Lawn Aerator Buying Guide

A lawn aerator is a piece of equipment that pokes holes in grass, allowing nutrients like air, water and fertilizer to reach soil. Aeration is essential for keeping soil healthy because without it, dirt can become compounded.

The main goal of lawn aeration is to fight compaction. Lawns can become compacted several ways – from rain and snow fall, foot traffic, lawn mower use and more. Aeration helps to open compacted soil, allowing nutrients like oxygen to reach the root system.  Wondering whether you need to aerate? A few signs to look out for include rain puddles pooling in the lawn as well as dry, unhealthy grass.

Both spike and plug aerators work similarly – by punching holes into the ground. Spike aerators, which are typically towed behind a piece of lawn equipment, use sharp tines to make holes in the ground. Plug aerators, also called core aerators, are designed with hollow tines that pull a plug of soil from the ground. Spike aerators are suited for smaller lawns that are mildly compacted while plug aerators are ideal for larger and more compacted lawns. Plug aerators open the ground up to more ventilation compared to spike aerators.  

In your search for an aerator, you may come across aerator shoes. They attach with straps to the bottom of shoes and can be used to manually aerate a small lawn. If you do use spike lawn aerators, make sure to wear steel toe safety shoes.

There are a few ways you can go about aerating your lawn. If you choose a push aerator, you might want to consider one that has a built-in motor to make it easier to manually push the aerator across your lawn. This aerator style is ideal for small to mid-sized lawns.

For larger and more compacted lawns, you'll want to opt for a tow-behind aerator. Available in both plug and spike models, most tow-behind aerators feature a weight tray where additional weight, by way of bricks or concrete blocks, help weigh down the tray and increase soil penetration.

The best way to keep an aerator in working condition is to prevent it from rusting. Because aerators are often stored for long periods of time, it’s essential to make sure yours is clean and dry before putting it away in a garage or tool shed. If you clean your aerator off with a hose or pressure washer, let it fully dry in the sun and/or use a soft cloth to collect any remaining moisture.  

An additional step you can take before storing an aerator is lubricating its surface and tines. Lubrication creates a barrier of protection that repels moisture and helps to keep the aerator’s moving parts in working order. Like any garden tool or piece of equipment, proper storage and maintenance is essential for protecting your investment.