Best Broadcast Spreaders
Top broadcast spreaders ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Scotts Elite Spreader
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Dual rotors deliver the most even pattern in the class
- 20,000 sq ft capacity covers big suburban lots
- Never-flat tires roll smoothly over ruts
Cons
- Gate calibration runs hot, apply at lower settings
- Plastic frame flexes when fully loaded
Don't buy this if…
- Skip it for lots under 5,000 sq ft, where a smaller hopper wastes less product at the turns.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Three-hole drop meters awkward materials evenly
- Sealed gearbox survives fertilizer corrosion
- Steel frame rated for daily commercial routes
Cons
- Heavier push than consumer spreaders
- Side-spread control costs extra
Don't buy this if…
- Do not buy commercial grade for four applications a year, since a $90 spreader covers homeowner duty fine.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Repeatable calibration professionals rely on
- 80 lb hopper minimizes refill stops
- Corrosion-resistant hardware lasts seasons of salt
Cons
- Serious price for residential use
- Bulky to store in a small garage
Don't buy this if…
- Avoid it if you spread twice a year on a small lawn, because you are paying for crew-grade throughput.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 25,000 sq ft per hopper fill
- Gate lever reachable from the tractor seat
- Universal hitch fits most riders
Cons
- Agitator can bridge with damp product
- Assembly takes a solid hour
Don't buy this if…
- Skip tow-behind spreaders if your property has tight fence lines, since the tractor turning radius leaves unspread strips.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Directional control keeps granules off pavement
- 175 lb hopper suits multi-acre feeding
- Autumn-to-spring versatility including ice melt
Cons
- Heavy tongue weight when full
- Spread pattern needs overlap discipline
Don't buy this if…
- Do not tow it full behind a small electric rider, as 175 lb of fertilizer plus spreader taxes light hitches.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Pre-calibrated settings printed on every Scotts bag
- EdgeGuard blocks throw toward beds
- Arrives assembled and ready
Cons
- Single rotor pattern is weaker at the edges
- Small wheels wander in thick turf
Don't buy this if…
- Skip it for spreading heavy ice melt all winter, because the plastic gate mechanism wears under coarse salt.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Stainless frame shrugs off fertilizer corrosion
- Greaseable fittings extend service life
- Smooth gate feathering reduces striping
Cons
- Hopper screen sold separately on some SKUs
- Premium price against EarthWay's 2150
Don't buy this if…
- Avoid it for occasional residential use, since its advantages only show up over hundreds of hopper loads.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Powered agitation beats crank handhelds
- Perfect for small yards and spot repairs
- Doubles as a winter salt spreader
Cons
- Trigger hand fatigues on large areas
- Battery door is flimsy
Don't buy this if…
- Do not make it your primary spreader beyond 3,000 sq ft, as constant refills and hand strain add up fast.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Change Log
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