Should You Buy a Spike or Core Aerator—or Neither?
While spike aerators are cheaper, core aerators do a better job
Highlights
Spike aerators have solid tines that press holes into the soil, while core aerators have hollow tines that physically remove dirt.
Spike aerators tend to be more affordable than core aerators but are also less efficient.
Although motorized core aerators are the most expensive (and effective) tool, they can be affordably used because they’re rentable.
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.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More affordable than core aerators | Not usually as effective as core aerators |
| Many different types are available, including aerator shoes | Short-term solution to compaction (no soil removed) |
| Low-priced enough to own yourself, which can be less of a hassle than renting | More effort-intensive to use |
| Doesn’t leave unsightly plugs of dirt in your yard | Especially grueling with larger lawns |
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.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Although they’re expensive to buy, you can easily rent one | Some types are very expensive |
| Remove dirt from the ground, providing better results | Manual versions still require a lot of effort and time |
| Penetrate more deeply than spike aerators | Renting can be a hassle |
| Results are longer-lasting than those of spike aeration | Leave behind plugs of dirt on your lawn |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to combatting the effects of soil compaction, core aeration does a far better job for a longer period of time—because it actually removes dirt rather than just pressing holes into it. By taking dirt out from under your lawn, core aeration allows more light, air, water, and nutrients to penetrate into the soil below and help your grass’s roots grow even stronger.
Although core aeration is overall a better method of aerating a lawn, spike aeration can still be helpful, especially if you have a smaller yard or are only trying to work on a specific problem area. Because spike aeration is so accessible thanks to its lower cost and easy DIY tools like aerator shoes, it can still be worthwhile for some gardeners.
Short answer: yes. Although aeration is beneficial for most lawns and soil types, if it’s done too frequently, you can weaken the grass’s roots so much that they’ll begin to have trouble. Generally, most lawns can be aerated as infrequently as once every one to three years, although those with more foot traffic and compaction may benefit from aeration up to twice yearly.
If your lawn has some lumps and bumps, yes, aeration can help—although it may also be beneficial to take on other steps, like irrigation, fertilization, and dethatching (also known as scarifying). You can also use a power rake to physically break up the bumps in your lawn, which can help you achieve a more even look.