The 5 Best Weed Eaters

There are a variety of gas, electric, and battery powered weed eaters. So what’s the best weed eater for your lawn care routine? Gas trimmers are a smart choice if you have a lot of acreage and thick grass that requires more power and runtime. However, gas weed eaters are typically heavier, requiring more energy to handle than an electric or battery-powered trimmer. If you value ease of use, electric trimmers are a smart choice. As long as you have a cord and access to an outlet, you have unlimited runtime with a trimmer that is simple to start, quiet while running, and requires little maintenance. The downside to many electric trimmers is that they aren’t very portable, and can only go as far as the cord will allow. These weed eaters are a great choice for small yards. Battery-powered trimmers are a good choice if you’re looking for a portable weed eater that is quiet and doesn’t release the fumes from gasoline or oil. Many battery-powered trimmers are effective, though some users argue these weed eaters can be weak and have longer downtimes due to charging needs.

Best for Heavy-Duty Jobs: Husqvarna 128 17” Cutting Path, Detachable Gas String Trimmer

This is a versatile gas weed eater that can cut through a large area of your yard at once with its 17” cutting diameter. With the capability to attach separately sold items such as a pole saw, edger, and cultivator directly to the weed eater, this product can tackle more than just trimming and edging.

Specifications

28cc, 2-cycle engine 11 pounds 17-inch cutting diameter Uses gas and oil mixture 2-year warranty limited to residential use

Pros

Reduced starter cord resistance assists in starting the engine Capability to attach pole saw, edger, and cultivator, all sold separately Curved shaft design helps distribute the uneven weight of the trimmer Tap ‘N Go string release system gives you more string as needed

Cons

What Customers Are Saying

Bottom Line

This string trimmer is designed for homeowners on large lots that require extensive yard maintenance. The power behind a gas trimmer is hard to match from any other power source, and useful when cutting through less groomed areas of your yard. If you don’t mind dealing with an engine and the maintenance it occasionally requires, this weed eater could be a good fit for your trimming and edging needs.

Best for Small Yards: BLACK+DECKER 40V Max Cordless Sweeper & String Trimmer Combo Kit

Battery-powered trimmers are notorious for their short usage time. However, this BLACK+DECKER weed eater offers you a more powerful cut and longer battery life with its 40-volt model.

Specifications

40 volt battery Automatic feed spool 11 pounds Compatible with the 36-volt ion system for other BLACK+DECKER tools 2-year limited warranty

Pros

Automatic feed spool system delivers the right amount of line before every use Low noise design Charging indicator lets you know exactly how much battery is left Easily converts to trimmer with rotating pole design Comes as combo kit with leaf blower

Cons

What Customers Are Saying

Bottom Line

Best Corded: Greenworks 18-Inch 10 Amp Corded String Trimmer (Attachment Capable) 21142

This weed eater from Greenworks is a corded option that offers great runtime without the pungent fumes from a gas trimmer. The 10 amp motor behind an 18-inch cutting diameter is strong enough to power through tall grass and tough weeds, and with the quick connect coupler, your weed eater can instantly transform into a hedge trimmer or leaf blower.

Specifications

10 amp motor 18-inch cutting diameter 13 pounds 4-year limited warranty

Pros

Electric start with cord lock feature Large cut path at 18 inches Cushion and over-mold grip for comfort and better handling Quick connect coupler allows for attachment changes from various name brands

Cons

What Customers Are Saying

Bottom Line

This corded weed eater is a good fit if you have a small yard. Though powerful enough to cut through brush and heavy grass found on large lots, the cord limits mobility to around 100 feet from the power source. However, despite an awkward design, the trimmer is affordable and effective.

Best Lightweight: WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare Cordless String Trimmer & Edger

The WORX WG163 is light at just six pounds. It utilizes two, 20-volt batteries that can be interchanged with a variety of WORX’s products, like leaf blowers and drills. The weed eater also comes with helpful features, such as an attached spacer guard that helps protect your flowers and plants by showing you the exact cutting reach of your trimmer’s string.

