Quick verdict
The WEN 20V Max is the cordless dethatcher I would suggest for most lawns. It bundles two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger, runs a 650W brushless motor to 3000 RPM across a 15-inch path, and includes both dethatching and scarifying heads with a bag, so it is ready to work out of the box.
WEN 20V Max Cordless 15
The WEN 20V Max arrives complete, with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger in the box, so there is nothing extra to buy. Its 650W brushless motor spins to 3000 RPM over a 15-inch clearing path, it includes both a scarifying head and a 24-tine dethatching head, and five height positions set the raking depth from +1/4 to -1/2 inch. A collection bag and two-year warranty round it out.
The best cordless dethatcher for battery-powered lawn care, comparing 20V, 36V, and 40V 2-in-1 dethatcher and scarifier models by width, motor, and batteries.
Why you should trust this guide
I built this guide by reading each cordless dethatcher’s full manufacturer listing and paying close attention to the detail that trips up the most buyers, which is what actually comes in the box. Cordless tools are frequently sold either as complete kits with batteries and a charger or as tool-only units meant for people who already own a particular battery platform. Confusing the two leads to an unpleasant surprise at checkout, so I have flagged clearly which of these ship ready to run and which need batteries you supply. That single distinction changes the real cost more than any spec.
Let me be honest about method. I have not personally dethatched a season of lawns with each of these machines, so every figure here, from motor wattage and RPM to battery capacity and bag size, comes straight from the maker’s listing. I treat those as claims to report accurately, not results I verified in my own yard. Where a listing omits something, such as no mention of an included bag on the Greenworks, or notes it is not affiliated with the battery brand it is compatible with, I say so plainly. My aim is to help you pick a machine that fits both your lawn and the batteries you already own.
How we evaluated
Battery platform and what is included led my thinking, because a cordless dethatcher only works if you have the right batteries. The WEN, Greenworks, and Worx ship with batteries and a charger, while the DeWalt-compatible 40V and Milwaukee-compatible 36V are tool-only picks that assume you already own those systems. That fit can save or cost you a lot, so I weighed it heavily. Motor output came next, with most models running a 650W brushless motor to 3000 RPM, which decides how confidently they lift matted thatch.
Clearing width mattered for how quickly you finish, with 14 to 15-inch paths here suiting small to medium lawns. Depth adjustment was important too, since five height positions let you rake gently or scarify deeper as the season demands. I looked at whether both a dethatching reel and a scarifying reel are included, since that gives two jobs from one tool. Practical extras like bag capacity, folding handles, curved decks for easier pushing, and dual safety switches all factored in. Every runtime, capacity, and RPM number here is a manufacturer claim rather than a tested measurement.
The larger truth about cordless dethatchers is that convenience is the whole reason to choose one over a corded model. You give up nothing to a cord and can walk anywhere in the yard, but you accept a runtime ceiling in return. That trade-off is why I weighted included batteries and their capacity so heavily, and why I keep steering readers with big lawns toward kits that carry a spare battery. For a compact yard, a single-battery machine like the Greenworks is genuinely freeing; for half an acre, having a second pack charging in the wings is the difference between finishing in one go and stopping halfway. Reading your lawn size against battery capacity is the most important judgment you will make here.
What to look for
- Battery platform and whether batteries and a charger are included, or the tool is sold tool-only
- Motor output, with most models here running a 650W brushless motor up to 3000 RPM
- Clearing width, with 14 to 15-inch paths matching small to medium lawns
- Depth adjustment positions, since five settings offer more seasonal flexibility than fewer
- Both a dethatching reel and a scarifying reel included, so one tool does two jobs
- Battery capacity and stated runtime, which cap how much lawn you cover before recharging
- Collection bag capacity, folding handles, and a curved deck or larger wheels for easier pushing
How we test
We base every pick on real-world use, published manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. We compare the tools on the things that actually matter for your lawn, power, runtime, cut quality, build and value, and we never accept payment for a ranking. When we have not used a specific model first-hand, we say so.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEN 20V Max Cordless 15 | Best Overall | Check price | |
| 40V 15" Brushless Cordless Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier | Best Value | Check price | |
| Greenworks 40V 15 | Best Premium | Check price | |
| 36V 15" Brushless Cordless Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier | Best Budget | Check price | |
| Worx 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher | Also Great | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
WEN 20V Max Cordless 15
The WEN 20V Max arrives complete, with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger in the box, so there is nothing extra to buy. Its 650W brushless motor spins to 3000 RPM over a 15-inch clearing path, it includes both a scarifying head and a 24-tine dethatching head, and five height positions set the raking depth from +1/4 to -1/2 inch. A collection bag and two-year warranty round it out.
