Having a beautiful lush green lawn can make all the difference to your home. It creates a relaxing place where you can chill out after the long working week and it is the perfect playground for the kids or an idyllic spot where you can entertain family and friends.
It can also raise the value of your property by catching the attention of prospective buyers and igniting their own homemaker imaginations. As well as using lawn fertilizer to grow the right type of grass, you need a lawn aerator to achieve a healthy, vibrant lawn that your family and guests will admire and your kids will love to play on.
The 6 Best Lawn Aerators
- EnvyGreen Lawn Aerator Shoes (Our Top Pick)
- KedsHome Lawn Aerator Shoes
- Yard Butler M-7C Lawn Spike Aerator
- Goplus Rolling Lawn Aerator
- Precision Products PA42GY Plug Aerator
- Agri-Fab 45-0299 Tow Plug Aerator
Our Top Pick for the Best Lawn Aerator
Our top pick for the best lawn aerator is the EnvyGreen Lawn Aerator Shoes.
These comfortable lawn aerator shoes will aerate your lawn while you perform other gardening tasks. They require zero assembly and the strong straps and metal buckles keep the shoes securely in place on your feet, and each shoe has 26 sharp steel spikes that can penetrate into compacted soil or turf.
If the grass on your lawn is struggling to receive the necessary moisture and nutrients it needs to flourish, the EnvyGreen aerator shoes will help you to begin the transformation process of bringing your lawn back to life, from a dry and lifeless stretch of grass to a rich green, healthy lawn.
Check the price on AmazonWhat is a Lawn Aerator?
A lawn aerator is a simple but very effective device that allows you to create the lawn of your dreams. Of course, choosing the right type of lawn seed and fertilizer and developing good lawn practices by mowing and watering your lawn regularly is important. However, that is only the beginning of your journey to the perfect grassy paradise.
A lawn aerator works by perforating the soil with small holes so that air, water, and life-giving nutrients can penetrate deep down into the roots of the grass. The end result will be a strong and lush green lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood.
Why Do You Need to Use a Lawn Aerator?
A lawn aerator is a versatile gardening tool. Every gardener should have one! It can perform so many tasks.
- Alleviates soil compaction or remove a build-up of thatch or heavy organic debris that lies just under the grass’s surface
- Allows the proper circulation of air, water, and nutrients that grass needs to thrive
- Helps to create a more heat – and drought-resistant lawn
- Strengthens the roots of the grass
- Allows you to use water and fertilizer more efficiently. A lawn aerator will make sure that any water runoff will be decreased significantly
When Do You Need to Aerate Your Lawn?
Of course, you can aerate your lawn any time, but the best time for aeration is during the growing season. If you have cool-season grasses, aerate the lawn in the early spring or early fall. For warm-season grasses, aerate the lawn in late spring.
Does Your Lawn Need Aeration?
There are some signs that will tell you that your lawn is in desperate need of aeration:
- Your lawn is dry and even though you water it regularly, the grass still looks brittle and unattractive and lacks that lush green color
- The grass may even feel spongy when you press down on it. If this is your lawn, you may have an extra build-up of thatch, which may require you to dethatch or aerate your lawn. Some professional gardeners dethatch lawns as well as aerating, but dethatching can cause a lot of stress to lawns, so aerating is the best method
- Does your lawn get a lot of traffic, from kids playing on the grass or pets running around? Maybe you have cars or a boat parked on the lawn? All of this type of activity can result in soil compaction
- Do you have a new home? The topsoil may be stripped or the grass may have been compacted due to construction vehicles or a lot of foot traffic
How to Choose the Best Lawn Aerator
When it comes to choosing a lawn aerator there are 4 main types of aerators: a spike (tine) aerator or core aerator, spike aerator shoes, push-style roller aerator, and a plug (core) tow-style aerator.
1. Spike (tine) Aerator
A spike or tine aerator, sometimes called a “step aerator” is designed like a fork with 4 or 5 spikes that penetrate into the lawn and loosen compacted soil. To use the spike aerator, you place your foot into the foot hole and push down and the spikes sink into the ground and then you pull it out again and remove the thatched debris.
This type of aerator is ideal for smaller sized yards or lawns that have small problem areas. As it requires some effort, a spike aerator may not be suitable for a medium or larger-sized yard. If you would like some tips on how to use a spike/tine/step aerator, here is a video that can help you to get the best use out of your aerator.
