The Best Lawn Trimmer and Edger for Tackling Unruly Lawns

With all of the insanity of life, Hank Hill (from TV’s King of the Hill) is right about the relaxation that comes with lawns. If you have the right tools, cutting your yard can be therapeutic.

While some people might prefer replacing their grass with concrete or wood chips, others appreciate the beautiful green of a well-kept lawn. One of the most critical aspects of that lawn maintenance comes back to finding the right trimmer.

This article will review five different lawn trimmers you can use to tame the most unruly lawns. By the end of this article, you will have a good idea of what “the right set of tools” looks like for you.  

The Five Best Lawn Trimmers and Edgers

1. Black & Decker 20V MAX String Trimmer: The Best Overall
2. Worx WG163.8 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12″ Cordless String Trimmer & Edger: The Best Low Power Option
3. KIMO Cordless String Trimmer/Edger – The Best Adjustable Option
4. Greenworks 40V 13-Inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger – The Best With an Auto-Feeder
5. PowerSmart String Trimmer – The Best Budget Option

Black & Decker 20V MAX String Trimmer: The Best Overall

Black & Decker is one of the most recognizable power tool brands globally for anyone who doesn’t know. If you are like me, you probably own a power drill by them somewhere in your house. Thankfully, they put just as much effort into their lawn-care equipment.

Black & Decker simplifies the process by creating a push-button weed eater with two modes: battery life and power. As you might expect, the “battery life” mode is better for considering energy while the power mode is for heavy-duty work.

It is not a gas-powered trimmer, meaning you will have to wait for it to charge, but about 30 minutes of life is good enough for almost any lawn. It has an auto-feeding feature for your string and allows for a manual feed system, making it easy to adjust. 

The limited battery life makes it less suitable for more extensive lawns. You might end up buying a different battery, but that isn’t uncommon for electric trimmers. When it comes to construction quality and usefulness, Black & Decker has the market cornered. 

Pros	Cons
If you have a medium to small size yard that grows too fast.	The battery life is somewhat limited.
If you are looking for a string trimmer that has auto and manual feeding options.	Battery runs about 20-30 mins.
Best for people who emphasize simplicity in their weed whackers.
Best Lawn Trimmer and Edger Reviews

Worx WG163.8 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12″ Cordless String Trimmer & Edger: The Best Low Power Option

While “low power” doesn’t sound like a good idea with most products, Worx is one of the few companies that understand your weed eater doesn’t have to go at the speed of sound. That means less time doctoring rocks flying into your shins at high rates. 

The multi-position handle creates an ergonomic design that applies to multiple body types. You don’t have to stretch to use this one; you also don’t have to worry about hefting a weight around. 

The battery life is relatively similar to our Black & Decker option mentioned earlier. It also shares batteries with the same lawnmower brand. With the selected model, they do include the batteries and a quick charger. 

The biggest problem with this is that the cord line is somewhat flimsy. You might find yourself replacing these lines a few times a year. Compared to the thicker lines of your grandpa’s gas trimmer, that can get pretty frustrating. 

Pros	Cons
If you are looking for a lightweight trimmer with long-lasting batteries	The cord line for trimming is pretty flimsy
It has a quick charging feature that makes this more suitable for more extensive lawns	When you need fresh line, just push the button
It has an adjustable handle, which is suitable for multiple body sizes
Best Lawn Trimmer and Edger Reviews

KIMO Cordless String Trimmer/Edger – The Best Adjustable Option

KIMO is one of the lesser-known brands on this list. Regardless of them being lesser-known, they aren’t in the market for creating low-quality items. 

This model sports a lithium-ion battery for long-lasting battery life. This weed eater is also suitable for older people and others who may struggle to lift at less than four pounds. Despite this, the power behind this weed whacker is pretty surprising, as the trimmer destroys most weeds quickly.

The significant drawback of this edger comes from the length. Ten inches is not suitable for eating weeds promptly. Expect to spend a bit more time with this than you would with 12-inch options. 

It makes up for the limited string width by being adjustable. You can turn it off and rotate the head to I’ve spaces beneath your fence a close shave. If you find yourself struggling with this part of your weed wacker, KIMO has a solution. 

