Last Updated on October 16, 2021 by Grow with Bovees
It’s that time of the year again: spring. When homeowners near and far begin seeding or fertilizing their lawn so that it looks its best.
Although the walk-behind spreader is maneuverable and covers more ground, it is often challenging to store and operate.
Like many things, it may be time to get back to the basics and introduce your lawn to the old-fashioned hand-held spreader.
Plus, handheld grass spreaders are easy to store! Not only will you have a great fertilizer spreader, but you’ll also have more room in your shed for other cool gadgets!
How do you set out to find the best hand-held spreader? Research is often a mind-numbing experience that takes hours. You don’t want to spend your leisure time combing through hand-held spreader reviews.
Well, you’re in luck! The Bovees Research Team has put together a comprehensive list including some of the best hand-held spreaders on the market today.
Don’t want to read through the entire list? These are the top three picks we think are sure to impress!
Best Handheld Grass Seed Spreader for Professional Use
- Solo 421 Portable Spreader
Best Hand Seed Spreader — Budget
- Earthway 2750 Hand-Operated Spreader
Best Handheld Seed Spreader for Domestic Use
- Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader
The Best Hand Seed Spreader for Your Yard
Every hand-held fertilizer spreader we’ve mentioned on this list is impressive. No matter which one you ultimately decide to purchase, you will be impressed with its quality and ergonomics.
By the time you finish reading this article, you will be able to make an informed decision on which one is best for you.
So, let’s get started!
1.Solo 421 Portable Spreader-Best Professional Spreader
The Solo 421 portable spreader is a quality tool designed with functionality in mind. It is comfortable to use and has a large hopper capacity to hold 20 lbs of fertilizer.
This is one of the larger and more professional-looking spreaders on our list. Its key features include:
- Simple operation
- Large hopper capacity
- Durability
What impressed us the most about this particular spreader is the hopper capacity. Very few comparable spreaders can hold 20 lbs of weight.
Solo crafted the machine using durable, high-quality materials. We were pleasantly surprised with the encased gears, protecting them from any dirt or debris. The gears are also well lubricated for smooth operation.
This spreader is also highly adaptable as it can spread any solid product on your lawn without having to worry about rough terrain.
We were particularly fond of the screw-on cap on top of the hopper to ensure the chemicals remain inside the spreader. Furthermore, this is also great for preventing dust and other debris from impeding the spreader.
The Solo 421 is one of the best hand-held spreaders available, and the only thing we thought needed improvement was the flow-control lever, which seems almost hidden after mounting the spreader.
In all, we were highly impressed with the many features of this spreader and can’t wait to see what Solo comes out with next!
Pros:
- Versatile
- Ergonomic
- Large hopper capacity
- Durable
Cons:
- The flow control lever is difficult to locate.
2.Earthway 2750 Hand-Operated Spreader-Best Budget Spreader
The Earthway 2750 hand-operated spreader is one of the simplest hand spreaders available. It has all the capabilities of other comparable spreaders without the complicated operation. Like other spreaders on our list, it is optimized for the ultimate operational comfort.
This is a solid choice if you are looking for a simple spreader to use on a small property that you can store in a small space.
Some of the standout features of this particular spreader include:
- Superb ergonomics
- Simple and durable design
- Smooth operation
Although this spreader uses a bag to hold the chemicals, it is highly durable and made using corrosion, tear, and weather-resistant materials. It firmly zips up to secure the materials inside.
This has one of the largest capacities we’ve seen for a hand-held bag spreader. The Earthway 2750 can hold up to 25 lbs of chemicals. To make this spreader even more ergonomic, they included a shoulder strap to ensure effective operation.
We were pleasantly surprised with the contoured molded base, giving the bag some structure and integrity during use.
The shut-off plate, located at the bottom of the bag, is easily found and helps provide a constant product flow. A spring-loaded shut-off should stop the product from flowing quickly.
We liked how the spreader stands upwards when placed on the ground, making it far easier to load the spreader.
The Earthway 2750 is best used for small areas, as it is versatile and easy to maneuver. We were thoroughly impressed with the bag’s capacity. We were able to use the spreader on a 15,000 ft. plot of land, only having to fill the bag twice.
We found that compared to other spreaders, this one was the easiest to use. If you are looking for a high-quality spreader that is simple to use and store, this is the one for you.
Pros:
- Ergonomic
- Durable
- Easy to load
- Highly maneuverable
Cons:
- Gears tend to become stuck
3.Scotts Wizz Hand Held Spreader — Best Domestic
The Scotts Wizz hand-held spreader is a hand-held grass seeder great that you can use on your lawn and garden. Its comfortable and straightforward construction makes it the best domestic hand-held spreader on our list.
We were also particularly intrigued by this model’s affordability, coming in at just $19.99, making it affordable for nearly anyone. It has many of the features of an expensive spreader without the price tag.
Some of the standout features of this spreader include:
- Scotts Edge Guard technology
- Can hold up to 2,500 sq ft of product
- 5 ft. spreader
We noticed almost immediately that this spreader was straightforward to use. The hopper on the Scotts Wizz is lightweight and easy to maneuver. All you have to do is estimate the area you’ll be working with and fill the hopper with the correct amount of product. This allows you to keep the spreader light for easier usage.
While testing this product, we were most impressed by the Edgeguard technology, protecting other areas of your lawn or garden from the excess product. It also has an easy-to-reach trigger to control how fast the product leaves the hopper.
Buyer’s Guide to the Best Hand Held Seed Spreader
Here are the most important things to look for when buying a spreader. Spreaders are relatively simple products, so there are only two significant factors to consider.
Consider The Size Of Your Yard
If you have a small to medium size yard, then the handheld type of spreader can suit you very well. If you have a larger area to cover, then you may want to consider either a broadcast spreader or drop spreader, both of these are designed to cover a larger area with less effort.
Hopper Capacity
The hopper capacity is essential no matter how small your property. It is crucial to find a hand-held spreader that can hold at least 15 lbs of product.
You also want to ensure the hopper does not impede the maneuverability of the spreader. For example, Solo 421 has a large hopper, but it does not restrict the user.
Ergonomics
If you’re like most people, you want to be comfortable while feeding your lawn or garden. Your spreader of choice should be easy to fill, not too heavy, and stable throughout use. This will make a considerable difference with user experience, especially if you have a lot of ground to cover.
Final Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with any of the spreaders we’ve reviewed! They are all ergonomic and effective machines, and even if you do not choose to go with one of your top picks you now have the knowledge to pick the best hand-held spreader for you.
