Archie Rich/DIY Works
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A lawn scarifier is used to cut through the soil in order to remove dead moss, grass cuttings and other debris. Although available as a manual pushing scarifier, the best are powered by electricity, batteries, and petrol, as they produce far better results.
As well as how it’s powered, signs of a good lawn scarifier can also be seen in its construction. For example, the best scarifiers use stainless or tempered steel teeth or blades, which are far more durable than the plastic alternatives.
To assist you in selecting a lawn scarifier, our handpicked selection lists top-performing models, chosen based on our first-hand experience using multiple manual, petrol, electric and battery-powered machines. Our testing and up-to-date research further ensure the quality of our recommendations.
Best Overall: Bosch AVR 1100 Verticutter
Best Cordless: Einhell Lawn Scarifier GE-SC
Best Petrol: Hyundai HYSC210 Lawn Scarifier and Aerator
Best Budget: BLACK+DECKER GD300 Lawn Scarifier
Best Cordless Runner-Up: Greenworks GD40SC36 Lawn Rake
Best Manual: Wolf Garten Multi-Change URM3
How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Lawn Scarifiers
As we own several properties (personal homes, Airbnb’s and rentals), we find ourselves using a lawn scarifier quite regularly. Usually, we will scarify the lawn twice a year, with light scarification in spring and more heavy scarification in autumn.
As shown in the photos below, scarifying your lawn produces quite a lot of debris (depending on its condition), and in the examples, the first was a relatively small amount, whereas the second lawn certainly benefited a lot from the scarifying.
Archie Rich/DIY Works
Archie Rich/DIY Works
Therefore, over the years, we’ve tried and tested several machines and gained plenty of experience with all types (cordless, petrol and manual scarifiers) on a range of different lawn conditions.
During our ongoing testing, we analyse the scarifier’s usability, performance, adjustability, build quality and ease of assembly out of the box. With regards to adjustability, many come with levers at the top for adjusting the height as well as the option to switch the blades (as shown in the photos below).
Archie Rich/DIY Works
Archie Rich/DIY Works
To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest lawn scarifiers (for this article), we are continually testing out the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice a brand has released a new and improved machine, we will attempt to buy it to put it to the test (where applicable).
Archie Rich/DIY Works
Archie Rich/DIY Works
As well as our testing and experience using multiple lawn scarifiers, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the scarifier’s performance, usability, ease of assembly, height adjustability, design, build quality, warranty and value for money.
Lawn Scarifier Buying Guide
A lawn scarifier is a gardening tool that aerates your lawn by cutting through the soil and removing debris. They are more commonly powered by electricity, but some are petrol-powered or completely manual.
The benefits of scarifying your lawn are that it allows for a better flow of air and water for a healthier lawn. After you have used the tool, your garden may look worse, but after a few days, it will look far better than it ever did.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding lawn scarifiers.
Archie Rich/DIY Works
Petrol vs Electric vs Manual
The majority of scarifiers are electric-powered as they require very little maintenance and are fairly cheap. However, for larger gardens where you may not have access to a power supply, the best option would be a petrol lawn scarifier.
Manual alternatives are the cheapest and simplest to use but they are not suitable for medium to large gardens. Choosing between the three different types is dependent upon the size of your lawn and whether there is a power supply.
2-in-1 Lawn Raker and Scarifier
Some of the recommendations within this article can act as both a scarifier and a lawn rake. The main difference between the two types is that the scarifier uses blade tines, and a lawn rake uses wire tines.
The 2-in-1 lawn raker and scarifiers can be highly beneficial for some gardeners, and you can easily switch between the two functions by simply changing the blade (as shown in the “How We Rated” section above).
The Blades
To cut through the grass, the scarifier requires durable blades. Most will use a strong metal blade and you will want to avoid those that are made from plastic. Over time, you may find that they lose their sharpness but most manufacturers will provide replacements or tools to sharpen the blades.
Working Depth
Depending upon whether you simply want to remove moss and debris or aerate the lawn will determine the working depth you require.
Removing moss, thatch, cut grass, and other debris does not require much depth. However, to aerate the soil (as shown in the image below), you will certainly require enough depth so that it pierces the soil.
To ensure that you are covered for each situation, a lawn scarifier with adjustable height positions would be the best type to buy.
Raking Width
For those with medium to large gardens, you will want to have a wider raking width. This will help the scarifying process go far more quickly because it can be a long process otherwise. If you have a smaller garden with lots of curves, you will want a smaller width for the best results. Trying to navigate around curves with a large raking width can be fairly difficult.
Archie Rich/DIY Works
Collection Box
The purpose of using a lawn scarifier is to remove the debris from the grass. Therefore, a collection box that holds all the debris is an essential component.
Depending upon the size of your lawn will determine the appropriate size that you require.
It’s important that you choose the right size because a box that’s too small will result in frequent emptying, whereas too big may make it harder to use. The majority of boxes that attach to a scarifier range from 30 to 60 litres in size.
Usability
If something is difficult to use, you are less likely to use it. Therefore, you will want a lawn scarifier that you can simply switch on and get to work. Features to look out for that improve usability include:
- Lightweight design
- Ease of changing the height
- Ergonomic handle with adjustable positions
- Easy removal of the collection box
- Ease of replacing the blades
When Should You Begin Scarifying
Choosing the best time to scarify your lawn can make a huge difference. According to Flymo, they state that you should scarify your lawn around March and again at the end of September.
It’s advised that you avoid scarifying during the winter months because a thin layer of thatch is actually good for the lawn.
Archie Rich/DIY Works
How To Use A Lawn Scarifier
Before you begin to scarify your lawn, you should cut the grass with a lawn mower a few weeks beforehand. This is because you’ll be able to achieve better results scarifying short grass than you would with longer grass because it minimizes stress on the grass. You can also use a garden vacuum to remove larger debris on the lawn too if needs be.
To begin scarifying, you will want to set the height of the blade. We recommend choosing a height that is furthest away from the grass to begin with, as this will remove the debris. Once complete, you can then lower the blade and begin scarifying the lawn.
Most lawns will require at least two rounds of scarifying for the best results. On the second run, we recommend going in the opposite direction to the first run because this helps with tackling areas of the lawn that were missed.
Once you are finished, it may look like your lawn is ruined, but it just needs time to recover. To help assist the recovery process, you can add lawn fertiliser and lightly spray water to help the grass grow thicker and more quickly.
Conclusion
Lawn scarifiers were mostly purchased by enthusiasts or professionals who wanted to perfect their gardens, but nowadays, they are more affordable and have become far more popular.
All of our recommendations cover electric, petrol, battery and manual scarifiers that all have unique features and are suitable for a range of budgets. However, if you feel that you require further information regarding any of our recommendations, feel free to get in touch, and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
