Once we used to spread fertilizers manually with hand, we had to work for hours under the burning sun, since there wasn’t any better alternative it was okay! But trust us, gardening has become more sorted when we found out some best fertilizer spreaders!
Are you looking for one?
Then you don’t have to wait anymore, you are on the right place!
So that you can also enjoy the magic of fertilizer spreaders, we have put together a list of 8 best fertilizer spreaders for home use which are already satisfying many garden enthusiasts like us.
Top Rated Fertilizer Spreader Scotts Turf Builder Pro EdgeGuard DLX
Let’s not talk anymore and get down to the actual business!
What is Fertilizer Spreader?
A fore we move on to the fertilizer spreaders, don’t you think it would be wise to know what this is and what it does?
Well as the name suggests, a fertilizer spreader is what spreads the fertilizers. It might take a couple of days if you want to spread fertilizer in a large lawn manually and that is very tiresome! And that is where these things come handy.
With the right fertilizer spreader, you would be able to spread the right amount of fertilizer everywhere, will be able to cover a large lawn within a few hours and it is fun!
8 Best Fertilizer Spreaders for Home Use
There are different types of fertilizer spreaders coming from different brands and all of them are advertised to be best, but are they really?
In order to help you with that, we have made in-depth research on most of the fertilizer spreaders models on the market and finally ended up picking up 8 models which have proven to be the best.
And here they are!
- Best Push Broadcast Spreader: Scotts Turf Builder Pro EdgeGuard DLX
- Best Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader: Agri-Fab Broadcast Spreader
- Best Fertilizer Spreader for large Yard: Echo RB-60 Heavy Duty Broadcast Spreader
- Best Fertilizer Spreader for Small Yard: Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
- Best Tow Behind Drop Spreader: Agri-Fab 45-0288 Drop Spreader
- Best Handheld Fertilizer Spreader: Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader
- Best Hand Spreader: Spot Spreader Hand Spreader Shaker
- Best Chest Mount Spreader: Solo 421 Portable Chest-mount Spreader
Best Fertilizer Spreaders: Quick Overview
1. Best Push Broadcast Spreader: Scotts Turf Builder Pro EdgeGuard DLX
This is one of the most popular best push broadcast spreaders and that is for some good reasons! The Scotts Turf Broadcast Spreader will do its intended job nicely since it comes with some top-notch features.
From higher capacity to putting the fertilizers in the right way, this very model has got everything sorted! Overall this Scotts Turf EdgeGuard is the best fertilizer spreader for home use.
✦ Specifications:
- Push broadcast spreader.
- Hopper capacity 15000 sq. ft.
- 19 x 22 x 22 inches dimension.
- 10.5 lbs weight.
➤ Features:
Capacity: If you need a spreader for large lawn then the capacity of the spreader is a great deal. The hopper of this model can hold 15000 sq. ft. of lawn products that lower the amount of time you would have spent in refilling the hopper!
Multiple-use: This Scotts turf builder broadcast spreader will allow you to use any granulated substance such as fertilizer, grass seed, salt to melt snow, etc.
Pre-assembled: This fertilizer spreader is ready to hit the lawn right after you unbox it. It comes pre-calibrated.
Edge Guard technology: Features that make this model very efficient is the edge guard technology which is placed down the right side of the spreader. And this guard prevents fertilizers from spreading where you don’t want it to be!
Ease of use: Since you are supposed to push this spreader forward, so the more lightweight it would the easily you will be able to push! And luckily, this model is really so lightweight.
✔ The Pros:
- Comes with edge guard.
- High fertilizer holding capacity.
- Lightweight and easy to use.
- Spreading settings.
- Comes pre-assembled.
✘ The Cons:
- The wheels catch fertilizers.
2. Best Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader: Agri-Fab Broadcast Spreader
For a medium lawn, you will need a spreader that will be able to hold good enough fertilizer and will spread widely and equally.
