5 Best Lawn Scarifiers of 2023 - Tested & Reviewed

Derek Smith

I’m a big fan of Hyundai’s garden products – I recently tried-and-tested their petrol lawn mower, and it’s the best I’ve ever used. So, I expected their 2-in-1 Lawn Scarifier and Aerator to also become a favourite. Keep reading to see how it fared when put to the test.

Let’s start with assembly – something that I never really enjoy doing. This Hyundai needed a little more work than the other models I tested. Assembly took about 30 minutes in total. This isn’t a huge amount of time, but keep in mind that I have a fair bit of experience assembling scarifiers. For someone who has never done this before, it’ll likely take much longer, especially considering that the instruction manual was very little help.

However, once assembly was out of the way and I had a good look at the machine, I was instantly impressed. It comes with five height settings, from -12mm to +10mm (most other scarifiers have just three or four), and there’s a single lever to adjust the height. You can adjust the height of the handles too or fold them away to easily store the machine. Being a 2-in-1 model, this product comes with two interchangeable rollers; one for scarification and one for aeration.

With a sizeable 1500W motor, this machine is pretty powerful. It feels faster than the others I tested, and it’s also noticeably wider (36cm instead of the standard 32cm) meaning that it won’t take you quite as long to scarify your lawn. Not only will it save you time, but it does a great job too. Once you find the right height setting for your lawn, it’ll pull up moss and thatch without damaging healthy grass. It doesn’t leave the lawn quite as churned up as some of its competition, yet it effectively removes what it needs to.

The aerating roller works just as well. You may find that you don’t actually need to use it once you’ve scarified, but, if you do, you’ll be happy with the results.

Whether you’re scarifying or aerating, this machine is comfortable and easy to use. It’s not self-propelled, but the blades pull the machine along, making the job pretty effortless. It’s slightly heavier than the other scarifiers I tested (11.4kg), but this also gave the machine a sturdiness that the other scarifiers lacked. It’s worth noting that this machine is a little louder than the others, but not significantly so.

Now to touch upon the product’s main flaw – its grass collection bag. At 45 litres, it’s an adequate size, but that’s where the praise ends. It feels quite flimsy, it’s awkward to insert and remove, and it doesn’t fill fully. However, many people don’t actually use a collection bag when scarifying, preferring instead to get the job done first before raking or mowing the discarded thatch up. If this is what you plan on doing, then the issues with the collection bag won’t really matter.

Hyundai’s garden products are often priced higher than the competition, and this lawn scarifier is no exception. It may cost a little more, but, unlike many of the cheaper alternatives out there, this really is a machine that can effectively scarify and aerate – its 2-in-1 claim isn’t just a marketing ploy.

If your garden is on the small side, or if you’re only seeking a lawn scarifier (without the aerator) then it may not be worth splurging on Hyundai’s 2-in-1 Lawn Scarifier. However, I consider this the best lawn scarifier and aerator machine overall. It’s definitely a good option for medium or large gardens.

If you’re happy to do away with the collection bag, it’ll get the job done much faster than other similar scarifiers, giving you a thicker and healthier lawn the following season.

Check Price

Scores:

Assembly

Design

Performance

Ease of Use

Noise

Safety

Value for Money

Overall

I’m a big fan of Hyundai’s garden products – I recently tried-and-tested their petrol lawn mower, and it’s the best I’ve ever used. So, I expected their 2-in-1 Lawn Scarifier and Aerator to also become a favourite. Keep reading to see how it fared when put to the test.

Let’s start with assembly – something that I never really enjoy doing. This Hyundai needed a little more work than the other models I tested. Assembly took about 30 minutes in total. This isn’t a huge amount of time, but keep in mind that I have a fair bit of experience assembling scarifiers. For someone who has never done this before, it’ll likely take much longer, especially considering that the instruction manual was very little help.

However, once assembly was out of the way and I had a good look at the machine, I was instantly impressed. It comes with five height settings, from -12mm to +10mm (most other scarifiers have just three or four), and there’s a single lever to adjust the height. You can adjust the height of the handles too or fold them away to easily store the machine. Being a 2-in-1 model, this product comes with two interchangeable rollers; one for scarification and one for aeration.

