These Lawn Aerators Keep Your Grass Healthy and Green

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If your yard is made of heavy, clay-like soil that’s easily compacted, you could benefit from a lawn aerator. These tools are designed to remove small cores or create tiny holes in your lawn, allowing oxygen, nutrients, and water to reach the roots below. When combined with an effective watering program and proper fertilizer application, you can turn that patchy and discolored yard into a healthy and lush lawn.

We used our expertise in lawn care and landscaping to select the best lawn aerators on the market. Read on for our recommendations, as well as what to keep in mind while shopping.

The Best Lawn Aerators

• Best Push Spike: Agri-Fab 16-Inch Push Spike Aerator

• Best Tow-Behind Plug: Agri-Fab 48-Inch Tow Plug Aerator

• Best Handheld Spike: Yard Butler Multi Spike Lawn Aerator

• Best Handheld Core: Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator

• Best Soil Penetration: Agri-Fab 40-Inch Spike Lawn Aerator

What to Consider

The size and style of aerator you'll need depends largely on the size and configuration of your lawn, so take the time to think about how much effort you’re willing to exert, and also how much time you want to spend aerating.

While handheld manual aerators are simple to use—you push the tines into the ground yourself—and convenient to store when you’re finished, they’re really only practical for small yards.

Larger tow-behind options are much more efficient, and although they do require a lawn tractor or riding mower to tow them, will get the job done relatively quickly. These aerators are much wider though, and their weight also makes them a bit more challenging to store in your garage or toolshed.

It’s also important to remember that all lawns are different, so if you’re not sure if aeration is the right move, or if you just don’t have the time, it may make more sense to hire a professional. If you don’t have the ability or time to do it on your own, think about renting a self-propelled aerator from a local hardware store.

How We Selected

I spent years working as part of a professional landscaping crew, and routinely aerated residential lawns and parks. I kept this experience in mind while assembling this list, combining my hands-on experience with extensive online research, making sure to exclude any low-quality options.

We recommend a good mix of handheld, push, and tow-behind options, so regardless of your lawn size or physical ability, you should find a style that works for you. Not everyone has the same budget for lawn aerators, so this list includes a wide range of prices, as well.

16-Inch Push Spike Aerator

If you don’t have the storage space or need for a tow-behind aerator, but still want to cover a decent amount of ground, this 16-inch push model is probably just what you’re looking for. You can choose to push or pull this one, and its compact size is convenient for narrow or awkward landscaping areas.

The steel tray can hold up to 35 pounds, but since you have to tip it forward or backward to use it, you’ll have to secure that weight in place with tie-downs or bungee cords.

48-Inch Tow Plug Aerator

The 48-inch width of this model makes it well-suited for large yards, and it comes with a tray big enough for either cinder blocks or gravel bags. A universal hitch also makes it easy to hook up to your tractor or riding mower.

It also features solid rubber tires, so you don’t have to worry about punctures or deflating while you work. It does require some assembly, but the written instructions that come with the unit are straightforward and include helpful illustrations. If you need more assistance, Agri-Fab also provides video instructions, a perk we always appreciate.

40-Inch Spike Lawn Aerator

Ten galvanized steel disks with eight spikes each mean this model penetrates soil fast and well, covering 40 inches with each pass. The universal hitch makes it easy to attach to whatever machine you decide to tow it behind, and the convenient lever raises and lowers the tray with minimal effort.

At 40 pounds, it’s a bit unwieldy, but the weight of the unit plus whatever you decide to load up the tray with allow it to really penetrate the soil effectively. The three-year limited warranty is another nice perk.

Lawn Coring Aerator

Though it’s a handheld model, this tool is designed with comfort in mind thanks to a pair of cushioned handle grips and a foot bar that lets users control how deep the corers go. Each plunge removes two half-inch cores 3.5 inches long, and they’re conveniently ejected from the top of the cylinder.

Although it’s not as productive as tow-behind options, this model’s durable steel frame and lack of moving parts still make it a valuable, long-lasting tool. If you have a relatively small yard and don’t mind putting in some physical effort, this is a great choice.

Multi Spike Lawn Aerator

If you're interested in spike-aerating your yard but don’t want to invest in a larger, more expensive tow-behind or push version, this Yard Butler model is a great pick.

A wide foot bar allows you to easily sink the four three-inch spikes into the grass with each plunge, and its cushioned handle reduces slipping and helps you maintain a sturdy grip while you work. This design can also hang on the wall, making it a great choice for those who don’t have much storage space.

Lawn Aerator Shoes

If you prefer the simple storage and low investment of over-shoe aerators, this pair is an excellent choice. The two-inch spikes aren’t as thick or as long as larger models, but if you’re just looking for moderate, shallow aeration, they do the trick.

Their hook-and-loop Velcro straps tighten and secure the platforms to your shoes, with 26 spikes per pair. Plus, unlike bulkier options, you can easily stash these on a shelf or in a cabinet when you’re finished working for the day.

Tow-Behind Plug Aerator

Capable of supporting 200 pounds of weight, this Brinly aerator is rugged enough to last a long time. The transport lever makes it easy to cross driveways and sidewalks, and the 10-inch semi-pneumatic tires contribute to its overall maneuverability.

The open-core design of the plugging spoon is also a nice feature, reducing the chances of clogs from rocks or debris. Plus, the comprehensive user and instruction manual does a great job of walking you through the assembly process.

36-Inch Tow Behind Drum Spike Aerator

Instead of requiring cinder blocks or pavers to be piled on top for added weight, this model is designed to be filled with water or sand, which may be more convenient for some people. Its 78 spikes, which measure 2.5 inches each, are welded to the drum itself, instead of being attached to a separate rotating mechanism.

The limited number of moving parts makes this model more durable, and it’ll likely require less maintenance than other options over time. However, keep in mind that this model’s design, combined with its bulk, may not be the easiest to store unless you have a lot of extra space.

36-Inch Tow Behind Drum Spike Aerator

Instead of requiring cinder blocks or pavers to be piled on top for added weight, this model is designed to be filled with water or sand, which may be more convenient for some people. Its 78 spikes, which measure 2.5 inches each, are welded to the drum itself, instead of being attached to a separate rotating mechanism.

The limited number of moving parts makes this model more durable, and it’ll likely require less maintenance than other options over time. However, keep in mind that this model’s design, combined with its bulk, may not be the easiest to store unless you have a lot of extra space.

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