12 best lawn aerators and scarifiers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

To make the lawn on the personal plot look beautiful, it is not enough just to water and mow the grass. The soil surface becomes compacted over time, and oxygen access to the root system deteriorates. In addition, weeds appear in varietal grass, which are difficult to control manually. Special gardening equipment helps to solve these problems. Many consumers are unfamiliar with names such as aerator, scarifier or verticutter. Therefore, the help of our experts will be very useful for them.

Recommendations for choosing aerator and scarifier

Appointment. The name of the specialized equipment already contains its purpose.

1. The aerator is designed to enrich the lawn grass root system with air. For this, the technician is equipped with a special device with springy wire or needle teeth. During operation, the aerator makes punctures in the lawn, through which oxygen enters the roots.
2. The scarifier has a shaft with sharp knives. When driving, the lawn is cut. At the same time, the roots are pruned (further growth is stimulated) and weeds are removed. Scarifiers are also called verticutters.

Type of drive. Aerators and scarifiers are equipped with two types of motors.

1. Electric motors are distinguished by the absence of exhaust and quiet operation. In addition, equipment with electric motors is cheaper than gasoline. The weak side of such verticutters is considered to be low power. Network models are inconvenient due to the need to use an extension cord. Battery technology has a limited operating time.
2. Gasoline units allow you to take care of large areas and not depend on the mains. They have higher power and performance, but working with gasoline equipment is not very comfortable because of harmful exhaust and loud sound. In addition, gasoline vehicles are more difficult to operate.

Garbage collection. After the operation of the scarifier, a lot of debris is formed, which is a mixture of grass, roots and other plant residues. It is tedious to pick up litter by hand, especially if the lawn area is large. Most manufacturers equip lawn equipment with grass collectors. They differ in volume and material. If a soft bag with a volume of 30-40 liters is enough for a small area, then on a large area it will be more convenient to work with capacious containers of 50-60 liters.

We have selected 12 of the best lawn aerators and scarifiers for our review. All of them are sold in garden shops in Russia. When allocating seats, the editorial staff of the magazine relied on the opinion of experts, taking into account the reviews of domestic consumers.

Rating of the best aerators and scarifiers for lawns

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best Electric Scarifier Aerators	1	Makita UV3600	RUB 11,866
	2	AL-KO Combi Care 38 Е Comfort	RUB 8 492
	3	BOSCH AVR 1100	11 160 rub.
	4	CHAMPION ESC1840	RUB 7,250
	5	Makita UV3200	8 350 rub.
	6	Greenworks G40DT30 (2504807)	RUB 16,990
The best gasoline scarifier aerators	1	Cub Cadet XC1 B40 (CC V 40 B)	RUB 57,990
	2	Daewoo Power Products DSC 4000	RUB 32,990
	3	Eurosystems SC42 B	RUB 27 444
	4	Viking LB 540	RUB 44,990
	5	MTD Optima 35 VO	RUB 41 800
	6	PATRIOT SCG 212	RUB 19,585

Best Electric Scarifier Aerators

The electric lawn care equipment stands out for its quiet operation and affordable price. Network models are ideal for areas close to home. But the battery-operated scarifier-aerators are distinguished by their mobility and maneuverability. Experts drew attention to the following units.

Makita UV3600

Rating: 4.9

Lightness and convenience were the main factors thanks to which the Makita UV3600 electric scarifier managed to take first place in our review. The model is equipped with an electric motor with a power of 1.8 kW, providing processing of a strip with a width of 36 cm in one pass. Experts have appreciated the maneuverability of the device, which is achieved by installing large wheels. The working depth reaches 1 cm, it has 4 levels of depth adjustment. The model is equipped with a spacious grass catcher (40 l). To save space during transportation, the manufacturer has provided the ability to fold the handle.

Users praise the scarifier for its convenient and reliable design and ease of maintenance. The disadvantage is the inconvenient bag installation.

Advantages

• ease of use;
• maneuverability;
• spacious grass catcher;
• compactness.

disadvantages

• the bag is inconveniently installed.

AL-KO Combi Care 38 Е Comfort

Rating: 4.8

The AL-KO Combi Care 38 E Comfort verticutter-aerator is sold at the most attractive price on the Russian market. At the same time, the technique pleasantly surprised the experts with its functionality. The model can pierce and cut through the lawn and remove debris. The manufacturer installed an electric motor with a power of 1.3 kW, a large grass catcher (55 l), sharp cutting knives (14 pcs.). The working width is 38 cm. The device can be equipped with a convenient 5-step depth adjustment and high-quality assembly. The model receives the Silver from our review.