With a sizeable 1500W motor, this machine is pretty powerful. It feels faster than the others I tested, and it’s also noticeably wider (36cm instead of the standard 32cm) meaning that it won’t take you quite as long to scarify your lawn. Not only will it save you time, but it does a great job too. Once you find the right height setting for your lawn, it’ll pull up moss and thatch without damaging healthy grass. It doesn’t leave the lawn quite as churned up as some of its competition, yet it effectively removes what it needs to.

The aerating roller works just as well. You may find that you don’t actually need to use it once you’ve scarified, but, if you do, you’ll be happy with the results.

Whether you’re scarifying or aerating, this machine is comfortable and easy to use. It’s not self-propelled, but the blades pull the machine along, making the job pretty effortless. It’s slightly heavier than the other scarifiers I tested (11.4kg), but this also gave the machine a sturdiness that the other scarifiers lacked. It’s worth noting that this machine is a little louder than the others, but not significantly so.

Now to touch upon the product’s main flaw – its grass collection bag. At 45 litres, it’s an adequate size, but that’s where the praise ends. It feels quite flimsy, it’s awkward to insert and remove, and it doesn’t fill fully. However, many people don’t actually use a collection bag when scarifying, preferring instead to get the job done first before raking or mowing the discarded thatch up. If this is what you plan on doing, then the issues with the collection bag won’t really matter.

Hyundai’s garden products are often priced higher than the competition, and this lawn scarifier is no exception. It may cost a little more, but, unlike many of the cheaper alternatives out there, this really is a machine that can effectively scarify and aerate – its 2-in-1 claim isn’t just a marketing ploy.

If your garden is on the small side, or if you’re only seeking a lawn scarifier (without the aerator) then it may not be worth splurging on Hyundai’s 2-in-1 Lawn Scarifier. However, I consider this the best lawn scarifier and aerator machine overall. It’s definitely a good option for medium or large gardens.

If you’re happy to do away with the collection bag, it’ll get the job done much faster than other similar scarifiers, giving you a thicker and healthier lawn the following season.

Derek Smith

VonHaus is loved by many for its eclectic range of home, kitchen, and garden tools. Thanks to their well-designed products, this brand has a loyal following, and it’s one that I’ve personally never had a bad experience with either. So, I had high hopes for their 2-in-1 Lawn Scarifier – a machine that promises to both scarify and aerate to give you a thicker and lusher lawn. 

Assembling garden tools often feels like a chore, so I always appreciate products that require minimal assembly. This is what VonHaus promises with their 2-in-1 electric scarifier, and that’s a promise that they’ve managed to keep. Assembly took about 15 minutes overall – you simply need to attach the handles and the trigger, then swap over the aerating roller for the scarifier when necessary. The only tools you’ll need for assembling this machine are a Philip’s screwdriver and an Allen key (the Allen key comes included). 

With its 32cm width, this machine is best-suited for small- to medium-sized gardens. That said, it could still handle a larger lawn too, it would just take longer than if you were to use a scarifier with a wider body (such as the AL-KO). The four scarifying depth settings make it even more versatile, and the fact that there’s just a single handle that you need to move to adjust the height definitely works in this product’s favour. 

Turn the machine on and the scarifier will continue to impress. I started off at the highest setting before working my way lower, and I was very pleased with the results. It pulled out a fantastic amount of thatch but didn’t damage healthy grass too much – it wasn’t quite as brutal as the Einhell scarifier I tested. 

However, where this machine falls short is with its aerating function. Unlike the other aerators I’ve used, this one doesn’t seem to actually aerate. Instead, the aerator roller does pretty much the same thing as the scarifier, except it’s much more severe. Remember all of that healthy grass I just mentioned that the scarifier left intact? Well, the aerator pretty much destroyed it all. 

For this reason, I think it’s a great machine if you want a scarifier at a budget-friendly price; however, consider another option if the aerating function is also important to you. You’ll probably have to spend a bit more to get a machine that’s a better all-rounder.

Aerator aside, this machine is an easy one to use. It’s the most lightweight lawn scarifier on this page and manoeuvres well. The 28-litre collection bag is a little on the small side and I found myself having to empty the bag every couple of minutes (which wasted quite a bit of time). You can get around this by simply doing away with the bag and then either raking up or mowing over the thatch once you’re done. 

