Best Walk Behind String Trimmer Review: Top 3 Push Weed Eaters 2023. Hand held weed cutter

Best Walk Behind String Trimmer Review: Top 3 Push Weed Eaters 2023

We previously discussed how handheld weed trimmers are ideal when you are up for some light trimming.

This is where walk-behind string trimmers shine—they let you kill overgrown leaves by pushing them.

Are you facing some thickly weeded areas? Is your yard too large for a handheld model? Is the weed too rough for a lawnmower?

When you’re facing serious foliage, then it’s not recommendable to use handheld models. Likewise, a bigger yard size requires a more powerful unit.

But with the right-wheeled grass trimmer, you can munch grass and weeds down to size fast.

There are many choices on the market – and they come with different features and prices.

To help you assess those factors, our team has created a list of the 5 best push weed eaters.

Similarly, we’ve prepared everything you need to know in one article: a comparison chart, how to choose, product review of walk-behind weed eater models this year.

By the end of this post, you will certainly be able to decide which models would work best for your urban garden.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to accomplish a task by only pushing a tool?

As the saying goes, it’s like having a walk in the park.

Check out this short overview to see the aspects that will make trimming lawns way easier compared to using handheld models.

• 1 Best Walk Behind String Trimmer- Reviews Buying Guide For 2023

• 1.1 1. Top Pick: Remington RM1159 Walk-Behind String Trimmer
• 1.2 2. BLACKDECKER 140cc 4-Cycle Gas Powered Walk-Behind High-Wheeled String Trimmer
• 1.3 3. TAZZ One-Piece Steel Deck Walk-Behind String Trimmer

• 3.1 Yard Size
• 3.2 Weight And Dimensions
• 3.3 Engine Power
• 3.4 Cutting Swath
• 3.5 Trimmer Line Size And String Replacement
• 3.6 Cutting Height
• 3.7 Wheel Size
• 3.8 Comfort And Ease Of Use
• 3.9 Noise And Pollution Levels
• 3.10 Warranty And Price

• 4.1 Why You Should Opt For A Wheeled Unit
• 4.2 How To Change The Trimmer Line?

Best Walk Behind String Trimmer– Reviews Buying Guide For 2023

Product Specifications

• Wheel Size: 14 inches
• Cutting Swath: 22 inches
• Trimmer Line Size: 0.155 inches
• Cutting Height: 1 to 6 inches
• Engine Power: 159cc gas engine
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 5 gallons
• Operating Time:60 minutes
• Maximum Yard Size: 5 acres
• Warranty: 2-year limited warranty

A 159cc OHV gas engine powers up the Remington RM1159 Walk-Behind High-Wheeled String Trimmer. In this way, its 4-cycle gas engine boosts your power in killing tall, tough weeds.

To make things way easier, a 22-inch cutting swath trims around garden beds, fences, and other landscaping borders.

The trimmer line size is a standard 0.155 inches in diameter, so this shouldn’t pose any problem when changing strings. This line size is resilient enough to stand up to a lot of hard work.

A word of advice: learn how to change the trimmer line because you might do it often when you spend a lot of time cutting against barriers.

Don’t worry, the tool’s design makes this additional task worry-free.

What we liked best during our test is that the offset trimmer head aids in cutting hard-to-reach areas.

over, it is a user-friendly tool because the 14-inch ball-bearing wheels assist in maneuvering with ease through rough terrain or thick bush.

This large size can surely cope with uneven ground.

However, at 78 pounds, the Remington RM1159 walk-behind wheeled string trimmer mower is the heaviest model on this list, so it may somewhat be difficult to store.

But know that most big units are normally designed with the best features.

Besides, it has a running time of 60 minutes and a 5-gallon fuel tank capacity. Subsequently, you can cover areas up to 5 acres.

To our delight, it has an extraordinary cutting height of 1 to 6 inches. This is perfect for uneven areas since you can adjust the height depending on how long the weeds are.

As for the ergonomics, the Remington RM1159 comes with a comfortable folding handle for convenient transportation and storage.

Recalling our tests, we’ve seen how this wheeled trimmer easily handled 5-foot-tall weeds without having a jam.

In addition, the model is easy to start, so you only have to crank up on the first pull.

If you want to include edges, know that this model only trims parallel to the ground surface.

This means you can’t cut into the crevice between a yard and the pathway.

To be fair, this machine is specifically designed to face rough stuff. Hence, you might need to mow afterward if you want manicured outcomes.

Still, the Remington RM1159 Walk-Behind Trimmer can create intricately shaped spaces. This is due to the off-center positioned trimmer head.

We’re pretty sure you will love this unit’s ability to change the height of the cut.

SuperHandy String Trimmer Walk Behind 21″ Inch Line Cutting Diameter for Landscaping

Using a simple lever on the handle, you can choose from the three different settings.

