In order to keep your yard looking as neat and tidy as possible, you need to be able to trim each and every inch of it. Get it ready for the summer activities or for the yard sale. While a lawn mower can cover the vast majority of your yard, you need something that’s able to safely trim the edges of your yard without hurting garden beds and patios. What you need is a string trimmer or weed wacker.

What is a String Trimmer?

Also known as a weed wacker or a weed eater, a string trimmer is a long yard appliance which can be used to safely trim the edges of your yard next to patios, garden beds, and other untouchable areas. Making use of plastic line, string trimmers whip back and forth, cutting through grass, weeds, and other plants that you wish to trim. They essentially trim the parts of your yard that lawn mowers can’t access.

In general, line trimmers are powered in three different ways: by gas, electricity, or battery. Available at all different quality levels, there are weed wackers available at all different price points. If you’re dedicated to keeping your yard neat, attractive, and tidy at all times, a string trimmer is a near necessity.

Benefits of Using a String Trimmer

The primary benefit offered by string trimmers is their ability to safely cut grass and weeds that sit up against the edge of gardens and patios. While you could conceivably use a lawn mower to trim theses grasses and weeds, you run the risk of damaging the patio or garden that borders them.

Because weed wackers make use of a skinny, narrow, flexible line that whips back and forth, they don’t possess the power to greatly disturb a patio or garden. In essence, fast-moving metal is more destructive than fast-moving plastic.

A weed eater is a great tool to use if you want to trim up the missed portions of your yard in a quick and safe manner. Portable, powerful, and easy to use, they are the perfect supplemental tools to lawn mowers.

Types of String Trimmers And The Best Weed Eater For Each Job

In general, there are three different types of string trimmers. They include gas trimmers, electric corded trimmers, and battery-powered trimmers. Each type of string trimmer offers its own individual benefits and drawbacks. Let’s discuss these benefits and drawbacks in detail so that you can decide which type of weed wacker is right for you.

This video demonstrates the difference between gas and battery-powered string trimmers:

2 vs. 4-Cycle Engines

Gas trimmer engines come in two different varieties: two-cycle and four-cycle. Each type has pros and cons to consider. However, these considerations only apply if you decide that a gas-powered string trimmer is the best choice for you.

Two-cycle string trimmers require that the user mixes gasoline and oil. To determine the correct ratio, you have to read the manual given by the manufacturer. Most want you to use a fuel to oil ratio of 50-to-1 or 40-to-1. One of the best advantages of a two-stroke engine is that it can produce higher RPMS, so they tend to be more powerful. You will find them to be lighter in weight, even though they can cut down heavy vegetation with ease.

Using the correct ratio of gasoline and oil is quite important for your weed whacker. You have to mix them to ensure the crankshaft and piston both stay lubricated. If you want your trimmer to run efficiently, make sure you read the manual and determine the ratio. If you don’t, you risk shortening your engine life.

Four-cycle trimmers don’t require that you mix gasoline and oil, making it a bit easier for the user. All you have to do is put in some fuel and turn on your trimmer! Four cycle engines tend to be quieter because they use combustion.

Unfortunately, four-cycle engines weigh more, so you may have trouble with maneuverability and ease of use! The other negative is that these varieties cost more due to the higher performance of the engine.

It weighs in at just 6.7 pounds, making it ridiculously easy to handle regardless of your strength or size. Powered by a 56-volt lithium-ion battery, it provides around one hour of use on a full charge. Unfortunately, this trimmer comes alone without a battery included. You’ll have to purchase one separately.

Weighing in at around 10 pounds, it’s a little heavy, but still reasonably easy to handle for the majority of users. On a full tank of gas, it offers around 2 hours of heavy-duty trimming. It’s equipped with a powerful 22.5cc engine that slices its dual-sided head through grasses and weeds both thick and thin.

One of the nice things about this trimmer is that it’s designed to reduce overall vibration. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a gas string trimmer that vibrates less than this one from Hitachi.

Warning: Users have reported that the plastic parts on this model are not durable, that replacement parts are hard to get, and that Hitachi's customer service isn't very helpful.

Equipped with a long, 17-inch cutting swath, it annihilates every weed or piece of grass in its general vicinity. Coming with a spring-assisted starter mechanism, it’s reasonably easy to get up and running. Overall, while this is not the best weed eater on the market today, this trimmer from Poulan Pro is respectable. If you’re looking for a gas trimmer on a budget price, this one would be a great choice.

While this reduces its overall reach, it also makes it ridiculously easy to handle and make use of. A nice thing about the trimmer is that it’s capable of transforming into a wheeled edger whenever needed. This allows you to make as detailed and nuanced of cuts as possible.

