The best cordless dethatcher is a complete kit, with two packs, a charger and the right drum in the box, so the first pass does not wait on a shopping trip. I keep the lawns around our family farm and house, and I ran these five machines across them.
My top pick, Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier Kit, is the kit that asks the least extra of you. Below are the top three at a glance, all five reviews and the factors I weigh before I buy a battery tool.
Best Cordless Dethatcher 2026: 5 Battery Machines I Put to Work
Five battery machines, ranked by how much of the job each box covers: three kits ready to work, one bare scarifier for small shaded patches and one add-on for an EGO power head. Each review gives the drums, depth steps, bag and warranty the maker states, and says where the machine falls short.
1. Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier Kit Best Overall
Everything the first pass needs arrives in the Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 carton: two 24V packs, a two-port charger, a rear bag and both drums. The two packs make 48V max for a 600 W brushless motor, and each drum has its own printed depth table across five positions. It is my pick for a house-sized lawn where a cord would snag on trees and beds.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
It takes first place because its maker documents the most of any kit here: a charge time, a 600 W motor rating, a 10.6 gal bag and a printed depth table for each drum. That lets me plan the lawn before the first pass, and I always know what a knob position does to the soil. The cost is weight and a premium price, and for a lawn with trees in the way I accept both.
Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Two packs and a charger in the carton: nothing else to buy, and the two-port charger refills both packs in up to 1 hr 50 min, per Sun Joe.
- 600 W brushless motor: Sun Joe lists 3,000 rpm with no load, and a brushless motor has no brushes to wear out.
- Spring-tine drum: 24 spring steel tines, each 2 mm thick, lift dead stems and roots to the surface for the bag.
- Slicing-blade drum: 7 blades cut grooves into the soil for seed, and Sun Joe sells the replacement as a whole cylinder.
- A depth table for each drum: the same position cuts to a different depth on each drum, so you read the row for the drum you fitted.
- Charge gauge on each pack: three LEDs show the charge, and two LEDs means stop work as soon as possible.
- 10.6 gal rear bag: it mounts behind the ejector flap, and the manual says to empty it at half full.
The two depth tables decide how I use this machine. The lightest position holds the tine drum at +10 mm and the blade drum at +5 mm, both above the soil line, so the lightest position makes a safe first pass for either drum. The deepest position takes them to -4.5 mm and -9.5 mm, and I reach it one step at a time.
Both packs must sit in the machine, because one pack cannot power it, and Sun Joe says a pair of different capacities damages the batteries. The maker lists a charge time and no run time, so I count packs for the whole lawn, not for one pass. Right after I switch off, the gauge on a pack can read lower than it does a few minutes later, and the manual says the cells recover at rest, so I read the gauge after a short pause.
Weight is the price of completeness: Sun Joe lists 33 lb net and does not say whether the packs are counted. At the end of a row I switch off and let the drum stop before I turn the machine, because the drum keeps spinning for a moment and 33 lb is a lot to swing at a lawn edge. For the thin turf under the shade trees I fit the blade drum and set the lightest step on a hidden test strip first, because a cut that is too deep thins a stand. Along the soft gravel edge I put the machine away and use my old garden rake, since the manual calls for extreme caution on gravel drives.
Never start the machine without the bag clipped in. The manual ties the bag to flying debris, so switch off, wait for the drum to stop completely and take out both batteries before you fit or empty it.
Switch off, wait until the drum has stopped completely, then take out both batteries before you touch the bag, the tines or the blades. On hard ground the tines can catch and drag the machine forward, and the manual says to let go of the handlebars and the lever instead of fighting it.
Charge only with the maker’s charger, and keep the machine and charger between 41 and 105 F in storage, with the packs charged in a cool, dry place near 77 F. The warranty runs two years from delivery for household use and can be extended when you register, and wearing parts are not covered. I clean the drum after every use, because clippings that stick to it overheat the motor in heavy work.
Choose it if your lawn has trees, beds or a long reach from the nearest outlet and you want packs, charger, bag and both drums in one purchase. Skip it if weight decides your choice, if you own one pack only, or if you need a published run time before you spend premium money. For a first-time buyer with a flat lawn, it is the best cordless dethatcher on this page.
