6 Best Electric Dethatchers for the Greenest and Healthiest Lawn

We picked and reviewed the most outstanding electric dethatchers for both small and large lawns.
By
Nora Held
Nora Held
Research Writer
Apart from being our main writer, Nora also works for a number of gardening-related sites and magazines, sharing her experience as an owner of a small farm in North Carolina read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Bruce Williams
Bruce Williams
Expert Consultant
Bruce owns a small farm and loves to grill since his early childhood. He’s a professional cook, but hiking and enjoying the great outdoors is his no less favorite part of read more
Last updated: August 29, 2023
BackyardStyle.com is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Maintaining your lawn involves a lot of hard work and attention to detail and can be quite troublesome, especially if you have thatch in your garden. This can often disrupt the growth of your grass, which is why a dethatcher is a must-have tool if you want to overcome this problem.

Electric dethatchers are proven to be extremely efficient in maintaining your lawn and, at the same time, easy to handle. Today, we will be presenting you with the best electric dethatchers available. To help you pick the ideal one for you, we have considered functionality of each, their cutting width and depth, as well as how powerful their motors are. The larger your lawn is, the larger numbers you’ll need.

Quick Summary

  • "An affordable dethatcher with great performance, featuring the Airboost Technology to increase the lawn health. 5-position cutting depth (-0.43 to 0.2 in). 14.2 inches cutting width. Removeable 8-gallon collection bag."
  • "A dethatcher featuring a 10.5-gallon collection bag that you won’t have to empty too often. 13-inch cutting width. 3-position cutting depth (-0.6 to 0.2 in). Foldable to storage."
  • "A dethatcher that comes with a folding handle and a compact design, which makes it easier to store. 14-inch cutting width. 3-position cutting depth. Cord retainer."
  • "At just 18.6 pounds, this is the most lightweight and easy-to-maneuver dethatcher on our list. 14-inch cutting width. 3-position (-0.35 to 0.1 in) cutting depth. 8.4-gallon collection bag."
  • "An extremely versatile dethatcher due to its working path of 16 inches and high functionality. Aerator with 45 spring pins. 10-gallon debris catcher. -0.4 to 0.4 in cutting depth."
  • "A dethatcher with a motor powerful enough to lift any debris from your lawn surface. 5-position cutting depth (-0.43 to 0.2 in). 14.2 inches cutting width. Removable thatch bag."

Top 6 Electric Dethatchers Review 2024

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4387 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.3
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.6
Features
  • Cutting width: 12.6 in
  • Cutting depth: 5-position (-0.4 to 0.4 in)
  • Motor: 12-amp
  • Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 12.5 in
  • Weight: 27 lbs

Other features: Airboost Technology; removeable 8-gallon collection bag; scarifier functionality

You can now maintain a healthy and lush, green lawn by investing in the Sun Joe AJ801E 12-Amp Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier. This versatile machine offers two functions that allows you to use it either as a dethatcher or as a scarifier. The AJ801E comes with a cutting width of 12.6 inches and a 5-position cutting depth, ranging from -0.4 inches to 0.4 inches.

This model comes with an upgrade while offering a wider working width of 15 inches. This allows you to get the job done in very less time. Additionally, the AJ801E model also comes with 13 scarifier blades as well as 32 dethatcher tines, that allow for highly efficient performance.

    What makes it stand out?
  • With the newly improved Airboost technology, the AJ801E comes with a powerful motor that makes dethatching a very easy process. You can also switch between the scarifier and the dethatcher cylinders very easily. The machine also comes with a large-sized collection bag that can carry large volumes of debris without you having to clean it out constantly.
    Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
  • While the machine comes with many great features, we found it quite troublesome that the rear flap securing pin is quite prone to snapping. However, not many people face this problem, it is still something that you need to be careful about.
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6346 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.9
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.4
Features
  • Cutting width: 13 in
  • Cutting depth: 3-position (-0.6 to 0.2 in)
  • Motor: 12-amp
  • Dimensions: 40 x 20 x 40 in
  • Weight: 20 lbs

Other features: 10.5-gallon collection bag; scarifying functionality; foldable to storage; 4 wheels

There is no better feeling in the world than when you get to have two pieces of equipment in one, which is why you need to get your hands on the Goplus 2-in-1 Lawn Dethatcher and Scarifier. The Goplus dethatcher is measured around 40 x 20 x 40 inches, while it weighs only 20 pounds. The dethatcher comes with many useful features that makes it a strong contender in our list of best electric dethatchers.

