The gas weed eater or string trimmer provides one of the best and easiest ways of tidying up the section of the yard that your mower is unable to reach.

And if you want a modern and more efficient weed eater, you should aim at finding the best 4-cycle gas weed eater for your domestic trimming needs.

The 4-cycle gas weed eater tries to improve on the shortcomings of the 2-cycle weed eater, and it delivers more power, low emissions, and a much quieter operation.

Most 4-cycle gas trimmers are also easy to start, more durable and more efficient and cheaper to run. But, you can only get all these and the many other benefits of using these weed trimmers if you get the best ones.

And to help you get a top rated 4-cycle gas weed eater, we highlight some of the vital things to look out for in these trimmers and also review 5 high performing ones.

Editor's Rating: (4.3 / 5)

• Engine: 24 cc
• Cutting Width: 18-inch
• Weight: 17 lbs

If it is a Husqvarna power tool, you can be confident that it will perform well even before you get to use it as the company has established itself as one of the most reputable power tool manufacturers.

The 24 cc 4-stroke 967055801 weed eater is designed for homeowners and also for semi-professional use and it is an easy to handle and straightforward-to-use string trimmer.

When you compare it to other products on our 4-cycle gas weed eater reviews, it is also quite lightweight as it only weighs 17 pounds, and this makes it ideal for extended use.

And like most Husqvarna gas-powered power tools it is also easy to start. The easy start is thanks to the Smart Start engine and starter design that help to ensure you never waste any time trying to pull strings to get it started.

Also, the air purge will remove air from the carburetor and fuel system which also helps to make starting a lot easy.

This weed eater will require minimal assembly and it comes with a detailed guide to help you with this and there is also a bottle of engine oil on the package.

Other features like the flexible straight shaft design that makes it easy to reach tight places and the comfortable bevel gear and loop handle also help to make this a fantastic weed eater.

​2. Troy-Bilt TB575 4-Cycle Gas Weed Eater

Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)

• Engine: 29 cc
• Cutting Width: 17-inch
• Weight: 18 lbs

The 29 cc engine in the Troy-Bilt TB575 is the most powerful in our list and this is a good indication that it is a high-performing model.

It has a cutting width of 17 inches which might not be the largest but it is still big enough to make weed trimming a relatively fast process.

This 4-cycle gas weed trimmer is also one of the cheapest on our list and also comes with many features that ensure you get even better value.

Jump start-capable engine is one of these impressive features as it eliminates the need to pull cords when starting the weed eater. And even when you still prefer to pull the cord to start it, there is also a convenient spring assist to make starting easier.

The straight shaft design provides an extended reach to make this a great weed eater for trimming those hard to reach places like under shrubs and brushes.

Loading new line is also quite straightforward with this weed eater thanks to the speed spool 2 bump head.

And the attachment capable design makes this an even more convenient weed eater as you can also use it with various attachments which convert it into a highly versatile power tool.

Editor's Rating: (4.2 / 5)

• Engine: 25 cc
• Cutting Width: 18-inch
• Weight: 19 lbs

Here is another top-rated 4-cycle gas string trimmer from Troy-Bilt that also comes in an attachment capable design to make it highly versatile.

This fantastic strong trimmer runs on a 25 cc engine that delivers more than enough power to ensure that the 18-inch cutting swath trims large sections in a relatively shorter time.

Spring assist makes this an easy to start trimmer, and it will take little effort to get it running whether you are a beginner or have many years of experience with these machines.

Like many other top-notch 4-cycle weed eaters, it comes with a straight shaft design to provide a better reach and make trimming the hard to reach places quick and easy.

Also, the over-molded grip makes it highly comfortable on your hand to ensure you can trim grass for extended periods with minimum hand fatigue. And the multi-position handle makes it possible to make some adjustments for maximum user comfort.

When compared to others on our list, this Troy-Bilt weed eater is a highly affordable power tool and this is more so given the impressive quality and top-notch performance.

Editor's Rating: (4.6 / 5)

• Engine: 25.4 cc
• Cutting Width: 17-inch
• Weight: 20 lbs

Makita EM2652LHN might be a little heavy when compared to other models on our list but it is still a top-notch and easy-to-use 4-stroke weed eater.

Besides the obvious convenience that comes with the fact that you never have to pre-mix oil and gas when using this weed eater, it also uses an anti-vibration handle.

This handle makes it a comfortable and convenient string trimmer that you can use for many hours without having to worry about hand fatigue.

Getting it started is also quite fast, and will take little effort to do it. And this is mostly thanks to the automatic engine decompression.

The powerful and fuel-efficient weed eater has a multiple position lubrication system that makes it possible for the engine to incline in any angle for nonstop operation.

This gas eater uses a heavy-duty dual-stage air filter that also has some large sealing areas, is replaceable and you can access it fast in case you need to.

Line advancement is also easy thanks to the simple bump feed design and replacing the spool should not take a lot of effort.

Editor's Rating: (3.9 / 5)

• Engine: 28 cc
• Cutting Width: 17-inch
• Weight: 13 lbs

A lightweight 4-cycle gas weed eater like the Poulan Pro 9667743014 is a great tool to have at home as it will make weed trimming quick and almost effortless for you.

