House Digest Home Improvement Awards 2026

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Buying products for your home is easy. Regardless of your wants or needs, you're likely to find thousands of options from trusted brands (who may or may not have changed hands dozens of times since they made their name) and lesser-known brands whose names you can hardly pronounce. Yes, buying products for your home is easy ... but discovering reliable products that are worth every cent of their price tag and make your house a better place to live? Not so easy. At House Digest, we understand this all too well, so we've curated a list of products we use and love that we'd recommend to our closest friends and family members.

To determine our House Digest Home Improvement Award 2026 winners, we first surveyed our knowledgeable editorial team to identify products they purchased and fell in love with in 2026. We then broke this list of products into distinct categories and selected winners based on several ranked factors — the most important of which was firsthand user experience and the impact they made in the editor's home or garden. Also considered were aggregated customer reviews from retailers, such as Amazon and Home Depot, and critical reception, if applicable.

Whether you're planning a major purchase, like a new washing machine, or simply trying to find a toilet cleaner that actually eliminates stains, you can rest assured that each of these House Digest Home Improvement Award winners has earned our stamp of approval.

Running late while preparing for a family gathering is stressful enough; add a dishwasher that hasn't fully cleaned your dishes, and you might as well cancel the whole event. Luckily, with the Frigidaire 24 in. Front Control Built-In Tall Tub Dishwasher, you won't have that problem. This sleek dishwasher boasts a clean, straightforward design — we love the easy-to-understand interface — but above all, we're wowed by its cleaning power. "When you have a toddler running around on the warpath and clients emailing you about deliverables, there's no time to pre-scrub the dried Thai curry sauce off your dishes," one editor said. "Luckily for me, the Frigidaire dishwasher produces amazing results every cycle, no matter how much food is caked on them."

This dishwasher has three spray arms designed to hit each and every surface of the dishes on the racks, helping it tackle tough messes. It doesn't always bring the big guns out, though — with the included sensor, this Energy Star-certified dishwasher is able to gauge just how dirty your dishes are and alter the cycle as needed, helping to save you on power and water. Add to this its helpful sanitization function, MaxDry setting, and ability to hold a serviceable 14 place settings at once, and you're left with a dishwasher that can deliver sparkling clean dishes efficiently and consistently.

Purchasing a dryer from an unreliable appliance brand can leave you with damaged clothes or wasted time rewashing damp, musty essentials. Thankfully, the Samsung 7.4 cu. ft. Vented Front Load Smart Electric Dryer gets the job done without overcomplicating things. We're big fans of its Sensor Dry feature, which our editor found helped prevent their clothes from over-drying — a must when your closet contains finicky (yet somehow necessary) Banana Republic pieces with laundering instructions as restrictive as they are foreboding. 

With 10 preset cycles, Wi-Fi connectivity, seven drying options, and four available temperature levels, it's hard to believe there's a drying task it can't tackle. This dryer is reliable, convenient, and quick, but above all, it's designed with the user in mind. "It's a small thing, but it's worth noting I was able to reorient the door's swinging direction in just a few minutes," our editor added. "Samsung appliances tend to be reliable, and this one hasn't caused me to worry since the day I hooked it up."

Don't let the long product name and plethora of features fool you — we found the Samsung 4.6 cu. ft. Large Capacity Smart Top Load Washer to be exceptionally easy to use. "I really love the simplicity of the design and features," an editor noted. "It's a simple device that works well, and doesn't appear to have many surprises that are bound to complicate things in a few years." Thanks to this device's large capacity, you're able to wash more in one go, and with 10 preset cycles, you'll never be stuck wondering which settings you should use. 

Another major pro that we noticed with this workhorse was the lack of noise. Top-load washers can be a bit louder than their front-load counterparts, but this model has no such issue, featuring an anti-tangle and vibration-minimizing agitator that's intended to cut down on the disruptions and reduce the risk of your load becoming balled up or unbalanced in the machine. It's even designed to be quiet to close, so your late-night laundry sessions won't wake everyone in the house. With an included water faucet to pre-treat clothing within the machine itself, you won't even have to deal with going to and from your laundry room sink. "I love this feature," explained an editor. "I use it to somewhat dissolve OxiClean when I am using it, but it's also handy for pre-treating reusable diaper liners."

