Best Fertilizer Spreader: Options for Any Size Lawn (2021)

Do you have brown patches in your lawn? Maybe you have bare spots or too many weeds. Whatever the deficits are in your lawn, a fertilizer spreader can be an absolute necessity for keeping your yard and garden lush, green and beautiful. A great spreader can just make the work of spreading fertilizer so much easier, faster, and more efficient. Even if you have a smaller space, you still need a spreader that will evenly distribute your product.

With that said, there are countless fertilizer spreaders on the market and choosing the right one can be challenging. Ideally, you want a spreader that will suit the size of your yard you’re your personal style. Overall, you want one that will make your work easier, so how do you select the right one?

Below, we’ve reviewed the 10 best fertilizer spreaders. You will find that we have included some of the different types of spreaders so that you are sure to find one that will meet your needs. Included on our list are broadcast spreaders, drop fertilizer spreaders and handheld spreaders. Bear in mind the surface area you want to cover when deciding on the type of spreader you want to purchase.

3 Best Fertilizer Spreader – Comparison

IMAGE	NAME	FEATURES	PRICE
	Scotts Classic Drop	Weight: 12.6 pounds Capacity: 10, 000 sq Item Dimensions: 18.00 x 32.00 x 47.00 inches	Check Price
	Scotts Wizz Hand-Held	Weight: 2.1 pounds Capacity: 2,500 sq Item Dimensions: 23.20 x 7.80 x 19.20 inches	Check Price
	Earthway 2150 Commercial	Weight: 25.5 pounds Capacity: 1325 cu Item Dimensions: 15.75 x 14.50 x 23.63 inches	Check Price

Best Fertilizer Spreaders to Make Gardening Easier

Here, you’ll find our reviews for the top 10 fertilizer spreaders currently available. Any one of these will make it easier to keep your lawn lush and green.

1. Scotts Classic Drop Spreader

Scotts is a pretty well-known name when it comes to gardening. As such, this manufacturer offers a variety of different spreaders, each with its designed purpose. With this drop spreader, you will enjoy the 12-Volt DC motor, which makes laying down fertilizer and seed so much easier and more efficient. This spreader has the capacity to hold up to 10,000 square feet of the product so you don’t have to make multiple trips and the 22-inch spread pattern makes for unbeatable coverage as well as precision.

It comes already assembled and calibrated so you don’t have to worry about putting it together and the frame is heavy duty and durable for ultimate stability.

If you regularly use a utility tractor or ATV, it can be used to help you distribute your fertilizer since this spreader can be attached to it. You also get a limited-year warranty and a rain cover with your purchase. So, you can purchase without much risk. While there aren’t many drawbacks to this product, it isn’t perfect. We find that the handle can be a bit hard to squeeze when the bill is full. In addition, while Scotts says the spreader comes fully calibrated, it often needs an adjustment or two before you get moving. That can be a bit frustrating given that the manufacturer makes the claim that you won’t have to calibrate it yourself. And if you don’t calibrate it properly you can really damage your lawn.

2. Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader

Next up is another best fertilizer spreader from Scotts but this one is hand-held. It can easily handle an area of up to 2,500 square feet and is battery powered. You can use it to spread not only fertilizer but weed control products and grass seed as well. In addition, it doubles as a way to spread ice and salt melt, making it use the whole year through. This spreader is a great option if you have a smaller sized area or yard since its capacity is a bit smaller than some others we reviewed. That said, the benefit of its size is that it is light, weighing only 2.4 pounds. So, you shouldn’t have a hard time carrying it and it functions well as an alternative to a push spreader. If you have a small lawn, you likely want a smaller spreader to begin with so this could be a great option.

It is powered by 4 AA batteries and has 23 different settings so you can always find one that will give you the ultimate in accuracy. This spreader is incredibly easy to use. Just fill, put it in the correct setting and get walking. You just have to pull the trigger when you want to lay the product. You want to make sure that you walk at a steady pace, typically 4 feet per second to get the right distribution of the product. That can be a bit tricky but once you get the hang of it, you can keep the pace pretty effortlessly. One drawback of this spreader is related to the batteries, which are not rechargeable, so you do have to keep purchasing new ones. This is just an added expense to using this spreader. It also makes for a huge inconvenience if you realize your batteries are dead and you don’t have any others on hand. It is a tradeoff for having such a lightweight and self-paced spreader.

