I’ve researched and compared the best compost spreaders on the UK market. My top recommendation is the Landzie Lawn & Garden Spreader.
My Top Recommended Compost Spreaders
Editors Choice
Landzie Lawn & Garden Spreader
1. best compost spreader overall - Landzie Lawn & Garden Spreader[ SAVE 10% ]
2. Best for versatility - Walensee Compost Spreader
3. best drop compost spreader - Gardena XL Universal Spreader
4. best for awkward terrain - The Handy THS50 Broadcast Spreader
5. best budget compost spreader - Gardebruk Spreader
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My Product Reviews & Opinions
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Spreading compost onto a lawn is a lengthy and labour-intensive process without a good spreader. The Landzie Lawn & Garden Spreader makes light work of distributing compost and other garden matter across your lawn or flowerbeds, including fertiliser, topsoil and mulch.
It’s made from powder coated steel that won’t rust, and it has comfortable grippy handles that make it easy to push backwards and forwards across the lawn.
With a 60 cm metal mesh basket and 80 L capacity, this spreader is suitable for most sizes of lawn. It spreads the compost 61 cm wide, so it’s fairly efficient across larger areas. The distribution is uniform, so all parts of your lawn should receive an even amount of compost.
As it rotates, this spreader breaks up clumpy materials. This reduces the amount of wastage, saving money on compost as you’re not applying large chunks to certain parts of the lawn.
It’s easy to fill. Simply swing open the hinge door. There’s double locking clasps, which aren’t the best quality but do the job required. The door is a little fragile, so care does need to be taken when filling this spreader.
All in all, this spreader tops my list as the best on the market thanks to its reliability, ease of use and even distribution. It’s efficient across both small and large lawns, and should save you hours of time and labour in the garden.
best compost spreader overall
Scores:
- Design
- Ease of Use
- Efficiency
- Value for Money
- Overall
Spreading compost onto a lawn is a lengthy and labour-intensive process without a good spreader. The Landzie Lawn & Garden Spreader makes light work of distributing compost and other garden matter across your lawn or flowerbeds, including fertiliser, topsoil and mulch.
It’s made from powder coated steel that won’t rust, and it has comfortable grippy handles that make it easy to push backwards and forwards across the lawn.
With a 60 cm metal mesh basket and 80 L capacity, this spreader is suitable for most sizes of lawn. It spreads the compost 61 cm wide, so it’s fairly efficient across larger areas. The distribution is uniform, so all parts of your lawn should receive an even amount of compost.
As it rotates, this spreader breaks up clumpy materials. This reduces the amount of wastage, saving money on compost as you’re not applying large chunks to certain parts of the lawn.
It’s easy to fill. Simply swing open the hinge door. There’s double locking clasps, which aren’t the best quality but do the job required. The door is a little fragile, so care does need to be taken when filling this spreader.
All in all, this spreader tops my list as the best on the market thanks to its reliability, ease of use and even distribution. It’s efficient across both small and large lawns, and should save you hours of time and labour in the garden.
Features:
- Capacity
- 80 L
- Weight
- 11.3 kg
- Material
- Steel
Pros
- Very easy to both fill and use
- Compact enough for most gardens
- Spreads the contents 61 cm wide so it’s efficient across larger areas
- Easy to assemble in just a few minutes
- Powder coating prevents rust from forming
Cons
- Door could be stronger so care needs to be taken when opening and closing
Mesh spreaders tend to do a very good job with even spreading, and the Walensee Compost Spreader is one of the most versatile. This compost spreader spreads compost and other matter evenly across your lawn, while breaking up any lumps and clumps as it tumbles.
The mesh opening has small enough spaces that clumps of compost will be left in the spreader, reducing wastage. It’s suitable for compost, manure, peat moss and other top dressing materials, so it’s a great all rounder. It has a 60 cm wide drum and 76 L capacity which makes it efficient across wider stretches of lawn.
It does have a high price point, but it’s clear to see why when you look at the unit itself. It’s made from quality steel with a powder coated finish. The mesh basket has been heat treated to prevent corrosion. Despite the heavy duty steel construction, it remains fairly lightweight, at just over 12.5 kg.
It’s also comfortable to use. There’s rubber handle grips, while the T-shaped style of handle makes it easy to both push and pull. Narrow areas are no issue, while the rounded drum helps prevent damage to your lawn when turning.
