Researched comparisonLast updated October 2026 · How we review
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products from established brands.
Quick Answer
The Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard DLX is our pick for most yards: it has the lowest price here, comes calibrated out of the box and has an EdgeGuard for borders. For bigger lawns, the Agri-Fab 45-0576 has the largest hopper at 110 lb on 12 inch pneumatic tires. The Chapin 89000A and EarthWay 2600A-Plus sit in between with 80 lb and 40 lb hoppers and their own edge controls.
- Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard DLX Broadcast Spreader: best for buyers who want a ready-to-use spreader that holds product for up to 15,000 sq ft, with EdgeGuard for borders
- EarthWay 2600A-Plus 40 lb Broadcast Spreader: best for buyers who want 9 inch pneumatic tires and side-spread control on a 40 lb hopper
- Chapin 89000A TurfPro 80 lb Push Spreader: best for buyers who want an 80 lb hopper and 10 inch pneumatic tires with a right-side baffle for edges
- Agri-Fab 45-0576 110 lb Push Spreader: best for people with large lawns who want the biggest hopper here, 110 lb, on 12 inch pneumatic tires
Prices as of October 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT.
A broadcast spreader throws seed, fertilizer or ice melt in a wide, even pattern, so you cover a lawn in fewer passes than with a drop spreader. We compared four walk-behind broadcast spreaders from Scotts, EarthWay, Chapin and Agri-Fab.
How We Chose
We picked four well-known lawn brands and kept to one type: walk-behind broadcast spreaders you push. The hoppers differ a lot. Scotts rates its EdgeGuard DLX by coverage, up to 15,000 square feet of product, while EarthWay, Chapin and Agri-Fab rate theirs by weight at 40, 80 and 110 pounds. Each spreader handles edges differently: Scotts and Chapin block the right side, EarthWay shuts off the left side, and Agri-Fab sells a deflector kit separately. Specs come from each manufacturer’s own product pages, labels and manuals. Each card lists the warranty from the manufacturer’s own warranty page or manual. Prices are the Amazon prices on the date shown.
The Lineup
Specs come from each manufacturer’s own pages, labels and manuals. † Agri-Fab 45-0576: spread width from the manual’s chart for granular fertilizer; pelleted product and ice melt spread 10 to 12 ft, seed 6 to 9 ft. Prices as of October 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Amazon may show a different seller than the brand or Amazon.com. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard DLX Broadcast Spreader
$90.21 as of Oct 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT on Amazon · Lowest price, calibrated out of the box
Best for: buyers who want a ready-to-use spreader that holds product for up to 15,000 sq ft, with EdgeGuard for borders
ScottsMiracle-Gro’s page for the EdgeGuard DLX says it holds up to 15,000 square feet of product and comes fully calibrated, so setup is flipping up the handle and hand-tightening the screws. The label gives a 5 foot broadcast spread, or 3 feet with the EdgeGuard on, which blocks the right side of the pattern. You set the rate with a dial and squeeze a trigger to spread. The wheels are plastic with an open-spoke design, and the Amazon listing gives a weight of 10.9 pounds. We like it for small and mid size lawns where you want to start spreading right away.
Warranty: No mechanical warranty; No-Quibble Guarantee for 1 year
Check Price on Amazon →EarthWay 2600A-Plus 40 lb Broadcast Spreader
$164.99 as of Oct 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT on Amazon · Side-spread control
Best for: buyers who want 9 inch pneumatic tires and side-spread control on a 40 lb hopper
EarthWay’s page for the 2600A-Plus lists a 40 pound rustproof poly hopper, 9 inch pneumatic tires, an epoxy-coated chassis and a sealed high-speed gearbox. Its patented side-spread control shuts off spreading to the left, and the EVEN-SPREAD three-hole drop with a solid linkage rate control sets the flow without a cable. EarthWay gives a full 180 degree spread pattern but no width in feet, and a rate calculation matrix comes with it. We like it for the build quality at a mid price.
