There are a lot of different types of lawn sweepers on the market, ranging in price, features and even the type of power they use – so, how do you choose the best lawn sweeper?
Take a look at our ultimate guide, which not only reviews the best lawn sweepers of 2022, but answers common questions about the features, maintenance and uses of this equipment.
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Best Lawn Sweeper for 2022
Essentially, lawn sweepers and baggers do the same job – they clean up your lawn. However, there are some important differences in terms of how they work, what types of debris they can clear up, and the types of lawn conditions they work best in.
Depending on your yard and specific gardening needs, one will deliver better results than the other, so it’s important to go through these differences carefully before you buy.
Before digging into the best lawn sweepers, let us look at lawn sweeper vs bagger for leaves to explore these differences in detail.
What is a Lawn Sweeper?
A lawn sweeper, also called a leaf sweeper, is a mechanical piece of equipment that you can push or pull across a lawn. As you work, the soft, rotating brush sweeps up lawn debris and gathers them into a hopper bag attached to the sweeper.
Lawn sweepers are ideal for picking up grass clippings, leaves and twigs, pine needles, other organic debris and even litter.
Because the brushes are quite soft, they don’t damage the lawn, and they are often used in large yards, parks, county fairs, orchards, campgrounds, paddocks and wedding venues to create a clean, pristine space.
Benefits of a Lawn Sweeper
A lawn sweeper is a must-have piece of gardening equipment if you enjoy having a neat, pristine yard. If you own a rake or a lawnmower with a grass catcher attachment, you’re probably thinking that you don’t really need a leaf sweeper.
However, the right lawn sweeper is one of the best tools for lawn care on the market. Here are some of the benefits of this lawn care equipment to see if it’s the right option for you.
- It saves time and energy – A rake may be cheaper to buy, but you’ll have to spend hours using it while you go about the back-straining task of clearing leaves and debris off your lawn.
With a lawn sweeper, you’ll be done in a fraction of the time – and your back will fee just fine! - It’s more effective – A lawn sweeper is far more effective at gathering leaves and garden debris than a lawnmower grass catcher attachment, which isn’t tough enough to handle debris like twigs and small branches.
It is also more effective, faster and quieter than a leaf blower, which is a significant bonus for most homeowners. - It doesn’t damage the grass – A lawn sweeper is specifically designed to sweep over the grass using soft brushes, so it doesn’t damage the delicate blades.
If you want your lawn to be the envy of all your neighbors, a leaf sweeper is gentle enough to get the job done right.
What is a Lawn Bagger?
A lawn bagger is an accessory that you attach to your lawn mower. As the mower clips the grass, it discharges it into the lawn bagger for easy collection.
You simply remove and empty it when it gets full, making it easy to gather clippings for mulch, for home composting, or for removal.
There are tow-behind lawn baggers that have their own wheels, but these tend to be quite large and can make turning your mower difficult, unless you have a large lawn and a riding lawn mower.
Are you planning to invest on a riding lawn mower? Our review on the best riding mowers will help you choose the best for 2022.
Lawn Sweeper vs Bagger – What to Consider
Here are the most important things to consider before you buy either of these lawn clearing tools.
1. The Size of Your Lawn
If you have a smaller lawn that takes about 30-60 minutes to mow, then a lawn bagger is usually the better option. An average-sized bagger won’t get full too often with a lawn this size, and it allows you to mow and clear away clippings at the same time.
A lawn bagger is usually more compact and easy to maneuver too, so it’s a good choice if your lawn has hard-to-reach areas or obstacles you need to get around.
If your lawn is 1 acre or larger, a lawn sweeper is generally a good choice, especially if you can get a tow-behind model that attaches to a riding mower.
Rather than having to detach and empty a bagger repeatedly, the lawn sweeper offers more capacity and makes the job of maintaining your lawn much easier.
2. The Types of Debris
Lawn sweepers are more heavy-duty than lawn baggers, and they’re able to clear up fall leaves, thicker grass clippings, straw, pine needles and even litter and dry manure with ease.
If your lawn gets relatively minimal debris on it through the year, then a lawn bagger is the better choice. If you struggle with heavy fall leaves and other organic matter, then a lawn sweeper is going to be much more effective.
3. Wet Grass
It’s advisable not to mow your grass in wet conditions, and both a lawn bagger and a lawn sweeper will tend to struggle when the grass and debris are wet.
However, if it’s essential that you clear your lawn in wet conditions, then a sweeper will be more effective than a lawn bagger, as it is more powerful and does not clog up as easily.
How to Choose the Best Lawn Sweeper
Just like when choosing any other piece of gardening equipment, it’s important to understand the different types of lawn sweeper and lawn bagger and the features they offer in order to find a suitable option.
