Small patch by hand
You can finish a small patch in one hard session and you will clear the debris yourself. The Darlac DP888 is the manual row with 4.1 from 796 reviews, about £38.99. It has no motor and no box.
Scarifier comparison 2026
The best scarifiers, compared.
Top pick: PHIWOS PH6036 1800 W Best value: Hyundai HYSC1532E 1500 W – Score 86 at about £89.99, 4.5 from 414 reviews, both drums named. Lowest shelf among corded rows with at least 400 reviews. Updated 23 October 2026.
A scarifier is the tool you use when a brown mat of thatch, or moss you have decided to remove, sits between the grass and the soil. In the UK you buy one for a domestic lawn you will treat once or twice a year, usually in early autumn, and you judge it by the drum, a depth you can keep shallow, and whether a cable or your own arms will reach the far end. Spring tines comb moss. Blades cut thatch. A machine that lists both is a 2-in-1. Spring tines alone are a lawn raker, a neighbouring purchase. A listing that says aerator on a scarifier usually means a second set of blades that slit the surface. A hollow tine that pulls a core of soil is a separate tool. A hand tool is the same job without a motor, and it only suits a small patch you can finish in one hard session. The [scarifier buying guide](/hub/lawn-and-garden-equipment/scarifier/sub/scarifier-buying-guide) puts those checks in order.
A scarifier is the tool you use when a brown mat of thatch, or moss you have decided to remove, sits between the grass and the soil.
36 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +21,800 readers
10 of 10: Best scarifiers compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 10Best overall
Best value
7.8/10
7.6/10
7.6/10
8.8/10
8.3/10
8.0/10
9.0/10
8.6/10
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7.7/10
∼ £90
∼ £32
∼ £127
∼ £130
∼ £110
∼ £100
∼ £126
∼ £90
∼ £216
∼ £39
4.7(24)
4.7(21)
4.7(7)
4.6(441)
4.6(172)
4.6(71)
4.5(559)
4.5(414)
4.4(298)
4.1(796)
Personal buying guide
Which scarifier fits?
Question 1 of 2
How will you reach the lawn?
The best scarifiers in detail
Our view
The PHIWOS PH6036 is a corded 1800 W machine at about £90.09, with a 38 cm width, five positions from −12 mm to 6 mm, a 45 L bag, a 10 m cable and a listed weight of 14.96 kg. The star line is 4.7 from 24 amazon.co.uk reviews, rank 42 in Lawn Scarifiers, and the saved reviews include 13 written reviews, several of them one line. The listing says interchangeable blades and a dethatcher or scarifier swap. It does not name a spring-tine cassette, so this is not a confirmed two-drum rake. One UK review says the grass does not stay in the box and hand raking is still required. Two switches are named, no warranty period is stated, and the listing first appeared on 8 April 2025. The score is 78. A 4.7 on 24 reviews does not outrank 4.5 from several hundred, and the unnamed second drum is why the equipment bump stays smaller.
Pros
- 1800 W and 38 cm at about £90.09, with a 45 L bag and a 10 m cable
- Five positions from −12 mm to 6 mm
- Two switches named on the listing
- 4.7 from 24 amazon.co.uk reviews
Cons
- Spring tines are not named, so the second drum is not confirmed
- One UK review says the grass does not stay in the box
- 24 reviews, with 13 written texts among the saved reviews, is a thin sample
- No warranty period is stated
Best for: A lawn a 10 m lead can reach, when you want 38 cm and 1800 W at the lower shelf and you accept a short review history
Less suitable: A moss comb that needs a named spring-tine cassette, or a decision that treats 4.7 from 24 reviews as stronger than 4.5 from several hundred
Specifications
- Model
- PHIWOS PH6036 1800 W
- Brand
- PHIWOS
- Price
- ∼£90
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(24)
- Power
- Corded 1800 W
- Width
- 38 cm
- Depth
- -12 to 6 mm
- Drums
- Blades only
- Collector
- 45 L
- Reach
- 10 m cable
- Weight
- 14.96 kg
- Safety
- Two switches
Common questions
Does the listing name a spring-tine rake?
It says interchangeable blades and a dethatcher/scarifier swap. It does not name a separate spring-tine cassette.
Does the bag hold the thatch?
