Lawn care and upkeep can be demanding. Trimming, fertilizing, weeding – and even all that doesn’t guarantee a healthy lawn!
Lawns that see heavy foot traffic or that have dense clay soils often have persistent bald patches, and this is most commonly due to soil compaction. Compacted soil is too dense to allow roots to grow or for air, water, and nutrients to circulate.
The simplest way to help create better soil structure for your grass and plants is lawn aeration. But there are tons of appliances you can use for aerating your lawn. So, why spend you valuable time scrolling through lawn tools? Or perhaps you are a lawn care professional (like myself) who needs an aerator to make extra money on top of maintenance.
Either way, I’ve surveyed a number of owners and operators of professional lawn care companies, and combined their recommendations with my own experience and research, in order to come up with 5 solid aerators that are built to professional standards that you can use at home. Factors considered are: brand reputation, reliability, weight, warranty, shape, functionality, and practicality for the everyday homeowner.
Top Lawn Aerators – Reviews
1. Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator Manual Grass Dethatching Turf Plug Core Aeration Tool ID-6C
With its simple and highly effective design it isn’t hard to see why the Yard Butler comes in at the top of our list. Not only is it the easiest way to create a healthier soil structure, it’s also the least expensive!
It is the most labor-intensive lawn aerator. However, the height, double grip handle, and strong foot plate are all thoughtfully designed to reduce back and shoulder strain.
We recommend choosing the Yard Butler if you have a small to medium sized lawn. You’ll get a bit of a workout using it but shouldn’t be sore the next day.
Specifications:
- Handheld, plug aerator
- 37 inches high
- Dual grip handle and sturdy foot plate
Pros:
- Height and shape designed to reduce strain
- Highly effective at reducing soil compaction
- Very inexpensive
Cons:
- More labor intensive
2. Brinly PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator, 40-Inch
Folks with larger lawns that already have something like a riding mower should look no further than the Brinly Tow Behind Plug Aerator. It’s the fastest, most efficient way to promote root growth and enable nutrient flow.
Also, it takes the least amount of physical effort to get a lot of aerating done. Older or differently abled landscapers will have an easy time with this effortless design.
However, you must have a towing vehicle (or donkey!) to utilize this handy option. Those with small lawns likely don’t need to spend the extra money, even if it would get the job done faster.
Specifications:
- Tow behind plug aerator with heat strengthened tines
- 40 inches wide, 5 rounds each with 4 tines
- Holds up to 150 pounds for maximum soil penetration
Pros:
- Highly effective at reducing soil compaction
- Least labor-intensive option
- Wide, gets more done faster
Cons:
- Need towing vehicle
- Fairly expensive
3. Sun Joe AJ801E 13 in. 12 Amp Electric Scarifier + Lawn Dethatcher w/Collection Bag, Green
Want something you can easily push around a small yard? Check out Sun Joe. It’s a spike aerator/scarifier as well as a dethatcher. If thatch, or overly dense grass and weed roots are a problem and your soil is loamy this may be an effective combo machine.
But spike aeration is not appropriate for compacted soil, and we’re unimpressed by the range-limiting cord and high price tag.
Specifications:
- Spike aerator and dethatcher
- Electric, 12 amp motor
- 12.6 inch wide, 8 double pronged tines
Pros:
- Partially self-propelled, less work
- Combination aerator and dethatcher
Cons:
- Cord restricts range
- Quite expensive
- Not appropriate for compacted soil
4. Brinly SA-40BH Tow Behind Spike Aerator, 40-Inch
Another large lawn option is the Brinly Spike Aerator. Gardeners with already loose, loamy soil will love the ease of towing this to churn and aerate soil while also creating rows for new seeds.
As mentioned, however, spike aeration will only make hard or compacted soil worse. And combined with the fact that you need a vehicle to tow it, this could become an awfully expensive option.
Specifications:
- Tow behind spike aerator and tiller
- 40 inches wide, 10 rounds each with 10 tines
- Up to 110 weight capacity for deeper furrows
Pros:
- Least labor-intensive option
- Fast and efficient spike aerator
- Can be used for either aeration or tilling for seeds
Cons:
- Need towing vehicle
- Makes compacted soil worse
5. Simple Lawn Solutions Liquid Aerating Soil Loosener
Liquid/chemical aeration can be highly effective when done in tandem with physical methods. And we wanted to include just one liquid aerator to give you some ideas.
