10 Best Lawn Aerator [Buyer Guide]
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Getting a lawn aerator is a dream for most gardeners, or for those who take great pride in their front and back garden. Grass aerators were designed to ensure that there is sufficient drainage of water, as well as optimum growth. It encourages worms to continue to fertilize the soil, too. They don’t require a ton of effort and labour, but if you factor in a Grass aerator into your gardening – you’ll absolutely reap the rewards. Lawn aeration isn’t something that is widely spoken about, as it’s something that is an added bonus to your garden and not necessarily a given. However, for those who have green fingers and really want to look after their lawns, a grass aerator, in our opinion, is an inexpensive investment which should last you decades providing that you look after it properly.
They can also be a great way to spot areas where you may need to use moss or weed killers to further nourish your lawns. It’s all about taking care of what you already have! For some lawns, the answer is using an aerator rather than investing in brand new grass that can be laid on top. It requires patience, time and effort to nurture a healthy lawn. Too often people assume that the lawn they have isn’t of “high quality” and invest in unnecessary landscaping and gardeners, when the trick is to aerate it. We do know, however, it may be difficult knowing where to start and what type of lawn aerator would work best for you. In order to help with this a little, here at Konservatory, we have written this buyer guide to guide you in the right direction about which lawn aerator suits you, your garden and your budget. We’ve reviewed the top 10 best lawn aerators, taking into account their key features, specifications and pros and cons. We’ve also included a buyer guide summary at the bottom as well as an extensive FAQ to answer any of your burning questions!
Remi Tools Rolling Lawn Aerator
The Remi Tools Rolling Lawn Aerator is a robust and trusty grass aerator that has deep-set spikes and easy handling, meaning it can be used by practically everyone. It’s a fast and reliable way to keep your grass aerated, and can work to cover large surface areas – meaning that if you have a lot of lawn/grass/soil, you don’t need to take all day doing it. The design also isn’t too clunky, meaning that you can store this easily in a garage or even outdoors, just make sure you get a tarpaulin or a waterproof cover so it doesn’t get damaged or become waterlogged.
This lawn aerator is perfect for those who have larger gardens or want something that is going to be hassle-free.
Key Features:
Deep-set spikes for maximum aeration
Robust design
Strong materials for optimum results
Specification:
Brand
Remi Tools
Width
300 mm
Spike size
45 mm
Pros
Can cover a large surface area which is great for those who have larger gardens
Cons
Size may not be suitable for everyone
Greenkey Garden and Home Ltd 700 Rolling Lawn Aerator
The Greenkey Garden and Home Ltd 700 Rolling Lawn Aerator is a large lawn aerator which has been designed to cover larger surface areas. With thirty spikes, this can penetrate your lawn effectively with minimal effort overall. It’s easy to assemble and take apart, meaning that you can store this even in smaller garages with ease. Overall, this is an excellent product that continues to deliver come rain or shine.
This grass aerator is perfect for those who have larger gardens or want something that is going to be stress-free.
Key Features:
Easy to assemble product
Robust and sturdy design
Long spikes for maximum penetration
Specification:
Brand
Greenkey
Width
300mm
Spike size
45 mm
Colour
Green
Pros
Product is easy to use and store, great for those who don't have the luxury of storage
Cons
Spike size may not be to everyone's taste
Draper DRA30565 Lawn Aerator
The Draper DRA30565 Lawn Aerator is an “old school” lawn aerator with 5 long spikes that are curved for optimum lawn penetration. Manually operated, these lawn aerator is great for targeting specific areas that may not be reached by other modern grass aerators, and is also great for smaller gardens. If you’re on a budget, but still need a grass aerator – this one’s definitely for you.
Key Features:
5 spike lawn aerator
Simple yet robust design
Great for smaller gardens
Specification:
Brand
Draper
Material
Steel
Colour
Green
Item Dimensions L x W x H
6 x 31 x 92 cm
Pros
Ideal for smaller gardens and areas
Cons
May not be big enough for some
Kingfisher RC401 Pro Gold Lawn Aerator – Red
The Kingfisher RC401 Pro Gold Lawn Aerator – Red is a manual grass aerator which has deep spikes which can penetrate your lawn efficiently and with ease. It comes in a bright red colour – which is great if you struggle to differentiate your tools and need to find it quickly! It has a robust design overall and is easy to store. Overall, a great addition to your current garden tools.
This grass aerator is perfect for those who have smaller gardens or want something that is going to be easy to use.
Key Features:
5-spiked lawn aerator
Robust and sturdy design
Easy to store
Simple and straight-forward to use
Specification:
Brand
Kingfisher
Colour
Red
Material
Steel
Weight
2.15 Kg
Pros
Robust design is great for those who need something sturdy, but may not have a large lawn
Cons
Number of spikes may not be enough for some
Yaheetech Heavy Duty Rolling Lawn Aerator
The Yaheetech Heavy Duty Rolling Garden Lawn Aerator – 3 Piece Steel Handle is a densely packed lawn aerator that has over thirty spikes and a rolling drum for ease when using it. The size of the spikes and the width of the drum means that this is perfect for larger lawns, or for those who want a slight upgrade from a “manual” grass aerator that can end up being quite labour intensive for larger lawns. Easy to store, maintain and clean – this is excellent for medium to large-sized lawns and can be used by everybody.
