Clearing your yard by hand can take forever. That’s where lawn sweepers come in. But with so many on the market, it can be hard to know where to start.
We’ve put together a list of seven of the best lawn sweepers, based on real customer reviews, expert advice, and product descriptions. You’ll find one whether you’re looking on a budget, want something for towing behind you, something versatile, or something else.
- Spiraled polypropylene brushes
- Extra wide chute
- Large but compact hopper
- Easy dump handle
- Pneumatic tires
- Cut and sweep simultaneously
- Handy in all season
- 15 cubic feet capacity
- Universal attachment
- Handy transport mode
- Quick cleaning
- Durable steel tines
- Smooth maneuvering
- Adjustable brush height
- Lift to dump
- Adjustable sweeping height
- Easy transport and storage
- 80 percent pick up on first pass
- Efficient nylon brushes
- Various sweeping directions
- Advanced handlebar
Product Reviews
Check out these seven handy lawn sweepers.
1. Ohio Steel Pro Sweeper
Best Durable Lawn Sweeper
When you invest a lot of money in a lawn sweeper, you want it to last. Shopping for a durable option, like the Ohio Steel Pro Sweeper, can help you get the most out of your money.
Plus, a high-quality option like this will help you to avoid the frustration of it breaking down.
This tow-behind sweeper is made in America using high-quality materials. Plus, it comes with a three-year warranty for your peace of mind.
What We Like
Spiraled Polypropylene Brushes
The 11-inch patented spiral brushes are an important feature to focus on. This allows for the sweeper to pick up debris more efficiently than other sweepers, all without the stress on the gears. In turn, this prolongs the life of the machine.
Extra Wide Chute
The chute is extra wide at nine inches. This means it’s less likely to clog up which is super handy, especially when you’re cleaning up damp or wet debris.
Large but Compact Hopper
At 26 cubic feet, the hopper bag is super spacious and won’t need to be emptied too often. But when you do finish with the sweeper, the hopper bag easily collapses, making it a breeze to store, even in small spaces.
What We Don't Like
Doesn’t Work Too Close to Ground
This struggles to pick up leaves and other debris very close to the ground.
Product Specs
| Type | Tow-behind |
| Material | Heavy-duty steel |
| Sweeping Width | 42 inches |
| Bag Size | 22 cubic feet |
| Weight | 72.3 pounds |
2. Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper
Best Easy to Use Lawn Sweeper
When getting a lawn sweeper, you don’t want something that’s a challenge to use. That’s why we recommend the Agri-Fab lawn sweeper as an easy-to-use option. First of all, assembly is a total breeze. Customers love it!
Secondly, it’s a tow-behind option that takes the strain off. That way, you can concentrate on driving around while the sweeper does the hard work.
Lastly, it has a handy height adjustment lever with an indicator. It’s easy to set and it will never slip to allow maximum performance.
What We Like
Easy Dump Handle
Without leaving your tractor, you can easily dump the contents with the pull of a handle. This is a huge bonus since you can stay seated throughout the entirety of your yard work.
Pneumatic Tires
This drives on two semi-pneumatic tires which allow for smooth transportation around your yard. We love the feature of pneumatic tires because it means fewer bumps, topples, and dragging of the machine.
Cut and Sweep Simultaneously
This sweeper does what many others don’t: cuts and sweeps at the same time. The offset design allows for this so you can get a nice trim of your grass as you clean up.
What We Don't Like
Poor Instructions
Prepare to be frustrated when putting this sweeper together. The instructions are unclear and assembly is very difficult.
Wheels Jam Up
On wet ground, the wheels can jam up. Wet debris gets clogged in the wheels and it can be challenging to drive smoothly.
Product Specs
| Type | Tow-behind |
| Material | Steel |
| Sweeping Width | 44 inches |
| Bag Size | 25 cubic feet |
| Weight | 92 pounds |
3. Yard Commander 48-Inch Tow Behind Lawn Sweeper
Best Tow-Behind Lawn Sweeper
This is a fantastic option if you want something you can attach to your vehicle and tow behind you.
Its wide cleaning path means you can quickly clean up without hassle. This works for various elements across different seasons. Clean up in summer and winter with this sweeper.
The versatile design makes it a good option for small yards, large yards, and public areas. So no matter where you need to sweep, this can be your sidekick.
What We Like
Handy in All Season
This has been designed with all four seasons in mind. In spring, sweep up your lawn and apply fertilizer. In summer, apply grub control and haul mulch. In fall, detach and clean up debris. In winter, apply ice melt. Plus, there’s much more you can do with this throughout the seasons.
