The 6 Best Roof Rakes
Updated by · How we research
Six snow roof rakes compared on reach, blade material, wheels and slides. The Avalanche AVA500 leads for its slide system and warm fiberglass pole. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A roof rake is made to be used from the ground, and the common mistake is climbing a ladder with one. Pulling the bottom few feet of snow off the eaves lowers the weight on the roof and gives meltwater a clear path off it. These picks suit homeowners in snowy places, from single-story ranches to two-story houses.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Avalanche AVA500 now leads, because its slide carries snow off the roof instead of dropping it at your feet, and its fiberglass pole stays warm in the cold. The Garant Yukon and SnowPeeler Premium stay.
Seven earlier picks are gone. The Ames True Temper and Avalanche Deluxe 20 have vanished from stores, the Sno Brum Compact and Subzero Hopkins are car snow brushes rather than roof rakes, and we couldn't confirm that the Garelick 89416, Midwest Rake 96022 or Suncast Adjustable are still sold. New picks are the Snow Joe RJ207M slide kit, the USA Handy Tools 89421 roller rake and the low-cost Snow Joe RJ204M.
The best evidence here was two published field reviews, from Bob Vila and Family Handyman, that ran several of these rakes on real snowy roofs. We weighed those against makers' reach, blade and warranty details and federal recall records, and we left out foam-headed rakes until they build a longer record.
Earlier notes
December 27, 2019, by Karen Bennett:
Joining the selection today is the Snowpeeler Premium, which is made off commercial-grade aluminum and incorporates a slide for the snow to glide right down once you’ve given it a small push. It’s actually equipped with two slides – a 10-foot one and a 15-foot one – so you can choose the one that works better with your size of roof. Both are resistant to tears, so they’ll hold up under heavy use. As for the blade, it’s got glide pads to prevent it from scraping or otherwise damaging your roof. Unlike many others, its frame is reinforced by sturdy braces, also ensuring you’ll get many seasons’ worth of use out of it.
Retaining its top spot is the Ames True Temper, which is also made for the long haul, equipped with an ergonomic end grip, a reinforced 24-inch blade. Its locking nodes make it easy to extend and collapse using your thumbs. It’s thoughtfully designed with a hanging hole on the end for storage in your garage or shed. It can be extended up to 17 feet, but more extensions are readily available from the manufacturer, for those who require them.
If you’re in the market for a gentle, yet effective, way to remove snow from the roof of your car or an awning or hot tub cover, look to the Sno Brum Compact, which features an oversized foam head and metal-free faceplate. This reliable model provides a generous four feet of reach and is manufactured in the United States.
If snow is on the way, chances are you might also be in the market for other essentials, so be sure to check out our lists of best snow shovels and best snow blowers. And once the hard work is done, be sure to take some time to enjoy yourself by having a snow sled or two on hand.
Before using a roof rake – and preferably in a time of dry weather – have your roof inspected to make sure there are no loose or cracked shingles or loose gutters that a rake could potentially damage further. While you’re using a roof rake, make sure no one is standing near where the snow and ice will be falling, as falling icicles can cause serious injuries. Also make sure the rake does not come into contact with power lines, especially since most of these rakes are aluminum. If you take the proper precautions, your roof will be cleared safely and efficiently.
Special Honors
Garant Telescopic Roof Rake Garant's own site lists a telescopic version of its 24-inch poly roof rake, model GPRR24T, with a 16.5-foot handle and push-button locks. That's the version Family Handyman reviewed. Availability varies by store and region. garant.com
Reach, Poles And The Two-Story Problem
You only need to clear the first few feet above the gutter, and a rake that reaches 15 to 20 feet covers that on most one-story houses.
Match the pole to your eave height, not your roof peak. You only need to clear the first few feet above the gutter, and a rake that reaches 15 to 20 feet covers that on most one-story houses. Two-story eaves call for something like the 30-foot SnowPeeler, but more length means more flex. Family Handyman found that long rakes get hard to control at full extension, and Bob Vila advises keeping roof rakes to single-story homes.
Pole material matters too. Fiberglass, as on the Avalanche, stays warmer in the hand and feels stiffer, but it weighs more. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper, and it can feel flimsy when fully extended (Bob Vila). Check how sections join: push-button and snap joints must click fully home, and twist locks can slip if they aren't tightened.
Blades, Wheels And Slides: Protecting Your Shingles
A bare aluminum edge cuts snow well but can scratch or tear asphalt shingles, according to Bob Vila. Two fixes exist. Wheels, rollers or glide pads hold the blade a fraction of an inch above the roof; Family Handyman measured about a quarter inch of lift on an Avalanche head. A plastic blade is gentler, though it can chip in hard cold.
Slide systems add a long sheet of plastic or fabric behind the cutting head. Snow rides down the sheet and falls past the eave instead of onto you, which also makes the work faster on big roofs. Foam heads, sold for solar panels and metal roofs, are new and come from young brands with a mixed durability record so far.
Whatever the head, leave an inch or two of snow on the shingles. Raking to bare roof leaves nothing between the blade and the shingles.
Using A Roof Rake Safely
Stay on the ground. A rake is meant to replace climbing, so never use one from a ladder or the roof. Work from the eave upward in small bites, and stand well back from where the snow and icicles land. Rake the same day the snow falls, before it packs or freezes, and don't try to chip ice off the roof. Family Handyman notes that clearing snow regularly helps cut the risk of ice dams.
Look up before you start. Utilities such as National Grid tell homeowners to keep tools at least 10 feet from overhead lines and the service mast, and a long metal pole can tip into a line if you lose control of it. Aluminum conducts electricity, so take extra care with aluminum poles. Massachusetts' snow-removal safety page gives homeowners the same advice about overhead lines.
How we researched this
We compared 21 roof rakes and snow brushes, read the makers' reach, blade and warranty details for the six finalists, used the field reviews published by Bob Vila and Family Handyman, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records. None of these roof rakes has been recalled.
Frequently asked questions
Are roof rakes worth it?
In snowy regions, yes. Pulling the snow off the lower edge of the roof from the ground lowers the load and helps cut the risk of ice dams, without the risk of climbing.
How long a roof rake do I need?
For most one-story houses, a reach of about 15 to 20 feet is enough to clear the eaves. Two-story houses need 25 to 30 feet, and longer poles bend and get harder to control.
Will a roof rake damage shingles?
It can. Bare metal edges can scratch or tear shingles. Choose a rake with wheels, rollers or a plastic blade, and leave an inch or two of snow on the roof.
Is a car snow brush the same as a roof rake?
No. A car snow broom has a short handle and a foam or bristle head for vehicles. A roof rake has a long, sectioned pole and a wide blade or slide made for pulling snow off a roof from the ground.
Is it safe to use a roof rake near power lines?
Keep the whole rake at least 10 feet from overhead lines and the service mast. Aluminum poles conduct electricity, and a long pole is hard to control if it tips.
What is the rake of a roof?
In roofing, the rake is the sloped edge at a gable end. It has nothing to do with the snow tool.
