Best Lawn Aerators for a Beautiful and Healthy Lawn

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 18, 2023
Maintaining a nice-looking lush green lawn is not an easy job. It might take you quite a lot of time and effort unless you use the right gardening tools. With a lawn aerator, however, you will manage to complete this task faster. It can easily break through the compacted soil to promote fertilizers absorption, decrease water runoff, and let your lawn breathe. Given below are the 5 top-rated dethatchers that can help you take care of your lawn and promote its healthier growth. ...Read more ...Read less
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PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
TYPE
CUTTING WIDTH
AERATION DEPTH
AERATION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT
USABILITY
WEIGHT
WARRANTY
 
PROS

This model cleverly combines dethatching and scarifying functions, which makes it suitable both for removing dry thatch from the lawn surface and for promoting the healthy growth of the turf. 

CONS

Some users wish the catch bag were bigger. 

OUR VERDICT

The Sun Joe provides customers with a hassle-free and effortless way of aerating the lawn so that everyone can maintain it green and healthy-looking without much trouble. It is ideal for small- and average-sized lawns. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric 

CUTTING WIDTH

13"

AERATION DEPTH

0.4” below or above the soil 

AERATION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT

Yes 

USABILITY

Instant start, 5-position depth control knob, AirBoost technology, Catch bag 

WEIGHT

23 lbs 

WARRANTY

2 years 

PROS

It has two solid rubber transport wheels that allow it to cross easily driveways and asphalted paths.

CONS

Tedious assembly. 

OUR VERDICT

This lawn aerator will become a real find for all customers who have a large lush green lawn. Due to its superior cutting capabilities, you will be able to aerate your yard in a minimum time. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Tow attachment 

CUTTING WIDTH

40"

AERATION DEPTH

3"

AERATION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT

No 

USABILITY

Durable steel tray, Rugged rubber wheels 

WEIGHT

64.5 lbs 

WARRANTY

2 years on steel frame parts, 90 days on normal wear parts 

PROS

Strong and wear-resistant stainless steel tines ensure reliable aerator's performance on any soil type; a set of replacement tines allows maintaining continued aeration efficiency.

CONS

It is less efficient on Bermuda grass.

OUR VERDICT

The GreenWorks Dethatcher provides the efficiency of electric lawn aerators at a reasonable price. It comes packed with the functions and convenience features that make its handling both comfortable and efficient. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Electric 

CUTTING WIDTH

14"

AERATION DEPTH

Up to 0.4"

AERATION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT

Yes

USABILITY

3-position tine depth adjustment, Cord lock, Replacement tines, Bale switch 

WEIGHT

31 lbs 

WARRANTY

4-year limited warranty 

PROS

The tool comes complete with a steel weight tray that holds a concrete block or sandbag. Thanks to that, it is able to create additional pressure for better soil penetration.  

CONS

Some users find it hard to push on lawns with thick grass. 

OUR VERDICT

Whether you need to prepare the soil for seeding or simply loosen it to promote the grass growth, the Agri-Fab will let you do both. No gas or electricity needed. It’s a sturdy tool that demonstrates high performance on any soil type. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Manual

CUTTING WIDTH

16"

AERATION DEPTH

2.5"

AERATION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT

No

USABILITY

Steel weight tray 

WEIGHT

16.5 lbs 

WARRANTY

3-year limited warranty  

PROS

An all-steel construction is strong and extremely durable. The plugs will easily cut both through soft soil and through compacted hard clay soil.

CONS

It is not the best option for large lawns.  

OUR VERDICT

Thanks to the lightweight and compact design, the Yard Butler ID-6C Coring aerator will not take up much space in your garage or shed. It is so easy to operate that anyone will handle it with no problem. It is one of the best lawn aerators for home use as it requires neither assembly nor special maintenance.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Manual 

CUTTING WIDTH

Not specified

AERATION DEPTH

3.5"

AERATION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT

No

USABILITY

Extra durable all-steel construction, Soft grip handle 

WEIGHT

4 lbs 

WARRANTY

Lifetime warranty 

X

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Sun Joe AJ801E

Give Your Lawn the Treatment it Deserves

Sun Joe is a renowned brand name in the industry of outdoor tools. The company develops and produces a whole range of outdoor power equipment to make your home look beautiful as well as simplify your garden chores. The Sun Joe Electric Aerator is a decent candidate to consider. It is an affordable and functional scarifier that can offer you plenty of benefits. Let's see what they are.

