Removing all the moss, grass cuttings and other debris ensures your grass isn’t being starved of the nutrients it needs. It also improves the flow of oxygen and water to ensure that the grass remains healthier for longer.
The best lawn scarifier is the Bosch AVR 1100 Verti Cutter, which uses a 1,100 watt electric motor and provides 4 cutting heights for optimum scarifying of your lawn.
Table of Contents
Lawn Scarifier Comparison
| Lawn Scarifier | Type | Height Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch AVR 1100 Verti Cutter | Electric | 4 |
| Flymo Lawnrake Compact 3400 | Electric | 6 |
| BLACK+DECKER GD300 | Electric | 3 |
| Einhell GE-SC 35 | Battery | 3 |
| AL-KO 38P Combi-Care | Petrol | 5 |
| Wolf Garten URM3 | Manual | 1 |
When searching for a lawn scarifier, you want to ensure that the teeth or blades used are high quality. The best examples will use stainless steel or tempered steel as they are far more durable than the plastic alternatives.
As with lawn mowers, you are able to buy a lawn scarifier that is powered by petrol, electric, battery or manually pushed. Depending upon the current state of your lawn and the size may sway your buying decision.
Below is a list of the best lawn scarifiers that removes any debris from the grass and aids the aeration of the soil.
The Best Lawn Scarifier
1. Bosch AVR 1100 Verti Cutter Lawn Raker
Bosch are an industry leading brand and their AVR 1100 Verti Cutter is one of the most popular lawn scarifiers in the UK. It’s a lightweight electric scarifier that can folded down easily for storage after use.
In terms of aerating the soil, it has a powerful 1,100W motor with 14 rotating steel blades that effortlessly cuts in a choice of 4 different heights.
Other features of the Bosch AVR 1100 Verti Cutter include:
- 4 height cutting settings ranging from -10 to +5 mm
- 32 cm raking width
- Patented Jet-Collect system
- 50 litre collection box
- Weighs just 9.9 KG
The performance and efficiency of the 1,100 watt electric motor and the Jet-Collect system provide fast and blockage free cutting. Although the AVR 1100 Verti Cutter isn’t the cheapest, its certainly one of the best available.
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2. Flymo Compact 3400 Electric Lawn Scarifier
Flymo are the market leaders when it comes to electric lawn mowers but their lawn scarifier is just as popular. It has been designed for medium sized gardens and features a unique compacting collection box.
In terms of its power, it uses an electric powered 750 watt motor and a powerful cylinder, which easily aerates the soil and removes any debris.
Other features of the Flymo Compact 3400 include:
- 6 height settings ranging from -5 to +8 mm
- 34 cm raking width
- 34 litre collection box
- Weighs 12.6 KG
- Collects and compacts the debris
A unique feature that our team really like is that you can view inside the collection box. This allows you to see when it needs emptying rather than relying on guesswork.
The Flymo Compact 3400 is an excellent all-round lawn scarifier that won’t disappoint and offers great value for money.
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3. BLACK+DECKER Lawn Rake Scarifier
For those requiring a more affordable alternative, the Black and Decker scarifier is a great choice. It uses an electric 600 watt motor and large capacity collection box, which is suitable for small to medium sized gardens.
Other features of the BLACK+DECKER GD300 include:
- 3 raking heights that range from 2 to 8 mm
- 3 rows of metal tines for maximum performance
- 30 cm raking width
- Lightweight at just 7 KG
- 30 litre collection box
- Safety lock-off switch
Although it’s a cheap lawn scarifier, it still has metal tines instead of the weak plastic alternatives, which is a big bonus.
The BLACK+DECKER GD300 is more than capable of tackling small to medium sized gardens. It’s the best option for those that are on a tight budget but still want a reputable brand backing the machine.
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4. Einhell Cordless Scarifier GE-SC
If you would prefer to use a cordless lawn scarifier, the Einhell GE-SC model is perfect. It’s powered by two 18V lithium ion batteries and depending upon the size of the battery, it can cover between 190 to 400 square metres.
