Best Drop Spreader – Buyer’s Guide

Want to keep your lawn immaculate? Maybe your lawn needs some more grass seed or you’re trying to fertilize a large lawn. Taking care of your yard requires a lot of hard work. The best drop spreader will make your life easier. These handy gardening and landscaping tools distribute fertilizer, seed and feed mixtures, grass seed, ice melt, and sand.

A drop spreader or hopper works just like you’d imagine. As you push the spreader along, seeds or fertilizer are dropped via the holes at the bottom of the hopper. There are different sizes to most spreaders, but this type only covers the area that you cross, compared to a broadcast spreader, which covers larger areas in a shorter amount of time but also drops seed where you don’t want it to go.

What are the best drop spreaders in February 2023?

Within this group, there are certain hoppers that stand out due to their value, capacity, frame, spread pattern, and size.

1. Best All-Around Drop Spreader: [amazon link=”B002ZTK09U” title=”Scotts Turf Builder Classic”]

Features We Love

• Large capacity
• Heavy-duty frame
• Ships pre-assembled
• Pre-calibrated

The Scotts Turf Builder (not Scott singular) is a classic hopper that gets the job done. Available in a variety of  sizes, owners cover about 10,000 square feet with the 10-meter edition. However, the tool is also available in 5, 15, or 20 meter sizes.

The great thing about this turf builder is that you get the maximum coverage and accuracy for your lawn, and it’s a rather simple build that comes fully assembled. The materials are not fancy, but they are heavy-duty and stand up to the test of time.

With a 22-inch spread coverage, lawn lovers feel confident working a yard, knowing that every inch is getting equal seeds and fertilization. This is different than with a broadcast spreader or hand-held broadcast, as it covers a medium-sized area with a precise application.

Recommended For
This spreader is an absolute fit for homeowners who have small to medium-sized lawns. It’s best used for fertilization, but the Turf Builder works with any material.

2. Best Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader: [amazon link=”B002U0KDHI” title=”Agri-Fab 45-0463″]

Features We Love

• 130-pound capacity
• Uses tapered gears
• Larger tires with wider base
• Very durable

The hopper can spread seed on your lawn from spring to fall from this broadcast spreader. It is a larger capacity broadcast spreader, but whether you are a professional or not, the special features for this hopper make it a great buy for anyone who loves their lawn.

This tow-behind spreader comes with an on/off accessible switch from tractor seat for easy use. It’s sometimes difficult to get a precise application, but Agri-Fab comes with controls that easily let you get a precise application. Due to the large spread area, you may feel like you are covering too much ground at times, so it’s important to use these controls.

The poly hopper and spreader plates are also rustproof. Landscapers typically keep this spreader around for many years without losing any durability. Agri-Fab also provides a guide for keeping your lawn fertilized and thick throughout the year, so you know exactly when to spread herbicide, nitrogen fertilizers, grub controls, and other lawn care products. This allows you to spread any material with this heavy-duty hopper.

Recommended For
As a tow-behind, this is a good spreader if you have a ride-along lawn mower.If you want something that’s going to work in summer, spring, fall, and winter, this is the best hopper due to the many features and heavy-duty construction. This is best for professionals or those who have larger lawns who plan to use it for each stage of lawn maintenance.

3. Best for Broadcast Spreading: [amazon link=”B01EP2WLMI” title=”Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini”]

Features We Love

• Holds up to 5,000 square feet of spread
• Easy to use
• Perfect value for small lawns

ScottsBlue makes a variety of hoppers. The EdgeGuard mini is the easiest to push because of its small size and lightweight construction. While you won’t want to use this with a larger lawn or for professional use, this may be the perfect value for someone who just has a small area that they want to keep fertilized through the year.

The handles and spreader bucket are pretty heavy-duty, but you likely won’t be able to use this spreader for salting during winter months. This is strictly a fertilizer spreader to use during spring, summer, and fall.

Recommended For
The EdgeGuard is a perfect companion for someone who just wants to get started with fertilization and doesn’t have a large yard to cover.

4. Best Combination Aerator Spreader: [amazon link=”B0024G97I4″ title=”Brinly AS-50HB Tow Behind”]

Features We Love

• 2-in-1 features for seed and aeration
• Great for aerating thick lawns
• Heavy-duty steel construction
• Holds 120 pounds of materials
• Rustproof

Most tow-behind broadcast spreaders are a little awkward and hard to use for the average lawnscaper. However, the Brinly AS-50BH is designed to be a low-to-ground tow-behind that works with your ride-along mower. You will be able to take care of any fertilization or material coverage with this hopper due to its construction and controls.