One UK review says the grass does not stay in the box and hand raking is still required.
How many reviews is 4.7 based on?
The listing shows 4.7 from 24 reviews. The saved reviews include 13 written reviews, several of them one line.
Our view
The YTDHYM is a manual wheel-assisted scarifier at about £31.99, the cheapest row in this set, with a stainless head, a twist-lock handle to 1.67 m and a listed weight of 2.33 kg. There is no motor and no collection box. The star line is 4.7 from 21 amazon.co.uk reviews, rank 42 in Rakes, and the saved reviews include 18 written reviews. A working width is not on the listing: one review says the blades are about 32 cm wide, which is one person’s measurement, and another mentions a loose handle thread fixed with tape. The printed dimensions are 41 × 15 cm for width and height, and the model field says 001. The score is 76. Twenty-one ratings do not outrank the Darlac’s 796, and the wheels only help if you will rake the debris afterwards on a patch you can finish by hand.
Pros
- Wheel-assisted stainless head at about £31.99, the lowest price in this set
- Twist-lock handle to 1.67 m, listed at 2.33 kg
- 4.7 from 21 amazon.co.uk reviews
- No cable and no battery to store
Cons
- No collector and no working width on the listing
- 21 reviews, with one report of a loose handle thread
- A 32 cm width appears in one review, not in the specification
- Ranked in Rakes, and a thin sample beside the Darlac’s 796 reviews
Best for: A small patch where wheels take some of the push, and you will clear the debris by hand
Less suitable: A lawn that needs a powered width, a box, or a review sample larger than 21
Specifications
- Model
- YTDHYM wheel-assisted scarifier
- Brand
- YTDHYM
- Price
- ∼£32
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(21)
- Power
- Manual
- Drums
- Stainless head
- Collector
- None
- Reach
- To 1.67 m
- Weight
- 2.33 kg
- Safety
- None
Common questions
Is a working width stated?
Not on the listing. One review says the blades are about 32 cm wide. That is one review.
Does it collect what it pulls?
No box is listed. You rake the debris afterwards.
How many reviews support the 4.7?
21. Eighteen written reviews were saved. One mentions a loose handle thread fixed with tape.
Our view
The EcoBuild HB-GS1110 is a corded 2000 W machine at about £126.99, with a 40 cm width, five settings from −12 mm to +6 mm, an aerator blade and a scarifier roller, a 55 L box and a 10 m cable. The star line is 4.7 from only 7 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the saved reviews include three written reviews, so most of that line is not visible as text. One of those reviews says the deepest aeration setting felt like a small rotavator and may be more than a small lawn needs. The item weight is 21 kg. The listing does not say that is the weight you push, and the dimensions cell is empty. A two-stage switch, a thermal overload and a folding quick-lock handle are named, and no warranty period is stated. The score is 76. A 40 cm, 2000 W specification at this price sits beside the Bluemars, which has 441 reviews, and seven ratings are not a reason to prefer the higher star.
Pros
- 2000 W and 40 cm, with five settings from −12 mm to +6 mm
- Aerator blade and scarifier roller, plus a 55 L box and a 10 m cable
- Two-stage switch, thermal overload and a folding quick-lock handle
- 4.7 from 7 amazon.co.uk reviews
Cons
- Only 7 reviews, and 3 written texts among the saved reviews
- One review says the deepest setting felt like a small rotavator
- 21 kg is the item weight, not confirmed as the weight you push
- No dimensions and no warranty period
Best for: A buyer who wants a 40 cm corded specification and will treat seven reviews as a thin sample
Less suitable: A small lawn, a first pass on the deepest notch, or a choice that ranks 4.7 from 7 above 4.6 from 441
Specifications
- Model
- EcoBuild HB-GS1110 2000 W
- Brand
- EcoBuild
- Price
- ∼£127
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(7)
- Power
- Corded 2000 W
- Width
- 40 cm
- Depth
- -12 to +6 mm
- Drums
- Blade and roller
- Collector
- 55 L
- Reach
- 10 m cable
- Weight
- 21 kg
- Safety
- Two-stage switch
Common questions
How many written reviews were saved?
Three written reviews were saved, against a star line of 4.7 from 7.
What did a reviewer say about the deepest setting?