Driven by a powerful 12-amp motor, the Sun Joe AJ801E can rake a 12.6” path in a single pass, making it possible to dethatch a lawn of small to middle size in just a few rundowns. It comes equipped with interchangeable dethatcher and scarifier rollers, which means it can both rip out thatch and cut away grassroots encouraging healthy growth of the lawn. Both rollers are made to last and feature sharp and sturdy spring tines and spikes. For a user's convenience of use, the Sun Joe AJ801E has a 5-position controller that allows you to adjust the raking depth from 0.4 mm below the surface to 0.4 inсhes above the surface. Thanks to that, you yourself will be able to control the growth of your lawn. The other convenience features that are worth noting include the AirBoost technology which maximizes thatch pickup, a detachable catch bag used for collecting the thatch, an instant start button, and a safety switch.

Review of Sun Joe AJ801E Electric Scarifier with Collection Bag
Last updated price $250.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01FEATL2I

 

Brinly PA-40BH

Designed to Add Functionality

Owners of large households, villas, ranches, and farms know exactly how hard and time-consuming it is to keep the lawn well-groomed and nice-looking. Most of them use riding mowers, lawn tractors, or even an ATV to mow the grass and trim the green. If you are a lucky owner of a big plot of lawn, too, then the Brinly Tow-behind aerator is exactly the type of tool you need. Packed with plenty of useful functions, it can let you aerate your lawn in the most efficient and effortless way. All you will need to do to start to aerate the green is to attach it to your tractor and press the gas pedal. The Brinly Tow-behind will do the rest.

Even though the Brinly Tow-behind plug aerator doesn't have a motor, it provides great performance and efficiency. In a single pass, it can cut the 40-inch patch of grass. With the super-strong plug spoons, the tool can remove up to 3” plugs from the surface of the lawn so that you can complete the job quickly and with less effort. Besides, it has a special tray in which you can put additional 150-lb weight to let it dig deeper into the soil for better dethatching results.

Made of solid stainless steel, the tool will endure heavy workloads and abuse use for many years. 

Review of Brinly PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator
Last updated price $199.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0026T4716

 

GreenWorks 27022

The Best Remedy for a Healthy Lawn

If a dense layer of dead roots, stems, and grass clippings is killing your lawn, you definitely need an efficient remedy to restore your green’s health. This is where a corded dethatcher from Greenworks will come in handy. By removing the thatch from the surface, it allows the flow of water and nutrients to penetrate into the lawn. This, in turn, helps promote healthy grass growth, saturate the soil with oxygen, and decrease water run-offs.

The GreenWorks 27002 is a perfect solution for those of you who have been looking for an aerator that requires neither maintenance nor special skills. It has a single button that activates the tool. All you need to do is press it and then push the tool before you. Powered by a 10-amp electric motor, the GreenWorks 27002 is able to remove up to 14-inch path of grass in a single pass, which is sufficient to finish the job relatively fast. Depending on the needs of your lawn, you can adjust the depth of cut in one of three positions up to 0.4 inches. 

One of the practical features of the GreenWorks 27002 is that it comes with a kit of spare parts (18 tines), which eliminates spending in the near future. 

The GreenWorks 27002 is not only functional but also very convenient to use. It has a height-adjustable ergonomic handle with a padded grip and two sturdy rubber wheels that spin perfectly on all soil types. The start button is located on the handle so that you can press/depress it instantly. The cord lock keeps the extension cord securely in place allowing you to move the tool freely without tangling. 

