Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher Review 2026: Is It Worth It for Homeowners?

Written by: Editor In Chief
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The Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher review starts with a simple takeaway: this is a practical, homeowner-friendly machine for seasonal lawn recovery.

It combines dethatching and scarifying in one cordless package, which makes it far more useful than a basic rake or a single-purpose yard tool.

Worx WG855 Review Summary

If you want a cordless lawn dethatcher that feels ready out of the box, the Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher is built for exactly that kind of buyer.

It is especially appealing for homeowners with compact to medium lawns who want to clear thatch, improve airflow to the soil, and avoid the hassle of cords, gas, or rental equipment.

The biggest selling point is the 2-in-1 design.

You get a dethatching reel for routine thatch removal and a scarifying reel for more aggressive soil surface work, plus batteries, a dual charger, and a collection bag in the package.

That makes the Worx WG855 a strong convenience choice for buyers who want a self-contained lawn maintenance system rather than a bare tool that still needs accessories.

Scorecard

Category Score Why It Matters
Thatch Removal Performance 9.0 Brushless 40V power, a 14-inch working width, and a 24-tine dethatching reel are designed for fast removal of heavy thatch without bogging down.
Scarifying Capability 8.0 The included scarifier reel with 16 angled metal blades adds deeper soil penetration and makes the tool more versatile than a simple dethatcher.
Runtime & Power System 8.0 It includes two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual charger, and the battery platform is meant to support longer runtime and compatibility across a larger tool family.
Ease of Use 8.0 Tool-free reel swapping, single-lever depth control, and a push design make it approachable for regular lawn maintenance.
Maneuverability 7.0 The curved deck and larger front wheels are meant to reduce resistance and help the unit move around rough turf and small obstacles more smoothly.
Cleanup & Storage 7.0 A 1.1-bushel collection bag reduces post-job mess, and the fold-down padded handle helps save storage space.
Coverage Efficiency 8.0 The 14-inch cutting width and cordless operation are well suited to covering moderate lawn areas efficiently, with the listing noting coverage up to about 1/8 acre on one charge.

Bottom line: the Worx WG855 is a smart buy if you want a cordless dethatcher/scarifier that is easy to store, easy to start, and versatile enough for routine lawn restoration.

It is not a heavy commercial machine, but for seasonal homeowner use it has the right mix of power, convenience, and included accessories.

Key Features and Specifications of Worx WG855

Before deciding whether the Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher fits your yard, it helps to look at the specifications in buyer-friendly terms.

The tool is built around a brushless battery-powered system, which is a meaningful upgrade over basic brushed motors because it generally improves efficiency and durability while helping the tool maintain usable power under load.

Specification Details
Brand WORX
Model WG855
Power Source Battery powered
Motor Type Brushless
Working Width 14 inches
Depth Range 1/8 in. to 3/8 in.
Depth Positions 4
Collection Bag Capacity 1.1 bushel
Included Batteries 2 x 20V 4.0Ah batteries
Included Charger 4A dual charger
Style Push
Product Dimensions 18.11 in.
D x 23.43 in.
W x 14.76 in.
H
Compatible Battery Platform Power Share
  • 2-in-1 dethatcher and scarifier design
  • 24-tine dethatching reel for pulling out built-up thatch
  • 16-blade scarifying reel for more aggressive surface cutting
  • Single-lever depth adjustment with transport setting
  • Tool-free reel conversion for faster seasonal changes
  • Curved deck and larger front wheels to help reduce drag
  • 1.1-bushel collection bag to reduce cleanup time
  • Fold-down padded handle for compact storage
  • Power Share compatibility across a broad WORX ecosystem

For buyers comparing cordless lawn dethatchers, those practical details matter.

The 14-inch width is not huge, but it is a sensible size for manageable push effort and decent coverage.

The included dual batteries also reduce one of the biggest objections to cordless yard tools: needing to buy power separately before you can even begin.

Pros and Cons of Worx WG855

Every lawn tool has trade-offs, and the Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher pros and cons are straightforward enough to evaluate.

Pros

  • Strong brushless power for dense or compacted thatch
  • Two tools in one with dethatching and scarifying reels included
  • Batteries and charger are included, which improves overall value and convenience
  • Tool-free reel changes save time between lawn tasks
  • Easy depth adjustment with four positions
  • Collection bag helps reduce mess during cleanup
  • Foldable handle supports compact storage

Cons

  • Cordless runtime is finite, so very large lawns can require planning
  • Push operation still takes effort in thick turf or deeper settings
  • Best for regular maintenance rather than commercial-grade abuse
  • Bag capacity is modest for heavier thatch jobs

From a buyer’s perspective, the cons are reasonable rather than disqualifying.

If you expect gas-like endurance for large acreage, this is not the right fit.

But if you want a controlled, low-fuss lawn tool for seasonal renovation, the strengths are compelling.

How the Dethatcher and Scarifier Reels Differ

The reason the Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher stands out is that it does more than one job.

The dethatching reel uses 24 metal tines designed to lift out dead grass, organic buildup, and other debris sitting at the crown of the lawn.

That is the right choice for routine maintenance when your lawn is healthy but starts to feel blocked or spongy.

The scarifier reel is more aggressive.

Its 16 angled metal blades are meant to penetrate more deeply and cut into the surface layer, which can help when the soil is compacted or the lawn needs stronger renovation.

That does not mean you should scarify every time you mow; it means you have a more serious seasonal option when dethatching alone is not enough.

Practical buying note: homeowners often confuse dethatching with aerating.

The WG855 does not replace a core aerator, but it can improve access for air, water, sunlight, and nutrients by removing built-up surface debris and opening the turf canopy.