One review says the deepest aeration setting felt like a small rotavator and may be more than a small lawn needs.
What is the listed weight?
21 kg on the item weight line. The listing does not say that is the weight you push.
Our view
The Bluemars is the widest corded machine in this set: 2000 W, a 40 cm working width, a blade drum and a rake, a 55 L box and a 10 m cable, listed at about £129.99. It holds 4.6 from 441 amazon.co.uk reviews and rank 4 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture. The five depth marks are −12, −9, −6, −3 and +6 mm. A separate Amazon cutting-height pair, 76 mm maximum and 12 mm minimum, is a different field, so the depth marks are the ones to use. Reviewers say the 55 L box fills quickly and still needs compressing or a rake. The listed weight is 15.4 kg, dimensions are not given, and the material field says Grass, which is a catalogue error rather than a housing. A two-stage switch and a thermal cut-out are named, and the listing prints a 2 year warranty. The score is 88, just under the 1800 W Hyundai, because the width and the review count are real and the box still does not finish the clean-up.
Pros
- 40 cm working width, the widest corded drum in this set
- Blade and rake, a 55 L box and a 10 m cable
- 4.6 from 441 amazon.co.uk reviews, rank 4 on this capture
- Two-stage switch, thermal cut-out and a stated 2 year warranty
Cons
- Reviewers say the 55 L box fills quickly and still needs a rake
- 15.4 kg, with no dimensions on the listing
- The material field says Grass, which is not a housing
- A second cutting-height pair (76 mm and 12 mm) is easy to confuse with the depth marks
Best for: A lawn a 10 m lead can reach, when fewer passes from a 40 cm drum matter and you will still rake
Less suitable: A tight garden where 15.4 kg and a 40 cm drum are awkward to turn, or a buy that assumes the box finishes the job
Specifications
- Model
- Bluemars 2000 W 40 cm
- Brand
- Bluemars
- Price
- ∼£130
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(441)
- Power
- Corded 2000 W
- Width
- 40 cm
- Depth
- -12 to +6 mm
- Drums
- Blade and rake
- Collector
- 55 L
- Reach
- 10 m cable
- Weight
- 15.4 kg
- Safety
- Two-stage switch
Common questions
How wide is the Bluemars drum?
The listing states a 40 cm working width, the widest corded width in this set.
Does the 55 L box hold a full pass?
Reviewers say it fills quickly and still needs compressing or a rake. 55 L is the stated capacity, not a full mossy lawn.
What warranty is printed?
The listing says a 2 year warranty.
Our view
The Hyundai HYSC1600E is a corded 1600 W machine at about £109.99, with a 36 cm width, a blade and a sprung rake, and a 45 L quick-release box. It holds 4.6 from 172 amazon.co.uk reviews and rank 13 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture, a smaller sample than the two higher-ranked Hyundais. The bullet gives five heights from −12 mm to +6 mm without listing each step, so the middle notches are not readable from the page. Reviewers say rake mode leaves grass on the lawn and that they often skip the box. The item weight is 13 kg and the material line says polypropylene. Storage, the safety switch and a warranty period are not on the listing. The score is 83: both drums and 172 reviews carry it, and the missing switch and warranty lines keep it below the 1800 W and 1500 W Hyundais. It first appeared on amazon.co.uk on 16 May 2024, so the review history is shorter than the older 1500 W row.
Pros
- Blade and sprung rake with a 45 L quick-release box
- 36 cm width and 1600 W at about £109.99
- 4.6 from 172 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Five heights from −12 mm to +6 mm, listed weight 13 kg
Cons
- The five heights are a range, not five separate figures
- Reviewers say rake mode leaves grass and they often skip the box
- Safety switch, storage and warranty are not stated
- 172 reviews is a thinner sample than the 414 and 559 on the other Hyundais
Best for: A lawn a 10 m lead can reach, when you want a sprung rake and a 45 L box at a mid price in this set
Less suitable: A buyer who needs each depth step printed, or who wants the larger review samples on the other Hyundai rows
Specifications
- Model
- Hyundai HYSC1600E 1600 W
- Brand
- Hyundai
- Price
- ∼£110
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(172)
- Power
- Corded 1600 W
- Width
- 36 cm
- Depth
- -12 to +6 mm
- Drums
- Blade, sprung rake
- Collector
- 45 L
- Reach
- 10 m cable
- Weight
- 13 kg
Common questions
Are the five depth steps listed one by one?
