Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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If you’re looking for the power of a gas string trimmer without the fumes, racket, and weight, then the Kobalt 80-volt is the one for you. Read More
Light and quiet, this 13-inch cordless string trimmer is very easy to use and offers a good value. Read More
Powerful until the string starts to fray and shorten. Also, balance may be an issue, depending on your own body size. Read More
This gas-powered weed wacker cuts down everything in its path at a professional level, but leaves behind noise and fumes. Read More
The best weed wackers and string trimmers are must-have garden tools because they make it easy to keep your lawn neat by cutting grass and weeds in places your mower can't reach. They’re great for tidying up edges and corners, making your yard look well-kept without much hassle.
The best weed eater we've tested is the powerful Kobalt KST 2580-06, which works like a gas-powered plaything, but without the fumes, racket, and weight. But, if you prefer one that's light and quiet, not to mention a good value, check out the Dewalt String Trimmer DCST925M1.
If you’re looking for the power of a gas string trimmer without the fumes, racket, and weight, then the Kobalt 80-volt is the one for you.
The DeWalt is the lightest and quietest of the larger weed wackers that we tested.
This Ego string trimmer is the best battery-powered option we've tested.
If you need the best gas-powered string trimmer, the Husqvarna 128LD is our favorite.
We put the trimmers to work on both short and tall grass, as well as tougher roots and weeds, seeing how quickly, efficiently, and consistently they tackled each job and maneuvered around edges and obstacles without running out of battery or breaking a string.
We assembled each trimmer, taking note of how clear the manual instructions were, how much set-up was required, and how easy it was to install a new string. We looked at safety features, such as locking power switches and trimmer guards.
We also assessed how comfortable each unit was; if the weight was evenly distributed from top to bottom, if the controls were accessible, where the handles were situated, and if the shafts could be adjusted for better reach.
Then we put the trimmers to work on both short and tall grass, as well as tougher roots and weeds, seeing how quickly, efficiently and consistently they tackled each job, and maneuvered around edges and obstacles without running out of battery or breaking a string.
While a gas string trimmer is generally preferred by professionals, an electric or batter-powered weed wacker (pictured here) makes more sense for at-home use.
While a gas string trimmer is generally preferred by professionals, an electric weed wacker makes more sense for a small yard and at-home use. Electric weed wackers come in corded or battery-powered versions, each with their own pros and cons, depending on what you're looking for. In addition, be sure to keep an eye out for amperage—averaging between 3.5 and 7.5—which generally affects the price, and assess how much power you really require for the size of your space.
Corded trimmers are generally lightest and least expensive, and they start with the push of a button. Unfortunately, they almost always require extension cords, which can be frustrating to wrangle while you’re working.
Battery-powered models offer the mobility of gas, without pull-starting, fueling, and fumes, but are heavier and more expensive than corded, and have a battery life with a run time between 30 and 60 minutes before needing a recharge.
As far as cordless trimmers, you'll want to look for options with a top-mounted motor, which tend to be better balanced (making them easier to handle) than models with motors mounted down near the cutting line.
Lightweight, balanced, and low vibration models will always rate higher on our list since they make maneuvering around the yard easier. The ideal model string trimmer will also come equipped with spools, which make it easy to load a new line.
Whether you opt for a corded or cordless weed wacker, selecting a cutting swath (10 to 16 inches) that makes sense for what range you need is important in setting yourself up for success. If you're doing heavy-duty work in large areas you'll be better off with a large straight shaft, but if you're cleaning up smaller areas with light trimming a curved shaft is a better bet.
Be sure to select a cutting swath (10 to 16 inches) that makes sense for what range you need.
We also found that thicker strings and dual nylon lines are most effective for tougher weeds and unruly yards, while trimmers with swivel heads assist with creating clean edges and finishes in tune with your ideal landscape design
Choosing between corded and cordless tools isn't something we take lightly. Though it might sound like a simple convenience factor to some, using the right tool is important in getting the job done right, and safely. When it comes to string trimmers quiet motors or engines are obviously preferred, not only because you'll be hanging around directly above it but also to decrease noise pollution.
Sarah Zorn
Contributor
Sarah Zorn is a food writer, cookbook author, and product tester for Reviewed, Wirecutter and the Food Network. She regularly contributes to outlets such as Saveur, Esquire, and Civil Eats, and has very much passed her food obsessions down, as her beloved rescue hound, Rowdy, regularly deglazes his kibble bowl.
Jean Levasseur
Contributor
Jean Levasseur became a professional writer over a decade-long career in marketing, public relations, and technical writing. After leaving that career to stay home to care for his twin boys, Jean has continued to write in a variety of freelance roles, as well as teaching academic writing at a local university. When he's not reviewing tools or chasing toddlers around the house, he's also an avid fiction writer and a growing woodworker.
Ceara Perez-Murphy is a staff writer at Reviewed. In her free time she likes trying out new recipes in the kitchen, exploring new restaurants and spending time outdoors with her dogs.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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