Over the years, Goplus has made quite a name for itself by being one of the best manufacturers of garden equipment, with their 2-in-1 Lawn Dethatcher and Scarifier being no exception. The brand has always provided lawn products with the best efficiency and convenient usage.

    What makes it stand out?
  • The Goplus dethatcher is equipped with a 12-amp motor that allows you to work on any lawn surface with ease. The dethatcher also allows you to choose between three depth positions so you can remove your grass surface accordingly. The machine comes with a large collection bag, which saves you time while dethatching. The machine also has a solid build that is made to last years. The ergonomic handles ensure comfort throughout the usage.
    Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
  • While the Goplus dethatcher comes with many exceptional features, we noticed that the machine is often unable to make tight turns. This becomes a hassle especially if you have a small yard since you will be making longer turns with this dethatcher. However, this won’t be an issue if you have a larger lawn.
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5585 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.9
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
9.2
Features
  • Cutting width: 14 in
  • Cutting depth: 3-position
  • Motor: 10-amp
  • Dimensions: 37.8 x 22.8 x 44 in
  • Weight: 26 lbs

Other features: stainless-steel tines; folding handles; 7-inch wheels; cord retainer

Despite having a small size, the Greenworks 27022 10 Amp Corded Dethatcher is as functional as ever. The Greenworks 27022 comes with a small frame, sized around 37.8 x 22.8 x 44 inches. Due to its small size and lightweight, the machine is extremely easy to use and handle. The Greenworks 27022 comes with many other superior features that makes it a strong contender for our list of best electric dethatchers.

Unlike other dethatchers, the Greenworks 27022 also offers a battery powered option as an alternative to having a corded dethatcher. With the battery-powered dethatcher, you can work on your lawn for 30 minutes per charge. Even the corded version is pretty efficient since it starts up easily with just a push of a button.

    What are its best features?
  • Offering great performance, the Greenworks 27022 comes with a powerful motor that is durable and extremely functional. The dethatcher has tines that can easily slice even the toughest pieces of grass. It also comes with a fully padded handle that makes the long and tedious process of dethatching very comfortable. The Greenworks 27022 comes with pre-set tine height that can be adjusted to three other settings. The adjustment mechanism is extremely easy to operate as well.
    What could be improved?
  • However, one thing that we didn’t really like was the height adjustment feature. The dethatcher does not really specify what its lowest settings are. So when you set it at the lowest setting, it is hard to know what the exact height of your tine is.
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7898 people in the past 30 days
8.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.5
8.9
Features
  • Cutting width: 14 in
  • Cutting depth: 3-position (-0.35 to 0.1 in)
  • Motor: 12-amp
  • Dimensions: 39 x 22.9 x 43.2 in
  • Weight: 18.6 lbs

Other features: 8.4-gallon collection bag; foldable handle

If you are looking for an easy-to-handle dethatcher, then you should look into the WORX WG850 12 Amp Corded Electric Dethatcher. The WORX WG850 weighs only 18.6 pounds, making the machine extremely lightweight and easy to move around. With the WG850, you can easily adjust the working heights from -9 mm to 3 mm. The machine offers many useful features that can make your overall experience very enjoyable.

WORX has been around for quite some time and the company is known for making high-performing dethatchers. Their WG850 model is no exception. The model comes with a powerful motor that is highly functional. With this dethatcher, you can clear out your lawn in seconds.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Among its many features, the WG850 also offers a vertical cutter that offers an impressive speed of 3500 rpm. The machine also features 14-inch long steel tines that are sharp enough to cut through even the toughest of thatch. You can even adjust the height of these tines accordingly.
    What could be better?
  • Like any other dethatcher, the WG850 also comes with a few drawbacks. We found that the machine has a longer heating time as compared to other machines. The machine also comes with a very small collection bag that needs to be cleaned constantly, especially if you have a big yard. Even with these minor setbacks, the dethatcher has made it on our list of best electric dethatchers.
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6969 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.7
9.9
Features
  • Cutting width: 16 in
  • Cutting depth: -0.4 to 0.4 in
  • Motor: 13-amp
  • Dimensions: 5 x 54.5 x 37.4 in
  • Weight: 5 lbs

Other features: 10-gallon debris catcher; aerator with 45 spring pins; scarifier functionality

If you have a lawn that is not flat or has grass with different heights, then the Earthwise DT71613 13-Amp Corded Electric Dethatcher is what you need. This dethatcher offers a cutting width of 16 inches along with a cutting depth between -0.4 to 0.4 inches. The DT71613 dethatcher comes with many useful features that help it clean out any thatch on your lawn, with the lowest effort.