Pet messes are some of the most stubborn stains to lift, but never say never. We found the BISSELL Little Green Pet Deluxe packs a serious punch when it comes to eliminating stains on soft surfaces, clearing away both pet accidents and food-based spills with ease. "Between my adorable dog throwing up on the carpet and my tendency to spill all types of drinks and condiments, this little machine has been a life saver," one editor said. To use it, you simply spray a diluted solution on the stain and clean it up with the powerful suction arm. Because it's so portable and it doesn't leave behind a significant amount of moisture, it can be used just about anywhere, from your car's back seat to the cushions on your couch.

While Bissell's original Little Green cleaner is a beast on its own, this upgraded model was specifically designed with pet owners in mind. It's been heavily tested for this purpose and comes with a sample size of two solutions for use in the machine: a Pet Spot and Stain cleaner and a Pet Oxy Boost cleaner, the latter of which we found very useful for wiping out more stubborn stains. Still not sold on the pet-friendly focus? The box is even designed to transform into the perfect little cubby for your cat with a few simple folds — so cute!

Have perpetually dirty floors and a calendar with no room for pushing around a vacuum? The Shark Navigator Cordless Robot Vacuum was our favorite robot vac buy of 2026. "One thing we've enjoyed the most about our robot vacuum is how little babysitting it needs," our editor explained. "The self-cleaning brush roll has been especially nice because hair doesn't seem to get wrapped around it nearly as much as it did with our regular vacuum." You should know before buying a robot vacuum that it won't completely eliminate the need for hand-held vacuuming, but this device delivered an impressive performance when it came to clearing the hair, debris, and crumbs that somehow always find their way to the floor during our day-to-day routines.

We also found that this model moved well with little human intervention, taking off to do its job with the click of a button via an easy-to-use app and docking itself right back into the charging port once done. While there were still occasional hang-ups with dropped socks or loose cords, this product impressed overall and provided a set-it-and-forget-it alternative to more labor-intensive routine cleaning.

Anyone with a pet knows that having a good spot treatment is a must, especially when your home is carpeted. With Nature's Miracle Enzymatic Formula Pet Stain and Odor Remover, you can say goodbye to pet stains in seconds. Enzymatic cleaners are fantastic for eliminating stubborn pet odors because they're formulated to break down proteins from organic stains, and we found that this spray certainly delivers on its promises. "My dog puked bright yellow vomit on the carpet, and I was able to easily get it out with some blotting and a few sprays," said one House Digest editor.

This product can be used as both a spot treatment and an odor eliminator, but instructions vary depending on the goal. We found that a small amount of product goes a long way for stain treatment, so if that's your primary intention, you'll likely be able to hang on to the bottle for upwards of a year before you run out. To sweeten the deal, this product also does a stellar job at eliminating gross pet odors. "I don't think I've ever noticed a bad smell after using this to clean up my dog's messes," our editor added.

You don't want to bring out the big guns for every tiny mess, but it's still important to have a product on hand that leaves your space feeling clean. That's where Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner comes in. We found that this all-purpose spray provided a natural yet effective way to get our surfaces sparkling during everyday wipe-downs and small spill cleanups, and after it was wiped away, there was no lingering residue. What it does leave behind, however, is fragrance — a lovely, fresh scent that smells anything but artificial.

This spray is safe to use on pretty much any non-porous surface (this means unsealed natural stone is off the table, unfortunately), so whether you're wiping down kitchen appliances, cleaning your bathroom counters, or shining up your coffee bar, it's convenient to grab without having to think twice about potential damage. We aren't the only ones who are fans, either — Amazon reviewers rave about this cleaner's pleasant scent and effectiveness, noting that just one spray goes quite a long way.

Sustainable cleaning products are seeing an uptick in popularity, and that includes brands that seek to reduce or completely eliminate the need for plastic in their packaging. If you're trying to cut back on your single-use plastics (or simply want to try out a convenient alternative to traditional products), Clean Cult Toilet Bowl Cleaner Sheets are worth checking out. "I like using them because they're easy to store and use," one of our editors said. "There's not as many scary chemicals as traditional bowl cleaners, which matters a lot to me because I have cats and a kiddo running around, and it knocks out any stains or residue without heavy-duty scrubbing."

To use these sheets, you simply drop them into the toilet bowl, allow them to dissolve, and scrub with a brush. Along with being able to eliminate tough stains and rings, we also found the scent to be mild. Each pack contains 32 sheets, and the cleaning agents included are safe for plumbing and septic systems. After you're done, you can recycle the box to reduce your negative environmental impact even further. Making environmentally friendly swaps isn't always simple, but with a product as convenient as this, the conscious choice might actually be the more convenient one.

