Best Lawn Scarifier
Wish you had a lush lawn? Have a look at our top choices of lawn scarifiers to get your lawn back into shape!
We have created this review guide to provide everything you need to know about lawn scarifiers, including how they work, the different types of lawn scarifiers, and some things you should consider when buying a lawn scarifier.
We've reviewed all types of scarifiers including electric lawn scarifiers and petrol scarifiers.
We have also rounded up a list of the best lawn scarifiers on the market to help you find the right one to suit your needs.
Let's get started below...
What Is a Lawn Scarifier?
First, let’s explore what a lawn scarifier actually is...
A lawn scarifier is a garden machine designed to cut through the soil. The process helps remove dead moss and other debris, such as grass cuttings.
The tool uses a cutting action that is either powered by electricity or powered manually. This cutting action helps to aerate the soil and makes it healthier, free from weeds, and can help to make your lawn last longer.
How Does a Lawn Scarifier Work?
A lawn scarifier is a machine on wheels, often a similar design to a lawnmower. The machine features a series of blades underneath, and these blades turn the lawn over to remove organic matter such as weeds, moss, dead grass, and grass cuttings.
A lawn scarifier is used in the same way as a lawnmower, and you should follow the same lines created when you cut the grass.
Types of Lawn Scarifier
There are several different types of lawn scarifiers. Below, we take a look at the different types and the pros and cons of each type:
Hand Scarifiers
Hand scarifiers look very similar to a regular garden rake. Some varieties come with wheels that allow you to push the device over the lawn. The ones that don’t have wheels are pulled across the lawn like a rake.
This type of scarifier does not have a mechanism that collects the debris, so you would have to pick up the pieces by hand with this device. These scarifiers are operated manually. They are best suited to smaller lawns.
Electric Scarifiers
Electric scarifies are more advanced devices. They can cut into the soil very well and lightly turn the lawn over. The machines also collect all of the thatch from the surface.
This type of scarifier is great for medium-sized lawns. They are very easy to maintain and are also quieter than petrol scarifiers.
Petrol Scarifiers
Petrol scarifiers are very powerful and are designed to work on larger lawns. These machines last longer and require less work to dethatch and aerate the lawn – you won’t have to pass the device over the lawn as many times as other scarifiers due to the power. However, these models require more maintenance to keep them in good working order.
Tined and Bladed Scarifiers
Scarifiers can also be categorised according to their cutting method. Some models come with blades, and other models have tines. The blades are designed to dig into the soil, cut debris and moss, and then collect it all. The ones with tines don’t cut into the soil.
These models only remove the dead vegetation that lies on the surface of your lawn. Tines scarifiers are usually best suited to small and medium lawns. Bladed scarifiers have a more powerful motor, most suitable for larger lawns.
Best Lawn Scarifier
If you are on the search for a lawn scarifier, it can be difficult to determine which models are best. To help you find the right scarifier for you, we have created this list of the best lawn scarifiers on the market today:
Best Electric Lawn Scarifier
ToolTronix 1500W 2 in 1 Electric Scarifier Lawn Rake Aerator
A ToolTronix lawn scarifier is a versatile machine that is easy to use and effectively removes dead, matted grass and moss from your lawn. It comes with 16 interchangeable blades and four adjustable height settings so you can create the perfect lawn finish.
It also features a 30L collection bag with easy removal so that you can easily remove all of the collected debris with minimal effort. The machine is excellent at scarifying and aerating your lawn – it’s very quick and easy to change between attachments.
Pros
- Versatile
- Easy to use
- 16 interchangeable blades
- Various height settings
- Easy debris removal
- Perfect for scarifying and aerating
Cons
- Requires electricity supply
VonHaus 2 in 1 Lawn Scarifier Electric Garden Lawn Rake
This powerful lawn scarifier is easy, convenient, and efficient. It provides you with a quick and simple way to maintain a tidy, healthy lawn. The machine is made from durable plastic and has a metal frame for further durability.