2. Spike Core Aerator
If you have an older lawn that has a lot of thatch and densely compacted soil, a core aerator is a very good option. The core aerator looks like a garden fork but has 2 sharp tines that measure about 9-inches apart, which penetrate into densely compacted soil, remove two 3½-inches cores of thatch, and also stimulate grass root growth.
3. Spike Aerator Shoes
If you do a lot of gardening and mowing, invest in a pair of spike aerator shoes. They may look a little weird and they may prove to be a source of bemusement to your dog or cat, but they provide a quick and easy way of aerating your lawn.
Lawn aerator shoes are very easy to use, you just strap them onto your feet and while you are walking around, attending to your normal gardening chores, the sharp spikes poke into the grass and soil. Be careful though, handle the shoes with care as the spikes are super sharp and do not leave them around for your kids or pets to play with.
4. Push-Style Roller Aerator
If you have a small to a medium-sized lawn or you would prefer an easier option that does not require you to expend a lot of energy, use a push-style roller aerator. A push-style roller aerator looks similar to the old manual-style roller lawnmower.
This type of aerator is made from tubular steel and has 2 sturdy plastic wheels and a tray that is located between the wheels, which contains sharp steel spikes that penetrate into the turf and soil. A push-style roller aerator is not suitable for larger sized yards as it not designed for heavy-duty use. It only penetrates 1-inch into the soil, so it is not designed for heavily compacted soil or rocky, uneven terrain.
A push-style rolling aerator is a great tool for elderly gardeners who want a quick and easy lawn maintenance tool. It is also a fun type of tool that can encourage your teen-aged kids to get out in the garden and commune with nature, while also helping with the gardening chores.
5. Tow-Style Plug Aerators
A tow-style plug or core aerator is an excellent choice for larger lawns and properties that require a ride-on mower or tractor to keep the grass neatly mowed. Just like a ride-on mower, the tow-style plug aerator comes in different sizes, usually 42 or 48-inches.
They are made from heavy-duty steel, with a steel-reinformed towing bar that is compatible with most ride-on mowers or tractors and the tray can take a lot of weight up to 150 or 175 pounds. The weight is necessary to increase the penetration level for densely compact areas of soil and it keeps the aerator well balanced.
If you need to maneuver the aerator over uneven terrain or operate the unit in moist soil, the 10-inches pneumatic wheels help to keep the unit stable and rolling along smoothly. For a higher level of aeration and hydration, plug aerators also provide a dethatching process.
They have extra strong plugging spoons or knives that penetrate up to 2.5 or 3-inches in most soil conditions and they can remove a plug or a core of grass to stop over-thatching.
Most plug aerators are easy to operate and they may have a single-lever action handle that allows you to engage or disengage the aerator right from your driver’s seat, and some aerators allow you to adjust the height of the aerator depending on your lawn needs.
6 Best Lawn Aerator – Reviews
1. EnvyGreen Lawn Aerator Shoes
Whether you are watering the garden or mowing the lawn, the EnvyGreen Lawn Aerator Shoes will take all the hard work out of aerating. They are great tools for making sure that your grass is ready to receive the life-giving oxygen, water, and nutrients it needs to spring back to life.
These newly designed lawn aerator shoes will save you from having to carry around bulky tools to aerate your lawn. Just strap on the strong Velcro hook & loop straps over the front of your shoes and the X-straps over your ankle, and walk around normally on the lawn. Your body weight will push the 26 strong metal 2.1-inches spikes to push into the ground with every step.
The shoes will open the soil up and expose the roots to the air, which allows moisture from rain or a hose and nutrients from fertilizer to soak into the ground and revitalize the roots.
These shoes are comfortable to wear and the adjustable straps with metal buckles fit securely over your normal shoes and the solid plastic footplate gives extra strength and support. The metal washers hold the spikes firmly in place and make sure that they will not fall out while you are aerating the lawn.
A major feature of the EnvyGreen lawn aerator shoes is that they do not require any assembly and come ready to be used. Once you have slipped the shoes on, you can get to work revitalizing your lawn. If there is a build-up of dirt or grass attached to the spikes, the front part of the shoe is slightly elongated so that you can easily knock off any excess material.
