SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper Review: A Promising Workhorse with Critical Flaws

There’s a certain romance to the first golden leaf of autumn touching down on a green lawn. But as anyone with a sizable yard knows, that romance quickly fades. It’s replaced by the familiar drudgery of raking, bagging, and hauling what feels like an endless cascade of leaves. For years, my fall weekends were a repeating cycle of back aches and blisters. I’d spend hours wrestling with a rake, only to watch the wind undo my progress. The alternative, a deafening gas-powered leaf blower, felt like overkill and an assault on the neighborhood’s peace and quiet. This annual battle left me wondering if there was a smarter, more efficient way to reclaim my yard from nature’s blanket. I needed a tool that combined the quiet, eco-friendly nature of manual labor with the efficiency of a machine. This search is what led me to explore the world of push lawn sweepers, a category where the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper promises a heavy-duty solution.

Your Essential Guide to Choosing a Walk-Behind Lawn Sweeper

A Walk-Behind Lawn Sweeper is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your time and saving your back during seasonal cleanups. Unlike blowers that scatter debris or rakes that require intense physical effort, a sweeper is designed to efficiently gather leaves, grass clippings, pine needles, and other light yard debris into a high-capacity hopper. The primary benefits are speed and ergonomics. What might take three hours of painstaking raking can often be accomplished in under an hour, all while you’re simply walking at a comfortable pace. This efficiency not only frees up your weekend but also reduces the physical strain associated with bending, twisting, and lifting.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a medium to large yard who deals with significant leaf fall from deciduous trees. It’s also perfect for homeowners who value a quiet, emissions-free cleanup process. If your property includes long driveways, large patios, or wide sidewalks, a sweeper can be an invaluable tool for keeping these hard surfaces clear. However, it might not be suitable for those with very small, intricate garden spaces where maneuverability is limited. Likewise, if your yard is extremely hilly, uneven, or covered in dense, thick grass, the performance of a push sweeper can be compromised. In those cases, a powerful backpack blower or a lawn mower with a robust bagging system might be a better alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The sweeping width is a key specification. A wider model like the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper covers more ground with each pass, saving you time. However, consider storage. With dimensions around 39″D x 33″W x 35″H, you’ll need adequate space in your garage or shed to store it when not in use.
• Capacity/Performance: The performance is dictated by the brush-to-wheel gear ratio and the size of the collection bag, or hopper. A higher ratio means the brushes spin faster for more effective pickup. A larger hopper means fewer stops to empty, but it will also be heavier to manage when full. Look for a balance that suits your yard size and physical ability.
• Materials & Durability: This is perhaps the most critical factor. Many entry-level sweepers use a high percentage of plastic components, which can become brittle and break after a season or two. Models that advertise a steel frame or metal components, like the Splendor, promise greater longevity. Pay close attention to the wheels, gears, and height adjustment mechanism, as these are common points of failure.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good sweeper should be straightforward to assemble and operate. Look for a simple, tool-free height adjustment system, as you’ll need to change it for different surfaces (lawn vs. pavement). Maintenance is generally minimal—mostly just clearing debris from the brushes and keeping the moving parts clean—but a poorly designed product can turn simple tasks into a frustrating ordeal.

Understanding these factors will empower you to choose a machine that fits your specific needs and avoids the common pitfalls of this product category.

While the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper is an intriguing manual option, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the wider world of lawn care. For those who prefer a powered approach to either mulch or bag debris, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper

Upon arrival, the box for the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper felt substantial, weighing in at a respectable 30 pounds. Opening it up, we were initially impressed by the components. The main housing and push handle are made of what feels like sturdy iron, immediately differentiating it from the flimsy, all-plastic models that flood the market. The black finish gives it a modern, no-nonsense look. The bristles on the 26-inch brush assembly are thick and stiff, much like a heavy-duty shop broom, inspiring confidence that they could handle more than just a few dry leaves. This initial tactile experience lined up perfectly with feedback from users who upgraded from plastic sweepers and praised this model’s metal construction.

However, this positive first impression began to waver during assembly. The process, which should be simple, was fraught with minor but significant frustrations that point to some serious quality control issues. Several users have reported receiving units with bent crossbars or misaligned adjustment holes, and our experience mirrored these concerns. While our main frame was straight, aligning the height-adjustment handle with the pre-drilled holes required considerable force, more than should be necessary. The assembly of the collection bag was particularly telling; the frame pieces felt less robust, and the plastic crossbar used for dumping is worryingly flimsy. This created an immediate disconnect: a heavy-duty metal core let down by subpar peripheral components.