No. The bullet gives a range from −12 mm to +6 mm across five heights, not five separate figures.
Does rake mode fill the box?
Reviewers say rake mode leaves grass on the lawn and that they often skip the box.
Is a warranty period stated?
The listing does not state a warranty period.
Our view
The NETTA is a corded 1500 W machine at about £99.99, with a 32 cm width, four depth steps from −12 mm to +4 mm, a 30 L box, a 10 m cable and a listed weight of 9.1 kg, the lightest corded figure in this set. It holds 4.6 from 71 amazon.co.uk reviews and rank 7 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture. The title calls it a 2-in-1 scarifier and rake, but two separate drum part numbers are not listed, so the second drum is a claim rather than a named cassette. Several reviewers say the 30 L box fills within minutes and they take it off and rake. The model number is 104226 and the manufacturer part number is 104225, both printed on the same listing. A bullet states 3000 RPM and a 365-day warranty, and a carton weight of 10.5 kg sits beside the 9.1 kg item weight. The score is 80. At this price you are buying a light corded machine with a modest review sample, and you should plan to rake.
Pros
- 9.1 kg, the lightest corded weight in this set
- 32 cm, four depths from −12 mm to +4 mm, 10 m cable
- 4.6 from 71 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Foldable handles, a 2-way safety switch and a 365-day warranty in the bullets
Cons
- The 2-in-1 claim does not list two drum part numbers
- Reviewers say the 30 L box fills within minutes
- Model 104226 and part number 104225 both appear on the listing
- 71 reviews is a smaller sample than the corded rows above 400
Best for: A smaller lawn a 10 m lead can reach, when a lighter corded machine matters and you will rake the debris
Less suitable: A buyer who needs a named spring-tine cassette, or a lawn where a 30 L box is expected to keep up
Specifications
- Model
- NETTA 1500 W 32 cm
- Brand
- NETTA
- Price
- ∼£100
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(71)
- Power
- Corded 1500 W
- Width
- 32 cm
- Depth
- -12 to +4 mm
- Drums
- 2-in-1 claim
- Collector
- 30 L
- Reach
- 10 m cable
- Weight
- 9.1 kg
- Safety
- 2-way switch
Common questions
Which model number should you check?
The model number is 104226 and the manufacturer part number is 104225. Both are on the listing.
How heavy is it?
The item weight is 9.1 kg, the lightest corded figure in this set. The bullet also gives a carton weight of 10.5 kg.
Do reviewers keep the 30 L box on?
Several say it fills within minutes and they take it off and rake.
Our view
The Hyundai HYSC1800E is a corded 1800 W machine with a 38 cm drum, a scarifier and a rake in the box, a 45 L bag and a 10 m cable, listed at about £125.99. Across 559 amazon.co.uk reviews it holds 4.5, and on this capture it is rank 1 in Lawn Scarifiers, which is a snapshot rather than a lawn trial. The five depth marks run from −12 mm through −9, −6 and −3 mm to +10 mm, so the first pass can stay on the positive step. Reviewers still find that the bag misses debris, so a 45 L specification does not finish the clean-up on its own. The model line also prints HYSC1532E and HYSC1500E beside HYSC1800E, which means you check the plate on the machine against the title. The bullets claim three years of domestic cover and one year commercial. The plug type is not stated. The score of 90 is the highest in this set because of the review count, both drums and that rank.
Pros
- Scarifier and rake drums, a 45 L bag and a 10 m cable in the listing
- 4.5 from 559 amazon.co.uk reviews, rank 1 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture
- Five depths from −12 mm to +10 mm, including a high first-pass mark
- Folding handles, an operator presence control, listed at 13.6 kg
- Bullet warranty of 3 years domestic and 1 year commercial
Cons
- Reviews say the bag still misses debris
- The model field also prints HYSC1532E and HYSC1500E
- Plug type is not stated
- The shelf price sits above the 1500 W Hyundai in the same set
Best for: A dry lawn a 10 m lead can reach, when you want both drums and the largest review sample in this comparison
Less suitable: A lawn the cable cannot reach, or a first pass that starts on the deepest −12 mm mark
Specifications
- Model
- Hyundai HYSC1800E 1800 W
- Brand
- Hyundai
- Price
- ∼£126
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(559)
- Power
- Corded 1800 W
- Width
- 38 cm
- Depth
- -12 to +10 mm
- Drums
- Scarifier and rake
- Collector
- 45 L
- Reach
- 10 m cable
- Weight
- 13.6 kg
- Safety
- Presence control
Common questions
What width and depths does the Hyundai 1800 W list?
