The Best Weed Eater Reviews – For A Great Yard in 2024
NOBODY likes weeds. While some weeds can be pulled by hand or hit with the lawn mower, others are more of a problem.
If you have a lawn, you know there are areas that your lawn mower just can’t reach.
Finding the best weed eater (also known as weed wackers or string trimmers) that works in your yard is key to keeping stress levels down and your outdoor enjoyment up this summer. I know I have a hard time unwinding in my backyard if I see some bindweed or Canada thistle growing along my shoreline.
It grinds in my brain like sand in the gears – I just want to eliminate the problem immediately – but without the right gas or electric trimmer that job becomes much harder.
The string trimmer is your main ally in the battle against grass and weeds that grow where your lawn mower fears to tread. Let’s help you make the right choice. We’ve come up with a list of top rated weed wackers for most usage situations. We’ll not only give you the facts, we also provide you with the reasons why a string trimmer is a great fit for that type of yard and homeowner.
Let’s get started!
While you can find more in-depth information in the weed wacker buying guide, the first decision you need to make before you can even begin looking for a new grass weed wacker is what power source it runs on. There are three power sources. Gasoline-powered eaters have a combustion engine to run the trimmer head. In the electric camp, there are corded and battery-powered. If you had asked me 5 years ago, I would have said battery-powered electric grass eaters were a toy. In today’s world, things have changed: in general a high-quality, high-voltage battery powered tool is as good as an average gas powered one.
Our Picks For The Best Weed Wackers
- 3-in-1 Capability with dual-position wheels for grass trimming, edging, and mowing
- Converts from a trimmer to an in-line edger in seconds with no tools
- Quick-release lever for fast telescopic height adjustments, and for the 90-degree tilting head
- 12-inch cutting diameter with automatic 100% single line feed (no bump)
Prices and availability are accurate as of 2024-09-14 at 09:44 CST - Details
The WORX 32-Volt GT2.0 is a solid string trimmer choice for the average homeowner. The product is designed around convenience. You get a battery, a charger, and three spools of cutting line. Everything you need to get started is included – which means no surprise trips back to the store.
Once underway in your yard, the line feed is automatic. You won’t need to stop to “bump feed” the head to access more trimming line. The GT 2.0 will provide line automatically. It has solid performance as well.
It’s only a little bit over 6 pounds so it won’t tire you out carrying it around during the afternoon. Another good feature: this weed wacker converts into a wheeled edger and mini-mower. Would I use this to cut my lawn regularly? No. But this feature does mean it can cut grass in tight areas your lawnmower can’t reach.
Prices and availability are accurate as of 2024-09-14 at 09:44 CST - Details
This string trimmer is a beast. I generally think gasoline powered string trimmers aren’t necessary for most landowners, but there are situations where you absolutely need one. For instance, if you own a few acres of land, a gasoline powered motor is really going to be the best choice for your needs.
And this Husqvarna will fill those needs. It’s a 4-cycle engine, which means you get great performance and power. You’ll avoid the hassle of mixing the right amount of gas-to-oil in your tank. You still need to add oil, but it has it’s own storage “tank”. Believe me, remembering the right gas-to-oil mix isn’t as easy as you’d think.
The 25cc engine will provide you with plenty of power. One great upgrade is to change the trimmer head to a metal one if you need to clear small brush. It won’t cut through redwoods, but it’ll cut through most anything you’ll encounter.
This isn’t a cheap purchase, but a quality name like Husqvarna should last you for years and years to come.
- Gear drive design of the edger/trimmer powers through tough overgrowth
- High-efficiency brushless motor of the cordless grass trimmer maximizes run time and motor life
- Lawn trimmer provides 15-inch cutting swath with 0.080-inch line (also accepts 0.095 inch)
- Variable speed trigger with Hi/Lo speed control for added power or extended run time
Prices and availability are accurate as of 2024-09-14 at 09:44 CST - Details
DEWALT is known for high-quality, professional grade tools. For most homeowners, this FLEXVOLT 60-Volt string grass trimmer will take care of all your tough-weed needs. I feel comfortable saying this product delivers enough power to replace any 2-stroke gas engine trimmer that is older than 5 years.
