A lush, uniform lawn in 2026 increasingly depends on using targeted crabgrass killers that balance power with turf safety. Products like Pro Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Killer concentrates, Ortho WeedClear, Spruce Weed & Grass Killer, and professional-grade options such as BASF Drive XLR8 promise stronger control of both young and established crabgrass while sparing most common grasses. Yet the real difference between a spotty fix and a season-long solution comes down to one critical choice homeowners often overlook…
| Pro Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Killer Concentrate 64oz |
| Professional Grade | Type: Post-emergent selective concentrate | Primary Target: Crabgrass & broadleaf lawn weeds | Form / Packaging: 64 oz liquid concentrate | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Pro Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Killer Concentrate 32oz |
| Compact Pro Formula | Type: Post-emergent selective concentrate | Primary Target: Crabgrass & broadleaf lawn weeds | Form / Packaging: 32 oz liquid concentrate | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer 32 oz |
| Best Hose-End Pick | Type: Post-emergent selective ready-to-spray | Primary Target: Crabgrass & common broadleaf lawn weeds | Form / Packaging: 32 oz hose-end ready-to-spray | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Spruce Weed & Grass Killer Refill 64 oz |
| Pet-Safe Option | Type: Post-emergent non-selective ready-to-spray refill | Primary Target: Weeds & grasses in non-lawn areas | Form / Packaging: 64 oz liquid refill ready-to-spray | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| BASF Drive XLR8 Crabgrass & Weed Killer Concentrate |
| Contractor’s Choice | Type: Post-emergent selective concentrate | Primary Target: Crabgrass & grassy/broadleaf turf weeds | Form / Packaging: 64 oz liquid concentrate | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Roundup Crabgrass Destroyer2 Ready-to-Use Weed Killer |
| Tough Grassy Weeds | Type: Post-emergent selective ready-to-use | Primary Target: Tough grassy weeds (crabgrass, foxtail, goosegrass) | Form / Packaging: 64 oz ready-to-use trigger spray | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer 10lb |
| Best Pre-Emergent | Type: Pre-emergent selective granular | Primary Target: Prevents crabgrass & other grassy/broadleaf lawn weeds | Form / Packaging: 10 lb granular bag | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Crabgrass Killer (2 Pounds) |
| Southern-Lawn Safe | Type: Post-emergent selective granular/powder | Primary Target: Crabgrass and other weeds in warm-season turf | Form / Packaging: 2 lb dry product | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Spray |
| Lawn-Safe Broad Control | Type: Post-emergent selective ready-to-spray | Primary Target: Crabgrass & common broadleaf lawn weeds | Form / Packaging: 32 oz hose-end ready-to-spray | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| BioAdvanced All-In-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer I Concentrate 40 oz |
| All-in-One Solution | Type: Post-emergent selective concentrate | Primary Target: Crabgrass & 200+ broadleaf lawn weeds | Form / Packaging: 40 oz liquid concentrate | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Pro Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Killer Concentrate 64oz
Packed with 18.92% quinclorac in a 64-ounce super concentrate, Pro Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Killer is ideal should you want a professional-strength, selective herbicide that knocks out stubborn crabgrass and broadleaf weeds across large lawn or commercial areas without reseeding your turf from scratch. You’ll control clover, dandelion, chickweed, dollarweed, ground ivy, henbit, and black medic while also targeting invasive grassy pests like crabgrass, foxtail, barnyardgrass, and dallisgrass. The quick-drying, residual formula works post-emergence on many turf types, but you’ll still follow the label closely and time applications to each weed’s growth stage.
- Type:Post-emergent selective concentrate
- Primary Target:Crabgrass & broadleaf lawn weeds
- Form / Packaging:64 oz liquid concentrate
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (early & late growth)
- Application Area:Residential & commercial lawns/turf
- Lawn Safety:Selective; safe on many turf types when used as directed
- Additional Feature:High 18.92% quinclorac
- Additional Feature:Professional-strength concentrate
- Additional Feature:Quick-drying formulation
Pro Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Killer Concentrate 32oz
With its high 18.92% quinclorac concentration and Drive XLR8–comparable performance, Pro Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Killer Concentrate, 32oz is a strong choice should you need powerful, selective control of both crabgrass and tough broadleaf weeds across lawns, gardens, terrains, and commercial properties. You can spot-treat problem areas without harming most established turf whilst used as directed. It targets crabgrass, foxtail, barnyardgrass, dallisgrass, plus clover, dandelion, chickweed, ground ivy, henbit, black medic, and dollarweed. Expect rapid, visible results and residual suppression of regrowth, though performance varies according to weed stage and conditions.