15 Cubic Feet Capacity
The large capacity means you can pick up tons of yard debris between emptying. Combined with a four-foot clearing width, you can get your jobs done quickly and effectively.
Universal Attachment
You can attach this sweeper to any garden tractor, ATV or UTV. The universal design makes it easy to install it on the back of your vehicle and get to work ASAP.
What We Don't Like
Hard Assembly and Poor Instructions
Customers aren’t happy with the lack of good instructions upon arrival. Plus, it’s hard to assemble this product. If you want a more straightforward construction process, you may want to skip this option.
Flimsy and Impractical Design
This isn’t the most durable and sturdy sweeper on the market. For the high price, you might expect a little more.
Another drawback is that it doesn’t go super low to the ground. There’s no option to adjust the height either. This means you may miss picking up some vital debris.
Product Specs
| Type | Tow-behind |
| Material | Not specified |
| Sweeping Width | 48 inches |
| Bag Size | 15 cubic feet |
| Weight | 86 pounds |
4. Brinly Lawn Sweeper with Dethatcher
Best Versatile Lawn Sweeper
This lawn sweeper from Brinly can do more than just collect debris. It can also detach and transport materials.
The versatile design means you can simultaneously sweep, detach and transport.
Otherwise, you can use the adjustment handle to raise the dethatching tines. No need to remove the pieces when switching modes.
What We Like
Handy Transport Mode
When you want to transport debris, you can just turn the tines to face the back. No need to remove the tines, even if there are heavy leaves. You can then lock the tines in position so they don’t get in the way while you move.
Quick Cleaning
Get jobs done quickly with the high velocity six brush that works at a 5:1 brush to ground ratio. This provides maximum pick-up so you can clear your yard in no time.
Durable Steel Tines
The tines are made of durable steel. This consists of two rows of twelve flexible rust-resistant tines. The rust resistance helps with the best thatch extraction in your yard.
What We Don't Like
Unclear Instructions
The instructions aren’t well written or clear, making assembly very difficult. Keep this in mind as putting this together may be frustrating.
Product Specs
| Type | Tow-behind |
| Material | Steel |
| Sweeping Width | 42 inches |
| Bag Size | 20 cubic feet |
| Weight | 94.8 pounds |
5. Agri-Fab Push Lawn Sweeper
Best Affordable Lawn Sweeper
We all know that lawn sweepers can break the bank a little bit. But if you’re on a budget, then the Agri-Fab push lawn sweeper may be right for you.
As well as its attractive price, it’s also easy to store. It has a collapsible seven cubic foot hopper bag that you can easily store when you’re finished using it.
Another feature we love is the video instruction guide that will help you assemble the sweeper when it arrives.
What We Like
Smooth Maneuvering
This machine has two poly tires that allow you to smoothly maneuver over the area. This prevents frustration over getting stuck or jammed as you push the sweeper.
Adjustable Brush Height
The brush height can easily be adjusted via a lever. This allows you to change terrains and also get better results depending on the thickness of the debris you’re picking up.
Lift to Dump
Emptying this is very easy. Just take it where you want to dump the debris and gently lift it forward. This will empty the debris onto the ground in seconds.
What We Don't Like
Flimsy and Not Durable
A few customers have described the sweeper as flimsy. Some said it lasted a few months, others said it was on its last legs after a year or so. Keep in mind that it is a budget-friendly option for that reason.
Difficult Assembly
Assembling this thing is difficult and awkward. Customers recommend getting somebody to help you set it up as it’s not easy with just one person.
Product Specs
| Type | Push |
| Material | Plastic |
| Sweeping Width | 26 inches |
| Bag Size | Seven cubic feet |
| Weight | 25 pounds |
6. Earthwise Leaf & Grass Push Lawn Sweeper
Best Push Lawn Sweeper
This lightweight push sweeper — weighing only 13 pounds — is a great option if you want something you can easily push around your yard to clean up.
It comes with a 21-inch wide brush head and an included sweeper to catch grass leaves and other light debris.
Customers love using this alongside a leaf rake to clean up quickly and efficiently.
What We Like
Adjustable Sweeping Height
This push sweeper has an adjustable height so that you can easily use it on various surfaces. Efficiently clean on patios, sidewalks, driveways as well as your yard.
Easy Transport and Storage
Easily maneuver this around your yard, pushing it wherever you need it to go. When you’re finished, it’s easy to store by hanging it on a wall so it doesn’t take up floor space.
80 Percent Pick Up on First Pass
This is a very convenient and effective push lawn sweeper. It collects 80 percent of debris on the first pass so you can quickly go over the whole yard without repeating areas too much. This also limits fatigue and pain that you may experience from other push sweepers.