As proven by these impressive attributes, this wheeled weed whacker is powerful enough for tackling any terrain.

In a nutshell, the Remington RM1159 Walk-Behind High-Wheeled String Trimmer is a user-friendly unit that makes big jobs seem small and help you clear the tallest, toughest grass and weeds.

It has a powerful engine that makes a consistent and clean cut.

Best Weed Eater Reviews 2023 – Gas, Battery, and Electric

If you’re on the hunt for the best weed eater for the 2023 mowing season, you’ve come to the right place! Since the mowing season never really ends here in Florida, it’s a great place to be testing year-round and we’re able to get our hands on the latest gas, cordless, and electric weed eater models.

Before we dive into our recommendations, let’s take care of a little contextual business. Technically, Weed Eater is a brand, not a tool. The tool we’re talking about is a string trimmer. Much like Kleenex is a tissue and Sawzall is a reciprocating saw, the brand name is synonymous with the tool type.

Weed Eater as a brand is part of the Husqvarna group and has a FOCUS on the needs of homeowners. Likewise, the FOCUS of this article is also on string trimmers specifically targeting the needs of homeowners. If you’d like to see what we recommend for professionals as well, check out the following articles:

Best Gas Weed Eater

Echo SRM-225 String Trimmer

Echo’s SRM-225 bridges the gap between homeowner needs and professional quality and performance. It has an easy-starting 21.2cc engine driving a 17-inch cutting swath. Line changes are easy out of the box thanks to a stock Speed Feed 400 head.

The 225 has been around for a long time—well over a decade. Some of the features have changed, (such as the starting system and head), but this is a field-proven model that consistently earns high praise from folks that use it.

While the price tag is on the high end of the residential range, the SRM-225 does have a 5-year consumer warranty.

Best Battery-Powered Weed Eater

EGO 56V PowerLoad String Trimmer with Line IQ

The creme de la creme in the battery-powered world this year is EGO”s latest model. Piling on the best of its technologies, it features a carbon fiber shaft, PowerLoad automatic line winding, and automatic line extending with LineIQ.

As is typical for EGO string trimmers, the 56V brushless motor is confident cutting through tall grass and the vibration levels are lower than most of its competition.

Price: Price: 219.00 bare, 299.00 with a 4.0Ah battery and charger

Best Corded Electric Weed Eater

Black Decker GH900 String Trimmer

Black Decker has a nice range of corded electric string trimmers to choose from. If the higher affordability and/or simplicity of corded if what you’re looking for, we recommend the GH900. It’s a 6.5-amp model with a 14-inch cutting swath that has more power than many of its competitors. It’s also a 2-in-1 mode with a wheel that makes flipping the trimmer to the side for edging duties easier.

This model has automatic line feeding. As long as there’s line on the spool, it feeds as necessary without you having to bump the head as you go.

Best Value Weed Eater

Skil PWRCore 40 Brushless String Trimmer Kit

If you’re shopping with a tighter budget, there are still quality weed eaters to choose from, including cordless models. Pulling together everything—performance, design, convenience, and price—we recommend the Skil PWRCore 40 15-inch brushless string trimmer as the best value.

It has better performance than you get from the 18V/20V Max class while keeping both its weight and price in check. Plus, it adds a quick-winding Smart Lond feature for line changes and Skil backs it with a 5-year warranty.

Price: 159.00 with 2.5Ah battery and charger

Best Weed Eater Brand

Ryobi

So when it all shakes out, what’s the best weed eater brand from top to bottom? That’s going to take some context. In our opinion, it has to be a brand with a broad range of options in both the gas and election categories, and that narrows the field significantly. While there are several quality brands in the mix, we believe Ryobi does the best job of bracketing the needs of homeowners.

There are several gas options and a corded model to choose from. Plus, there are budget-friendly entry-level options on the 18V One platform all the way to high-end 40V HP Brushless models, including one that earned our recommendation as the most powerful cordless string trimmer.

Recommendations from Brands We Trust

There are A LOT of really good weed eaters on the market and while only one could fill each category above, here are some of our other top recommendations.

Best Craftsman String Trimmer – V20 RP Brushless 13-Inch String Trimmer

Craftsman covers corded, battery, and gas-powered string trimmers, giving you more than a dozen total choices. Of those, the V20 RP Brushless model is the way to go if you have a small yard or want a lightweight option. It’s also a good value—the kit is just 149.00 and that includes a 5.0Ah battery. When you consider some of the better corded models are around 100 and then add the cost of a quality 100-foot extension cord, cordless convenience isn’t too far out of reach.

Price: 149.00 with 5.0Ah battery and charger

Best Greenworks Weed Eater – 60V Pro 16-Inch Brushless String Trimmer

Greenworks’ Pro 60V line has a few options and the ST60L04 is one of the best you can get at the 200 price point. Its performance is characterized by confident cutting using 0.095-inch line and low vibration. Balancing that performance with an 11.2-pound weight (including the battery), it’s a very comfortable trimmer to work with. Plus, it includes an easy-loading Load N’ Go head that makes your line changes less frustrating.