Although the EnvyGreen aerator shoes are deemed “one-size fits all”, they are not ideal for use with extra bulky work boots or people who weigh over 220 pounds as the plastic footplate can break. EnvyGreen offers a 100% money-back guarantee on the lawn aerator shoes.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great value for money
- Ideal for small-sized yards
- Strong adjustable Velcro hook & loop front straps
- X-straps fit securely over the ankles
- Solid plastic footplate
- Strong 2.1-inches metal spikes
- No assembly required
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty conditions
- Not suitable for extra bulky work boots or people who weight over 220 pounds
2. KedsHome Lawn Aerator Shoes
If your lawn is suffering from dehydration or lawn fertilizer is just not working, invest in the KedsHome Lawn Aerator Shoes. The lawn aeration shoes feature a heavy-duty design that makes them an excellent choice for tough lawn conditions and they come at a very affordable price.
These shoes have 4 strong straps and strong metal buckles that are designed to resist breakage and the sturdy plastic base gives you good support. For effective aeration for all types of lawns, the shoes have 26 sharp 2.2-inches long metal spikes that can penetrate easy into densely packed turf, soil, sand, or clay.
The shoes fit most shoe sizes but smaller feet might find the shoes at little too big. If you normally wear a 7 or 8 size shoe, you can still get a comfortable fit with the KedsHome aeration shoes as the straps can be adjusted, folded, or tucked into the metal buckle, so as to prevent difficulty walking or tripping over. Even though the aerator shoes do not come preassembled, they are very easy to assemble in just 5 minutes.
Besides the affordable price and the high-quality construction, KedsHome offers a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, so if you have any problems with the shoes, contact the manufacturer and send your order number and take some photos of the shoes and they will refund your purchase.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Ideal for small lawns
- High-quality construction
- Very good design
- Sturdy base
- Four strong straps fit securely over sneakers
- One size fits most shoe sizes
- Extra sharp 2.2-inches spikes
- Very effective aeration tool
- Easy assembly
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Shoes take some getting used to
- Not ideal for large lawns
- Spikes can be hard to remove from wet clay surfaces
3. Yard Butler M-7C Lawn Spike Aerator
If you are looking for a fast and easy way of aerating your lawn, take home the manually-operated Yard Butler M-7C Lawn Spike Aerator. It is simple to use and it does a very good job of loosening the soil so that your lawn can receive the necessary aeration, hydration, and nutrients that will stimulate the re-growth of the grassroots.
After using this handy tool and applying your favorite fertilizer, your dry and brittle grass will be transformed into a professional-looking lawn you can be proud of.
The aerator has four 3-inches spikes that can penetrate and loosen even the most densely compacted soil or turf, and the vinyl grip is comfortable to hold. You can exert just the right amount of pressure by inserting your foot into the foot hole which is wide enough for most shoe sizes and the powder-coated resin finish resists any rusting.
If you have a small yard or your lawn has certain sections that need aeration, the Yard Butler Spike Aerator is the perfect tool for you.
Even though the aerator works well in rocky or root-bound soil or soil that has a high clay content, it is recommended that you water your yard thoroughly to soften the soil before aerating so that you do not bend the spikes. Yard Butler also provides a lifetime warranty on the lawn spike aerator.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for small lawns
- Sturdy and well built
- Provides good aeration and stimulates roots regrowth
- Comfortable vinyl grip handle
- Rust-resistant power-coated resin frame
- Four hardened 3-inches spikes
- Work very well in clay soil
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Foot hole is too small for larger feet
- Not ideal for aerating large areas of lawn
- Spikes can break in densely compacted or rocky soil
- Need to soften hardened soil
4. Goplus Rolling Lawn Aerator
If you have a small or medium-sized lawn, but you do not have enough time to maintain it, then invest in the heavy-duty rolling spike lawn aerator from Goplus. This very sturdy and easy to use manually-operated lawn aerator roller is a great way of starting your lawns transformation process.
Once you start to use the Goplus rolling lawn aerator, your lawn will be better equipped to receive air, water, and fertilizer, so that those dry and dusty patches of soil or over-thatched areas of lawn can be turned into a vibrant green lawn that will be a delight for your kids and guests.
The green-colored lawn aerator roller has a strong steel 50-inches 3-piece tubular steel handle and the sturdy plastic wheels can be maneuvered easily over most lawn surfaces and the sharp 1-inch steel spikes on the 6-inches roller can penetrate into most types of soil and turf, making the Goplus aerator one effective aeration tool.
The roller comes in 3 separate pieces and will require assembly which can be challenging if there is just one person to put the aerator together. If you have a large lawn, it can be quite a workout, so this roller is more suited for a small lawn with an even surface.