Why is this a solid gas-replacement? The lithium-ion battery holds enough juice to run for a long time, even at high-power. Most yards don’t need the higher speed – which in turn can extend battery life by half.
If you purchase a 9AH battery, you can trim weeds for hours on this setting.
One caveat – you likely will want to switch to 0.095″ line as soon as possible. The big compliant with this model is the line snaps often – that’s because the 0.08″ line that comes with it can’t handle the force dished out by the motor. Here’s a link to one of the 0.095″ products that work.
Prices and availability are accurate as of 2024-09-14 at 09:44 CST - Details
Ok, before I anger half the country – I own this model of battery powered string trimmer, and I’m a 6′ 2″ man. I do get asked quite a bit what model of weed wacker I’d recommend for someone’s mom or sister that does the yardwork.
This is the model I usually go to – as long as they live in a normal urban or suburban neighborhood. We live on a small lot on the lake, so I don’t have many weeds. My wife (God-bless her) finds weed wacking cathartic. She enjoys the immediate-feedback you get when CRUSHING some weeds.
I wouldn’t use this at my height if I had a much bigger lot. It’d annoy me having to bend a bit. The lithium-ion battery isn’t meant to cover acres of ground either. This wouldn’t work well on a horse farm, for example.
Both my wife and I like this tool. It’s push-button start. It’s maneuverable, has an adjustable shaft and handle, and isn’t very heavy at all. My guess is, all in (including the 1.5AH battery) it weighs in around 8 pounds. I don’t often use the lawn edger feature, but it is there when you need it and is pretty simple to use. It’s really quiet as well – you won’t need to worry about you or your loved one damaging their hearing when using this string trimmer.
- Dual-feed twist line with 0.095 in. diameter
- Hi-efficiency brushless motor with variable speed
- Weather-resistant construction
- Variable speed trigger
Prices and availability are accurate as of 2024-09-14 at 09:44 CST - Details
If you consider yourself to be on the taller side, you need to make sure your weed wacker has two features. First, you are looking for a straight shaft. This will allow you to benefit from the entire shaft length, rather than have some of it be “burned up” in the bend of a curved shaft. Second, you want a longer shaft. The good news is, most straight shafts by their very design are longer. Look for one in the 57″ to 60″+ range if you are over 6′ tall.
Owners of this particular EGO model have commented it is as strong as some 2-cycle gas powered models they previously owned. I can’t say if that’s true, but the 56V power plan does provide a lot of juice to get your job done. Unlike a gas model, you also don’t NEED hearing protection when using this model (though I’d still say you should wear it).
Weed Eater Buying Guide
As we said before, you need to look at your individual yard needs before you rush out and buy a string trimmer. Let’s go through the questions you need to ask yourself in order to pick out the right power tool for your situation.
There are some differences depending on what powers the motor. This table below quickly lays out the pluses and minuses of each category.
Pros and Cons Of String Trimmers – By Power Source
Good
Battery powered weed eaters are a favorite for their ease of use. To start, you just plug in a charged battery, press a button, and you are on your way. They are also generally lighter than gas-powered models. Another nice feature is the lack of emissions. No longer do you need to breathe in gas fumes while weed eating. While power used to be a big negative, newer, higher-voltage models rival 2-cycle gas powered trimmers. Finally, electric models are quieter than their gas counterparts.
