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Best Lawn Aerator For The Money of 2024

Philip Jackson
  Apr 18, 2024 8:27 AM

 In this review, the Gilsons Lyceum Reviews Team researched the 17 best lawn aerator for the money to help you find the product that’s right for you and your garden. You can see some famous brands as Greenworks, Sun Joe, Yard Butler, VonHaus, Brinly, PLANTNOMICS, Opmeiro, Axansiho, Leweio, Abco Tech, Jumbo Varieties, Goplus, "N/A", N/A.


Overview

We were taught as children not to poke holes in anything, so as not to ruin it. Adults are now doing the same thing in their yards, but they are doing it for the right reasons!

Aerating, the process of making holes in your grass, is one of the most effective ways to keep it healthy. Soil compaction is reduced, and air, water, and nutrients are better circulated into the soil, resulting in a thicker, healthier lawn.

More and more homeowners are choosing to buy their own lawn aerators instead of paying for a professional lawn aeration service or renting equipment to do it themselves as the DIY mentality among homeowners rises.

So on to the important questions…how do you pick the appropriate lawn aerator and which model do I think is the top contender? Keep reading to find out!


Compare Products

1
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Greenworks
2
  • SCORE
    9.2
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Sun Joe
3
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Sun Joe
4
  • SCORE
    9.0
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Yard Butler
5
  • SCORE
    8.8
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    VonHaus
6
  • SCORE
    8.6
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Yard Butler
7
  • SCORE
    8.6
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Brinly
8
  • SCORE
    8.4
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Sun Joe
9
  • SCORE
    8.2
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    PLANTNOMICS
10
  • SCORE
    8.2
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Opmeiro
11
  • SCORE
    8.2
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Axansiho
12
  • SCORE
    8.0
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Leweio
13
  • SCORE
    7.4
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Abco Tech
14
  • SCORE
    7.0
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Jumbo Varieties
15
  • SCORE
    6.6
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    Goplus
16
  • SCORE
    6.4
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    "N/A"
17
  • SCORE
    4.8
    AI Score

    G Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts (people love working outdoors with people and plants). It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our team based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites. Learn more

  • Brand
    N/A

Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Reliability (Warranty)

Your lawn aerator is covered by a guarantee from the manufacturer, as is the case with the majority of lawn and garden equipment.

Generally speaking, these are limited warranties that cover flaws in materials or workmanship on the unit itself. They don't cover damage caused by the user or typical wear and tear on the equipment that happens over time.

There are a variety of covering options available, as each manufacturer has its own set of specifications. From what I've found, a two-year guarantee is the industry standard, and it covers most defects in materials and workmanship.

Maintenance Requirements

To make sure your lawn aerator lasts as long as possible, it has to have some simple maintenance performed on it.

To get the most out of your aerator, follow these steps each time:

  • Remove any remaining dirt cores from the tines after you've finished raking the soil.

  • Clean the aerator with a garden hose to remove any mud or grime.

Manufacturers propose the following as periodic maintenance:

Using a tiny grinder, plug points can be sharpened if they lose their cutting edge.

  • As needed, lubricate the spool assembly and the shaft with oil.

  • When necessary, apply oil to the hubs of the wheels.

Before putting your equipment away for the year, give it a good cleaning and a light oiling at the end of the season.

Price

When determining how much to pay, consider your goals and how far your resources will allow you to go in order to reach those goals.

 

  • Do you have a set spending limit?

  • Are you looking to aerate a large or small area of your lawn?

To save money on an aerator, go with a less expensive handheld type if you have a smaller yard and don't need all of the extra bells and whistles. You'll spend more time and effort doing it yourself, but you'll end up with a healthier grass.

Those with a larger yard or access to an ATV or lawn tractor should opt for a pull behind model.

Pushing a gas-powered lawn aerator around costs thousands of dollars, depending on the brand. If you own rental properties or run a lawn care service, these are wonderful possibilities for you. They aren't worth the additional cost for the majority of property owners, unfortunately.

Soil types

In order to properly care for your garden, it is critical that you get the appropriate equipment. You should select a lawn aerator based on the type of soil in your yard because there are four different models to pick from.

It won't be enough to soften heavily compacted dry soil, so you might want to pass on buying it.

You don't want to buy a commercial-grade, tow-style aerator for a little, weakly compacted soil. If you're not careful, it could even harm the delicate flower beds.

Depending on the size of your lawn and the type of soil in your garden, you should select an aerator.

Indentions or remove soil plugs

There are two options for aeration: one can produce indentations in the ground while the other removes soil. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and some individuals prefer one over the other.