And the Agri-Fab Broadcast Spreader Tow is something like that. Offers great stability, comes with a high capacity holder, has a durable construction and many more.
Have a look!
✦ Specifications:
- Broadcast Spreader
- Spread width 10 ft.
- Hopper capacity 85 lbs.
- 33 x 22 x 25 inches dimension
- Weighs 17 lbs.
➤ Features:
Capacity: The hopper comes with a great capacity of 85 lbs. which is ¼ of an acre land. Not only fertilizer you will be allowed to use most kind of items.
Stability: Few fertilizer spreaders are rotting in the garage due to their high instability. When you have a loaded hopper, stability is highly necessary. That said, with a wider wheel base and pneumatic wheels this model offers good stability.
Durability: The manufacturer has put a good effort into the construction. The hopper is rust proof and made of top-quality material. The frame is also heavily constructed and comes with an enclosed gearbox.
Hitch: This fertilizer spreader comes with a hitch that you will be able to attach with all kind of tractors and ATV.
Spread: You will be able to set the spread rate and it offers equal spread every time. The spread width is 10 ft.
✔ The Pros:
- Durable hopper.
- Even spread.
- Good stability.
- Spread rate adjustable.
- Universal hitch.
✘ The Cons:
- The adjustment lever is weak.
3. Best Fertilizer Spreader for Large Yard: Echo RB-60 Heavy Duty Broadcast Spreader
One major problem with some broadcast spreaders is they do not spread evenly!
Are you also a sufferer of that issue?
Then this Echo RB-60 Broadcast Spreader should eliminate the problem completely!
For a large lawn, this very broadcast spreader would be an excellent choice. No complexity here, it is designed simply and also very simple to use.
Have a look at what else it offers!
✦ Specifications:
- A walk-behind broadcast spreader.
- The hopper can hold 60 lbs.
- 10 inch pneumatic wheels.
- T-handle frame
➤ Features:
Distribution: As we mentioned earlier, even distribution is something that all spreader doesn’t offer but thankfully, with the side deflector system this spreader does!
Capacity: It comes with a hopper capacity of 60 lbs. which is enough for medium lands like 25000 sq. ft. But would not be the right fit for the large lands!
Construction: This Echo heavy duty walk Behind Spreader made to last long. The manufacturer has used high-quality materials in the construction. Plus, the hopper is rust proof and also highly durable.
Stability: With a wider wheelbase and 10-inch high floatation pneumatic wheels, this spreader offers great stability. And this spreader is also very easy to move.
Adjustability: Unlike some models, this Echo RB-60 Broadcast Spreader will allow you to set and control the spread rate. This feature makes this model an effective spreader too!
Ease of use: There is no complexity as we mentioned before. The wheels move smoothly as you push. And if you give even a little effort you will be able to assemble this one easily. Not to forget, this spreader is also very lightweight!
✔ The Pros:
- Pneumatic wheels.
- Good durability.
- Rust-proof hopper.
- Good stability.
- Even fertilizer distribution.
- Lightweight and easy to use.
✘ The Cons:
- Few users have found it to be a little expensive.
- Complex assembling instruction from the manufacturer.
4. Best Fertilizer Spreader for Small Yard: Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
Are you looking for a cheap drop spreader that would work perfectly for small lands? Well, you got one then. The Scotts Builder Classic Drop Spreader would be a good choice for small lands! And even after being a cheap model, it still holds a goods amount of seeds or fertilizer.
That being said, if you want the best drop spreader that would last for years, then you would not want to avoid this model!
✦ Specifications:
- Drop spreader
- Spread width is 22-inch
- Hopper capacity up to 10,000 sq. ft
- 6 lbs. weight
- 18 x 32 x 47 inches dimension
➤ Features:
Capacity: The hopper comes with a good capacity, it can hold 10,000 sq. ft. which make this spreader best for a lawn.