Now that we have cleaning covered, it's time to take a detour into the world of DIYs. If you truly want to paint your home like a professional, investing in a sprayer is your first step to success. A good paint sprayer will make light work of a big job and leave you with an ultra-smooth finish, and this AVANTI Airless Paint, Primer, and Stain Sprayer from Harbor Freight checks all the boxes. Compared to other models, it's a fairly basic and affordable option, but it's a great pick for DIYers or casual home improvement enthusiasts who want to step up their game.

We found that this sprayer was a versatile and flexible option for a wide variety of jobs. With a lightweight build, a 25-foot-long hose that comes standard, and the ability to spray unthinned paint, primer, and stain, it's a solid choice for just about any project. "I used it to paint a vintage 100-plus-year-old barn with a 40-foot peak, and, outside of a few work stoppages to manage clogs, it handled the job over several days," one of our editors explained, adding that it's one of the more efficient models they've used. "Like all sprayers, it will waste some paint, but it didn't seem to waste as much as some other sprayers I've owned."

Puddles and cracked concrete can feel unavoidable based on where your garage is situated, but if you're looking for a quick fix to keep water out of your garage, we think the Jin&Bao Universal Garage Door Threshold Seal Strip Kit might be just what you need. The product is very simple — it's essentially just a 10-foot-long piece of rubber with an included adhesive — but we found that it made a major difference in how much water was able to make it in under the door.

Compared to other similar products, this seal strip has a fairly high ridge that fits snugly up against the bottom of a garage door, creating a barrier that can help to keep out moisture or air when the weather outdoors is less than ideal. Despite the fact that it can make a big difference in comfort in your garage, it's only ⅗ of an inch tall at its peak, so we found it's not a major tripping hazard. Installation is simple, too — all you need to do is measure out the strip, cut it to size, and attach it to the floor under your door with the included silicone adhesive. It might not look all that impressive, but we think this product is one of those simple additions that will have a major impact on your home.

If you have a chimney, installing a chimney cap is often recommended to prevent rainwater damage and pesky critters from crawling through the opening and creating a nest. One editor who had a family of birds move in found that, after evicting them, they were unable to return once they installed the sturdy Shelter Single Flue Bolt-On Chimney Cap.  We love that it's made of durable stainless steel, is super easy to install, and even has a lifetime limited warranty in case you run into any issues.

This cap is designed to fit over a single clay chimney flue tile. It's not difficult to bolt in yourself, but once it's secure, it's not going anywhere — unless it's installed incorrectly or your whole roof blows away, this thing should be able to weather even the toughest storms. Other customers are wowed by its performance, too. Reviewers on Amazon consistently state that it's very simple to bolt down, lasts well through severe weather, is sized accurately for a proper fit, and is a great value for the money. Just be careful when installing this stainless steel beast: Nobody likes climbing down a ladder while their thumb is gushing blood.

Sturdy, stylish, and simple garage shelving can completely transform your organization, and the Husky 4-Shelf Metal Industrial Duty Freestanding Garage Storage Shelving Unit absolutely fits the bill. It's built for industrial use, but that doesn't mean that it's an eyesore — the eye-catching red color gives it just enough style to feel like an intentional decorative choice rather than a utilitarian necessity. Also, it can hold a whopping 2,500 pounds per shelf, so the "industrial duty" title is certainly earned. Unless you're storing your prized collection of lead ingots, there should be no worries concerning warping or instability.

We're big fans of how much storage room it provides on its deep shelves, how stable it feels after assembly, and how easy it is to set up. It does come shipped in pieces, but it only takes a rubber mallet and a bit of patience to assemble — no annoying bolts required. This is one of those finds that'll level up your garage for years to come; trust us, you don't want to cut too many corners when it comes to garage storage.

It doesn't matter how many times you teach your kids the clean-up song or add tidying to their chore chart — their play area is always going to be a mess if there's not a functional storage system in place. We think IKEA's TROFAST Shelving is perfect for the job, and even after your kids have outgrown their large collections of Barbies and building blocks, it can easily transition into stylish storage for the next phase of their life thanks to its minimal design.