Price: 199.99 with a 2.5Ah battery and charger

Best HART String Trimmer – 40V SuperCharge 15-Inch Brushless Carbon Fiber String Trimmer

HART is taking its next step forward with a big FOCUS on performance and its 40V SuperCharge string trimmer is the way to go if you’re looking for the best the Walmart-exclusive brand has to offer. Using a brushless motor, it’s capable of overtaking 25cc gas models. It’s also an attachment-ready system. Just grab whichever HART or other universal connection accessories you like and turn this string trimmer into a lawn care multi-tool.

Price: 237.00 with a 4.0Ah battery and Rapid charger

Best Husqvarna Weed Eater – 320iL 40V Weed Eater 16-Inch Brushless String Trimmer

Husqvarna has a very clean professional side and a nice selection of homeowner models you can conveniently get from Lowe’s. Launched in 2023, the 320iL is the first battery-powered string trimmer in Husqvarna’s line to carry the Weed Eater brand name and it’s a serious contender in the residential market.

Using a 40V power source and brushless motor, this 16-inch string trimmer is lightweight at just 10.1 with a 4.0Ah battery. Combined with Husqvarna’s characteristic low-vibration design, it’s a strong candidate for the most comfortable string trimmer to use. Plus, there’s a directional switch feature. It’s something we see on professional models from time to time, but they typically use it for just a few seconds to detangle grass that gets around the shaft. Husqvarna specifically designed this one to run full-time in either direction so you’re always sending clippings away from you.

Price: 169.00 bare, 299.00 with 4.0Ah battery and charger

Best Ridgid String Trimmer – 18V Brushless 14-Inch String Trimmer

2023 saw Ridgid enter the lawn care sector for the first time with a suite of products that are compatible with the same 18V batteries that run the beloved orange power tools. For the string trimmer, Ridgid decided to target a lighteight model. including a 4.0Ah battery, it’s less than 10 pounds. While the 14-inch max cutting swath isn’t what professionals are looking for, it’s just fine for homeowner needs.

Price: 189.00 bare, 249.00 with a 4.0Ah battery and charger

Best Ryobi Weed Eater – 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber String Trimmer

Ryobi has been in the lawn care game for a long time. Recently, the battery side of the business has brought impressive gains in both design and performance. The culmination of that advancement brings together a battery and brushless motor with stronger performance than its competition. You can use line up to 0.105-inch and you get a 17-inch cutting swath.

While this model is on the heavy side, its performance makes it a great choice for maintaining large areas or reclaiming overgrowth. On the other hand, its noise level doesn’t seem to match how strong it is. As part of Ryobi’s Whisper Series, this model runs some 60% quieter than gas models.

Price: 279.00 bare, 329.00 with 6.0Ah battery and Rapid charger

Best STIHL String Trimmer – FSA 60 R 36V 14-Inch Brushless String Trimmer

Thanks to the quality of its products and the support of its servicing dealer network, STIHL enjoys a high reputation when it comes to string trimmers (and virtually everything else it makes). Shifting away from its excellent professional models, the homeowner side has both gas and battery models available. In our opinion, battery is the way to go for homeowners and the FSA 60 R is the one we’d go with.

It’s a sub-10-pound (with the battery) 14-inch brushless model using the AK battery system that targets homeowner needs. There’s a similar model on the AP system (the FSA 86 R), but it costs a bit more and unless you’re going to add other STIHL professional-level products, you shouldn’t need to jump up.

Price: 219.99 bare, 289.99 with 3.9Ah battery

What We Look For – Best Weed Eater Buying Guide

Gas, Battery-Powered, or Corded?

The power source you choose has a significant impact on several aspects of you string trimmer ownership experience.

Gas models give you the most power (but battery is getting really close). If you’re looking for a wide cutting swath with a high line size and possibly using a grass or brush cutter blade, it’s the best way to go. Keep in mind you have to mix your gas and oil, it’s the noisiest option, they tend to have more vibration, and there’s more maintenance to keep up with. run the gamut from around 100 all the to around 250 for a high-end residential model.

Battery-powered weed eaters are now able to keep up with 25cc gas engine performance and even higher in some cases. Many use medium line sizes and a few can handle 0.105-inch line. They are highly convenient models to use. Just pop the battery in and go. One thing to keep in mind is that most of the batteries are good for 3 – 5 years, and they can be expensive to replace. They’re also some of the most expensive, starting over 100 and reaching the 300 mark. On the other hand, most folks we know that experience the convenience along with lower noise, no emissions, and no gas hassles of a good battery model never look back.