Being a relatively quiet machine makes this scarifier suitable for urban settings – you won’t have to worry about your neighbours complaining about the noise it’s making, and ear defenders are definitely not needed. I also appreciated the machine’s safety features, from its bright orange lead that remains visible even in dark grass to the button that needs to be pressed before the machine can be turned on. 

The main takeaway from testing this machine is that it’s the best lawn scarifier to buy on a budget. However, if you also need an effective aerator, you may need to look elsewhere.

For the price, it’s impressive because of the four height settings on offer as well as the power of its motor. It’s great for small and medium gardens but could also work across larger space. Plus, it’s not quite as brutal as some of the other scarifiers out there – it won’t leave quite as much devastation behind, but still cuts deep enough to remove all moss and thatch.

Check Price

Scores:

Assembly

Design

Performance

Ease of Use

Noise

Safety

Value for Money

Overall

VonHaus is loved by many for its eclectic range of home, kitchen, and garden tools. Thanks to their well-designed products, this brand has a loyal following, and it’s one that I’ve personally never had a bad experience with either. So, I had high hopes for their 2-in-1 Lawn Scarifier – a machine that promises to both scarify and aerate to give you a thicker and lusher lawn. 

Assembling garden tools often feels like a chore, so I always appreciate products that require minimal assembly. This is what VonHaus promises with their 2-in-1 electric scarifier, and that’s a promise that they’ve managed to keep. Assembly took about 15 minutes overall – you simply need to attach the handles and the trigger, then swap over the aerating roller for the scarifier when necessary. The only tools you’ll need for assembling this machine are a Philip’s screwdriver and an Allen key (the Allen key comes included). 

With its 32cm width, this machine is best-suited for small- to medium-sized gardens. That said, it could still handle a larger lawn too, it would just take longer than if you were to use a scarifier with a wider body (such as the AL-KO). The four scarifying depth settings make it even more versatile, and the fact that there’s just a single handle that you need to move to adjust the height definitely works in this product’s favour. 

Turn the machine on and the scarifier will continue to impress. I started off at the highest setting before working my way lower, and I was very pleased with the results. It pulled out a fantastic amount of thatch but didn’t damage healthy grass too much – it wasn’t quite as brutal as the Einhell scarifier I tested. 

However, where this machine falls short is with its aerating function. Unlike the other aerators I’ve used, this one doesn’t seem to actually aerate. Instead, the aerator roller does pretty much the same thing as the scarifier, except it’s much more severe. Remember all of that healthy grass I just mentioned that the scarifier left intact? Well, the aerator pretty much destroyed it all. 

For this reason, I think it’s a great machine if you want a scarifier at a budget-friendly price; however, consider another option if the aerating function is also important to you. You’ll probably have to spend a bit more to get a machine that’s a better all-rounder.

Aerator aside, this machine is an easy one to use. It’s the most lightweight lawn scarifier on this page and manoeuvres well. The 28-litre collection bag is a little on the small side and I found myself having to empty the bag every couple of minutes (which wasted quite a bit of time). You can get around this by simply doing away with the bag and then either raking up or mowing over the thatch once you’re done. 

Being a relatively quiet machine makes this scarifier suitable for urban settings – you won’t have to worry about your neighbours complaining about the noise it’s making, and ear defenders are definitely not needed. I also appreciated the machine’s safety features, from its bright orange lead that remains visible even in dark grass to the button that needs to be pressed before the machine can be turned on. 

The main takeaway from testing this machine is that it’s the best lawn scarifier to buy on a budget. However, if you also need an effective aerator, you may need to look elsewhere.

For the price, it’s impressive because of the four height settings on offer as well as the power of its motor. It’s great for small and medium gardens but could also work across larger space. Plus, it’s not quite as brutal as some of the other scarifiers out there – it won’t leave quite as much devastation behind, but still cuts deep enough to remove all moss and thatch.

Derek Smith

Bosch is a brand that just about everyone is familiar with. I’ve personally used several Bosch products across my garden and home and have always been happy with how they have performed.

The Bosch Universal Lawn Rake 900 is a popular choice in the world of electric scarifiers, despite being higher priced than its competitors, and I was excited to find out why!