Other features of the Einhell Cordless GE-SC include:
- Working width of 35 cm
- Cutting depth of 9 mm
- 15.2 cm rear wheel diameter
- Cuts at 3 different heights
- Cuts with 16 blades
- Also available as a mains powered scarifier
- Doesn’t come with batteries
The Einhell GE-SC is a great option for those that require a cordless lawn scarifier. However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t come with batteries and these will need to be purchased separately. Therefore, it does work out as one of the most expensive scarifiers unless you already own the batteries.
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5. AL-KO 38P Combi-Care Petrol Lawn Scarifier
For those that require a petrol lawn scarifier, the AL-KO 38P Combi-Care is the best option. Due to the fact it has a petrol powered motor, there is a premium price tag but the extra power is highly desirable.
Unlike a petrol lawn mower, the AL-KO 38P Combi-Care has a much smaller engine displacement at just 53 cc. However, this is more than enough power for effortlessly raking your lawn.
Other features of the AL-KO 38P Combi-Care include:
- Lawnrake and scarifier
- 5 height adjustmentg
- 14 steel blades
- 38 cm raking width
- 55 litre collection box
- 20 KG in weight
- Adjustable and foldable handle
If you require both a lawn rake and scarifier that uses a petrol powered motor, the AL-KO 38P Combi-Care is the best option. Unlike cheaper alternatives, changing between the two functions is straightforward and requires no special tools.
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6. Wolf Garten URM3 Manual Lawn Scarifier
The cheapest lawn scarifier that’s actually worth buying is the Wolf Garten URM3. It’s a basic option that requires good old fashioned manual pushing. In terms of its usage, it’s only really suitable for small gardens that require thatch and moss removal.
Unlike other manual scarifiers, the Wolf Garten URM3 uses a pendulum action which allows the blade to sink into the moss and thatch. This action allows the steel blades to glide over the grass for maximum scarification.
Other features of the Wolf Garten URM3 include:
- Raking width of 30 cm
- 11 handle positions to choose
- Strong steel blades
- 10 year guarantee
Overall, it’s a low cost lawn scarifier that requires no servicing, fuel or power supply. It’s an excellent manual alternative with a 10 year guarantee, which provides you with peace of mind that it’s built to last.
It’s worth noting that you must purchase a handle in order to use this scarifier. The brand state that it’s part of the multi-change click system, which allows you to fit over 50 tool heads.
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Lawn Scarifier Buying Guide
The 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 there are some that are petrol powered or completely manual.
Benefits from scarifying your lawn is that it allows for a better flow of air and water for a more 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.
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 raking. The main difference between the two types is that the scarifier uses blades tines and a lawn rake uses wire tines.
The 2-in-1 lawn raker and scarifiers can be highly beneficial for some gardeners. You are able to easily switch between the two functions by simply changing the blade.
The Blades
In order to cut through the grass, the scarfier requires durable blades. Most will use a strong metal blades and you will want to avoid those that are made from plastic. Overtime, 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, in order 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 adjust height positions would is 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 scarify 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.
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 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.
Its advised that you avoid scarifying during the winter months because a thin layer of thatch is actually good for the lawn.
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. You will be able to achieve better results scarifying short grass than you would with longer grass because it minimizes the stress on the grass. You can also use a garden vacuum to remove larger debris on the lawn.
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. This will help with tackle areas of the lawn that were missed.
Once you are finished, it may look like your lawn is ruined but this it just needs time to recover. To help assist the recovery process, you can add a good lawn fertiliser and lightly spray water to help the grass grow back thicker and more quickly.
Conclusion
Lawn scarifiers are mostly purchased by enthusiasts that want to perfect their garden. They essentially cut through the grass to help improve the flow of air and water for a more healthier lawn. There are various different types but the best are usually powered by an electric motor.
All of our recommendations cover electric, petrol and manual scarifiers that all have unique features and are suitable for a range of budgets.