We're huge fans of just how much storage space this shelving unit can provide, and as with many IKEA products, there's plenty of room to play around with the design and customize to your heart's content. "I bought three of these units, spaced them out across the wall, and added a plywood board on top to create a worktable," explained a House Digest editor with an envy-inducing playroom setup.

IKEA's penchant for modular design is on full display here, too, so if you'd rather a collection of nine small drawers or a combination of small, medium, and large, there's plenty of opportunity to mix things up. With such a simple, fuss-free look, this storage system will look just as beautiful along the wall in the living room as it would in a dedicated playroom.

Organization doesn't have to be complicated to be effective. Sometimes all you need is a simple, sturdy container to keep your most-used items accessible while going about your daily routine. We believe the getstar Large Utensil Holder is an ideal pick for the job. With ceramic construction, a healthy bit of heft, and a simple design that's sure to please even the pickiest of interior decorators, this crock is large enough to hold just about any kitchen utensil you need to keep handy while you're cooking. Some buyers even like the design so much they have it do double duty as a modern vase.

While it isn't particularly visible when you're looking at this utensil holder head-on, it also includes a cork bottom that helps to keep it in place and reduce the risk of damage to your countertops. This does come along with a minor con — the cork bottom means you can't put it in the dishwasher for cleaning — but a simple wipe-down is typically all you need.

"I put a lot of thought into utensil storage after I bought a house," our editor explained. "There are a lot of cheap options out there, but this product's sleek design was definitely worth a few extra bucks."

You don't need anything complicated to keep the items in your fridge accessible and presentable, and we think a basic organizer like this Brightroom Fridge Rectangular Lazy Susan Turntable Organizer certainly helps. Thanks to its spinning design, it greatly increases the number of items you're able to see and grab easily. When food is no longer condemned to the fate of rotting in the back of the fridge behind your most recent grocery haul, there's a higher chance you'll actually use it before it goes bad.

This turntable isn't your typical spinning disc, either — it features a more elongated design that allows it to take advantage of all of the available space on a typical refrigerator shelf. Its included suction cups also secure it to the material below, reducing wobbling and jostling with use, though a few customers on Target's website have noted that these add-ons tend to go missing in-store before you're actually able to purchase the product. We found that (with the suction cups included, of course) this organizer makes a profound difference in our cooking routine and the amount of food that gets wasted week by week.

When creating a peaceful bedroom for a good night's sleep, most focus on blocking out light, making the bed comfortable, and reducing noise and distractions, but have you considered how the way you're woken up impacts the rest of your day? Alarm clocks that simulate dawn have been proven to be beneficial to your overall sleep quality, especially for those who rise before the sun or live somewhere with limited morning light in the winter. We found that the JALL Sunrise Alarm Clock White Noise Machine does the job beautifully for a much lower price than the competition. 

"When I'm camping, waking up with the sun always makes me feel amazing," one House Digest editor noted. "I became really invested in improving my sleep hygiene. After tons of research, I picked the JALL clock over more expensive models just to see how I'd like it, and it's been great!"

This alarm clock gently wakes you up with light, but that isn't its only feature — it can also be used as a white noise machine and ambient lighting during your wind-down in the evenings. We did find that all of the settings could be a bit confusing to get the hang of at first, but once you set a routine that works for you, you'll be off to the races. Whether you're attempting to get into the habit of getting up earlier or are tired of jolting awake to the sound of your cell phone blaring each morning, this clock could be the little improvement your morning routine needs.

Another major consideration in your nighttime routine should be comfort, but it can be challenging to find products that deliver, especially when you're shopping online and don't have the opportunity to feel fabrics before buying. We spent two nights snuggled up with these Bedsure sheets in a June 2026 review, and sure enough, the Bedsure Bamboo Viscose Cooling Sheets were worth the hype.

While this specific product isn't the most affordable, the details make all the difference — these sheets have a deep pocket, luxe finish, and a great balance between softness and breathability. They really act as the perfect compromise between cheap polyester sheets and overpriced luxury options, and when it comes to something that you'll spend about a third of your time relaxing on, that little extra investment is often justified.

These sheets are a great pick for hot sleepers, and their overall comfort got a big thumbs-up, both from our writer and her family. "After a preliminary washing and a weekend of nights and naps, the household consensus is that Bedsure makes a mighty fine product — even the dogs appeared pleased," she said. Given this set passed the "cooling test" for both a hot and cold sleeper, we'd say it's worth the cost.

