The 8 Best Lawn Aerators of 2020

Since lawn aerators come in all shapes and sizes, it can be difficult to pin down what the absolute best choice looks like. For the average lawn owner, however, simpler is better. Why hassle with a large piece of equipment when aerating your lawn can be as easy as putting on your shoes?

The Punchau Lawn Shoes takes the top spot for this simple approach to aerating your lawn. Providing two, stable platforms you can slip over your existing shoes, these heavy duty spiked sandals allow you to march around the lawn with little set up. The twelve 2” spikes dig just deep enough to expose the roots of your grass to the water and nutrients it needs to grow strong and green.

If you have a larger yard to tackle, you need to start thinking on a larger scale. For big, heavy duty jobs, the Agri-Fab 45-0299 aerator maximizes the amount of area you can cover in one go. Pulled from a riding lawn mower, using this aerator is practically effortless once you have everything hooked up.

The ten inch, flat proof tires will keep the platform stable even while going over rough, debris-filled terrain. The aerator also works as a detacher which removes the layer of dead organic material that build up throughout the yard.

A coring or plug lawn aerator actually removes dirt from the soil instead of just driving a spike through. While this can be more time consuming, the results are often better since the roots of your grass have a clear, direct access line to the surface above. The Yard Butler ID-6C makes it simple to get this quality of work done using a straightforward handle/rake design.

A comfortable dual handle grip and stable foot platform allow you to drive the aerator deep into the ground without harming your arms or back. The main-frame uses a durable, all steel construction that can resist the abuse of driving the tool into the soil. The construction is even solid enough to handle dry, almost rock-like soils common in a desert or dry areas.

Spiked lawn aerators are the secret for quick and effective aeration. While the results usually don’t match coring or plug aerators, a good spike can still get the job done when time or money is limited. The Ames Steel Spike is one of the most simple tools to use for small to medium yards. A multi-spike array at the end digs deep with each push of the aerator.

Everything about this straightforward tool is meant to extend use and comfort. The stirrup handle distributes the load evenly in your hand, keeping it and your back comfortable when using it over a long period of time. The one-piece design also maximizes the durability of the tool while making it small and convenient to store in the garage or shed.

Shoe aerators can be a surprisingly good choice to maintain your lawn’s health. The GoPPa Lawn Shoes uses several long spikes attached to the solid platform base. Since your feet carry the heavy load while working, these shoes eliminate some of the common pains and discomforts people can experience while using handle or push-type aerators around the yard.

GoPPa designed these shoes with extendability in mind. In addition to a solid, durable construction, the shoes come with several extra parts should one of the spikes or buckles break. The three straps make it easy to fit a variety of shoe sizes so you don’t have to worry about finding the perfect fit. A fourth strap is also included if you need extra stability when working tough soil.

Shoe and handheld aerators can be time-consuming and difficult to use if you have a large yard to aerate. Since towed aerators might be overkill for your needs, a better option is a pusher aerator like the Goplus Rolling aerator. Similar to a lawnmower, this type of aerator creates a grid of holes in your yard as you push it along in rows.

This option includes an 18" wide roller with a diameter of 6". The width covers a decent amount of area while remaining small enough to maneuver around corners or tricky spots in your yard. The sturdy wheels can handle many different types of terrain while the steel spikes are solid enough to dig into most common types of soil.

A towed lawn aerator is the only logical choice to consider if your yard is large enough to need a riding lawn mower. Anything smaller will just make the whole process take longer with more effort on your part. The Brinly-Hardy Tow-Behind aerator is one of the most simple and efficient options you can buy provided you have the necessary hitch and riding mower to move the aerator around.

At 40" wide, this aerator covers a lot of ground with each pass. The spikes penetrate the soil up to three inches. Each individual spike is actually a heat-treated plugging spoon to maximize the size of each hole so more water and nutrients can be absorbed by the grass.