With the combination of the adjustable trimmer head and the pivoting handle, a 6-foot 5-inch tester was able to use the Worx while standing perfectly straight. It was one of the smallest trimmers we tested, but it was the only one with a pivoting trimmer head. But its attachment selection isnt as wide as the Egos, with only an edger, a pole saw, and a hedge trimmer. Loading a new line is easy, too, since the head has auto-feed. Over years, our testing has proved that the best cordless tools have the run time and cutting ability for everything but the most extreme clearing jobs. We tested the attachment-capable Kobalt KST 140XB-06 80V Max Straight Brushless Cordless String Trimmer and didnt like the weight or the fussy interface. Lightweight, with a full assortment of ergonomic adjustments, the Worx is not as powerful as the others, but its a great fit for small lawns. Fair warning: This trimmers powerful engine makes the tool heavy (about 18 pounds), so it might not be easy for all homeowners to use. Compared with the Ego, the Ryobi is louda squeal-like, whiny loud. Putting the Egos performance in perspective, it could trim a 1-foot-wide swath of grass that was two-thirds of a mile long on a single battery charge. Even if you only use the RY253SS as a weed eater, its worth the price you pay. But for small lawns or people who simply want a lighter load, its a budget-friendly trimmer that should get the job done. This is the previous generation of Ego string trimmer, and it shares much of what makes the ST1511T such a success: long battery life, excellent power, and the easy line change. Its extremely lightweight at just a little over 5 pounds. The good news is that, unlike our other 4-stroke pick, this trimmer is compatible with many attachments, so you can convert it into other lawn care tools. Worx touts this as a feature that makes trimming in tight spotslike under a picnic tableeasier. When we took the trimmers (40-volt and up) out into an overgrown field, even the worst-performing cordless model cut more than 1,000 square feet of thick, dense grass. Power: All of the cordless trimmers we looked at can cut regular lawn grass, but we wanted one that also had the ability to handle tall weeds or densely overgrown grass. Its easy to see how much of a charge is left in the Ryobi. Those that had issues also had a hard time getting in touch with the brands customer service. Weve tested string trimmers on weedy lots and steep hills, and we once flattened 12,598 square feet of an overgrown field. Trimmers with curved shafts are usually shorter, lighter, and cheaper. Check out our top picks for the best gas string trimmers of the year to find heavy-duty tools perfect for homeowners with lots of grass to trim. However, it can be difficult to restring and may not work as well after you restring it. The larger guards dont stop everything, but they do a much better job. Most other trimmer handles are plastic or have a thin layer of rubbery padding. Other trimmers bound themselves up in the tall grass or (when faced with a dense patch) pushed the grass over rather than cutting it. If youre shopping for a new gas string trimmer, you dont have to wade through hundreds of options alone. So its nothing more than a whirrr followed by a quick little pop as the line is cut. 1. Wear eye and ear protection, long pants, and gloves to be safe when using it. You do not need to pay that much for basic lawn maintenance. Under regular conditions, run time is likely to be even longer. We also werent fond of all the little pieces of string that were ejected. Unlike the Egos, however, the Ryobi is also attachment-ready. So you can remove the trimmer head and replace it with any number of other yard tools, like a pole saw, a brush cutter, or a mini cultivator (each sold separately). Even after several years of using a similar Ego, however, weve found that the handle has held up well, with only one small tear. The Ego ST1502-SA Power+ String Trimmer was previously our runner-up pick. A 4-stroke engine runs on straight gasoline, so you wont have to mix fuel. Several users reported that the engine starts easily and reliably (though starting any gas engine can be difficult sometimes). As with anything, the Ego ST1511T is not perfect, but none of the drawbacks come close to offsetting all of the good the tool provides. What impressed us the most about the Worx: its ergonomics. Engine power: For the engines used in gas string trimmers, we measure power in cc (cubic centimeters). On thick Japanese knotweed, the Ego blazed right through 1-inch-thick stalks like they werent even there. The other trimmers we looked at all had slower motors, which resulted in a loud smacking noise as the string slapped against the cutter, until it reached cutting speed. It has a manual-crank line-load system thats easy to use (although not as easy as that of our main pick). It doesnt compete with the power of the Egos, but it does offer enough to get any typical job done. These adjustments make it easier to share the trimmer among members of a household. Here are the factors we used to determine the best gas string trimmers available today, along with information on what these specifications mean for you. This weed eaters 28 cc, 2-cycle engine is among the most powerful on this list, so its great for tough yards with thick grass and lots of weeds. Most of these trimmers use big batteries, and they can take a while to fill up. Once you know what kind of string trimmer youre looking for, youll have to compare the many specific options on the market. Another significant disadvantage is that, unlike our other Husqvarna pick, this model is not compatible with attachments that let it do the work of multiple power tools. You also cant simply invest $15 in whats basically a lifetime supply of trimmer string. On the Worx, this process is barely noticeable. Its also heavier and much louder, and it doesnt have the ergonomic ease of the telescoping shaft or on-the-fly handle adjustment. The best straight-shaft gas trimmers are mostly in the $175 to $250 range, which is about where the solid 40-volt-plus cordless trimmers land. This Ryobi is not as powerful as the Ego models. After each cut, I spend roughly 30 minutes using a string trimmer around stone walls, flower beds, pathways, and the chicken coop. For a well-manicured yard, a lawn mower isnt enough you need a string trimmer (aka weed wacker, grass trimmer, weed trimmer, weed eater, etc). Some models (usually those designed with the pro in mind) had narrow guards, and they stopped some debris but not all, leaving our legs and feet stained green by the end of a trimming session. Learn more. Unfortunately, there is a level of risk that comes with purchasing this model. Overall, the Ryobis performance on a full charge was in the middle of the packjust over half of what the Egos accomplished on a full charge. For this, we like the Echo SRM-225 String Trimmer. In 2021, we also looked at the larger Ryobi P20120VNM 18-Volt Brushless String Trimmer. It is cushioned with a foam padding, and even though its very comfortable (and something we came to appreciate during longer trimming sessions), we do worry it could tear easily if snagged on a hook, a nailhead, or maybe even a rose thorn. If youre nervous about starting a gas engine, Husqvarnas SmartStart technology reduces resistance on the cord to make startups easier. Our top pick, the RY253SS straight shaft model from Ryobi, is affordable, versatile, easy to use for a gas weed eater, and powerful enough for just about any residential yard work. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). When all of the string is used up, just load about 16 feet of line through the trimmer head so that there are 8 feet sticking out of each side, and then pop its cover on. The weaker trimmers strained their way through tougher conditions, either getting bound up in the grass or pushing it over instead of cutting it. And keep in mind that we performed our test in very difficult cutting conditions, with the tools cranked to their highest speeds. We were able to cut down a number of branches and small trees that had fallen over a brook and we couldnt reach with a traditional chainsaw. When it comes to gas engines for power tools, you have two basic options: 2-stroke (aka 2-cycle) or 4-stroke (aka 4-cycle). Along with the big selling points (namely the strong engine and seal of approval from Husqvarna, one of the most trusted names in power tools), the 128LD has lots of little special features that make it easier to use. To lighten the load, some string trimmers can attach to shoulder straps (almost always sold separately). The ergonomic handle is adjustable for right-handed and left-handed users. Going even deeper into the underbrush, only a couple of models could slice through really thick plants, like fat Japanese knotweed stalks. Weve been covering lawn equipment since 2013, and we can state that a rating this high, with this many reviews, on a gas-powered piece of outdoor equipment is extremely rare and likely indicates a unique level of quality. It has similar capabilities to the other Ego trimmers, but it also has a manual line load, which is more tedious than whats on the newer models. You can expect about the same power, run time, and charge time, as with our main pick. It impressed us with its fantastic ergonomic adjustments, quick speed, quiet operation, light weight, and the wheeled edging capabilities. The ST1521S costs about the same as the ST1511T, so wed always opt for our main pick first. LawnStarter is a startup making lawn care easy affordable and reliable. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. But the Ego isnt just for clear-cutting fields and destroying the invasive Japanese knotweed (although its certainly wonderful for that). For all of this power and convenience, a cordless string trimmer is roughly the same price as a gas modeland even less, once you factor in the long-term cost of purchasing gas and oil and the time spent on maintenance. Translating this to more practical terms, they could clear a 1-foot-wide strip of grass around an entire football field. First, its heavy. Youll need more power for tougher jobs, such as trimming through thick growth or wet grass. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. The Worx does have some downsides that are worth noting. (But Harry said if he were shopping today, in spring 2021, hed probably get a cordless tool instead.). Thats easily enough to handle all but the most expansive lawns. First, it uses proprietary pre-loaded line cartridges. Debris guard: Down at the trimmer head, there is a shield to protect the feet and lower legs from flying debris. The height of the cut cannot be changed. All of our top picks hold a 0.095-inch string, which is recommended for professional use and should be more than enough to meet your needs around the house. But it does require you to maintain an engine and keep gas on hand. This trimmer from Craftsman is another option with a 4-cycle engine, but this one is even more powerful than the Husqvarna 324L. The Worx actually has three modes: string trimmer, edger, and mini-mower. See our review above to find out why. Its telescoping shaft and handle are easy to adjust and make the tool very comfortable to use, even for extended trimming sessions. String trimmers or weed eaters, weed wackers, weed trimmers, grass trimmers, or whatever else you choose to call them make it easy to cut grass and weeds in hard-to-reach or sensitive spots. We tested the Echo in Los Angeles on a steep rear hillside (approximately 2,000 square feet), which Wirecutter senior editor Harry Sawyers has to clear every year before Southern Californias fire season. But we found that it adds a whole new layer to the ergonomic adjustments and results in a trimmer that is comfortable to use, no matter the height of the person. In simple terms, the larger the engine (the higher cc rating), the more power output. We have nozzle and reel recommendations, too. If you do get stranded with an empty battery, the Egos charger can deliver a full battery in about 40 minutes. While trimming in the field or on the Los Angeles hillside, we never had to stop, hesitate, or even slow down when using the Ego. Husqvarna 324L 4-cycle straight shaft string trimmer, 7. This is how you determine the area of grass you can trim at once. Basically, you use a string trimmer to cut grass and weeds in areas that lawn mowers wont reach. After new tests, the Ego ST1511T Power+ String Trimmer with Powerload is our pick. The wheels add control and precision for edging jobs. Aside from its power, run time, and control, this tools ergonomics are among the best we tested. But, again, the Ryobi isnt as effective on the thick stuff. If you do go the attachment route and want to be able to jump quickly from task to task, you may consider purchasing a second battery for about $140. The main appeal of the Craftsman WS205 is that its affordable. And Harry found hed rather pay a slight premium for a can of premixed Trufuel 50:1 Mix Engineered Fuel+Oil than fuss with his own mixing ratios. The Ego is a dual-line unit, meaning that two strings extend from the cutting head. And it comes equipped with a 0.095-inch trimmer line, which is on the thicker side and contributes to the trimmers cutting ability (a wide variety of 0.095 string is available). But the motor is slow to get to full speed, resulting in an extremely loud slapping sound as the auto-feed line hits against the cutter. Thats even light for an electric string trimmer. The motor just whirls along, sounding like a high-pitched hair dryer. The significant differences are that it doesnt have the telescoping shaft or the quick adjustment on the handle, so its not as flexible for varying body heights. This is in stark contrast with gas trimmers, which position the engine at your elbow and scream like fighter jets. The Worx is much smaller than our other picks, and it cant handle thick weeds or extended trimming sessions. This Craftsmans 25 cc, 2-cycle engine isnt the most powerful, but it should be sufficient for residential use. Its important to pay attention to how much a trimmer weighs before you buy one so you dont choose one thats too heavy for you. Putting new string on a trimmer has long been the most frustrating aspect of a string trimmer, but new models are making this easier with automatic or manual systems to reel the line into the head of the tool. Worx does have a selection of 20-volt saws, lights, and drills, among other tools, but we dont have enough experience with them to pass judgement on them as a full system. Using the cultivator with a fully charged battery, we were able to work for an uninterrupted 15 minutes and tilled a 2-by-20-foot (40 square feet) area of the field into a ready-to-go garden bed.