Warranty: 1 year limited
Check Price on Amazon →Chapin 89000A TurfPro 80 lb Push Spreader
$153.00 as of Oct 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT on Amazon · 80 lb hopper, right-side baffle
Best for: buyers who want an 80 lb hopper and 10 inch pneumatic tires with a right-side baffle for edges
Chapin’s page for the 89000A lists an 80 pound poly hopper with coverage of about 18,000 square feet, 10 inch pneumatic tires and a powder-coated steel frame. An adjustable right-side baffle keeps product off beds and walks, a full bar gate lever sets the rate, and you stop spreading by letting go of the bail. Chapin does not state a weight, and it does not recommend it for rock salt, sand or lime. We like it for the hopper size at this price.
Warranty: 2 years limited
Check Price on Amazon →Agri-Fab 45-0576 110 lb Push Spreader
$188.00 as of Oct 17, 2026, 12:44 pm CT on Amazon · Largest hopper, longest warranty
Best for: people with large lawns who want the biggest hopper here, 110 lb, on 12 inch pneumatic tires
Agri-Fab’s page for the 45-0576 lists a 110 pound hopper that covers about 17,500 square feet, depending on the material and your walking speed, with 12 x 5 inch pneumatic wheels and an enclosed gearbox. It weighs 33 pounds and measures 43 x 26 x 38 inches assembled. The manual’s chart gives an 8 to 10 foot spread for granular fertilizer. An edge deflector kit that narrows the spread to 4 feet is sold separately. We like it for big yards, since the larger hopper means fewer refills.
Warranty: 3 years limited
Check Price on Amazon →Our Take
Pick the Scotts EdgeGuard DLX for a small or mid size lawn if you want to spread right out of the box at the lowest price. Pick the Agri-Fab 45-0576 for a big lawn, since its 110 lb hopper means fewer refills. The Chapin 89000A gives you an 80 lb hopper and a right-side baffle for less, and the EarthWay 2600A-Plus is the compact pick with side-spread control. Agri-Fab has the longest warranty here at 3 years.
More Yard Guides: All Yard Guides · Best Cordless Lawn Mowers 2026 · Best Snow Shovels 2026 · Best Cordless Chainsaws 2026 · Best Garden Pump Sprayers 2026 · Best Leaf Vacuum Mulchers 2026 · Best Cordless Snow Blowers 2026 · Best Cordless String Trimmers 2026 · Best Garden Hose Nozzles 2026 · Best Hand Pruners 2026 · Best Cordless Leaf Blowers 2026 · Best Garden Hoses 2026 · Best Lawn Sweepers 2026 · Best Lawn Edgers 2026 · Best Hose Reel Carts 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a broadcast and a drop spreader?
A broadcast spreader flings product out in a wide arc from a spinning plate, so each pass covers several feet. A drop spreader lets product fall straight down between the wheels for a narrow, precise strip. All four spreaders in this guide are broadcast spreaders.
How much lawn can each one cover per fill?
Scotts says the EdgeGuard DLX holds up to 15,000 square feet of product. Chapin lists about 18,000 square feet for its 80 lb hopper, and Agri-Fab lists about 17,500 square feet for its 110 lb hopper, depending on the material. EarthWay gives the 2600A-Plus hopper as 40 lb without a coverage figure.
How do they keep fertilizer off driveways and beds?
Scotts uses its EdgeGuard lever to block the right side and narrow the spread to 3 feet. Chapin has an adjustable right-side baffle, and EarthWay’s side-spread control shuts off the left side. Agri-Fab sells a deflector kit that narrows the spread to 4 feet.
Can I use these for ice melt?
Agri-Fab’s chart for the 45-0576 gives a 10 to 12 foot spread for ice melter, and the Scotts Amazon listing names salt and ice melt among its uses. Chapin does not recommend the 89000A for rock salt, sand or lime, and EarthWay’s manual says to remove the agitator before spreading rock salt.
What warranty do they have?
Agri-Fab gives 3 years on push spreaders, with some parts limited after year one. Chapin gives 2 years and EarthWay 1 year. Scotts has no mechanical warranty for the EdgeGuard DLX but backs it with its No-Quibble Guarantee, with claims made within one year of purchase.
