The WEN DT1516 vs Sun Joe AJ805E choice comes down to this: buy the Sun Joe for most house lawns, and buy the WEN when you want a wider pass and a higher motor rating. Both are corded 2-in-1 machines with a dethatching reel and a scarifying reel in the box. I worked both on the quarter-acre lawn around the family house, so I judge them on the jobs a house lawn gives you. Below you get a like-for-like table, the factors that decide it with a winner for each, and a plain answer on who should buy which.
WEN DT1516 vs Sun Joe AJ805E: The Short Answer
The Sun Joe AJ805E is the better buy for most house lawns, and the WEN is the better buy for a wider pass and a higher motor rating. This Sun Joe is about 6 pounds lighter, and its maker publishes a 13.2 gallon bag size while WEN publishes none. The WEN works a 16 inch path, carries a 15 amp motor rating and reaches a deeper scarifying step.
| Row | WEN DT1516 | Sun Joe AJ805E |
|---|---|---|
| Reels in the box | 24 tine steel dethatching reel and 20 blade scarifying reel, one fitted at a time | 24 tine spring steel dethatching reel and 26 blade scarifying reel, one fitted at a time |
| Motor, maker’s plate | 120 V, 15 A, 3,300 RPM with no load | 120 V, 13 A, 3,000 rpm with no load |
| Working width, maker’s figure | 16 in | 15 in (maximum raking width) |
| Depth positions | 5, from 1/4 in above to 1/2 in below the soil surface | 5, from 10 mm above to 10 mm below the soil surface (about 0.4 in each way) |
| Steps the manual allows for dethatching | Steps 1 to 3 (step 1 for thin thatch, step 2 for a healthy lawn); steps 3 to 5 for scarifying | Plus 10, plus 5 and zero mm (plus 10 for thin thatch, plus 5 for a healthy lawn); zero, minus 5 and minus 10 mm for scarifying |
| Collection bag | Detachable; size not published by the maker | Detachable; 13.2 gal (50 L) |
| Weight, corded so no battery is included | 29.5 lb (maker’s product weight) | 23.4 lb (net) |
| Extension cord, per the manual | Required; 14 gauge to 25 ft or 12 gauge to 50 ft | Required; 14 gauge to 50 ft or 12 gauge from 50 to 100 ft |
| Warranty, home use | 2 years or 500 hours, whichever comes first, original purchaser from a direct WEN vendor | 2 years limited, original purchaser from an authorized seller; tines are not covered |
| Noise and vibration | Not published by the maker | Not published by the maker |
Two rows decide it for me: the bag and the weight, because those are the rows you feel on every pass of a house lawn. The width and motor rows decide it the other way if you want a wider pass and plan to scarify more than you dethatch.
What Is Actually Different Between the Two Kits
On the box, both kits look the same: a corded machine, two reels and a rear bag. The differences sit in the small print, and three of them change how you use the machine. I compare nine options with both drums in the box in my roundup of dethatcher and scarifier machines.
Each box holds both reels, but only one reel fits at a time. The WEN arrives with the 20 blade scarifying reel fitted and the 24 tine steel dethatching reel packed beside it. The Sun Joe AJ805E electric lawn dethatcher arrives with its 26 blade scarifying reel fitted and the 24 tine spring steel dethatching reel in the box. Changing jobs on either one means turning the machine over and loosening two fasteners with the hex tool in the kit.
Neither kit includes an extension cord. The WEN’s own cord is only 0.35 meters long, so it cannot reach an outlet by itself, and the Sun Joe needs an outdoor extension cord too. Count the cord into your plan before you order either machine. Here is each machine as it comes out of the box.
Working Width and Motor Power
Width and motor are where the WEN earns its place, and they matter more on open lawn than on a small one.
WEN lists the DT1516 with a 16 inch path and a 15 amp motor that turns at 3,300 RPM with no load. Sun Joe lists the AJ805E with a path of up to 15 inches and a 13 amp motor that turns at 3,000 rpm with no load. Those are plate figures taken with no load, so they show the size of the motor, not how fast either reel gets through a mat. If the 15 inch path feels like more than your lawn needs, my Sun Joe AJ805E and AJ801E comparison sets it beside the 12.6 inch model.
