When thatch begins to develop beneath the grass level, it can be hard for a lawn to collect the nutrients it needs. The result? A patchy and unhealthy garden, with areas of moss and weeds.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution. Using a scarifier to pull up organic matter lurking under the grass in April and/or September should do the trick. You can use a manual tool or rake with metal tines to get the job done, but an electric scarifier should make it easier - especially in large gardens.
Once you’re done, you may want to sprinkle some grass seed in any patchy areas to encourage new growth. Use a lawn seed spreader to tackle larger areas.
Jump ahead to:
The best lawn scarifiers to buy today
Ryobi ONE Cordless Lawn Scarifier
- Buy scarifier from Ryobi (£263.99)
- Buy charging kit from Ryobi (£149.99)
- Buy 4.0Ah battery twin pack (£119.99) / 5.0Ah battery twin pack (£149.99)
Ryobi is an expert in all things cordless, which is why its battery-powered scarifier has made it onto our list. This is one of the best lawn scarifiers for anyone who wants to avoid faffing with cables and extension leads to move freely around the garden.
The brand has used brushless technology in the motor to extend its life and provide more power. Meanwhile, the 16-blade scarifier has four different height options, letting you choose the intensity of the session.
Despite being battery-powered, this scarifier has a decent 35cm deck and can cover up to 525m² on a single charge.
You’ll need to buy the batteries and charger separately, and you can also add a collection box and an aerator reel to complete the kit.
Customer review: "It’s powerful, lightweight, and easy to use, and the aerator spindle is a great accessory. This is easy to recommend!"
Einhell Power X-Change GE-SC 35/1
Find larger Einhell scarifiers at Machine Mart
Another great battery-powered option, this Einhell scarifier can cover up to 400m2 on a single charge - and there are no power cables to contend with.
This model could be one of the best lawn scarifiers for small gardens with limited storage space, as it has a relatively compact 35cm deck and folding handlebars.
There are three height settings available to help you adjust the performance throughout the year, as well as a soft-grip handle for comfort.
Don’t forget to buy the batteries and charger separately.
Rolling Lawn Scarifier
Buy from Coopers of Stortford (£39.99)
For a simple and affordable scarifier, you can’t go wrong with this manual version. It comes with two wheels, so you can roll it along the ground as the 11 sharp tines remove moss and thatch.
With a head measuring 38cm across, it rivals many electric lawn scarifiers for size and covers a chunky strip of land as you go. The long 128cm handle also makes it easy to work without bending your back.
When you need to adjust the working depth, just angle the head to change how far the tines reach into the ground.
Customer review: "Easy to use and effective for a smallish lawn. Whilst it does not collect the rakings up itself this is easily done by another quick going over with the mower afterwards. Better results than just raking manually."
Discover our pick of the best lawn mowers in 2024.
VonHaus Electric Lawn Scarifier & Rake
Buy from VonHaus (from £119.99)
Next on our list are these smart electric scarifiers from VonHaus. The 1500W model comes with a 32cm deck and 30L collection box, while the 1800W model has a 38cm deck and 55L box. Both come with a 10m cable and a folding handle for easy storage.
Choose the 1800W model to get an interchangeable aerating roller to create air holes in the ground afterwards as well.
Customer review: "[P]ulled loads of moss out of my lawn with both scarify and aerate. Would definitely recommend."
AL-KO 38E 1300W Electric Scarifier
Despite only using a 1300W motor, the AL-KO 38E has enough impressive features to make it one of the best lawn scarifiers around.
A 55L collection box, 16m power cable and 38cm deck with 14 steel blades and 24 rake tines put this scarifier above most others on the market, and should help you cover a wide area efficiently. In fact, it can cope with lawns up to 800m² in size.
Other handy features include the five adjustment depths and the ergonomic handlebar. AL-KO has also given the design large air vents to help keep the motor cool, and a smart, stylish casing. This one gets a big tick from us.
Customer review: "I was really pleased with results. It certainly does pull a lot of debris out, but bear in mind it is a wide tool so it covers quite a lot of ground. The double of functionality (weed/moss and scarification) is really handy for lawn treatment either in the spring or autumn."
Looking for a futuristic garden tool to make your life easier? Check out the best robotic lawn mowers in 2023.
Magnusson Scarifier
Buy from B&Q (£31.00)
If you’re working with a small patch of grass or you need a tool for quick, light scarifying jobs, try this manual option from Magnusson.
