8 Best Lawn Aerators of 2024

The Hyundai HYSC1500E Electric Lawn Scarifier & Aerator is one of the best aerators for medium and large gardens. It’s 2-in-1, working as both an aerator and a scarifier.

This lawn aerator has a 1500 W motor, five adjustable heights and a 10 m power cable. It’s designed to revitalise lawns, with the 20 hardened steel blades able to remove moss, lawn thatch and dead grass. The 36 cm working width will work efficiently across a large lawn.

There are five working depths ranging from -12 mm to 10 mm and the depth can be controlled using a single adjustment lever. When working as an aerator, this machine cuts into the lawn to create air pockets. Generally speaking, it works well on -6 mm, any lower may dig up too much of the lawn.

The scarifier function works very effectively as well, successfully pulling moss and thatch out of the grass. It has a 45 L collection bag which is a good size for larger spaces. Whilst it collects some of the debris, it’s often necessary to go over the lawn with a rake afterwards (as is the case with many electric scarifiers).

In terms of storage, the design is very practical. The handles are foldable, as well as height adjustable, and the grass bag can be removed. At 11.5 kg, it’s reasonably lightweight and easy to move around.

Assembly isn’t overly complicated, but takes slightly longer than you might expect. This is because the collection bag needs assembling and its frame can be difficult to insert. Therefore, putting this aerator together takes around 30 minutes.

For an electric machine, it’s reasonably noisy at 102 dB, so you may need to use ear protectors. For reference, 100 dB is a similar level of noise to a hand drill.

Overall, this 2-in-1 model represents great value for money and is wide enough to be used on large lawns. Both of its features work well, which isn’t always the case with 2-in-1 machines. For those with large lawns in need of both a scarifier and an aerator, this Hyundai model is my top recommendation.

If you’ve got a small to medium size garden and you’re after an electric machine, the Einhell GC-SA 1231/1 Electric 2-in-1 Scarifier And Lawn Aerator is well worth considering. This model works as both a scarifier and a lawn aerator and has a 31 cm width.

Performance-wise, this model is one of the best on the market for both scarifying and aerating your lawn. It has three working depths, a 28 L grass bag, and operates using a 1200 W motor.

Although it’s less powerful than the Hyundai HYSC1500E aerator on paper, it doesn’t feel that way in the garden. The Einhell’s 1200 W motor could probably cope with larger gardens as well, even though the machine is designed for smaller areas.

Both the aerator and scarifier functions work well. In most cases, this machine will aerate and scarify at the same time (depending on the height setting it is set to). The scarifier is very capable of removing large amounts of moss and lawn thatch. There are 42 stainless steel claws on the roller which help produce this result.

Swapping between the two rollers is straightforward, but an Allen key is required. Luckily, this Allen key is always at hand because it can be stored in a holder on the handle.

As mentioned, this lawn aerator has a width of 31 cm which is the narrowest of the electric models featured on this page. This makes it easier to manoeuvre around smaller gardens and tight spaces. It also keeps the weight down. At 9 kg, this model is easy to get in and out of storage, and lift up stairs if you have a multi-level garden. The adjustable handle height means that it can also be made comfortable for taller uses.

It’s also an easy machine to assemble. It takes around 15 minutes to put together and all you need is a Phillips screwdriver.

As you can see, there’s a lot to love about this machine. It’s relatively hard to find flaws with its performance, but there are a couple of points to mention in terms of design. Firstly, the power cable is only 4.5 m long, so an extension cable will almost certainly be required, and the 28 L collection box is also relatively small. For these reasons, despite its powerful motor, it’s only suitable for smaller spaces.

Additionally, the power cable itself is black. Whilst other models have brightly coloured cables, this one is difficult to spot in long grass which is a bit of a safety hazard.

Nevertheless, due to its power and performance, this is one of the best aerators for small and medium gardens. Its 2-in-1 functionality works well, and it’s a simple machine to use.

Designed primarily for medium size areas, this VonHaus 2 in 1 Electric Lawn Scarifier and Aerator is a great budget option if you’re after an electric machine. It’s particularly useful as a scarifier, although the aerator works well in certain contexts.

This lawn aerator has a 32 cm working width, making it suitable for small/medium gardens, and four depth settings ranging from 4-12 mm. There are two interchangeable rollers included, one for scarifying and the other for aerating, which need to be swapped out depending on the function you want to use. To swap the rollers, you use the included Allen key to undo two screws (and tighten them up again).

This model has a powerful 1500 W motor and its scarifying function is very effective. It removes a large amount of thatch and dead grass from the lawn. The aerating roller isn’t quite as effective, though it will work well on lawns requiring more serious maintenance. The aerator churns up the grass, so it isn’t as practical to use on lawns that are already reasonably healthy.

Weighing just 8.5 kg, this lawn aerator is one of the lightest on the market. It also runs slightly more quietly than other electric machines on this list (though only just), producing 98 dB.

Assembly takes just 15 minutes and it comes with a 28 L grass bag as well as a generous 10 m cable. The power cable is bright orange which means it is visible in the grass as well.

Overall, I’d say this is a great product for lawn maintenance on a budget, and it will certainly improve the health of grass. However, it’s generally better suited to use as a scarifier than an aerator. It’ll help grass breathe by removing thatch and moss, but you may find that the aerator roller churns up the ground too much.

If you’ve got a small area of lawn that needs attention, a hand tool like the Yard Butler ID-6C Manual Lawn Coring Aerator is worth considering.