On the quarter-acre lawn at the house, the extra inch of the WEN showed up as slightly fewer rows between the shade trees. I kept my walking pace slow on both machines, because both manuals warn that pushing too hard blocks the discharge and trips the overload protection. For a comparison at the same working width, I cover two 16-inch machines in my WEN DT1516 against Westinghouse dethatcher comparison.
Winner: WEN DT1516, because a wider path suits an open lawn, and its motor carries a higher current rating.
Depth Steps and Which Ones Are for Dethatching
Both machines have five depth positions, and both makers say which steps are for dethatching and which are for scarifying.
A dethatcher pulls dead material out of the thatch, the mat of living and dead stems and roots that sits between the green grass and the soil. A scarifier cuts into the soil below it. Field studies on bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass found that vertical mowing and core cultivation mix soil into the thatch within six weeks (1).
On the WEN, step 1 sits a quarter inch above the soil surface and is for removing thin thatch. Step 2, an eighth inch below the surface, is the step WEN names for dethatching a healthy lawn. Step 3, a quarter inch below the surface, is the middle step for both jobs. Steps 4 and 5, three eighths and one half inch below the surface, are scarifying steps, and WEN says dethatching is not recommended at step 4 and not to be done at step 5.
The Sun Joe counts in millimeters. Its plus 10 step is for thin thatch and not for scarifying, and its plus 5 step is for raking a healthy lawn. Zero, the middle step, covers transport, storage, scarifying and raking. The minus 5 step is for scarifying and not recommended for raking, and the minus 10 step is for scarifying only, so the whole range runs about 0.4 inch above to 0.4 inch below the soil surface.
A thick mat also slows water on its way into the soil (2), so I check for a mat with a cut plug before I set either machine to anything deeper. For my first pass that meant step 2 on the WEN and the plus 5 step on the Sun Joe.
Pro Tip
Start with the lightest step your chart allows for the job and drop one step only if the first pass leaves the mat in place and the grass is growing and not stressed.
Grass type and timing matter as much as the step. Work when the grass is actively growing and the soil is damp, and not in heat, drought or wet soil. Extension guidance warns against power rakes on St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass, which grow from above-ground stems, and neither maker names a grass, so confirm yours before you start.
Winner: WEN DT1516 for scarifying reach, with a tie for dethatching, where each machine allows three steps.
Collection Bag and Emptying
The bag is where the Sun Joe pulls ahead, because Sun Joe publishes its size and WEN does not.
The Sun Joe AJ805E dethatcher carries a detachable rear bag that holds 13.2 gallons, or 50 liters. The WEN has a detachable bag on a rack too, but its manual and product page give no capacity, so you cannot match the bag to your lawn before you buy. I cover the rest of that machine in my review of Sun Joe AJ805E.
Both manuals say the same thing about emptying: do not wait until the bag is full. Sun Joe puts the line at half full and warns that a full bag cuts performance, and WEN says to empty the bag often. Never run the Sun Joe without its bag securely fitted, because the bag catches flying debris.
On the house lawn the Sun Joe’s bag gave me a rhythm, one trip to the compost pile at about every half bag, as the manual says. With the WEN I had no size to count against, so I emptied it by eye, and my trips came less evenly. A dethatched lawn drops far more debris than a mown one.
Winner: Sun Joe AJ805E, because you know what the bag holds.
Weight and Handling
Both machines are corded, so neither weight includes a battery, and the gap is clear: 29.5 pounds for the WEN and 23.4 pounds for the Sun Joe.
Those are the makers’ own figures, WEN’s product weight and Sun Joe’s net weight. Neither machine drives itself, so you push every pass by hand and steer through every turn.