Bosch products are usually pretty easy to assemble, and this electric lawn rake and scarifier was no exception. It took only 10 minutes to assemble – the quickest of any model. This immediately made me think ‘quality machine’.

From its colours to its design, this is very clearly a Bosch product. Yes, it’s made from plastic, but it still feels strong and durable. With a width of 32 cm and four different height settings (+10mm to -5mm), its design gives it great versatility.

The drum on this scarifier isn’t removable, unlike the other models I tested, so it can only be used as a scarifier (not an aerator as well). However, it performs this one function efficiently; it lifts moss and thatch from the lawn and is a great option for maintenance. It doesn’t cut quite as deeply as some of the other machines that I reviewed, such as the Einhell, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Not every lawn needs intense scarification! If maintenance is what you’re after, rather than a complete do-over, the Bosch will produce great results.

The Bosch scarifier also comes with a collection box, rather than a bag. Not only was this hard, plastic box much more robust than the fabric bags that most other scarifiers come with, but, at 50 litres, it was almost double the size too. The  large collection box saves you from having to stop to empty quite as often.

The machine is also so easy to use, it’s lightweight at just under 10 kg making it simple to manage.

When it comes to safety features, the Bosch Universal Lawn Rake 900 has everything you could need, from its easily-visible bright red power lead to the safety button that prevents the machine from accidentally turning on. It’s not a noisy machine either – in fact, it was probably the best lawn rake in terms of volume.

When it comes to price, there’s no getting away from the fact that this scarifier is priced significantly higher than its competition. In some ways, this is surprising, because it doesn’t offer quite as many features. However, in other ways, it’s to be expected – Bosch products usually do cost a little more, with the reasoning being that you’re paying for a machine that’s been built with quality in mind.

It’s also possible to purchase replacement tines, which gives the impression that this machine is built to last (on other machines, you may end up needing to replace the whole thing). However, be aware that those replacement tines aren’t cheap! Fortunately, Bosch provides two spare tines with this scarifier – treat them well and you hopefully won’t need to buy any extras.

When it comes down to it, you could either save money and go for a cheaper machine that both scarifies and aerates, or you could spend a little extra on this machine that specialises in scarifying. It’s easy to assemble, simple to use, and has been made to last. It may not be up to the task of scarifying a large lawn that has been neglected for years, but it’s exactly what you need if you’re looking for a way to maintain a small or medium-sized garden.

Unlike some of the other lawn scarifiers I tested, this option really does make scarifying feel like an effortless task. In my opinion, the high build quality was very notable.

Check Price

Scores:

Assembly

Design

Performance

Ease of Use

Noise

Safety

Value for Money

Overall

Bosch is a brand that just about everyone is familiar with. I’ve personally used several Bosch products across my garden and home and have always been happy with how they have performed.

The Bosch Universal Lawn Rake 900 is a popular choice in the world of electric scarifiers, despite being higher priced than its competitors, and I was excited to find out why!

Bosch products are usually pretty easy to assemble, and this electric lawn rake and scarifier was no exception. It took only 10 minutes to assemble – the quickest of any model. This immediately made me think ‘quality machine’.

From its colours to its design, this is very clearly a Bosch product. Yes, it’s made from plastic, but it still feels strong and durable. With a width of 32 cm and four different height settings (+10mm to -5mm), its design gives it great versatility.

The drum on this scarifier isn’t removable, unlike the other models I tested, so it can only be used as a scarifier (not an aerator as well). However, it performs this one function efficiently; it lifts moss and thatch from the lawn and is a great option for maintenance. It doesn’t cut quite as deeply as some of the other machines that I reviewed, such as the Einhell, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Not every lawn needs intense scarification! If maintenance is what you’re after, rather than a complete do-over, the Bosch will produce great results.

The Bosch scarifier also comes with a collection box, rather than a bag. Not only was this hard, plastic box much more robust than the fabric bags that most other scarifiers come with, but, at 50 litres, it was almost double the size too. The  large collection box saves you from having to stop to empty quite as often.

The machine is also so easy to use, it’s lightweight at just under 10 kg making it simple to manage.

When it comes to safety features, the Bosch Universal Lawn Rake 900 has everything you could need, from its easily-visible bright red power lead to the safety button that prevents the machine from accidentally turning on. It’s not a noisy machine either – in fact, it was probably the best lawn rake in terms of volume.

