Goodbye Regular Rakes: The Clever Leaf Removal Tool That 'Almost Makes Work Fun'

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There's no shortage of enjoyable autumnal activities — picking apples, visiting a corn maze, sipping on cozy fall cocktails – but raking leaves isn't always on that list. It can be a time-consuming, strenuous, and frustrating chore, especially if you're using a weak and shoddy rake. Luckily, there are many alternative tools that let you say goodbye to rakes and clean up leaves with ease. One particularly whimsical option is the Gardease ReLeaf Leaf Scoops – an oversized pair of green plastic scoopers that resemble something between Hulk hands and giant baseball mitts.

The scoops just slide onto your hands and, since they measure 15 ¾ long by 13 ⅗ inches wide, they allow users to quickly pick up large piles of leaves and move them to a disposal area, whether that's a waste bag or compost bin. They have an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on over 4,400 customer reviews, with roughly 80% of customers giving them a perfect five-star review. "There's a reason why this gets so many stars, it's actually a really well-made piece of plastic," one reviewer wrote, adding, "This almost makes work fun." Retailing for a little under $30 at Amazon, these leaf scoops are more expensive than the average plastic garden rake but cheaper than most leaf blowers.

Perhaps the biggest reason these Gardease leaf scoopers are fun to use is that they bring back the feeling of playing in the snow, sand, and leaves as a kid — all while getting yard work done. They're also a great way to get children involved. As one reviewer reported, "Even my 6- and 9-year-old daughters like to pick up leaves with them," while another wrote, "I would TOTALLY recommend these to anyone of any age." At the same time, many customers note how lightweight yet durable these giant hands are (although they can scratch if used on asphalt or concrete) and that they can cut the time it takes to bag leaves by half.

Keep in mind that these scoops necessitate more physical effort than a leaf blower or handy leaf vacuum, but users widely consider them a clever garden tool for small yards and casual leaf pick-up. Some customers add that the ergonomic design is more comfortable on their hands and wrists than using a rake. That said, the repeated bending up and down may be difficult for people with back issues — something that's also a challenge when using a rake – in which case it may be better to use a leaf blower. The scoops can still be used even when fall ends and there are no leaves left on the ground. Customers report using them for spreading and removing mulch, clearing grass clippings, and even picking up after their pets.