Pros	Cons
If you have a smaller lawn with complicated, narrow spaces	Ten inches is a bit short for a cut width
If you would like to do trimming and edge work without having to worry about charging the battery	Weighing barely 2.0 lbs
It has a glass protection cover to prevent debris from flying all over the place
Best Lawn Trimmer and Edger Reviews

 

Greenworks 40V 13-Inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger – The Best With an Auto-Feeder

Greenworks has a 40V battery with a reliable automatic feeding spool which holds a good deal of cord. Expect extended battery life of up to an hour and coverage for up to a half-acre. The handiness of this feature prevents you from needing to worry about the manual feeding option. 

The extra voltage means that this battery is slightly more significant; they also add an extra inch to the trimmer option. As a result, this whacker is one of the best available options for larger yards. But that makes it less suitable for smaller and more unusual yards. 

It has a similar shield to the KIMO option we just mentioned. This feature is essential when edging, as the power behind this thing can let loose a lot of debris. It’s also a bit more expensive, which isn’t appealing to people looking for a deal. 

There have been complaints due to battery confusion, but you will be fine if you get the right ones. This compatibility can always change, so keep your eyes open for any company updates. As a broad, premium weed eater, GreenWorks is an excellent choice. 

Pros	Cons
If you have a large yard that is difficult to manage	It costs a bit more than other comparable weed whackers
If you want a shield to prevent debris from flying around	The larger battery and size makes it a bit less easy to move around
If you have other GreenWorks tools that use the same battery
Best Lawn Trimmer and Edger Reviews

PowerSmart String Trimmer – The Best Budget Option

PowerSmart missed the meeting on “you get what you paid for.” Despite selling their trimmer at half the cost of most others, you won’t notice much of a quality drop. However, they have sacrificed some essential areas we will discuss. 

First of all, it’s important to note that this one is lightweight, has solid battery life, and is incredibly easy to use. The ten-inch cutting width isn’t suitable for more extensive lawns; it also is just around eight pounds, which is ideal for most people. Eight is not as light as this item could have been.

It takes an hour to charge and lasts about half that time in the process of using it. The adjustable head and height also give you eight positions, which is excellent for multiple body sizes. The shield is less sturdy than some of our other options. 

For a lower-cost investment, it does have a two-year-warranty. PowerSmart stands beside its product, which is a good sign of longevity. 

Pros	Cons
If you are looking for a weed whacker while on a budget	The shield is made of cheaper plastic
It has a two-year-warranty for long lastingness	The string is a bit too thin
For those who have smaller yards with tricky spots
Best Lawn Trimmer and Edger Reviews

 

What You Need To Know Before Choosing Your Lawn Trimmer and Edger

Before you purchase a lawn trimmer and edger combo machine, you should understand what you need. In this section, we will delve into some areas of importance. 

How Does a String Trimmer Work?

A string trimmer uses a thick, plastic line to cut through the grass on the edge of your lawn. The line spins at incredibly high speeds, giving cutting power. The line feeds from a spool inside the string trimmer; some even have two strings. 

Two strings do not make quality. Typically, thicker lines (like those at .08 mm) are the most desirable, as they involve less changing of the line. 

Automatic Feed vs. Manual Feed

An automatic line-feeding system pulls more cord out when you run out of a certain level. The automated system prevents you from stopping every ten minutes and replace the line.

Manual systems take a little bit more physical effort. This limitation may not be a bad thing if you have a small lawn or a thicker string.

If you don’t feel you need to replace your line mid-chop, a manual option is on the table. Automatic-feed weed whackers are far more helpful.

Gas Trimmer vs. Corded Trimmer vs. Cordless Trimmer – Which is Better?

When deciding on a trimmer, you have three different options:

• Gas
• Corded
• Cordless

Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. We find that the overall best is the cordless electric trimmer. 

Gas trimmers tend to be a bit heavier. They rely on a dirty fuel source that leans on an air filter and spark plugs. As a result, gas trimmers need more maintenance. For grass and weeds, they are pretty effective and powerful, and noisier.

A corded electric trimmer prevents you from needing to worry about battery life. They also rely on a push-button start, making them easier to start than hand-crank gas motors. However, get used to constantly having to avoid cutting the cord. 

Cordless electric trimmers are lightweight and easy to manage. Some aren’t as effective for heavy-duty jobs, but most of them do just fine. In many cases, these are more effective than all other options. Electric is the overall winner almost every time. 

What is a Good Weight for Trimmers?

When seeking out manageable wireless trimmers, what you can carry will depend on your upper body strength. Remember, this is more of a battle of endurance, so ask yourself if you can carry the weight for almost an hour. Ideally speaking, you should shoot for eight pounds or lighter. 

