push or a tow-behind. Generally, this comes down to yard size. The rule of thumb to consider is: if you have a ride-on lawnmower, you should get a tow lawn sweeper. If you push your lawnmower, you should push your lawn sweeper. Anything else and you’re going to be using something drastically mis-sized.
How to know if a lawn sweeper is durable
There are many lawn sweepers on the market that may not have the same standards of quality as others. Buying a very cheap model is often a false economy as it means you’ll be paying more for repairs, or simply won’t get the use out of it. The three key things to look for in any lawn sweeper is the following:
- Steel or polymer plastic housings
- Hoppers made of a tear-resistant material
- Long-wearing brushes
All of these indicate a good build quality, meaning it’s a safe buy. Of course, you can also look out for a warranty as well – 2 years should be your base level.
What size lawn sweeper should I get?
There are multiple different sizes of sweepers available, with three key metrics to consider when you make your purchase.
HOPPER VOLUME
The hopper volume determines how often you need to dump the load before preceding. As a general rule, the higher this number the better – there’s little downside to having a hopper that’s too large. However, for a small yard, anything over 12 cubic feet should suffice.
HITCH
If you’re towing, you need to ensure that the hitch of the sweeper fits your tractor or you’ll be unable to connect it. If in doubt, check the manufacturer’s guide of your tractor and compare that with the information on the lawn sweeper. Most are universal, but this should be the number one thing you check when you get the sweeper home, as you’ll need to return it unused and in pristine condition, if it doesn’t fit.
WIDTH
The width – sometimes known as the path – is the area that the sweeper will cover as you push or drag it. The larger this number, the easier it is to cover your lawn in fewer runs. Measure your lawn and work out how many times you’ll need to walk up and down it. You should also make sure that the path width you choose is not larger than the narrowest part of your lawn.
Before you choose which of the models on our list is for you, you need to consider the specifics of your yard, as well as what your precise requirements are. Whether you choose one of the models from our list or not, there are also certain universals to consider as marks of quality.