7 Best Lawn Aerators

What is aeration?

Soil aeration is the single most important maintenance practice you can perform on your lawn. Aeration (punching holes or removing cores from compacted lawns) relieves soil compaction and allows air, water, nutrients and grass seed to quickly and more easily enter the root zone.

Aerating also helps manage thatch buildup which, if left unchecked, can suffocate your lawn. In addition, aerating two or three times a year reduces the amount of water, fertilizer and other amendments your lawn needs.

Rent or buy?

When it’s time to aerate, renting the machine is one option. But you need to plan ahead, reserve it, pick it up and haul it home. And then get it back before the rental deadline.

But what if you owned a lawn aerator? Yes, you’d be shelling out some cash upfront. But you would never need to rent a lawn aerator again. And I bet you would use it more often if all you had to do is pull it out of your garage. No advance planning or reservations. No need to find a friend with a pickup or a trailer. And no rushing to avoid a late fee.

Take a look at our picks for the seven best aerators in various categories. We start with the least expensive low-tech options and end with the cream of the crop.