Buying Advice String trimmers
A string trimmer picks up where a lawn mower leaves off, providing the finishing touches as it whisks away grass around trees and flower beds, straightens uneven edges along driveways, and trims patches of lawn your mower or tractor can't reach.
What's more, getting a capable trimmer doesn't mean you have to spend $100 or more for a gasoline-powered model.
Several of the latest plug-in trimmers provide fine trimming and edging for less. But gas trimmers are still tops overall for tall grass and weeds. Faster starts for gas models, fewer tangles, and easier handling are among the other features you'll find as manufacturers improve these tools.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Black & Decker, Craftsman, Toro, and Weed Eater are the major brands for electrics, while Craftsman, Homelite, Ryobi, Troy-Bilt, and Weed Eater are the big names in gas-powered models. Leading high-end brands include Echo, Husqvarna, John Deere, and Stihl.
Corded electric trimmers. These cost the least and weigh about 5 pounds. Some perform comparably to gas models for most trimming. And all are quieter, create no exhaust emissions, require no tune-ups, and start with pushbutton ease. But you're limited by their power cord. Models with the motor at the bottom of the shaft tend to be harder to handle than those with the motor at the top, near the handle. You may need hearing protection. And you'll probably prefer a gas trimmer for tougher stuff. Price: $20 to $110.
Cordless electric trimmers. Battery-powered trimmers combine the freedom of gas trimmers with the easy starting, clean running, and minimal maintenance of corded electric models. They're also the quietest overall. But they deliver relatively little cutting power and run only about 15 to 20 minutes before the onboard battery needs recharging, which can take up to a day. They also tend to be pricey and heavy for their performance (about 10 pounds). Price: $50 to $160 or more.
Gas-powered trimmers. These are the best choice for trimming far from an outlet. Many weigh less than before, though these 9- to 14-pound machines still outweigh corded models. Most have a two-stroke engine that starts more easily and runs more cleanly, though they still create exhaust emissions, require pull-starting and tune-ups, and use a mix of gas and oil. Four-stroke models tend to run cleaner but add weight. And all require hearing protection. Price: $65 to $370.
HOW TO CHOOSE
You don't have to invest in a pricey, professional-grade trimmer unless you need its metal-blade capability for cutting saplings and other woody waste. Most of the gas trimmers and even some electrics we tested can handle the grass and tall weeds that account for most trimming.
Decide whether a gas-powered or electric trimmer fits your needs. Then keep these tips in mind:
Consider the landscape. Trimmers with a straight shaft can reach beneath shrubs more easily and are less likely than curved-shaft ones to spatter you with clippings. Curved-shaft trimmers trade those benefits for easier maneuvering and, often, less weight-a plus for shorter users and those with less arm strength.
See how it feels. While a lighter trimmer tends to reduce fatigue, weight isn't the whole story. Good balance can be just as critical. Check it by adjusting the front handle for comfort and holding the trimmer in the cutting position with both hands; its weight should feel evenly distributed or slightly heavier at the top. Also check that controls are smooth and easy to reach.
Check the gap. Tall grass and weeds can slow a trimmer by wrapping around the top of its cutting head, especially if there's a gap between it and the mounting for the grass-debris guard. Models with a smaller gap or a protective sleeve around the shaft tend to avoid the problem.
Consider your neighbors. If they're close by, you may want to choose a quieter electric trimmer. If you opt for gas, wear hearing protection.
A string trimmer picks up where a lawn mower leaves off, providing the finishing touches as it whisks away grass around trees and flower beds, straightens uneven edges along driveways, and trims patches of lawn your mower or tractor can't reach.
What's more, getting a capable trimmer doesn't mean you have to spend $100 or more for a gasoline-powered model.
Several of the latest plug-in trimmers provide fine trimming and edging for less. But gas trimmers are still tops overall for tall grass and weeds. Faster starts for gas models, fewer tangles, and easier handling are among the other features you'll find as manufacturers improve these tools.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Black & Decker, Craftsman, Toro, and Weed Eater are the major brands for electrics, while Craftsman, Homelite, Ryobi, Troy-Bilt, and Weed Eater are the big names in gas-powered models. Leading high-end brands include Echo, Husqvarna, John Deere, and Stihl.
Corded electric trimmers. These cost the least and weigh about 5 pounds. Some perform comparably to gas models for most trimming. And all are quieter, create no exhaust emissions, require no tune-ups, and start with pushbutton ease. But you're limited by their power cord. Models with the motor at the bottom of the shaft tend to be harder to handle than those with the motor at the top, near the handle. You may need hearing protection. And you'll probably prefer a gas trimmer for tougher stuff. Price: $20 to $110.
Cordless electric trimmers. Battery-powered trimmers combine the freedom of gas trimmers with the easy starting, clean running, and minimal maintenance of corded electric models. They're also the quietest overall. But they deliver relatively little cutting power and run only about 15 to 20 minutes before the onboard battery needs recharging, which can take up to a day. They also tend to be pricey and heavy for their performance (about 10 pounds). Price: $50 to $160 or more.
Gas-powered trimmers. These are the best choice for trimming far from an outlet. Many weigh less than before, though these 9- to 14-pound machines still outweigh corded models. Most have a two-stroke engine that starts more easily and runs more cleanly, though they still create exhaust emissions, require pull-starting and tune-ups, and use a mix of gas and oil. Four-stroke models tend to run cleaner but add weight. And all require hearing protection. Price: $65 to $370.
HOW TO CHOOSE
You don't have to invest in a pricey, professional-grade trimmer unless you need its metal-blade capability for cutting saplings and other woody waste. Most of the gas trimmers and even some electrics we tested can handle the grass and tall weeds that account for most trimming.
Decide whether a gas-powered or electric trimmer fits your needs. Then keep these tips in mind:
Consider the landscape. Trimmers with a straight shaft can reach beneath shrubs more easily and are less likely than curved-shaft ones to spatter you with clippings. Curved-shaft trimmers trade those benefits for easier maneuvering and, often, less weight-a plus for shorter users and those with less arm strength.
See how it feels. While a lighter trimmer tends to reduce fatigue, weight isn't the whole story. Good balance can be just as critical. Check it by adjusting the front handle for comfort and holding the trimmer in the cutting position with both hands; its weight should feel evenly distributed or slightly heavier at the top. Also check that controls are smooth and easy to reach.
Check the gap. Tall grass and weeds can slow a trimmer by wrapping around the top of its cutting head, especially if there's a gap between it and the mounting for the grass-debris guard. Models with a smaller gap or a protective sleeve around the shaft tend to avoid the problem.
Consider your neighbors. If they're close by, you may want to choose a quieter electric trimmer. If you opt for gas, wear hearing protection.