Corded electric weed eaters are the way to go if you’re on a tight budget. They tend to be smaller and lighter with less power and cutting swath than others. However, there’s almost no maintenance to worry about and you have the same low noise, no gas benefits of battery-powered models. The big trade-off is that you need to drag an extension cord wherever you’re working. On the plus side, the majority of corded models are under 100.

Cutting Swath and Line Size

As you increase the overall power of a string trimmer, you can increase the cutting swath and line diameter. For cutting swath, you can go as low as 12 inches or as high as 17 or 18 inches. The wider you go, the more grass you’re clearing, making it easier to trim back larger areas of overgrowth or give your mower more of a buffer.

Pro Tip: Avoid the temptation to remove the guard to get more line out. It may look like a good idea, but it puts more strain on the engine/motor than it was designed to handle and will shorten its overall service life.

Line diameter starts around 0.065 inches thick. We recommend at least 0.080-inch and prefer 0.095 for the best all-around cutting. 0.105-inch line is great if you’re clearing overgrowth, but it’s overkill for the regular cutting you do around your home. As you increase the line size, it has more mass and is able to drive through thicker and stalkier grasses easier.

Pro Tip: Similar to extending the cutting swath, loading line that’s thicker than your trimmer is rated for can put additional strain on the engine/motor that hurts it in the long run.

Vibration

Vibration is simple—the less a weed eater has, the more pleasant it is to use. Electric and battery-powered models are the best, but they can still have quite a bit. Once you use a good low-vibration string trimmer, your entire outlook on trimming can change.

Weight and Length

Like vibration, the size and weight of a string trimmer contribute significantly to how fatiguing the chore is. Lower weight is better. However, beware of trimmers that are much longer or shorter than you can comfortably adjust to your height. Going too far in either direction is a recipe for back pain.

Price and Value

As with most products, the overall quality and performance of a weed eater generally increase with the price. That said, shop around and ask questions—at nearly every price point there’s going to be a model or two that give you a better overall experience than others.

Considering a couple of different ones and aren’t sure which way to go? Drop a comment below and we’ll let you know which one we recommend.

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested anything or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d actually use it ourselves, and we don’t really care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 350 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

Pro Tool Reviews consults with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites. We consult with them extensively on testing methods, categories, and practical applications.

Our site will provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers. That includes objective evaluations of individual tools and products.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

How to Start a Weed Whacker

This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 151,047 times.

Starting a weed whacker can be tricky when dealing with a model you’ve never seen before. You should know that weed whackers fall into two main categories: some use gas while others are electric. A gas weed whacker starts much like a car or other gas-powered vehicle, while an electric weed whacker’s operation is more similar to electric home appliances.

Starting a Gas Powered Weed Whacker

• The kill switch controls the flow of electricity to the motor. It’s also referred to as a the “on/off switch”; if it’s kept off, the engine cannot start. [1] X Research source
• If you’ve used the weed whacker in the past five minutes, the engine should still be warm enough. You won’t need to switch on the choke or use the purge valve.
• This step is only needed when cold starting the weed whacker.
• If it doesn’t start, keep pressing the purge valve. Sometimes if the weed whacker has been sitting around it needs more priming.

DR trimmer mower pro review

Stop pulling the cord once you hear the engine running. If done correctly, you’ll then hear the engine stop working; it’ll essentially “burp”, running only for a few seconds. [6] X Research source Make sure not to pull the cord after you hear the engine die down.

Switch the choke to the run position. Now that you’ve been able to start the engine, you don’t need the assistance of the choke. Resuming proper air flow to the engine will keep it efficient. While the choke allows for a cold engine to be started more easily, it will lead to higher fuel consumption if kept on while you use the weed whacker. [7] X Trustworthy Source Science Direct Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics Go to source

• For a warm start, you should only need to follow this step. There’s no need to fiddle with the purge valve, and you should make sure the choke is on the run position. [9] X Research source

Starting an Electric Weed Whacker

• Some electric weed whackers are battery powered. If this is the case, you’ll need to make sure you’ve charged the weed whacker before trying to start it. [10] X Research source
• Make sure the trigger isn’t held down when plugging in the weed whacker.

Pull the trigger. The advantage of electric weed whackers is they’re ready to be used once they’ve been plugged in. The line will start spinning as soon as you pull the trigger. Make sure to keep the weed whacker away from you and any surface that could be damaged by it. [11] X Research source

Note the differences between electric and gas powered weed whackers. While a gas powered weed whacker demands several steps before starting, electric weed whackers are much simpler. You won’t find a kill switch or a pull cord on an electric weed whacker. You should only need to pull the trigger to get it working.

Expert QA

The placement of parts such as the throttle lock and the kill switch will vary depending on the model you use. Refer to your weed whacker’s user manual to determine their location.

Make sure to wear appropriate safety gear before starting the weed whacker. At the very least, you need a good pair of glasses to prevent debris or plants from getting in your eyes.