Known for its efficient and highly-functional dethatchers, Earthwise brings its DT71613 model that is suitable for all yard sizes. This model offers robust performance to ensure that your grass remains free of any thatch and ensures that the lawn looks healthy throughout the year. This model offers a large sized grass catcher that can easily contain at least 37 litres of grass.

    What makes it special?
  • The great thing about the DT71613 is that it is extremely versatile due to its working path of 16 inches. With 45 durable spring pins, the machine can easily deep clean the grass or even work on the surface only. The 13-amp powerful motor ensures that the process of detaching remains efficient throughout.
    What cons did we find?
  • Although the machine promises great features, we found it to be a bit too heavy while using it. This means that you would have to use more of your energy pushing it across your lawns. Apart from this, the machine is also corded which requires you to have an electricity connection in your lawn. Despite this, we definitely recommend getting this machine for a healthy and lush green lawn.
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3282 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.7
Features
  • Cutting width: 14.2 in
  • Cutting depth: 5-position (-0.43 to 0.2 in)
  • Motor: 12-amp
  • Dimensions: 23 x 20.5 x 17 in
  • Weight: 25 lbs

Other features: 4 wheels; removable thatch bag; scarifier functionality

If you are looking for a premium option, then the ApolloSmart 2-in-1 Dethatcher and Scarifier is what you should be looking for. This dethatcher comes with an additional feature of being a scarifier as well. You can easily switch between the two functions and have the best of both worlds. Apart from this, the machine offers several useful features that can make your dethatching experience even better.

Known as the premium brand, ApolloSmart has been in the lawn equipment industry for quite some time. Having perfected their equipment, their dethatcher comes as the best of the best. This highly versatile product is extremely practical when it comes to lawn maintenance.

    Why is it special?
  • One of the best features that ApolloSmart dethatcher has to offer is its 12-amp powerful motor. The motor is powerful enough to lift any debris from your lawn surface and collect it in the large collection bag that accompanies the machine. The machine also offers an adjustable tine height within -0.43 to 0.2 inches. You can easily select the level of grass that you want to dethatch and work on it.
    What are the flaws?
  • However, the price of the machine can be a bit of a con, especially if you are looking for budget friendly options. The machine can also be a bit heavy for some people to carry or move around. If you can overlook these flaws, then this is definitely a dethatcher that you should consider.

Things to Consider

A thatcher is a great tool to help keep your lawn green and healthy, which is why you need to buy the best one. An ideal dethatcher should be able to make sure that there is no thatch left on your grass. Today, this buying guide will help you figure out which electric dethatcher would be ideal for your lawn and what are the features you should consider before buying one!

How a Dethatcher Works

Similar to power raking, a dethatcher works to remove thatch from the surface of the grass. Thatch is the dead layer of grass on its surface which often prevents fertilizers, air, or sunlight from entering the soil.

Dethatchers work to make sure that this layer is removed, leaving behind a healthier and aerated layer of grass.

There are many types of dethatchers that you can find, including manual, gas powered, or electric dethatchers. While they may work differently, these dethatchers essentially use the sharp surface of the tines to loosen the hard and dead layer of thatch. Then, the dethatcher pulls the thatch away and collects it in the collection bag

Functionality

Dethatchers are an extremely efficient way of making sure that your lawn remains lush green and healthy. We recommend taking out your dethatcher before spring, when there is ideal weather to seed and apply fertilizer.

Why Pick an Electric De-thatcher?