In the Field: A Deep Dive into the SPLENDOR LS-650A2’s Real-World Performance

A tool can look great on paper, but its true value is only revealed through hands-on testing. We put the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper through its paces across a variety of surfaces—from smooth concrete driveways to dense patches of turf—to see if its performance could overcome its initial assembly hurdles. The results were a study in contrasts, showcasing a machine that excels in some environments while failing completely in others.

Assembly and Quality Control: A Game of Chance

We cannot overstate the frustration that can arise from a poorly executed assembly process. This is the first interaction a customer has with a product, and the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 makes a very poor first impression for many. Our experience, backed by a significant number of user complaints, suggests a systemic lack of quality control at the manufacturing level. The core issue seems to be one of precision. One user reported that the holes for the brush depth handle simply did not line up, making a crucial feature of the machine impossible to assemble correctly. Others received units with bent crossbars straight out of the box, a clear indication of either damage in transit or a product being repackaged and resold after a return.

During our own build, we encountered the difficult-to-align height adjuster. Furthermore, the collection bag assembly felt like an afterthought. The metal rods that form the bag’s frame are held together by small couplings, and as one resourceful user noted, the easiest way to tighten them is by poking the hex wrench through the mesh bag itself—a clumsy workaround for a flawed design. The most egregious part is the plastic crossbar intended to help you empty the hopper. It’s meant to snap onto the main handle frame but does so with a weak, unconvincing click. It feels cheap and, according to multiple reports, simply does not stay attached. This turns what should be a simple dump-and-go process into a struggle. When you buy a product advertised as “heavy-duty,” you don’t expect to be fighting with misaligned parts and flimsy plastic connectors before you even get it out the door. It undermines the entire value proposition and starts the user experience on a foundation of frustration.

Sweeping Power: A Tale of Two Surfaces

Once assembled, we first tested the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper on the exact surfaces where it’s meant to shine: the driveway and a long, paved walkway. Here, the machine was a completely different animal. It was fantastic. Pushing it at a brisk walking pace, the large wheels turned smoothly, spinning the stiff brushes at high speed. It effortlessly flicked leaves, small twigs, and even loose gravel into the hopper. The 26-inch width cleared the entire walkway in just two passes, and the adjustable height was key. We set it low to the ground, allowing the bristles to make solid contact, and the results were deeply satisfying. It transformed a tedious sweeping chore into a quick, almost enjoyable task.

Then, we moved it onto the lawn. This is where the story completely changes. We started on a patch of shorter, drier grass, and it worked reasonably well, picking up about 70-80% of the leaves. But as soon as we pushed it onto a section of thicker, healthier turf, the machine came to a grinding halt. The problem is fundamental to its design: the wheels need to grip the ground to provide the torque that spins the brushes. In thick grass, the wheels lose traction and simply skid across the top, locking up the entire mechanism. The brushes stop spinning, and you’re left just pushing a 30-pound metal frame that’s doing nothing. We tried adjusting the height to the highest setting, as recommended, but it made no difference. This confirmed one user’s stark assessment: “The problem with this sweeper is that it doesn’t work if you have thick grass… The sweeper will lock up and the wheels will not turn.” This is not a minor issue; it’s a critical failure that makes the product completely unsuitable for its primary advertised purpose for a large number of potential buyers.

Durability and Design: Metal Core with Plastic Weaknesses

The design philosophy of the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 appears to be one of compromise, and not always for the better. The core of the machine—the main housing, the axle, and the push handle—is indeed made of steel. This gives it a welcome feeling of heft and durability, a tangible improvement over competitors. One happy customer, who upgraded from a plastic Earthwise model that lasted only one season, celebrated this very point: “The sweeper has metal components vs plastic.” The stiff, broom-like bristles are also a highlight, promising a long wear life and effective debris collection on suitable surfaces. This robust construction is a major selling point and, in a perfect world, would justify its price.

However, this sturdy core is let down by the baffling use of cheap plastic in critical areas. The bag frame and its associated connectors are the most obvious weak points. The frame itself struggles to seat properly, and the crossbar for dumping is, as mentioned, nearly useless. This paradox is frustrating; the machine is built to last for years, but the bag system feels like it might fail within months. Another subtle but important design aspect is how the sweeper sits on the ground. One clever user noted they added a rear axle with wheels to prevent the back of the hopper bag from dragging on asphalt. This is a modification that shouldn’t be necessary and points to a lack of thorough real-world design testing by the manufacturer. The machine is a mix of good intentions (a metal frame) and poor execution (cheap connectors and overlooked ergonomics), resulting in a product that feels both over-engineered and underdeveloped at the same time.