It comes with a durable carbon steel head complete with sharp tines, which should make it easy to remove clumps of thatch from the scarifier as you go. The total width is an impressive 37.5cm, which is wider than many electric lawn scarifiers on the market.
There are no wheels here, so this scarifier works in a similar way to a rake.
An extra-long grip on the handle should improve comfort during lengthy scarifying sessions.
Customer review: "This has an additional advantage of being used as a rake too, when tilted at a certain angle using the adjustable tilt head, one side does the scarification and the other side rakes perfectly with minimal to no scarification, it [is] also sturdy and very well made."
Hyundai Electric Scarifier / Aerator / Lawn Rake
Buy 1500w model from Mower Magic (£160.00)
We all recognise Hyundai for its cars, but did you know the brand also sells a selection of high-quality garden equipment? Its outdoor range includes two scarifiers: a smaller 1500W model with a 36cm head and a slightly larger 1800W version with a 38cm deck.
Both models come with 20 hardened steel blades, which can be placed at five different heights using the simple adjustment dial. There’s also a 45L collection box, a 10m power cable and a safety mechanism to cut off the engine when you release the lever.
As an added bonus, these models are some of the best lawn scarifiers when it comes to easy storage, as they have folding handles to pack down small and a wall hanging bracket for your shed or garage.
Not ready to buy?
Why not hire a lawn scarifier from Jewson?
Types of lawn scarifiers
Electric - corded scarifiers
As more gardeners try to move away from petrol power tools, corded electric scarifiers are one of the most popular choices on the market. There are plenty of different models available, and many of the best ones come in at £100-£200.
Corded electric scarifiers usually come with a long power cable and are a great choice if you don't want to worry about recharging batteries before or during your scarifying session.
Electric - cordless scarifiers
The benefit of cordless scarifiers is the lack of power cables; you don't have to worry about having a plug socket or extension cable nearby, or keeping them out of the way of the scarifier deck.
As cordless scarifiers run on batteries, you'll need to remember to charge them beforehand, and you might need to replace or recharge them in the middle of your gardening session if you have a lot of lawn to cover.
Petrol scarifiers
Gardeners choose petrol scarifiers for the extra power they can give. While we'd always recommend avoiding petrol models where possible in favour of a less environmentally harmful option, you might decide to use one for especially large lawns.
Manual scarifiers
For small lawns, you might want to start by trying a manual scarifier. Similar in style to a rake, they're compact, lightweight and inexpensive, and don't use cables, batteries or petrol. However, they do require a bit of strength and stamina to use.
Often, manual scarifiers come with a rake on the other side of the head, so they can be used to gather up debris once you're done.
Towed scarifiers
If you have a ride-on mower, an easy option is a towed scarifier. Just attach it to the back of the mower and pull it along behind to cover large areas of grass.
How to choose the right lawn scarifier for you
Here are the key factors to consider:
Corded or cordless
You can get away with an electric model in most gardens; choose a corded option for uninterrupted work, or go for battery-powered if you're happy to charge up in advance.
Once you've made your decision, it's worth comparing the battery life or length of the power cable among different models.
Deck design
There are two main factors to consider here: whether the scarifier has adjustable depth settings and the width of the deck. More depth settings will give you greater control over the job, and you might choose a scarifier with a wider deck if you have lots of ground to cover.
Collection bag or box
If you don't want to go back over your work to collect up the thatch, get a scarifier with a collection bag or box. Make sure it has good capacity if you've got a large lawn, so you don't have to keep emptying it.
Alternatively, you could choose a scarifier without a collection box and go over your work with a non-mulching lawnmower to pick up all the debris left on the ground and trim any straggly remains.
Functionality and storage
Think about how heavy it is, how noisy it is and whether the handles fold down for easy storage in the shed or garage.
Safety features
Some of the best scarifiers come with handy extra features such as automatic engine cut-off for safety.
Towing options
If you have a lot of grass to cover and you already have a ride-on mower, it makes sense to go for a towed scarifier.
Rental options
If you're scarifying as a one-off or you don't have room to store extra equipment, you can always hire a scarifier from Jewson or similar companies.
Factors to consider for manual scarifiers
If you have a small lawn and are able to scarify manually, you might want to try a rake-style scarifier. Think about:
- The length of the handle
- Whether is also has a rake function on the other side
- Whether it has wheels
Need a lawn aerator? See our selection of the best lawn aerators to buy.