The 28 cc engine is the second most powerful on our list, and so you can be confident that this weed eater has what it takes to handle any trimming task.

Tap-n-go dual exit cutting head design ensures that you always have some string on the cutting head. And if you combine this with the straight shaft design you will have an excellent power tool for all those hard to reach places.

Spring assisted start makes the engine quick and easy to start and like other models you will never waste your precious work time trying to get it to ignite.

This easy to use, cost-effective and highly efficient 4-cycle gas weed eater also comes with a split boom shaft with the pro-link attachment system that will help convert it to a versatile and multi-functional power tool.

Although it still requires some assembly, everything should be straightforward as it will come with an easy to follow and detailed manual.

​4-Cycle vs. 2-Cycle Gas Weed Eater

As you shop for the best 4-cycle gas weed eater it is always a great idea to first understand what sets it apart from the 2-cycle models. Also, knowing the pros and cons of each will make it easier to determine when to buy either of the two.

#1. 4-Cycle Gas Weed Eater

4-cycle weed eaters will have oil and crankcase distribution system that ensures the oil remains separate from the gas when lubricating the engine components.

And since these weed eaters typically have more parts and are larger than the 2-cycle models they tend to be heavier. However, they are also quieter and their improved technology also means that they have lower emissions.

When it comes to the ease of starting and use the 4-cycle weed eaters are also the much better option. Most of these string trimmers only require a single string pull to ignite.

#2. 2-Cycle Gas Weed Eater

Only one revolution is required to generate the two strokes and propel the piston through a full cycle but the 4-cycle types will require two.

These weed eaters use a pre-mixed gasoline and oil mixture that will supply both fuel and lubrication to the motor when in operation.

The mixing ration will vary from one manufacturer to the other but it is in most instances anywhere between 50:1 and 20:1.

2-cycle trimmers tend to pack more power in a relatively smaller engine and they tend to produce more horsepower and at higher speeds compared to similar size 4-cycle weed eaters.

They are also lighter and what all this means is that they have a greater power-to-weight ratio.

However, these trimmers can be quite noisy, they tend to wear way much faster than the 4-cycle ones. And if you are an environment-friendly person this is not the best weed eater for you due to the high emissions.

Buying Advice: If you want a trimmer that is easy to start with high-torque that is ideal for heavy-duty trimming, and is also much safer for the environment, the 4-cycle gas weed eater is your best pick.

But, if cost is a major concern, you prefer something lightweight and do not mind the noise and hard start, the 2-cycle gas weed eater can still work for you.

Read More: 4-Cycle vs. 2-Cycle Gas Trimmers

How to Buy the Best 4-Cycle Gas Weed Eaters

Almost every reputable power tool and home maintenance or improvement tool manufacture now makes 4-cycle gas weed eaters. And so it is important to know how to pick the right one for you.

However, finding your perfect string trimmer should be pretty easy if you consider the following vital elements.

#1. Handle

The handle is what you will use to direct the trimmer's head where you want it to cut, and so it is one of the essential factors that you will need to consider.

When it comes to the handle there are several things to watch out for such as the length, shape, and material.

For the length, the longer the better as it will provide more reach. When it comes to the material you should never settle for anything less than top-notch quality metal as you will want something that can last for the life of the weed eater.

And for the shape, you will have two options which are curved and straight shafts. Straight shafts have a longer reach and are great for use around obstacles while the curved ones are ideal when you want something with a closer reach

#2. Weight

Nobody wants to carry around a heavy weed eater and this is more so when working in large spaces that require you to hold it for extended periods.

And while 4-stroke gas trimmers are heavier than the 2-stroke models this does not mean that you cannot find one that is relatively lightweight and easier to handle.

But, also note that some models are heavier because they are heavy duty and come with larger and hence more powerful engines.

In case you prefer to go for the weighty models due to benefit from their heavy-duty construction and power you should also consider buying a shoulder harness to help manage the weight.

#3. Brand

There are always some brands that will stand out for the manufacture of any power tool and the 4-cycle weed eater are not an exception.

These brands are known to produce some top-notch quality 4-stroke weed eaters. Some of these brands to go for include Ryobi, Poulan, Troy-Bilt, and Husqvarna.

#4 Warranty

It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of a warranty when buying any power tool. And this is more when it is something with a lot of moveable parts like a 4-cycle gas weed eater.

A warranty gives you some assurances and guarantees that the weed eater should last for at least a specified period of time failure to which you get free repairs or replacements.

While the length of the warranty varies from one brand to the other, most will come with at least a 2-year warranty that provides cover from material defects and low-quality workmanship.

Conclusion

While finding a good weed eater can be challenging, finding a top-notch quality, high-performing and durable 4-cycle gas weed eater can pose an even bigger challenger.

However, all this is only true if you do not know what defines a good 4-cycle weed eater.

Our detailed guide above highlights all the important things you need to consider when choosing these weed eaters such as the handle and brand.

With these points in mind and our top 5 reviews for recommendations, finding the best 4-cycle gas weed eater will be a less tedious task.

But, also note that even when you get the best weed eater you still need to use it correctly and maintain it to get the best service from the power tool.