Reasons to buy
- 5-position height adjustment ranges from a +1/4 to -1/2-inch raking depth
- Powerful 650W brushless motor generates up to 3000 RPM with a 15-inch clearing path
- Included scarifying and dethatching heads help aerate your grass for a healthier and thick
- Dethatching head features 24 steel tines for maximum thatch pickup, allowing your soil bet
- Includes two 4.0Ah batteries, a dual-port charger, a detachable thatch collection bag, a s
Reasons to avoid
- A 20V platform generally delivers less sustained power than the 40V models here
- Battery runtime caps how much lawn you can cover before recharging
40V 15" Brushless Cordless Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier
This 40V 15-inch tool is a value pick that runs the same 650W brushless motor to 3000 RPM with a 12-gallon thatch bag and five depth positions from -0.47 to 0.23 inch. It uses Air Boost technology to lift thatch, and it accepts two DeWalt 20V Max batteries, though the listing states batteries and charger are not included and it is not affiliated with DeWalt.
Reasons to buy
- 40V Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier: This dethatcher/scarifier is compatible with Dewalt
- Powerful Brushless Lawn Dethatcher: Equipped with a 15" working width and 650W brushless c
- 2-IN-1 Design: Dethatch to eliminate thick thatch and boost nutrient & sunlight absorption
- Air Boost Technology: This tech increases airflow to effectively remove thatch and weeds,
- 5-Position Depth Adjustment: 5 adjustable working depths (-0.47" to 0.23") adapt to season
Reasons to avoid
- It is sold tool-only, so you must already own or buy two compatible batteries
- Requiring two batteries to run adds to the real cost if you do not have them
Greenworks 40V 15
The Greenworks 40V is the ready-to-go premium option, shipping with a 5.0Ah battery and rapid charger for up to 60 minutes of runtime. Its brushless motor drives quick-swap tine reels for dethatching and scarifying, five depth settings fine-tune intensity, and folding handles cut storage space, all backed by a 3-year product and battery warranty.
Reasons to buy
- 2-in-1 Dethatcher & Scarifier with Quick-Swap Tine Reels – Easily switch between dethatchi
- Powerful Brushless Motor – Delivers more power, longer runtime, and higher efficiency comp
- 5-Position Depth Adjustment – Choose from five precise depth settings (-15/32", -11/32", -
- Lightweight, Compact Design with Folding Handles – Easy to maneuver and store. Folding han
- 5.0Ah Battery & Rapid Charger Included – Comes ready to use out of the box with a high-cap
Reasons to avoid
- The listing does not mention an included collection bag
- A single 5.0Ah battery means downtime to recharge on larger lawns
36V 15" Brushless Cordless Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier
This 36V 15-inch tool mirrors the 40V value model but is built for Milwaukee 18V batteries, running the 650W brushless motor to 3000 RPM with a 12-gallon bag and five depth positions. Air Boost technology helps clear thatch, and dual safety switches plus a 3-position height rod cover safety and comfort.