Different Types of Lawn Sweeper
Push Lawn Sweeper
Also called a manual lawn sweeper, are easy and very light to use. They are also quiet since there is no noise that is coming out of noxious fumes and engine.
This machine is operated by pushing it across the lawn. This momentum powers the sweeper brushes, which carry the debris up into the bag.
The good thing is that it does not need a lot of maintenance. All you have to do is to ensure that the bearings are lubricated regularly.
This type of lawn sweeper is perfect for small debris but not for wet materials and massive clumps. They are also equipped with small hoppers, which makes it ideal for smaller lawns.
It works quietly and efficiently, is very affordably priced, and is ideal for weekly maintenance, including picking up pine needles. It’s not recommended for larger lawns or for people who suffer from back pain because of the physical effort required.
Once full, you can detach the bag and either place the debris in the trash or use them in your compost. Because this option requires physical effort to operate, it is best-suited to small yards that don’t have much lawn.
It is also not suited to working on slopes or with wet, heavy debris. Check out our best push lawn sweeper reviews.
Power Lawn Sweepers
Power lawn sweepers, also known as grass lawn sweepers, are powered by gas or electric. This type of sweeper can help clean areas that are large.
Typically, they come in shredding device which will contribute to reducing the volume of debris. Power lawn sweeper will also assist in getting rid of the debris much easier.
This type of lawn sweeper is self-propelled, which means that it can push itself on the lawn. The brush, on the other hand, is motorized and can help pick up large debris.
One problem that gardeners might encounter is that it can be hard to maneuver due to its weight.
Tow Behind Lawn Sweeper
Also called a tow lawn sweeper, is a unit you can attach to the back of your lawnmower, riding mower or garden tractors.
As you operate your lawn mower, the momentum powers the brushes of the lawn sweeper, allowing it to clear away leaves, grass and pine needles as you mow.
Usually, this type of lawn sweeper is bigger and has a larger catchment bag, which is useful if you are clearing a larger piece of lawn.
Attachments are also available, which will help make things done easier for you. This type of lawn sweeper is known to have a bigger hopper capacity, which makes it efficient in commercial and large lawns.
It is therefore ideally suited to homes with gardens that are over 1 acre in size. Because it is towed, it is also the best lawn sweeper for anyone who suffers from back pain.
As for the disadvantages, these lawn sweepers are usually more expensive than manual push lawn sweepers, and require a mower or tractor to tow them along as you mow.
If you are interested in investing on a tractor, read our reviews of the best garden tractor for 2022.
Here’s a video of a tow lawn sweeper in action:
In contrast, there is only one type of lawn bagger – a bag attachment that fits onto your lawn mower and collects clippings as you mow. However, they do differ in terms of capacity, size, material and some have wheels for additional support.
When buying a lawn bagger, always make sure that:
- It is compatible with your brand of lawn mower.
- It is the right size for your lawn, so you don’t have to empty it too often as you work.
- It is made of durable, hard-wearing materials.
- It is easy to clean.
Tow Behind Lawn Sweeper Top Brands
There are several top brands making high quality lawn sweepers, all of which we have reviewed below. The best tow behind lawn sweepers and commercial lawn sweepers include Ohio steel lawn sweepers, Brinly lawn sweepers, and Agri-Fab lawn sweepers.
Features to Look for in the Best Lawn Sweepers
- Durability – Lawn grass sweepers get used every single week except in the winter months in locations where it snows, so it needs to be built well with high-quality materials to ensure it lasts.
The better quality lawn sweepers will cost you a bit more at the till, but they will save you in the long-term by avoiding repairs and breakdowns. - Capacity – The size of the catchment bag will differ from model to model, so look for a size that suits you. The larger your lawn is, the larger you want the capacity to be in order to save you multiple trips to the trash or compost heap.
- Ease of use – Because you’ll be using this equipment every week, you want it to be easy to set up and use. A simple, high quality design that easily attaches onto your mower or that is sturdy when you push it is worth paying a little more for.
How to Use Your Lawn Sweeper
Use on Dry Ground
Lawn grass sweepers work best when the grass and debris on your lawn is dry, so wait a day or so after it has rained or after you’ve watered your yard. Wet leaves and grass can clog and even damage your lawn sweeper.
Use as You Mow Your Lawn
The lawn grass sweeper will be most effective when the lawn is level as the soft brushes work best off an even surface, so try to use it directly after you have mowed your grass.
Select the Right Brush Height
The best lawn sweepers allow you to adjust the height of the sweeper brushes according to the length of the lawn. In general, you should position the brushes so that they are just below the tips of the grass.
How to Maintain Your Lawn Sweeper
Assemble It Properly
When you buy your lawn grass sweeper, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter when assembling it.