When it comes to price, there’s no getting away from the fact that this scarifier is priced significantly higher than its competition. In some ways, this is surprising, because it doesn’t offer quite as many features. However, in other ways, it’s to be expected – Bosch products usually do cost a little more, with the reasoning being that you’re paying for a machine that’s been built with quality in mind.

It’s also possible to purchase replacement tines, which gives the impression that this machine is built to last (on other machines, you may end up needing to replace the whole thing). However, be aware that those replacement tines aren’t cheap! Fortunately, Bosch provides two spare tines with this scarifier – treat them well and you hopefully won’t need to buy any extras.

When it comes down to it, you could either save money and go for a cheaper machine that both scarifies and aerates, or you could spend a little extra on this machine that specialises in scarifying. It’s easy to assemble, simple to use, and has been made to last. It may not be up to the task of scarifying a large lawn that has been neglected for years, but it’s exactly what you need if you’re looking for a way to maintain a small or medium-sized garden.

Unlike some of the other lawn scarifiers I tested, this option really does make scarifying feel like an effortless task. In my opinion, the high build quality was very notable.

Derek Smith

Nobody wants to spend a fortune on a separate scarifier and aerator, especially considering that it’ll only be used once, or twice at most, a year. That’s what makes the Einhell GC-SA 1231 Electric Scarifier and Aerator so instantly appealing – not only does it promise to scarify and aerate, it boasts a pretty reasonable price point to match.

However, let’s start at the beginning – the grand unboxing. It’s always a bonus when garden tools need minimal assembly, and this scarifier definitely fell into that category. Assembly only took about 15 minutes. All that needed to be done was assemble the handles, clip the cables into place, and swap the aerating roller that was already inserted with the scarifying roller.

If you’ve ever used an Einhell product before, you’ll be familiar with this product’s red and black branding. It immediately makes the scarifier look like a high-quality machine, and a closer look at its features confirms this. This dual-function machine boasts adjustable handle heights (the handles are also foldable for easy storage), three scarifying/aerating depth settings (plus an extra transport setting), and a working width of 31cm.

Once I turned the scarifier on, it continued to impress. Ok, to be fair, I was a little shocked at its brutality at first, but this is because I had the machine on its lowest setting. Once adjusted to the highest, the machine made light work of the small lawn that I was scarifying. It pulled out a large amount of thatch but didn’t leave the soil completely bare.

The scarifier did such a good job that I didn’t feel the need to aerate the entire lawn once I was done. However, I still gave the aerating roller a quick workout and it performed well. It didn’t aerate the ground as deeply as I thought it would, even on the lowest height setting, but, as I said, the ground didn’t seem to actually need anything more after the scarifier had worked its magic. Whether or not Einhell designed things this way on purpose or not, we’ll never know!

Weighing in at just 9kg means that this lightweight machine is easy to manoeuvre around a garden. Its wide wheels helped with this too, keeping the machine sturdy. The only drawback is the size of the collection bag – at 28 litres, you’ll find yourself stopping to empty the bag a frustrating number of times. My recommendation would be to do without the bag and either mow or rake away the surface thatch once you’re finished.

This scarifier comes with some good safety features – not being able to accidentally turn the machine on will be appreciated by those with pets or young children around! However, I was disappointed by the fact that the power lead was black – this made it much harder to see in the grass, which is quite a safety hazard.

That said, there weren’t many downsides to this machine, and none of them were deal-breakers. This machine offers great value for money – it does what it promises and it does it well. Although it’s powerful enough for a large lawn, its cutting width makes it better suited to small or medium gardens. If you plan on making scarifying and aerating an annual part of your lawn care plan, this Einhell machine is the best budget lawn scarifier.

Check Price

Scores:

Assembly

Design

Performance

Ease of Use

Noise

Safety

Value for Money

Overall

Nobody wants to spend a fortune on a separate scarifier and aerator, especially considering that it’ll only be used once, or twice at most, a year. That’s what makes the Einhell GC-SA 1231 Electric Scarifier and Aerator so instantly appealing – not only does it promise to scarify and aerate, it boasts a pretty reasonable price point to match.