3. Earthway 2150 Commercial Walk-Behind Spreader

This is a really durable option that you can walk behind to spread your fertilizer. You will get an even distribution of product given the “Ev-N-Spread” system and the load capacity is quite large at 175 pounds. This is one of the largest capacity spreaders have reviewed and it is a great option if you have a really large yard or area to cover and do not want to have to keep refilling the bin. Material that weighs 50 pounds will cover an area of 1325 cubic inches so you can cover a really large lawn if you fill this spreader up to its capacity.

This one of the best fertilizer spreaders is very easy to maneuver, at least partially due to it having 13-inch pneumatic tires. Those tires make it easy to roll over just about anything including roots, bumps and even larger sized twigs if needed. There is a handle that easily adjusts the height, making it comfortable for just about anyone to use. The construction is durable so you should not have to keep replacing this spreader. The only real drawback to this spreader is related to the assembly, which is really challenging. You can expect it to take a good deal of patience and time to finish. Unlike some others reviewed here, you cannot just unbox it and get right outside. Instead, the instructions for assembly can be quite confusing and it can take you a long time to put this spreader together.

4. Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini

While this is another option from Scotts, it is the smallest version of a walk behind that the manufacturer offers. It works great for smaller sized yards and is equipped to handle 5,000 square feet before needing to be refilled. The spreading is both even and precise and there is a control panel that makes sure the coverage you get is accurate. You can distribute product where you want and in the quantity you want.

This Scotts Mini Broadcast Spreader comes with the unique feature of not allowing products to reach unintended areas, given an obstruction on the right side of the spreader. This is a great feature for saving some of your fertilizer from being wasted. This is a very lightweight spreader, which can be both good and bad. While it is easy to push and move around, it is also quite easy to tip over, which could again mean losing your product. That product is likely expensive which means that you have to operate this spreader with extra care. It does come fully assembled so you do not have to fight with understanding assembly instructions, as you do with some other spreaders we have reviewed here.

5. Brinley BS36BH Broadcast Spreader

This tow behind spreader is a great option for you if you have a large area to cover. It can hold up to 175 pounds of the product so you can make it over an entire acre before having to fill it up again. To make it even easier, you can attach it to the back of any ride-on mower or tractor given its universal hook. You can cover a large area in very little time, so this spreader is incredibly efficient.

This spreader from Brinley is made in the United States and can be used to spread a variety of products including traditional fertilizer as well as ice melting products and lawn seed. So, you can use it efficiently throughout the whole year. It is built to last and comes with assembly instructions that are quite easy to follow so it should not take you too long to get going. Many other spreaders reviewed here have hard to follow instructions which can delay getting to work. That isn’t the case here so if you are in the market for a spreader you can use right away and you have a large space to cover, this might be a great option. The only real drawback is that it is a bit heavy at 47 pounds. However, the construction is quite impressive, and the gearbox is totally enclosed so you don’t need to worry about any corrosion taking place. Given the weight, it might be hard to maneuver for some users, but that is the tradeoff for being able to cover such a large area.

6. Earthway 2750 Hand-Operated Bag Spreader/Seeder

This is a great option if the area you have to cover is smaller and you would rather carry your spreader as opposed to pushing it. It holds up to 25 pounds of product and you release the fertilizer by spinning a lever. The greatest benefit of that is that you can spread product at your own pace. The spreader does not have any clogging issues and is very easy to operate, making it so that seeds are spread out evenly.

The biggest drawback to this spreader is related to the shoulder strap, which is not the most durable. If you plan on wearing it, you can expect it to wear out before the rest of the spreader does. This means at some point you will likely be carrying this spreader rather than wearing it.  Of course, this is not a great spreader if you have a large area to cover but it can be ideal if your yard is small.

7. Titan 50 lb. Fertilizer Broadcast Spreader

This Titan spreader is incredibly well constructed and built to last. It is made primarily of steel and has an axle that is very durable as well as a gearbox of the highest quality. This spreader has a capacity of 50 pounds and allows for an even spread of many products including fertilizer, insecticide, ice melt, and herbicide.