For best results, use the lawn aerator roller after it has rained so that the soil is soft and the spikes can penetrate a lot easier.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great value for money
- Heavy-duty steel tubular frame
- Ideal for small lawns with an even surface
- Works very well at loosening soil
- Sharp 1-inch spikes
Cons
- Spikes not long enough for heavily compacted soil
- Not ideal for large yards
- Not easy to push over rocky, uneven ground
- Can be tough for one person to assemble
5. Precision Products PA42GY Plug Aerator
The Precision Products PA42GY Plug Aerator is an excellent choice for those gardeners who have a medium to large-sized garden or property and want an aeration tool that you can tow behind your ride-on mower or tractor. The aerator has a heavy-duty solid frame that is made from strong 11-gauge steel that is built to last and resists warping and the steel-reinforced towing bar can easily fit most tractors or ride-on mowers.
The steel tray holds an additional 150 pounds of weight to increase the penetration level for densely compact areas of soil. If you need to maneuver the aerator over uneven terrain or use it in moist soil conditions, the 10-inches pneumatic wheels help to keep the unit stable and rolling along smoothly.
For a good level of aeration and hydration, the 32 steel plugging spoons can penetrate up to 2½-inches in most soil conditions and can easily remove good-sized plugs or cores of grass to stop over-thatching.
The single-lever action can be engaged or disengaged from the driver’s seat and you can adjust the height of the aerator depending on your lawn needs. The unit requires some assembly and takes up to 20 minutes with some tools.
To get the best aeration and dethatching results, use the plug aerator in clay-based soils, and it works very well in high traffic areas like playgrounds and sporting fields and lawns that are burned-out or damaged by drought. Precision Products offer a 90-day limited warranty.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Solid heavy-gauge steel construction
- Easy to operate over uneven terrain
- Single-lever action can be activated from the driver’s seat
- Very good aeration performance
- Works well in clay-based soil
- Compatible with most ride-on mowers or tractors
Cons
- Expensive
- Needs up to 150 pounds of weight to work effectively
- Spoons are too thick to cut deep enough
- Requires some assembly
6. Agri-Fab 45-0299 Tow Plug Aerator
If your medium or large-sized lawn has been experiencing heavy foot traffic and has become overly compacted and it is looking dry and unattractive, then bring it back to life with the Agri-Fab 45-0299 Tow Plug Aerator.
The Agri-Fab aerator is a very good-quality aeration tool that can penetrate into the heavily compacted soil to allow that much-needed moisture and nutrients to reach your lawn’s roots, which will result in a vibrant green lawn.
Proudly designed and assembled in the US (with some imported but high-quality materials), the Agri-Fab plug aerator has a durable heavy-gauge, rust-proof steel deck and welded drawbar, which can be attached to most ride-on mowers or tractors, and the simple-to-use cantilever transport handle allows for easy raising and lowering.
Designed for increased soil penetration, the 32 galvanized super sharp replaceable ¾-inch blades can penetrate into tough compacted soil and can remove 3-inches soil plugs. The 48-inches weight tray that can hold up to 175 pounds increases the aerator’s stability as you drive along and provides high-level aeration and dethatching performance.
If you have a lawn that has uneven terrain, the 10-inches flat-proof tires allow for easy maneuverability and smooth transport and require no maintenance. Agri-Fab offers a very generous 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Heavy-duty plug aerator
- High-quality design
- Ideal for large lawns and properties
- Durable steel-reinforced construction
- Super sharp knives
- Excellent aeration performance
- Simple-to-use cantilever transport handle allows for easy raising and lowering
- 10-inches flat-proof tires allow for easy maneuverability
- Weight tray can hold up to 175 pounds
Cons
- Not ideal for small yards
- Hard to turn in tight corners
- Not very stable on steep inclines
- Assembly can take up to 2 or 3 hours
Our Top Pick for the Best Lawn Aerator
Our top pick for the best lawn aerator is the EnvyGreen Lawn Aerator Shoes.
These comfortable lawn aerator shoes will aerate your lawn while you perform other gardening tasks. They require zero assembly and the strong straps and metal buckles keep the shoes securely in place on your feet, and each shoe has 26 sharp steel spikes that can penetrate into compacted soil or turf.
If the grass on your lawn is struggling to receive the necessary moisture and nutrients it needs to flourish, the EnvyGreen aerator shoes will help you to begin the transformation process of bringing your lawn back to life, from a dry and lifeless stretch of grass to a rich green, healthy lawn.
Check the price on Amazon