It’s made of non-toxic ammonium lauryl sulfate, an acid that breaks up compacted soil, hardpan, and clays to make aeration that much easier.
Specifications:
- Non-toxic acid solution
- 32 oz bottle covers 32,000 square feet
- Ready to use
Pros:
- Highly effective when used properly
- Pet and child safe
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Only effective alongside physical aeration
Buyers Guide
Law Aeration Methods for Your Soil Type
There are two basic aerator designs, and which you choose depends on your lawn size and what type of soil you’re working with.
Plug aerators
Plug aerators, or “core” aerators, have hollow spikes that penetrate the soil and removes small chunks, alleviating compacted soil. The soil plugs can either be left on the lawn to decompose, diced up and mulched by a lawnmower, or removed by a rake.
The best candidates for aeration via plug are lawns with tightly compacted soil. Signs of soil compaction include:
- Rainwater pooling in the grass, or running off onto the sidewalk
- Soil that is difficult to dig in, hard and dry
- Hard soils that maybe the results of being packed down by frequent, heavy foot traffic
If any of these things are true about your lawn, it will likely benefit greatly from plug aeration. The holes created make space in the soil and allows for greater water penetration, air circulation, and root expansion. And the healthier the roots, the greener and lusher your lawn will be!
Spike aerators
This type of aerator is similar, but instead of a hollow spike it is a solid shaft. For compacted soil, spike aerators usually just make matters worse, as there is no removal of soil and they just puncture the soil therefore creating further compaction and denser soil structure.
This type of aerator is better suited to already loose soils. They can be effective at making space for grass seeds and exposing roots more fully to fertilizer.
Which Aeration Propulsion Method Is Best for You – Physical Labor and Lawn Size
How large the greenspace you are trying to aerate, as well as the amount of physical labor you are willing and able to put into the task are the main concerns when deciding on the best mobility options for your lawn aerator.
Let’s take a look at the different propulsion designs to get a better idea of the requirements.
Handheld aerators
This type is the most laborious to use. Handheld aerators are also generally less mechanically complex and expensive.
Handheld aerators come in both the spike and plug varieties. They usually have a large, dual-grip handle and a sturdy foot plate which you press down onto to perforate the soil.
Both features are meant to lessen the likelihood of back injury but using a handheld aerator can be quite the workout – especially if you are aerating a large lawn.
Push aerators
For a less physically demanding tool, push aerators make a decent choice for smaller lawns.
Like lawnmowers, you can find these in either the manual push variety or electric. Also, like mowers, they can be complicated and pricey tools depending on the model.
However, they are most often spike aerators, and therefore should not be used on hard, compacted soil. If you are aiming to alleviate soil compaction, go for a handheld or tow plug aerator.
Tow-behind aerators
For large yards that require a riding lawn mower, a tow-behind aerator may be the way to go.
This type is the least physically demanding, come in a variety of price ranges, and can be found in either spike or plug variety.
Aerator shoes
The final sort of aerator you may see on the market is a set of spikes you can attach to your shoes.
While the idea of being able to double up on yard work may appeal to some, mostly these shoes just exacerbate already poor soil conditions.
The combination of solid spikes (i.e. no soil removal) and your walking weight compact the soil in a manner that is unhealthy for root growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time of year to aerate your lawn?
Fall is the best season to aerate your yard, before any frosts and after most plants’ highly active growth period. Late Spring is another excellent season to aerate soil.
Check out the Spruce for more in-depth information about why and when to aerate.
Are there options besides tools or lawn aeration?
Yes! One of the less time and effort intensive ways you can help compacted soil is with liquid aerators. That could have it’s own entire article, but here’s a quick look at how liquid aerator works from How To With Doc.
Can you aerate your lawn too much?
Yes. Most lawn care experts recommend aerating your soil no more than once a year. Too frequent aeration can damage soil and root systems.
Dense, clay-like soil will likely need yearly attention. Looser soils may only need to be aerated once every three years.
Conclusion
When it comes to price, simplicity of design, and efficiency the Ward Butler Lawn Coring Aerator just can’t be beat. It’s under $40 and will help you create space for roots and nutrient flow to keep your lawn happy and healthy.
Hopefully our handy FAQ, thorough reviews, and thoughtful buyers guide will help you find the best lawn aerator for your own yard!
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