String Trimmer Buying Guide
How Consumer Reports Tests String Trimmers
We evaluate both gas and electric string trimmers, including the battery-powered variety. To test how well each works, we tackle typical yard weeds and high grass as well as dense brush, timing how long each model takes to clear a defined path. We also test each string trimmer for its edging, or its ability to create a neat and straight line along a walkway. And we look at how easy each tool is to hold, maneuver, and operate, noting how difficult it is to start up or feed extra line through the cutting head. For gas models, we note the ease of adding gas and oil (for those with two-stroke engines) as well as the ease of starting the tool with a pull cord.
To find out how well the string trimmers in our tests perform, see our string trimmer ratings chart. Members can explore the pros and cons of more than 70 models and filter for the features that best suit your needs.
Curved or Straight Shaft?
A string trimmer’s shaft is either curved or straight. Which is easier to handle depends largely on personal preference. If you’ve never used a string trimmer, try out both curved-shaft and straight-shaft models in a home center or hardware store to see which one feels better for you.
Curved shafts (which tend to be shorter) allow the user to nimbly maneuver around obstacles, while straight shafts (generally longer) increase the user’s reach and coverage from a given point. In general, pros favor straight-shaft models for this reason. They can cover more ground with fewer steps.
Which Power Source Is Right for You?
A string trimmer can be powered by gasoline, a battery, or a power cord, and all are capable of cutting well, depending on the model. So the best string trimmer type depends on your task at hand. David Trezza, CR’s engineer in charge of string trimmer testing, recommends choosing your power source according to the size and layout of your yard.
Gasoline string trimmers only require refueling to keep going, so they can work with any yard size. Today’s battery-powered string trimmers can tackle larger yards too, with run times usually from 20 to 40 minutes—or longer if you have a second battery charged and ready to swap in. Corded string trimmers are best for smaller yards up to about a quarter-acre because you’re limited by the length of the extension cord.
Other String Trimmer Considerations
Should You Buy a Powered Base?
With gas and some cordless string trimmers, you’ll have the option of buying a stand-alone tool or a powered base, also known as a split shaft. This is an engine designed to accept different attachments, and it’s typically sold with a string trimmer head. For most models, you can also get a hedge trimmer, a pole saw, an edger, a brush cutter, and even a cultivator attachment. It’s a good option if you need a string trimmer and any or all of the additional tools and you don’t want to buy each separately.
Single-Line or Dual-Line?
You may come across two distinct types of string trimmers: single-line and dual-line. Single-line string trimmers are simpler to use and maintain. They’re easier to restring but can struggle with thick weeds and take longer to cut large areas. Dual-line trimmers, on the other hand, offer faster and more efficient cutting, thanks to their double-string setup. They handle dense vegetation better and provide cleaner results but can be trickier to reload. Most people generally prefer dual-line string trimmers for most needs, whether you’re caring for your home’s lawn or doing heavy-duty landscaping work.
Cutting Swath
You’ll want to consider the trimmer’s swath, which is the width of the area the trimmer can cut in a single pass, usually measured in inches. A larger swath (around 15 inches or more) means faster trimming but can be harder to control in tight spaces. A smaller cutting swath might be better for light-duty work, such as doing the finishing touches around a flower bed.
Weight
You’re going to carry this string trimmer, so you definitely want to consider weight and how easy the tool is to handle. Some string trimmers come with a shoulder strap or at least a place to attach one. But a model with great balance may just feel easy to hold and comfortable to maneuver. An adjustable string trimmer also allows you to change the length of the shaft depending on your ergonomic preferences.
Mind the Gap
Before you buy a string trimmer, look at the cutting head where it meets the shaft. If there’s a large gap, tall grass will probably get wrapped around the shaft in that spot. So look for a model with a minimal gap or one with an easy-to-remove cutting head so you can quickly pop the head off and get rid of the weeds.
Safety First
String trimmers can easily break through skin. And while a shield deflects most debris, trimmers can still send debris flying while they cut. Wear gloves, protective eyewear, boots, and long pants. For gas models, use hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuff-style headsets.
String Trimmer Types
Let your lawn and landscape dictate which type of string trimmer you buy.