Across the lawn the lighter Sun Joe felt easier at the turns, and the WEN’s weight showed in my forearms toward the end of the lawn. Neither manual lets you lift or tilt the machine while the reel turns, so every turn happens on the wheels. My DT1516 against Sun Joe AJ801E comparison tests the same WEN against the compact 12 amp model.
Both manuals warn that the tines can catch hard or frozen ground, roots or buried stones and make the machine jump. The Sun Joe manual says to let go of the handlebars and the switch lever if that happens and not to hold the machine back.
Winner: Sun Joe AJ805E, because it is about 6 pounds lighter.
Cord, Outlet and Extension Cord Plan
Plan the cord before you plan the pass, because both machines are corded and neither ships with an extension cord.
WEN’s manual gives a table for the DT1516 at 15 amps: a 14 gauge cord up to 25 feet and a 12 gauge cord up to 50 feet, and it does not recommend 100 or 150 foot runs. Sun Joe’s manual says to use a 14 gauge cord for 50 feet and a 12 gauge cord for runs from 50 to 100 feet. The two tables differ, so a 14 gauge cord at 40 feet fits the Sun Joe’s table and goes past the WEN’s 25 foot limit for that gauge. If the cord is the part you would rather avoid, my cordless dethatcher guide covers battery machines.
Both manuals want an outdoor-rated cord and a GFCI protected outlet, and both say to keep the cord behind you and clear of the reel.
Dry Lawn Only
Neither machine goes on wet grass or in wet weather, and a GFCI protected outlet does not change that.
Before the first pass I plan the cord run from the outlet at the machinery shed to the far edge of the lawn, and I lay the cord out behind me so the reel never meets it.
Winner: Sun Joe AJ805E, because its manual lets a 14 gauge cord cover twice the distance.
Noise, Debris and Protective Gear
Neither maker publishes a noise level or a vibration figure, so I cannot rank these machines on sound, and both need the same protective gear.
NIOSH recommends limiting noise to 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour workday (3), and the Sun Joe manual tells you to wear ear defenders. I wear hearing protection from the first pass on either machine.
Both reels also throw stones, sticks and soil. In a study of lawnmower eye injuries in US emergency departments, about three quarters came from thrown grass, dirt and rocks, and only 2 percent of those injuries were documented with eye protection (4). Wear safety glasses with side shields, long pants, sturdy non-slip closed shoes and gloves every time.
I walk the lawn first and pick up sticks, toys and stones, and I lift or mark the drip lines near the tree strips before the first pass. If your lawn has sprinkler heads, valve boxes or lighting wire, mark those too, because the reel can catch them. Before I empty the bag, clear a jam or change the depth, I switch off, wait until the reel stops, unplug the cord and only then touch the machine.
Winner: none, because neither maker gives a sound figure to compare.
Warranty and Parts
Both machines carry a two year warranty for home use, and the fine print is what separates them.
WEN covers the DT1516 for 2 years or 500 hours of use, whichever comes first, for personal use, and for 90 days for professional use. The warranty goes to the original purchaser who bought from a direct WEN vendor, so check who sells the unit before you order. I give the WEN a full verdict in my review of the WEN DT1516.
Sun Joe gives the AJ805E 2 years limited for household use to the original purchaser from an authorized seller. Its manual says the tines are wearing parts and are not covered, and it lists replacement tines and a replacement blade by part code.
Tines and blades are the parts that wear, so I look at them after every use. I switch off, wait for the reel to stop, unplug the cord, and only then put on gloves and check the tines or blades.
Winner: none. Both give two years, so read the seller’s terms before you order.
Choose the WEN DT1516 If
Choose the WEN when width, motor rating and scarifying reach matter more to you than weight and bag size. My DT1516 against Greenworks DHA103 comparison tests the same WEN against another corded 2-in-1.
- You want a wider pass. It works a 16 inch path against the Sun Joe’s 15 inches.
- You scarify more than you dethatch. Its deepest step reaches one half inch below the surface, and its chart marks steps 4 and 5 as scarifying steps.
- Your outlet is close. A 14 gauge cord covers the manual’s table up to 25 feet, and a 12 gauge cord reaches 50 feet.