Despite being a battery-powered string trimmer, this Black & Decker weed eater can handle most vegetation that you put in its path. It offers different power levels, allowing you to conserve your battery for less difficult jobs. If you typically doubt battery trimmers, this model is going to surprise you. It doesn’t lack in power or battery life. Tall grass is nothing in front of this string trimmer!

Best of all, when you combine the compact size and small weight, you won’t feel as fatigued when using the Black & Decker. You won’t dread the times you have to drag out the trimmer to create a nice garden.

Running on a 20v battery, this trimmer operates for around 20 minutes; a decent amount of time considering its low price. The biggest surprise about this trimmer is its power. A battery-powered trimmer at its price isn’t supposed to be this powerful, but it is. This makes it a great tool for owners of large properties and casual landscapers alike.

However, it is wise to purchase this trimmer with an extra battery or even two. If you have more than 20 minutes of work ahead of you, an extra battery means you don’t have to stop your work and wait for it to charge, unless you want to take a lunch break!

This is a very long and lightweight construction for a trimmer at its price point. Though it’s perpetually confined by a cord, it offers pretty reasonable power and trimming capabilities. It’s certainly not the most powerful weed wacker around, but it will get the job done if used sporadically around the house.

Think About Your Lawn Size

Before you decide which factors are the most important in your decision, you have to think about the crucial deciding factor – your lawn. The property where you will use your new best weed eater says a lot about the features that matter.

Here are some things to think about:

Who Should Buy a Gas String Trimmer?

Due to their typically incredible power and portability capabilities, gas string trimmers are ideal for those who landscape professionally. They will generally make their way through any type of grass or weed, regardless of how thick it is.While gas string trimmers can certainly benefit homeowners and casual landscapers, the situations that those people typically use them for don’t quite justify the amount of money that they cost to operate.

Who Should Buy an Electric String Trimmer?

Electric string trimmers are the ideal type of string trimmers for homeowners and casual landscapers. Neither the battery-powered or corded electric string trimmer possesses the combination of power and portability that the gas trimmer possesses, but for at-home use, this combination is rarely needed.

Corded electric trimmers are best-suited for those who own small yards because they must be in close proximity to power outlets at all times. Battery-powered trimmers are best suited for those who own large yards because they can be taken anywhere freely without any cord restrictions.

What to Consider When Choosing a String Trimmer

Apart from whether they’re corded electric, gas, or battery-powered, there are a number of different things that affect a string trimmer’s overall quality. In order to pick the right string trimmer for you, you need to take these things into consideration. They include power, portability, construction, noise, ease of use, trimming ability, and cost.

What Does Cutting Size Mean?

As you are browsing the selections for the best weed wacker, you are going to see the term cutting size. Weed eaters come in a variety of size ranges. Each size range has better types of uses and situations.

10” to 12” is the cutting width if you need a trimmer for light use. If you need to trim around a small yard or sidewalks, pick this size.

14” to 15” is a bit larger and allows you to handle a bit more of a larger job. It also lets you conquer taller grasses, but you don’t want to try to clear a thick field!

17” and above is for those who need a heavy duty string trimmer. If you use it for commercial use or larger jobs, this cutting size is for you.

Straight vs. Curved: The Shape of the Shaft Matters

Understanding the difference between straight and curved shafts matters enough to give it some serious consideration. The shaft, or shank, is either straight or curved, and it is to what the handle and head are attached. Each shape has its benefits and reasons why you should pick it. Let’s take a look!

Straight shafts tend to be longer and easier to carry because they are weighted and balanced better than curved shafts. If you happen to be a taller person, a straight shaft will be the preferred option. The main reason people love this design is that you can easily trim under bushes, fences, lawn furniture, decks and more.

Curved shafts have benefits as well! First, they tend to be less expensive, so they are better for those who are on a tight budget. Curved shafts are ideal for those who are weed eating in smaller, tight spaces.

Make Sure You Buy the Right String

There are two types of string you might pick for the best string trimmer. Lower powered weed eaters do fine with a standard grade line. If you have a small yard that won’t require hours of trimming work each week, you can get away with the standard line. You will have to replace more often because standard line wears down faster. However, it isn’t very expensive, so you don’t break your bank.

Conclusion

In order to make your yard look as neat and tidy as possible, you need to trim up the portions of grass and weeds that line your garden beds and patios. The best way to do this is by using a string trimmer. While there are a number of great string trimmers on the market today, there is one that stands out above the rest:

The EGO Power+ 15-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Brushless String Trimmer is the premier string on the market today. Though it’s battery-powered, it supplies power comparable to the power offered by gas trimmers. Whether you own a small or large yard, this top-tier weed eater will accommodate you.