The amazon.co.uk listing states a 38 cm working width and five settings: −12 mm, −9 mm, −6 mm, −3 mm and +10 mm.
Does the box include both drums?
The bullets and reviews say a scarifier attachment and a rake attachment are supplied, with a 45 L bag and a 10 m cable.
Is the plug type stated?
No. The listing does not state whether the plug is a UK 3-pin.
Our view
The Hyundai HYSC1532E is the corded 1500 W row at about £89.99, with a 32 cm working width, a scarifying drum and a raking drum, a 30 L bag and a 10 m cable. It holds 4.5 from 414 amazon.co.uk reviews and sits at rank 2 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture. The four depth marks are −12, −8, −4 and +4 mm, so the +4 mm step is the gentler start. Reviewers say the 30 L bag is small, can tip if you overfill it, and that they often rake instead of trusting the box. The item weight is 11.2 kg while a bullet says 10.95 kg, and the listing does not reconcile the two. A thermal cut-out is named, though a two-stage switch is not, and the item-type line says 230 V. At a score of 86 it is the best-value row here: the lowest price among corded machines with at least 400 reviews, with both drums named in the included components. The narrower drum means more passes than the 38 cm and 40 cm machines when the lawn is long.
Pros
- Scarifying drum, raking drum, 30 L bag and 10 m cable named in the box
- 4.5 from 414 reviews, rank 2 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture
- about £89.99, the lowest price among corded rows with 400 or more reviews
- Four depths including a +4 mm step, folding handles, 230 V on the item type
Cons
- Reviewers say the 30 L bag is small and can tip if overfilled
- Item weight 11.2 kg and a bullet of 10.95 kg are not reconciled
- A two-stage switch is not stated
- 32 cm means more passes than the 38 cm and 40 cm rows
Best for: A lawn a 10 m lead can cover, when both drums matter more than a wide collector
Less suitable: A mossy lawn you expect the 30 L bag to finish, or a garden the cable cannot reach
Specifications
- Model
- Hyundai HYSC1532E 1500 W
- Brand
- Hyundai
- Price
- ∼£90
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(414)
- Power
- Corded 1500 W
- Width
- 32 cm
- Depth
- -12 to +4 mm
- Drums
- Scarifier and rake
- Collector
- 30 L
- Reach
- 10 m cable
- Weight
- 11.2 kg
- Safety
- Thermal cut-out
Common questions
Are both drums in the box?
Included components name a scarifying drum, a raking drum, a collection bag and a manual.
Why do two weights appear?
The item weight is 11.2 kg and a bullet says 10.95 kg. The listing does not reconcile them.
What does the 30 L bag mean in reviews?
Reviewers say the bag is small, can tip if overfilled, and that they often rake instead.
Our view
The Ryobi 18 V ONE+ is the only cordless row in this set: a 35 cm brushless body with a 16-blade scarifier, four depth settings whose millimetres are not stated, folding handles and a listed weight of 9 kg, at about £216.07. The title excludes the battery and the charger. The bullets say the motor is powered by two ONE+ batteries, while the technical line says one lithium-ion battery is required and not included, and the listing does not resolve that. A debris catcher and an aerator reel are sold separately, and reviewers say the bag is an extra purchase. It holds 4.4 from 298 amazon.co.uk reviews and rank 15 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture. Reviewers also describe the machine stopping when the pack drops off the first bar, and one review says a mower box is not compatible. The score is 78. You pay more than any corded row here for a body, you still need packs you already own plus a catcher the box does not contain, and no runtime is printed, so none is quoted.