- Type:Post-emergent selective concentrate
- Primary Target:Crabgrass & broadleaf lawn weeds
- Form / Packaging:32 oz liquid concentrate
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (actively growing)
- Application Area:Lawns, gardens, landscapes, commercial spaces
- Lawn Safety:Selective; formulated not to harm lawns when used properly
- Additional Feature:Comparable to Drive XLR8
- Additional Feature:Residual reoccurrence prevention
- Additional Feature:Suited for commercial spaces
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer 32 oz
Ideal for homeowners who want fast, hose-end control of crabgrass and other common lawn weeds without mixing concentrates, Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Spray 32 oz hooks directly to your garden hose and treats up to 5,000 sq. ft in one go. You simply flip the switch to ON and spray until the lawn is evenly wet, targeting young, actively growing weeds for best results. It kills crabgrass, dandelion, chickweed, clover, foxtail, and more down to the root with a single, fast-acting application, yet stays safe for Bermudagrass, fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, buffalograss, and zoysiagrass whenever you follow the label.
- Type:Post-emergent selective ready-to-spray
- Primary Target:Crabgrass & common broadleaf lawn weeds
- Form / Packaging:32 oz hose-end ready-to-spray
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (young, actively growing)
- Application Area:Home lawns up to 5,000 sq ft
- Lawn Safety:Safe for bermuda, buffalo, fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, zoysia when used as directed
- Additional Feature:Treats 5,000 sq. ft.
- Additional Feature:Hose-end ready-to-spray
- Additional Feature:Kills weeds to root
Spruce Weed & Grass Killer Refill 64 oz
Spruce Weed & Grass Killer Refill, 64 oz is a strong fit should you want a fast-acting, people- and pet-safe crabgrass solution you can use across flower beds, driveways, mulch beds, pavers, and walkways without mixing or mess. Its ready-to-spray formula combines water, essential oils, and a surfactant to dehydrate plant cells, knocking back crabgrass, dandelions, clover, dollarweed, and morning glories, often with visible results in about an hour. One 64 oz refill treats up to 400 weeds. Just snap your existing sprayer handle onto the new bottle and start spot-treating at the initial sign of growth.
- Type:Post-emergent non-selective ready-to-spray refill
- Primary Target:Weeds & grasses in non-lawn areas
- Form / Packaging:64 oz liquid refill ready-to-spray
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (visible weeds)
- Application Area:Beds, driveways, pavers, walkways, landscape spots
- Lawn Safety:Non-selective to plants but safe around people/pets when used as directed
- Additional Feature:Essential-oil-based formula
- Additional Feature:Visible results one hour
- Additional Feature:Safe around pets
BASF Drive XLR8 Crabgrass & Weed Killer Concentrate
Homeowners who need a fast-acting, professional-grade post-emergent will appreciate BASF Drive XLR8 Crabgrass & Weed Killer Concentrate, a water-based quinclorac formulation that delivers rapid uptake and visible results on tough crabgrass and many broadleaf weeds. Its water-based design enhances absorption, becomes rainfast in under an hour, and offers residual control for up to 30 days, so you won’t reapply constantly. You can spot-treat or broadcast across residential lawns, golf courses, and commercial turf, on both cool- and warm-season grasses. Wear the recommended PPE and follow the label, especially state-specific rules like New York’s spot-treatment-only restriction.
- Type:Post-emergent selective concentrate
- Primary Target:Crabgrass & grassy/broadleaf turf weeds
- Form / Packaging:64 oz liquid concentrate
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (actively growing)
- Application Area:Residential lawns, golf courses, commercial turf
- Lawn Safety:Selective on labeled warm- and cool-season turf when label is followed
- Additional Feature:Water-based formulation
- Additional Feature:Up to 30-day residual
- Additional Feature:Rainfast under one hour
Roundup Crabgrass Destroyer2 Ready-to-Use Weed Killer
Roundup Crabgrass Destroyer2 Ready-to-Use Weed Killer suits one at the outset of desiring to spot-treat tough grassy invaders like crabgrass, foxtail, and goosegrass without mixing concentrates or hauling big sprayers. The 64‑oz ready-to-use trigger bottle lets you walk your lawn, targeting individual clumps precisely. You can safely use it on cool-season turf such as Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue at the time weeds are actively growing. Apply during suitable weather, ideally between 45°F and 90°F, and focus on initial growth stages for faster visible whitening, with decline following as the weeds die.