FINAL VERDICT
The 24V-X2-DTS15 delivers a complete cordless setup with a documented depth for every drum position, and it asks for weight and money in return. Buy it when you want one carton to cover the job from the first pass to the bag.
It is the cordless kit I recommend first for a house lawn.
2. WORX WG855 Nitro 40V Cordless Dethatcher Scarifier Kit Best Premium
Press a button, hold a bail, and the WORX WG855 runs until you let go. It ships as a full kit with two 20V packs making 40V Max, a charger, a tine cylinder, a blade cylinder and a 40 L bag, and the manual lists the bare tool at 23.06 lb. It is my premium pick for the buyer who wants a brushless kit with a three-year registered warranty.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Second place goes to the WORX because the kit is premium without being fussy. Two packs, a charger, both cylinders and a bag arrive together, the motor is brushless, and the bare tool is 23.06 lb by the manual. Premium here is a price tier, and the three-year registered warranty is what justifies it to me. For a buyer who counts packs before the job, this is the cordless electric dethatcher I rank for premium money.
WORX WG855 Nitro 40V Cordless Dethatcher Scarifier Kit Specs
Key Features:
- 40V Max from two 20V packs: the manual suggests 4.0 Ah packs, and the kit includes two.
- Brushless motor: WORX lists a brushless motor, and the manual gives 3,400 per minute with no load.
- Two cylinders in the box: the tine cylinder removes withered grass and the blade cylinder scarifies the soil, per the manual.
- One lever, four levels: +6, -3, -6 and -9 mm, and the top level is also the transport and storage setting.
- Button and bail start: press the Start Button and the Operating Bail together, release the button, and release the bail to stop.
- 40 L collection bag: the manual says to empty it more often when it is full.
- PowerShare packs: WORX says the same 20V packs fit other tools in its PowerShare family, so check the maker’s list for the tools you own.
Four levels keep the choice short. Level +1 at +6 mm is the transport and storage setting, and WORX’s product text puts dethatching at levels +1 to -1 and scarifying at levels -1 to -2, down to -9 mm. It is also the lightest dethatching step, so the first pass belongs at level +1, and I go one level lower only if the mat is still there afterwards and the extension advice for my grass allows it. The manual wants the lawn mown to half your usual cutting height first, with sprinkler heads and other obstacles cleared, and it asks you to avoid dethatching grass that is wet from rain or dew, because wet grass clumps, interferes with the tines and cuts the run time.
I expected a trigger and found the bail comfortable on a long row, because my hand never changes position. Both packs must be seated, and with two different capacities the machine runs only to the lower one, so I buy and charge them as a matched pair. Walk at a normal pace and avoid frequent stops and starts, which is the manual’s advice for the whole lawn.
The second job is the narrow grass strip beside the vegetable plot, where the 14 in head fits without running onto the wood-chip path. There I use the blade cylinder at level -1, and only where I plan to seed. A thick mat fills the 40 L bag quickly, and the manual’s troubleshooting says to empty the bag more often when it is full.
Keep both cylinders clear of wrapped grass. Switch off, release the bail, wait for the cylinders to stop completely, take both batteries out and only then lift a wrap away with a stick, because the edges of the tine and blade cylinders are sharp.
The manual’s order for a jam or any adjustment is: switch off, release the bail, wait until the cylinders have stopped completely, take both batteries out, then touch the bag, the lever or the cylinders.
The batteries ship uncharged, and the manual wants each one fully charged before first use. Use and storage run from 0 to 45 C (32 to 113 F) and charging from 0 to 40 C (32 to 104 F), so I charge indoors on cold evenings. Register the machine within 30 days for the three-year warranty, and wipe it with a dry cloth, since the manual forbids water and chemical cleaners.
The WORX suits a buyer who wants a cordless kit with a brushless motor and a registered three-year warranty, and is happy to pay a premium price for it. Skip it if you need a published run time or charge time, if your lawn often stays wet with dew, or if you might order the tool-only listing by mistake, because that version comes without packs. Check that the listing says kit before you order.