Durability: This spreader comes with a heavy-duty frame which should for a couple of years effortlessly!
Distribution: One best thing about this Scotts Builder Classic Drop Spreader is it delivers proper and equal distribution. The spread width is 22 inches.
Ease of use: It comes pre-calibrated and is ready to hit the lawn right out of the box. Plus, no complexity in the using process, very easy to use!
Affordability: It doesn’t come with an expensive price tag. It comes at a cheap price and still offers great value.
✔ The Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to use.
- Pre-assembled.
- Even and accurate drop.
- Durable frame.
✘ The Cons:
- Weak wheels
- Not stable
5. Best Tow Behind Drop Spreader: Agri-Fab 45-0288 Drop Spreader
Do you have a really large lawn to look after? Then you definitely need enough capable spreader and what could be better than a toe behind spreader?
The Agri-Fab drop spreader would be an amazing choice for spreading fertilizer or other substances in a large lawn. It comes with a great hopper capacity and also made to withstand years of use!
And in order to prevent fertilizer spills from the hopper, you can use a cover which needs to be purchased separately! The cover will be very helpful when the loaded spreader with encounter bumps on the land!
✦ Specifications:
- Tow Behind Drop Spreader
- 175 lb hopper capacity
- Spread width 42 inches
- Weight 43 lbs.
- 6 x 19.69 x 11.02 inches dimension
➤ Features:
Capacity: This spreader hopper can hold on to 175 lbs. fertilizer or any substance which is enough for about 1 acre land.
Use: You can activate or deactivate the spreader from sitting on the tractor. Moreover, this spreader will allow you to adjust the spread level which is an effective feature for sure!
Stability: When the hopper is loaded it requires a high level of stability, otherwise there are chances of spilling fertilizers because of bumps. That being said, with a wider wheel base and pneumatic tires, this tow behind spreader offers great stability.
Multiple uses: You will be able to use this tow behind spreader for most kind of substances such as seeds, fertilizer, salts, etc.
Durability: The manufacturer has used high-quality materials in this very model which makes it highly durable! With the right use, it should last for a couple of years effortlessly!
✔ The Pros:
- Offers great capacity.
- Durable spreader.
- Spreading adjustability.
- Offers good stability.
- Easy and simple to use.
✘ The Cons:
- Hard to assemble!
- According to a few users, the hopper spring is weak.
6. Best Handheld Fertilizer Spreader: Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader
This model is entirely different from the above spreaders and unlike them, it is not for even a medium-sized land. As the name suggests, it is a handheld fertilizer spreader which is suited for small lands. It can cover a land of 2500 sq. ft.
And it is a battery powered fertilizer spreader. With high-quality construction and high adjustability, it has already pleased some small landowners. Hope it would do the same with you!
✦ Specifications:
- handheld fertilizer spreader.
- Weighs only 2.1 lbs.
- Maximum capacity 2500 sq. ft.
- 5 ft broadcast control
- 2 x 7.8 x 19.2 inches dimension
➤ Features:
Capacity: This handheld battery powered spreader can hold 2500 sq. ft. of fertilizers. And only fertilizer, it is compatible with pesticide, lawn seed and snow melt salt also.
Adjustability: Like most of Scotts spreaders, this also comes with EdgeGuard technology. This spreader comes with five foot spreading range and will allow you to block one side of the spreader if substances fall in the path or anywhere else where you don’t want it to be.
Ease of use: It comes pre-assembled, all you have to do is attach the battery and load the substances on the hopper. Plus, the weight of this model is only 2.1 lbs. which is pretty lightweight.
Battery powered: This handheld spreader is a battery powered model which uses 4 AA batteries and a pair of the battery comes with the purchase.
This Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader will allow you to set the fertilizer spread rate according to your need.
✔ The Pros:
- Very lightweight and portable.
- Battery powered.
- Easy to use.
- Offers adjustability.
- Comes with good capacity.