- Type:Post-emergent selective ready-to-use
- Primary Target:Tough grassy weeds (crabgrass, foxtail, goosegrass)
- Form / Packaging:64 oz ready-to-use trigger spray
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (actively growing)
- Application Area:Home lawns (listed cool-season grasses)
- Lawn Safety:Safe for Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue as directed
- Additional Feature:Trigger-sprayer bottle
- Additional Feature:Targets toughest grassy weeds
- Additional Feature:45–90°F application window
Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer 10lb
Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer stands out at the onset of set‑it‑and‑forget‑it, pre-emergent protection across an entire lawn without worrying about rain or late frosts ruining your application. A single 10.06 lb bag covers up to 5,000 sq. ft., letting you treat most suburban yards with one pass. Apply it to a dry lawn in the spring to stop crabgrass, foxtail, spurge, barnyardgrass, fall panicum, goosegrass, oxalis, and more before they sprout. Reapply after 8 weeks for tougher goosegrass. Use it again in fall for moss (where allowed) and cool‑season weeds.
- Type:Pre-emergent selective granular
- Primary Target:Prevents crabgrass & other grassy/broadleaf lawn weeds
- Form / Packaging:10 lb granular bag
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Pre-emergent (prevents germination; very early growth only)
- Application Area:Home lawns up to 5,000 sq ft
- Lawn Safety:Safe for all lawn grass types except dichondra and bentgrass as directed
- Additional Feature:5,000 sq. ft. coverage
- Additional Feature:All-season pre-emergent
- Additional Feature:Effective after rain/snow
Crabgrass Killer (2 Pounds)
Ideal in case you’re battling crabgrass and dollarweed in a St. Augustine lawn, this 2‑pound Crabgrass Killer gives you targeted control without sacrificing turf. It’s a post-emergent formula, so you use it on weeds that are already up, not as a pre-season barrier. Safe for St. Augustine, common Bermuda, Bahia, and Centipede, it causes only minimal yellowing whenever you follow the label. The granules absorb through the leaves to kill both weeds and roots, so you spot-treat patches instead of blanketing your yard, keeping desirable grass unharmed while you clear problem areas.
- Type:Post-emergent selective granular/powder
- Primary Target:Crabgrass and other weeds in warm-season turf
- Form / Packaging:2 lb dry product
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (absorbed through leaves)
- Application Area:Warm-season lawns (listed grass types)
- Lawn Safety:Safe for St. Augustine, common Bermuda, Bahia, Centipede when used properly
- Additional Feature:Safe on St. Augustine
- Additional Feature:Leaf-absorbed action
- Additional Feature:Kills weeds and roots
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Spray
Should you desire a fast-acting hose-end spray that tackles crabgrass along with broadleaf invaders in a single pass, Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Spray fits the bill. It connects directly to your garden hose, so you just flip the switch to ON and coat the lawn evenly until the foliage is wet. The 32‑ounce bottle treats up to 5,000 square feet and targets crabgrass, dandelion, chickweed, clover, and foxtail, killing them down to the root with one application. It’s formulated for use on Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, fescues, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass at the time used as directed.
- Type:Post-emergent selective ready-to-spray
- Primary Target:Crabgrass & common broadleaf lawn weeds
- Form / Packaging:32 oz hose-end ready-to-spray
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (young, actively growing)
- Application Area:Home lawns up to 5,000 sq ft
- Lawn Safety:Safe for bermuda, buffalo, fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, zoysia when used as directed
- Additional Feature:Treats 5,000 sq. ft.
- Additional Feature:Single-application effectiveness
- Additional Feature:Hose-connection sprayer
BioAdvanced All-In-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer I Concentrate 40 oz
Homeowners battling a mix of crabgrass and broadleaf invaders will appreciate BioAdvanced All-In-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer I, Concentrate, 40 oz for its powerful, targeted formula that knocks out over 200 listed weeds—including crabgrass, dandelion, and clover—right down to the root while you treat only the areas that need it. You mix the concentrate and spot-spray problem patches, so you don’t risk unnecessary coverage. The formula’s designed for use on common lawn grasses, letting you protect your turf while you attack weeds. It’s rainproof within an hour, so sudden showers won’t ruin your application.
- Type:Post-emergent selective concentrate
- Primary Target:Crabgrass & 200+ broadleaf lawn weeds
- Form / Packaging:40 oz liquid concentrate
- Crabgrass Control Stage:Post-emergent (actively growing)
- Application Area:Home lawns (various grass types)
- Lawn Safety:Selective; lawn-safe on labeled grass types when applied per directions
- Additional Feature:Targets 200+ weeds
- Additional Feature:Rainproof within one hour
- Additional Feature:All-in-one broad spectrum
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Crabgrass Killer
Choosing a crabgrass killer involves deciding between pre-emergent products that prevent seeds from sprouting and post-emergent formulas that attack visible weeds, or combination products that offer both actions.