Key Features:
Easy to use design and mechanism in drum
Robust structure
Deep-set spikes
Specification:
Brand
Yaheetech
Colour
Green
Material
Steel
Weight
3.18 kg
Pros
Wide drum is easy to use and great for larger lawns
Cons
Drum and spikes may be too big for some lawns and unncessary
Ambassador Lawn Aerator
The Ambassador Lawn Aerator is a sturdy grass aerator which is perfect for smaller lawns that haven’t got a ton of depth, but still need to be aerated. Easy to use, compact and great for those who don’t have a lot of storage space – this is the perfect companion to ensure that your lawn is aerated without having to invest in an extravagant contraption. It’s also fairly easy to maintain and clean – something that you will have for decades providing that you look after it correctly. Also, little to no assembly neede§d which is ideal for those who dislike DIY.
Key Features:
Lightweight lawn aerator
Robust and sturdy design
Easy to use and great for small lawns
Specification:
Brand
Ambassador
Colour
Green
Material
Metal
Weight
1 kg
Pros
Ideal for small lawns that are slightly more shallow
Cons
Not suitable for large or deep lawn aeration
Senua Lawn Aerator Shoes With 13 x 5cm Spikes
The Senua Lawn Aerator Shoes With 13 x 5cm Spikes are a pair of lawn aerating sandals, which can be strapped to shoes, boots or wellingtons and used to aerate your lawn as you simply walk! Not only are these fun (and compact), they’re an effective way to aerate your lawn without spending a ton of money on an extravagant contraption. You can also get the kids involved (whilst also kicking back and not having to do the manual work yourself).
Key Features:
Strap-on grass aerator shoes
Simple and sturdy design
Easy to store
Specification:
Brand
Senua
Colour
Green and black
Weight
830 g
Pros
Great for small areas
Easy storage due to how compact the product is
Cons
Not suitable for large lawns
Can't wear with thick shoes
Aunus Lawn Aerator Shoes with 5 Adjustable Straps
The Aunus Lawn Aerator Shoes with 5 Adjustable Straps are a pair of robust grass aerators which can fit onto your boots and shoes, and be worn whilst walking across your garden to give your lawn the aeration it needs. With four straps which encapsulate the whole foot, these trusty aerators are great even for the toughest (and deepest) lawns due to the overall design of this product. These also work well on chunkier boots due to the length of the straps.
Key Features:
Multi-strap foot lawn aerators
Robust and secure structure
Deep-set spikes for maximum penetration
Specification:
Brand
Aunus
Colour
Green and black
Strap number
5
Weight
980 g
Pros
Multiple straps give you a lot more control, meaning they're less likely to come off
Cons
May not be appropriate for large lawns as it may take you a long time
VOLADOR Lawn Aerator Sandals
The VOLADOR Lawn Aerator Sandals are a pair of robust steel aerator sandals which are designed to penetrate your lawn efficiently, whilst also feeling effortless as you strap them to your shoes. The spikes are made of solid metal, meaning that you won’t have to deal with weakened acrylic or plastic. You also won’t need to deal with scraping out excess soil from the sole of the sandals due to the way it’s been designed. These can also be used by younger members of the family due to how sturdy they are, and they can actually end up being a lot of fun once you get into the hang of using them. Please note that you will need to assemble these yourself.
Key Features:
Robust metal spikes
Multi-strap sandal for optimum grip
Easy to store design
Specification:
Brand
Volador
Material
Metal
Colour
Green and black
Weight
930 g
Pros
Metal spikes are more robust and will penetrate the lawn better - great if you prefer sandal methods
Cons
Sandals may not be suitable for everybody
Wiphany Lawn Aerator Shoes
The Wiphany Lawn Aerator Shoes are a pair of robust and sturdy grass aerator shoes. They’re designed to give you optimum comfort, whilst also aerating your lawn with ease. The thick metal spikes penetrate the soil quickly and efficiently, and the straps enable you to ensure that your sandals are sturdy before you begin walking across your lawn. These sandals are ideal for smaller lawns. Please note that you will need to assemble these yourself, so be prepared for some DIY.
Key Features:
Metal-spiked sandals
Easy to use design
Self-assemble sandals
Specification:
Brand
Wiphany
Colour
Black and green
Spike length
2 in
Material
Metal
Pros
Great for smaller lawns
Cons
Not suitable for large lawns
Summary
As you can see, there are so many different options for you to choose from when it comes to purchasing a garden aerator.
As previously mentioned, lawn aerators are a great garden accessory to have as they can help you to nurture what you already have, rather than having to re-do patches of your garden because you’ve neglected it. They also enable you to see if you’re struggling with any weeds, moss or infestation – and are a good litmus test to see whether you do actually need to invest in landscaping and professional services at all. Too often people are quick to spend a tonne of money rather than investing in what they already have.