Despite the fact that indentations are thought to be ineffective at relocating soil, the soil compactions they leave behind are still visible. It is better to remove soil plugs than to compact the soil by burying them in dirt.

Manual or Powered

An important factor to consider is whether the aerator will be operated manually or by its own internal combustion engine. Manual aeration requires a lot of physical effort.

When it comes to aerating a small space, a manual aerator is the best option. To aerate the lawn by hand, you can use spike forks, plug forks, or even spikeshoes.

Any medium to large-sized or extremely compacted soil will benefit from the use of a motorized aerator.

Size of Lawn

Lawn aerators are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, and they can be put to many uses (outlined below).

The size of the area you want to aerate will play a major role in whatever one you choose.

A manual aerator may be all you need for a little yard.

In the event that your yard is big enough for one of these amazing zero-turn lawnmowers, you may want to consider a tow aerator.

It's worth noting, though, that you won't find any commercial or industrial aerators on this page.

Spike or Plug Aerators?

A spike or plug mechanism can be used to aerate water.

A spike aerator is exactly what it sounds like – a device that uses spikes to pierce the lawn or surface.

They're a great answer for short-term irrigation issues and can be used for seeding, and they can be utilized on any type of grass and in any weather.

Plug aerators (also referred to as core aerators) remove a small portion of your lawn's soil and deposit it on the surface, resulting in a smoother lawn.

There are various benefits to this. A spike aerator is essentially useless in clay-heavy soil that is severely compacted.

This method of seeding/overseeding is particularly efficient because the soil plugs breakdown and fertilize the lawn.

Plug aerators, on the other hand, are more time-consuming and require a certain set of circumstances to be most effective and not damage your lawn.

Additionally, some individuals object to the appearance of soil nuggets left on their lawn, which resemble animal droppings.

Type/Application

An aerator can come in a variety of forms, depending on its intended use.

When you walk over your lawn, you can aerate it by attaching a device to your feet that sinks tines or spikes deep into the ground.

Alternatively, you can stroll over your area and actively dig aerators into the soil using a manual hand aerator.

Models with motors that combine an aerator with another essential gardening equipment are available on the market.

It's possible to use liquid aerators instead of mechanical devices or other instruments. Spraying the soil with a garden sprayer breaks down the soil and improves drainage, all while requiring no work.

In order to cover wider areas, people should use a tow behind aerator (and if you have something to tow it with in the first place).

Finally, there are industrial aerators, which are the greatest devices for lawn aeration, but they are prohibitively expensive, cumbersome, and unnecessary for most homeowners who just want to improve their yard's irrigation a couple of times a year.


Faqs

Do You Really Need To Aerate Your Lawn?

Yes, aerating your lawn is a must. As grass grows and traffic passes over it, even the healthiest of lawns will accumulate trash or get compacted to a point where water and fertilizer cannot reach the soil as easily as they should.

Aerating your lawn removes this layer of waste and compacted soil, allowing water, fertilizer, and pesticides to penetrate deeper into the soil, resulting in a thicker lawn that is better able to utilize these resources.

How Often Should You Aerate Your Grass?

Depending on the type of soil you have and the extent of compacting, you may need to aerate your yard more frequently or less frequently. Most homeowners should aerate their lawns at least once a year, depending on the sort of grass they have.

For the optimal grass growth, homeowners with a lot of ground compaction or soils with a lot of clay should do this twice a year instead of once.

Which is better – a plug or spike aerator?

Plug/core aerators are generally considered to be superior.

This is especially important if your soil is clay-rich and prone to being severely compacted. Using a spike tool or machine will not be nearly as effective as using one.

While a spike aerator does generate holes in your grass, it also compacts the soil surrounding the initial entry site — which can completely undermine the aim of aerating your lawn.

In contrast, plug aerators remove soil and create holes, allowing the ground to breathe and expand - filling those holes back up over time – and by the very process of not continuing to pack the earth down, allowing the earth to breathe and expand.

Spike aerators have their place, especially when the soil is already loose or when you are looking for an immediate answer.

Overseeding your grass might also benefit from using these tools.

There are parameters that must be met in order for plug aerators to be effective, and they can be extremely damaging to your grass. A tremendous mess can be caused if it’s done at the wrong moment.


Conclusion

Grass aeration is vital to a healthy and happy lawn, ensuring that it obtains sufficient hydration, while enabling oxygen and nutrients to do their work.

I hope this information has helped you locate the best lawn aerator for your situation.

I'd prefer to use a liquid aerator due to the size of my yard, but if I were to try overseeding, I'd go with the step-on core aerator and get a good workout.

Tell me which aerator you like and why in the comments below.

Hopefully, you'll be able to transform your grass into the lush greenery of an 18th hole.


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