Gas String Trimmers
Traditionally the best string trimmer for large properties, a gas-powered model goes anywhere and can run indefinitely as long as there’s fuel in your tank. They’re not as popular as battery-powered string trimmers anymore, but you’ll still have plenty of options. Look for models with an adjustable handle and a translucent gas tank so that you can see when fuel is low. Gas-powered string trimmers with a four-cycle engine run cleaner and use regular gas but cost more. Models with a two-cycle engine cost less, but you’ll need to add oil to your gasoline. All the gas-powered string trimmers in our tests are loud enough to require hearing protection (earplugs or earmuff-style headsets) for the user.
Cost: $139 to $369
Corded String Trimmers
Though corded yard tools may seem outdated, a corded string trimmer can work really well for a certain set of homeowners. If you have a small yard and don’t need to trim more than 100 feet from an outlet, these are ideal. Most have a short cord and require a long outdoor-rated extension cord, which you can typically find in lengths up to 100 feet. Corded electric string trimmers tend to be the cheapest of the three types, and they start instantly and run indefinitely, meaning you don’t need to worry about buying gas or charging a battery.
Cost: $60 to $96
Battery String Trimmers
In our latest tests, the best cordless string trimmers cut as well as or even better than gas models. And they produce no emissions and run quietly. They also start instantly every time, without you having to fuss over the choke or yank a pull-cord. They require far less maintenance, and their batteries can typically be used in other outdoor power tools from the same brand, including lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws. The lifespan of the lithium-ion batteries powering these tools is still a big unknown, so look for a long warranty (at least three to five years) that specifically applies to the battery. Expect to cut for about 30 minutes on a single charge. Most batteries take about an hour to recharge once they’ve fully drained.
Cost: $82 to $449
String Trimmer Parts
Shopping for a string trimmer can be confusing. Here’s the help you need to get the job done.
Shaft
The shaft transfers power from the engine or motor to the typically hard but flexible nylon lines that do the cutting. Models with a straight shaft offer a longer reach; they tend to be better for tall users and for reaching beneath bushes and other shrubs. Models with a curved shaft (shown) are typically lighter and easier to handle.
Rotating Head
On some string trimmers, the cutting head can be swiveled to a vertical position for edging. This feature is especially useful because the trimmer can otherwise feel unwieldy if you have to maneuver it 90 degrees—and hold that position—for several steps as you edge your lawn where it meets a driveway or sidewalk.
Cutting Line
All string trimmer manufacturers will tell you the proper size required for your replacement line. Be sure to use what’s intended for your model. Line that’s too thin can compromise cutting power, while line that’s too thick can bog down a trimmer’s engine or motor. Trimmers with two lines cut more grass with each revolution than single-line models do, so they can typically handle heavier growth.
In CR’s ratings, you can easily see each string trimmer’s diameter, listed in hundredths of an inch. The diameter refers to the thickness of the cutting line, which affects durability and cutting power. Thicker lines are better for tough weeds and thicker grass, while thinner lines work well for light edging.
Cutting Line Feed
You have three options: bump feed, fixed line, and auto feed. A bump feed releases line from a spool when you bump the trimmer’s head on the ground. But more models are using fixed-line heads with short lengths of line to help eliminate the jams and tangles associated with loading new line. You simply thread in a piece of line as needed, though you’ll have to do that relatively frequently. (Fixed-line heads are also available as aftermarket items.) Auto-feed heads come wound and release line on their own as needed.
Starting Aids and Stop Switches
Spring-assisted starting makes pulling the starter cord of a gas-powered trimmer easier. And a relatively foolproof sequence of pushing the fuel-primer bulb and engaging the choke delivers the proper fuel mixture to a cold engine for faster starts. Trimmers that have the stop switch within easy reach let you quickly stop the engine or motor if you need to.
Shaft
The shaft transfers power from the engine or motor to the typically hard but flexible nylon lines that do the cutting. Models with a straight shaft offer a longer reach; they tend to be better for tall users and for reaching beneath bushes and other shrubs. Models with a curved shaft (shown) are typically lighter and easier to handle.
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