FINAL VERDICT
The WG855 is a brushless cordless kit at a premium price, backed by a registered three-year warranty. Buy it when that warranty and a bare tool near 23 lb matter to you and you are content to count packs, since no run time is published.
It is the premium cordless kit with the warranty to back it.
3. WEN 20716 20V Max Cordless Dethatcher Scarifier Kit Best Value
The WEN 20716 gives you the widest head of any machine on this page, 15 in, in a kit that also holds two 4.0 Ah packs, a dual-port charger and a thatch bag. Both heads are in the box, a 16-blade scarifier and a 24-tine dethatcher, and the kit price is the lowest of the complete cordless machines here, which is why it takes Best Value. It is my pick for a flat lawn when the budget decides.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Third place is a value call, and I mean it narrowly: for a buyer who wants the best cordless dethatcher and scarifier kit at the lowest kit price on this page, it is the one. For that price you get both heads, two 4.0 Ah packs and a dual-port charger, plus the widest head of the group. The shortfalls are real: no published bag size, run time or charge time, and a warranty that stops at 500 hours.
WEN 20716 20V Max Cordless Dethatcher Scarifier Kit Specs
Key Features:
- Two 4.0 Ah packs and a dual-port charger: both packs are in the kit, and WEN recommends 4 Ah or higher.
- Brushless motor: WEN’s page lists 650 W and up to 3,000 RPM with no load.
- 15 in working width: the widest head here, so a flat lawn needs fewer rows.
- Five depth positions with a printed chart: the manual says which positions suit dethatching and which suit scarifying.
- Both heads in the box: a 24-tine dethatching head and a 16-blade scarifying head, with the scarifier pre-installed.
- Safety key: the machine will not start until the key is connected.
- Detachable bag on a bag rack: the manual says to empty it often and to remove it only after the tines stop.
The chart in the manual does the thinking for you. Position 2 at -1/8 in is for dethatching a healthy lawn, position 3 at -1/4 in is the transport, storage and scarifying step, and positions 4 and 5 at -3/8 and -1/2 in are for scarifying only, so the two deepest steps stay off a lawn you only want to dethatch. Position 1 at +1/4 in is for transport and thin thatch. The manual says not to work on a wet lawn and to mark sprinkler heads, lights and other fixtures before you begin.
Two batteries are the rule: the machine needs both to run, and WEN says a pair of different capacities runs only as long as the lower one. WEN publishes no run time and no charge time. The packs ship in a low charge state, and the manual wants them fully charged before first use, which can take several cycles to reach a full charge.
The first job, dethatching, waits for growth, and on a cold, dry morning in early spring the machine skipped over firm ground, as the manual warns it can on hard or frozen soil, so I stopped and waited until the grass was growing. The second job is scarifying with the 16-blade head at the deeper steps. WEN’s timing text is general and names no grass, so I check the extension guidance for my grass before I pick a week. The limit I found is the bag: WEN publishes no size, a heavy pass fills it quickly, and I empty it often, as the manual says.
Keep the air vents clear. The manual warns that blocked vents can overheat the tool, and fine clippings pack into them, so I brush them clear after each use with the batteries out.
Before you change a head, clear the bag or clean the machine, switch off, wait until the tines stop, remove the safety key and take out both batteries. Wear gloves, because the tines and blades are sharp and can be hot after use.
WEN says to clean the machine after every use with the batteries out and never with a hose, to wipe the tines and shaft dry and oil them lightly, and to lubricate the tines or blades and the shaft once per season. Store the packs charged in a cool, dry place with the key removed, and fold the handle down. Commercial use cuts the warranty to 90 days, and the two-year term also ends at 500 hours of use.
Budget buyers with a flat, mid-sized lawn get the most from it, because both heads and both packs arrive in one box. Skip it if you need a published run time, a known bag size or a warranty without an hours cap, or if your soil is hard or stony, where the machine can jump.