Everyone agrees that layering is the lighting trick that will immediately boost the ambiance in your home, but that can be very hard to do with corded light fixtures. To make things easier, we suggest looking into the Kakanuo Cordless Table Lamp. Whether you want something more portable, can't be bothered to deal with yet another complex cord management system, or simply don't have outlets available where you need them, we found that this little lamp is a great way to bring some light to your space. "You can place them in the middle of your dining table to enjoy soft light while you eat, or place one on a shelf to add interest," our editor explained.

One thing to consider is that battery-operated lamps need to be recharged, and this model is no exception. Because of this, we recommend it for those spots where you need an occasional boost of illumination. With the included dimmer, it's perfect for creating a cozy vibe or giving you more visibility in the evenings without having to rely on a glaring overhead fixture. 

"Warm minimalism" is how one editor describes the vibe of IKEA's HÄGERNÄS Table and Chairs. Although it's made of solid wood, we found this set to be surprisingly affordable. We believe it can be a fantastic addition to a small dining space, and because of the pine construction, it's far from flimsy. The set boasts a simple design that can easily be transformed to fit an array of different aesthetics with the help of a few decorations, such as a runner, vase, and table lamp. And unlike many wood sets, our editor found that it's actually quite comfortable to sit on, even without adding cushions.

This is still an IKEA piece, however — while you might be getting better quality than expected at an affordable price point, you'll still have to go through the ordeal of putting all the pieces together yourself. Although time-consuming, it didn't seem too difficult for our editor, who tends to hate building furniture.

"It did take me a few hours to build, but I'm super happy with how it turned out and how much I saved," she explained.

Even if you don't recognize the name, you're likely already familiar with Zevo Flying Insect Traps. These sleek little wall plug-ins have gained a major reputation, and for good reason — we're here to back up just how effective they are. Tiny indoor bugs like gnats and fruit flies are seemingly impossible to eliminate completely, but in our experience, these traps do a fantastic job. They don't release any fragrance and they're safe to use around kids and pets, so compared to sprays and zappers, they're significantly less disruptive. You don't even have to see the dead bugs until it's time to swap out the adhesive pad. After only using it for a month, one editor said they "noticed a significant drop in how many gnats have been bothering me while working from home." 

Essentially, these devices are upgraded versions of those inexpensive ceiling-hung fly traps. Behind the shield-shaped front panel, there's a little sticky sheet that traps the bugs that fly in, eventually killing them. Once it's full, you toss out the old sheet and slip in a new one. The device also includes a blue light that acts as a beacon for these pests, and while we do agree that the glow can be slightly disruptive at night, it's a small price to pay for a home free of fruit flies.

If you live somewhere with scorpions, you know just how scary it can be to walk outside only to find several arachnids with massive stinging tails staring right back at you. Habits like keeping your home clutter-free, trimming back plants, and getting rid of sources of standing water can help to keep them away, but for a more thorough approach, we recommend trying out Harris Scorpion Killer spray. We can vouch that this product works: After one spraying session, we didn't spot another one of these pests for weeks. Unlike some other treatments, this spray doesn't stain or have a strong odor, so it was pretty much undetectable after spraying (beyond the lack of creepy crawly visitors).

Of course, you should be sure to follow all package instructions. This product can also kill cockroaches, ants, centipedes, and ticks, among other pests, so it's safe to say that it's pretty high-powered. It can be incredibly dangerous to aquatic animals, so do your best to prevent runoff, and make sure to keep it far away from children and pets. While this product will keep killing pests long after it has been sprayed, it will require re-upping once you start to notice a decrease in effectiveness. This will depend on the surface sprayed and the bugs you're trying to kill, but keep in mind that you'll need to establish a routine for long-term results.

Wasps are another one of those creepy crawlies that you certainly don't want lingering around your house, but they're no match for Raid Defend Wasp and Hornet. This product proves that sometimes the classics are the best — Raid has been a go-to brand for insecticide treatments for decades, and this wasp spray hasn't let us down yet.

Thanks to its ultra-powerful sprayer, this simple can will allow you to completely knock out a nest from a distance, minimizing your risk. The formula is powerful, too. After just one application, we noticed that most medium-sized or smaller nests were completely done for the following day.

"I'm pretty scared of wasps, but everywhere I've lived, so do they," said one House Digest editor. "Raid Defend will incapacitate the wasps pretty fast. I've never been stung after spraying a nest ... of course, I run away as quickly as possible in a brazen display of cowardice."