What Other Users Are Saying

User feedback on the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper is sharply divided, painting a picture of a product that either works wonderfully or fails spectacularly, with little middle ground. On the positive side, a user who upgraded from a plastic model was thrilled, stating, “I just LOVE IT!! The bristles are made of bristles like a strong broom. The sweeper has metal components vs plastic.” This user highlighted the incredible time savings, turning a three-hour raking job into a one-hour stroll, emphasizing that when the sweeper works, it’s a game-changer.

However, the negative feedback is specific and severe, clustering around two major themes: assembly/quality control and performance on grass. One frustrated buyer called it “JUNK,” listing a cascade of problems: “Cannot set brush depth as the fabricated holes do not line up… flimsy plastic crossbar… does not stay attached… Missing hex socket screw.” Several others echoed this, reporting they received products that were clearly used, damaged, or bent right out of the box. The second major complaint is its inability to function on healthy lawns. As one disappointed user summarized, “The sweeper will lock up and the wheels will not turn… works on the sidewalk and driveway. Not what I wanted it for.” This consistent feedback is a significant red flag for anyone considering this for lawn cleanup.

How the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 Compares to Lawn Care Alternatives

The SPLENDOR LS-650A2 is a specialized tool for debris cleanup. However, many homeowners look for more comprehensive solutions. The alternatives provided are all lawn mowers, which handle the primary task of cutting grass but can also assist with leaves, either by mulching them or bagging them. This represents a different approach to yard maintenance.

1. Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Lawn Mower

The Greenworks 24V Mower is a compact, battery-powered push mower designed for small yards. It’s an alternative in the sense that it offers a complete, albeit small-scale, lawn care solution. Instead of sweeping leaves, a mower like this can mulch them into fine particles or collect them in its bag. This is ideal for someone with a tiny lawn who wants a single, lightweight, electric tool for all their needs. It can’t match the 26-inch width of the Splendor for pure cleanup speed, but it offers far more versatility by actually cutting the grass. It’s a choice between a specialized cleanup tool and a generalist lawn maintenance machine.

2. Sun Joe 15” Cordless Push Reel Lawn Mower

The Sun Joe Reel Mower shares the manual, eco-friendly ethos of the SPLENDOR LS-650A2. However, its function is entirely different. This is a modern take on the classic reel mower, designed for cutting grass with a satisfying, scissor-like action. Someone might prefer this if their primary concern is the quality of the grass cut, as reel mowers are known for being healthier for the turf. It would not replace the Splendor for leaf cleanup, but it appeals to the same user who appreciates quiet, emission-free, and simple mechanical tools. It’s a choice for the lawn purist, not the large-scale leaf warrior.

3. Greenworks 48V 21″ Self-Propelled Mower Kit

This Greenworks kit represents the other end of the spectrum: a complete, high-power, battery-operated lawn care system. With a 21″ self-propelled mower, a string trimmer, and a leaf blower, this is the all-in-one solution for someone who wants to ditch gas-powered tools entirely. The included blower is a direct competitor to the Splendor sweeper for leaf cleanup, offering more power and the ability to get into tight corners. The mower itself provides excellent bagging and mulching capabilities. This kit is for the homeowner with a larger property who prioritizes power, convenience, and a comprehensive system over the single-function simplicity of a manual sweeper.

The Final Verdict: Is the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper a Buy?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the SPLENDOR LS-650A2 26-Inch Lawn Sweeper is a highly conditional recommendation. This is a product with a solid, durable core that is fundamentally undermined by poor quality control and a critical design flaw. For the right person, it could be an excellent tool. If your primary need is clearing leaves and debris from large, hard surfaces like driveways, patios, and sidewalks, and you have a lawn with short, sparse grass, this sweeper can perform wonderfully and save you a tremendous amount of time and effort.

However, we absolutely cannot recommend it for anyone whose primary cleanup area is a thick, lush lawn. The tendency for the wheels to lock up makes it utterly frustrating and ineffective in those conditions. Furthermore, any potential buyer must be prepared for the possibility of a difficult assembly, with the potential for misaligned holes or even damaged parts upon arrival. If you are a patient, hands-on person who doesn’t mind a bit of tinkering and your property fits its narrow performance window, the Splendor offers a durable, manual alternative to louder machines. For everyone else, the gamble on quality control and its failure on healthy turf make it a risky purchase. If you believe its strengths align with your needs, you can check its current price and availability online and decide if it’s the right choice for your yard.