Thatch buildup chokes your lawn, dulls blades, and makes mowing harder than it should be. If you’re searching for the best lawn mower with thatcher, you’re likely frustrated by combo “mow-and-dethatch” claims, cord hassles, or tools that either lack power or tear up turf. You want cleaner cuts, real thatch removal, and gear that fits your yard size without constant clogs or fatigue.
The right setup pairs a capable mower for weekly trims with a dedicated dethatcher or scarifier for seasonal cleanup—think cordless convenience for mowing and corded power for deep thatch removal. Look for adjustable cutting heights, multi-depth dethatching settings, ample bag capacity, and dependable safety switches. We analyzed dozens of models, specs, and user reviews to separate marketing from measurable performance.
We prioritized power (amps/voltage), runtime, working width, depth adjustability, bagging efficiency, storage, and value. Below are our top picks and comparison data to help you choose the best fit for your lawn—keep reading to find the best lawn mower with thatcher for your needs.
Our Top Picks
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Overall
|
Greenworks 24V 13\” Brushless Mower
|
24V up to 30 minutes 13″ |
|
|
Best Budget Friendly
|
Toolsempire 13\” Corded Lawn Mower
|
10 Amp 13″ 6.6 gallons |
|
|
Best Dethatcher Attachment Alternative
|
YARDCARE 16\” Dethatcher & Scarifier
|
15-amp (3600 RPM) 2-in-1 quick-release 5 positions |
Best Lawn Mower With Thatcher Review
Greenworks 24V 13\” Brushless Mower – Best Overall
Powerfully compact and refreshingly quiet, the Greenworks 24V mower feels tailor-made for small yards that need tidy results without the mess. Its 13-inch deck and brushless 24V system deliver up to 30 minutes of runtime from the included 4.0Ah battery, tackling weekly trims and tight spaces with ease. The single-lever 5-position height adjustment simplifies dialing in cut height, and the 2‑in‑1 mulching/bagging setup solves the ‘where do clippings go?’ headache.
In testing across suburban plots and townhome strips, the Greenworks handled typical cool-season grasses well at medium height settings. Its lightweight chassis glides around landscaping and under shrubs, and the push-button start keeps stop-and-go mowing painless. Thick, overgrown patches can slow it down, and the 13-inch deck means more passes on larger lawns, but control and maneuverability remain its calling cards.
Against the Toolsempire corded mower, Greenworks trades infinite corded power for true cordless freedom and quieter operation. Compared with the YARDCARE dethatcher/scarifier, it’s a proper mower first—pair it with a dedicated dethatcher for seasonal renovation. Ideal for small to mid-size city lots and anyone prioritizing maintenance-free ownership, it offers more convenience and polish than the budget corded option without the lawn-repair focus of the YARDCARE.
- Cordless freedom
- Lightweight deck
- Quiet operation
- Easy height adjust
- Mulch or bag
- Shorter runtime
- Narrow deck
Toolsempire 13\” Corded Lawn Mower – Best Budget Friendly
Surprisingly punchy for the price, the Toolsempire corded mower leans on a 10‑amp motor (up to 3450 RPM) to keep blades spinning through typical weekly growth. The 13-inch deck plus 6.6‑gallon collection box makes tidy work of narrow strips and small yards where storage space is tight. Marketed as an electric de‑thatcher, it’s best viewed as a mower that can assist light thatch pickup rather than a full dethatching machine.
In real use, its corded design gives consistent power for longer sessions without battery anxiety, especially helpful on denser grass in spring. The 3 cutting heights (1′, 1.8′, 2.5′) cover common grooming ranges, and the double-safety switches keep startups controlled. It can bog slightly in very thick patches, and cord management is the main learning curve—use a 12–14 gauge outdoor cord and work away from the outlet to avoid tangles.
Compared to the Greenworks 24V, Toolsempire favors endless runtime and a bigger catcher over cordless flexibility. Next to the YARDCARE dethatcher/scarifier, it doesn’t match true depth-controlled thatch removal, but it’s the budget pick for those who primarily mow and occasionally clean up surface debris. If you want a small-yard workhorse with steady power and minimal upkeep, it delivers more sustained performance than the Greenworks in longer sessions, just without the cordless convenience.
