Should You Buy a Spike or Core Aerator—or Neither?

Savvy gardeners know that, strange as it may seem, poking holes in your yard can do a lot to help it grow back stronger and lusher than ever before—a process also known as lawn aeration. But what lawn aeration method is the best? Which one comes out on top between a spike versus core aerator?

The type you choose can make a big difference in the growth benefits your lawn receives, but there are pros and cons to each. This is why we’ve broken down their differences and everything you need to know below. 

Spike vs. Core Aerator: Key Differences

While both spike aerators and core aerators have the same basic purpose—combatting soil compaction and allowing more air, light, and nutrients to penetrate into the soil below—they fulfill that function in different ways.

Spike aerators have solid tines that simply poke holes in the soil, while core aerators have hollowed-out, tine-like attachments that carve a larger core or plug out of the dirt and grass. Each type has its own drawbacks and benefits. Let’s take a closer look.

What Is a Spike Aerator?

As discussed, a spike aerator uses solid tines, usually made of metal, to press holes into your grass. Spike aerators are usually either manual devices, which may appear similar to a pitchfork that needs to be physically pressed into the ground, or a rolling device, like a non-motorized lawn mower that you can push across your lawn. There are even aerator shoe attachments—spikes you can strap onto the bottom of your boots so that aerating your lawn is as simple as walking around in it.

Best for:

• Those who need a quick fix to compaction, especially in only a small portion of the yard

• Those with smaller lawns overall

• Those with a lower gardening budget

Pros of Spike Aerators

The biggest benefit of spike aerators for most gardeners is simple: They’re a lot less costly than core aerators. Cheap enough, in fact, that you can more easily buy one of your own (whereas motorized core aerators, as we’ll see in a minute, can be expensive and are often rented instead).

Spike aerators can be a great choice for gardeners who only have a small stretch of lawn or a specific problem area to work on. They also have the benefit of not leaving behind cores or plugs of dirt on your yard after the aeration process—although this is a dubious benefit at best since removing dirt is a far better solution to soil compaction, and the plugs simply disintegrate back into the lawn and disappear after a short time.

Cons of Spike Aerators

Although they’re far cheaper, spike aerators’ tines don’t penetrate the dirt as deeply as core aerators can. And since no dirt is removed, spike aerators’ solution to compaction is—at best—a temporary one. In fact, spike aerators can actually put even more pressure on the soil between the tines. Those who rely solely on spike aeration may need to aerate their lawns more often than those who use core aeration and may still not see the best possible results for their lawn.

Plus, they’re plain ole hard to use—especially the manual ones that basically look like a pitchfork. You’d need to walk back and forth across your yard, stamping those holes into each square foot of grass over and over again. Even the push-mower style is more effort-intensive than a motorized core aerator.

What Is a Core Aerator?

Core aerators are also sometimes called “plug” aerators since they remove plugs of dirt from your grass with their hollowed-out tine attachments. Core aerators are also available in lots of different styles, including manual core aerators that can be just as effort-intensive as spike aerators to use. If you want an easier aeration experience, the cost to rent a motorized core aerator, which is often considered the Cadillac of core aerators, is affordable at many hardware stores.

Best for:

• Serious gardeners

• People with large lawns

• Yards with lots of foot traffic

• Those with a higher lawn care budget

Pros of Core Aerators

Between spike and core aerators, there’s no competition: Core aerators do a better job of allowing air, light, and nutrients to penetrate into the dirt below because the holes they leave are larger and deeper. Plus, because they remove dirt, they work efficiently to reduce the effects of soil compaction for a longer period of time. 

Cons of Core Aerators

Of course, with great power comes great cost. Core aerators, especially the easiest-to-use motorized ones, can cost thousands of dollars to purchase. (As with spike aerators, manual versions are available at affordable prices, but they’re more effort-intensive to use.)

Many lawn-tenders circumvent this problem by renting a core aerator, although this comes with its own drawback: the hassle of having to work with the rental agency every time you want to aerate your lawn. (Fortunately, though, it shouldn’t be more than once a year with this type of machinery.)

Finally, core aerators do leave behind compacted little cylinders of dirt all over the yard, otherwise known as cores or plugs, which some people find unsightly. Fortunately, these will simply reintegrate back into your lawn after a few days, especially if you gently rake them out once they’re dry.

Spike Aerator vs. Core Aerator: Which Comes Out on Top?

While both spike and core aerators have their own best uses, in some categories, there’s a clear winner.

Ease of Use: Core Aerator

The very easiest way to aerate your lawn—shy of having someone else do it for you—is to use a motorized core aerator, which will do a great job with as little effort from you as possible.

Efficiency: Core Aerator

Core aerators actually remove soil, which does far more than spike aeration could ever do to combat soil compaction. In fact, over time, spike aeration can actually increase the effects of soil compaction.

Price: Spike Aerator

Of course, when it comes to the cost of ownership, spike aerators are the best choice for those on a budget. Although, manual core aerators can be fairly affordable, too.

Remember that even if you insist on the very best, which would be a motorized core aerator, you can also rent one or hire a local lawn pro to do the (literal) dirty work of aerating for you.