Best overall in roof rakes
A light telescoping roof rake for pulling snow off the lower edge of a pitched roof while you stand on the ground. The 21 ft pole suits bungalows and one-and-a-half-storey homes better than tall two-storey roofs.
Our score: 7.4/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Pole length (max)
- 21 ft
- Overhead reach (maker)
- 27 ft
- Blade width
- 25 in
- Blade
- Plastic (poly)
Is it right for you?
Pros
- Twist-lock aluminum pole extends from 6.2 ft to 21 ft
- About 27 ft of overhead reach, according to Snow Joe
- 4.8 lb, the lighter of the two Roofer Joe rakes
- 25 in wide, 6 in tall polycarbonate blade
- 2-year limited warranty for household use
Cons
- Plastic blade; the RJ205M has the aluminum one
- A 21 ft pole may not reach the upper part of a tall two-storey roof
- Aluminum pole conducts electricity: keep it well away from power lines
- No replacement head or pole part number published
- Best for
- Owners of a one- or one-and-a-half-storey home with a pitched roof who want to clear the eaves after heavy snow, from the ground.
- Not for
- Clearing a whole roof or a tall two-storey roof from the ground, or eaves close to the service wires; the pole stops at 21 ft.
Our verdict
The Snow Joe Roofer Joe RJ204M is a roof rake you use from the ground: a 25 in wide polycarbonate blade on an aluminum pole that telescopes from 6.2 ft to 21 ft and locks with a twist of the handle knob. Snow Joe gives about 27 ft of overhead reach and a weight of 4.8 lb. Snow Joe pitches it for pulling snow, wet leaves and debris off a roof.
It is for the lower part of a pitched roof, where snow that melts and refreezes at the edge can start an ice dam; our guide to preventing ice dams covers the causes and the lasting fixes. On a tall two-storey house, 21 ft of pole may not get far enough up the slope. If you would rather have a metal blade, the RJ205M is the same rake with an aluminum head. Snow Joe gives a 2-year household warranty and ships to Canada from its US store, priced in US dollars.
Assembly and safe use
Assembly takes two screws per brace: fit the head to the pole, screw the two metal braces to the head with the short hex screws, then fix the braces to the pole with the long hex screw and locking nut. To lengthen the pole, turn the handle knob to open it, slide the pole out and turn the knob back to lock it. Work from the ground; the rake is designed so you don’t need a ladder.
Power lines: the pole is aluminum, which conducts, and Snow Joe’s manual says nothing about power lines. Look up before you extend it, keep pole and blade well clear of every overhead line, including the wires that run to your house, and leave any stretch of eave near them alone; NDSU Extension’s ice dam advice also warns to keep roof rakes away from power lines.
Other options are on our roof rake page.
Specs
Snow Joe Roofer Joe 21 ft Telescoping Roof Rake, Poly Blade (RJ204M)
Reach
| Pole length (max) | 21 ft |
|---|---|
| Overhead reach (maker) | 27 ft |
| Pole | Aluminum, Twist-n-Lock telescoping |
| Pole length (min) | 6.2 ft |
Head
| Blade width | 25 in |
|---|---|
| Blade | Plastic (poly) |
Other details
| Weight | 4.8 lb |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years |
Maker’s figures, checked 4 Nov 2026.
Snow Joe RJ204M questions
How long a roof rake do I need?
Measure from where you will stand to the part of the roof you want to clear. The RJ204M’s pole reaches 21 ft, and Snow Joe gives about 27 ft of overhead reach. Compare that with the height of your eaves and how far up the slope you need to clear; on a tall two-storey roof it may fall short.
Should I rake snow off my roof to stop ice dams?
Pulling snow off the lower edge removes the snow that would melt and refreeze at the eaves. Our ice dam guide covers why they form and the longer-term fixes.
Is it safe to use near power lines?
Treat it as you would a metal ladder: the pole is aluminum and conducts. Keep it well clear of every overhead line, including the wires to your house, and if the eaves are near the service wires, leave that section alone.