Battery Life and Runtime in Real Use

Runtime is one of the most important decision factors for any cordless lawn dethatcher review.

The WG855 is powered by two 20V 4.0Ah batteries and includes a 4A dual charger, which is a welcome setup for a lawn tool in this category.

In practical use, the brand’s guidance suggests coverage of about 1/8 acre on one charge, but buyers should treat that as a best-case estimate rather than a guarantee.

Dense grass, damp conditions, lower depth settings, and rough terrain all increase power draw.

If your lawn is thick and neglected, expect runtime to drop faster than it would in light, preventive maintenance.

The upside is that the power system is part of WORX’s broader Power Share platform, which is a meaningful advantage for households already invested in the ecosystem.

If you own other WORX tools, the batteries become more useful and the WG855 becomes easier to justify.

Depth Settings and Lawn Types

Depth control matters because lawns do not all need the same treatment.

The WG855 gives you four depth positions across a range of 1/8 inch to 3/8 inch.

The settings include a transport position, lighter dethatching levels, and deeper scarifying levels.

  • Level +1 for transport
  • Levels +1 to -1 for dethatching
  • Levels -1 to -2 for scarifying

This makes the machine more adaptable than entry-level dethatchers with limited adjustment.

For a healthy cool-season lawn, you may only need a light pass.

For a yard with visible thatch buildup or a rougher surface layer, the deeper settings are more useful.

The key is to avoid overdoing it.

Aggressive scarifying on a stressed lawn can do more harm than good.

Best lawn types for this tool: suburban yards, moderate-size home lawns, and seasonal maintenance jobs where you want controlled surface cleanup instead of full-scale renovation.

Setup, Pushing Feel, and Maneuverability

One of the most appealing parts of the Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher is how approachable it is.

The tool-free reel conversion means you do not have to wrestle with complicated hardware just to switch from dethatching to scarifying.

The single-lever depth adjustment also keeps the learning curve low.

In motion, it is designed as a push unit, so it is still a physical machine.

That said, the curved deck and larger front wheels are intended to reduce drag and help the tool move over uneven ground, rough turf, and small obstacles more smoothly.

This is especially useful if your lawn has spots that would bog down a less thoughtful design.

For many buyers, the balance here is ideal: not so light that it feels flimsy, not so heavy that it becomes exhausting to use.

Still, if your yard has steep slopes or a very thick turf layer, you should expect some effort.

Collection Bag and Cleanup Experience

The included 1.1-bushel collection bag is a useful detail, even if it is not huge.

When dethatching, debris adds up quickly, and having collection onboard means less sweeping and less repeated raking afterward.

That said, buyers with thicker lawns should expect to empty the bag often.

The capacity is best viewed as a convenience feature rather than a giant debris solution.

In other words, it helps streamline the job, but it does not eliminate cleanup if your lawn has a heavy layer of thatch.

The fold-down padded handle is another small but meaningful usability choice.

If you have limited garage space or a crowded shed, compact storage matters.

The WG855 seems clearly designed for homeowners who want a seasonal tool that is easy to stow between uses.

Worx WG855 Compared With Similar Options

If you are deciding between the Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher and other common categories, the comparison is pretty simple.

  • Greenworks cordless dethatcher/scarifier: worth considering if you want a comparable battery-powered setup and are comparing cordless ecosystems.
  • Sun Joe electric dethatcher: a strong option for buyers who do not mind a cord and want unlimited runtime from a wall outlet.
  • corded lawn dethatcher: better for extended jobs, but less convenient and more limited by cable management.
  • manual dethatching rake: only makes sense for very small lawns or buyers who need the cheapest possible solution and do not mind heavy labor.

Compared with these alternatives, the WG855 sits in a sweet spot.

It delivers more flexibility than a manual rake, more freedom than a corded machine, and more value than buying a separate dethatcher and scarifier.

For many homeowners, that combination is exactly what makes a cordless lawn dethatcher worth considering.

Who Should Buy Worx WG855?

The Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher is a strong fit for homeowners who want a serious but manageable lawn maintenance tool.

It is especially well suited to people who:

  • Have compact to medium lawns and want a seasonal dethatching solution
  • Prefer a cordless, easy-start machine over gas or corded options
  • Want both dethatching and scarifying in one product
  • Already own WORX tools and want to use the Power Share battery platform
  • Want to reduce dependency on lawn service rentals for routine maintenance

You should probably skip it if you have a very large property, if you want professional-grade endurance, or if your lawn is so small that a hand rake is still enough.

In those cases, the WG855 may be more tool than you truly need.

Best fit verdict: for the average homeowner who values convenience, versatility, and cordless freedom, this is a very sensible purchase.

Is Worx WG855 Worth It?

So, is Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher worth it?

For the right buyer, yes.

It is worth it because it solves multiple lawn-care problems at once: dethatching, scarifying, debris collection, and cordless convenience.

That combination creates real practical value, especially when you factor in the included batteries, charger, and both reel types.

The trade-offs are also clear.

Runtime is not unlimited, the push design still requires physical effort, and the bag is not huge.

But those limitations are normal for this class of product and do not overshadow the core appeal.

The tool feels well thought out for homeowners who want to keep a lawn healthier without turning seasonal cleanup into a major project.

Final verdict: if you want a versatile cordless dethatcher/scarifier for routine home lawn care, the Worx WG855 is a smart, buyer-friendly choice.

If your yard is oversized or you need all-day endurance, consider a corded model instead.

For most suburban buyers, though, the Worx WG855 strikes an excellent balance of power, convenience, and everyday usability.

Recommendation: choose the Worx WG855 40V Cordless Lawn Dethatcher if you want a ready-to-use, easy-to-store, all-in-one seasonal lawn tool that can improve turf health without adding much hassle.