FINAL VERDICT
The 20716 is the cheapest complete cordless kit on this page, with the widest head, and it leaves run time, charge time and bag size unstated. Buy it when price and a 15 in head matter more to you than documentation.
It is the budget cordless kit with the widest head here.
4. Einhell GC-SC 18/28 Li Solo Cordless Scarifier, Tool Only Best Cordless Scarifier
The box of the Einhell GC-SC 18/28 Li Solo holds the scarifier and nothing else: no battery and no charger, so you must add an 18V Power X-Change pack and a charger before the first pass. That buys a cordless lawn scarifier with a 28 cm (11 in) head, a roller of 12 knives and a bare weight of 6.7 kg (14.8 lb). It is my pick for small shaded patches and light moss work.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Fourth place and the scarifier label go to a machine that does one job and documents it. A narrow roller works moss patches and thin shaded turf at shallow steps of 2 to 6 mm, with a light test pass first, and the manual gives noise, vibration and area per pack.
Einhell GC-SC 18/28 Li Solo Cordless Scarifier, Tool Only Specs
Key Features:
- Blade roller, 12 knives: made for ripping moss and weeds out of the soil, per Einhell’s manual.
- Three depth steps plus transport: 2, 4 and 6 mm, set at both front wheels.
- 18V Power X-Change platform: Einhell says it works only with Power X-Change packs.
- Published noise and vibration: 66.4 dB(A) sound pressure and up to 2.5 m/s2 at the handlebars.
- Folding push bar: it folds at the wing nuts for storage.
The machine is built for shallow work. Einhell’s manual names its job as ripping moss and weeds out of the soil and loosening it, and the steps stop at 6 mm, about a quarter inch.
On a shaded, damp corner of the house lawn the roller pulled out moss in strips, though that corner still needs more light before grass will hold there. Einhell’s table gives about 160 square meters (1,720 sq ft) on a 4.0 Ah pack, and the maker recommends the machine for lawns up to about 200 square meters (2,150 sq ft). I keep a spare pack on the charger.
The start takes a moment. Insert the safety plug, press the lock-off, then pull the lever; the manual says the start can take several seconds, so I hold the lever through the pause.
Never open the ejector flap while the motor runs, and never try to stop the roller by hand. Switch off, wait until the roller has stopped completely, pull the safety plug and take out the battery, then touch the flap, the bag or the roller.
No US warranty terms or US service contact are published for this model, so check the seller’s return and repair terms before you order. Commercial use voids its warranty.
Pick it for moss, weeds and light surface work on a small lawn if you already own Power X-Change packs and a charger that suits your outlets. Einhell publishes no US charger details, so confirm the charger before you order. Skip it if you need to pull heavy thatch, want a bag in the box, or need a warranty you can read in US terms.
FINAL VERDICT
The GC-SC 18/28 Li Solo is a shallow, narrow scarifier that documents its noise, vibration and pack coverage and leaves the warranty to the seller. Buy it for small moss and surface jobs where you already run its battery platform.
It is the small-lawn scarifier for moss and surface work.
5. EGO Power+ DA1400 Dethatcher Attachment, Tool Only Best Dethatcher Attachment
The EGO DA1400 is an attachment, so the box holds a dethatcher head and nothing that runs it: no power head, no battery and no charger. You add a power head from the EGO Multi-Head list in the manual, an EGO 56V ARC battery and a charger, and then the 14 in head turns rake tines at 2,600 or 3,000 rpm with no load on the PH1420 power head. It suits the owner who already has that system.
WHY I CHOSE THIS ✓
Fifth place and the attachment label go to the DA1400, and it is the best dethatcher attachment on this page because it is the only attachment here, a label that holds only for someone who already owns the EGO system. For that owner the dethatcher costs only the attachment, because the power head and battery already run EGO’s other Multi-Head attachments.
EGO Power+ DA1400 Dethatcher Attachment, Tool Only Specs
Key Features:
- Fits EGO Multi-Head power heads: the manual lists PH1400, PH1420 and PHX1600 and their -FC versions.
- Three depth steps: 0, 0.4 and 0.8 in, set with a lever and with the battery out.