If you are buying this for those with weaker physical capabilities, try and stick to four-pound options. Also, make sure that you accept those with adjustable handles, as that will help with grip. 

What Voltage Do I Need? 

The longevity of your string trimmers comes from the voltage level. In this case, we’ve varied between 20V and 40V trimmers, which are most suitable for your average lawn sizes. 

When selecting by voltage, keep the following in mind:

• 20V: Trims lawns under 1/2 acre for about thirty minutes. 
• 40V: Trims lawns from 1/2 acre to 1 acre for about an hour. 
• 80V: Great for yards around an acre or slightly more.

If your property is any more significant, that might be a good time to invest in a gas trimmer. 

What is a Good Cutting Diameter for My Lawn?

The ideal cutting diameter is a 12-inch cutting width. Other cutting widths can go from 10 inches to 14 inches. Larger cutting widths start delving into lawnmower territory. 

If you have a smaller lawn with some awkward spaces, you may benefit from ten inches. Otherwise, a more expansive space reduces the amount of time you speed with your string trimmers. 

What are Good RPMs for a Lawn Trimmer?

When it comes to good RPMs for a lawn trimmer, you would ideally want to get more than 1000. The KIMO brand we state as an example is around 1200 RPM. Because good lawn trimmers already have this in mind, you don’t typically have to worry about it. 

Lawn Edgers vs. String Trimmers – What is the Difference?

All of the models on this list work as combinations of lawn trimmers and edgers. However, what happens when you separate the two? While the short answer is a waste of money, here are the significant differences:

• Edgers: Edgers are like “sideways” string trimmers. They assist you in a defined lawn space, especially when cutting areas next to concrete sidewalks and driveways. An example: the WORX WG896.
• String Trimmer: A string trimmer is horizontal to the ground and exists explicitly to reduce grass levels in hard-to-reach areas. They are not as suitable at defining edges but are great at lowering grass levels. Black & Decker makes a string trimmer that is not combined with an edger. 

They are both similar but serve slightly different purposes. To save money, you might want to buy one. The cost of the separate items isn’t too additional. 

The Best Lawn Trimmer Brands

We’ve featured some of the biggest brands in lawn care on this list. Here are all of the brands we featured today: 

• Black & Decker: Black & Decker is a company that has provided solutions for over a century. They were initially a machine shop in Baltimore. Since this time, they have grown into an impressive company.
• WORX: As a company with almost as much pull as Black & Decker, WORX has an impressive array of products. Their goal is to focus on innovation, which is evident with their extensive product line.
• KIMO: KIMO is a newer company founded in the 90s. With thirty years of experience, they have come to have over 100 tools in their lineup. They are a Canadian-based company. 
• GreenWorks: GreenWorks is a younger company out of Seattle, WA, in 2007. The past decade has given this company colossal growth potential, allowing them to have a European office.
• PowerSmart: PowerSmart is a US-based company known for everything from generators to snow removal. They have a default two-year warranty on gas products and a one-year warranty on electrical products. 

All of these are unique brands with excellent track records. 

Lawn Trimmer FAQs

Can You Cut a Small Lawn With a Trimmer?

Lawnmowers have one significant advantage when cutting smaller lawns: they have a place to put the grass. Lawn trimmers are excellent at cutting grass, but they aren’t great at mowing lawns. 

Without a place to put the grass, it’s just going to fly all over. Trimmers are for small out-of-reach areas that your lawnmower cannot reach.

The Difference Between Curved Shaft and Straight Shaft Trimmers

Both trimmers serve the same purpose—the only significant difference in how you hold them. The curved shaft is already bent downward. The bent metal makes them less suitable for heavier projects and is better for people who don’t have as much reach. 

Straight shaft trimmers are better for taller people who are looking for heavy-duty trimmers. People with larger yards typically prefer straight shaft trimmers. 

How Deep Should I Edge My Lawn?

Edging allows you to dig deep and define gaps in your lawn. Typically, you do this between grass and concrete. It would be best if you only cut a couple of inches deep. This cutting ensures you kill the roots before they spread onto the concrete. 

Wrap Up

Based on our findings, the best overall string trimmer and edger combo is the Black & Decker 20V MAX. Black & Decker creates exceptional products in a lightweight package. The 20V battery and thicker line make this great for most uses. 

If you are looking for a long-lasting trimmer for more extensive lawns, GreenWorks might be a better option with a 40V battery. If you want something with a bit more flexibility and a smaller string, look at KIMO’s offering. Trimming is a form of home improvement, so make sure you pick something that works for you.

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