Pros
- 35 cm cordless body at 9 kg, with folding handles
- 16-blade scarifier drum and four depth settings
- 4.4 from 298 amazon.co.uk reviews
- No cable, if you already own Ryobi ONE+ packs
Cons
- about £216.07 excludes the battery, the charger and the catcher
- Bullets say two ONE+ packs; the technical line says one battery
- Depths are not given in millimetres, and the aerator reel is extra
- Reviews describe a stop when the pack leaves the first bar
Best for: A lawn the 10 m leads cannot reach, when you already own ONE+ packs and you budget a separate catcher
Less suitable: A first scarifier with no Ryobi batteries, or a price you are reading as a complete kit
Specifications
- Model
- Ryobi 18 V ONE+ 35 cm
- Brand
- Ryobi
- Price
- ∼£216
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(298)
- Power
- 18 V body only
- Width
- 35 cm
- Depth
- 4 steps
- Drums
- 16-blade drum
- Collector
- Sold separately
- Reach
- Own batteries
- Weight
- 9 kg
Common questions
Is the battery in the box?
No. The title says battery and charger are excluded. The technical block says batteries are required and not included.
How many batteries do the bullets name?
The bullets say the motor is powered by two ONE+ batteries. The technical line says one lithium-ion battery is required. The listing does not resolve that.
Is a debris catcher included?
No. The bullets say a separate debris catcher and aerator reel are available. Reviewers say the bag is an extra purchase.
Our view
The Darlac DP888 is a manual telescopic scarifier at about £38.99, with a handle the bullets extend from 97 cm to 1.5 m on a twist lock, and a listed weight of 1.77 kg. There is no motor, no collection box, no stated working width and no depth dial. Across 796 amazon.co.uk reviews it holds 4.1, the largest sample in this set, and the rank is 97 in Rakes rather than in Lawn Scarifiers. Reviewers repeatedly describe a hard session on a small lawn, and one suggested a patch under about 20 m², which is one garden rather than a coverage figure. The material field says Grass, while the bullets say powder-coated steel, so the bullets are the line to quote for the head. The package dimensions are 100 × 40 × 12 cm, and the listing dates from 9 July 2009. The score is 77 because the review count is large and the tool is still a hand head you clear yourself. It will not walk a lawn the way a 32 cm corded drum does.
Pros
- Telescopic handle from 97 cm to 1.5 m, listed at 1.77 kg
- 4.1 from 796 amazon.co.uk reviews, the largest sample in this set
- Powder-coated steel head in the bullets, no cable and no battery
- about £38.99, with a twist-lock handle
Cons
- No collector, no stated width and no depth settings
- Reviewers describe a hard session, and one garden was put under about 20 m²
- Ranked in Rakes, not in Lawn Scarifiers
- The material field says Grass, which disagrees with the steel bullets
Best for: A small patch you can finish by hand in one session, when you will rake the debris yourself
Less suitable: A lawn that needs a powered drum, a collection box, or a set working depth
Specifications
- Model
- Darlac DP888 telescopic
- Brand
- Darlac
- Price
- ∼£39
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(796)
- Power
- Manual
- Drums
- Steel head
- Collector
- None
- Reach
- 97 cm–1.5 m
- Weight
- 1.77 kg
- Safety
- None
Common questions
Does it have a collection box?
No. You clear the debris yourself.
How long is the handle?
The bullets say the telescopic handle extends from 97 cm to 1.5 m with a twist lock.
What do reviewers say about the effort?
They repeatedly describe a hard session and a small lawn. One reviewer suggested under about 20 m². That is one garden.
How we compared
Scores are listing confidence for the 10 amazon.co.uk listings kept on 22 October 2026. The published method starts with the star line times 15. A review-count bump, an equipment bump for named drums and a collector, and a one-off rank bump on the capture, are point adjustments on that base. A 4.7 from a handful of reviews does not outrank a 4.5 from several hundred. This is a listing comparison, with no lawn trial. Coverage, runtime, decibel and plug type stay out where the listing leaves them blank.
1
Amazon.co.uk star line
100%The published method uses one numeric base: the amazon.co.uk star line times 15, then whole-number bumps for the review sample and for named drums and a collector. One row also takes a rank bump because it was rank 1 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture. Those bumps are point adjustments. Drums, depth and cable reach were published without percentages, so this page keeps a single weight of 100 on the star line.