What We Don't Like
Small Capacity of Two Bushels
With a capacity of 2.6 bushels, this is a small machine. The bag fills up very quickly so you need to empty it often which can slow you down. It is best for small yards.
Not Good on Artificial Grass
If you have artificial grass, customers say this doesn’t have a good grip nor does it clean up well. It tends to slide along the grass without picking much up.
Product Specs
| Type | Push |
| Material | Not specified |
| Sweeping Width | 21 inches |
| Bag Size | 2.5 cubic feet |
| Weight | 13 pounds |
7. Yardmax Power Sweeper
Best Lawn Sweeper for Large Yards
If you have a large yard, a power sweeper can make it so much easier to clean up the whole thing. This power sweeper from Yardmax is one to check out. The compact size of it means that it’s suitable for large areas as well as narrow, hard-to-reach places.
You can use it on sidewalks, patios, driveways, and backyards for removing twigs, snow, debris, leaves, and dirt. It’s a versatile machine that is powered, taking a lot of the pressure and strain off of you.
What We Like
Efficient Nylon Brushes
The sturdy nylon brushes on this machine are both efficient and versatile, allowing you to pick up lots of different types of debris. With a 28-inch sweeping head, it’s both generously sized and compact for getting around all sizes of yards.
Various Sweeping Directions
The sweeping head can actually move in three different directions, allowing you to maneuver it freely. You can position it at what’s most convenient for you and work with the machine, rather than against it.
Advanced Handlebar
The handlebar design is very thoughtful. It’s height adjustable so it can suit both you and others in your family. It’s ergonomic so it’s comfortable to use. And lastly, it folds up so you can store it easily.
What We Don't Like
Struggles on Soft Ground
The big advantage of this machine is plowing snow off of sidewalks and driveways. While it was designed for clearing debris from grassy areas, it can struggle there more than other sweepers.
Product Specs
| Type | Power |
| Material | Steel |
| Sweeping Width | 28 inches |
| Bag Size | Not specified |
| Weight | 150 pounds |
| Product | Best | Type | Material | Sweeping Width | Bag Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Steel Pro Sweeper | Best Durable Lawn Sweeper | Tow-behind | Heavy-duty steel | 42″ | 22 cubic feet | 72.3 lbs |
| Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper | Best Easy to Use Lawn Sweeper | Tow-behind | Steel | 44″ | 25 cubic feet | 92 lbs |
| Yard Commander Lawn Sweeper | Best Tow-Behind Lawn Sweeper | Tow-behind | Not specified | 48″ | 15 cubic feet | 86 lbs |
| Brinly Lawn Sweeper with Dethatcher | Best Versatile Lawn Sweeper | Tow-behind | Steel | 42″ | 20 cubic feet | 94.8 lbs |
| Agri-Fab Push Lawn Sweeper | Best Affordable Lawn Sweeper | Push | Plastic | 26″ | 7 cubic feet | 25 lbs |
| Earthwise Leaf & Grass Push Lawn Sweeper | Best Push Lawn Sweeper | Push | Not specified | 21″ | 2.5 cubic feet | 13 lbs |
| Yardmax Power Sweeper | Best for Large Yards | Power | Steel | 28″ | N/A | 150 lbs |
Types of Lawn Sweepers
As a starting point, it’s helpful to know the different types of sweepers.
Push
Push lawn sweepers are best for smaller yards without tons of trees. They’re better for leaves and grass clippings than larger debris. Keep in mind that they don’t hold as much debris as tow-behind sweepers so they’re harder to operate and require more frequent emptying.
Pros
- A few more budget-friendly options available.
- Slightly smaller so easier to store.
- Suitable for smaller yards.
- Good for leaves and grass clippings.
Cons
- Requires pushing to use which can be exhausting for users.
- Takes longer to clean up and doesn’t hold as much debris.
Tow-Behind
Tow-behind sweepers hook onto a lawn motor or ATV. You can also use them on a side-by-side vehicle. This design makes them convenient to use, but it can also carry a lot more debris since there’s no strain on the user.
The dumping feature is very easy to use, too. The hopper empties the debris after simply lifting the handle or pulling the rope. Simply attach the handle again and get back to cleaning.
Pros
- Best for large yards and debris build-up.
- They don’t cause any strain on the user.
- Easy-to-use dumping feature.
Cons
- They get stuck in muddy grounds or ruts.
- Slightly more expensive than push sweepers from about $50-150.
Large Sweeper / Power Sweeper
Power sweepers run on gas or electric engines, so they have more power behind them than manual ones. If you’re aiming to get through yard cleanup quickly — then this is the right kind of sweeper for you. You can find them in both push styles or tow-behind.
Pros
- The brushes help to clean up at a quicker rate.
