The best fertilizer spreaders include Scotts Elite Spreader, Earthway 2600A-Plus, and Lesco’s Stainless Steel Push Spreader. However, the John Deere LPBS36JD and Agri-Fab 45-0288 are the best tow-behind spreaders.
To find the best fertilizer spreaders, we searched the shelves of Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart. Then, we carefully compared each model based on accuracy, durability, and ease of use. Ultimately, we found the top spreaders for a wide assortment of lawns.
Not sure what fertilizer spreader is right for your lawn? Our Buyers Guide below details what to look for in a fertilizer spreader.
Top Picks
Top broadcast spreaders
Scotts Elite Spreader – Best walk-behind broadcast spreader
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Fast ✓ Ergonomic ✓ Large hopper ✓ Lifetime warranty ✓ Easily avoids landscaping ✓ Affordable | ✗ Hard to push on uneven terrain ✗ Hard to push uphill ✗ It takes some effort to squeeze the lock button |
Specifications
- Handling: Walk-behind
- Holding capacity: 80 lb.
- Max spread width: 6 ft.
- Spread type: Broadcast
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Weight: 20 lb.
Scotts Elite Spreader is our favorite walk-behind broadcast spreader. It’s durable, easy to use, and competitively priced. With an 80-pound hopper, it holds up to 1/2 acre of product. It’s a handy year-round tool for applying fertilizer, grass seed, and ice melt.
I love how easy it is to precisely apply fertilizer with the Elite. Its dual rotors improve accuracy, and the EdgeGuard blocks the right side of its spread pattern. It’s easy to apply the right amount of product, without getting any in your flower beds.
Pushing it on level ground is comfortable. The handle’s equipped with a satisfying grip and a smartphone holder. Although the never-flat tires are convenient for flat lawns, pneumatic tires have better traction on slopes.
Where to buy
Earthway 2600A-Plus – Best walk-behind broadcast spreader for slopes
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easy to push on rugged terrain ✓ Lifetime Tech Support ✓ Sturdy construction ✓ Pneumatic tires ✓ Made in the USA ✓ Even spread | ✗ The assembly instructions are hard to follow ✗ Less accurate on low settings |
Specifications
- Handling: Walk-behind
- Holding capacity: 40 lb.
- Max spread width: 3 ft.
- Spread type: Broadcast
- Warranty: 5 years
- Weight: 15 lb.
The best broadcast spreader for sloped yards is the Earthway 2600A-Plus. It’s easy to push through various terrain. With a 40-pound capacity, it holds enough product for up to 1/4 acre. It’s an excellent all-terrain spreader for fertilizer, grass seed, salt, or grain.
Earthway’s 2600A-Plus has tons of terrific traits, including pneumatic tires and a push-button stop setting. Best of all, it feathers the spread’s edge for accurate applications, dispersing half the granules to the left of the centerline and half to the right. And changing the spreader’s setting is quick and easy with a fast gearbox.
The spreader’s enduring construction includes rustproof poly rims, an epoxy powder-coated steel frame, and a rustproof poly hopper. Additionally, the spreader comes with lifetime tech support, which may be helpful for assembly.
Where to buy
John Deere LPBS36JD – Best tow-behind broadcast spreader
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Heavy-duty hopper ✓ Wide broadcast range ✓ Accurate spread ✓ Sturdy construction ✓ Pneumatic tires ✓ Easy calibration ✓ Made in the USA | ✗ Expensive ✗ Difficult to assemble ✗ Tow-behinds sometimes compact soil |
Specifications
- Handling: Tow-behind
- Hooper capacity: 175 lb.
- Max spread width: 12 ft.
- Spread type: Broadcast
- Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 49 lb.
ohn Deere’s LPBS36JD is the best tow-behind broadcast spreader. It helps homeowners quickly cover up to 2 acres without a lot of elbow grease. With a universal connector, it attaches to lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers, and other vehicles with a rear hitch plate.