However, let’s start at the beginning – the grand unboxing. It’s always a bonus when garden tools need minimal assembly, and this scarifier definitely fell into that category. Assembly only took about 15 minutes. All that needed to be done was assemble the handles, clip the cables into place, and swap the aerating roller that was already inserted with the scarifying roller.

If you’ve ever used an Einhell product before, you’ll be familiar with this product’s red and black branding. It immediately makes the scarifier look like a high-quality machine, and a closer look at its features confirms this. This dual-function machine boasts adjustable handle heights (the handles are also foldable for easy storage), three scarifying/aerating depth settings (plus an extra transport setting), and a working width of 31cm.

Once I turned the scarifier on, it continued to impress. Ok, to be fair, I was a little shocked at its brutality at first, but this is because I had the machine on its lowest setting. Once adjusted to the highest, the machine made light work of the small lawn that I was scarifying. It pulled out a large amount of thatch but didn’t leave the soil completely bare.

The scarifier did such a good job that I didn’t feel the need to aerate the entire lawn once I was done. However, I still gave the aerating roller a quick workout and it performed well. It didn’t aerate the ground as deeply as I thought it would, even on the lowest height setting, but, as I said, the ground didn’t seem to actually need anything more after the scarifier had worked its magic. Whether or not Einhell designed things this way on purpose or not, we’ll never know!

Weighing in at just 9kg means that this lightweight machine is easy to manoeuvre around a garden. Its wide wheels helped with this too, keeping the machine sturdy. The only drawback is the size of the collection bag – at 28 litres, you’ll find yourself stopping to empty the bag a frustrating number of times. My recommendation would be to do without the bag and either mow or rake away the surface thatch once you’re finished.

This scarifier comes with some good safety features – not being able to accidentally turn the machine on will be appreciated by those with pets or young children around! However, I was disappointed by the fact that the power lead was black – this made it much harder to see in the grass, which is quite a safety hazard.

That said, there weren’t many downsides to this machine, and none of them were deal-breakers. This machine offers great value for money – it does what it promises and it does it well. Although it’s powerful enough for a large lawn, its cutting width makes it better suited to small or medium gardens. If you plan on making scarifying and aerating an annual part of your lawn care plan, this Einhell machine is the best budget lawn scarifier.

Derek Smith

A brand that has built its reputation on quality and innovation, AL-KO garden products are a favourite among both domestic and professional users. They usually go above and beyond their competition in more ways than one, so I had high hopes for their Combi Care 38E Electric Lawn Rake and Scarifier.

Things started off well, as this lawn rake and scarifier only took about 10 minutes to assemble. Although the instructions that come with the machine aren’t great, it’s easy enough to figure out what goes where – simply attach the handles, plug in the power lead, and you’re good to go!

It has five heights to choose from, along with a 38cm working width, which is wider than all of the other scarifiers I tested. The height of the handles is adjustable too, or you can easily fold them down if you need to store the machine.

My favourite design feature? The twist dial at the front of the machine that you can turn to adjust the height. Every other scarifier that I have ever used has had a lever, rather than a dial – not only does the dial make height adjustment easy and convenient, but it also gives the machine a more upmarket feel.

My opinion of this AL-KO lawn rake and scarifier kept improving after I started scarifying my mossy lawn. It didn’t take long for the machine to pull all of the moss and thatch out, and its large 1500W engine prevented it from overheating when it was used for longer stretches.

This lawn rake and scarifier is advertised as a 3-in-1 model, but this is really just some clever marketing. It has two main functions; scarifying and aerating. As mentioned, it scarifies well, and it’s also very easy to swap the scarifying drum over for the aerator. However, I wouldn’t bother doing this again because the aerating roller isn’t very effective. It works in pretty much the same way as the scarifier and doesn’t really aerate the ground.

There were a few other points that let this machine down. The first was its weight – at 17kg, it’s definitely not light. So, it surprised me that, even with this extra weight, the machine wasn’t able to stand up on its own once there was some thatch in the collection bag. Instead, it would tip over backward each time I let go of the handles.

Speaking of the collection bag… at 55 litres, it’s larger than the bags on all of the other scarifiers that I tested, which should be a good selling point for those who hate having to constantly stop to empty a small bag. Unfortunately, since the bag doesn’t seem to fill to its full capacity, the extra size doesn’t make much of a difference. Sure, you can use the lawn rake and scarifier without the bag, but you’ll need to prop up/tie back the rear guard before you do so. If not, the machine won’t be able to properly release the thatch that it has pulled up, which will soon lead to a blockage.

