Corded vs Cordless Dethatcher: Which One Should You Buy?
Corded and cordless dethatchers compared by power source, cutting width, collection bag, depth control and warranty, with two listings on each side.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Sun Joe AJ798E Corded Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Mellif 36V Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Sun Joe AJ801E Corded Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier9.5/10View on Amazon
Verdict: Choose a corded dethatcher if your lawn is near an outlet and you want steady power with no charging. Choose a cordless dethatcher if you want cord freedom and the wider path the cordless listings state, and either already own compatible batteries or pick the kit with batteries in the box.
The corded vs cordless dethatcher question comes down to power source: a cord for steady power, or batteries for freedom from the outlet. Both sides dethatch and scarify, both list depth positions, and both come with collection bags. This comparison covers what separates the two sides.
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Mellif 36V Cordless Dethatcher and Scarifier, 15 Inch Wide, 12 Gallon Bag
A cordless dethatcher and scarifier with a 650W brushless motor, 15 inch width, 12 gallon bag and 5 depth settings, sold as a tool only for Makita 18V batteries.
Who it's for: owners with Makita 18V batteries who want safety controls and a long warranty.
Who should skip it: buyers who need batteries in the box or a stated weight.
Read the full review
Mellif lists this cordless dethatcher as a tool only for Makita 18V batteries, with a dual-battery 36V design, a 650W brushless motor, a 15 inch width, a 12 gallon bag and 5 depth settings. Note a mismatch: the spec table lists 3 positions while the title and bullets state 5 depth settings, so the title figure is used here. A 5-year warranty is stated.
Pros
- 650W brushless motor for thick thatch
- Safety pin, safety button and star lever prevent accidental starts
- 5 depth settings and 15 inch width cover ground per pass
- 5-year hassle-free warranty
Cons
- Tool only: Makita 18V batteries are not included
- Weight is not stated
- Spec table lists 3 positions while the title and bullets state 5 depth settings
- Plastic body material, unlike the alloy steel Sun Joe listings
Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 Cordless Scarifier and Dethatcher, 15 Inch
A cordless scarifier and dethatcher with dual 24V batteries, a 600W brushless motor, a 15 inch width and a 10.6 gallon bag.
Who it's for: owners who want cordless freedom with batteries and charger in the box.
Who should skip it: buyers who want a lighter tool or a stated runtime.
Read the full review
Sun Joe lists this cordless scarifier and dethatcher with dual 24V 4.0-Ah batteries for up to 48V, a 600W brushless motor, a 24-tine dethatching cylinder, a 7-blade scarifying cylinder and a 10.6 gallon bag. Note a mismatch: the spec table lists a 14 inch cutting width while the title states 15 inches, so the title figure is used here. A 2-year warranty is stated.
Pros
- Dual 24V 4.0-Ah batteries and dual port charger included
- 600W brushless motor with 24-tine dethatching cylinder
- Large 10.6 gallon bag minimizes post-job cleanup
- 5 depth positions from -0.375 to 0.4 inches
Cons
- Heaviest stated weight here at 36.4 pounds
- Spec table lists a 14 inch cutting width while the title states 15 inches
- No UL or ETL listing is stated
- Runtime in minutes is not stated
Sun Joe AJ798E Corded Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier, 12 Amp
A corded electric dethatcher and scarifier with a 12 amp motor, a 12.6 inch width, an 8 gallon bag and both dethatching and scarifying cylinders.
Who it's for: owners with small to mid-sized lawns near an outlet who want both cylinders.
Who should skip it: buyers who want cordless freedom or a stated electrical listing.
Read the full review
Sun Joe lists this corded dethatcher and scarifier with a 12 amp motor, a 12.6 inch width, an 8 gallon removable bag, 5-position depth adjustment and AirBoost spring steel tines. Note two mismatches: the spec table lists 4 positions while the title and bullets state 5, and the item type name says 13 inches while the title states 12.6 inches, so the title figures are used here. A 2-year warranty is stated.
Pros
- Both dethatching and scarifying cylinders included
- 12 amp motor clears a 12.6 inch path with no gas or oil
- 8 gallon removable collection bag for thatch
- AirBoost spring steel tines maximize thatch pickup
Cons
- Spec table lists 4 positions while the title and bullets state 5 positions
- Item type name says 13 inches while the title states 12.6 inches
- Needs an outlet nearby, so range is limited by the cord
- No UL or ETL listing is stated
Sun Joe AJ801E Corded Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier, 12 Amp
A corded electric dethatcher and scarifier with a 12 amp motor, a 12.6 inch width, an 8 gallon bag and 5-position height settings.
Who it's for: owners who want a corded dethatcher with a wide path and a collection bag.
Who should skip it: buyers who want a lighter corded tool or a stated electrical listing.
Read the full review
Sun Joe lists this corded dethatcher and scarifier with a 12 amp motor, a 12.6 inch path, 5-position height settings, spring steel tines and an 8 gallon detachable bag. Note two mismatches: the spec table lists 3 positions while the bullets state 5, and the item type name says 13 inches while the title states 12.6 inches, so the title and bullet figures are used here. A 2-year warranty is stated.