For the price, you should be able to spread whatever you want. The aeration is an incredible feature that you don’t get with other spreaders, which is why the cost is bearable if you have a thick lawn that needs to be fertilized multiple times per month.

Also, with the 2-in-1 value, you won’t need to buy other tools to aerate or salt your lawn during colder months. This is a heavy-duty hopper that holds a lot of material. The hopper contains up to 120 pounds of any spread material, which means that you don’t have to refill even if you have a larger lawn.

The spread is over 40 inches and allows you to use the controls for a more precise coverage. As it perforates the ground, seed is dropped into the fresh soil. If you have a tougher terrain, this is a top pick just for this feature as it will place the seed directly into the soil.

Recommended For
This tow-behind Brinly is perfect for those who live climates with tougher soil. With aeration and 8-inch galvanized spikes, landscapers use this aerating lawn care tool to really dig into the soil without tearing up the lawn. This feature allows you to place materials like lime or fertilizer directly where it needs to go.

5. Best Push Spreader: [amazon link=”B002U0KDH8″ title=”Agri-Fab 4500462″]

Features We Love

• Rustproof poly hopper
• Enclosed taper gears and bevel box
• Pneumatic tires
• Perfect for weed control and fertilization

Your average lawn maintenance doesn’t require such a big hopper. You want something that is going to spread seed in a precise manner for an even fertilization across your lawn. The Agri-Fab 4500462 is perfect for that. It’s also a good choice for professionals who are doing residential or commercial lawn care as long as you aren’t using a ride-along mower.

This 130-pound hopper has a higher capacity, so you’re able to carry more feed and spread it across a large lawn. It has a solid rod gate control, enclosed taper and bevel gear box, and pneumatic tires. These make the hopper a great buy for those who do year-round lawn care and want to use a variety of materials, from fertilization to lime to salt.

The durability of this hopper can’t be complimented enough. For the size and spread, you can cover about a ½ acre or 25,000 square feet at a time. It’s the easiest way to get a lot of fertilizer into your yard without much effort.

The one thing to remember is that you must assemble this hopper. For the price, it should come pre-assembled, but the instructions are easy enough to follow, and Agri-Fab supplies a number of videos to help you if you get stuck.

Recommended For
For those who have larger lawns and want year-round usage, this is a top choice for professionals and residential use. This spreader type covers a pretty large area and can process multiple materials, making it the best choice for those who love their lawns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buyer’s Guide to Drop Spreaders

Buying a hopper is a big first step toward a beautiful lawn. It takes ongoing maintenance to ensure that lawns stay thick, lush, and green throughout the year; however, those gadgets have multiple functions and special features that give your lawn a better chance of staying green. While fertilization is the main point of any spreader, you want to be able to use the spreader for multiple materials because it allows you to keep busy and maintain your glorious lawn in all seasons.

Some of the drop spreaders on the list above have a variety of features, but which ones are the most important? We went through some of the things that you should look for in any hopper that you plan to purchase. With the emphasis on fertilization, we also look at some extra features that make a hopper a great all-around buy.

What is a drop spreader vs broadcast spreader?

Drop spreaders by nature are meant to be pushed along a yard to provide precise fertilization just in the areas that you cover. However, broadcast spreaders are much larger. They are meant to cover areas up to 25,000 square feet. These lawn care tools carry large quantities of materials so it’s perfect if you have to fertilize, lime, or treat a wide area, especially if you purchase a tow-behind broadcast spreader for a ride-along mower.

With a drop spreader, you prevent fertilizer or seeds from going where you don’t want them to go. This helps you create a beautiful lawn by purchasing a spreader that has the right capacity and convenience for your lawn care needs.

What is a drop spreader vs rotary spreader?

A drop spread will “drop” its contents directly below itself. So if the width of your drop spreader is 24″, then when you push the drop spreader, it will drop a 24″ wide load. This means that you can be very precise in where you drop your grass seed, fertilizer, or whatever material you are spreading.

A rotary spreader has a spinning part inside the spreader that sprays the seed or fertilizer a set distance from you. A rotary spreader is also known as a broadcast spreader.