If something is skipped during the assembly process, the machine won’t perform as promised, which is not only frustrating but can also damage the equipment.
Inspect Your Lawn Sweeper Regularly
Inspect your lawn sweeper every 3 months or so, looking for cracks, damage and rust. This will ensure you can repair or replace any worn parts without your equipment breaking down.
Look at the wheels, brushes, hopper (catchment bag/container) and chute for wear, damage and blockages.
Clean After Use
Clean out any debris left in the lawn sweeper, including build up in the hopper and chute, and look for debris that can get wrapped around the wheels and axel.
Winterize for Cold Months
If you live in an area that gets snow in winter, you are likely going to leave your lawn sweeper in the shed or garage until the spring. Before storing, clean it thoroughly and make any repairs to ensure it’s in good working condition.
Lubricate all moving parts with oil and, if your sweeper has this feature, fold away the brushes to keep them out of the way. Hang it on a wall if possible and cover with plastic tarp to protect it from moisture and dust.
Sweeping When Lawn Is Dry
It would always be best to use your lawn sweeper in dried up lawn. This is mainly because the bushes of the sweeper can easily become damaged. Wet lawn will surely spoil the quality of your lawn sweeper.
Only Work When Lawn is Mowed
Your lawn sweeper will be able to work efficiently if the lawn is perfectly mowed which will ensure that the sweeper will pick up all the debris easier.
Working on Your Brushes
When working on your lawn, it would be best to adjust the brush according to the lawn’s height. It will help the brush to pick up the maximum number of debris in your lawn.
Best Lawn Sweeper Reviews
via Amazon
Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper, 44-Inch features a hopper that measures 25 feet. It is well designed for optimum durability and efficiency.
It has a lever at the bottom, which can be pulled to help the height be adjusted. This will surely assist you in to enjoy the performance of your lawn sweeper.
The Agri-Fab lawn sweeper has a tongue, which is used to help cut and sweep the grass in one pass, without the need of using any other tools.
The dump level feature that it has had the ability to operate without any tractor seat left.
Another good thing about this sweeper is that it can easily be collapsed and folded, which means that storing it with less space won't be a problem.
Pros
- Can collect debris without raking
- Can work for both dry and wet leaves
- Can also be used to pick up sticks and soda cans
- Constructed well, stable and sturdy
- Can hold a lot of grass clippings
- Can easily be assembled
- Hitch is adjustable
Cons
- Expensive
via Amazon
Brinly STS-427LXH 20 Cubic Feet Tow Behind Lawn Sweeper 42-Inch is equipped with brushes that are high velocity with a height adjustment that can help you pick up more debris.
The hamper measures 20 foot, which will ensure that all the collected debris will be stored inside. The sweeper is perfect for sweeping up old grass, grass clippings, pine needles, and leaves.
Brinly lawn sweeper will also let you buy an aerator or a dethatcher, which will both help you in cleaning up your yard than just picking up the leaves.
Another good thing about this lawn sweeper is that it is made out of high-quality material and one that can work on areas that are large.
Pros
- Complete efficiency with six brushes
- Additional attachments
- Easy storage because it is collapsible
- Adjustable brush
- Works perfectly with pine needles
- Durable materials for long lasting use
Cons
- Can’t hold big amount of leaves
- Not easy to assemble
via Amazon
Ohio Steel 42SWP22 Sweeper Spiral Brush, 42”/22 Cubic Feet is equipped with a patented spiral brush, which is designed for maximum efficiency.
It has a 9 inch chute, which will help reduce the possibility of clogging. The sweeper has a rope which can be pulled for you to be able to empty the hopper easily.
This means that you can empty the hopper without pausing your work. The Ohio lawn sweeper has an adjustable hitch; wherein you can attach it to any tractor without the need or purchasing any other parts.
This lawn sweeper is easy to use, so working on your garden will be more convenient.
Pros
- No-slip height adjustment
- Hopper is collapsible and detachable
- Three position adjustment for the hitch
- Hopper can easily be emptied
- Good value for money
- Brushes are perfectly useful
Cons
- Struggles with pine needles
- Dethatcher is not available
- Difficult to assemble
via Amazon
Agri-Fab Tow-Behind Lawn Sweeper, 52” is equipped with a rope that can be pulled to help the hopper emptied out for the seat tractor. The brush has a lock, which will avoid slips while you are working on your lawn.
The brush can also be adjusted easily for optimal performance, while the sealed brush bearing will help you to work on your lawn more efficiently.
The Agri-Fab lawn sweeper’s hopper is big enough to accommodate all the collected debris, which means that you don’t have to take a break just to empty it.
Easily picks up dead matter that has compacted during the previous season. It also picks up pine needles and straw, which is essential for composting.