Specifications

2, 20-volt batteries Command feed spool system 12-inch cutting diameter 6 pounds 2-in-1 trimmer and edger 3-year limited warranty

Pros

Command feed spool system allows you to control when to feed more line into trimmer at the touch of a button Spacer guard shows the limit of the line’s reach, helping you prevent unwanted cutting of flowers and plants Free spools for life, just pay shipping costs Interchangeable battery works with a variety of WORX tools Adjustable handle and trimmer shaft

Cons

What Customers Are Saying

Bottom Line

This is a suitable weed whacker for individuals that have difficulty managing heavier gas trimmers or have a smaller yard that doesn’t require a weed eater that lasts over an hour. This is an affordable trimmer that is capable of tackling small yard work and doesn’t require the technical skills of feeding in a new line or mixing oil and gas.

Best Battery-Powered: CRAFTSMAN V20 String Trimmer / Edger

The 20-volt battery-powered weed eater from CRAFTSMAN offers customers a quiet, portable solution to their yard maintenance needs. To maximize the power of the battery, the trimmer offers two-speed settings to allow you to optimize your battery’s life. The weed eater’s battery pack can also easily transfer to any number of your CRAFTSMAN tools that have a compatible battery pack.

Specifications

20-volt battery Push button feed system 13-inch cutting diameter 11 pounds 3-year limited warranty

Pros

Two speed settings, allowing you to balance the power of the trimmer and its runtime Adjustable length pole Push button feed system delivers the right amount of trimmer string at the touch of a button Battery compatible with a variety of CRAFTSMAN tools

Cons

Only comes with one battery Push button feed system administers new line every time the head stops spinning, delivering new line even when it’s not needed

What Customers Are Saying

Bottom Line

This trimmer is a good choice if you’re looking for something portable and user-friendly. Without the hassle of maintaining an engine or correctly mixing oil and gasoline, you can focus instead on your yard’s basic maintenance.

Review Standards

Price Power source Customer reviews Features Effectiveness Availability

Buying a Weed Eater: Factors To Consider

Fuel

String trimmers can be gas or electric. If you’re going with gas, you’ll enjoy a more powerful trimmer that lasts through your work. Electric weed eaters emit fewer fumes and are therefore less of a health risk and more environmentally friendly. The drawback is that you sometimes lose power or endurance when going electric.

Line

A poor choice in line can make or break getting a chore done as painlessly as possible. Line varies in both size and shape. Here’s a breakdown:

Shape

Round: Basic and easy to find. Versatile and sturdy with minimal breakage. Square: Heavy-duty choice for tougher weeds, but not quite ready for brush. Multi-sided: A step above square as far as durability goes. A good choice for thick brush. Twisted: A bit more expensive but right for heavy workloads.

Size

Naturally, the thinner the line, the lighter the weed you can “eat.”

0.065-0.080: Light work—grass and grass-like weeds 0.085-0.105: Medium—grass plus non-woody weed 0.110 and above: Heavy—all types of weed and brush

Function

Size, weight, and maneuverability of your weed trimmer should accommodate the type of work you need to get done. If your yard has a lot of trees or lawn furniture and you need to get in nooks and crannies, stay away from heavy-duty weed eaters with wide shields. A heavier option may be a better fit though if you’ve got an open space and you want a power tool that can make strong, sweeping cuts through intense brush.

Weed Eater Safety Tips

Don’t bypass the user guide

When it comes to any power tool, it’s important that you know your product model. Review the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly to ensure you understand all the safety risks and recommendations for handling and care.

Maintenance

After use, clean the string trimmer with a cloth and dish soap to avoid a clogged machine. Remove and clean air and fuel filters as well as the spark plug. Some gas weed eaters may need oil changes too.

In-use safety

Weed trimmers can be heavy—at least 10 pounds before they’re even filled with gas. Form matters when using these power tools. Avoid injury by using both hands and keeping a tight grip. Stand straight with a slight bend in your knees. Some customers prefer an over-the-shoulder harness for additional back support. And of course, do not operate the tool within 60 feet of another person.

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