Pros
- 12 amp motor with a 12.6 inch path for faster lawn cleanup
- 5-position height settings for dethatching depth
- 8 gallon detachable collection bag gathers thatch
- AirBoost spring steel tines lift embedded thatch
Cons
- Spec table lists 3 positions while the bullets state 5 positions
- Item type name says 13 inches while the title states 12.6 inches
- Heaviest corded listing here at 27 pounds
- No UL or ETL listing is stated
Corded vs cordless dethatcher side by side
| Factor | Corded (Sun Joe AJ798E) | Cordless (Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15) | Cordless (Mellif MFSCRF03) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 12-amp corded electric motor | 600W brushless, dual 24V batteries | 650W brushless, dual 18V batteries (tool only) |
| Cutting width | 12.6 inches | 15 inches | 15 inches |
| Collection bag | 8 gallons | 10.6 gallons | 12 gallons |
| Depth positions | 5 positions | 5 positions | 5 positions |
| Weight | 21 pounds | 36.4 pounds | Not stated |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 5 years |
Figures are manufacturer stated for the three example models, collected 25 October 2026.
Power: cord or battery
Corded dethatchers plug in and run with no batteries to charge and no runtime to watch. Both corded examples list a 12 amp motor. Cordless dethatchers run on batteries: the Sun Joe cordless example lists dual 24V batteries for up to 48V, while the Mellif example lists a dual-battery 36V design for Makita 18V batteries, sold as a tool only. Power figures differ by side, since corded listings state amps and cordless listings state watts and volts, so a direct power comparison stays unclear.
Cutting width and collection
Width and bag size decide ground covered per pass and how often the bag needs emptying. The corded listings state a 12.6 inch width with an 8 gallon bag each, while the cordless listings state a 15 inch width with 10.6 gallon and 12 gallon bags. On width and bag size, the cordless side states larger figures on both counts, since both sides state those specs clearly. A wider path can mean fewer passes on open ground, and a larger bag can mean fewer stops, though the cordless Sun Joe example weighs more.
Depth control and cylinders
Depth control sets how deep tines or blades bite. All four listings state 5 depth positions in their titles or bullets, so neither side wins on position count. The corded AJ798E example includes both a dethatching cylinder and a scarifying cylinder, and the cordless Sun Joe example lists a 24-tine dethatching cylinder and a 7-blade scarifying cylinder. The Mellif example lists spring-loaded dethatcher tines and steel scarifier blades. Check spec table figures against title figures, since several listings disagree on positions and width.
Handling and weight
Weight shapes how the tool feels. The corded examples weigh 21 pounds and 27 pounds, while the cordless Sun Joe example weighs 36.4 pounds and the Mellif example states no weight. The Mellif example lists three handle heights and 8 inch front wheels with 6 inch rear wheels for stability on uneven lawns. A heavier cordless tool can trade cord freedom for extra arm work.
Upkeep
Corded tools need a cord and an outlet, with no batteries to maintain. Cordless tools need charged batteries: the Sun Joe cordless kit includes two batteries and a dual port charger, while the Mellif tool needs Makita 18V batteries bought separately. Both corded listings and the Sun Joe cordless listing state a 2-year manufacturer warranty, and the Mellif listing states a 5-year hassle-free warranty. Keep tines and blades clear of packed thatch between jobs.
The four examples
Mellif MFSCRF03
Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15
Sun Joe AJ798E
Sun Joe AJ801E
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (power, width and what it can cut), build quality (materials and frame), value (what comes in the box), safety (certifications or operator controls the listing states) and warranty (years and coverage). Only the Mellif listing states safety controls, and all four listings state a warranty term. The cordless side scores on width and bag size, the corded side on lighter stated weights.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mellif MFSCRF03 | 9.6 | 30 | 19 | 20 | 5 | 4 |
| Sun Joe 24V-X2-DTS15 | 9.6 | 32 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
| Sun Joe AJ798E | 9.6 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
| Sun Joe AJ801E | 9.5 | 29 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
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FAQ: mowing large lots
Should I pick corded or cordless for a small lawn?
Either side works for a small lawn near an outlet. Pick corded for steady power, and pick cordless if far corners sit far from an outlet.
Do cordless dethatchers cut wider than corded ones here?
On these listings, yes. Both cordless listings state a 15 inch width, while both corded listings state a 12.6 inch width. Width alone does not decide the job.
Do the dethatchers here include a collection bag?
Yes: 8 gallons on both corded listings, 10.6 gallons on the Sun Joe cordless listing and 12 gallons on the Mellif listing.
What warranty do the dethatchers here carry?
The three Sun Joe listings state a 2-year manufacturer warranty, and the Mellif listing states a 5-year hassle-free warranty.
Why do some listings show two widths or two position counts?
Because the spec tables disagree with the titles on several listings. This guide follows the title figures and flags each mismatch.