The product must be compatible with the lawn’s grass type and have a target weed range that includes crabgrass and any other problem weeds present. Shoppers should compare active ingredients and safety, along with coverage, container size, and total cost, to match the treatment to their lawn size, budget, and desired level of control.
Pre- vs. Post-Emergent Action
Because crabgrass is a summer annual that reproduces solely through seed, the choice between pre- and post-emergent herbicides hinges on whether the goal is to prevent new plants from sprouting or to kill those already growing in the lawn.
Pre-emergent crabgrass killers form a barrier in the soil that stops seed germination, effectively blocking crabgrass and other annual weeds like foxtail and chickweed upon application in the initial spring before soil temperatures reach 55°F. Post-emergent herbicides target visible, actively growing crabgrass, working best on young plants prior to tillering. These products rely on systemic or contact action to kill existing weeds and often require multiple applications for full control.
Compatibility With Lawn Grass
Although crabgrass control is the goal, the herbicide must be compatible with the lawn’s grass species so that it selectively targets weeds without injuring desirable turf. Homeowners should confirm that a product is selective and labeled as safe for their specific turf type, such as Kentucky bluegrass, Bermudagrass, or fescue, while noting that some formulas exclude species like Dichondra or bentgrass.
Product labels specify which grasses tolerate the active ingredient and which could be damaged, making label review essential. Selective herbicides are especially beneficial in mixed-species lawns because they target crabgrass without harming surrounding turf. Timing also matters: matching application to weed and grass growth stage improves control while minimizing stress or injury to desirable grass.
Target Weed Spectrum
An effective crabgrass killer must match the target weed variety, meaning the product should explicitly list crabgrass and any other problem species in the lawn, such as foxtail, goosegrass, or broadleaf weeds like dandelion, clover, and chickweed. Beyond naming crabgrass, labels typically outline whether they control only grassy weeds or also a broad range of broadleaf invaders.
Matching this list to the actual weeds present prevents gaps in control. Shoppers should also consider whether a product is pre-emergent, post-emergent, or both, since some excel on young, actively growing weeds while others prevent new seedlings from sprouting. Finally, residual activity matters: certain formulas continue suppressing new weeds for weeks, limiting future outbreaks between applications.
Active Ingredients and Safety
Upon selecting a crabgrass killer, the active ingredient is the primary factor determining both effectiveness and safety, as compounds like quinclorac, mesotrione, and fenoxaprop-p-ethyl are formulated to selectively target crabgrass and related grassy weeds while sparing desirable turfgrasses at the right times. Quinclorac products, for example, are labeled for use on many cool- and warm-season grasses but will injure others should they be misapplied.
Shoppers should compare concentration, since stronger formulations can extend control yet increase risk should overdosed. Labels and safety data sheets outline toxicity, re-entry intervals, and PPE, which matter for children, pets, and applicators. Certain formulations are customized to specific turf species; using the wrong chemistry on sensitive grasses can cause thinning or bleaching. Always follow labeled timing, rates, and weather restrictions.
Coverage, Volume, and Cost
Many products differ widely in how much area they cover, how much volume is in the container, and the true cost per treatment, so buyers benefit from comparing these factors rather than just the shelf price. Coverage ranges from a few thousand square feet on small ready-to-spray bottles to far larger areas with concentrated formulas, directly influencing how many units are needed for a full lawn.
Product volume dictates how many applications are possible before repurchase, which matters for season-long control. Evaluating cost per 1,000 square feet, not just bottle price, reveals real value. Higher-concentration products might reduce application frequency, while mixes requiring sprayers or hoses add equipment and time costs that should be factored into general affordability.
Application Method and Timing
How a crabgrass killer is applied and the timing it goes down on the lawn strongly influence how well it works, making application method and timing essential selection factors. Buyers can choose between ready-to-use sprays for spot treatments and concentrates that must be mixed with water and applied using a sprayer, which suit larger areas.
Pre-emergent herbicides belong in the beginning of spring, before crabgrass seeds germinate, and work best at the point in time the lawn surface is dry to limit washout.
Post-emergent products must be used on actively growing crabgrass, ideally during the initial growth stages, at the time plants are more vulnerable. Regardless of type, users should closely follow the label for dilution rates, coverage, and required weather conditions to achieve reliable, long-lasting control.