While core aeration is ideal for highly compacted lawns that face regular vehicular or foot traffic ... manual handheld aerators, spiked aeration shoes, rolling spike aerators, and tow-behind ...

A lawn aerator, on the other hand ... allowing water and nutrients to penetrate deeply. The lower foot bar provides extra leverage and makes it easy to use, even for those with limited strength.

Use a core aerator with hollow spikes that excavate plugs of soil. This device reduces compaction and creates a pathway for moisture, air and nutrients. A foot-press aerator is fine for small areas.