Best Powered, Small & Manual Lawn Aerators (2024 Reviews)

It can be genuinely annoying to have a spotty lawn, mainly if you’ve worked hard to maintain its wellness, yet the patches continue. If this is your problem, it could be due to an aeration issue. Grass needs an abundance of air for ideal growth. Unfortunately, our constant usage of the lawn often results in soil compaction, obstructing both air movement and water uptake. While it may not be feasible to start all over and till the lawn, a quick remedy could be employing a lawn aerator.

Lawn aerators help loosen the soil to allow the infiltration of these components. There are two types of aerators, plugs, and spikes. We have discussed how each of them works and which one is the best later in the post. But before that, below are some of the best lawn aerators based on their features and customer reviews.

Contents

Best Lawn Aerator Reviews

1. Greenworks 27022

Key Features

The tine depth is adjustable to three positions.
The manufacturer offers a 4-years warranty.
The tines are composed of stainless steel.
It also features foldable handles.
It features a 14-inch dethatching width.
It’s a corded aerator, powered by a 10 amp motor.
It weighs 25 pounds.

Greenworks have an excellent reputation in manufacturing environmentally friendly farming tools. This 27022 model is an electric powered aerator with an adjustable tine depth and an extended warranty. Better yet, it works as both an aerator and a dethatcher.

Why we like it

The foldable handles make it easy to store. They also feature a padded grip that makes it easy for you to push around.
The stainless steel tines are durable and maintain sharpness for a long time.
It doesn’t leave any carbon footprint.
The 10 amp motor provides enough power to aerate even the hardest soils.
It also features an adjustable handle, accommodating people of different heights.
It’s not that heavy. You can comfortably push it around.

What we don’t like

Then assembly instructions are not well explained.
The cord may also inconvenience you as you work on your lawn.

Our Verdict

It is the ideal medium-sized lawn aerator. If you’re worried about having to push it around, the dethatching activity gives it a forward motion, making it easier for you. Also, make sure you get a very long cord if you have a larger lawn. The 4-year warranty is also a good reason to trust this tool. Also, make sure that you don’t pull it since you may dig into your lawn. Always use it by pushing from behind.

2. Agri-Fab 45-0299 Plug Aerator

Key Features

It features 32 galvanized knives.
It also features a 48-inch aerating width.
The manufacturer offers a 3-years warranty.
It’s a tow-behind aerator that can be connected to ATVs, riding lawn mowers and tractors.
It also features a tray that can handle more than 140 pounds of weight.
It also features two flat-free wheels.

This Agri–Fab is a heavy-duty tow-behind plug aerator. It features a robust tray where you can add some weight, as well as self-sharpening knives. These two features enable this tool to penetrate even the hardest soils.

Why we like it

Adding more weight to the tray allows you to penetrate deeper into the soil.
The self-sharpening blades are very sturdy and easy to maintain.
The 48-inch working width allows you to aerate large pieces of land within a short time.
The flat-free wheels make this gardening tool easy to maneuver. These wheels also cause less damage to your lawn.
It also features a cantilever handle that makes it easy to attach it to other vehicles.

What we don’t like

The assembly process is quite tedious and time-consuming.
The tines are also very sharp. If you’re not careful, you may injure yourself.
It’s also quite large, taking up too much storage space.

Our Verdict

If you have a large piece of land, then this one’s for you. It has a broad aerating width, a sturdy build, and it’s relatively easy to use. The tray allows you to achieve the desired depth for better results. The manufacturer also offers excellent customer service.

3. Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator

Key Features

It features two plugs, each ½ inch wide and 3 ½ inches wide.
It features a durable steel build.
It’s 37 inches long and has a padded T-handle.
The plugs are separated by a bar where you can place your foot when working.

This is a very handy manual aerator. It makes holes in compact soil and removes dead plants and any other debris that may have accumulated in the ground. It’s a simple tool from Yard Butler, which facilitates the infiltration of water and fertilizer into the soil.

Why we like it

It’s easy to use and doesn’t require any assembly.
It works both as an aerator and as a detacher.
The steel structure is very durable.
The padded handles make it easy to use it for a long time.
The 37-inch shaft also alleviates back pain.
The bar connecting the spikes allows you to add more pressure using your foot to reach deeper into the soil. It also creates a barrier that prevents you from going too deep.

What we don’t like

It gets clogged very quickly, especially in clay soil.
It’s very tiring and time-consuming.

Our Verdict

IF you would love to aerate and dethatch small spaces, such as your front yard, this tool suits you. It’s affordable, easy to use, and effective. To prevent clogging, use it after heavy rain, or water the lawn fast. You can also dip the spikes in water to prevent soil from drying inside them.

4. Brinly PA-40BH

Key Features

It features 24 steel plugs (four in each spool) that remove 3 inches of soil.
The whole structure is also made from heat-treated metal.
It features a tray where you add up to 150 pounds of weight.
It features a universal hitch.
Each spool is connected independently.
The manufacturer also provides a 2-year warranty.
It also features a 40-inch working width.