This is a handy tool that effectively removes moss, leaves, and other debris from your lawn, leaving it with a flawless finish.
With two tools in one, the dual-purpose drum features interchangeable aerating and scarifying rollers as well as a handy collection box so you can easily dispose of all of the collected debris.
The height-adjustable handle means that you can alter the height for your comfort and the 10m power lead allows you to reach far into your garden. This model has the benefit of coming with a two-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Convenient
- Efficient
- Perfect for scarifying and aerating
- Adjustable height
- 10m power lead
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Requires electricity supply
NETTA Lawn Scarifier and Aerator 2-in-1 Electric Lawn Rake
This 1500W lawn scarifier and aerator is the perfect 2-in-1 machine. It features a large 30-litre collection bag for easy waste removal and has a 10-metre long cable. Using this machine is effortless and efficient thanks to the high-quality design.
The powerful 1500W motor allows you to easily tackle your lawn and remove moss, thatch, leaves and other debris to leave your lawn looking pristine.
The machine comes with two separate drum kits so you can easily switch between aerating and scarifying depending on what you need. This machine also has the benefit of coming with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Large collection bag
- Powerful motor
- Easy to use
- Various functions
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Requires electricity supply
Best Hand Lawn Scarifier
Darlac DP888 Telescopic Lawn Scarifier
The Darlac hand lawn scarifier allows you to easily clear thatch, moss and leaf build-up on your lawn. The device comes on two wheels so that you can easily move it across the lawn.
Simply roll the device across your lawn and the 11 sharp blades will scrape out all of the unwanted debris, allowing air and light to penetrate through your soil and improve the health of your lawn.
The telescopic handle can be adjusted easily to suit your needs so that it is always comfortable to use. The angle of the handle can also be adjusted to alter the control and depth of the blades.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Adjustable handle
- 11 sharp blades
- Comfortable to use
Cons
- Doesn’t collect the debris in a container
- Requires more manual work than electric scarifiers
Gardena 3395-20 Combisystem Vertical Hand-Powered Lawn Scarifier
This effective scarifier penetrates to a depth of millimetres into the lawn and efficiently removes moss and thatch from the lawn’s surface. The wheels are robust and have a special profile and a supporting axle for easier use.
The device is durable and reliable. It also features corrosion protection – the vertical cutter is made from high-quality steel with a Duroplast coating and spring steel tines.
The only downside with this scarifier is that the handle must be bought separately. On the upside though, the scarifying device comes with an amazing 25-year warranty so you can have complete peace of mind when buying this particular model.
Pros
- Effectively penetrates the lawn
- Efficiently removes debris
- Easy to use
- Robust wheels
- Corrosion protection
- 25-year warranty
Cons
- Handle must be bought separately
- Doesn’t collect the debris in a container
- Requires more manual work than electric scarifiers
Best Petrol Lawn Scarifier
Hyundai 210cc 400mm Petrol Lawn Scarifier & Aerator
This amazing, powerful lawn scarifier is extremely effective and ensures a perfectly finished lawn. It starts very easily and has very low fuel consumption despite the powerful motor.
The adjustable height ensures that the machine is comfortable and easy to use. The large 45L compartment allows you to collect a very high volume of grass cuttings, moss, leaves, and other debris from your lawn. With 19 hardened steel blades, this machine can pick up and remove large amounts of debris extremely easily.
Pros
- Effective debris removal
- Low fuel consumption
- Adjustable height
- Comfortable to use
- Large collection bag
- 19 hardened steel blades
- Powerful motor
Cons
- Requires petrol fuel
- Very expensive
Einhell GE-SA 1335 P Petrol Scarifier/Aerator with 35cm Working Width
This Einhell scarifier and aerator features a powerful four-stroke engine powered by petrol. It is a 3-in-1 combination machine that allows you to scarify, aerate and catch debris from your lawn, creating the perfect lawn finish.