Read the owner’s manual carefully before starting a weed whacker. There might be safety precautions or considerations specific to your particular model.

What additional safety gear you should wear depends on your situation. Consider a long sleeved shirt, pants, work boots, a hat, gloves, ear protection, and a dust mask. [12] X Research source

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About This Article

This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987. This article has been viewed 151,047 times.

To start a gas powered weed whacker, start by placing it on the ground and flipping the kill switch on. Once the kill switch is engaged, find the choke and switch it to the “on” or “closed” position, which will allow you to cold start your weed whacker. Then, press the purge valve 5 to 6 times to push fresh gas into the carburetor. After your engine is primed, place your hand on the throttle lock and pull the cord 2 or 3 times until the engine starts to run. With the engine running, switch the choke back to the “run” position and pull the cord 1 more time to get your weed whacker ready to use. For more help, like how to start an electric weed whacker, read on!

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The 4 Best Grass Whips [ How to Use Them the RIGHT Way]

Keeping up with weeds SUCKS. Especially when they start taking over your beautiful lawn or garden beds that you worked so hard on.

In 2020, I moved from the city to 1.5 acres of land and I’m learning that if you don’t keep up with your weeds and tall grass, they seem to grow FEET overnight. Yes, Feet – especially when it rains. It can get out of control fast.

But I recently discovered a tool called grass or weed whip, and it’s a gamechanger.

Yes, I have a ride on mower, a push mower, and weed whacker. But this is excellent for those areas of the yard that are uneven, around trees, or just in a spot that those other garden tools can’t reach.

Plus, I don’t have to worry about adding gas, changing the oil, or any of the typical issues that come with machinery.

What is a Grass Whip?

A grass whip is a weed or grass cutter that looks like a golf club with a long blade on the end.

You may have heard about grass whips under these common names:

• Manual weed whacker
• Serrated grass whip
• Swing blade grass cutter
• Weed sling blade
• The tool that improves your golf swing while you maintain your lawn

Or my favorite: The Ultimate Lightweight Weed Eater

The Most Efficient Grass Removal Tool

You can use a grass whip for clearing tall grass, getting rid of ivy patches, and even clear poison ivy without touching it. It’s great for use as weed eaters or cutting tall grass from the lawn, garden beds and anywhere else you need to get rid of pesky ivy vines or weeds.

Grass whips are cut with a sharp blade in both the forward and backward motion, which can cut your weeding time in half compared to a scythe or other grass-cutting tool. The serrated steel blade edges on the whip tool help you cut more than just grass, and work well on pesky weeds and thicker brush.

Why Not Just Use a Weedwhacker or Battery Powered Trimmer?

There are a lot of good reasons to use grass whips instead of string trimmers:

• You have to refill your string constantly
• You’re at the mercy of your battery life or tank of a gas trimmer
• Weed whackers can harm tree trunks, fences, and porch bases
• It’s not as heavy
• You get some exercise in
• You don’t need as much space for easy storage
• You can improve your golf swing while you get rid of weeds
• The best grass whips are still cheaper than a basic string trimmer
• You can do it silently before 9am on a Saturday and not annoy your neighbors

The Best Grass Whips

While there aren’t a ton of grass whips on the market, here are some of the best grass whips (i.e. best weed eaters) you can find.

True Temper Grass Whip

The True Temper grass whip has a hardwood handle and double-edged serrated steel blades.

This tool is great for cutting tall grass and tough weeds or vegetation. The hardwood handle grass whip looks like an oddly shaped hockey stick, but is great for cutting tall growth.

The 8 Best Weed Whackers for a Tidy, Weed-Free Lawn

Top weed whacker models, like the Ego Power 15-Inch string trimmer, make it easy to keep your lawn looking trim.

Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music’s Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

In This Article

Whether you know it as a weed whacker, weed eater, weed trimmer, stringer, or string trimmer, this handy yard tool is a must for getting rid of weeds on and around your lawn. A weed whacker can cut weeds and tall grass in hard-to-reach areas along sidewalks, fencing, shrubs, and groundcover—a must-do on the checklist of seasonal landscape maintenance.

We spoke to lawn experts at WWCS Environmental Services to get the lowdown on how to best use a weed whacker for weed removal and lawn health. “A good weed whacker is a great lawn maintenance tool to use in combination with a mower and weed killer to keep a lawn in top condition,” says Ashley Platen-Mills, the director of WWCS Environmental Services.

We researched some of the best weed whackers on the market based on important factors like their power, price, shaft style and grip, and how much they weigh so as not to cause back strain or user fatigue. We also looked at how easy the string is to replace and safety features.

Best Overall

Ego Power 15-Inch String Trimmer with Powerload

• As a cordless string trimmer, you can expect around 25 to 30 minutes of use out of it per charge, which, though considered good for a battery-powered weed whacker, might not be enough for larger properties.