- Unlimited runtime
- Compact storage
- Large catcher
- Simple controls
- Steady power
- Cord management
- Limited heights
- Light thatching only
YARDCARE 16\” Dethatcher & Scarifier – Best Dethatcher Attachment Alternative
When your lawn needs more than a trim, the YARDCARE steps in as a true renovation tool with 2‑in‑1 dethatching and scarifying capability. Driven by a 15‑amp motor at 3600 RPM and a 16‑inch working width, it lifts matted thatch and slices the soil surface to promote deeper roots and denser turf. The 5‑position depth adjustment (down to roughly ‑0.24′ dethatch and ‑0.12′ to 0.47′ scarify) lets you tailor aggressiveness by season and grass type.
On compacted sections, the scarifier drum opens micro-grooves to boost seed-to-soil contact for overseeding, while the dethatcher head clears dead material into the 45L collection bag. The dual safety switch and quick-start design make operation straightforward; just expect slower walking speed on aggressive settings and plan for more frequent bag emptying during heavy lifts. Note that this is not a mower—pair it with a regular mower for finish cuts after renovation passes.
Versus the Greenworks 24V mower, YARDCARE trades everyday trimming for serious lawn repair and seasonal dethatching depth control. Compared to the Toolsempire, it’s a far more capable thatch/soil management tool with precise depth settings and a wider path, though it lacks mowing capability. It’s ideal for homeowners tackling spongy turf, persistent thatch, or overseeding prep—and it offers far more lawn-health improvement per pass than either mower, while the Greenworks remains better for weekly cuts.
- True dethatching
- Scarify depth
- Wide 16′ path
- Powerful 15A
- Large 45L bag
- Not a mower
- Heavier passes
- Bag fills fast
How to Choose the Best Lawn Mower with Dethatching Capability
Key Decisions: Mower Type and Dethatching Approach
- Integrated solution vs. separate tools: Few mowers truly “mow + dethatch” at once. You’ll typically choose a compact mower for regular cuts and a dedicated dethatcher/scarifier for seasonal thatch removal. Pairing something like the Greenworks 24V 13″ Mower (mowing) with a unit like the YARDCARE 16″ Dethatcher & Scarifier (thatching) gives better results than combo gimmicks.
Main Features to Consider
- Power source and runtime:
- Cordless (e.g., Greenworks 24V): Great for small to medium yards without cord hassle; check battery Ah and expected runtime (around 30 minutes on 4.0Ah). Good for frequent mowing; not for heavy dethatching loads.
-
Corded (e.g., Toolsempire 10A, YARDCARE 15A): Unlimited runtime, consistent power, better for dethatching/scarifying tasks; requires cord management and nearby outlets.
-
Cutting and working width:
- Mower deck size (13″): Suits townhomes, small lawns, and tight spaces; faster maneuvering but more passes on larger areas.
-
Dethatcher width (16″): Wider pass improves efficiency for medium yards; look for large collection bags (e.g., 45L) to reduce stops.
-
Height/depth adjustments:
- Mower cutting heights: Aim for at least 3–5 positions to adapt across seasons and grass types (Toolsempire offers 3; Greenworks offers 5).
-
Dethatching/scarifying depth: Multiple depth settings (e.g., YARDCARE 5-position from negative to positive depths) prevent turf damage and let you fine-tune for light thatch vs. deeper renovation.
-
Safety and ease of use:
- Quick start and safety switches: Push-button starts (Greenworks) and double-safety triggers (Toolsempire, YARDCARE) reduce accidental activation.
- Weight and maneuverability: Lightweight 13″ mowers are easier for slopes and tight turns; adjustable handles improve ergonomics during longer dethatching sessions.
- Storage: Foldable handles and compact frames are ideal for small garages or sheds.
Other Helpful Considerations
- 2-in-1 disposal: Mulch or bagging for mowers; bagging preferred during dethatching to remove debris.
- Maintenance: Brushless, electric units avoid gas/oil upkeep and run quieter.
- Lawn size and grass type: Match deck/width and power to yard size; cool-season lawns often benefit more from regular dethatching/scarifying.
- Warranty and support: Look for multi-year tool/battery coverage and responsive support.
Quick Picks Based on Needs
- Small yard, simple mowing: Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Mower (cordless convenience).
- Budget mowing on a cord: Toolsempire 13″ Corded Lawn Mower (value and compact storage).
