6 Best Roof Rakes for Snow and Ice Removal
Updated: Jan. 12, 2023Excessive roof snow can become dangerously heavy and lead to destructive ice dams. Remove some of that snow with a hard-working roof rake.
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A roof rake is an excellent way to clear excess snow from the top of your home. Comprised of an extending handle and a blade, these simple tools allow you to remove snow from your roof while keeping both feet on the ground.
Here are six of the best roof rakes on the market right now.
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Best Overall Roof Rake
Garant Yokon Poly Blade
The Garant Yukon is a classic scoop-style roof rake. It extends by using add-on poles, which means it only weighs as much as is needed to get the job done. The Garant also has a poly blade, making it less destructive than a metal one if you accidentally push against the roof shingles. For lighter amounts of snow, this is an excellent choice to maintain your roof in the winter.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
Cons
- Not suited for the heaviest amounts of snow
Best Rake for Tall Roofs
SnowPeeler Premium Roof Rake
The SnowPeeler Premium is a perfect example of the slicer blade-style roof rake. It clears snow with a pushing motion, and comes equipped with a trailing sheet to help protect gutters. The SnowPeeler Premium extends to 30 feet, making it one of the longest rakes on this list.
Pros
- Super long
- Aluminum blade cuts through snow
- Protective glide for roof and gutters
- Tear-resistant slide
Cons
- Expensive
Best Rake for Shingles
Extreme Max Roof Rake
The Extreme Max Roof Rake is a scoop-style tool with wheels attached. This gives it an advantage over rakes like the Garant because it allows you to re-position your rake without lifting it off the roof. This is especially useful for DIYers who might be prone to back strain or fatigue. It also gives a built-in buffer between the rake blade and the roof so the raking motion is almost zero-contact.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Blade rollers for shingle protection
- Lightweight
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Some buyers not missing parts
Best Heavy-Duty Roof Rake
Snowpeeler
With an aluminum blade and shaft, the Snowpeeler can cut through the toughest, deepest snow. This rake includes four 5-foot extension poles that allow it to extend up to 20 feet in length.
It also has a slide attachment to effortlessly pull snow off the roof. However, the weight of this rake might make you fatigued at a faster rate than a lighter snow shovel.
Pros
- Built for heavy snowfall
- Slide attachment improves efficiency
- Long length
Cons
- Heavier than other rakes
Best Rake for Narrow Spots
Gymax Aluminum Roof Rake
The Gymax Aluminum Roof Rake is noteworthy because of its narrow head width. At only 16 inches, it will take longer to work your way across a wide roof. But it’s perfect for fitting into tighter spaces, such as roof valleys or along skylights.
Also, unlike many of the options we’ve looked at so far, the Gymax has a telescoping pole. This makes for easier tool storage and assembly. But unlike a rake with removable extension poles, a telescoping pole means the product weighs the same no matter how far you extend it.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- Durable
- Easy to handle and maneuver
Cons
- Not build for tough ice and heavy snow
Best Budget Roof Rake
Snow Joe RJ205M Twist-N-Lock
Affordable and convenient, the Snow Joe RJ205M is an aluminum scoop-style rake that’s useful if you need to pull something other than snow off your roof. Notice in the photo that this rake has a lip, allowing it to hook items like leaves or sticks that are embedded in the snow. You’ll need to be careful not to damage your roof in the process. But if you’ve got foreign objects in your snowline, the Snow Joe can snag them along with the snow.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Lightweight
- Large rake head
- Easy to handle and maneuver
- Rubberized grip
Cons
- Hooked lip allows for leave removal, but can damage roof if not careful
What to Consider When Buying a Roof Rake
Roof rake blades come in two styles: a scoop (shaped like a traditional snow shovel) or a slicer (which functions a bit like a cheese slicer). Beyond the blade, look for a rake that extends far enough to reach your roof line but light enough for you to use comfortably.
What is the difference between a scoop-blade and slicer-blade roof rake?
Scoop blades are designed to be placed at the top of the roof and dragged towards the ground. This allows gravity to help clear the snow, but it also has two downsides. It sheds excess snow into gutters or onto shrubs and plants along the foundation. And you have to be careful to not push upward and potentially damage shingles.
Slicer-blade rakes are designed to be pushed upward, rather than pulled down. Because you’re pushing against the grain, it’s essential that the rake has wheels or coasters to avoid damaging shingles. But slicer-style options often come with a big advantage: a trailing sheet. Snow shoots along the sheet, staying out of gutters and away from shrubs and plants.
Length and Weight
Most roof rakes come with adjustable poles. The longer the pole, the higher you’ll be able to reach on the roof, but longer poles can also be unwieldy and may require more physical strength to lift and maneuver.
Roof rakes range in weight between just a few pounds and about 15 pounds, with most of the weight in the rake head. The heavier the rake head, the more likely it is to sink deeply into the snow on the roof, allowing you to remove a good amount with each pull.
Should you use a roof rake on a ladder?
Short answer: No. They should only be used when you’re standing on the ground, never on a ladder. Attempting to balance a long pole while navigating snow-slick ladder rungs is a surefire way to slip and fall.
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