The spreader is an ace in speed, accuracy, and stability. It disperses fertilizer when the spreader is in motion and automatically stops spreading when you’re still. It’s also easy to guide the spread away from obstacles, such as pavement or garden beds. Additionally, it has a user-friendly calibration dial with hundreds of pre-calibrated settings.
Like most of their riding lawn mowers, John Deere builds their tow-behind spreaders at state-of-the-art American manufacturing facilities with world-renowned quality control. Its durable construction includes a rustproof poly hopper and stainless steel hardware.
Where to buy
LESCO Stainless Steel Spreader – Best broadcast spreader for pros
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Sturdy stainless steel construction ✓ Large hopper ✓ Wide broadcast range ✓ Accurate dispersal ✓ Adjustable handles | ✗ Expensive ✗ It takes a lot of strength to push 80 lbs. ✗ Assembly instructions are difficult to follow |
Specifications
- Handling: Walk-behind
- Hooper capacity: 80 lb.
- Max spread width: 12 ft.
- Spread type: Broadcast
- Warranty: 1 year
- Weight: 44 lb.
The LESCO Stainless Steel Push Spreader is perfect for pros. It’s sturdy and precise. With an 80-pound hopper and large tires, it works well on large lawns with tough terrain.
It accurately applies various types of fertilizer, ice melt, and herbicide. Since it’s so precise, it’s even ideal for quick-release fertilizer. With enhanced comfort, a wide-spread pattern, and pro-grade durability, LESCO’s Stainless Steel Spreader helps pros reduce fertilization costs.
The side deflector gives more directional control to improve application accuracy. Then, the oscillating agitator provides a steady product flow without damaging product coatings. Being 4-foot-11, I also greatly appreciate the adjustable handles.
Where to buy
Top drop spreaders
Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader – Best walk-behind drop spreader
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easy to maneuver around obstacles ✓ Accurate dispersal ✓ Lifetime warranty ✓ Comes ready to use | ✗ Hard to push on uneven terrain ✗ Slower than broadcast spreaders |
Specifications
- Handling: Walk-behind
- Holding capacity: 32 lb.
- Max spread width: 1.9 ft.
- Spread type: Drop
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- Weight: 13 lb.
The best walk-behind drop spreader is Scotts Turf Builder. It’s accurate, durable, and affordable for lawns up to 1/4 acre. Even the best lawn fertilizers fall short when unevenly applied. Although it takes longer to spread fertilizer with a drop spreader, many homeowners are willing to take the time to ensure a lush, healthy lawn.
It’s also very user-friendly. The Classic Drop Spreader comes pre-calibrated and fully assembled, so it’s ready to use right out of the box. With a 22-inch spread pattern, it covers ground much quicker than most drop spreaders.
Where to buy
Agri-Fab 45-0288 – Best tow-behind drop spreader
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Accurate dispersal ✓ Heavy-duty hopper ✓ Easy to control ✓ Pneumatic tires ✓ Galvanized steel agitator ✓ Fast for a drop spreader | ✗ Hard to reach the shutoff switch while sitting in the tractor ✗ Clogs sometimes ✗ Assembly instructions are hard to follow ✗ Tow-behinds sometimes compact soil |
Specifications
- Handling: Tow-behind
- Holding capacity: 175 lb.
- Max spread width: 3.5 ft.
- Spread type: Drop
- Warranty: 3 years
- Weight: 50 lb.
The Agri-Fab Poly-Pro 45-0288 is our favorite tow-behind drop spreader. It evenly spreads fertilizer, ice melt, or sand and is ideal for lawns up to 1 acre. Like the John Deere LPBS36JD, the Agri-Fab 45-0288 connects to just about any lawn vehicle with a rear hitch plate.
The Agri-Fab 45-0288 quickly spreads dry treatments with expert accuracy, making it the best spreader for precise applications on large yards. It disperses product between its wheels, giving it a consistent 42-inch spread. Avoiding unwanted areas is easy because you know precisely where the fertilizer falls.