- Dedicated thatch/renovation: YARDCARE 16″ Dethatcher & Scarifier (powerful 15A, 5-depth settings, large bag).
Lawn Mower Comparison: Best Lawn Mower with Thatcher
| Feature | Greenworks 24V 13″ Brushless Mower | Toolsempire 13″ Corded Lawn Mower | YARDCARE 16″ Dethatcher & Scarifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Best Overall | Best Budget Friendly | Best Dethatcher Attachment Alternative |
| Power Source | Cordless (24V Battery) | Corded (10 Amp) | Corded (15 Amp) |
| Cutting Width | 13″ | 13″ | 16″ |
| Cutting Height Adjustment | 5-Position | 3 Positions (1″, 1.8″, 2.5″) | 5-Position Depth Adjustment (-0.24″ to 0.39″ Dethatch, -0.12″ to 0.47″ Scarify) |
| Grass Collection | Bag Included | 6.6 Gallon Bag | 45L Bag |
| Thatching/Scarifying | Mulching/Bagging | Not Specified | 2-in-1 Quick-Release Blade (Dethatch & Scarify) |
| Motor Speed (RPM) | Not Specified | 3450 | 3600 |
| Safety Features | Not Specified | Double Switches | Dual Safety Switch |
| Storage | Not Specified | Foldable Handle | Cord Organizer Clip & Extension Cord Holder |
| Warranty | 3 Year Tool & Battery | Not Specified | 30-Day Return Policy |
Data-Driven Evaluation of Lawn Mowers with Dethatching Capabilities
Choosing the best lawn mower with thatcher requires moving beyond marketing claims and focusing on performance data. Our analysis prioritizes feature comparison coupled with user reviews and professional landscaping insights. We examined data from retailer websites, customer feedback on platforms like Amazon and specialist gardening forums, and independent reviews from sources like Consumer Reports and Popular Mechanics.
Key metrics considered included motor amperage (for corded models), battery voltage and Amp-hour (Ah) ratings (for cordless), dethatching tine material and adjustability, and collection bag capacity. We correlated these factors with reported user satisfaction regarding dethatching effectiveness and overall usability.
Specifically, we analyzed the prevalence of keywords like “thatch removal,” “scarifying,” and “dethatching performance” in user reviews to gauge real-world results. Comparison tables were created, contrasting models like the Greenworks 24V and YARDCARE 16″, factoring in depth adjustment ranges and runtime expectations. This data-backed approach allows for a more objective assessment of lawn mower suitability for both regular mowing and seasonal thatching tasks, ultimately guiding buyers towards informed decisions based on their specific needs and yard size. We also assess the entity of motor power and how it relates to effective thatch removal.
FAQs
What exactly is dethatching, and why is it important?
Dethatching removes the layer of dead organic matter (thatch) that builds up between the grass blades and the soil. Too much thatch blocks sunlight, water, and nutrients from reaching the roots, hindering healthy growth. A lawn mower with thatcher capabilities helps manage this buildup.
Can I really get a lawn mower that both mows and dethatches effectively?
While some mowers claim to do both, most perform better when you use a dedicated dethatcher or scarifier alongside a standard mower. Pairing a mower like the Greenworks 24V with a dedicated unit like the YARDCARE 16″ generally provides superior thatching results.
What power source is best for a lawn mower with dethatching capability – cordless or corded?
Corded models typically offer more consistent power, which is beneficial for the demanding task of dethatching. However, cordless options like the Greenworks 24V provide convenience for smaller yards and regular mowing. Consider your yard size and dethatching frequency when choosing.
How do I know what dethatching depth to use?
Most dethatchers, like the YARDCARE 16″, offer adjustable depth settings. Start with a shallower setting to avoid damaging the turf, especially for light thatch. Gradually increase the depth for more aggressive renovation if needed. A best lawn mower with thatcher will offer this adjustability.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, achieving a healthy, vibrant lawn often requires a dedicated approach to both mowing and dethatching. While combination units exist, pairing a quality mower – like the Greenworks 24V for convenience or the Toolsempire for value – with a specialized dethatcher such as the YARDCARE 16” provides the most effective results.
Investing in the right tools, and understanding your lawn’s specific needs, will pay dividends in the long run. Remember to consider yard size, grass type, and the level of thatch buildup when making your decision, and prioritize safety features for a worry-free lawn care experience.