Reasons to buy
- 36V Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier: This dethatcher/scarifier is compatible with Milwau
- Powerful Brushless Lawn Dethatcher: Equipped with a 15" working width and 650W brushless c
- 2-IN-1 Design: Dethatch to eliminate thick thatch and boost nutrient & sunlight absorption
- Air Boost Technology: This tech increases airflow to effectively remove thatch and weeds,
- 5-Position Depth Adjustment: 5 adjustable working depths (-0.47" to 0.23") adapt to season
Reasons to avoid
- It is tool-only and needs two Milwaukee 18V batteries, sold separately
- Only makes sense if you already own Milwaukee's battery platform
Worx 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher
The Worx WG855 is a 40V cordless dethatcher with a 14-inch width and a brushless motor, and it ships with two 4.0Ah Power Share batteries and a charger. Its dethatching reel carries 24 metal tines and its scarifier reel 16 angled blades, the same batteries power 140-plus Power Share tools, and a curved deck with larger front wheels eases pushing.
Reasons to buy
- QUICK, POWERFUL THATCH REMOVAL: With a 14" dethatching width, this 40V cordless lawn detha
- SAME BATTERY, EXPANDABLE POWER: This electric dethatcher is Power Share compatible. The sa
- TACKLES DENSE BUILDUP: This 2-in-1 lawn dethatcher features a dethatching reel with 24 met
- 2-IN-1 DESIGN: One affordable tool for healthy lawn growth every year. Use as a grass deth
- LONGER RUNTIME: The (2) included Power Share PRO batteries are expertly engineered to stay
Reasons to avoid
- The 14-inch width is slightly narrower than the 15-inch models here
- Most useful if you are already in or plan to join the Worx Power Share system
What to look for
Kit versus tool-only
This is the biggest decision. The WEN, Greenworks, and Worx come with batteries and a charger, ready to run. The DeWalt-compatible 40V and Milwaukee-compatible 36V are tool-only and need two of the right batteries you supply, which only makes sense if you already own that platform.
Battery voltage and runtime
Higher voltage generally means more sustained power, so the 40V models tend to push through thatch more confidently than the 20V WEN. Runtime is finite, though: the Greenworks lists up to 60 minutes, and larger lawns may need a spare battery to avoid downtime.
Clearing width
The models here run 14 to 15 inches. The WEN, Greenworks, and both compatible tools cut 15 inches, while the Worx is 14 inches. On a small to medium lawn the difference is minor, but wider does clear a little faster.
Depth and dual heads
Five-position depth adjustment lets you rake shallow in spring and scarify deeper later. All these picks include both a dethatching reel and a scarifying reel, so confirm both are present and how quickly they swap, since some use quick-swap reels and others a screwdriver.
Convenience features
Bag capacity decides how often you empty debris, with 12-gallon bags on several models. Folding handles save storage space, and a curved deck with larger front wheels, as on the Worx, makes pushing across rough ground noticeably easier.
Our verdict
The WEN 20V Max is the cordless dethatcher I would suggest for most lawns. It bundles two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger, runs a 650W brushless motor to 3000 RPM across a 15-inch path, and includes both dethatching and scarifying heads with a bag, so it is ready to work out of the box.
FAQs
Only if you already own the matching batteries. The 40V DeWalt-compatible and 36V Milwaukee-compatible units are sold without batteries or a charger and need two to run. If you have those platforms, they are efficient buys; if not, a complete kit like the WEN or Greenworks is usually cheaper overall.
For regular lawn maintenance, yes. Most models here run a 650W brushless motor to 3000 RPM, which lifts typical thatch well. Very thick, neglected thatch layers on a large lawn can still tax a battery tool, where runtime becomes the real limit rather than raw power.
It varies by capacity and how hard the turf is. The Greenworks lists up to 60 minutes on its 5.0Ah battery. Kits with two batteries, like the WEN and Worx, let you swap and keep working while one recharges, which helps on bigger lawns.
Most do. The WEN, the DeWalt-compatible and Milwaukee-compatible 40V and 36V units, all list a 12-gallon bag. The Greenworks listing does not mention an included bag, so plan to rake up debris separately if you choose it.
Yes. Every pick here includes both a dethatching reel and a scarifying reel. Dethatching pulls loose surface thatch, while scarifying cuts deeper to aerate. Some swap reels quickly by hand, while others use an included screwdriver to change heads.