Tools & DIY · Head-to-head
Avalanche! SnowRake! Deluxe 20 (SRD20) vs Snow Joe Roofer Joe RJ204M 21-Foot Telescoping Roof Rake
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Roof Rakes: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Avalanche! rides on built-in wheels and is listed for most common roof types, including metal and solar panels, so it is the safer bet for the roof itself. The Snow Joe costs less, weighs 4.8 lb and telescopes instead of snapping together, which makes it quicker to set up for occasional storms.
Avalanche! SnowRake! Deluxe 20 (SRD20)
Buy itA 24-inch plastic pull rake on built-in wheels with about 20 feet of aluminum pole, listed for shingle, shake, tile, metal and solar panel roofs.
- Built-in 1.5-inch wheels keep the head off the roof surface, which the maker says protects against damage.
- The maker lists it for shingles, architectural asphalt, shake, tile, metal and solar panel roofs, the widest stated range here.
- Five 46.5-inch aluminum sections snap together with no tools, and a wall-mount storage bracket is included.
- Sectional pole means you add or remove sections to change length, slower than a telescoping pole.
- Net weight is not published; the maker only lists a 6.55 lb shipping weight.
- The maker's own store showed an estimated availability of 4+ weeks when checked, so buy before the first storm.
Snow Joe Roofer Joe RJ204M 21-Foot Telescoping Roof Rake
Buy itA light telescoping rake whose Twist-n-Lock pole runs from 6.2 to 21 feet with a 25-inch polycarbonate blade.
- The telescoping pole adjusts from 6.2 to 21 feet without adding sections, and the maker quotes up to 27 feet of overhead reach.
- At 4.8 lb it is the lightest rake here with a published weight.
- A 2-year limited warranty is stated on the spec table and in the manual.
- No wheels or pads are listed, so the blade sits directly on the roof surface.
- The listing gives several reach figures (21 ft pole, 25 ft in the features line, 27 ft overhead reach), which makes comparisons harder.
- Assembly uses hex screws, metal braces and the included wrenches rather than a snap fit.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Avalanche! SnowRake! Deluxe 20 (SRD20) Our pick | Snow Joe Roofer Joe RJ204M 21-Foot Telescoping Roof Rake | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Homeowners who want a ground-based rake that rides on wheels and is approved for their roof type, including metal or solar panels. | Budget buyers with standard asphalt shingle roofs who want a light, quick-to-adjust rake for a few storms a year. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
| Type | Pull blade on wheels | Pull blade |
| Maximum reach (maker) | About 20 ft pole | 21 ft pole, 27 ft overhead reach |
| Head | 24 in plastic | 25 x 6 in polycarbonate |
| Roof protection | Built-in 1.5 in wheels | None listed |
| Pole | Five 46.5 in aluminum sections | Aluminum, Twist-n-Lock telescoping |
| Assembly | Snap-together, no tools | Hex screws, wrenches included |
| Weight (maker) | Not published (6.55 lb shipping) | 4.8 lb |
| Warranty | Not stated on product page | 2 years |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Avalanche! SnowRake! Deluxe 20 (SRD20) if
homeowners who want a ground-based rake that rides on wheels and is approved for their roof type, including metal or solar panels.
Know before buying: sectional pole means you add or remove sections to change length, slower than a telescoping pole.
Pick the Snow Joe Roofer Joe RJ204M 21-Foot Telescoping Roof Rake if
budget buyers with standard asphalt shingle roofs who want a light, quick-to-adjust rake for a few storms a year.
Know before buying: no wheels or pads are listed, so the blade sits directly on the roof surface.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Avalanche! SnowRake! Deluxe 20 (SRD20) - A 24-inch plastic pull rake on built-in wheels with about 20 feet of aluminum pole, listed for shingle, shake, tile, metal and solar panel roofs. Choose the Snow Joe Roofer Joe RJ204M 21-Foot Telescoping Roof Rake instead if budget buyers with standard asphalt shingle roofs who want a light, quick-to-adjust rake for a few storms a year.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Roof Rakes: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).