✘ The Cons:
- Batteries are not rechargeable.
7. Best Hand Spreader: Spot Spreader Hand Spreader Shaker
This is the cheapest model of this review list, comes at less than 25 bucks! And still useful enough for some specific tasks. However, people who have a very small lawn, this Spot Spreader Hand Spreader Shaker would be a good choice for them.
It is very simple, easy to use and lightweight. But that said, the capacity of this handheld spreader is very low.
✦ Specifications:
- handheld fertilizer spreader.
- 80 oz. capacity.
- 4 x 6 x 13 inches dimension.
- Weighs only 1.05 lbs.
➤ Features:
Durable: Even after being so cheap, this Spot Spreader Hand Spreader Shaker is durable enough to serve you for several years forward!
Design: The design is amazing, it looks like a tall coffee mug. The color and the way fertilizer or seeds are supposed to drop is good enough.
Capacity: It can hold on to 80 oz. of fertilizer, salt or seed. That means you would need to fill the spreader twice to cover a small land.
Openings: This handheld spreader comes with three different types of openings.
✔ The Pros:
- Very easy to use.
- Comes at cheap price.
- Highly durable.
- Three different openings.
✘ The Cons:
- The lid becomes loose with use.
8. Best Chest Mount Spreader: Solo 421 Portable Chest-Mount Spreader
And here comes the last one of this review and yet entirely different from others of this review. The Solo 421 Portable Chest-mount Spreader is a chest mount spreader and suitable for small lands.
✦ Specifications:
- Chest-mount fertilizer spreader
- hopper capacity 20 lbs.
- 2 x 10.5 x 19.4 inches dimension
- Weighs 6.75 lbs
Let’s have a look at its features!
➤ Features:
Design: Since it is a chest mount spreader and the hopper is placed under the face, there is a high chance that dust from the fertilizer will go to your face. And to eliminate that, it comes with a lid which closes the hopper.
Speed setting: This chest mount spreader will allow you to set spread speed according to your need.
Multiple-use: Not only fertilizer, but you can also use different lawn products such as seed, salt, etc. in this spreader.
Capacity: It can hold onto 20 lbs. of granulated land products and that should good enough for small land.
✔ The Pros:
- Hopper lid.
- Good capacity for small land.
- Reasonable price.
- Cross-shoulder strap.
✘ The Cons:
- Not suitable
Advantages of Fertilizer Spreaders
Let’s have a look at why exactly one should consider investing in a good fertilizer spreader!
Prevents Fertilizer Burn:
If you have ever tried to disperse fertilizers manually in the lawn by throwing or scattering, you will know how ineffective and time consuming that is.
Manual fertilizer distribution is often so uneven which will grow patchy looking grass. And might lead to fertilizer burn.
With a spreader, you will be able to spread fertilizer in the lawn evenly, easily and within a short time.
Accuracy:
You surely won’t want to spread fertilizer at unnecessary places. Fertilizer spreaders are highly efficient since they offer great accuracy. Not all spreaders, drop spreaders are well known for providing good accuracy.
Comfort:
Manually putting fertilizers in the land under the burning sun, that time is long gone! Now at this technology blessed era why do hard work instead of smart work?
With a good fertilizer spreader, you will be able to spread fertilizers evenly in the land. And will be able to cover a large land within a very short time.
Drop Spreader Vs Broadcast Spreader | Which One Would You Choose?
There is more than a dozen kind of fertilizers which are suitable for different plants and among them one kind which is widely used is Granular fertilizers. These are dry fertilizers which have been shaped into small granules so that they can be spread easily.
That being said, in order to spread them in the lawn, you will need a spreader which will help you to distribute the fertilizers properly.
However, there are also different types of the spreader which you will find out after a while in the buying guide section. But most famous and widely used spreaders are broadcast and drop spreader.
They come with their very own box of advantage and disadvantages. Below we have discussed in detail about each of them and you will know which one you should choose.