Its 12-inch tires gracefully glide across the grass, even under unfavorable conditions. Additionally, the galvanized steel agitator is rust-resistant and easy to clean.
Where to buy
Top handheld spreaders
Scotts Whirl – Best hand-powered spreader
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Affordable ✓ Easy to use ✓ No assembly ✓ Comfortable to carry ✓ Lifetime warranty | ✗ Slower than a walk-behind ✗ The setting instructions lack detail ✗ Sometimes clogs |
Specifications
- Handling: Handheld
- Holding capacity: 8 lb.
- Max spread width: 1 ft.
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Weight: 2 lb.
The best manual handheld spreader is Scotts Whirl. It’s lightweight, affordable, and very easy to use. Just fill it with fertilizer, set the dial, pull the trigger, and turn the crank. It treats spaces up to 1,500 square feet.
The Whirl is a simple solution for applying fertilizer, herbicide, and ice melt to small spaces. It’s lightweight, adjustable, and very affordable. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require any assembly.
Where to buy
RYOBI ONE+ 18V – Best battery-powered hand spreader
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Accurate dispersal ✓ Adjustable flow rate ✓ Adjustable application area ✓ Smooth dispersal ✓ Faster than a manual handheld | ✗ Only one speed ✗ Sometimes the trap door gets stuck ✗ If you don’t already have a RYOBI One+ battery and charger, it’s expensive for a handheld |
Specifications
- Handling: Handheld
- Holding capacity: 10 lb.
- Max spread width: 5 ft.
- Warranty: 3 years
- Weight: 4.25 lb.
Our favorite battery-powered spreader is the RYOBI ONE+ 18V 1-Gallon Spreader. It’s cordless and convenient. With a dependable battery-powered motor, this spreader delivers precise treatments while covering ground more quickly than a manual handheld spreader.
It has a knob-adjusted flow rate and a lever-adjusted application area. It’s also compatible with other RYOBI One+ tools.
Where to buy
What to look for in a fertilizer spreader
I suggest buying a model that makes lawn treatments manageable without wasting money on frivolous features. Next, I’ll explain everything you need to know to select the best fertilizer spreader for your budget and yard.
Type of spreader
There are two types of dispersal methods:
- Broadcast/rotary spreaders “throw” granules. They use a rotating plate to spread fertilizer in a fan-like fashion so you cover more ground at once. Broadcast spreaders are quicker than drop spreaders, but their dispersal is less accurate.
- Drop spreaders “drop” granules. The fertilizer falls directly under the hopper, giving you more control over dispersal. This is handy when you don’t want a lawn care product touching nearby landscaping (or other obstacles). However, applications take longer with drop spreaders due to their narrow spread range.
Both broadcast and drop spreaders come in these handling styles:
- Handheld spreaders are lightweight, simple, and affordable. They work best on spaces less than 1,500 square feet, such as garden beds and walkways. Most hold 1 to 5 pounds of fertilizer, but battery-powered handhelds hold up to 10 pounds.
- Mounted spreaders can care for larger areas than handhelds, but are still best for small yards. They have a higher holding capacity because their shoulder/chest straps help you carry the weight. Most mounted spreaders hold 20 to 25 pounds of granules.
- Walk-behind/push spreaders are the most popular and best for medium-sized lawns. Pushing weight is much less strenuous than carrying it, so they typically hold 30 to 110 pounds of product.
- Tow-behind/pull-behind spreaders attach to your riding mower or ATV and are best for large lawns. They make it quick and easy to cover a lot of ground. Most tow-behind spreaders have large hoppers that hold 80 to 175 pounds, but some have an even higher holding capacity.
Precision
Drop spreaders are more precise than broadcast spreaders, and models with steel hoppers are more accurate than those with plastic hoppers.
To ensure the accuracy of your application, you must properly calibrate your spreader. Extension Educator Amanda Folck of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln says, “Don’t forget to calibrate your spreader before the first application of fertilizer. This should be done to make sure there is accurate output of fertilizer that matches the rate that you need to apply in your lawn.”