Providing just as much cutting power as a gas model, but without the fumes and high maintenance requirements, the Ego Power 15-Inch String Trimmer is our choice for the best weed whacker. Manually replacing a string line on a weed whacker can be an arduous task, but this model has a feature that winds the trimmer automatically—all you have to do is feed the line into the trimmer’s head and press a button.

The perks of this trimmer don’t end there; it has one of the strongest shafts of any weed whacker currently on the market, and, thanks to its carbon fiber construction, it’s incredibly lightweight so you won’t tire as you carry it around your yard powering through various landscaping chores.

It features a large 15-inch cutting width to cover more area as well as variable speed control so you can customize your weed-whacking experience to your lawn’s needs. In addition, it has a brushless motor, which is known to extend motor life as well as provide a longer running time than other cordless models. The company also provides a lifetime warranty, so you’re guaranteed a strong, durable, and efficient yard work tool that will last forever.

Price at time of publish: 250

Power: Cordless 2.5-amp hour 56-volt battery | Cutting width: 15 inches | Weight: 7 pounds | Shaft length: 42 inches | Feed system: Bump

Best Gas-Powered

Echo 21.2 cc Gas 2-Stroke Cycle Straight Shaft Trimmer

• It has a manual pull start (no electric start), so the weed whacker will need to be kept warm and dry in order to start on the first pull. You’ll also need to add oil to the gas (2.6 ounces to every gallon for a 50:1 ratio).

Gas power tools are typically the preferred option for professional landscapers and gardeners, and this Echo 21.2cc Gas 2-Stroke Cycle Straight Shaft Trimmer makes it clear why. Providing 21.2cc of power, this machine is user-friendly for homeowners and comfortable to hold thanks to its cushioned ergonomic handles situated at the front and rear for better handling and grip.

Since this tool is gas-powered, it is ideal for use on larger properties. The anti-vibration design, along with its fairly low weight of just 11.5 pounds, allows you to use it for longer without getting tired.

The gas tank is see-through, so you can easily see when it’s running low on fuel. There’s also a shield to protect you from flying lawn debris. It has a long 59-inch shaft that provides extra reach for hard-to-access places, and the exhaust blows towards the back, which means it can be used comfortably by both left- and right-handed users.

Though it has a bump feed system, the “bump” required is more like a tap, which means you don’t have to worry about breaking the tool every time you want to advance the line.

Price at time of publish: 340

Power: Gas 21.2cc, 2-stroke engine | Cutting width: 17 inches | Weight: 11.5 pounds | Shaft length: 59 inches | Feed system: Bump

Best Corded Electric

BlackDecker 14-Inch Corded Electric String Trimmer

With no need to recharge batteries or refuel, the BlackDecker 14-Inch Corded Electric String Trimmer lets you FOCUS on where to plug it in and which weeds to whack. This handy tool is not only economical, but it also doubles up as an edger with the simple flip of the unit, making it our choice for the best corded weed whacker.

The string trimmer can get to tight spots, like up against fencing and along your flower beds, where your lawnmower can’t (or shouldn’t) go, and the edger side can neatly trim, regardless of your lawn shape, all the its edges along the driveway and sidewalk.

Its cord retention system ensures that the cord won’t accidentally become unplugged or get in the way while you’re working, and the weed whacker’s adjustable shaft height means that you can customize it to a length that suits you and all members of the family. At only 5.3 pounds, this tool provides for easy trimming and is light enough to not cause user fatigue or strain.

If you’re looking for an economical way to keep the lawn neat and tidy and don’t mind having to be near an electrical outlet, this is the tool for you.

Price at time of publish: 69

Power: Corded electric, 6.5-amp motor | Cutting width: 14 inches | Weight: 5.3 pounds | Shaft length: 45.5 inches | Feed system: Automatic

Best Battery-Powered

Worx 20V Power Share GT Revolution 12-Inch String Trimmer

A battery-powered string trimmer is one of those must-have outdoor power tools. The Worx 20V Power Share GT Revolution cordless string trimmer is not only lightweight at just 5.5 pounds, it also has two rubber support wheels to make it even easier to push along while weed whacking, trimming, edging, or even doing a little mowing (this tool is also a mini mower). Its 90-degree pivoting head allows you to get into your lawn’s nooks and crannies easier, and it has an adjustable ergonomic handle that can change between seven positions for maximum comfort and easy handling.

This machine is impressively strong (with up to 100 pounds of tensile strength, according to the manufacturer) and has an aerodynamic design that has been made to reduce drag. It can run for 40 to 60 minutes on a fully-charged battery, which works out to about 20,000 feet of lawn edges. Keep in mind, though, that the wheels do not swivel, which may make it harder to edge along a curved path.

We also like that it has a handy extra string spool holder on the trimmer, so you’ll always have string when you need it. Automatic feeds often mean that the line runs out quite quickly, but one of the best things about Worx trimmers is that the company provides free spools for life if you run out—all you have to do is pay for postage and processing.