Drop Spreader
Drop spreaders are designed in a way that they distributed fertilizers in rows and they do it evenly. Since drop spreaders drop granules between the wheels it will give you accuracy which is necessary when you are fertilizing your garden or lawn.
That being said, in drop spreader, you would have to overlap the rows since they only drop between the wheels. To eliminate this need, most professional gardeners suggest to make a cross-hatch pattern, it will help you to spread fertilizers more evenly and also will prevent stripping.
Drop spreaders are very easy to use but they are a bit heavy. But if you choose one with smooth moving wheels then the weight should not be a problem. Having that said, these spreaders are suitable for small or medium-sized lands under 5000 sq. ft.
If you want high manageability you should consider choosing a drop spreader with a high wheel. That will allow you to make sharp turns to ignore obstacles.
Broadcast Spreader
The broadcast spreaders, on the other hand, use a fan to distribute the fertilizers. And the bigger the drop hole and the faster the user, the more area will be covered by granulated fertilizers.
You will need to overlap every pass like the drop spreader to make sure that fertilizers are distributed well.
Like the drop spreader, you can make crosshatch pattern with the broadcast spreader too. In this way, you will be able to cover a large area in less time.
A broadcast spreader is faster and they make a widespread which is not good for a small area.
Hence, if you are having a large land to look after, only then think of broadcast spreaders. Plus, these spreaders come with huge fertilizer holding capacity.
One best thing about broadcast spreader is, they can deliver fertilizer to areas where drop spreader can’t reach. That being said, broadcast spreaders don’t offer accuracy.
Which Type of Spreader Is Best for Applying Fertilizers?
Have you decided yet? Read further if you didn’t, you are going to find the right one for you below!
Before you choose any of them or look for their features make these question to yourself! How large or wide your land is? Do you have small land?
Then a drop spreader should be more than good for you. On the other hand, there is no better alternative than broadcast spreaders for large lands.
Does Your Land Require Heavy Care?
Well then, drop spreader is for you. Only that will allow you to put fertilizers exactly where you want them to be. Broadcast spreaders offer no accuracy at all, so they are suited here.
Does Your Land Has a Lot of Obstacles?
Then a drop spreader would be hard to manage. Broadcast spreaders are the right fit for that. But if your land is small, then no need to spend on the large broadcast spreader. Use drop spreader, you will learn to manage it in obstacles with use.
To conclude this, if you need accuracy and own a small land, then a drop spreader should be fine. And for large lands, there is nothing better than broadcast spreader since they come with great capacity and also offers a faster and wider spread.
Things to consider before buying a fertilizer spreader for your lawn. Read the buying guide.
Best Fertilizer Spreader Buying Guide:
There are hundreds of fertilizer spreader in the market coming from different brands. And that can make anyone confused about choosing the right spreader! However, in order to eliminate that issue, we have demonstrated some factors which one must check in a spreader before making a purchase decision!
1. Types
As we said back, there are different types of fertilizer spreaders suitable for different jobs. The popular types are broadcast spreader, drop spreader, handheld spreader, push along spreader, and toe behind spreader.
Since we have covered drop and spreader in detail above so we will skip these two here. Have a look down!
Handheld Spreader:
If you own a small land, investing on a large capacity spreader will be completely unnecessary. So what should you pick then? A hand-held spreader!
They are the best choice for small lawn owner. They are battery powered and offers good adjustability. And top of all, they come at cheap price ranges.
Toe Behind Spreader:
These spreaders are for people who have a medium or large lawn to look after. Toe behind spreaders are supposed to be pushed from behind and they come with different hoppers so that they can accommodate the different level of lawn products.
They are very easy to use, but are little heavy too! You might find pushing these spreaders hard if your lawn includes a lot of obstacles, in that case, you would want to pick a spreader with high wheels.