Durability
Stainless steel hoppers are the most durable. Both stainless steel and plastic hoppers don’t rust, but some types of steel do. Although hoppers made of rust-prone steel have a protective coating, eventually, the coating wears off.
Effort level
Applying fertilizer takes the most effort with a handheld spreader. In contrast, applying fertilizer with a tow-behind spreader takes very little elbow grease. Homeowners with large lawns enjoy covering much ground while comfortably sitting in their tractor or ATV.
Yard size
Ideally, you want a hopper that holds enough fertilizer to cover your entire lawn. Most spreaders have a holding capacity of 20 to 120 pounds. Tow-behinds tend to have the largest hoppers, and handhelds have the smallest.
The table below shows my holding capacity recommendations by lawn size.
| Lawn Size (acre) | Holding Capacity (lb.) |
| < ⅛ | 5 to 30 |
| ⅛ to ¼ | 30 to 60 |
| ¼ to ½ | 60 to 90 |
| ½ to 1 | 90 to 175 |
Additionally, you want a spread width that treats your yard in a timely manner. Most lawn spreaders have a spread width between 2 and 14 feet. Models with a broader spread width cover more ground at once, so it takes less time to apply fertilizer.
My tip: Consider getting a model with a broad spread if you have a large yard. Narrow spreads are best for small yards, narrow walkways, and lawns with many landscaping obstacles.
Budget
Most fertilizer spreaders cost $30 to $450, but prices vary based on spreader type and handling style. Handheld drop spreaders are the cheapest, starting at just $10. In contrast, steel walk-behind spreaders cost up to $1,400.
The table below shows the typical cost of fertilizer spreaders by type.
| Spreader Type | Price Range |
| Handheld | $10 to $60 |
| Shoulder/Chest-Mounted | $45 to $90 |
| Walk-behind (plastic) | $40 to $400 |
| Walk-behind (steel) | $675 to $1,400 |
| Tow-behind (plastic) | $120 to $350 |
| Tow-behind (steel) | $300 to $400 |
FAQ about fertilizer spreaders
Even though applications take a little longer, handheld spreaders are the easiest to operate. We recommend the RYOBI ONE+ 18V and Scotts Whirl. However, if your yard is too big for a handheld, Scotts Elite Spreader is the most user-friendly walk-behind.
Tow-behind spreaders are best for large lawns over 1/2 acre because they cover a lot of ground without wearing out the operator. We recommend the John Deere LPBS36JD and Agri-Fab 45-0288.
To maximize the benefits of organic fertilizer, apply the product with a precise spreader. We recommend a drop spreader or Lesco’s Stainless Steel Push Spreader.
● Best for flat lawns under 1/4 acre: Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
● Best for sloped lawns under 1/4 acre: Earthway 2600A-Plus
● Best for lawns under 5,000 sq. ft.: RYOBI ONE+ 18V
To clean a fertilizer spreader, follow these steps:
1. Close the hopper hole.
2. Using medium pressure, rinse the spreader with a garden hose.
3. Fill the hopper with half the water needed to dilute the cleaner.
4. Add the cleaner to the water.
5. Add the rest of the water required to dilute the cleaner.
6. Agitate stuck on fertilizer with a rag.
7. Open the hopper hole to drain the liquid.
8. Wipe the spreader down with a rag.
9. Ensure the spreader is dry when finished.
When to call a lawn treatment pro
Before investing in a fertilizer spreader, consider hiring a pro. Lawn Love links you to lawn fertilization pros with accurate equipment and unmatched lawn care expertise. As a result, our pros leave your lawn looking healthy and lush.
Additionally, we help with year-round lawn maintenance, including lawn mowing, aeration, and debris removal. With our user-friendly app, hiring a pro is as easy as ordering a pizza.
Lawn Love participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other retailer affiliate programs. Lawn Love earns revenue from products promoted in this article.
Main Image Credit: Scott Habermann | Adobe Stock, with Text Overlay using Canva Pro
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