Best dethatcher

A dethatcher can clear up tangled areas of your yard and save you from overworking your mower.

Best dethatcher
(Image credit: @Petar Tonchev on Unsplash)
Staff pick

Greenworks 10A corded 14-inch dethatcher

(Image credit: Greenworks Tools)

Greenworks 10A corded 14-inch dethatcher

No gas fumes or heavy noise issues

A built-in cord clip keeps your electric cable from detaching during use.

Pros:

  • Electric motor
  • Stainless steel tines
  • Push-button start
  • Folding handles

Cons:

  • Difficult to assemble
  • Plastic parts can be fragile

Get your lawn looking fresh with this dethatcher; it tackles invasive greenery like weeds or dead grass. The motor is fully electric, allowing you to avoid unwanted gas fumes and loud operating noises. To get started, simply press the button and you're off. If you have a large lawn, you may need an extension cord. Thankfully, this model works well with extension cords up to 150 feet. Plus, the 14-inch dethatching head is larger than most other options and makes quick work of your lawn.

Easy cleanup

dethatcher

(Image credit: Sun Joe/Snow Joe)

Sun Joe 12-amp 13-inch electric dethatcher

Collects grass and other clippings as you use it

This machine includes a scarifier attachment, allowing one machine to perform two tasks.

Pros:

  • Eight-gallon collection bag
  • Easy-to-adjust depth settings
  • 12-amp motor

Cons:

  • Can be difficult to use on uneven lawns
  • Bag size could be larger

Some lawns have dead grass or other vegetation embedded deep into the soil's surface. To help aerate the land and get it ready for new seed, you may want to use a combination of the two attachments that come with this dethatcher. The standard dethatcher tines can work on the parts that sit higher or just below the surface. But use the scarifier, you can dig deep and remove stubborn bits you'd normally miss. The collection bad is the feature we like the most on this model. Normally, you'd need to go rake up everything on your lawn after you finish, but this saves you from that extra task.

Pull along

dethatcher

(Image credit: Amazon)

Agri-Fab 40-inch tine tow dethatcher

Works with your riding mower

This model spans a massive 40 inches to cover large areas.

Pros:

  • Weight tray to adjust depth
  • Low physical effort required to use
  • 40-inch dethatching width
  • Tines can be individually replaced

Cons:

  • Lots of assembly required
  • No tools included
  • May not fit all riding mowers or tractors

Want to use professional tools to maintain your lawn? Look no further than this excellent dethatcher attachment from Agri-Fab. You will need a tractor or riding mower to attach it to, but after that, you can get started without the need for an extra power supply or gas. You can set some bricks or other heavy materials on the built-in shelf, which will push the tines farther into the soil. We appreciate this unit because there's no complicated mechanism that can break over time. While it does require assembly, we think you'll forget about that when you're dethatching 2 to 3 times faster compared to hand-operated models.

Lightweight

dethatcher

(Image credit: Amazon)

Earthwise 12-inch electric corded lawn dethatcher

Handle folds to make storage easy

This model weighs about half as much as comparable dethatchers and is best for tight spots around the garden.

Pros:

  • Only weighs 15 pounds
  • Five adjustable depth settings
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Foldable handle

Cons:

  • Narrow reach isn't ideal for large lawns
  • Doesn't collect clippings

Uneven lawns, or those with many garden components, can be difficult to maintain without the proper tools. For instance, you may have a few flower boxes, water features, or paver areas that you need to navigate around. This dethatcher has a narrow head that spans only 12-inches, allowing it to slide into all those tight spots. You can choose from five depth settings, ranging from -0.4 to 0.4 inches, depending on your lawn's needs. When it's time to put the machine away, the handle folds down for simple storage. 

Clearing the tough spots

If you want to get your lawn back to looking beautiful without any overgrown spots, we think the Greenworks 10A corded 14-inch dethatcher is worth a look. It's wider than most electric models, saving you time working outdoors. We also think it's reasonably priced, so you won't break the bank to add it to your lawn tools. There are also some thoughtful features included, like a cord clip and folding handles.

For those who have a riding mower, consider the Agri-Fab 40-inch tine tow dethatcher. It's the right tool for the job if your lawn is large. It doesn't require any power cords, gasoline, or much physical effort to run. You can also adjust the weight to change the depth that the tines go into the soil. Overall, it's the easy to use, wider than other options, and does not disappoint as long as you have a vehicle for the attachment.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Nicole Cozma is a freelance writer for Future. She's known for being inquisitive and finding the tiny details that may otherwise go unnoticed. When she's not writing about products, she can be found playing Blizzard game titles, doing copy editing work, cooking, or expanding her photography skills.

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