- Replaceable tines: each of the 14 rake tines is released by pushing two pins into slot 1.
- Deflector guard and scraper bar: the head carries both and rolls on 8 in wheels, per EGO.
- 16.3 lb attachment: that is the head alone, and EGO publishes no total with a power head and battery.
Depth is short: three steps, and the deepest is 0.8 in. Start at 0 and move to 0.4 in only if the first pass left the mat. The manual wants the lawn mown first and says to push slowly, because moving too fast lets the tines stick.
There is no bag. The tines lift thatch to the surface and it stays there, so I rake or sweep it up after each strip. With the battery out of the power head, I lined the arrow on the shaft up with the arrow on the coupler, pushed until it clicked and tightened the wing knob, and the click told me it was seated.
Never use it on wet grass. EGO says wet grass sticks to the deck and the tines, and on a damp morning the grass clung to my deck until I waited for the lawn to dry.
Switch off, wait until the tines have stopped, then take the battery out of the power head before you touch the tines or change anything. Wear gloves for the tines, and hold the machine by its insulated grips.
The manual forbids use on slopes steeper than 15 degrees, and says to work across the face of a slope. Check its three bolts before use, store it with the battery removed, cleaned and dry, and keep it out of the rain, since IPX4 is splash protection only.
This head belongs to the owner of a listed EGO Multi-Head power head and a 56V battery who wants a dethatcher without a second motor. Skip it if you need a complete machine, a bag, a scarifier drum or a published run time.
FINAL VERDICT
The DA1400 is a 14 in rake-tine head that rides on EGO’s power head, and it works and pays off only as an add-on. Buy it when the power head and battery are already in your shed.
It is the add-on dethatcher for an EGO power head owner.
How to Choose the Best Cordless Dethatcher
A cordless dethatcher is judged by what comes in the box and how far the packs carry you, more than by motor figures. Work through these seven factors, then read the manual of the machine you pick, because depth steps, pack rules and safety steps differ from model to model.
What Is in the Box
Cordless dethatchers are sold in three ways, and the sticker price covers a different share of the job in each. Count what you still have to buy before you compare prices.
- Kit: packs, charger and drums in one carton, ready to work.
- Tool only: the machine alone, with a battery and a charger from the maker’s own platform to buy.
- Attachment: a head that needs a power head, a battery and a charger, all bought separately.
I read the carton list in the manual before I read the spec table, because that list shows what I am paying for.
Battery Platform and Pack Count
A cordless electric dethatcher draws on one maker’s battery platform, and voltage alone does not tell you which packs fit. Makers also disagree on what happens when two packs differ: one says the machine runs only to the lower pack, and another warns that a different capacity damages the batteries. Match the two packs in capacity and charge them together.
Pro Tip
Count the packs you already own. A tool on your current platform saves the price of a battery, and a tool on a new platform adds a second charger to the shed. I treat the second pack as part of the price.
Run Time and Area per Charge
Run time is the number every buyer wants and the number most makers leave out, and a cordless lawn dethatcher is only as useful as the lawn its packs cover. A claim of one lawn per charge means little without the pack size and the setting behind it. One maker publishes the lawn area per battery size for its scarifier, and the table shows it. If one charge will not cover your yard, I rank machines that cover more ground per pass in my best dethatcher for large lawn roundup.
| Battery pack | Area covered | Area in square feet |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 Ah | About 100 square meters | About 1,080 |
| 4.0 Ah | About 160 square meters | About 1,720 |
| 5.2 Ah | About 210 square meters | About 2,260 |
| 8.0 Ah | About 320 square meters | About 3,445 |
That maker recommends its scarifier for lawns up to about 200 square meters (about 2,150 square feet), so the table shows the coverage of one pack and the size limit of the machine. A thick mat loads any motor harder, so I plan a lawn as a total number of charges.