Although the fact that the machine tips over instead of standing upright could be considered a safety issue, AL-KO has taken other steps to make this machine as safe as possible. It’s the only lawn rake and scarifier I tested that has a special light to tell you if the roller isn’t inserted correctly, and it’s also equipped with a safety button that needs to be pressed before you can pull the trigger. That said, the safety button and the trigger are spaced so far away from each other that you’ll need to use two hands each time you want to turn the machine on, which is pretty awkward.

This wasn’t the most expensive lawn rake and scarifier that I tested, but it still has a higher price than the majority of its competition. Its width and efficiency make it the best lawn scarifier for large gardens. For smaller gardens, I’d say it’s not worth the splurge – you’ll be paying for its sizeable motor and increased width, neither of which a small garden needs. It’s also not worth its price if you’re hoping for an efficient lawn aerator.

Check Price

Scores:

Assembly

Design

Performance

Ease of Use

Noise

Safety

Value for Money

Overall

A brand that has built its reputation on quality and innovation, AL-KO garden products are a favourite among both domestic and professional users. They usually go above and beyond their competition in more ways than one, so I had high hopes for their Combi Care 38E Electric Lawn Rake and Scarifier.

Things started off well, as this lawn rake and scarifier only took about 10 minutes to assemble. Although the instructions that come with the machine aren’t great, it’s easy enough to figure out what goes where – simply attach the handles, plug in the power lead, and you’re good to go!

It has five heights to choose from, along with a 38cm working width, which is wider than all of the other scarifiers I tested. The height of the handles is adjustable too, or you can easily fold them down if you need to store the machine.

My favourite design feature? The twist dial at the front of the machine that you can turn to adjust the height. Every other scarifier that I have ever used has had a lever, rather than a dial – not only does the dial make height adjustment easy and convenient, but it also gives the machine a more upmarket feel.

My opinion of this AL-KO lawn rake and scarifier kept improving after I started scarifying my mossy lawn. It didn’t take long for the machine to pull all of the moss and thatch out, and its large 1500W engine prevented it from overheating when it was used for longer stretches.

This lawn rake and scarifier is advertised as a 3-in-1 model, but this is really just some clever marketing. It has two main functions; scarifying and aerating. As mentioned, it scarifies well, and it’s also very easy to swap the scarifying drum over for the aerator. However, I wouldn’t bother doing this again because the aerating roller isn’t very effective. It works in pretty much the same way as the scarifier and doesn’t really aerate the ground.

There were a few other points that let this machine down. The first was its weight – at 17kg, it’s definitely not light. So, it surprised me that, even with this extra weight, the machine wasn’t able to stand up on its own once there was some thatch in the collection bag. Instead, it would tip over backward each time I let go of the handles.

Speaking of the collection bag… at 55 litres, it’s larger than the bags on all of the other scarifiers that I tested, which should be a good selling point for those who hate having to constantly stop to empty a small bag. Unfortunately, since the bag doesn’t seem to fill to its full capacity, the extra size doesn’t make much of a difference. Sure, you can use the lawn rake and scarifier without the bag, but you’ll need to prop up/tie back the rear guard before you do so. If not, the machine won’t be able to properly release the thatch that it has pulled up, which will soon lead to a blockage.

Although the fact that the machine tips over instead of standing upright could be considered a safety issue, AL-KO has taken other steps to make this machine as safe as possible. It’s the only lawn rake and scarifier I tested that has a special light to tell you if the roller isn’t inserted correctly, and it’s also equipped with a safety button that needs to be pressed before you can pull the trigger. That said, the safety button and the trigger are spaced so far away from each other that you’ll need to use two hands each time you want to turn the machine on, which is pretty awkward.

This wasn’t the most expensive lawn rake and scarifier that I tested, but it still has a higher price than the majority of its competition. Its width and efficiency make it the best lawn scarifier for large gardens. For smaller gardens, I’d say it’s not worth the splurge – you’ll be paying for its sizeable motor and increased width, neither of which a small garden needs. It’s also not worth its price if you’re hoping for an efficient lawn aerator.