Independent review
Last updated: 23 October 2026
8 sources checked
Scarifier buying guide
Start with the lawn, then the drum, then how far you can reach. Scarify when you cannot see soil between the plants. Spring tines comb moss. Blades cut thatch. A 2-in-1 lists both. A hand tool suits a small patch you can finish in one session. A corded machine suits a lawn a socket can reach. A cordless body suits a lead that stops short, once you already own the batteries. Save the deepest setting for a later pass, and plan to rake after the box fills.
What is a scarifier?
A scarifier lifts thatch, and moss you have decided to remove, so the grass can touch the soil again. You buy one in the UK for a domestic lawn you treat once or twice a year, usually in early autumn. The RHS says scarify when you cannot see soil between the plants, and stop if the ground is waterlogged, baked or frosty. Moss can stay. If you remove it, October or early November is the window they give.
Best for
- A domestic lawn you treat once or twice a year, usually in early autumn
- A small patch you can finish by hand, or a lawn a 10 m lead can reach
Not ideal for
- Shade, a wet hollow, or turf under a year old
- A job that needs hollow cores, a petrol price, or a cordless kit this set does not include
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Deepest notch first
Positive depth steps are the gentler start. Husqvarna UK puts flails and spring tines about 1–2 mm into the soil. Save the deepest negative mark for a later pass.
- 2
Reading a body as a kit
A cordless price that excludes the battery and the charger is the body. A catcher sold separately is a second purchase. No runtime is printed on that row, so none is quoted.
- 3
Trusting a thin star line
A 4.7 from a handful of reviews is a thinner sample than a 4.5 from several hundred. Rank on the day of the capture is a snapshot. The collector still leaves raking to you.
What to weigh up
Drums and depth
HighSpring tines comb moss. Blades cut thatch. A 2-in-1 lists both in the same box. Spring tines alone are a lawn raker, a neighbouring purchase. If the title says 2-in-1 and two drum part numbers are missing, the second drum is unconfirmed. An aerator drum slits the surface. A hollow tine that pulls a core is a separate tool. Husqvarna UK puts the working depth at about 1–2 mm into the soil. Use a positive or shallow mark first.
Reach, width and the collector
HighA corded domestic machine in this set states a 10 m cable, for a lawn a socket can reach. Electrical Safety First expects a UK 3-pin plug and fuse, an RCD, an extension fully unwound, the cable over your shoulder, and the plug out before a jam. These listings leave the plug type unstated. A cordless body is for a lead that stops short, and only if you already own the packs. A wider drum means fewer passes and more machine to turn. Corded collectors here are 30–55 L, and reviewers still rake.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Lawn a 10 m lead can reach
A socket reaches the lawn and you want a blade drum and a rake drum in the box. The Hyundai HYSC1800E is the top pick, about £125.99, with a 38 cm width, a 45 L bag and a 10 m cable.
Lead stops short
You already own an 18 V system and the cable stops short of the lawn. The Ryobi 18 V ONE+ is the cordless body in this set, about £216.07. Batteries, the charger and the catcher are excluded.
Common questions about scarifiers
Which scarifier is the top pick in this set?
The top pick is the Hyundai HYSC1800E, a corded 1800 W machine with both drums, a 38 cm width, a 45 L bag and a 10 m cable, about £125.99. The score of 90 is listing confidence, not a lawn trial: amazon.co.uk stars times 15, plus bumps for 559 reviews and for the named drums. It was rank 1 in Lawn Scarifiers on the 22 October 2026 capture. Rank is a snapshot. Reviews still say the bag misses debris, so you plan to rake.
How much does a scarifier cost?
On the amazon.co.uk capture of 22 October 2026, the two hand tools were about £31.99 and about £38.99. Corded machines with drums in the box sat from about £89.99 to about £129.99. The cordless row was about £216.07 for the body only, with batteries, a charger and a catcher excluded. A third-party rule of thumb puts many electrics at about £100 to £250 and petrol from about £400. This comparison has no petrol price and no hire tariff. The figures are that capture, not a later live check.
What is the difference between scarifier blades and spring tines?