The blade roller is supported by ball bearings and features 20 stainless steel blades. There are three operating depth adjustments so that you can easily and comfortably clear your lawn with minimal effort.
With a large 28-litre catching bag, you can collect large amounts of debris at once with this machine without having to constantly empty the bag.
The aerator roller achieves a professional soil ventilation with 26 claws of stainless steel. The rollers can be changed quickly and easily so you can perform various lawn tasks with this one machine.
Pros
- Powerful engine
- 3-in-1 combination machine
- Various depth options
- Rollers can be changed quickly and easily
- 20 stainless steel blades
- Effective debris removal
Cons
- Requires petrol fuel
- Expensive
Best Tined Lawn Scarifier
BU-KO 52CC Garden Petrol Lawn Tiller
This petrol-powered machine is perfect for those who want to do DIY landscaping. It features four tines, each with four teeth and a high-powered 3HP engine. The tines can reach down to 15cm into the soil. This makes this the perfect tool for maintaining lawns, vegetable plots, and borders.
The powerful engine and blades allow this machine to easily cut through some pretty tough soil. The machine is lightweight and easy to use with two sturdy wheels for mobility and easy movements.
This particular model also has the benefit of coming with a 12-month warranty. It also includes a free toolkit with additional gardening tools such as gloves, safety glasses, funnel, and many more items.
Pros
- Perfect tilling machine
- Great for maintaining lawns
- Powerful petrol engine
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- 12-month warranty
- Range of additional accessories included
Cons
- Requires petrol fuel
Best Bladed Lawn Scarifier
VonHaus 2 in 1 Lawn Scarifier Electric Garden Lawn Rake
This powerful lawn scarifier is easy, convenient, and efficient. It provides you with a quick and simple way to maintain a tidy, healthy lawn. The machine itself is made from durable plastic and has a metal frame for further durability. This is a handy tool that effectively removes moss, leaves, and other debris from your lawn, leaving it with a flawless finish.
With two tools in one, the dual-purpose drum features interchangeable aerating and scarifying rollers as well as a handy collection box so you can easily dispose of all of the collected debris.
The height-adjustable handle means that you can alter the height for your comfort and the 10m power lead allows you to reach far into your garden. This model has the benefit of coming with a two-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Convenient
- Efficient
- Perfect for scarifying and aerating
- Adjustable height
- 10m power lead
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Requires electricity supply
AL-KO Comfort 38E Combi-Care 2 in 1 Lawnrake Collector Scarifier
This lightweight electric scarifier features 14 steel blades and is suitable for scarifying small to medium-sized lawns. You can easily scarify, aerate, and catch debris with this one powerful machine. With a huge 55-litre catching box, you won’t need to worry about continuously going to empty the debris out.
The machine also features 24 steel tines and you can easily change between the blades and tines with very little effort. There is no battery or petrol required for this model, it is powered by a 1300W electrical motor. It also has the benefit of coming with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- 14 steel blades
- Easily scarify, aerate and catch debris
- Huge catching box
- 24 steel tines
- Powerful electric motor
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Requires electricity supply
Best Multi-Purpose Lawn Scarifier
VonHaus 2 in 1 Lawn Scarifier Electric Garden Lawn Rake
This powerful lawn scarifier is easy, convenient, and efficient. It provides you with a quick and simple way to maintain a tidy, healthy lawn.
The machine itself is made from durable plastic and has a metal frame for further durability. This is a handy tool that effectively removes moss, leaves, and other debris from your lawn, leaving it with a flawless finish.
With two tools in one, the dual-purpose drum features interchangeable aerating and scarifying rollers as well as a handy collection box so you can easily dispose of all of the collected debris.
The height-adjustable handle means that you can alter the height for your comfort and the 10m power lead allows you to reach far into your garden. This model has the benefit of coming with a two-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Convenient
- Efficient
- Perfect for scarifying and aerating
- Adjustable height
- 10m power lead
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Requires electricity supply
NETTA Lawn Scarifier and Aerator 2-in-1 Electric Lawn Rake
This 1500W lawn scarifier and aerator is the perfect 2-in-1 machine. It features a large 30-litre collection bag for easy waste removal and has a 10-metre long cable. Using this machine is effortless and efficient thanks to the high-quality design.