We do know for some people, they may not know where to start when it comes to purchasing a lawn aerator, especially if they’ve never used one before or moved into a new home. Have no fear – we’ve detailed below some things to consider as well as a detailed FAQ to answer any questions that you may have.
Style
Aesthetics don’t largely matter with lawn aerators, however, the style and design of it will determine what it’s best used for. For example, aerators that come in the form of sandals are great for those who like to be active in their garden, and don’t have mobility issues and want to invest time in walking across their lawn. Sandals are also great for smaller lawns or patches that need to be tended to. For larger lawns, or for those who are older and may not have the strength to manually step across their whole garden – you’re better off going for a drum style. This looks like a giant wheel/drum and has multiple spikes for optimum penetration.
For some, this style may not be necessary but for those who are looking for speed and ease, and have a large lawn – we’d highly recommend this style. The third style is a hybrid between the two and usually has much wider spikes. Again, this may be useful for smaller lawns unless you have the strength and time to do your whole lawn using this method.
To maximise your time, we highly recommend moving all furniture and accessories off your lawn, such as hedgehog houses, rattan cube garden furniture, a 3 seater garden swing and cascading water features to name a few. This means you can still tackle the lawn that is otherwise covered, giving it breathing space and injecting life into it! It will also save you a lot of time if you move everything beforehand.
Spike length
Although most spikes are designed to be deep-set, you may not need something as deep as you initially thought. If you live in a rental property, we recommend speaking to the landlord about the composition of the garden, as this will give you an idea of the type of lawn you’re dealing with. If you live in a property that you’ve bought, you should have some idea of buying the house (blueprints, outdoor plans) of what you’re dealing with. If in doubt, always go a bit longer as there’s nothing worse than buying a lawn aerator that doesn’t do the job!
Please note that spike length should also be considered based on the material that is used for the spikes, as softer materials (non-metal) will wear down over the time and may require trimming, thus, larger and longer spikes may be a better option.
Material
Most lawn aerators will be a mixture of metal and plastic, however for deeper lawns that are denser (and larger), we recommend going for thicker metal as this will penetrate the soil better, and your lawn aerator is less likely to break. Make sure to move your outdoor bar tables and chairs before you start aerating. You don’t necessarily have to go for stainless steel, but something that is robust and will last you a long time. Remember with metals, you will need to clean them and oil them to ensure that rust doesn’t get to them. Store in a cool, dry place and make sure you clean them every time after use.
FAQ
Do you really need to aerate your lawn?
You don’t need to, however, if you want your lawn to thrive and you take pride in your garden, then aerating your lawn should be factored into your gardening routine. It’s the equivalent of planting fruits and vegetables and not covering them with bird netting – it defeats the object in the first place. We recommend aerating your lawn every one to three years depending on the kind of soil you have, however, if you’d like to aerate more often then definitely check that this won’t do any damage.
What is the best way to aerate your lawn?
- Avoid aerating in excessively wet or dry conditions, as this will do damage (or nothing at all if the soil is too wet)
- If the soil is dry, water lightly beforehand to inject some moisture into your lawn
- Move the spikes back and forth a little to create little tunnels in the soil
- Don’t over-aerate
- If using sandals, don’t press too hard as this won’t have the desired effect
Is it good to aerate your lawn before winter?
Yes, absolutely. Autumn is the optimum time to aerate as it isn’t too cold, isn’t too warm and usually there is enough moisture in the soil. You also don’t run the risk of it freezing. September – October is a great time to do it, particularly in the UK. If you don’t have time to do it before winter, another great time to do it is between March and April as although it’s slightly warmer, you can get away with watering your lawn around 15 minutes beforehand, and then aerating your lawn then. The results may not be as good, but it is still an opportunity to do it – especially as in the UK and Europe it isn’t blistering hot this time of year. In hotter countries, definitely stick to September – October, and if you’re in locations such as Australia and New Zealand, we recommend July or August as this will be colder for you.
Is there a bad time to aerate your lawn?
Yes, in extremely dry conditions (hot) and extremely wet conditions. Extreme coldness is also pointless as you won’t be able to aerate the lawn at all as it will be hard and crunchy. If you live in extreme seasons, you may have to be specific with when you aerate your lawn so you can have the optimum experience from it.
Which lawn aerator is the best?
We’d be biased if we told you, but the best universal aerators are usually ones with drums, and they are the most beginner-friendly overall. If your budget doesn’t allow for this though, buy the sandals! Each lawn aerator has it’s own pros and cons, so we highly recommend reading through our product reviews again and ensuring that you think about all factors before making a purchase.
Can you aerate your lawn too much?
Unfortunately – yes. No more than once a year, like anything else runs the risk of you causing havoc in the soil and probably damaging your lawn beyond repair. If you have a lot of land, you may want to double-check the different soils that they have (which can happen) so you don’t over or under-do it!
What is the best way to aerate my lawn?
Here is a video that shows the best way to aerate your lawn. check it out down below!
Further Reading
We’ve discovered some great advice on aerating lawns, click here for further reading.
Conclusion
We hope that the following guide gave you all the information that you need to make the correct purchase, and feel free to check out the other buyer guides that we have here at Konservatory. Happy gardening and we hope that you find the right aerator for you!