To set up, simply install the handle. Add compost, lock the latches and begin rolling. The hinged door opens and closes smoothly, while the three clasps to secure it shut are good quality.
Overall, this is one of the best spreaders if you’re after something a versatile rotary spreader that can be used to distribute a variety of products to your lawn.
Best for versatility
Scores:
- Design
- Ease of Use
- Efficiency
- Value for Money
- Overall
Mesh spreaders tend to do a very good job with even spreading, and the Walensee Compost Spreader is one of the most versatile. This compost spreader spreads compost and other matter evenly across your lawn, while breaking up any lumps and clumps as it tumbles.
The mesh opening has small enough spaces that clumps of compost will be left in the spreader, reducing wastage. It’s suitable for compost, manure, peat moss and other top dressing materials, so it’s a great all rounder. It has a 60 cm wide drum and 76 L capacity which makes it efficient across wider stretches of lawn.
It does have a high price point, but it’s clear to see why when you look at the unit itself. It’s made from quality steel with a powder coated finish. The mesh basket has been heat treated to prevent corrosion. Despite the heavy duty steel construction, it remains fairly lightweight, at just over 12.5 kg.
It’s also comfortable to use. There’s rubber handle grips, while the T-shaped style of handle makes it easy to both push and pull. Narrow areas are no issue, while the rounded drum helps prevent damage to your lawn when turning.
To set up, simply install the handle. Add compost, lock the latches and begin rolling. The hinged door opens and closes smoothly, while the three clasps to secure it shut are good quality.
Overall, this is one of the best spreaders if you’re after something a versatile rotary spreader that can be used to distribute a variety of products to your lawn.
Features:
- Capacity
- 76 L
- Weight
- 13.2 kg
- Material
- Iron
Pros
- Assembly is easy and the assembly tools come included
- It has three spring latches to keep the door secured as opposed to others on the market which have just two
- Evenly distributes compost across the lawn
- Very little effort is required to roll it once you get going, and moving around corners is easy
Cons
- Some users may find the 60 cm handle is too short, and there’s no option to adjust it
- As a rotary spreader, there’s no option to adjust the spread
Drop spreaders tend to be more accurate than rotary spreaders, so are a good choice if you’ve got a smaller area that requires compost. Even so, the Gardena XL Universal Spreader, so it’s ideal for larger lawns, up to 800 sqm in size.
Drop spreaders are also very easy to use. This spreader can simply be pushed around the garden and it’ll evenly distribute whatever product you have filled it with.
The spreading width can be adjusted from 1.5 to 6 m according to your walking speed. The spreading quantity can be adjusted using a lever on the handle, while there’s also an open and close function. When moving the spreader across your patio for instance, the spread can be turned off.
There’s an adjustable cover plate that allows you to spread near the edges of your lawn, meaning no areas will be left without product.
The ergonomic design of this spreader allows you to walk for longer periods in an upright position. It’s made from high quality, weatherproof plastic, so can be used year-round to deliver fertiliser, seeds, compost and more.
Overall, this is one of the best drop spreaders for versatility and quality. It’s a decent size, with plenty of adjustability.
best drop compost spreader
Scores:
- Design
- Ease of Use
- Efficiency
- Value for Money
- Overall
Drop spreaders tend to be more accurate than rotary spreaders, so are a good choice if you’ve got a smaller area that requires compost. Even so, the Gardena XL Universal Spreader, so it’s ideal for larger lawns, up to 800 sqm in size.
Drop spreaders are also very easy to use. This spreader can simply be pushed around the garden and it’ll evenly distribute whatever product you have filled it with.
The spreading width can be adjusted from 1.5 to 6 m according to your walking speed. The spreading quantity can be adjusted using a lever on the handle, while there’s also an open and close function. When moving the spreader across your patio for instance, the spread can be turned off.
There’s an adjustable cover plate that allows you to spread near the edges of your lawn, meaning no areas will be left without product.
The ergonomic design of this spreader allows you to walk for longer periods in an upright position. It’s made from high quality, weatherproof plastic, so can be used year-round to deliver fertiliser, seeds, compost and more.
Overall, this is one of the best drop spreaders for versatility and quality. It’s a decent size, with plenty of adjustability.
