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Snow rakes have a long pole and a wide head to make clearing snow easy. They’re most commonly used to remove snow on roofs, but some snow rakes are small enough to work on cars or sidewalks.
To help you find the best snow rake for your snow removal needs, the This Old House Reviews team researched the top-rated snow rakes on Amazon and created a comprehensive buyer’s guide. Keep reading to learn about the best snow rakes on Amazon, as well as important factors to consider before choosing a model.
Top 3 Snow Rakes
- Best Non-Abrasive Head: Donkey Auto Products Professional Heavy Duty Snow Rake
- Best Slide: SNOWPEELER Aluminum Roof Shovel
- Best Wheels: Extreme Max 5600.3207 Shingle-Saver 21-Foot Roof Snow Rake
Best Non-Abrasive Head
Donkey Auto Products Professional Heavy Duty Snow Rake
- $39.92
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has a 17.5-inch vinyl-coated blade
- Features a 48-inch steel handle
- Weighs 0.95 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Most customers used this rake on their cars instead of on their roofs because of its short handle and light-duty head. However, they said it performed well and didn’t leave any scratches on their car’s paint. While there aren’t many negative reviews, one customer was unsatisfied with the rake’s small handle.
Best Slide
SNOWPEELER Aluminum Roof Shovel
- $144.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has an 18-inch aluminum blade
- Features a five- to 20-foot aluminum handle
- Weighs 9.3 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were pleased with the efficiency of this product. Several customers said they were able to clear their roofs of several feet of snow in less than half an hour thanks to the product’s open head. However, some customers said the rake was too heavy and required them to have a decent amount of upper body strength to remove any snow.
Best Wheels
Extreme Max 5600.3207 Shingle-Saver 21-Foot Roof Snow Rake
- $56.77
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Has a 24-inch polypropylene blade
- Features a five- to 21-foot aluminum handle
- Weighs 5.8 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that this rake was easy to use even if they weren’t in the best shape. Because of the rake’s wheels, customers didn’t have to lift the blade on and off the roof, which decreased how much upper body strength they needed to have. However, several customers said that the rake wasn’t strong enough to handle heavy-duty jobs and remove several feet of snow.
Buying Guide
The This Old House Reviews team researched the most important factors to consider before buying a snow rake.
Pole
When looking at a snow rake’s pole, consider its size, material, and ergonomics.
Pole Size
Snow rake poles are usually between 14 and 24 feet long. The longer the pole, the more roof you’ll be able to access and the less control you’ll have over the rake. To aid in storage and to ensure that you’re not handling an unwieldy pole, look for a snow rake that can be lengthened and shortened.
Some poles come with several segments, allowing you to shorten your pole by pulling out one of these segments. Other telescoping poles allow you to pull the pole out to the length you want.
Pole Material
The pole should be lightweight and resistant to corrosion. Aluminum fulfills both of these requirements, making it the most common material used in snow rake poles, but some rakes come with fiberglass poles.
Ergonomics
Look for a snow pole that has a rubber or foam grip for a comfortable gripping experience.
Blade/Head
Consider the size and material of your snow rake’s blade before making a purchase.
- Blade size—Snow rake blades range in depth from three inches to 10 inches and in width from 12 inches to 24 inches. Larger blades allow you to remove more snow at once, but a blade full of wet snow can be difficult to remove from your roof.
- Blade material—The best blade material is aluminum, but some snow rakes have plastic heads to make them more lightweight.
Weight
The weight of your snow rake is directly related to the size and material of its pole and blade. Snow rakes usually weigh between four and 14 pounds, with most of the weight being in the head. Balance how much snow you want to remove with how heavy of a rake you can handle.
Extra Features
Some snow rakes have wheels or snow slides to help with mobility.
- Wheels—Some rakes like the Extreme Max Shingle-Saver 21-Foot Roof Snow Rake have wheels on their blade to prevent the blade from touching the roof, reducing the possibility of roof damage.
- Slides—Snow rakes like the SNOWPEELER Aluminum Roof Shovel have a plastic sheet that hangs from the blade. As you rake snow, the snow will run down this sheet and onto the ground, giving you more control of where the snow lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a snow rake damage my roof?
A roof rake is designed to cause minimal damage, but you should still be careful while using one. Try not to slam the rake on the roof or violently pull a chunk of snow off the roof. Consider buying a rake with wheels, as this will prevent the rake’s blade from ever touching the roof.
Does my snow rake require maintenance?
Not really. Consider storing your snow rake inside or in a shed while it’s not in use, and inspect the rake before using it to ensure its bolts are secure and no pieces are broken.
What are ice dams?
Ice dams form when ice builds along the edge of your roof. This buildup prevents any snow that’s higher on the roof from sliding to the ground. Once an ice dam has formed, it can be difficult to remove and be potentially harmful to your roof because it requires some force to break the ice. To prevent ice dams from forming, clear the edge of your roof of snow.
How can I remove snow from other areas of my property?
You can use snow shovels or snow blowers to remove snow from your lawn, driveway, and walkways. You can also take a preventative approach and apply snowmelt to your driveways and sidewalks ahead of a storm. This will melt the snow as it falls, preventing it from accumulating.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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