Last Updated on June 14, 2023 by Georgie Smith
Picking fruit using ladders is not only time consuming, but it is also dangerous because it may cause injuries. The best fruit pickers are an innovation that will do much good for farm owners. They make it smooth, efficient and reliable to harvest fruits without causing damages.
Modern fruit pickers are lightweight and boast of having padded baskets that reduce bruising the fruit while you are harvesting. There are numerous types of fruit pickers. These often vary in size, quality and prices.
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A poor quality picker can damage your fruit making you wish you just picked up the ladder and used your hands to pick the fruits. Here are some reasons why you need to consider buying the best fruit picker:
- Faster job completion
- They are convenient and easy to use
- It comes with a padded catcher that protects the fruit from bruising
- They are gentle on trees and keep trees from being damaged
- It is a safe and reliable tool
- They are lightweight thus reducing the user’s fatigue levels
Here are some of the best fruit pickers and a guide on what to look for when buying one.
How to Choose the right one?
Material
There won’t always be fruits on your trees. A fruit picker is, therefore, a tool that you will occasionally be using. Consequently, you need it to have a sturdy material that ensures it they can work great for every season.
The best quality pickers are rust and corrosion free and durable so that it is unbreakable. It should withstand all the outdoor challenges and storing problems. The higher quality fruit picker will allow you to get the best fruits for decades without being damaged. While they are not particularly expensive, if you have to buy a new one each season, they will be costly.
Weight
You need to seriously consider the weight of the fruit harvesting tool you buy. Harvesting should be easy and fun. However, things can go south pretty quickly if you have to deal with a massive device. By the time you have picked two fruits, you will be too tired to continue. When things are too harsh, sometimes, the things you want to go for are no longer worth it.
While you do have a craving for the fruit at the top of the tree, it may not be worth it if the picker is too heavy and you end up feeling too fatigued. If you have to strain yourself to get the fruits, they may not be a worth it as you wanted. A lightweight picker makes harvesting accessible and less of a hassle.
The Feature of the Bag
If the tool you use to harvest the fruits is not high quality, it may damage the tree. Before you buy, make sure you thoroughly inspect the harvester to ensure that its catcher bag is designed to inflict minimal damage.
You will always need to get new fruits from your trees. The last thing you want is to invest in a tool that you plan to use for many seasons only for it to ruin your chances of getting more fruits in future. The catcher should have some form of padding. It should also have soft materials that allow it to hold your fruit gently and pluck it without pulling on the branches.
The Types of Fruits it Can Pick
You need to consider the kind of fruits you need. For instance, if you want small ones, you will need a picker that specializes in them. A fruit harvester meant for gathering larger fruits like mangoes and oranges will not work for small fruits like plums.
Buying a fruit picker that is not specialized for the fruits you want to grow will not be economical. Harvesting will also waste much time as you try to figure out the best angles to hold it.
Reliability
Ensure that the weight of the fruits will not be too much for the picker. Sometimes, the metallic tines may be weak and will not withstand the weight. They may detach the basket forcing it to come down. This force may cause injuries to your hands.
A great way to ensure that you are getting great value for your money is to read customer reviews. It will help you figure out how reliable the picker is and what fruits it can handle.
Top 6 Best Fruit Pickers on the Market
| Picture | Product Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
 | Flexrake LRB189 | – 13-foot adjustable handle – Heavy gauge vinyl coated – Fiberglass handle design |
 | Ohuhu Picker | – Minimizes fatigue – 3-step adjusting style – Lightweight, durable aluminum construction |
 | ZOENHOU Tech | – Extendable pole – Bruise free deep basket – Risk-free satisfaction |
 | The Fiskars Fruit Picker | – One set fruit sleeves included – Slim lightweight design – Easy to assemble and use |
 | Truper 33578 | – Faster and safer – Sturdy design – Quality tool production |
 | Dysmio Lighting | – Easy to use – Highly durable and lightweight – Extendable pole length |
Flexrake LRB189 Fruit Picker with 8-Foot Telescoping Pole
Picking fruits is a tough and tiresome task. It requires a lot of patience, concentration, and dedication to ensure the fruit you choose is safe and free from falling. For you to achieve all these, at times, it will push you to stretch from your comfort.
Therefore, you will require a tool that will help you keep the work comfortable and exciting. It is what you get from this Flexrake fruit picker telescoping pole. The pole has a fiberglass handle that stretches up to 12ft. This feature ensures you can reach any fruit regardless of how high it is.
Unlike other pickers, this has a convenient design with bruise-free pads for the safety of the fruit. Additionally, it has a vinyl-coated heavy gauge basket that ensures you can pick more than one fruit at the same time.
The design is also durable and convenient for each use. The coating enhances its durability, therefore assuring that you will enjoy its services for years. The best thing about this picker is that it is easy to use.