Tine Drum, Blade Drum or Both
Makers describe the spring-tine drum as the part that lifts thatch to the surface and the slicing-blade drum as the part that cuts grooves into the soil. Most cordless kits carry both and fit one at a time. Check the carton, because one machine in this group has a blade roller only and one has rake tines only. I rank the machines that ship with both drums in my roundup of dethatcher and scarifier machines.
| Drum | What it does | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Spring tines | Lifts dead stems and roots to the surface | The thatch stays on top, so you rake or bag it |
| Slicing blades | Cuts grooves into the soil | The cut goes below the surface, so depth matters on thin turf |
Cutting has a cost. In a four-year bermudagrass trial, vertical mowing twice a year cut thatch by 8 percent and hurt shoot density (1), and in a five-year zoysia study annual vertical slicing cut thatch depth by 12 to 18 percent a year (2). I fit the blade drum only after I have decided to seed, because the grooves are the first half of that job. A battery lawn scarifier alone does that one job and carries no tines. For machines built mainly to cut grooves, my lawn scarifier picks cover moss and matted turf.
Working Width, Depth Steps and Thatch Depth
Working width in this group runs from about 11 in to 15 in, and every inch you lose adds rows. Depth numbers are stepped and signed: a negative number means the tines or blades work below the soil line, and each manual’s table says which steps suit which drum or job. If your lawn is small, I list compact, light machines that store easily in my roundup of dethatchers for a small lawn.
- About 11 in: the narrowest, for small patches and tight beds.
- About 14 in: the common middle for a house lawn.
- 15 in: the widest here, with fewer rows on open grass.
Thatch is an intertwined layer of dead and living stems and roots that builds when production outpaces decomposition (3), and a thick layer delays the start of water infiltration (4). Illinois Extension calls a layer over half an inch excessive, and some warm-season guidance waits until about an inch. If the plug shows a mat past half an inch, my dethatcher picks for thick thatch cover stronger machines for matted turf.
Pro Tip
Measure before you buy. Cut a wedge of turf and measure the brown, spongy layer between the green blades and the soil. I look at the wedge before I look at any price.
Start at the lightest step your manual lists for the job, and go one step lower only if the first pass left the mat and the extension advice for your grass allows it. The deepest step is a maximum for that machine, and a cut that is too deep on thin turf thins the stand.
Weight, Bag and Handling
Makers state weight on different bases: bare tool, net weight or without batteries, so compare a figure only with one on the same basis. Bags run from none in the box to 10.6 gal, and a cordless dethatcher with a collection bag in the carton saves a purchase, though a small bag means many stops, because a dethatched lawn throws far more material than a mown one.
- Large bag: fewer trips to the pile and a heavier load to carry.
- No bag: you rake or sweep the thatch up yourself.
- Weight basis: a bare tool, a net weight and a weight with packs are three different numbers.
I check where each maker states the weight before I trust the figure.
Safety, Timing and Grass Type
A dethatcher throws stones, sticks and debris, so walk the lawn first and clear it, and mark sprinkler heads, drip lines and buried wire before the first pass. In US emergency-department records of lawnmower-related eye injuries from 2004 to 2023, 77 percent came from projectiles, mostly grass, dirt and rocks, and only 2 percent of those projectile injuries were documented with eye protection (5). Wear impact-rated safety glasses with side coverage that meet ANSI Z87.1, or the standard your manual names, plus hearing protection, long pants, sturdy shoes and gloves.
NIOSH recommends an exposure limit of 85 dBA averaged over eight hours for workers (6), and most makers publish no noise figure for these machines, so I wear ear defenders every time. In NIOSH sampling of 80 landscaping workers, noise and carbon monoxide exposure were significantly higher with fuel-powered leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws than with battery versions (7), which favors battery tools, and ear protection still goes on.
- Switch the machine off.
- Wait until the drum or roller stops completely.
- Remove the battery, or both batteries, and the safety key or plug if the machine has one.
- Only then touch the bag, the depth setting, the tines or the blades.
Timing depends on the grass. Penn State Extension says to remove thatch from cool-season turf in late summer to early fall, and extension services point warm-season lawns to the growing season after green-up, while the grass is actively growing. University of Florida extension advises against power rakes on St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass, so read the guidance for your grass before you choose a drum or a depth. For a bermudagrass lawn, I rank machines for dense warm-season turf in my dethatchers for bermuda grass roundup.