Pros
- Heavy duty
- Easy to assemble
- Can pick up debris quickly
Cons
- Rope can take some time to be pulled
via Amazon
Ohio Steel 50SWP26 Pro Sweeper, 50”/26 Cubic Feet is equipped with a heavy-duty bag that collects the debris that you sweep off the lawn.
The brush is designed patently spiral for more efficiency, compared to the regular brush that most lawn sweeper has.
The hopper, on the other hand, has a rope that can be pulled for easy disposal. The Ohio Steel Lawn Sweeper has a chute that is 9 inches in width, which can help the debris from clogging your brush.
The hitch can be adjusted to 5 different positions, which can be custom fit for all of the tractor brands.
Pros
- Can easily be operated
- Assembling it is easy
- Can pick up every debris in the way
- Heavy duty
- Made out of durable materials
Cons
- Lack of brush disengagement
Our Top Pick for Best Lawn Sweeper
Via Amazon
These are the best lawn sweeper machines to choose from if you want to experience convenience when it comes to cleaning your yard.
All of the sweepers mentioned are the best lawn sweepers on the market today, but the winner for this review is the Agri-Fab 45-0492 Lawn Sweeper, 44-Inch.
This is because of its ability to be filled completely, which will help reduce the time for you to empty it.
The lever's height can easily be adjusted as well to provide you with the best performance when it comes to height.
Another good thing about this product is that the sweeper tongue that it has can cut and as well as sweep in just one pass, which means that no other tools will be needed making it the best lawn sweeper for us.
Lawn Sweeper FAQs
When Should You Use a Lawn Sweeper?
A lawn sweeper is a great option if you are maintaining a large lawn of 1 acre or more, if you have to regularly deal with pine needles, heavy fall leaves, acorns, and other debris, and if you have to maintain your lawn in wetter conditions.
Can You Use a Lawn Sweeper While Mowing?
This depends on what model and type of lawn sweeper you buy. In order to use a lawn mower and lawn sweeper at the same time, you’ll need a riding mower with rear discharge capabilities.
This will allow the sweeper to work while you cut the grass, collecting clippings, leaves and other debris for composting or removal.
Do Lawn Sweepers Work Well?
Lawn sweepers work so well that they are considered a must-have piece of equipment for anyone who wants their lawn to be a showpiece for their home.
In addition to making clearing grass clippings, twigs and leaves easy, it can also be used for nuisance jobs like clearing bird or livestock droppings off the lawn, clearing up pine needles for mulch or clearing acorns.
Do Lawn Sweepers Pick Up Grass Clippings?
Yes! This is one of the most common uses for lawn sweepers. They gently brush up grass clippings into a catchment bag that you can then empty into the trash or into your compost.
There are units that you can attach directly to your riding mower or tractor to collect the grass clippings as you mow.
Will a Lawn Sweeper Pick Up Acorns?
Yes! Acorns can be sharp underfoot, clutter your yard, attract pests and even inhibit the growth of your grass. When caught up in a mower, acorns may damage your equipment or fly out at a high speed, making them potentially hazardous.
It’s best to clear the acorns from your yard on a regular basis using your lawn sweeper. You can always place your collected acorns in a designated spot that is out of your way but where wildlife can reach it easily.
Will a Lawn Sweeper Pick Up Wet Leaves?
It’s not recommended that you use a lawn sweeper to pick up wet leaves or grass. However, it will still work, although you may have to run it over the area a few times in order to properly clear the lawn, as the wet debris is quite heavy to remove. The sweeper may also get clogged as you work.
Is a Lawn Sweeper Better Than a Rake or Leaf Blower?
Yes. This is because they work more efficiently and require less manual labor than raking your lawn manually, and they automatically collect up the leaves and debris into a catchment bag, unlike a leaf blower or rake.
If you suffer from back pain, have a high maintenance yard or simply want to make this job easier, then a lawn sweeper is going to make a big difference in getting this job done each week.
What will a Lawn Sweeper Pick Up?
- Twigs
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Acorns
- Pine needles
- Pine cones
- Wild bird/goose droppings
- Horse and livestock droppings
Video of using a tow behind sweeper to clear livestock droppings
Make Your Lawn a Showpiece with the Best Lawn Sweepers of 2022!
A perfect lawn is a joy to behold, and buying a high-quality yard sweeper will help your lawn reach its full potential. Ideal for picking up grass clippings, leaves, twigs, acorns, pine needles and even wildlife droppings, a lawn sweeper makes the backbreaking task of raking your lawn clear easy and fast.
Remember to choose a manual push lawn grass sweeper if you have a small yard and a tow behind lawn sweeper if you have a bigger yard or a bad back.
We hope you enjoyed this article on the best lawn sweepers of 2022!