Pros
- Fiberglass handle design
- Bruise free pads
- Vinyl coated basket
- Convenient handle size
Cons
- Has a cheap construction and is not big enough for several fruits
Buy from Amazon
Ohuhu Fruit Picker Tool, 8-foot Fruit Picker
Picking fruits exposes you to numerous dangers from climbing a ladder to jumping across branches. Most often, this will prevent you from accessing fruits that are on the extreme top or weak branches. However, if you invest in this Olulu fruit picker tool, you will notice the difference. It has a lightweight design that allows you to use it for a longer duration.
The picker is easy to use, and it extends up to 8 feet to ensure you have the right size to pick fruits. Once you select your fruit, you are sure that it will not incur any damages thanks to its deep-cushioned basket.
With this picker, you will enjoy not only hustle-free picking but also its durability. The tool has a unique design with aluminum construction. Unlike the fiberglass pole pickers, the aluminum material reduces fatigue even after repetitive use. The plan gives you three steps of adjusting the pole to meet the required length. The handle is soft with comfortable grips to ensure it remains in position for all time use.
Pros
- Super easy to use
- Durable aluminum construction
- Adjustable length with locking buckle
- Minimizes fatigue
Cons
- The picker is slightly expensive
Buy from Amazon
ZOENHOU Tech Fruit Tree Picking Pole with Basket
Looking for an easy way to enjoy the labor of your land and make profits? It is time to introduce a fruit picker in your arsenal. Abco tech fruit tree picking pole gives you the confidence of reaching all your fruits without struggling. It has an extra lightweight material construction that gives you the confidence of use it and reduces fatigue.
It also enhances your picking speed as you can move from one tree to the other in seconds. The aluminum material is durable, which improves the tool’s abilities.
Additionally, the pole is extendable in 3-steps to ensure you get the appropriate length based on the height of the tree you are picking from comfortably. This pole offers you with 100 percent satisfaction guarantee with any picking.
Having this pole in your reach, you are sure that all your fruits will be safe and free from damage. It is because the pole has a deep comfortable basket and it is bruise-free.
Pros
- Easy to use and durable
- Strong aluminum lightweight material construction
- Extendable handle pole
- Risk-free satisfaction
Cons
- The basket is not firmly in place
Buy from Amazon
Fiskars 340160-1001 Extendable Fruit Picker, Orange/Black
Just as in the name, the Fiskars fruit picker allows you to pick fruits only by extending its bruise-free pads on the fruit. The lightweight construction makes this tool convenient for everyone in the family. Additionally, this tool’s design makes it highly portable and easy to use.
When picking fruits while climbing a ladder, there are possibilities of other fruits falling even though you did not select them. However, with this twister, you are sure of picking only the fruits you want and giving the others room to grow for future picking.
The adjustable design provides you with the confidence of an efficient picker. When in a standard size, the picker is at least 7 feet, but when adjusted, it goes up to 12 feet. Although the tool comes in different pieces, it will take you very few minutes since it comes with a simple and easy-to-follow instruction guide.
It also comes with one set of fruit sleeves, which allows you to use it as you wish.
Pros
- Easy to assemble and use
- Durable aluminum construction
- Lightweight material
- One set of fruit sleeves included
Cons
- The pickers easily brakes after only a few uses
Buy from Amazon
Truper 33578 Fruit Picker, 96-Inch Telescoping Aluminum Handle
With over 50 years of experience, Truper guarantees to bring quality products to the market for the sake of customer satisfaction. The telescoping handle design is convenient and will ensure to eliminate hand fatigue during use. Additionally, it has a suitable material construction that enhances its durability and flexibility.
Nothing satisfies as when you have the right tool to get the job done. It gives you the confidence of working and the freedom of picking the fruits you want with every pick. This tool is designed with modern technology to ensure it is sturdy and robust to pick even the most hardened fruit.
The technique also makes picking easy as you will only have to grab and pull the fruit. This feature assures you that you will get the fruit you grab while the other remains in place. The pole also features a convenient basket that has cushioning to keep the fruit safe and damage-free.
Pro
- Easy to use
- Quality tool production
- Durable and strong material selection
- Sturdy and convenient design
Cons
- The basket is not sturdy and keeps falling off
Buy from Amazon
Dysmio Lighting – 6-Feet to 18-Feet Alumiglass Extension Pole
Fruits are sweet and healthy. However, when they are on a tree, you cannot experience their sweetness nor enjoy all the nutritional benefits from them. Therefore, you will require a tool that will help you reach them from the tall trees.
While others climb on ladders to get the job done, you should stand out and take an extra step forward. Eliminate the possibility of risking your life by using this Dysmio lighting alumiglass extension pole.
The cast metal design makes this tool reliable and convenient for repetitive use. Also, when using the picker, you will not experience any hand fatigue thanks to its lightweight construction. The handle has threads that generate a soft grip for the safety of the user.
