With the right tools, keeping your lawn and green spaces well-manicured can be a breeze. Weed whackers make easy work of the tight spots that your mower cannot handle leaving your walkways, flower beds, and fence lines immaculate. Since weed whackers or string trimmers, as they are commonly known, are not a one-size-fits-all tool, it’s important to know which product will work best for your home.
That's why we've compiled a list of 10 of the best weed whackers out there. Our top pick is Black+Decker's String Trimmer since it's light but effective. Read on for nine other great options and a handy buying guide reviewed by a master gardener and homestead blogger to help you find the best weed whacker for your needs!
Gardening and wildcrafting food for her family, Amy grows in a variety of gardens including hydroponic, raised beds, containers, and in the ground. As a master gardener, she has successfully gardened across the country.
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Weed whackers are handy gadgets that will help you keep your lawn and sidewalks well-manicured. Fortunately, weed whackers come in all shapes and sizes so finding the right fit for your yard shouldn’t be too hard. Here are some pointers to keep in mind if you want to make your work easier and leave your yard looking pristine.
Corded weed whackers are great because they never run out of power, but if you have a large yard, they may not be a practical choice. They may not reach the whole area or be hard to navigate if there are a lot of trees or shrubs in the way. They will be better if you have a small yard where the length of the cord will not be too restrictive.
Cordless weed whackers generally operate on rechargeable batteries. The cordless design is great for larger yards since you can move around freely and it might be easier to reach tricky spots with it.
However, the batteries can run out while you're using them unless you're diligent about charging them beforehand. If you have a large area to cover, you'll want to make sure you get a powerful battery (or a spare) so that you can get the whole yard done in one session.
You can also consider gas-powered weed whackers. These are mobile, too, but they run on gas instead of electricity and may last longer. Generally, they pack a little more power than electric weed whackers and are good for big or challenging, overgrown yards.
The bigger the yard, the more power you'll want. If your yard is under half an acre, an electric weed whacker will do you just fine. If it's between half an acre and one acre, you can consider a gas whacker, but a cordless one will do fine, too. If you have a yard larger than one acre, you should consider getting a gas-powered weed whacker.
When looking for a weed whacker, you'll likely come across the terms amperage (amp), volts (V), or cubic centimeters (cc). These indicate the electrical power of the motor or battery. Generally, the higher the number, the more powerful the motor.
Amps are typically used for corded whackers and can range from thee to 4.4. Volts are used for battery-powered or cordless weed whackers and come between 12V and 24V. Think about the area you're going to cover and how much of your weed is going to be difficult when trimming it.
Lastly, cubic centimeters are used for gas-powered weed whackers. 15-cc to 25-cc motors give you basic trimming power, although you can find whackers with up to 31-cc if you're looking for one that packs a punch.
Weed whackers are tools that should make your yard work easier. This means you should prioritize finding a weed whacker that's easy to use. When you're looking around, make sure you pick one that's not too heavy; if you can't lift it, you can't use it. That's why a lightweight option offers more portability and maneuverability.
Heavy-duty trimmers can be highly effective on tough landscapes but are hard to maneuver. This might be a better option if you have a large and diverse yard, but keep in mind that you might spend a fair bit of time on trimming.
Look for an ergonomic model with good balance so it's easy and safe to use. High-quality whackers should be easy to keep at the right angle without having to make adjustments all the time. Telescoping shafts and ergonomic handles are also things to look out for if comfort is a priority for you.
Weed whackers typically use strings to trim and chop vegetation. A bump feed weed whacker needs to be manually tapped on the ground to release the string that does the cutting.
This means that if you buy an electric weed whacker with a bump feed, you will have to change the empty spools as they run out. Still, many users find this type of feed system practical and easy to control.
An auto-feed weed whacker doesn't require the manual release of the string and is, therefore, easier to operate. This option will allow you to trim without having to constantly check on the line.
An auto-feed weed whacker is generally fast and ideal if you have a large area to trim. However, since it can be unreliable unless made by a reputable manufacturer, always go for reliable models that have a sturdy construction and efficient design.
Lastly, a fixed-line system allows you to load individual strings into the trimmer, one at a time. This gives you greater control of the length of the string and may be a good choice for advanced users of weed whackers.