Along with the durable construction, you will enjoy the 13-inch tires that make moving on uneven surfaces quite easy. The tires are wide and easy to maneuver so you can still evenly spread your product even if the ground is not even. The handle is adjustable to various positions and heights so just about anyone can easily use it and it should not cause any discomfort. You aren’t like to get tired in your shoulders, back or neck gave the adjustability. The biggest drawback with this spreader is that the assembly instructions are very hard to follow and it can take quite a long time to get this product put together. This seems to be a trend with many of the spreaders we reviewed. However, once you get this one going, it seems to be worth the extra time it takes to put it together.

8. Agri-Fab 45-0462 Push Broadcast Spreader

This spreader from Agri-Fab offers an incredibly high level of durability and stability. It has a rustproof poly hopper, beveled gear made from aluminum, and a solid rod gate control. All of these features add to the overall durability of the spreader.

It has a capacity of up to 130 pounds which means you can spread up to one-half of an acre before having to fill up again. You can cover even a large yard in very little time. The pneumatic tires make it easy to move around and it offers a high level of precision when spreading. The controls are very easy and intuitive to set and there are accessories that you can purchase to go along with the spreader. Those accessories make for an even easier application. As is the case with some other spreaders we reviewed, the assembly instructions are a bit hard to follow with this spreader. While the construction is durable, it can take some time to get the pieces together which can really delay you getting started.

9. Solo 421 Portable Chest-mount Spreader

This spreader is easy to carry and operate with its unique chest-mount feature. Even with the design, you will be protected while carrying this spreader, given the cap that helps keep any product from getting on you while you’re carrying it. The capacity is 20 pounds which is just enough to comfortably cover a small lawn in one shot. It is also light enough that you can carry it without tiring too easily or quickly. And with this spreader, you can set your own pace since you are carrying the spreader.

The Solo 421 operates really smoothly so you should not experience any clogs and the operation itself is easy to understand. You just use the crank handle to distribute the product inside, which you can do based on your own pace. Many spreaders will distribute the product itself but with this one, you control how much you release and when. You also get an agitator when you purchase this spreader, which helps to make sure you are spreading the fertilizer as evenly as possible. And you can use it to spread more than just fertilizer if you want. Spread salt or seeds as well. There are not really any drawbacks to this product except for the fact that it can only be used to cover a small area. However, if your lawn is small, this spreader is likely ideal. It is easy to carry and can get the job done precisely and quickly.

10. Lesco 50lb Push Spreader

While Lesco isn’t always a very well-known name, the products are often very durably constructed, which is the case with this spreader. This is a great option if you have a medium-sized space to cover, given that holds 50 pounds of product. The tires on this push spreader are durable and built to last so you should have no issues maneuvering even over areas that are not perfectly flat.

The frame on this spreader is built using a frame of steel carbon so it is built to last and can be used throughout the whole year. In addition, it is designed to resist any corrosion. With this spreader, you can visibly see how much fertilizer is being placed on your lawn, offering you a bit more control than you might have with some other options we have reviewed on our list. This means that you can put more fertilizer where you know it is needed and less in areas you know it is not needed as much. One drawback of this spreader is that it does have a tendency to clog, which can get annoying over time if you have to consistently unclog it to move forward.

Conclusion:

Your yard and garden can be a point of pride as a homeowner. You want to make sure that it looks its best, not just for your guests but for your quiet enjoyment as well. That means making sure it is properly fertilized. A beautiful, lush and green yard can make for great parties and entertaining, but it can also function as your own personal oasis. You don’t want to look at unsightly crabgrass or brown spots. Using good fertilizer and distributing it properly can make all the difference.

Finding the best fertilizer spreader depends on the size of the area you want to fertilize as well as on your personal style. Some homeowners prefer a push spreader while others prefer a handheld. Even still, some would rather attach their spreader to an ATV or tractor for even easier application, particularly if the area being covered is very large. Yet still, some want to control the pace of the fertilizer being distributed while some choose not to think about that at all.  No matter your preference, any of the choices we have reviewed here will make it easier to keep your lawn and garden in their best shape. They all function properly and efficiently and you just need to find one that will suit your needs the best.