While tick season seems to be getting worse every year, we found that we're able to remain tick-free with the help of OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent V. Although it's most commonly advertised as a mosquito repellent, we found that blood suckers of just about every variety will take off in the opposite direction as soon as this is applied — it's so effective, we wouldn't be surprised if it could ward off vampires, too.

Whether you're gardening or heading out on a hike, this spray is great to have on hand in tick-friendly areas. While the can warns it could be damaging to certain synthetic fabrics like acetate, rayon, and spandex, as well as materials like plastic, leather, varnish, and paint, this seems more precautionary than anything.

"I've used this as a tick and chigger repellent for years, and I've never noticed any damage to clothing," a House Digest editor opined. "What I can say, however, is that this is my go-to solution to keep ticks off me when I'm clearing out poison ivy and Japanese knotweed in my backyard. I also take it camping."

When you're blowing leaves and debris off of your lawn, the last thing you want to worry about is a tangle-prone, distance-limiting cord or a jerrycan that needs to be filled with gas and hauled around. This Stihl BGA 50 Battery Powered Blower fixes that problem. We found that it was compact, easy to use, and quiet, making it a fantastic choice for quick cleanup jobs and regular lawn maintenance. This blower's noise level only reaches 55 decibels, which is on par with the level of a typical conversation or an electric fan. It also weighs less than 5 pounds without the battery, so you can say goodbye to that all-too-familiar shoulder soreness after doing lawn work.

While you'll likely want to opt for a heavier-duty model if you're doing lawn care professionally or working with a large swath of land, this little blower strikes the perfect balance between power and portability for those with small or average-sized lawns. The battery will last you around two hours on a single charge, which provides you with plenty of time to clean up leaves or clear away grass clippings without having to pause in most spaces.

The Makita LXT 18V X2 Cordless String Trimmer Kit was Consumer Reports' pick for the best battery-operated string trimmer, and based on our experience, we're inclined to agree with their assessment. This tool is an absolute beast when it comes to cutting down large weeds and stubborn grass, but it's also well-suited for more precise maintenance tasks thanks to its three speed options. The trimmer is fairly lightweight, coming in at around 10 ½ pounds, but this is helped out by the fact that the device is exceptionally well-balanced. It's very comfortable to use for long periods, which takes a significant amount of the strain out of lawn work.

"I used this product to trim a city lawn that was far too overgrown for a lawnmower," one editor explained. "Despite spending a full 8 hours weed-eating, I only recharged one set of batteries, and my arms didn't fall off — a testament to this tool's battery life and ease of use."

Overall, we found this trimmer durable, powerful, and easy to use, which is exactly what you want out of a lawn care tool. That said, its guard is on the smaller side, so be smart and wear the included safety glasses.

When it's time to deadhead or prune your plants, the tool you're using makes all the difference. We found that the Fiskars 8 Inch Bypass Pruners are a great choice for the job. This tool is reliable, affordable, and comfortable to use; there's a reason Fiskars has been around for hundreds of years. You'll get everything you need here: a sharp blade, low-friction coating, Softgrip handles, and a two-handed design that's perfect for lefties.

While these pruners only have a cut capacity of ⅝ inches (pretty standard for a tool this size), they're great for those smaller jobs and thinner branches. Whether you're pruning bushes, cutting back spent flowers, or reshaping leggy plants, these pruners will make getting the job done easy. While the low-friction coating on the blades helps to prevent rust, make sure you're staying on top of your garden tool maintenance. The low price point means replacing this tool won't break the bank, but if you give it a bit of TLC, you could reasonably rely on it for years to come.

Tools that boast a bevy of cutting-edge features and complex technologies aren't always necessary — in some cases, these add-ons just serve to make things more complicated. If you've been looking to bring your lawn care back to basics, this Expert Gardener 30-inch Wood and Poly Leaf Rake will help you do just that. There's nothing fussy about this rake — it just comprises a wood handle, a wide plastic head, and a comfort grip cover — and we found that it was a reliable basic that easily rakes up grass clippings and unearthed weeds with minimal effort.

While a few Walmart reviewers seemingly received duds with handles that broke after a couple of uses, the overall impression of customers seemed to align with our positive experience. "I've had bad luck with two things in life: rakes and women," said a House Digest editor. "I've dragged this rake all around my property and it's still going strong. It's also survived a toddler jumping on it, so there's that."