Price at time of publish: 150

Power: Cordless 4-amp hour 20-volt battery | Cutting width: 12 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Shaft length: 48 inches | Feed system: Automatic

Best Wheeled

Craftsman 159cc Wheeled String Trimmer

• There is no on/off switch, electric start, or idle mode, and it turns off as soon as you release the bar, meaning you must start it again via the pull start. This does, however, save fuel.

like a lawnmower than a weed whacker, both in appearance and use, this Craftsman 159cc Wheeled String Trimmer provides a different type of lawn trimming experience, one that is preferred by many over the usual types of weed trimmers on the market.

Since it’s a walk-behind machine, you don’t have to lift it in order to use it, which saves you backache and reduces user fatigue. Though it has a manual feed system, it’s very easy to change out the string, so this shouldn’t be a concern.

Its large 14-inch wheels make maneuverability a breeze, and it also has an impressively large cutting width of 22 inches, which allows you to cover more ground in less time. It can cut thick and unruly grass, weeds, and sticks on large properties, and it has six cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 2.4 to 4.4 inches.

While it is a pull-start machine, it has an auto choke system that means you don’t have to prime the engine before starting it up. It also has a foldable handle that makes it easier to store neatly away.

Power: Gas, 159cc 4-cycle overhead valve engine | Cutting width: 22 inches | Weight: 78.7 pounds | Length: 34.6 inches | Feed system: Manual

Best for Large Yards

Husqvarna 18.5 in. 336FR Pro Gas-Powered Brushcutter

• This tool is one of the most powerful weed whackers available and is built to last. It’s ideal for anyone with a very large yard with thick grasses and weeds to get rid of.

Though technically not classed as a weed whacker, this Husqvarna brush cutter can do everything a weed whacker can and more. Thanks to its much thicker trimmer line, grass blade, and saw blade, it is capable of getting through the thickest grasses, reeds, stalks, and even small trees. It’s the optimal tool for working on larger yards and overgrown parts of your property, but you won’t need this much power if you have a small yard.

Though it’s a gas power tool, it has been designed to use less fuel and emit fewer exhaust emissions.

Since this tool is a little heavier than other weed whacker models, it comes with a body harness that is worn by the user and strapped to the tool to distribute its weight evenly, making it much easier to lift and maneuver, without causing back pain or user fatigue. It also has a bike-style soft-grip handlebar for more user comfort and ease of use.

While it does technically have a bump feed system, it needs nothing more than a small tap on the ground to activate the line change, making it less likely to damage the unit.

Price at time of publish: 669

Power: Gas, 1.9 horsepower, 34.6cc engine | Cutting width: 18.5 inches | Weight: 15.4 pounds | Length: 58.4 inches | Feed system: Bump

Best Lightweight

Ryobi ONE 18-Volt Cordless Battery String Trimmer

At just 4 pounds, this Ryobi string trimmer and edger is so light that it almost feels like a toy to handle, but that’s not to say that it lacks in performance. On the contrary, this weed whacker and edger is tough on weeds, cutting them down in just one pass. It features a rotatable shaft that shifts the tool from weed trimmer to edger, and its grip is ergonomic, making it even easier to handle and maneuver around tighter spaces, such as small backyard gardens.

Though it provides a rather short run time of around 10 minutes, charging the battery fully only takes an hour, and if you have a second battery handy, you can easily get through a small- to medium-sized yard without any issues. It has an easy auto-feed system that advances the line every time you let go of the trigger, and it comes with a three-year warranty, too.

Price at time of publish: 69

Power: Cordless, 1.5-amp hour 18-volt battery | Cutting width: 10 inches | Weight: 4 pounds | Shaft length: 42 inches | Feed system: Automatic

Best Budget

Greenworks 5.5 Amp 15-Inch Corded Electric String Trimmer

• This economical weed whacker proves that there’s no need to break the bank in order to keep the corners and edges of your lawn looking spick and span.

For residential use on a smaller-sized lawn, you don’t need to shell out hundreds on a high-end weed whacker when a budget option, like this 5.5-amp string trimmer from Greenworks, will clean up your yard easily and effectively in very little time.

Simple to use with an automatic line feed system, this unit has a rotating and pivoting head that can be adjusted to four different positions for getting into every hard-to-reach corner of your yard and provide a nice clean line along landscape edging.

The handy wheels on the edger side make trimming along driveways, pathways, and sidewalks practically effortless, and, to change the device into an edger, all you have to do is press a button. There’s not a guard on the edger side, so it is a little messier when it comes to flying lawn clippings than when using the trimming side, but that’s a small price to pay for its economical cost, light weight, and constant flow of corded electric power.