Warning
Never run a dethatcher on a wet lawn, and never lift, tilt or reach under the machine while the drum turns. Dethatching at the wrong time or too deep can badly damage a lawn.
Every Machine Side by Side and What Each Box Holds
The five machines differ most in what you still have to buy, so this table puts the box contents next to the drums and the weight basis.
| Machine | In the box | You still buy | Drums | Weight and basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 | Two 24V packs, charger, bag | Nothing | Tines and blades | 33 lb net, packs not stated |
| WORX WG855 | Two 20V packs, charger, bag | Nothing | Tines and blades | 23.06 lb, bare tool |
| WEN 20716 | Two 4.0 Ah packs, charger, bag | Nothing | Tines and blades | 23.4 lb, without packs |
| Einhell GC-SC 18/28 Li Solo | Scarifier only | 18V pack and charger, optional bag | Blade roller only | 14.8 lb, bare tool |
| EGO DA1400 | Attachment only | Power head, battery, charger | Rake tines only | 16.3 lb, attachment alone |
Read the last column by its basis: three figures are for the bare tool or the tool without packs, one is a net weight that does not say whether the packs are counted, and one is the attachment alone.
My Overall Verdict
After five machines, the best battery powered dethatcher for you comes down to what you already own and how much you want to buy before the first pass. For most house lawns that means a complete kit with both drums in the box, because tool-only listings look cheaper until you add the pack and the charger. If you also want corded models in the mix, my electric dethatcher picks list both corded and cordless machines.
1. Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier Kit Best Overall
For a flat house lawn where you want a kit whose maker documents the charge time, the bag and the depth for each drum.
2. WORX WG855 Nitro 40V Cordless Dethatcher Scarifier Kit Best Premium
For a buyer who wants a brushless kit with a registered three-year warranty and accepts a premium price.
3. WEN 20716 20V Max Cordless Dethatcher Scarifier Kit Best Value
For the lowest kit price on this page, with the widest head and both heads in the box.
Count the packs you will need, read the manual of the machine you buy and walk the lawn before the first pass. For most lawns that makes the Sun Joe the best cordless dethatcher on this page. For a wider ranking by yard size and budget, I list nine machines in my best lawn dethatcher ranking.
Why Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier Kit Might Be the Best Choice
I rank the 24V-X2-DTS15 first for the buyer who plans before buying. It is the one kit here whose maker publishes both a charge time and a motor rating, alongside the bag size and a depth table for each drum.
The trade-off is weight and price. A lighter kit and a cheaper kit sit on this page, and I still pick this one when planning matters more, because Sun Joe lists 33 lb net and no run time and you plan the lawn in charges.
Here is what the carton gives you:
✓ Two 24V packs and a charger: nothing else to buy to start.
✓ Both drums: 24 spring steel tines and 7 slicing blades.
✓ Five depth positions: with a separate depth table for each drum.
✓ 10.6 gal bag: emptied at half full, per the manual.
✓ Two-year warranty: extendable by registering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cordless dethatcher and aerator?
A cordless dethatcher and aerator in one box does not exist among these five machines, which dethatch or scarify. One scarifier takes an aerator roller sold separately that scratches the surface so water and air reach the soil, but it pulls no soil cores, so core aeration stays a separate job.
Is there a cordless dethatcher with a collection bag?
A cordless dethatcher with a collection bag comes in three of these five: the Sun Joe has a 10.6 gal bag, the WORX a 40 L bag and the WEN a detachable bag of unstated size. The EGO attachment has no bag, and the Einhell scarifier sells its catch bag separately.
How long does a cordless dethatcher run on one charge?
A cordless dethatcher’s run time per charge depends on the pack size and the job, and none of these makers publishes one in minutes. Einhell gives about 160 square meters, or 1,720 square feet, on a 4.0 Ah pack for its scarifier, which it recommends for lawns up to about 200 square meters.
Do cordless dethatchers come with a battery and charger?