Push-Along Spreaders:
And push along spreaders are for larger and wider lands. They come with great capacity, most push along model can cover fertilizing an acre land just by two refills.
Push along spreaders are designed to be attached behind the tractor and most of the time they broadcast spread, so they offer no accuracy.
They are highly durable, comes with a heavily constructed frame. Some push along model comes with pneumatic wheels which offer a great level of stability.
2. Size of the Lawn
Your lawn size should tell you which spreader you need! If you have a small lawn than a handheld spreader will do just fine. And for medium to large lawns tow behind and push along spreaders would be good.
3. Battery Powered
Most of the handheld fertilizer spreaders are battery powered. So when you pick a battery-powered spreader to make sure that is rechargeable, otherwise you have to buy new batteries every time.
4. Weight
Weight plays a big role in the behind and handheld spreaders. Always try to pick lightweight handheld spreader since you will be carrying that by your hand it would be tough if that is heavy.
And when it comes to toe behind spreader, you will also need to be little careful choosing weight, since you will be pushing it. But if you choose good wheels, weight shouldn’t be a problem.
5. Capacity
You would definitely want a spreader that offers good capacity. Otherwise, you will have to spend a lot of time just refilling the hopper.
6. Durability
The spreader you pick should be durable enough to last several years. And how do you tell which one is durable? Check for the material used in the construction, the high-quality material used in the construction, the more durable the spreader would be.
Best Settings for Fertilizer Spreader
Different spreader model has different settings, so the setting depends on which model you are using. That being said, below we have shown a basic starter setting that will work on most of fertilizer spreaders.
- At the very first you would want to read out all the direction given by the manufacturer! If you can understand it, then follow it, if not, then follow this guide!
- Fill the spreader hopper with enough fertilizer to cover 100 square meters. To measure, a bathroom scale will help you!
- Set the spreaders broadcast or drop at the lowest setting and start spreading in the lawn.
- If you notice you are spreading a very low amount, then increase the spread setting. Plus, the higher the spread setting, the sooner the hopper will be empty!
Here is a Video Tutorial for you
FAQs About Best Fertilizer Spreaders:
What Is the Best Fertilizer Spreader?
Which model will be suitable for you, that depends on your own preference! If you pick a model that will satisfy all your need, then that would be the best one for you. But if you want a name, we would say the most popular fertilizer spreader Scotts Turf Builder Pro EdgeGuard 76232 Broadcast Spreader is an overall good one!
Do I Need a Spreader for Fertilizer?
Unless you have a very tiny garden, you will need a spreader. It will allow you to spread effectively, with less time and most importantly will be able to distribute fertilizer evenly.
How Does a Fertilizer Spreader Work?
There are different types of spreader which work differently and among the most widely used are broadcast and drop spreader! Drop spreaders simply drop the fertilizer between the wheels in rows. And broadcast spreader uses a fan to spread the fertilizer wider.
How Do You Spread Fertilizer Without a Spreader?
Without a spreader, you will have to spread fertilizer manually with hand. You can simply put the fertilizers in a place where it is needed by hand or just throw fertilizers randomly.
But if you have a large land, then spreading manually will be very hard and time-consuming.
What Is the Best Tow Behind Spreader?
A tow behind spreader is a big spreader that needs to be pushed from behind. These spreaders are good for medium to large lands. But be little careful when you choose the weight.
Lightweight one will be easier to push and if your land consists of a lot of obstacles, then consider choosing a model with high wheels. We Choose Agri-Fab Broadcast Spreader Tow.
What Setting Should I Use on Scotts Spreader for Grass Seed?
For overseeding the rotary spreader should be set to 5 ½ and for new lawn the setting should be 8 ¼. And if you use drop spreader for seeding then set it to 8 ½ for overseeding and for new lawn 13 ½.
Conclusion
And we have come to the end! Are you still with me? Then you surely got the best fertilizer spreader for yourself by now. If you really did, do not forget to tell us how is it going with you!
