According to gardening experts, the best scarifiers for lawns have an aeration function. This means that the machine can not only remove moss, straw and dirt, but can also increase the flow of oxygen and therefore the health of your lawn. Scarifying and aerating the lawn can therefore contribute to thicker grass, which makes it grow faster and better protect it against diseases. Here are the top 5 suggestions of the year that will surely make your gardening easier.
How to choose the best scarifiers
First of all, it is worth paying attention to the number of cutting heights of the scarifier. This affects how deep the device cuts into your soil. The recommendations listed below range from 3 to 5 and it is certainly true that the more the better. However, you should also consider the working width of the machine as it depends on how often you use yoursLawn carego up and down. For example, medium to large gardens need 36 cm or more. For smaller gardens, the 30cm to 35cm range is fine. Bin capacity is also an important feature as it relates to how often you will empty the container.
Medium to large gardens require a collection box of 45 liters or more. For smaller gardens, 25 to 40 liters are sufficient. Finally, it would also be advisable to look at the weight and performance of the machine. These indicate how easy the garden tool will be to use and maneuver. You can read all this practical information here to compare and decide on a suitable model. Taking all these features into account and based on the scarifier test, the Hyundai 2-in-1 lawn scarifier and aerator could be the best option for most households. This machine does a lot for its fair price and looks good too. Here is a list of some of the best scarifiers currently on the market.
Why you should choose gasoline for Hyundai as your lawn scarifier
If you are in the market for a petrol scarifier as your option, then the Hyundai HYSC210 is currently one of the best models for your lawn. Powered by an easy-to-start 210cc four-stroke engine, this machine offers powerful performance as a rake and scarifier. The device also has two cartridges, one with 17 blades for removing thatch and another with 16 spring tines for removing moss and dead leaves. Adjusting the height is also very easy. Simply turn the dial on the front of the machine, allowing you to choose from 5 height settings ranging from +5mm to -15mm. However, you could also find an electric version on the market.
However, this is a pretty powerful machine, so put the height adjustment to good use. If you're using it for the first time, it's best to set the scarifier to the highest setting and see how much material it removes. Don’t just set it to the lowest setting as you may find that it shreds your lawn. The working width is 40 cm and the collecting container holds 45 liters of material, which is a decent size for regular scarifying.
However, if you have never scarified or there is a lot of straw or moss in your lawn, the collector would be useless. This is simply not large enough for the sheer volume of material this machine extracts. It would be easier to simply peel off the bag and rake the moss or straw by hand. Apart from this, no other disadvantages are observed. The Hyundai HYS210 is well built, easy to use and works great.
Al Ko scarifier & rake 38P Combi-Care 2-in-1
The AL-KO 38P Combi-Care is a smaller machine than the Cobra model, but the manufacturer claims it is suitable for lawns up to 1,200 m². The engine is quite small at 53 cm³. Admittedly, it can sometimes be difficult to start from the cold. Despite having such a small displacement, the engine produces an impressive 6,100 rpm, which can easily handle even thick straw and moss. The fact that it is smaller also means that the Alko scarifier is almost half the weight of the other model called Cobra. So if weight is an issue for you, this would be the right choice. The machine has 5 working depths, a slightly smaller working width of 38 cm, but the collection container is larger at 55 liters.
However, if this is your first time scarifying or you don't do it that often, it doesn't matter how big the collector is because it won't be big enough. If you do use this, the additional weight at the rear can cause the machine to roll on the very small rear wheels. So it would simply be better to never use the collector and pick up the debris by hand. This can make using the machine a joy. Cleaning is also incredibly easy because AL-KO has made the underside completely smooth. There are ribs of crevices for dirt and debris to hide in, which is a brilliant idea. Overall, the model is pleasing and deserves its second place for the best scarifiers. It is well built and although it can be difficult to start, it works well and is lightweight too.
Electric scarifier Bosch AVR 1100
Technically speaking, the Bosch AVR 1100 is not a lawn rake, but a scarifier. However, it is the same type. The device removes moss and the top layer of straw and keeps away rooting and creeping weeds. Scarifying also trims the roots of the grass plants, which promotes new growth of the desired grasses. Conventional scarifiers have more blades and do not cut as deeply as this model. The benefits of this are that they are much gentler on your lawn, and you can use such devices throughout the entire growing season. So instead of attacking thatch all at once and damaging your lawn, you can reduce it gradually over the course of the year. Despite this, it still removes a surprising amount of straw and moss.
The Bosch features 4 height settings ranging from +5mm to -10mm and 14 pivoting blades that won't break in difficult spots or when hitting hard debris. The device also features what Bosch calls their “Jet Collection System.” This is just a fancy name for an airflow system that sucks the dirt into the 50 liter collection box. However, it works pretty well and if you use it every two weeks between April and September, 50 liters is a decent capacity. The model weighs 9.9 kg, making it easy to maneuver and carry. When you're done with it, you can easily store it away thanks to the double folding handle and stackable storage box. If you prefer to combat moss and thatch with little and frequent scarification, the Bosch AVR1100 is the right device for you. It's reliable, easy to use and does a great job.
If you want the lawn scarifier to be electric and inexpensive: VonHaus 2 in 1
If you are in the market for a powered scarifier but are on a budget, then the VonHaus 2 in 1 Electric Lawn Aerator & Scarifier is a good alternative. It's slightly cheaper than the best scarifiers from Bosch and AL-KO, but the device is still backed by a two-year warranty. The model feels a bit cheap, but is still robust and also quite powerful at 1,500 watts. It tears up moss and works through thick straw with ease. In fact, the device extracts a huge amount of material during testing. Like the Bosch, this scarifier has four height settings that can be easily adjusted using a lever. However, it is again recommended to start with the higher settings and gradually reduce them to avoid ruining your lawn.
Maneuvering is also easy as it weighs less than 10kg. However, as you would expect for the price, the model is not perfect. The collector only holds 28 liters, which makes it practically unusable. Again, however, it would be best to remove the container completely. The power cord is also only 10 meters long. The operating instructions are also not entirely good and the underside is not easy to clean due to the design. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended for a cheap scarifier.
If you need to use your hand for your lawn scarifier
If you're on a budget and/or have a small lawn, the Wolf Garten Multi-Change Moss Remover and Rake is just as good as the best manual scarifiers. However, to use the garden tool, you also need to purchase the handle, which is sold separately. Unless you already own the Wolf Garten handle. This is because it is a multiple tool. This means you can buy different tools for the same handle. For example, you can buy the scarifier head for removing thatch and a rake head for raking. Then turn to the right and attach a hoe headfor cutting your lawn edge, before swapping it out for a brush head to sweep up any mess.
While this isn't a criticism in and of itself, it may actually be good to know that you also need to purchase the handle. However, the hand scarifier works well, cuts into the turf and removes excess thatch very reliably. The higher you raise the handle, the deeper the blades go, meaning you can scarify deeper. The build quality is excellent. The Wolf Garten also feels solid, is very well made and comes with a 10-year guarantee that gives you the confidence to work without any problems.