Price at time of publish: 40

Power: Corded electric, 5.5-amp | Cutting width: 15 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Shaft length: 41 inches | Feed system: Automatic

The Bottom Line

The super-strong and durable Ego Power 15-Inch String Trimmer with Powerload was our overall top pick of the best weed whackers due to its sturdy carbon fiber shaft, 30-minute runtime (considered good for a cordless weed whacker), large 15-inch cutting swath, and easy automatic string feed system. What’s more, it has a lifetime warranty that, in effect, guarantees you a tool that could potentially last forever.

What to Know About Weed Whackers Before Shopping

Power Source

In terms of power, weed whackers typically come in two main varieties: gas and electric. A gas version offers more power, while an electric model is quieter, more lightweight, and generally easier to use. Electric battery-powered trimmers are a good option for home use because they’re more maneuverable than gas options or corded electric models.

Corded electric weed whackers offer continuous power without needing to charge batteries, but you’ll be limited to the area your extension cord can reach.

As with all gas-powered tools, a gas weed whacker requires you to handle fuel and put up with the fumes it emits. Yearly maintenance by a professional is also a must, but if you’re confident enough, you can do it yourself with a good YouTube tutorial.

Weight

These tools come in varying sizes and weights, but thankfully, modern weed whackers are much lighter than their predecessors, making them easier to use by just about anyone. A gas weed whacker is typically a little heavier than its electric counterpart since you have to factor in the fuel weight, too, but on average, you’ll find that the best weed whackers weigh around 5 to 10 pounds.

Shaft Style

You can also choose between a curved or straight shaft. The curved shafts can feel better-balanced and easier to use but may have less torque, while the straight ones will have a longer reach and can more easily double up as edging tools. A straight shaft also puts less strain on the interior mechanisms of the weed whacker and is more likely to be able to handle different attachments.

Feed System

A feed system releases the cutting string—the line the tool uses to cut the weeds down—to the head of a weed whacker. The string, which is typically made of plastic, needs to be advanced every few yards or so since it gets considerably worn down. Old weed whackers required the string to be changed manually by hand, but most trimmers nowadays have much easier feed systems, the main two for residential use being a bump feed and an automatic feed.

• Bump feed: These systems are fully user-controlled and will only release more line when you bump the weed whacker on the ground. This is a straightforward system, but you do have to be careful not to damage the tool while bumping it.
• Automatic feed: An auto-feed system is more intuitive and will release more line when it detects that it is time for new string. Though auto-feed systems give you one less thing to worry about, they are often a little more expensive than bump-feed systems in terms of buying price and repairs. You may also find that it goes through spools of string faster than a model with a bump feed system.

Your Questions, Answered

When should you use a weed whacker?

One of the best practices to avoid potential lawn issues in the summer is to use your weed whacker in conjunction with a lawn mower every time you mow the lawn, which could be once a week from springtime on. A lawn mower isn’t able to trim the grass and weeds along the edges of sidewalks and driveways or get into corners, nooks, or the bases of sharp inclines, which is why a weed whacker is necessary. “You can use a weed whacker all year round for the best lawn maintenance,” Ashley Platen-Mills says. “However, weekly use, along with your lawn mower, will be required during the growing season, which is typically March through October.”

You’ll also want to use a weed whacker near delicate flower beds instead of taking the mower right up to them. While a weed whacker is the tool of choice for hard-to-reach areas, be careful not to cut grass against trees as this can cause severe damage to the bark and tree in general. “Remember to keep it 2 inches off the grass when trimming and go over the lawn with a weed whacker first before using the mower,” Platen-Mills says. This way, the lawn mower will chop the clippings, too, and either bag them or mulch them, depending on the type of mower you have.

Can you use a weed whacker on wet grass?

While you can use a weed whacker on wet grass, it isn’t advisable. “Using a trimmer on wet grass will more than likely end up ripping the grass rather than cutting it cleanly,” Platen-Mills says. “This can lead to scalping and bald patches.” Scalping is when too much grass is removed at once, resulting in unsightly stubbly brown patches. “It’s better to use the string trimmer when the lawn is dry in the areas where you can’t take a lawn mower, and then use the lawnmower to go over and collect the trimmings.”

How do you clean a weed whacker?

There’s no need to give these tools a detail clean or wash them off with water. “Straight after use, wipe the weed whacker down well with a stiff brush to get rid of any lawn clippings and soil,” Platen-Mills recommends. In addition to keeping the tool generally clean, yearly maintenance of gas models is necessary in order to check the fuel, oil, engine, spark plugs, and the blade on weed whacker-mower combo models.

Who We Are

This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce-writing experience. Kat is also the Commerce Editor-at-Large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this best weed whacker article, Kat reviewed and tested multiple weed whackers; spoke to lawn maintenance experts at WWCS Environmental Services, including its director, Ashley Platen-Mills; and researched and considered factors such as each weed whacker’s power, cutting swath, shaft length and style, durability, as well as value for money.