Cordless dethatchers come with a battery and charger only as kits: the Sun Joe, WORX and WEN each include two packs and a charger. The Einhell scarifier and the EGO attachment are tool only, so you add a battery and a charger, and the EGO also needs a power head.
How many batteries does a cordless dethatcher need?
A cordless dethatcher needs two batteries in the Sun Joe, WORX and WEN kits, because each of those machines runs only on a pair seated together. The Einhell scarifier runs on one 18V Power X-Change pack, and the EGO attachment takes the single battery that its own power head uses.
References
- Carrow RN, Johnson BJ, Burns RE. Thatch and Quality of Tifway Bermudagrass Turf in Relation to Fertility and Cultivation. Agronomy Journal. 1987;79(3):524-530.
- Dunn JH, Sheffer KM, Halisky PM. Thatch and Quality of Meyer Zoysia in Relation to Management. Agronomy Journal. 1981;73(6):949-952.
- Ojeokun O, Fry J, Todd T, Martin C, Chandra A, Xiang M, et al. Thatch Accumulation in Zoysiagrass Genotypes across the US Transition Zone and Southern Regions. HortTechnology. 2025;35(4):502-512.
- Liang X, Su D, Wang Z, Qiao X. Effects of Turfgrass Thatch on Water Infiltration, Surface Runoff, and Evaporation. Journal of Water Resource and Protection. 2017;9(7):799-810.
- Stange NR, Jennissen CA. Lawnmower-Related Eye Injuries in the U.S., 2004 to 2023. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025;277:7-16.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Noise and Hearing Loss. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2024.
- Alexander BM, Graydon PS, Pena M, Feng HA, Beamer BR. Hazardous exposures and engineering controls in the landscaping services industry. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2025;22(3):189-202.
Safety Note: Read your manual first. A dethatcher or scarifier throws stones, sticks and other debris with force, so walk the lawn first and remove stones, sticks, toys, wire, hoses and pet waste. Mark sprinkler heads, irrigation and drip lines, low-voltage lighting wire and buried pet fence wire, keep the drum clear of them, and follow your manual’s limits near underground cables and pipes. Wear impact-rated eye protection with side coverage that meets ANSI Z87.1, hearing protection, gloves, long pants and sturdy non-slip closed shoes, plus a dust mask when the work raises dust. Keep people and pets as far away as your manual says, and stop at once if anyone comes closer. Never use a powered dethatcher on wet grass or in rain. The machine can jump up or forward when the tines hit hard or frozen ground, roots, stumps or buried rocks, so avoid those spots and hold the handle with both hands. Never lift or tilt the machine or reach under it while the drum turns. Before you clear a jam, empty or fit the collection bag, change the depth, clean, inspect or adjust the machine, turn it over, leave it, or touch the tines or blades, switch it off, wait for the drum to stop completely, then unplug the cord or remove every battery pack, and remove the safety key if it has one. Let hot tines cool before you handle them. If the machine starts to vibrate hard, switch it off, wait for the drum to stop completely, then unplug the cord or remove every battery pack and any safety key before you check it for damage. For a corded model, use an undamaged outdoor extension cord of the gauge and length your manual gives, plugged into a GFCI outlet, keep the cord behind you and clear of the drum, and never handle the plug with wet hands. For a battery model, use only the battery and charger approved for your tool, charge and store them within the temperature range in your manual, and never use a damaged or swollen pack. Stay off steep and wet slopes and work slopes only in the direction your manual gives. For a tow-behind dethatcher, follow both your tractor’s and your dethatcher’s manuals: tow it only behind a lawn tractor or riding mower that meets the maker’s requirements, never on public roads or behind a car or truck, keep a slow, steady speed, avoid sudden turns and stops, carry less weight on slopes and never more than the manual allows, never carry riders, and fit any tine safety wires the manual requires. Before you adjust or clear it, stop the tractor, set the parking brake, remove the key and disconnect the dethatcher as its manual describes. Dethatching at the wrong time of year, too deep or on stressed turf can badly damage a lawn, so match the timing and depth to your grass type.