Spring tines comb moss. Blades, or flails, cut thatch. A 2-in-1 lists both drums in the same box. Spring tines alone are a lawn raker, a neighbouring purchase. Husqvarna UK describes flails and spring tines working about 1–2 mm into the soil. An aerator drum on a scarifier slits the surface. A hollow tine that pulls a core is a separate tool. If the listing claims 2-in-1 and does not name two drums, treat the second drum as unconfirmed. Save the deepest negative setting for a later pass.
When should you scarify a lawn in the UK?
Scarify when you cannot see soil between the plants, usually in early autumn. The RHS says stop if the ground is waterlogged, baked or frosty. Moss can stay. If you remove moss, they point to October or early November. Gardeners' World says wait a year on a new lawn, and uses about 1 cm of thatch as a guide for too thick. Mow shorter first, make several passes, and expect a bare look afterwards. The UK Lawn Care Association treats hire as a normal option.
Should you buy a corded or a cordless scarifier?
Choose a corded 2-in-1 when a socket can reach the lawn and you want both drums in the box. The corded rows here state a 10 m cable. Keep that cable behind you, use an RCD, and unwind any extension fully. Choose a cordless body when you already own the battery system and the lead stops short. If the battery, the charger and the catcher are excluded, the shelf price is the body alone. No runtime is printed on that row, so none is quoted.
Does a scarifier aerate the lawn?
A scarifier lifts thatch or combs moss. A drum labelled aerator on these machines slits the surface. A hollow tine that pulls a plug of soil is a different tool, for compaction and puddles, and it sits on the lawn aerator comparison. Scarifying leaves moss that is there because of shade or a wet hollow. If water sits after rain, or the turf looks diseased, a wider drum will not level the hollow or cure the site.
When should you hire or call a professional?
Hire or call a professional when the lawn is beyond your lead and your batteries, when water sits after rain, when you need cores rather than a slit, or when the turf looks diseased. A scarifier will not level a hollow or fix shade. Leave waterlogged, baked or frosty ground, and leave turf under a year old. Read a body-only price as the body, and plan to rake even when a collector is in the box. The UK Lawn Care Association treats hire and a contractor as normal options.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Hyundai HYSC1800E, score 90, about £125.99, 4.5 from 559 amazon.co.uk reviews. It is a corded 1800 W machine with both drums, a 38 cm width, a 45 L bag and a 10 m cable, and it was rank 1 in Lawn Scarifiers on this capture. Rank is a snapshot. The best value is the Hyundai HYSC1532E, score 86, about £89.99, 4.5 from 414 reviews. Both drums are named, and it is the lowest shelf among corded rows with at least 400 reviews. The Bluemars scores 88 and is wider, at about £129.99, so the best-value badge stays with the lower shelf. Neither score is a lawn trial.
Best value
View offer
Hyundai HYSC1532E 1500 W
Score 86 at about £89.99, 4.5 from 414 reviews, both drums named. Lowest shelf among corded rows with at least 400 reviews.
Editorial
Editor
ScarifiersGarden toolsamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: 23 October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to scarifiers
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Scarifier buying guidePower, drums, width, depth, collector and cable, in the order you decide.Best scarifierWho the top pick and the best value are for, and who should skip each.How to scarify a lawnWhen to scarify, how deep to go, and what to clear before seed.Cordless or corded scarifierA 10 m lead against a bare cordless body, with the catcher left out.Scarifier for mossWhether to remove moss, and which drum comes first.
Related comparisons
Sources
Sources from the research digest, last checked on 23 October 2026. Shelf prices and star lines are from the amazon.co.uk capture on 22 October 2026.
- RHS, Lawn care in autumn (retrieved 23 October 2026)
- RHS, Moss in lawns (retrieved 23 October 2026)
- UK Lawn Care Association, Advice for homeowners (retrieved 23 October 2026)
- Lawnsmith, Types of scarifier and raker (retrieved 23 October 2026)
- Husqvarna UK, Manage thatch in lawns (retrieved 23 October 2026)
- BBC Gardeners' World, Scarifying a lawn (retrieved 23 October 2026)
- Electrical Safety First, Scarifiers (retrieved 23 October 2026)
- Noise Emission Regulations 2001, Schedule 4 item 49 (retrieved 23 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and star lines are from amazon.co.uk listings captured on 22 October 2026. We did not run a lawn trial.