Pros
- Extendable pole length
- Heavy-duty quality construction
- Easy to use
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Slightly expensive compared to others on the market
Buy from Amazon
Top Fruit Picker Basket (head):
| Picture | Product Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit Picker Basket | – Fits to all poles – Guarantees risk-free service – Suitable for picking any fruit | |
 | Every sprout Twist-On | – Easy to use – Suitable for any pole – Does not slip off the pole |
| Garkit Picker | – Lightweight, sturdy design – Replaceable bag and loopers – Convenient, durable construction |
Home-X Fruit Picker Basket
With this fruit picker basket, no fruit will be challenging to pick. The basket can fit any handle to ensure you get the job done. It comes in a convenient size to provide all types of fruits can fit in perfectly. The measurements of the basket are 5.7” in diameter and 13.5” in length. This basket is suitable to accommodate many fruits at once.
Pros
- Fits to any handle comfortably
- Convenient basket size
- Suitable for picking any fruit
Cons
- Takes time to fit into various poles
Buy from Amazon
Every sprout Twist-On Fruit Picker Basket
It is time for you to relax and enjoy picking fruits comfortably from the tree with this twist-on fruit picker basket. It has a suitable design that perfectly fits any pole size you might have. The basket has heavy-duty material that is rust-resistant for durability and stability.
This tool guarantees you that you can pick all the fruits you want at the same time. The best thing about this basket is that it will not slip off the pole once you fit it rightly.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable design
- Convenient basket size
- Does not slip off the pole
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Buy from Amazon
TIHOOD Convenient Labor Saving Practical Horticultural Useful Fruit Picker
Invest in a tool that gives you the freedom to use and experience the difference. With this fruit picker basket, you will not only enjoy picking fruits but also have a 12-month warranty cover. This warranty guarantees that you can take the basket to any test confidently.
The basket is large to accommodate multiple fruits at a time, therefore, ensuring to save you time. It has cushioning that keeps all your fruits safe and free from damage too.
Pros
- Easy to attach to the pole
- Cushioning for safe and damage-free fruits
- Convenient, durable construction
Cons
- Does not fit all pole sizes
Buy from Amazon
How to Make a Fruit Picker
Making a fruit picker is easy. Here are the steps to follow to ensure that the picker you get is best for your needs.
What you will need:
- A butterfly net
- A long pole
- A wire to hold the two together
When choosing a pole, always go for something lightweight like bamboo. If the stick is already heavy, you may not be able to carry many fruits.
Make sure that you carve the edge of the pole to create a grove. The groove makes sure that the net will hold the fruits while the slot will separate them from the trees.
Once you have the groove, position the net so that it is parallel to the pole. Ensure that the slot protrudes through the rim of the net.
You can use a wire to attach the net to the pole.
For plucking the fruits, position the net, so the net side is up. Push the grove as close to the fruit’s stem as possible. Twist it to tug and disengage the fruit or break the branch. As you do this, you can flip the angle so that the fruit falls right into the net.
Alternatively, you can get:
- A 2-liter plastic bottle
- A long pole
- A screwdriver
- A wire
- Cutting tools
A Saw
Cut the bottle with a hand saw to create an opening in the bottle that extends from the rim of its net to almost halfway down. You can use a marker to make sure that you cut it right. It is not a must that you make the hole that huge. Just make sure that the hole is as big as the type of fruit you will be plucking.
Use the screws to attach the bottle to the pole. Ensure that it is as stable as possible. The screws should be at the lower half of the bottle where the plastic is thickest.
You can also cut some slits at the sides and run zip strips through those slits. Have a 3-inch acute v shape into the jug that will help with plucking fruits that do not want to budge.
How to Use?
With your DIY picker, there is a wide opening that allows the fruits to fall inside. It also makes it easier for your hand to reach out and take them.
- Make sure that the stem of the fruit gets through to the opening to make sure that the tree is not damaged as you harvest
- Ensure that it has a bruise-free pad to keep it from destroying the fruits
- If the picker is for hard fruits, do not reap soft ones with it
- Never use a selector whose basket is not firm enough
FAQs:
Q: Does the basket come with the pole or is it sold separately?
A: The pole comes with the basket so that the fruits do not get damaged when they hit the ground. It also makes purchasing simpler and more straightforward.
Q: How long does the pole need to be?
A: Yes. The length of the pole determines how far up the tree you are going to be able to reach. The length also determines how well you will be able to control the harvester. The longer the pole is, the more difficult it is to harvest the fruits.
Q: When I make my fruit picker, what do I use for cushioning?
A: When you use the net, you do not need a cushion. As long as you harvest a few fruits at a time, they will not be damaged.
Verdict
Compared to ladders, picking fruits using the best fruit pickers is not just safer, but also faster. The tools make the job convenient, quicker, and reliable. It is also friendly for both the tree and the fruits. You will soon be addicted to harvesting fruits because it will no longer have to be a chore that you
As these tools flood the market, you have many weights, sizes, qualities, costs, and designs. These choices also make the fruit pickers more pocket-friendly.
Did you enjoy this article? Do you know other people who need to have the best fruit pickers so they can enjoy their favorite fruits? If yes, feel free to share this article with them on social media.