Features:
- Capacity
- 18 L
- Weight
- 4.18 kg
- Material
- Polypropelene / Metal
Pros
- Has a large 18 L capacity which allows it to cover 800 sqm
- Spread can be adjusted from 0.5 m to 6 m depending on your walking speed
- Makes light work of spreading fertiliser, compost and seed across large areas of lawn
- Hand controls on this unit allow you to adjust the spread quantity of the product, so you can apply more to certain areas
Cons
- The shape of the hopper means that it needs to be shaken in order to get the last bits of compost down
- For totally even spreading, you’ll need to walk at a consistent speed, which can be difficult to achieve
If you’ve got a bumpy lawn or a range of terrains to cross before you get to your flower beds, the The Handy THS50 Broadcast Spreader is a good choice. Thanks to its large pneumatic wheels, this spreader is capable of navigating a range of terrain, including wet and undulating lawn.
As we all know, it can be difficult to rely on a dry spell in the UK. Gardeners who wait for dry days often find they never get anything done! Keeping the compost dry by covering the hopper is a simple yet effective solution, making this Handy model the best lawn spreader to use in bad weather.
The 23 kg hopper keeps the spreader lightweight and manoeuvrable, while ensuring you won’t need to constantly fill up with more product. It can be used to spread compost, grass seed, pesticide and fertiliser.
The settings can be adjusted using a lever on the handlebar. It spreads up to a width of 3.66 m, wide enough to cover a medium size lawn efficiently. The outer reaches of the spread may need to be gone over again, however.
While this spreader feels robust, you’ll need some patience to put it together. Once assembled, it makes spreading compost on lawns very straight forward, but the instructions could be much clearer.
If you’ve got a range of terrains in your garden and you’re looking for a spreader that’s up to the job, this model is a great choice. It gives the flexibility of being able to work in any weather too, saving gardeners a lot of time waiting for sunshine!
best for awkward terrain
Scores:
- Design
- Ease of Use
- Efficiency
- Value for Money
- Overall
If you’ve got a bumpy lawn or a range of terrains to cross before you get to your flower beds, the The Handy THS50 Broadcast Spreader is a good choice. Thanks to its large pneumatic wheels, this spreader is capable of navigating a range of terrain, including wet and undulating lawn.
As we all know, it can be difficult to rely on a dry spell in the UK. Gardeners who wait for dry days often find they never get anything done! Keeping the compost dry by covering the hopper is a simple yet effective solution, making this Handy model the best lawn spreader to use in bad weather.
The 23 kg hopper keeps the spreader lightweight and manoeuvrable, while ensuring you won’t need to constantly fill up with more product. It can be used to spread compost, grass seed, pesticide and fertiliser.
The settings can be adjusted using a lever on the handlebar. It spreads up to a width of 3.66 m, wide enough to cover a medium size lawn efficiently. The outer reaches of the spread may need to be gone over again, however.
While this spreader feels robust, you’ll need some patience to put it together. Once assembled, it makes spreading compost on lawns very straight forward, but the instructions could be much clearer.
If you’ve got a range of terrains in your garden and you’re looking for a spreader that’s up to the job, this model is a great choice. It gives the flexibility of being able to work in any weather too, saving gardeners a lot of time waiting for sunshine!
Features:
- Capacity
- 23 L
- Weight
- 9.4 kg
- Material
- Polypropelene / Metal
Pros
- Large pneumatic tyres make it easy to push this spreader across all types of terrain
- Robust build seems as though it should last a long time
- Spread can be adjusted from 3.05 to 3.66 mm
- Comes with a rain cover included so can be used on wet / damp days
Cons
- Some users found the build instructions aren’t sufficiently informative
- Setting the feed rate takes time and is a bit tricky
The Gardebruk Spreader strikes a great compromise between practicality and affordability. Garden tools can be costly, and Gardebruk has managed to keep the cost of this unit down while still ensuring it makes light work of spreading compost.
This reasonably-priced spreader offers a number of features, especially when compared to others at the same price point. It sprinkles product evenly over the area, making the task a lot easier than it would be if you were spreading by hand. The 24 kg hopper will be large enough for most lawns.
The control lever on the handle allows you to regulate the spread. There’s also an on/off switch at the handle, so you can turn off the spread while you’re moving across your patio, for instance.