Domestic gardeners liked the lightness (14 kg), power, maneuverability and processing quality most of all. The disadvantage of the unit is the accumulation of grass in the front of the bag.

Advantages

• attractive price;
• quiet work;
• large grass catcher;
• convenient depth adjustment.

disadvantages

• the grass catcher interferes with control.

BOSCH AVR 1100

Rating: 4.7

It is not for nothing that the well-known German manufacturer of garden and household appliances BOSCH organized the assembly of the AVR 1100 verticutter in the UK. It is the British who are considered trendsetters in the field of lawn arrangement. Tests of the model in foggy Albion have shown such advantages as high performance, directed waste collection into a rigid container. The equipment is equipped with a low-power motor (1.1 kW), but this is enough for processing a 32 cm wide lawn. The aerator should add lightness (9.9 kg), a spacious grass-catcher (50 l) to the asset. The model receives the bronze from our review.

Domestic users liked the scarifier for its compactness. It is enough to fold the handle and remove the container to transport the equipment in a passenger car without any problems.

Advantages

• good performance;
• hard bin;
• lightness and compactness;
• maneuverability.

disadvantages

• high price.

CHAMPION ESC1840

Rating: 4.6

The Chinese CHAMPION ESC1840 aerator verticutter has the widest treatment area (40 cm). The model is equipped with a powerful electric motor (1.8 kW), which makes the equipment highly efficient. The experts liked the excellent cross-country ability of the unit, the main role in it is played by four large spaced wheels. In addition, the small weight (12 kg) of the product makes it easy to maneuver on the lawn. The scarifier-aerator also looks good in terms of functionality. The garden assistant pierces and cuts the lawn, removes debris in a soft container (55 l).

The model stops one step away from the prize podium due to some criticism from users. Hooks wear out quickly on the shaft, and it is problematic to purchase them from authorized dealers.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• wide functionality;
• lightness and maneuverability;
• wide grip.

disadvantages

• hooks wear out quickly.

Makita UV3200

Rating: 4.5

The minimum noise (77.97 dB) is generated by the Japanese Makita UV3200 verticutter when caring for lawn grass. The model can only cut through the lawn and remove garbage, but the price of the unit is one of the lowest. The strength of the technique is its lightness (12 kg) and maneuverability. The working width is small (32 cm), which allows working in hard-to-reach places. The manufacturer installed a small motor (1.3 kW) and a compact grass catcher on the scarifier. Experts have added compactness to the asset of the four-wheeled device, which makes it easy to transport it in a passenger car.

As for the weaknesses, the users lack the power, the function of the aerator. For the rest, Russian homeowners have no complaints about the device.

Advantages

• quiet work;
• lightness and compactness;
• maneuverability;
• high-quality assembly.

disadvantages

• low power;
• small grass catcher (30 l).

Greenworks G40DT30 (2504807)

Rating: 4.4

The only rechargeable model Greenworks G40DT30 closes the TOP-6 of our review. Our experts liked this aerator for its battery life (about 1 hour). During this time, some users manage to process a lawn with an area of ​​up to 400 sq. m. Another attractive point is able to tip the scales in favor of the unit. This is a unified battery with a capacity of 4 Ah (40 V). It can come from other equipment (saw, cultivator, etc.) of the American manufacturer, thanks to which it will be possible to save up to a third of the cost of the aerator.

Russian consumers liked the mobility and autonomy of the equipment. It has a wide grip (35 cm) and is lightweight (12 kg). The weak points of the model are the limited operating time and the small grass catcher (20 l).

Advantages

• mobility;
• ease;
• good performance;
• wide grip.

disadvantages

• high price;
• small collector.

The best gasoline scarifier aerators

Gasoline-powered garden equipment is powerful and efficient. It is suitable for owners of large backyards, as well as for professional gardeners. The specialists liked several petrol models.

Cub Cadet XC1 B40 (CC V 40 B)

Rating: 4.9

The Cub Cadet XC1 B40 petrol verticutter aerator performs a wide range of lawn care jobs. The technique is able to cut and pierce the grass, remove debris. The working width is 40 cm, the working depth reaches 15 mm. The experts praised the sharp swivel knives (17 inches) and double springs (16 pcs), all rigs are durable. The advantages of the model include stable behavior during operation, the optimal combination of power (3.5 liters) and maneuverability. Large wheels with a profiled tread pattern provide reliable traction on the lawn. The model wins gold in our review.