Review of GreenWorks 27022 Corded Dethatcher
Last updated price $129.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0030BG1HM

 

Agri-Fab 45-0365

An Affordable and Efficient Helper

Are you looking for an inexpensive, eco-friendly, and efficient way of improving the look and health of your lawn? Then your choice is the Agri-Fab Push Spike Aerator! This is a walk-behind model that requires neither gas nor electricity and is very easy to handle. It doesn't emit any harmful fumes and its operation is fully based on a user's manual force. Press it down and off you go. As simple as that.

Despite being quite cheap, the Agri-Fab Push Spike Aerator is built to last. It features a durable and well-thought-out construction that can easily withstand heavy use. Due to the 16” aeration width, it can also be used for aerating from small to mid-sized lawns. Based on star-shaped wheels with 5” to 7” spikes, the Agri-Fab Push Spike Aerator can easily slice into the soil up to 2.5”. By penetrating the soil so deeply, the tool allows the air and light reach the grassroots to improve the water and fertilizer intake by the soil. The aerator's performance can further be improved by adding extra load to a steel weight tray that comes with the tool. This will make spikes land deeper into the ground. 

Some users say that navigating this push aerator may quite a daunting task if the soil is dry and rough. Therefore it's recommended that you use it on the wet and soft soil. 

Review of Agri-Fab 45-0365 16-Inch Push Spike Aerator
Last updated price $58.74
Stock In stock
ASIN B0007VTQRK

 

Yard Butler ID-6C

When Simplicity is a Benefit

When something is simple, it is not necessarily low quality. In a case of the Yard Butler coring aerator, simplicity stands for ease of use.

Like other lawn aerators, the Yard Butler is designed to reduce soil compaction and improve water and fertilizers intake; however, as opposed to the majority of electric units that usually require some skill, the Yard Butler allows you to do it quickly and effortlessly.

Made of the first-grade stainless steel, the Yard Butler is reliable, solid, and durable. The operating principle of the tool slightly reminds that of a shovel, but it is far easier - all you need is to put your foot on the tool and the hollow tines will slide into the soil. Once they penetrate into the ground, they extract two plugs of thatch and soil leaving two 3.5-inch holes for the air, water, and nutrients. The Yard Butler doesn't have a collection bag, which means you will need to either collect the removed plugs of soil by hands or leave them on the ground to dissolve. By doing the latter, you will let your lawn get saturated with many useful microorganisms.

The obvious advantage of the Yard Butler over the peers is that it can penetrate very deeply into the ground. The more force you apply, the deeper the tines will dig into the soil. Though this process might seem quite tiresome, the results will exceed all your expectations. Your lawn will look beautiful, healthy and thick.

Review of Yard Butler ID-6C Coring Aerator
Last updated price $35.70
Stock In stock
ASIN B00EOMCJD6

 

What Is a Lawn Aerator?

To maintain a uniformly green beautiful lawn, you should regularly apply basic lawn care practices such as mowing, fertilizing, watering, and aeration. It’s notable that aeration is by far the most important element of all. Aeration is the process of perforating the soil with small holes to let the air, water, and fertilizers penetrate deep inside and reach the plants' roots. This means the efficiency of fertilizing and watering greatly depends on aeration. Regularly and duly aerated lawns stand out for the vigorous and dense grass. Also, they are less susceptible to diseases and thatch build-up.

A lawn aerator is a special gardening tool used to aerate the green to quickly bring it back to life. You can choose between electric dethatchers, manual tools, and tow aerators, which are usually attached to a riding tractor or mower, depending on your needs. Machines or powered aerators are best suited for large-sized lawns. If you own a smaller plot of lawn, you may consider buying manual models which work great for average- and small-sized residential greens. All lawn aerators fall into two main types: plug and spike aerators. Plug or core tools feature hollow tines that pull out soil plugs and leave them on the surface. Spike tools employ sharp and solid spikes to make holes in the soil.

To maintain proper lawn care, you may want to complete your arsenal of gardening tools with a lawn mower and a fertilizer spreader.

Sources:

1. Lawn aerator, Wikipedia. March 30, 2016.

2. David Beaulieu When and How Do You Aerate Your Grass? The Spruce. January 23, 2017.

3. Robert Lamb Why do lawns need to be aerated? How Stuff Works.

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Publish Date: 2017-09-27 11:58:58