This is another heavy-duty plug aerator. It allows you to use more weight to achieve a better depth, and it also loosens the soil. It’s also one of the most durable and most affordable models in this list.

Why we like it

It’s quite easy to assemble and use, unlike most heavy-duty aerators.
The plugs also don’t get easily clogged.
The independent spools make it easy to and affordable to replace when one of them breaks.
The manufacturer also offers excellent customer service.
The universal hitch makes it easy to connect it to a wide variety of vehicles.

What we don’t like

There are cases where some parts are missing in the shipped package.
The assembly process also takes too long.

Our Verdict

Those with larger yards will appreciate the functionality and ease of use in this tool. Thanks to the broad cutting width, you can aerate large pieces of land in a short time. Also, since it doesn’t easily clog, you can use it in clay soils.

5. CoPedvic Aerator Shoes

Key Features

Each shoe features 13 2.4-inch spikes.
The manufacturer also provides three small spades for cleaning the shoes.
They also have eight double-layered thick straps.
These shoes can handle a maximum weight of 400 pounds.
The base where the spikes are connected is made from high-quality HDPE plastic.

Last in our list are the CoPedvic Aerator shoes. Unlike the previous products reviewed, this model uses spikes to make holes in the soil. This type of aerator allows you to use your bodyweight in applying pressure to the spikes.

Why we like it

The steel spikes can penetrate any type of soil.
They are also easy to clean thanks to the three little shovels.
It’s made of very durable materials.
The eight thick straps ensure that these shoes are firmly attached to your boots.

What we don’t like

They cover small spaces at a time, making it a very tedious activity if you have a large yard.

Our Verdict

If you have the time and strength, this would be a fun way to aerate your lawn. Since you are using your body weight, you don’t have to worry about back and shoulder pains. However, they are limited to small yards.

What to Look for in the Best Lawn Aerator

Is lawn aeration necessary? Some homeowners ignore this activity, but it’s vital if you want to maintain a healthy lawn. When your family and friends step on it for a long time, it compacts. Rain even makes this compaction worse. It’s important to aerate the lawn often to prevent this from happening. Below are some crucial aspects you need to understand before getting a lawn aerator.

Aeration Vs. Dethatching

Some people may use these terms interchangeably, but they are slightly different. Detaching is the removal of debris such as dead plants and other materials from the soil. Thatch is essential, but only when it’s at least ½ inches deep. It regulates the temperatures in the ground and helps the soil retain moisture. Once it goes deeper than that, it blocks water and air from reaching the roots. If you have a lot of thatch in your lawn, you should use a dethatcher instead, or an aerator that doubles up as a dethatcher.

Factors to Consider when Purchasing

Size of your lawn – The larger the lawn, the larger and more sophisticated aerator you will need. Homeowners with small lawns can comfortably use the shoe aerator or the handheld plug aerator. Larger models allow you to cover more ground at a time. If you opt for the tow-behind models, make sure that the hitch matches the extension in your vehicle.
Cost – Aeration takes place at least three times a year. It’s not a good idea to spend a lot of money on this tool unless you have to. For instance, you may pay more if you need the tow-behind models for more extensive lawns, or the aerator and dethatcher combo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Plug vs. Spike Aerator

Spike aerators make holes in the soil pushing the soil aside once you drive the spike into the ground. Plugs, on the other hand, are hollow. They work by removing some dirt, leaving holes on your lawn. Both of these tools loosen up compact soil, facilitate the infiltration of water and fertilizers, and stimulate the growth of plant roots.

Plugs are more effective since they reduce the compactness by removing some of the soil. Spikes may even compact the soil further, especially if your farm has clay soil. But if you have loam and sand soil, spikes may still be useful. But if you want long-term solutions for your lawn, plug aerators are the best way to go.

Should I Aerate or Till my Lawn?

Tilling is excellent when starting new lawns. But to maintain an existing lawn, aerating will be the better option since you will be relieving the compactness without disturbing your grass.

Can I Aerate with a Tiller?

Tillers break massive cramps, aerate the soil, and mix various components in the soil evenly. Therefore, if you are starting a new lawn, you use the tiller. If it’s a seasoned lawn, a tiller may do more harm than good. This is where we recommend using a plug aerator. As mentioned earlier, these devices remove plugs of soils, allowing the grass to “breathe,” and take in the water and nutrients.

When should You Aerate your Lawn?

You should aerate or dethatch when your grass is actively growing. This will make it easier for it to recover when you damage the roots.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market looking for lawn aerator, we believe that an investment in the Greenworks 27022 would prove worthwhile in the long-run. For starters, it’s both an aerator and a dethatcher, killing two birds with one stone. Secondly, it’s corded, making it easier to push it. The stainless steel tines and 14-inch cutting width is ideal for most lawns.

With the adjustable handles, you can adjust it to a comfortable height. Since it’s powered by electricity, it doesn’t emit any harmful fumes to the atmosphere. It may be a little more expensive than the manual tools, and some of the tow-behind models, but its application cuts across all the other types of aerators. The 4-year warranty is also one of the best in the market today.