It has large 20.3 cm wheels which allow you to move over undulating terrain and wet grass with ease. The handle is comfortable to hold, but rubber grips would give it the edge over other models.
The only real downside of this spreader is that it’s difficult to assemble. The instruction manual leaves a lot to be desired and the pictures are small. Patience is required during the assembly process.
Overall, this spreader is a great option if its affordability you value. It’s a decent size, offers the ability to adjust the spread and won’t break the bank. The only downside is the assembly, which is in part due to the poor instructions.
best budget compost spreader
Scores:
- Design
- Ease of Use
- Efficiency
- Value for Money
- Overall
The Gardebruk Spreader strikes a great compromise between practicality and affordability. Garden tools can be costly, and Gardebruk has managed to keep the cost of this unit down while still ensuring it makes light work of spreading compost.
This reasonably-priced spreader offers a number of features, especially when compared to others at the same price point. It sprinkles product evenly over the area, making the task a lot easier than it would be if you were spreading by hand. The 24 kg hopper will be large enough for most lawns.
The control lever on the handle allows you to regulate the spread. There’s also an on/off switch at the handle, so you can turn off the spread while you’re moving across your patio, for instance.
It has large 20.3 cm wheels which allow you to move over undulating terrain and wet grass with ease. The handle is comfortable to hold, but rubber grips would give it the edge over other models.
The only real downside of this spreader is that it’s difficult to assemble. The instruction manual leaves a lot to be desired and the pictures are small. Patience is required during the assembly process.
Overall, this spreader is a great option if its affordability you value. It’s a decent size, offers the ability to adjust the spread and won’t break the bank. The only downside is the assembly, which is in part due to the poor instructions.
Features:
- Capacity
- 25 L
- Weight
- 4.75 kg
- Material
- Polypropelene / Metal
Pros
- Once assembled, it seems very sturdy
- Very good value for money especially when compared to other spreaders of the same size
- Can be used to spread compost, seed, salt and fertiliser
- Rate of spread is fairly easy to control using the lever on the handle
- 25 L capacity is a good size for most lawns
Cons
- Instruction manual is poor with small pictures
- The wheels are quite tight which means when you start to run out of compost they don’t spin as easily
Compare Product Features Here
Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature that's most important to you.
- Our score
- Capacity
- Weight
- Material
-
- Capacity80 L
- Weight11.3 kg
- MaterialSteel
-
- Capacity76 L
- Weight13.2 kg
- MaterialIron
-
- Capacity18 L
- Weight4.18 kg
- MaterialPolypropelene / Metal
-
- Capacity23 L
- Weight9.4 kg
- MaterialPolypropelene / Metal
-
- Capacity25 L
- Weight4.75 kg
- MaterialPolypropelene / Metal
Tips for Buying a Compost Spreader
- To quickly spread compost in a domestic garden, look for a rotary spreader with a capacity of around 4 kg and a spreading width of up to 3.5 m. This is all that’s required for most medium and large lawns.Â
- Across larger areas, you’ll probably need a spreader that can be towed.
- You’ll need to choose between a rotary and drop spreader. Rotary spreaders cover the area quickly, while drop spreaders are more accurate.
- The aperture can often be adjusted using a simple lever system, with the aperture openings clearly numbered.
- If you’re wanting to work rain or shine, look for a spreader with either a lid or cover. This will keep the compost dry while you work, preventing the spreader from getting clogged.
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How to Choose The Best Compost Spreader
When applying lawn products like multi purpose compost, lawn seed and fertiliser, it can be difficult to spread the product evenly, leading to some areas of your lawn getting neglected!Â
That’s why a compost spreader, or general lawn spreader, is one of the best garden tools for the job. It makes the task of spreading compost and other matter easier, quicker and more accurate.Â
There’s a few different types of spreader on the market, so the information below has been designed to quickly highlight the most important points.Â
Check out the following guide to help you choose the best compost spreader.
