Vol. XXVI · No. 04 • Workshop Almanac
— The Everyday Handyman —
Est. MMXIX
Vol. XXVI · No. 04 • Workshop Almanac
Est. MMXIX
Battery, gas, or corded — the right string trimmer (weed eater) depends on lawn size, the toughness of the growth, and how much noise and maintenance you will tolerate. This buying guide covers power source, shaft style, cutting swath, line-feed systems, and attachments, so you can edge a small yard or clear a half-acre of brush without a bogged, tangled mess.
§ II — Reader’s Manual
String trimmers all look alike leaning against the shed wall, but power source and shaft design decide whether yard work is a breeze or a battle. Here are the six things we weigh before recommending any weed eater in this guide.
Battery string trimmers are the sweet spot for most yards — quiet, light, push-button start, and cord-free for edging and trimming. Corded electric offers unlimited runtime for small lots near an outlet. Gas trimmers deliver the most power and runtime for tall grass, weeds, and brush on large or rural properties, with more noise and upkeep.
A straight-shaft trimmer reaches farther under bushes and fences and suits taller users and heavy growth; it also accepts brush-cutter blades. A curved-shaft trimmer is lighter and more maneuverable for quick edging on small, flat lawns. Match the shaft to your reach and the toughness of what you cut.
Cutting width (swath) sets how fast you finish — a wider swath covers more per pass on big yards, a narrower one is nimble around beds. Thicker trimmer line (measured in inches) cuts tougher weeds without snapping. Match line diameter to the growth; heavy brush needs 0.095-inch line or a blade.
Bump-feed heads advance line with a tap on the ground; automatic feed does it for you; fixed-line heads take pre-cut strips. A reliable, easy-to-reload head saves the most aggravating part of trimming. Look for a spool that is simple to rewind and does not weld itself shut.
You swing a trimmer for the length of the yard, so balance and weight matter. A shoulder strap helps on gas and heavy battery units. On cordless models, check the battery voltage and amp-hours — and whether it shares packs with your mower and blower. Buy a spare battery for larger lawns.
Split-shaft and universal powerhead systems let one motor run an edger, pole saw, cultivator, blower, or brush cutter from a single unit. If you want a whole yard system rather than a drawer of separate tools, an attachment-capable trimmer stretches your money the furthest.
Read the guide. Then close the tab, walk away, and come back to it tomorrow. The tools that still feel right after a night’s sleep are usually the right ones to buy.
§ II — Specimen Pages
§ II — Specimen Pages
Every recommendation here is also a set of trimmers we left off. Below are the kinds of weed eaters we have stopped recommending — not to fault one brand, but because the type tends to frustrate more than it helps.
A low-voltage trimmer bogs and stalls in thick weeds and ends up a toy. For heavy growth, choose a high-voltage battery or gas trimmer with the torque to cut it.
Curved shafts cannot take a brush blade and lack reach for heavy work. If you clear brush or tall growth, buy a straight-shaft trimmer.
A power cord that snags on every shrub and reaches only so far turns a large lawn into a wrestling match. For anything beyond a small lot, go cordless or gas.
A trimmer whose line head jams and fuses is a weekly headache. Skip fiddly heads for a proven bump-feed or automatic-feed system.
A trimmer on a battery platform you cannot expand or replace dies for good when the pack fails. Choose a system whose batteries you can actually buy.
A loud, fume-belching gas unit is overkill for a small yard of soft grass. A light cordless trimmer does the job with none of the mixing or pull-starting.
§ IV — Directory
One email, every Sunday. New tool reviews, the best tip of the week, and a single recommendation from the editors. No clutter.