Capacity

Most drop spreaders measure capacity in pounds and feet. This means that when you see a 5-meter, 100-pound capacity, you will likely be able to cover 10,000 square feet. Every spreader should have this feature listed upfront as it is the most determining aspect. You will want a smaller spreader if you have a small lawn or garden to maintain as opposed to a larger acreage property that may require a tow-behind spreader.

The difference between a typical drop spreader and broadcast spreader is also the capacity. Broadcast spreaders are going to have much larger spreads because they are meant to handle lots of acreage and are typically tow-behind types. Drop spreaders are push hoppers that work best to fertilize a small to medium lawn.

Professionals typically look for 100-pound or more capacity, especially if working in the commercial space. You will likely see 130-pound or more capacity spreaders in this range.

Rustproof

Since cutting lawns throughout the year produces a lot of wet grass, you want to make sure that you have a spreader with rustproofing. This means a heavy-duty construction with galvanized steel parts that withstand rust throughout every season. If you plan to use your spreader to fertilize in every season, you don’t want it to start falling apart after the first year. Some of these spreaders cost a pretty penny, so it’s worth the investment to protect your tool from the elements.

Aeration

This is an added benefit for those who want to use a tow-behind hopper. You will be able to get a lot of mileage out of these hoppers because they make it easier to fertilize large lawns. While they are a bit more expensive, aerating the lawn is an important step to ensuring that fertilizer gets deep in your soil. This is especially true if you live in a climate with tougher terrain that is difficult to penetrate.

Aerating spreaders will typically have galvanized spikes that will perforate the lawn’s surface for you, making it easier to drop in lime, fertilizer, and seeds directly where you want them to go.

Controls

Precision is important for a drop spreader. If you have a push spreader, then you know exactly where the seed is going to go. You also control the output with different knobs and selections. If you want a higher spread coverage, you simply need to set your hopper to a 3 or 4 to disperse the way you would like.

Broadcast spreaders are known for not being as precise because you may not see where the fertilizer is going as you are likely in a ride-along mower with a tow-behind hopper. However, the controls allow you to set the output so that you aren’t doubling over with fertilizer in some areas. You may want to watch some videos or practice using a tow-behind spreader before trying to fertilize your whole lawn.

Tires

Typically, tires are overlooked in hopper construction. Cheaper spreaders won’t have tires that go over bumps or make it easier during snowy months. You want a hopper that is going to allow you to take on any lawn and climate. Pneumatic, heavy-duty tires are best for this application because the hopper easily moves over your lawn without getting stuck in rough patches because the grass is too thick or there is a dip in the lawn.

Tow-Behind

This is the way that most broadcast spreaders are designed now. The combination of a tow-behind hopper and sitting mower or four-wheeler is that you can cover the area quickly, get the job done, and move on to the next project. While they are larger and more expensive, they are the perfect companion for large acreages or landscaping professionals. Typically, a tow-behind spreader will be low-to-ground and have a much larger capacity.

Accessories

There are some accessories that you should possibly purchase if you plan to use the hopper professionally or just want to do the best job that you can. Are they necessary to keep your lawn healthy? Not exactly, but it’s worth it to have a spread cover so that your materials don’t spill out.

Warranty

Most of the cheap hoppers won’t come with any guarantees or warranties, but the heavy-duty, year-round spreaders will have at least a one-year or two-year warranty to ensure that you don’t have issues with poorly manufactured parts or rust.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the right spreader for your lawn is going to depend on size, material, and seasonal use. You want a spreader that is going to be a year-round helper for spreading fertilizer, but you may also want to use it to spread anti-pest pellets, weed killer, salt, or lime.

Taking care of a lawn year-round is a big chore, but it’s rewarding when you come home to a thick, lush lawn. Whether you are looking for something that is great for your home or have a professional landscaper, there are two options on this list that really stand out to us as the “best for value and features.”

For general at-home lawn care and even professional residential landscaping companies, the Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader is a great buy because it offers a large capacity that covers 10,000 square feet, but it’s also got a heavy-duty construction and a 22-inch spread pattern. This is a pretty great value.

However, if you are looking for something a bit larger and need a professional tow-behind spreader, the Agri-Fab 45-0463 130-pound tow-behind broadcast spreader is your best bet. This is going to give you the maximum coverage and precise control that you are looking for without spending too much for other features like aeration.