Domestic users speak flatteringly about the ease of control, automatic shaft change, and the quality of materials. The only drawback is the high price.

Advantages

• multifunctionality;
• automatic shaft change;
• durable equipment;
• quality materials.

disadvantages

• high price.

Daewoo Power Products DSC 4000

Rating: 4.8

The Korean device Daewoo Power Products DSC 4000 is not inferior to the winner in functionality. Gasoline vehicles cut through the lawn, thin out the grass, collect garbage in a container. The casing of the verticutter is made of durable steel, which ensures the safety of engine parts and helps to reduce vibration. For high-quality processing of the lawn, the manufacturer installed two shafts. One of them has knives (18 pcs), the other is equipped with needle teeth. The torque is transmitted through the belt, it reduces the load on the motor in the event of a collision of vehicles with obstacles.

Users note the strengths of the verticutter such as the powerful engine (5 HP), the roomy grass catcher, the foldable handle. But the teeth quickly break if they accidentally hit the paving slabs.

Advantages

• stability;
• easy start;
• high power;
• good equipment.

disadvantages

• short-lived teeth.

Eurosystems SC42 B

Rating: 4.7

Bronze in our review was awarded to the Italian verticutter Eurosystems SC42 B. It attracted the attention of experts for its affordable price, reliable engine, compact size and wide grip (42 cm). However, the kit does not include a grass catcher, which is offered as an optional extra. To increase the safety of the operator during work, the manufacturer has installed a protective cover. It prevents stones from being thrown out of the vehicle. К плюсам модели можно отнести американский мотор Briggs&Stratton 450 Series (4 л. с.), большую глубину обработки (20 мм) и прочный стальной корпус.

Owners love the good traction of the wheels with the lawn, the unpretentiousness of the power unit and the wide filler neck. Of the minuses, the lack of a grass catcher is noted.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• wide grip;
• safety during work;
• durable engine.

disadvantages

• no grass catcher.

Viking LB 540

Rating: 4.6

The combination of power (3.0 HP) and maneuverability allowed the Austrian Viking LB 540 verticutter to take its rightful place in our review. Gasoline vehicles can easily cope with a neglected lawn by removing grass felt and moss. The model is inferior to the top three in such parameters as working width (38 cm) and power, but its working depth (25 mm) is better than its competitors. For the manufacture of the case, the manufacturer used an impact-resistant polymer, the power unit was created by Kohler. The front and rear wheels are equipped with double bearings, which make the movement of the equipment easy and even.

Russian consumers liked the reliable engine, compactness (folding handle), and the ability to collect garbage. But the bag quickly clogs up, and the cost of the unit is quite high.

Advantages

• maneuverability;
• deep aeration;
• reliable motor;
• double bearings.

disadvantages

• small bag;
• high price.

MTD Optima 35 VO

Rating: 4.5

A well-known American manufacturer of garden equipment offers the Russian consumer the MTD Optima 35 VO verticutter. The model appeared in 2016, at that time the most advanced technologies were introduced in it. The set includes knives for removing moss, lichen and debris from the lawn. For aerating the lawn, the petrol equipment has spring teeth. Experts praised the verticutter for its quiet engine operation, economical fuel consumption, and minimal toxicity. The model's capture width (35 cm) looks more modest, the processing depth is 15 mm. The waste is collected in a 45 liter soft grass collector.

The owners of MTD Optima 35 VO appreciated the light weight (29 kg) of the scarifier-aerator, compactness and maneuverability. Among the shortcomings, they highlight the high price and modest performance.

Advantages

• foldable handle;
• multifunctionality;
• quiet work;
• profitability.

disadvantages

• high price;
• modest performance.

PATRIOT SCG 212

Rating: 4.5

Low price and high power were the main factors for getting the PATRIOT SCG 212 scarifier-aerator in the TOP-6 of our review. The American development is assembled in China, which explains the attractive cost. A powerful motor (7 HP) handles a 40 cm wide strip of lawn without any problems. The set includes two replaceable nozzles, one of them helps to saturate the roots with oxygen, the other cuts the roots (to activate growth). All waste is collected in a 45 liter grass catcher. The experts liked the large wheels, which makes it comfortable to work on uneven surfaces.

Domestic users are satisfied with the functionality of the scarifier, the quality of the lawn processing and the affordable price. On the downside, they include the fast filling of the collection box.

Advantages

• high power;
• low price;
• multifunctionality;
• big wheels.

disadvantages

• the grass catcher fills up quickly.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.