EGO Dethatcher vs Sun Joe: Which Is Better? (November 2026)

On this page (8 sections)

1. EGO dethatcher vs Sun Joe: which is the better fit?
2. Which machine offers more useful depth control?
3. What should you check before setting up either machine?
4. Which machine handles more lawn-care jobs?
5. How do width, weight and cleanup affect the choice?
6. Is WEN a better alternative for a wider path?
7. How should you care for a cordless dethatcher?
8. Which cordless dethatcher should you choose?

Choose the EGO DA1400 if you own a compatible EGO power head; choose Sun Joe if you want batteries, collection and scarifying in one cordless kit. The EGO dethatcher vs Sun Joe choice comes down to your existing tools and whether you want one machine for two lawn jobs.

EGO's DA1400 is an attachment for EGO PH1400 or PH1420 Multi-Head power heads, sold separately. Sun Joe's 24V-X2-DTS15 is a cordless kit with batteries, a charger, a collection bag and separate dethatching and scarifying cylinders.

Both clear a 14 in path. If you're unsure which machine type fits your yard, start with our guide to choosing a lawn dethatcher.

EGO dethatcher vs Sun Joe: which is the better fit?

EGO suits an existing Multi-Head setup; Sun Joe suits buyers who need a complete cordless dethatcher. The separate EGO power head is the main setup consideration, while Sun Joe includes its batteries and charger.

The DA1400 has steel tines, 8 in wheels and three depth positions. Sun Joe has a 24-tine dethatching cylinder and a separate 7-blade scarifying cylinder.

Sun Joe's collection bag gathers thatch as you work. The DA1400 focuses on dethatching and has no collection bag.

Who should buy the EGO DA1400?

Buy the EGO attachment if you already own a compatible PH1400 or PH1420 power head and want to add dethatching to that system. It is a poor fit for someone starting from scratch who wants a complete machine, or for anyone who needs a collection bag or a scarifying head.

Its 14 in clearing width and three-position adjustment cover the main dethatching controls. EGO backs the tool with a 5-year limited warranty.

The attachment weighs 16.3 lb on its own. Factor in the separate power head when thinking about how you'll move and store the assembled setup.

Who should buy Sun Joe?

Choose Sun Joe if you want the batteries, charger, collection bag and both working cylinders together. It is also the clearer choice if you want a cordless machine that can switch between dethatching and scarifying.

Skip it if you already own a compatible EGO head and only need a dethatching attachment, or if the heavier walk-behind machine is a poor fit for your storage or handling needs. Sun Joe weighs 36.4 lb.

Which machine offers more useful depth control?

Sun Joe has five depth positions, compared with three on the EGO attachment. More positions provide more steps to choose from, while the right setting still depends on the lawn and the instructions for the machine.

Sun Joe's adjustment range runs from -0.375 in to 0.4 in. EGO provides a three-position depth adjustment for raking dead grass and debris.

A more adjustable control can help you make smaller changes between passes. It doesn't make aggressive dethatching safe by itself, so start with the machine's instructions and a cautious setting.

What mistakes should you avoid when setting depth?

Don't begin with the most aggressive setting just because the lawn looks matted. A deep pass can pull up healthy grass along with thatch, so use the machine's instructions and work carefully.

Don't use a scarifying cylinder when you mean to dethatch, or vice versa. Sun Joe has separate cylinders for those jobs, so install the one that matches the task before you begin.

If you're unsure whether you need a dethatcher or a rake, read our comparison of power rake vs dethatcher. For a manual option and technique, our guide to using a thatch rake explains what to expect from hand work.

What should you check before setting up either machine?

Check compatibility and included equipment before buying. EGO requires the specified power head, while Sun Joe comes with the power components and attachments needed for its cordless setup.

With EGO, confirm that your power head is a PH1400 or PH1420. The attachment is not a stand-alone machine, and its compatibility should guide the purchase decision.

Sun Joe includes two 4.0 Ah batteries, a dual-port charger, both cylinders and the collection bag. Before starting, assemble the machine as directed, install the correct cylinder and check that the bag is secured.

How should you prepare the lawn?

Clear loose objects such as branches, toys and stones from the work area before using a dethatcher. Mark obstacles and inspect the lawn so you can avoid striking items that could damage the tines or blades.

Choose a time when the lawn and soil conditions suit dethatching, and follow the machine's manual for operating limits. If you're not sure how often to do the job, our guide to how often to dethatch a lawn can help you plan it.

Is EGO worth it without the power head?

It can make sense if you plan to buy a compatible power head for several EGO Multi-Head attachments. For dethatching alone, compare the full setup you would need with Sun Joe's included equipment before deciding.