6 Best Electric Dethatchers for the Greenest and Healthiest Lawn

When it comes to lawn dethatchers, most of them are either corded or are operated manually. However, we recommend using an electric dethatcher for the following reasons:

  • Electric dethatchers are mostly lightweight which makes them easy to push around the lawn. They require much less of your manual energy to cover large areas.
  • Unlike other gas-powered machines, electric dethatchers do not produce any harmful fumes or gases.
  • Electric dethatchers come with powerful motors that are able to perform their function efficiently. These motors last a long time and are able to withstand repeated use.

Features to Consider Before You Buy a Dethatcher

When it comes to maintaining a healthy lawn, dethatchers are extremely important. Electric dethatchers are a one -time investment that will be very useful for your yard, even in the long run. However, before you make this big decision, there are several features that you need to consider before buying a dethatcher. Here are some of those features.

Motor

The great thing about dethatching is that since it is not a heavy-duty activity, it does not require power machinery. However, that does not mean that you should not be looking into a machine’s motor power before buying. In general, you should be looking for a dethatcher that has a motor between 10-15 amps. A 15-amp motor can be used for heavy-duty dethatching. If you have a larger yard, then we recommend a dethatcher with higher amperage, like the Earthwise DT71613. This will help in performing an efficient job on the grass. A smaller lawn would not require a motor that is more than 10 amps. Any basic electric motor can help remove the layer of grass that is unhealthy.

Cutting Width

When it comes to cutting width, you should consider the path width or the swath of the machine. If you are someone who has to deal with large areas of lawn, then you should ideally look for a dethatcher that offers a width length between 36 inches to 48 inches. A larger cutting width ensures that you cover a larger area, helping you save a lot of time.

Electric dethatchers come with lesser cutting width that usually lies between 10 to 16 inches. They are more suitable for medium to small areas.

All the dethatchers listed above have a cutting width that lies within this range.

Cutting Depth and Adjustability

The cutting depth of a dethatcher determines the length of thatch that you would want to remove. Most dethatchers come with a wide range of cutting depths along with the function to adjust this depth. By providing a range of depth, the machine lets you choose the amount of thatch that you want to remove from the surface. For example, the Earthwise DT71613 13-Amp Corded Electric Dethatcher comes with a cutting depth range of -0.4 to 0.4 inches. The WORX WG850 12 Amp Corded Electric Dethatcher comes with a small range of cutting depth that lies between -0.35 inches to 0.1 inch. You can easily adjust your tines to work within these ranges.

Ease of Use

6 Best Electric Dethatchers for the Greenest and Healthiest Lawn

When it comes to dethatching, it can be a long and tedious task. While dethatchers make your life much easier, it is also important that the dethatcher is easy and comfortable to use. Most dethatchers have been built with ease of use in their design. Instead of the tedious process of manually removing the thatch, these machines make dethatching so easy. The machines help save your time so you can maintain a fresh and healthy lawn. To make it even easier, machines such as Goplus 2-in-1 Lawn Dethatcher and Scarifier and Greenworks 27022 10 Amp Corded Dethatcher come with ergonomic, padded handles that add to your comfort while using the machine.

Tine/Blade Material

The main part of the dethatcher is the tines, which are responsible for digging into the thatch and helping it loosen it. This small finger-like blade performs the most important task of all: removing the thatch from the grass, which is why you need to consider the number of tines and the blade material before you buy a dethatcher.

The number of tines on each dethatcher varies according to its size and width. The greater the number of tines, the more they can dig into the thatch and pick it up. Therefore, it is preferable to have a larger number of tines on your dethatcher. Similarly, the material of the tines is also very important. Since, digging into the thatch often means that the machine comes into contact with damp material, we recommend selecting a dethatcher with stainless steel or spring steel tines. Such materials are not only strong and durable, but they can also prevent corrosion. In fact, stainless steel is also extremely low-maintenance, since you won’t have to worry about rusting or keeping it dry! The Greenworks 27022 10 Amp Corded Dethatcher comes with stainless steel tines!

Size and Weight

While buying a dethatcher, size and weight are two important aspects that you should keep in mind. In terms of size, you should look at the path width or the swatch of the machine. If you are someone who has to deal with large areas of lawn, then you should ideally look for a dethatcher that offers a width that ranges between 36–48 inches.

Large sized dethatchers can work much faster. However, there is one downside to them. They can be difficult to store, especially if you have a small storage space.

