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 cant 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. Lets help you make the right choice. Weve come up with a list of top rated weed wackers for most usage situations. Well 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.

Lets 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 todays world, things have changed: in general a high-quality, high-voltage battery powered tool is as good as an average gas powered one.

WORX 32V GT2.0: For Normal Home Use 3-in-1 Capability with dual-position wheels for grass trimming, edging, and mowingConverts from a trimmer to an in-line edger in seconds with no toolsQuick-release lever for fast telescopic height adjustments, and for the 90-degree tilting head12-inch cutting diameter with automatic 100% single line feed (no bump) Buy From Amazon.com

Prices and availability are accurate as of 2021-10-30 at 00:54 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 wont 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.
Its only a little bit over 6 pounds so it wont 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 cant reach.

Great For Large Yards: Husqvarna 4-Stroke Gas Features a 25cc 4-cycle engine which powers the 18 inch (cutting width) trimmer headTrimmer engine runs on unleaded gas, requiring no mixing of fuel and oilEasily release New trimmer line as you work by tapping the trimmer head against the grass to activate the tap 'N Go line release featureHave no worries when it is time to replace the trimmer line - the T25 trimmer head is designed for simple and easy line reloading Buy From Amazon.com

Prices and availability are accurate as of 2021-10-30 at 00:54 CST - Details

This string trimmer is a beast. I generally think gasoline powered string trimmers arent 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. Its a 4-cycle engine, which means you get great performance and power. Youll avoid the hassle of mixing the right amount of gas-to-oil in your tank. You still need to add oil, but it has its own storage tank. Believe me, remembering the right gas-to-oil mix isnt as easy as youd 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 wont cut through redwoods, but itll cut through most anything youll encounter.

This isnt a cheap purchase, but a quality name like Husqvarna should last you for years and years to come.

DEWALT Flexvolt 60V: Commercial Strength Gear drive design of the edger/trimmer powers through tough overgrowthHigh-efficiency brushless motor of the cordless grass trimmer maximizes run time and motor lifeLawn 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 Check Price At Home Depot Buy From Amazon.com

Prices and availability are accurate as of 2021-10-30 at 00:54 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 dont 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 thats because the 0.08 line that comes with it cant handle the force dished out by the motor. Heres a link to one of the 0.095 products that work.

Sale BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX: Great For Women And Shorter Men High-performance 40V max Lithium ion Battery with state of charge indicator that shows remaining powerPower drive high-torque transmission gives you cutting power at the string for clean, fast cutsAutomatic feed Spool - afs which automatically feeds trimmer line as needed with no bumpingConverts from trimmer to edger in seconds Check Price At Home Depot Buy From Amazon.com

Prices and availability are accurate as of 2021-10-30 at 00:54 CST - Details

Ok, before I anger half the country I own this model of battery powered string trimmer, and Im a 6 2 man. I do get asked quite a bit what model of weed wacker Id recommend for someones 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 dont have many weeds. My wife (God-bless her) finds weed wacking cathartic. She enjoys the immediate-feedback you get when CRUSHING some weeds.

I wouldnt use this at my height if I had a much bigger lot. Itd annoy me having to bend a bit. The lithium-ion battery isnt meant to cover acres of ground either. This wouldnt work well on a horse farm, for example.

Both my wife and I like this tool. Its push-button start. Its maneuverable, has an adjustable shaft and handle, and isnt very heavy at all. My guess is, all in (including the 1.5AH battery) it weighs in around 8 pounds. I dont often use the lawn edger feature, but it is there when you need it and is pretty simple to use. Its really quiet as well you wont need to worry about you or your loved one damaging their hearing when using this string trimmer.

EGO 56V: Best String Trimmer For A Tall Person Dual-feed twist line with 0.095 in. diameterHi-efficiency brushless motor with variable speedWeather-resistant constructionVariable speed trigger Check Price At Home Depot Buy From Amazon.com

Prices and availability are accurate as of 2021-10-30 at 00:54 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 cant say if thats true, but the 56V power plan does provide a lot of juice to get your job done. Unlike a gas model, you also dont NEED hearing protection when using this model (though Id still say you should wear it).

As we said before, you need to look at your individual yard needs before you rush out and buy a string trimmer. Lets 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.

The first step inchoosing 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:

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.

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 dont 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 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.

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.

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 its likely youll 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.

If you live in an urban or other area where your neighbors houses are close to yours, youll want to take into account how loud your device is going to be. The actual trimmer head isnt 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 theres no reason to tick off your neighbors with a loud tool, why do it?

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.

Prices and availability are accurate as of 2021-10-30 at 00:54 CST - Details