Updated on Oct. 10, 2024
For serious lawn care aficionados, an aerator is an ace up their sleeve. If you're ready to get serious, check out the best lawn aerator on the market.
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Put plainly, a lawn aerator is a device that pokes holes in a lawn’s surface so the ground can breathe. It works by coring out pieces of soil, which allows water and fertilizer to reach the grassroots under the turf. And there are a lot of benefits to it. According to Dr. Roger May, the Michigan Region Technical Manager for TruGreen, “Aeration relieves compaction, helps water and air to reach the root system and promotes a vigorous root system.” In addition to breaking up compaction, lawn aerators are excellent for managing lawn thatch and promoting seed germination.
Unfortunately, recreational use, heavy foot traffic, pets and riding lawnmowers all contribute to compacting the soil under your lawn. Luckily, that can be undone with aeration. With that in mind, it’s clear you need a lawn aerator in your life (and yard). But which one? Luckily, Family Handyman is here to help. We’ve carefully analyzed the options and found the best lawn aerators on the market. Check out our picks below:
VIA MERCHANT
While you’re slice-aerating your yard, you can double down on your effort by applying soil amendments like lime or gypsum or by overseeding your lawn in one pass. Need a machine to help you do just that? Check out the Agri-Fab Tow Aerator for the most versatile lawn aerator around. We’re impressed with the eight galvanized steel spike disks (slicing blades), the agitator that resists rust, and the robust 10-inch flat-free wheels that make it easier to tow.
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VIA MERCHANT
Open up the full potential of your lawn and get exercise while you’re at it when you strap on these fun and affordable lawn aerator sandals. The adjustable cleats work on most sizes of men’s or women’s shoes. They even come with their own shovel to clean any dirt that sticks to the soles of the shoes. Why not wear ’em while mowing the lawn to be sure you cover every inch of grass? The possibilities are endless.
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VIA MERCHANT
Sometimes the simpler the tool the better. Aerate your lawn without all the bells and whistles with the True Temper Digging Fork. This tool might need a little extra effort to punch the holes, but it does the trick. It’s outrageously simple, yet quick and effective—ideal for working in small, targeted areas that need special attention.
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VIA MERCHANT
With this tow-behind plug aerator, you’ll open up the soil to create a channel for air, water, fertilizer and grass seeds to get into the ground. It comes with 32 rust-resistant galvanized knives, and a built-in tray allows you to add up to 140 pounds of weight to achieve soil penetration up the three inches deep.
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VIA MERCHANT
Get your lawn ready for spring with this powder-coated steel coring aerator built to last. The 37-inch aerator uses a foot bar for extra leverage, so there’s no need to “put your back into it.” With a quick and easy push, it removes two 3-inch grass plugs in one motion.
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VIA MERCHANT
The Simple Lawn Solutions Liquid Soil Loosener is an easy alternative to manual or mechanical aerators. It treats the soil, breaks down the thatch, reduces compaction, and promotes water drainage and filtration as it softens the lawn. Whether you want to use this loosener in tandem with other aerators or on it’s own, it’s sure to impress. Oh, and did we mention it works on all grass types? Consider us sold.
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The optimal time to aerate your lawn is late summer or early fall. This time of year, lawns are most compacted, so aeration helps alleviate tamped-down soil and prepares it for the grass-growing season. After a rainfall, it is a great time to aerate since the ground is soft, allowing for deeper penetration with less effort. We recommend avoiding aerating during the hot summer months, which will only dry out and put undue stress on your lawn.
It’s unnecessary, but mowing the grass down to a few inches will maximize the lawn aerating effectiveness.
Yes. New grassroots will fill in holes left behind after aerating the lawn within a week or so.