This hollow tine aerator helps revitalise the lawn by removing 2 x 1.27 cm plugs of earth each time it is pulled from the ground. The hollow tines pull out plugs of earth that are fairly sizeable, measuring 8.9 cm long. As a result, compacted soil is loosened and air, water and fertiliser can all reach further down into the ground.

This lawn aerator won’t do much in terms of removing thatch, but it’s a cheap, easy way to improve aeration on a small lawn.

The handles are softly padded and the hollow tines are reasonably sharp, sinking down into most soil types. Measuring 93 cm long in total, this lawn aerator is comfortable for most users to use without causing back strain; however, it may be a little small for taller users. There is a wide foot bar which means you can push the tines into the soil using your bodyweight making this tool easy to use.

One of the best things about manual aerators is how little faff they are to use. This manual aerator can be taken out of the box and used instantly, there’s no cable to worry about nor complex assembly. It’s very lightweight and easy to store. Plus, it makes it easy to work freely around the garden with no power cord to worry about.

In loose, crumbly soil, the plugs of earth should be easy to remove from the hollow tines; however, clay soil often needs to be pushed out manually which can make the job take longer. Also, users have reported that the welding inside the tubes can sometimes cause the plugs to get stuck as well. Watering the soil in the days before aerating may make it easier to work with.

Overall, this is one of the best aerators in terms of comfort (if you’re after a manual tool). It’s a good length, with padded handles and a wide foot bar. Designed for smaller areas, this aerator won’t be for everyone. However, for those looking for a reliable tool that’s easily capable of removing large plugs from the soil, this model is well worth considering.

Although this Swardman Professional Stainless Steel Hollow Tine Lawn Aerator is more expensive than the other hollow tine aerators featured here, it’s been designed to last a lifetime. It’s made from pure stainless steel and has three hollow tines that are easy to empty.

This lawn aerator works exceptionally well thanks to the design of the tines. They aren’t solid tubes, like most plug aerators, but are ‘open faced’ instead. This means that soil is very unlikely to get blocked in them, but it’s exceptionally easy to remove if it does.

The hollow tines are long, removing plugs of soil to a depth of 13 cm, and reasonably wide at 1.6 cm across. The holes they create allow water, oxygen and fertiliser to get deep into the soil and improve the health of your lawn.

One of the best things about this aerator is how durable it is. The tines are easily replaceable if needed, and the body of the aerator is extremely solid. There’s a small area where you can place your foot so your weight will sink the tines into the soil.

The only downside to this aerator is that the T-handle is a little narrow so users with larger hands may find it uncomfortable. There are no grips on the handles either, so it doesn’t quite offer the same comfort as padded garden tools.

Nevertheless, this is one of the best aerators if you want an efficient, hollow-tine aerator. It’s a great choice for small lawns and its design helps avoid the blocked-tine problem of other hollow aerators.

There’s no need to overcomplicate things when it comes to some gardening tools, and the Ames 4-Spike Lawn Aerator is a great example of when simplicity works well.

This lawn aerator is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of storage space, or are sticking to a smaller budget. Built for aerating small patches of lawn, this lawn aerator has four spikes that are simply inserted into the ground to allow water, oxygen and fertiliser to reach grass roots.

It’s worth noting that this aerator isn’t ‘hollow-tined’. The 8 cm spikes don’t remove any earth, so the ground isn’t any less compact. However, it’s still very effective. The spikes are 6 mm wide and create holes that allow air, water and nutrients to get deeper into the soil. This type of aerator has an additional benefit over hollow tine models – there’s no need to remove plugs of soil from the tines after use. Instead, simply insert the spikes into the soil and remove.

The design of this lawn aerator also adds to its ease of use. The stirrup design is easy on your back and many people find these more comfortable to use than t-shaped handles. There’s a foot bar to push down on, easing the spikes into the soil. Even if you’re wearing wide shoes like wellies, you’ll have plenty of space to get a good grip.

For those looking for a simple gardening tool on a budget, this is one of the best aerators to go for. Whilst those with large lawns may prefer an electric aerator, this model is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune on garden tools.

One of the most efficient (and fun?) ways to aerate your lawn, these Ohuhu Lawn Aerator Shoes are wearable aerators. These spiked aerator ‘shoes’ attach to the bottom of your regular shoes using velcro straps. Simply walk around the garden, and the spikes at the bottom will be pushed down into the soil under your weight.

These aerator shoes take a lot of effort out of a notoriously arduous task, and they can even be used at the same time as tackling other gardening jobs. For example, you can wear these aerator shoes whilst you hang out the washing – taking on two tasks at the same time!

There are 13 metal spikes on each shoe, approximately 5 cm long, which penetrate into all types of soil for efficient aerating. These spikes are also replaceable, just in case any get lost.

The size of these shoe attachments is fully adjustable thanks to the Velcro straps. They can be adjusted to fit both male and female shoe sizes, although your shoes underneath should be secured very tightly to prevent them from coming off.

Whilst these aerator shoes are fairly easy to use, it’s worth noting that they work best if your lawn is watered thoroughly before use. When the soil is very dry, the spikes can be difficult to push into the ground. You’ll also need to get used to walking in these aerator shoes, as it can be a little hard to maintain balance.

There are anti-slip pads on the part of the shoe that connects to the sole of your own shoes, helping to prevent slipping.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to tackle lawn aeration, these are some of the best aerators available. They certainly offer a more interesting way to tackle the lawn, and they’re perfect for busy gardeners as well. You can tackle other tasks whilst simultaneously completing some essential lawn maintenance.