The weight of a dethatcher is an important feature to consider, especially if you are buying tow-behind models. A lightweight dethatcher is easier to handle and maneuver which is why such models are preferred. The Greenworks 27022 is a lightweight model that you can consider.

Collection Bag

6 Best Electric Dethatchers for the Greenest and Healthiest Lawn

Dethatching involves collection of debris that has been pulled away from the grass. This debris needs to be collected somewhere and this is where collection bags come in. Most dethatcher machines come with attached collection bags that collect all the thatch while you are working the machine over the yards. The size of your collection bag also matters as it should be big enough to carry all the debris. A large-sized bag won’t need constant cleaning and replacing. You can easily work with a large collection bag when working on large lawns. Machines such as the Goplus 2-in-1 Lawn Dethatcher and Scarifier come with a large 10.5 removable collection bag. Even the ApolloSmart 2-in-1 Dethatcher and Scarifier has a decent sized collection bag that is able to collect a significant amount of thatch.

Price

Generally, electric dethatchers are affordable. But since there is a wide variety of machines available, the prices may vary for each of them. Additionally, if you need a dethatcher with more features and functions, its overall costs will increase as well. For a budget-friendly option, Greenworks 27022 10 Amp Corded Dethatcher is a great option that you can consider. This machine ranges between $100–$150. Even the other dethatchers are not as expensive as other options out there. If you are willing to splurge, then you can opt for the ApolloSmart 2-in-1 De-thatcher and Scarifier. The price for these machines goes up to $200.

While prices and functions may vary for each machine, you have to look at what suits your budget the most.

Extra Features

Having extra features on any machine can make your life much easier and the same is the case with dethatchers. Some dethatchers come with the option to adjust the handle height which you can adjust according to your comfort level. Other dethatchers may also come with an additional function of scarifier like the Sun Joe AJ801E 12-Amp Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier.

FAQ

Is a power rake the same as a dethatcher?

While the power rake and the dethatcher are essentially used to perform similar tasks, there is considerable difference between the two. A power rake generally uses rotary blades that help slice down the thatch in the soil, while the dethatcher uses a thin spring tine that helps pull up any loose debris on the grass. The power rake is much more powerful and aggressive as compared to the dethatcher. The dethatcher is mainly used to pull up thatch from the soil, usually from the surface. Since the dethatcher is gentle, you can easily use it one or two times in a year for a safe and healthy lawn.

When and how often should I dethatch my lawn?

Lawn dethatching should not be done regularly. In fact, you should only take out your electric dethatcher when the grass in your lawn stops growing or when it starts to get brown and patchy. This happens because thatch build-up prevents any water or nutrients from going into the soil, eventually halting growth of the grass. Even if you try to water or add fertilizer over this build-up, the grass won’t respond well. This is why using a dethatcher is your best option. With a dethatcher, you can easily remove this part of the grass so that it starts growing again.

What should I do after dethatching?

Dethatching your lawn can be quite a disruptive process, which is why you need to take extra care of your lawn afterwards. After dethatching your lawn, you should aerate Trusted Source Aeration: Why, How & When to Aerate Your Lawn | Briggs & Stratton Wondering how to grow a lush, green grass? Learn how aeration can help, as well as how & when to aerate your lawn from the experts at Briggs & Stratton! www.briggsandstratton.com your lawn. You can also follow this up by seeding the lawn or adding fertilizers. Since dethatching opens up the soil, it is a great time for you to plant new seeds. Some people also consider topdressing after dethatching as it helps avoid weed growth in the lawn. If you take good care of your lawn after dethatching, it will take three to four weeks for your lawn to become healthy.

Our verdict

By now, you should know everything that you need to know about the best electric dethatcher. These machines can easily deliver high-quality results. For a small sized lawn, you can opt for the Greenworks 27022 10 Amp Corded Dethatcher. If you are looking for a machine that offers more than one function, then you should consider the Sun Joe AJ801E 12-Amp Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier.

We hope that this guide was extremely helpful for you. Here is to happy gardening!

References

1.
Aeration: Why, How & When to Aerate Your Lawn | Briggs & Stratton
Wondering how to grow a lush, green grass? Learn how aeration can help, as well as how & when to aerate your lawn from the experts at Briggs & Stratton!
9,6
Total Score
Sun Joe AJ801E 12 Amp Electric Scarifier Lawn Sweeper - Best Value
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *