5 Best String Trimmers of 2024 – Review & Buying Guide
As a landscaper or regular gardener, you need reliable tools to accelerate your garden cleaning tasks. A string trimmer (sometimes called weed eater or weed whacker) is an indispensable tool for working in yards and refining areas that your mower missed.
This review investigates the five best string trimmers of the year to help you make the right buying decision for gardening in 2020.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
String Trimmer Buying Guide
String trimmers come in all designs and sizes, and the principle determining factor should be the demands of your job. I have used both gas trimmers and electric models. With my first uninformed and rushed purchase, the result was unbearable vibration in my hands and the inadvertent destruction of my sidings and fences.
Precision can also be hard to achieve if you choose the wrong device. Your job may stall if you go with a device that doesn’t pack enough power or acts up too often, forcing you to spend more time (and money) on maintenance. I have dealt with all of that.
Over the years, I learned to make the right choices when shopping for string trimmers. My approach is always to strike a balance. Find the equilibrium between power and ease of use so that a powerful trimmer doesn’t cause you continual downtimes due to high-maintenance requirements.
Also, find a string trimmer that doesn’t lean too much on efficiency while sacrificing ergonomics. Gardening is hard labor under the sun, but a lightweight trimmer and one with a well-designed handle can make your work easier. Consider the weight of the item, as well as the handle height and grip design.
The other critical factor, as mentioned before, is the requirements of your job. Working on a big lawn demands speed and efficiency. The right string trimmer should have a larger cutting width so you can eat through the grass and weeds lickety-split.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider the type of engine and its fuel consumption, or the types of batteries used and their longevity.
In a nutshell, when buying a string trimmer:
Go for a lighter model so you can work with it for long periods of time and control it with ease. Ease of control helps you achieve precision trimming. When you have to work on big yards, ease of use will expedite your work.
Choose a gas-powered model if you are doing commercial-scale trimming and want more power and efficiency. Gas-powered yard tools have more power than electric ones and are ideal for heavy-duty use on areas with tough grass and weeds.
Choose an electric-powered model if you desire stress-free maintenance. Unlike gas-powered string trimmers, electric ones don’t involve refueling, oil changes, or similar tasks. Electric string trimmers are also less noisy and are therefore neighbor-friendly.
Choose a gas-powered string trimmer if you have to work far from home where you can’t stop to recharge the batteries.
Choose a battery-powered electric string trimmer if you care for the environment and want to safeguard yourself from emissions and fumes.
Apart from deciding between a gas-powered versus a battery-powered model, you should opt for a string trimmer with adjustable speed controls. Speed variability gives you more control over the power tool and may be helpful in detailed trimming.
If you decide to buy a gas-powered string trimmer, find a model that can start quickly, work quietly, emit lower fumes, and consume less fuel.
If you go for a battery-powered weed eater, find a model that uses long-lasting batteries. The batteries should also be fast-charging and have the ability to deliver the power needed for larger trimming projects.
The 5 Best String Trimmers of the Year
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Editor’s Comments
The Husqvarna 967055801 runs on a gas-powered engine and has an 18-inch cutting width on the trimmer head. This tool could be ideal for those seeking power and performance.
Design
The trimmer weighs 17 lbs and features an 18-inch cutting diameter. The weight is manageable, in my opinion, and the cutting width provides efficiency.
Another remarkable feature is the clear fuel tank that lets you monitor the fuel levels as you work. It’s a convenient design that may help to reduce unforeseen downtimes.
Power and efficiency
The machine is powered by a 25-cc four-stroke Honda engine that runs on gas. Because it uses unleaded gas, users may not have to mix fuel and oil like they would with other models on the market.
The oil it uses contains a fuel stabilizer that may help to protect the engine by controlling operating temperature. There is also an included air purge that helps to dispel air from the carburetor for efficient fuel utilization.
Pros
- Powerful engine and performance
- Uses unleaded gas, so it doesn’t require mixing oil and fuel
- Engine designed for quick start and efficient fuel use
Cons
- The engine acts up occasionally
- Quality control issues; item may be delivered with missing parts
- It can get extremely loud
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DEWALT 20V MAX* String Trimmer, Brushless, 5-Ah Battery, 13-Inch...- Patented gear drive design of the edger/trimmer powers through tough overgrowth
- The cordless grass trimmer provides 13-inch cutting swath with 0.080-inch line
- Lightweight and ergonomic design of the lawn trimmer maximizes control and minimizes stress on your arms
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
Here you have a battery-powered trimmer with variable speed control and 13-inch cutting width. The Dewalt DCST920P1 string trimmer may be ideal for those after convenience and cost savings.
Design
It uses a 13-inch width cutting head, a step down from what you get with the Husqvarna 967055801. In light of that, the efficiency of this tool could be limited to smaller yards.
Its average cutting width notwithstanding, you have a brushless motor that boosts its power and durability. Reliability and long-term service could, therefore, be on the menu with this power tool.
Its gear drive is designed to deliver a motor speed of 4,600 to 6,000 rpm. The variable speed control lets you decide between high-performance cutting and battery preservation for extended use.
For gardeners wanting a lightweight trimmer, the DEWALT DCST920P1 could be the choicest, coming in at 14 pounds, which is much lighter than the Husqvarna 967055801.
Power
Unlike the first string cutter in this review, the DEWALT DCST920P1 is electric-powered. It runs on 20V lithium batteries.
If you have had the chance to use both electric and gas-powered yard tools, you realize that electric tools are easier to maintain. Gas-powered engines tend to get “moody” sometimes, but that’s not something you have to deal with when using electric engines.
One other convenience here is that the DEWALT DCST920P1 uses Lithium-ion batteries, which are known to be among the longest-lasting cells. They pack a bigger punch and are rechargeable, making them convenient for your weed eater.
Pros
- Electric and cordless design guarantees easy maintenance and a convenient trimmer
- The MAX 5.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries deliver a long period of use before recharging
- Adjustable speed controls
- Lightweight
Cons
- Smaller cut path
- Balance is a little awkward
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Sale
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX String Trimmer/Edger Kit, 10-Inch (LST201)
- Part of the 20V MAX System; 1 System - Endless Tasks. Power for your Style
- Converts from trimmer to edger
- Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) automatically feeds trimmer line
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
The BD LST201, like the DEWALT DCST920P1, is an electric string trimmer running on a 20V motor. It is designed to convert from trimmer to a wheeled edger and could thus be the right choice for someone seeking versatility.
Design
One of the most helpful features, in my opinion, is an adjustable handle that could save users from back problems. The handle is made for easy height adjustment, so you can find the length that best aligns with your physique.
The BD LST201 can be turned into a wheeled edger, which gives you the opportunity to “slap two flies with one hand” and save on costs. The edger part might come in handy when tidying edges around plant beds or walkways.
The trimmer weighs 4.5 pounds, making it the lightest in the review so far. The lightweight design of this power tool can help make yard trimming a relatively effortless undertaking.
Power
This string trimmer runs on a 20V MAX Lithium-ion battery, which the manufacturer claims can hold a charge for 18 months. For those worried about batteries running out while in the middle of nowhere, that battery life should be reassuring.
Pros
- Can switch from trimmer to wheeled edger; a cost-saving convenience
- Adjustable height and handle makes it more ergonomic
- Long-lasting 20V MAX Lithium-Ion 1.5Ah battery
Cons
- The guard is not well fastened
- Battery charges slowly
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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
Just like the BD LST201, you can convert the Worx WG163 GT 3.0 string trimmer to an edger any time you like. This increased versatility offers you the ability to give your yard and its edges a comprehensive trim.
Design
At six pounds, this string trimmer is light but still not as ultra-lightweight as the BD LST201. Regardless, you may be able to trim a wide swath of land without breaking much sweat.
A command feed spool system helps to achieve instant feeding, which should help you work more or less continuously. There is also an included adjustable guard that may help to shield parts of your lawn or vegetation from inadvertent cutting.
Then the biggest highlight of this device is its tool-less conversion to a garden edger. After the weed-eating action, you may want to clean off the overgrowth on sidewalks and pavements, and that’s where the edger part comes in handy.
Power
The trimmer head has a 12-inch cutting diameter. Beware that this cutting path might be too small for commercial landscapers that need efficiency and power.
The Worx WG163 GT 3.0 string trimmer and edger runs on two 20V lithium-ion batteries. These batteries deliver an ideal amount of power and reliability, as discussed previously.
Pros
- A two-in-one power tool for edging and grass trimming
- Lightweight
- Comes with two 20V max lithium power batteries
- Spool system feed for continuous trimming
Cons
- Power limitations when working on big yards
- The string is up when it comes to edging
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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
The EGO STA1500 is a battery-powered string trimmer that could be ideal for those seeking easy maintenance, power, and efficiency. It features a 15-inch cutting width and runs on a 56-volt brushless motor.
Design
The 15-inch cutting width makes this model relatively powerful compared to the other electric string trimmers in the review. That means that you should gain the ability to accomplish your gardening tasks much faster and without the occasional “grumpiness” of gas-powered engines.
The manufacturer appears to have paid heed to ergonomics. The shaft is long to minimize the risk of extensively bending your back, while the inline grip could facilitate painless precision trimming.
The trimmer weighs six pounds. Although it is not as super light as the BD LST201, it would be manageable for most people.
Power and efficiency
This is a 56V trimmer, which outperforms the rest of the battery-powered string trimmers reviewed earlier. The power from its 56-Volt Lithium-Ion battery makes this device an acceptable alternative to gas-powered string trimmers, in my opinion.
It also has a brushless motor, a feature that could help with the efficiency and durability of the engine. You might, therefore, be able to gain outstanding speed and power output from it for a long time.
Pros
- Performs like gas-powered models
- 15″ cutting swath for trimming efficiency
- Durable brushless motor design
- Ergonomically designed handle
Cons
- Replacement spools are a challenge to install
- Questionable durability
The Best Pick
The EGO Power+ ST1500-S string trimmer stands out as the best in the review, owing to its gangbuster features from efficiency to ergonomics. For starters, being an electric-powered string trimmer means that users can expect reliability and easy maintenance.
The EGO Power+ thus outshines the Husqvarna in terms of ease of use, weight, and ergonomics.
It has a 15-inch cutting width and runs on a 56-volt lithium-ion battery, features that set it above the other battery-powered string trimmers in the review. Its 15-inch cutting width could help you finish your work much faster while the 56-volt brushless motor facilitates performance and reliability.
The handle is similarly designed for comfortable use. It is extended and features an inline grip that could be helpful in precision trimming. These features and more make the EGO Power+ ST1500-S the ideal string trimmer on the market.
Last Updated on August 7, 2020 by Tom Bradly