If you already own the right EGO head, the DA1400 adds a dethatching attachment without requiring another complete machine. If you don't, the separate power head is a significant part of the buying decision.

Which machine handles more lawn-care jobs?

Sun Joe has the broader task range because it switches between dethatching and scarifying. EGO's DA1400 is focused on dethatching, which suits owners who want that specific attachment for their existing system.

Sun Joe's dethatching cylinder uses 24 spring steel tines, and its scarifying cylinder has seven blades. The bag collects material as you work, though you will still need to empty it when full.

The EGO attachment uses steel tines to loosen dead grass and debris. It has no scarifying cylinder or collection bag, so you'll gather loosened material separately.

If you want to compare more cordless models and setups, see our guide to the best cordless dethatchers.

How do width, weight and cleanup affect the choice?

Both picks clear 14 in, so neither has a width advantage. Sun Joe's included bag is the practical difference for cleanup, while EGO's lighter attachment weight does not include its separate power head.

A 14 in path means the two models cover the same nominal width per pass. The time needed will also depend on lawn shape, overlap and the amount of thatch.

Sun Joe's 10.6-gallon bag collects debris as you work, but it will need emptying as it fills. With EGO, plan to collect the loosened material afterward.

The EGO attachment weighs 16.3 lb by itself, while Sun Joe weighs 36.4 lb as a machine. If weight matters, compare the EGO with its power head in place and consider how you'll transport, turn and store each setup.

Is WEN a better alternative for a wider path?

WEN is worth considering if you want a complete cordless kit with a 15 in clearing path. Its included batteries, charger, collection bag and two heads make it a closer alternative to Sun Joe than to the attachment-only EGO.

WEN offers five depth positions, a dethatching head and a scarifying head. Its 15 in path is 1 in wider than the two comparison picks.

Choose WEN if that wider path matters to you and you prefer its 20V Max battery system. If your priority is an EGO attachment or a Sun Joe setup, those two options remain the more direct fit.

How should you care for a cordless dethatcher?

Clean the machine and inspect its working parts after each job. Remove gathered thatch and grass from the bag and around the working assembly only after the machine is off and handled according to its manual.

Check the tines or blades for damage and follow the manufacturer's storage and maintenance directions. Keep batteries and chargers in the conditions specified in their manuals, and don't leave wet material packed into the collection bag.

On Sun Joe, use the correct cylinder for each task and store both so the tines and blades remain protected. For EGO, check the attachment and its connection to the compatible power head before each use.

Which cordless dethatcher should you choose?

Pick EGO if you already have its compatible Multi-Head power head; pick Sun Joe if you want a ready-to-use kit with scarifying and collection. Choose WEN if you want a complete kit and value its 15 in path.

EGO gives an existing system owner a focused dethatching attachment with steel tines and three settings. Sun Joe supplies the batteries, charger, bag and two cylinders, along with more depth positions.

For the EGO dethatcher vs Sun Joe decision, start with your current tools: add the DA1400 to a compatible EGO head, or choose Sun Joe for the more complete cordless package. Our broader guide to lawn dethatchers explains how cordless machines compare with corded and tow-behind options.

Frequently asked questions

Is the EGO dethatcher better than the Sun Joe?

The EGO DA1400 is the better fit if you already own a compatible EGO Multi-Head PH1400 or PH1420 power head. Sun Joe is the more complete cordless purchase because it includes two batteries, a charger, a collection bag and a scarifying cylinder.

Does the EGO DA1400 include a battery?

No. The DA1400 is an attachment for the EGO Multi-Head system.

Its compatible power head is sold separately, so check that you have a PH1400 or PH1420 before choosing it.

Then consider whether the rest of the setup fits your needs.

Can the Sun Joe dethatcher also scarify?

Yes. The 24V-X2-DTS15 includes a dethatching cylinder with spring steel tines and a separate 7-blade scarifying cylinder.

It also has five depth positions and a collection bag, so it handles both jobs as a cordless kit.

Which cordless dethatcher has more depth settings?

Sun Joe has five depth positions, compared with three on the EGO DA1400 attachment. More positions offer finer adjustment choices, but the best setting depends on your lawn and the machine's instructions; start cautiously and avoid removing too much material in one pass.

Is the WEN dethatcher another alternative?

Yes. WEN's 20V Max cordless machine has a 15 in clearing path and five depth positions.

It includes dethatching and scarifying heads, two batteries, a charger and a collection bag, and suits shoppers who want a complete kit with a slightly wider path than either comparison pick.