Rotary Spreaders vs Drop Spreaders
There’s two types of spreader to choose from depending on the size of your lawn and preferences. Both are suitable for spreading compost, grass seed and fertiliser.Â
Rotary spreaders spread compost, fertiliser and grass seed out onto the ground as the rotator spins. This type of spreader allows you to cover a greater area in less time, ideal if you have a large area to cover.Â
Rotary spreaders are either handheld or have wheels and can be pushed.Â
The downside is that they may not apply the product as evenly. More compost will land closer to the unit, while less lands further away from the unit.Â
Drop spreaders offer a more accurate application. They drop compost through the hole in the base of the hopper, offering the user more control. This is great if you’ve got narrow flower beds or you need most of the compost concentrated in one place.Â
The downside is that it takes longer to spread the product across large areas.Â
READ NEXT: The UK’s Best Compost Bins
How to Select The Right Hopper Size
The size of the hopper dictates how much compost you can take with you at any time. The hopper is the container where grass seed and fertiliser is unloaded from.Â
A small hopper will need frequent refilling, meaning some jobs will take you a lot longer. If the capacity is too large, you’ll be pushing unnecessary weight around your garden.Â
You’ll need to balance having a spreader large enough for the amount of compost you need, without sacrificing manoeuvrability. Drop spreaders tend to use more product, as more is dropped in a concentrated area. Rotary spreaders spread the product more thinly, meaning you can cover a larger area with less product.Â
Adjusting the Spread and Distribution Rate
Many compost spreaders have adjustable settings so you can dictate the rate at which the compost is distributed.Â
The distribution rate is often dictated by your walking pace, as well as your stride length. There’s often a bit of trial and error when you first start using your spreader.Â
READ NEXT: Where Can I Dispose of Old Compost
Selecting the Compost Spreader With The Best Features
There’s a few things to look out for when selecting a compost spreader.Â
The first is the ease of storage. A compact design will be easier to store, but likely have a smaller hopper. Some come with folding handles so they can be stored in smaller sheds or garages if needed.Â
Pneumatic tyres are also worth looking out for. Poor quality tyres across bumpy lawns will make the job a whole lot harder than it needs to be, especially if your lawn is damp. Pneumatic types are unlikely to get stuck in wet or undulating ground.Â
You should also consider ease of use. Lawn spreading is a manual task, and while a spreader will make the task less labour-intensive, you’ll need to look for one that makes the job as easy as possible. Durable yet lightweight materials will ensure the spreader is easy to push across the lawn.Â
Rust-proofing and weather resistance are also important. Compost spreaders aren’t cheap, so you want to ensure the one you purchase lasts as long as possible. If you’re planning on storing your spreader outside, ensure it’s weather resistant.Â
Finally, look at the ease of cleaning. If you’re going to be using your spreader for a variety of material, such as compost, fertiliser and lawn seed, it’s essential that your spreader is easy to clean after use. Many can simply be hosed down.Â
READ NEXT: The Best Compost Aerators
Compost Spreader FAQs
How do compost spreaders work?
Compost spreaders are useful garden tools that help to distribute compost evenly across a lawn or flower bed. They can also be used to distribute feed, fertiliser and seeds, saving ample time when it comes to lawn maintenance.Â
Rotary spreaders cast the compost further so you can cover a larger lawn in fewer passes. There are both push and hand-carry models available. The downside is that they are slightly less accurate than drop spreaders.Â
Drop spreaders distribute the compost in a line as you walk. They are more accurate than rotary spreaders, but it’ll take you longer to spread compost across large beds.Â
Can I just put compost on top of soil?
Compost can be added directly on top of existing soil. In fact, one of the best ways to improve the health of your soil is to simply spread or sprinkle the compost on top.Â
How do I maintain my compost spreader?
It’s important that you clean your spreader after each use.Â
Begin by putting any unused compost back into its packaging. Then wash the spreader, using hot soapy water to remove grime. Clean the hopper and allow it to air dry before storing it away.
Any moving parts can be sprayed with a light lubricant to prevent rust from forming.Â
Can I use a compost spreader for salt spreading?
Yes. Lawn spreaders are very versatile tools and in winter they can be useful for spreading salt on pathways. Just ensure the salt granules aren’t too large for the spreader.Â
Given that accuracy isn’t quite so important when spreading salt, you can use either a rotary or drop spreader. For salt spreading, rotary handheld spreaders tend to be the most practical.Â
You May Be Interested In These Other Composting Reviews
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The Best Multi Purpose Compost
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-
The Best Compost Aerators
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-
The Best Compost Bins
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