Best Lawn Aerator For The Money of 2023
Philip Jackson Jun 7, 2023 8:53 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!
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- BrandGreenworks
- Prime
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- BrandSun Joe
- Prime
Sun Joe AJ801E 12-Amp 13-Inch Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier w/Removeable 8-Gallon Collection Bag, 5-Position Height Adjustment, Airboost Technology Increases Lawn Health, 13 inch, Green
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- BrandSun Joe
- Prime
Yard Butler IM-7C Multi Spike Lawn Aerator - Spike Grass Aerator Lawn Tool, Manual Hand Tiller for Garden and Soil - Yard Tools, Gardening Hand Tools, Dethatcher Rake, Edger Lawn Tool - 37 Inches
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- BrandYard Butler
VonHaus 2 in 1 Electric Lawn Dethatcher Scarifier & Aerator 12.5 Amp Corded Motor – 15” Working Width, 5 Adjustable Working Depths, 45QT Collection Bag, Folding Handle – for Lawn Health & Maintenance
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- BrandVonHaus
- Prime
Yard Butler ID-6C Manual Lawn Coring Aerator - Grass Dethatching Turf Plug Core Aeration Tool - Grass Aerators for Small Yards - Loosen Compacted Soil - Gardening Hand Tools - Gray, 37 Inches
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- BrandYard Butler
- Prime
- SCORE8.6AI 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
- BrandBrinly
- Prime
Sun Joe MJ401C-XR-RED 14-Inch 28-Volt 5-Amp Cordless Lawn Mower w/Brushless Motor, 10.6-Gallon Detachable Collection Bag, Lightweight, Red
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- BrandSun Joe
- Prime
PLANTNOMICS Lawn Aerator Shoes with Hook-and-Loop Straps, Manual, Wrench – Pre-Assembled, Adjustable, Stylish, One-Size-Fits-All – Lawn and Garden Tool Reduces Thatch, Revives Soil Health, Maroon
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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
- BrandPLANTNOMICS
- Prime
Opmeiro Lawn Coring Aerator, Yard Aerator Tool with Semi-Open Slot, Spring Aerator Tool Hand Aerator Plug for Labor-Saving, 39" x 10", Green
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- BrandOpmeiro
- Prime
Upgraded Metal Lawn Aerator Shoes Spiked Shoes for Aerating Lawn, Rivet Pre-Assembled Aerating Shoes with 2 Velcro Strap Design, One-Size-Fits-All, Adjustable Spiked Shoes for Grass Lawn Garden Yard
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- BrandAxansiho
- Prime
Leweio Lawn Aerator Shoes, Metal Spike Sandals for Aerating Lawn - Effectively Aerating Soil for Plants Health, Pre-Assembled Grass Aerator Tools for Yard,Revives Lawn Health
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- BrandLeweio
- Prime
Lawn Aerator Shoes - Spiked Shoes for Lawn Care - Assembled Yard Aerator with 3 Adjustable Straps - Heavy Duty Metal Buckles - Grass Aerator - One Size Fits All - by AbcoTech
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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
- BrandAbco Tech
- Prime
Jumbo Varieties Lawn Aerator Shoes - Comfortable Grass Aerating Spike Sandals for Lawns with Stainless Steel Shovel - Soil Aeration Shoe Pair with Spikes - Single Strap Design & Nonslip Metal Buckle
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- BrandJumbo Varieties
Goplus 18-inch Rolling Lawn Aerator Garden Yard Rotary Push Tine Spike Soil Aeration Heavy Duty
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- BrandGoplus
- Prime
Pots and Lawns Lawn Aerator Shoes w Adjustable Straps and Wrench Grass Aerating Spike Sandals for Lawns Yard Aerator Shoe Soles w Cleaning Brush Spiked Shoes for Aerating Garden Lawn Backyard Grass
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- Brand"N/A"
- Prime
Gardenhero Black Lawn Aerator Shoes | Grass Shoes Spikes Lawn Aerator Tool | Yard Aerator Lawn, Grass Aerator Lawn Tool | Shoe Aerators for Lawns Manual Aerator | Grass Aerating Shoes Universal Size
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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
- BrandN/A
- Prime
Last update on 2023-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
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:
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Remove any remaining dirt cores from the tines after you've finished raking the soil.
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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.
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As needed, lubricate the spool assembly and the shaft with oil.
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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.
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Do you have a set spending limit?
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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.
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.
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.