If you’re just looking for an inexpensive option and you don’t mind pulling a drop cord, the SunJoe is a good choice. Stay away from the greenworks….it’s ok, but the sunjoe is more powerful for the same cost. If you don’t mind spending a few more bucks, the gas powered units really do a much better job pulling out junk.

 

There are many discussion threads about this subject. I recommend reading them all. I use the Sunjoe dethatcher every Spring on a high setting with the tines to rake the yard and clean it up. Depending on how much dead stuff comes up, I'll either mulch it back down or bag it. Most of the time I bag.

In Fall, whether I'm overseeding or not, I use the dethatch attachment on setting 0 or -5 to give my yard a good workover. If I'm overseeding I'll bag this, if not, I'll just mulch it back down.

I think the Sunjoe is such a good investment I bought a spare a couple years ago when Walmart had them on sale for $50. I wish I had bought 2 of them. This is the corded version. I know the battery version are more convenient, but I don't want to pay that much for something I only use 2x/year.

 

There are many discussion threads about this subject. I recommend reading them all. I use the Sunjoe dethatcher every Spring on a high setting with the tines to rake the yard and clean it up. Depending on how much dead stuff comes up, I'll either mulch it back down or bag it. Most of the time I bag.

In Fall, whether I'm overseeding or not, I use the dethatch attachment on setting 0 or -5 to give my yard a good workover. If I'm overseeding I'll bag this, if not, I'll just mulch it back down.

I think the Sunjoe is such a good investment I bought a spare a couple years ago when Walmart had them on sale for $50. I wish I had bought 2 of them. This is the corded version. I know the battery version are more convenient, but I don't want to pay that much for something I only use 2x/year.

This is good advice. It also depends on the size and shape of your yard and outlets. Pulling a 100ft heavy gauge cord is not fun and takes some practice (and I am a strong guy). I wish I had the battery version of the SJ - I would just break the lawn into sections and do it over a longer time

 

I just did a large portion of my yard with the sun joe (I am doing my entire yard in sections). What a beast this machine is. I used the scarifier. It tore through thick moss like nothing. Definitely recommend it. Managing the cord is easier than I expected. Start at the closest spot to your outlet and move away. Here is a pic from one of my very first passes. I cleaned this up and then came back and did a second pass. Had it down to mostly dirt in not time and ready for seed.

 

Wow. I'm not looking to remove the lawn but rather just to remove or break up the built up thatch. Might this machine be overkill for that purpose?

 

That was the scarifier blade (more aggressive) the spring tines don't go as deep and you can adjust your height on these as desired.

I just bought the 16" WEN de-thatcher and give it a thumbs up. A little cheaper than the sunjoe , wider and had the same features. $154 on Amazon.