- You can live without a published bag size. You will empty the bag by eye.
I reach for the WEN on the open stretch of the house lawn, where long straight rows let the 16 inch path pay off. My roundup of dethatchers for a large lawn lists machines that cover more ground per pass.
Choose the Sun Joe AJ805E If
Choose the Sun Joe when you want the lighter machine, a bag size you can count against and a longer run on a thinner cord.
- You want the lighter machine. It weighs 23.4 pounds, about 6 pounds under the WEN.
- You want a known bag size. The bag holds 13.2 gallons, and the manual says to empty it at half full.
- Your outlet is far. A 14 gauge cord is enough for 50 feet, and a 12 gauge cord covers runs up to 100 feet.
- You want a gentle first step. The plus 10 step removes thin thatch without scarifying.
Changing the reel on the Sun Joe takes the bag off, the machine upside down on a flat surface, two bolts and the hex key. I do it only after I switch off, wait for the reel to stop, unplug the cord and let the hot cutting parts cool, with gloves on, because the manual calls them sharp and hot after use.
My Pick for a House Lawn
For the quarter-acre house lawn I keep, the Sun Joe AJ805E is my pick. It is about 6 pounds lighter, it has a published 13.2 gallon bag, and its manual lets a 14 gauge cord reach 50 feet. Those three things show up every minute on a lawn that size. I compare more corded and cordless options in my roundup of electric dethatcher picks.
The WEN is the machine I take to the open stretch where the 16 inch path pays off, and the one I choose for scarifying down to one half inch below the surface. Plan the extension cord first, wear eye and hearing protection, and before you touch the reel switch off, wait for it to stop and unplug the cord. For a house lawn, the WEN DT1516 vs Sun Joe AJ805E decision ends in the Sun Joe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the WEN DT1516 or the Sun Joe AJ805E?
The Sun Joe AJ805E is better for most house lawns, and the WEN is better for a wider pass and deeper scarifying. The Sun Joe is about 6 pounds lighter with a published 13.2 gallon bag, while the WEN works 16 inches with a 15 amp motor and reaches a deeper scarifying step.
How do the WEN DT1516 and Sun Joe AJ805E specs compare?
The WEN DT1516 is 16 inches wide with a 15 amp motor, weighs 29.5 pounds and has an unpublished bag size, while the Sun Joe AJ805E is 15 inches wide with a 13 amp motor, weighs 23.4 pounds and has a 13.2 gallon bag. Both have five depth positions and two reels in the box.
Does the Sun Joe AJ805E come with both a dethatcher and a scarifier reel?
The Sun Joe AJ805E comes with both a dethatcher reel and a scarifier reel in the box. The 26 blade scarifier reel is fitted on the machine, the 24 tine spring steel dethatcher reel is packed with it, so only one reel runs at a time and a swap means loosening two bolts with the hex key.
Where can you find replacement tines and blades for the Sun Joe AJ805E?
You can find replacement tines and blades through the Sun Joe AJ805E replacement parts codes in its manual: AJ805E-DTNS for the dethatcher tines and AJ805E-SCRF for the scarifier blade. Use those codes when you order, and fit the parts only after you switch off, wait for the reel to stop, unplug the cord and put on gloves.
Does the WEN DT1516 come with both a dethatcher and a scarifier head?
The WEN DT1516 comes with both heads in the box: a 20 blade scarifying head and a 24 tine steel dethatching head. The scarifying head is fitted at the factory, the dethatching head is packed beside it, and the hex wrench in the kit swaps them after you switch off, wait for the reel to stop and unplug the cord.
References
- Danneberger TK, Turgeon AJ. Soil Cultivation and Incorporation Effects on the Edaphic Properties of Turfgrass Thatch. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 1986;111(2):184-186.
- 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.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Noise and Hearing Loss. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2024.
- Stange NR, Jennissen CA. Lawnmower-Related Eye Injuries in the U.S., 2004 to 2023. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025;277:7-16.
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.