Bad
On the downside, battery-powered models have a limited run time versus either gas or corded electric models. In addition, not all battery-powered weed wackers can match the power of similarly-priced gas-powered ones. The newest, higher-volt models are making great strides in this direction however.Good
Gas powered weed wackers are known for their power, and ability to cut through thicker weeds and growth. There’s a reason most professionals use gasoline. In addition, the lack of cords or limited battery power mean you can cover a larger area more efficiently with a gas-powered model.Bad
On the downside, gas powered trimmers are loud, give off fumes, and in general are heavier than either of the electric-powered types. They also require maintenance – both during the cutting season and to get ready to put the tool into storage. Neither electric-powered model types have that requirement.Good
Corded-electric powered weed eaters are really easy to use. Plug in an extension cord, press the start button and begin cutting weeds. They are also generally lighter than gas-powered models. Another nice feature is the lack of emissions. No longer do you need to breathe in gas fumes while weed eating. Finally, electric models are usually the least expensive types of weed wackers.Bad
On the downside, corded electric models require you to have a long-enough extension cord to reach where you want to work. The cord can be heavy, which negates some of the weight benefit. It’s also sometimes a pain to keep an eye on the cord so you don’t cut it. Finally, they can be among the least powerful types of trimmers.What Are Your Weed Control Needs?
The first step in choosing the right weed eater for this year and beyond is to determine what situations it will be used in. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- How big is your yard?
- Do you have thick weeds?
- Are you handy?
- Do your neighbors live closeby?
- Can you handle a heavier, powerful weed eater?
In addition, you need to decide for yourself just how much you want to spend. You don’t want to spend $300 on a top of the line weed eater if all you need is a cheaper battery powered one that will do the job. On the flip side, some yards need a commercial grade weed eater to get the job done in a reasonable amount of time. Like most things in life, there are trade offs between money and time.
YARD SIZE
If you have a large yard,you really are limited to either a gas or battery-powered wacker. Your maximum reach will be about 150 feet from an outlet in ideal conditions – and you likely don’t have ideal conditions. A battery model could still work for you depending on how your answers to the remaining questions go. Do remember to keep in-mind the costs of additional battery backs when comparison shopping – a large yard will need at least 2.0 AH worth of energy to do the job right.
COST
Cost is always a factor. A gas powered weed wacker may be difficult to fit into a tight budget. They are generally the most expensive though you can find bargains if you shop around enough and are lucky. Corded electric tend to be the cheapest – the cost of batteries drives up the price of cordless models.
THICK WEEDS
Trimming down brush, or other thick areas will need a more powerful trimmer. Battery and corded weed eaters lack the essential power to take down larger weeds. Gas will be the only way to go on tougher jobs.
EASE OF USE
All weed eaters are relatively easy to use. But gas powered ones will require a little extra work. You will need to mix fuel and change spark plugs from time to time during the summer. When the season is over, you must make sure to prepare the tool for storage – otherwise it’s likely you’ll have an expensive paperweight come the spring. Our ethanol-mixed gas plays havoc on gas-power tools if left untouched for 5-7 months. I speak from experience on this.
If you aren’t very handy, or just want something simple with low maintenance, a battery powered, or corded weed eater is a good choice.
HOW CLOSE ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS?
If you live in an urban or other area where your neighbors houses are close to yours, you’ll want to take into account how loud your device is going to be. The actual trimmer head isn’t very loud at all – but a gasoline-powered mower can certainly wake up your neighbors even through closed windows. It might not be a primary concern, but if there’s no reason to tick off your neighbors with a loud tool, why do it?
ANGLED SHAFTS VS. STRAIGHT SHAFTS
Some weed eaters will have a shaft that has a 90 degree bend at the trimming blade. Others will be straight. The ones with the bend will be easier to use and manage. The angle makes it the string hit exactly where you need it most of the time.
However, the bend in the shaft does have some downsides with it. You won’t be able to get into hard to reach areas for one. It can be very difficult to get a good cut underneath bushes since the angle will stop the blade from going to deep. Trying to edge your walkway or patio with an angled shaft is also more difficult.
A straight shaft weed trimmer will a little trickier to use, but if you can get the hang of it, you can do more. They will reach tough spots and can easily be flipped to get a nice edge around or garden. It can be learned over time, but if you are having your children do the work be prepared for some “collateral damage” in the yard as they come up to speed.
Weed Control FAQ
Prices and availability are accurate as of 2024-09-14 at 09:44 CST - Details