The powerful 1500W motor allows you to easily tackle your lawn and remove moss, thatch, leaves and other debris to leave your lawn looking pristine.
The machine comes with two separate drum kits so you can easily switch between aerating and scarifying depending on what you need. This machine also has the benefit of coming with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Large collection bag
- Powerful motor
- Easy to use
- Various functions
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Requires electricity supply
ToolTronix 1500W 2 in 1 Electric Scarifier Lawn Rake Aerator
The ToolTronix lawn scarifier is a versatile machine that is easy to use and effective at removing dead, matted grass and moss from your lawn. It comes with 16 interchangeable blades and four adjustable height settings so you can create the perfect lawn finish.
It also features a 30L collection bag with easy removal so that you can easily remove all of the collected debris with minimal effort. The machine is excellent at scarifying and aerating your lawn – it’s very quick and easy to change between attachments.
Pros
- Versatile
- Easy to use
- 16 interchangeable blades
- Various height settings
- Easy debris removal
- Perfect for scarifying and aerating
Cons
- Requires electricity supply
What to Consider Before Buying a Lawn Scarifier
There are several things that you may need to consider when looking into buying a lawn scarifier. Below is a list of the things that you may want to think about before placing your purchase:
Cost
Lawn scarifiers vary by quite a lot in costs. Hand lawn scarifiers cost significantly less than electric or petrol-powered scarifiers. It’s a good idea to have a budget in mind before you start searching for a scarifier. That way, you can avoid overspending.
Power Source
There are several different types of lawn scarifiers including hand-powered scarifiers, electric scarifiers, and petrol scarifiers.
Manual scarifiers tend to work best on smaller lawns as they require more manual work.
Electric scarifiers work well on small and medium-sized lawns and petrol scarifiers are best for medium and large lawns.
Blade Quality
It’s important to consider the blade quality when buying a lawn scarifier. If your lawn and the soil underneath your lawn is quite soft, then you may not need to worry too much about the quality of the blades.
However, if you have a tough lawn or quite hard soil underneath the lawn, then it would be worth looking into getting a scarifier with high-quality blades.
FAQs
What is the difference between a lawn scarifier and a rake?
Lawn rakes and lawn scarifiers are quite similar in what they can do. One of the main differences between the two is that a scarifier collects all of the moss and debris whereas a rake doesn’t.
A lawn rake has a plastic cylinder lined with metal tines. This allows it to remove moss and debris effectively. A scarifier has knife-like steel blades attached to the cylinder. A scarifier can remove moss and debris but it can also cut into the soil and aid aeration.
Which scarifier is best for a large garden?
A petrol scarifier would be the best option for a large garden. These types of scarifiers don’t require too much manual labour to operate and you won’t have to worry about the cable being too short like you would with electric scarifiers.
Which scarifier is best for a small garden?
Hand scarifiers are best for small gardens. These are smaller devices and are very easy to operate.
When is the best time to scarify a lawn?
Over time, debris such as leaves, moss, root cuttings, and other plant debris can all build up on your lawn. If you start to notice a build-up, this is a good indication that it is time to scarify your lawn to allow air to enter and to keep it looking healthy.
It’s also a good idea to scarify your lawn on the first mow at springtime to help clean up the grass and in the autumn months to help strengthen the soil and to remove any dead grass.
Why should you scarify your lawn?
Build-ups of debris on your lawn can prevent the soil underneath from getting the nourishment it needs from natural elements such as sun, water, and air.
Scarifiers help to remove the debris from your lawn and help to allow your lawn to breathe properly. Scarifying your lawn helps to aerate the soil, enhances lawn growth, and keeps your lawn healthy.