- More thorough than push and tow-behind sweepers.
- Helps users get through yard work super quickly.
Cons
- There are few options on the market, making it hard to find.
- They can be around double the price, or more, than tow-behind sweepers.
How to Choose (Buying Guide)
Consider these important details when shopping, to help you find the best lawn sweeper for you.
Quality
Aim for a high-quality lawn sweeper, even if this means spending a little extra. You don’t want something made of cheap materials that will bend, break or jam under heavy use. Look at the materials used. Metal, like steel, is preferable over any plastic materials used.
Top Tip
Look for something with an adjustable height so you can choose the intensity of how the sweeper runs.
Ease of Use
The tow-behind models are the easiest to use since they don’t require much effort from the user at all. Push lawn sweepers require quite a bit of strenuous exercise since you’re on your feet the whole time.
If you want something that’s particularly easy, you can go for a powered tow-behind. This is more thorough but still doesn’t require manual labor from your end.
Also, look out for some important features to make the tool easier to use. This could be an adjustable brush width for different areas of your yard, a dump lever for easy emptying, easy assembly, and more.
Sweeping Width
Consider the sweeping width as this will determine how quickly you’ll be able to do your yard work. This can range from about 21 inches all the way to 60 inches depending on the model you choose. The wider this is, the more debris it will collect per sweep.
Lawn Size
At the very least, consider your lawn size. If it’s particularly big, with lots of trees, a tow-behind is necessary for efficient work. If you have a smaller yard, then a push sweeper will be totally fine. You can make that easier by getting a powered option.
Budget
Lawn sweepers range from about $150 all the way to $700. The push sweepers are more affordable whereas power sweepers tend to be the most expensive. Tow-behind sweepers fall from about $250 to $400 — not much more expensive than the average push sweeper.
If you have the budget for it, and a vehicle to attach it to, a tow-sweeper is a great investment.
Hopper Bag Size
The hopper bag is where the debris collects, so the capacity is important. If it’s too small, you’ll need to stop frequently to empty the bag. The bags range from 2.5 cubic feet capacity all the way to 25. The higher this number, the more the bag can hold.
Do keep in mind that the bigger bags can become really heavy. For that, we recommend choosing one that has a good dumping feature to take the strain off of you.
Lawn Sweeper FAQs
How Do Lawn Sweepers Work?
A lawn sweeper works by using brushes to comb through your yard or over your hard surfaces to pick up debris such as leaves, grass clippings, pine needles, and more. These get pushed to the hopper bag. When this is full, you dump out the debris and keep going!
Are Lawn Sweepers Worth It?
Not everybody needs a lawn sweeper, but here are some reasons why they might be right for you:
- You have debris in your yard all year round — these can easily be used in place of a rake. They’re also very versatile.
- If you have lots of grass clippings leftover in the winter, the sweeper can quickly pick them up.
- These are good for big yards where a rake doesn’t do quite enough. You can also get through a job much quicker with a lawn sweeper.
- If you have a tractor, a lawn sweeper is a great tool to fasten to the back for quick yard cleanup.
Which is Better: Lawn Sweeper or Bagger?
A lawn bagger is an accessory that you put on your lawnmower. It collects the debris as you mow. If you already have a lawnmower, a bagger is probably preferable over a sweeper, since you just need to buy the accessory rather than a whole new tool.
Some drawbacks are that they aren’t as good in wet grass, but they can also clog more easily.
However, they do have some important benefits. There are tons of different varieties on the market in a huge range of sizes. They’re also easy to store since you just need to fold them up and put them in your shed or garage. Lastly, they don’t require a ton of maintenance.
Ultimately, baggers and sweepers do a similar job, but one requires a lawnmower and one doesn’t.
Do Lawn Sweepers Work on Wet Grass?
Some do and some don’t. It depends on the model. We recommend reading reviews to find out whether the one you’re considering is good on wet grass.
Will a Lawn Sweeper Pick Up Dog Poop?
Some sweepers will be able to pick up dog poop, but you should wait until it’s hard. Even then, it could lead to a nasty mess if the sweeper doesn’t swiftly pick it up.
Here are some things you can pick up with a lawn sweeper:
- Grass clippings.
- Leaves.
- Pine needles.
- Twigs.
- General yard debris.
- Fruit.
- Nuts.
- Gravel.
In terms of things they shouldn’t pick up, there’s no specific list. Instead, look at the individual model you’re buying and see what the user guide suggests.
Do Lawn Sweepers Work On Uneven Ground?
Generally, lawn sweepers do work on uneven ground because they are designed to follow the contours of the lawn. They loosen debris and dislodge otherwise hard-to-shift items.