String trimmers can have straight or curved shafts. The best way to find out which one you should go for is to try both and see what feels the most comfortable to you. A straight shaft is useful because provides more power to the motor. It can also reach difficult spots more easily.
On the other hand, a curved shaft can be useful if you're planning to trim for prolonged time periods because it provides more comfort. It's typically attached to a gas-powered weed whacker. This option is more popular with professional trimmers.
A retractable or telescoping shaft is a necessary feature for comfort to ensure that you do not have to strain your back or shoulders. Look for a weed whacker with an adjustable height that you can customize to suit the user.
Cutting width refers to the diameter of the string that cuts your weed. So, the larger the number, the more grass it can cut in one go. For large gardens, a cutting width of 15 inches or bigger is recommended. Meanwhile, a more compact width is better for small and tight garden spaces.
This trimmer combines great features and a user-friendly design to create a practical and versatile weed whacker. From the powerful motor to the automatic feed system, this trimmer is designed to make short work of your yard work. The edging wheel also makes it super easy to control to get the results you want without breaking a sweat.
Users loved that the trimmer is light, making it super easy to handle and maneuver. Many also praised its performance on tough weeds and awkward angles. Some buyers recommend wearing protective gear on your shins in case of auto-feed malfunctions. Even so, the majority of reviewers liked the powerful but lightweight trimmer.
This eco-friendly weed whacker from Greenworks comes with a zero-carbon footprint guarantee. One advantage of this corded trimmer is its unlimited runtime. It also comes with a brushless motor, which means you can get your yard work down fast and easily.
Reviewers loved this high-powered trimmer since it handles tough weeds with ease. The auto-feed system is also pretty smooth and most users highlighted the ease of use and practical design. The adjustable handle falls a little short for tall users, though. Still, the majority of buyers were happy with the weed whacker's power and efficiency.
This weed whacker is not only super fast but also comes with a host of handy features. The 180-degree rotating handle ensures easy handling while the edger gives you maximum control when operating. It also features a convenient adjustable shaft.
Reviewers loved that this trimmer is fast as well as powerful. They added that it's super easy to assemble and comfortable to use, making it a great investment. On the downside, some buyers experienced issues with the auto-feed, saying the release button doesn't always work.
As far as weed whackers go, though, this was a great purchase for many reviewers. It offers a good mix of value and efficiency.
This Greenworks weed whacker is powerful enough for heavy-duty applications but still easy to maneuver. It comes with a handy edger wheel for better control and an automatic feed for convenience. It's electric and battery-powered.
Reviewers highlighted the weed whacker's powerful performance and long-lasting battery. Users also noted that it's super efficient, even when dealing with tough weeds and vegetation. A few reviewers said their weed whackers stopped working after a while, but overall, the majority agree that this is a great weed whacker to get.
This weed whacker can both trim and edge the weeds in your backyard. It comes with two batteries so you can always have one in reserve. It's lightweight and the head can be maneuvered up to 90 degrees, making it easy to reach tough spots.
The smooth command feed system was a hit with many reviewers. They also said this weed whacker is easy on the back and shoulders, making it comfortable to use over longer periods of time.
Some reviewers weren't impressed with the battery life, but with two batteries you should be covered for a while. This weed whacker may be more suitable for small areas, though. Still, it was a hugely popular option!
With up to 1.5 hours of running time, this weed whacker is efficient, practical, and powerful. It comes with a brushless motor to ensure more power and speed to handle even difficult trimming jobs. The straight shaft design also enhances the performance of this trimmer even when tackling tough weeds.
This weed whacker was overwhelmingly liked by reviewers. Many loved it for its sturdy construction and efficient performance even at the lowest speed. They also highlighted its smooth and quiet operation. The auto-torque feature was praised by some as well.
This battery-powered trimmer is lightweight yet powerful. It packs enough of a punch to handle most trimming jobs, and can also be used as an edger. It has an easy command feed system, so you never have to worry about bumping the string.
The majority of reviewers loved this weed whacker. They liked that it's lightweight and easy to handle. Many also praised the longevity of the battery. A few complained that the weed whacker was not durable, but most agreed that it was a powerful and useful trimmer.
This lightweight weed whacker has five adjustable positions and a 180-degree rotating head, making it good for tight and awkward spots. It runs for up to 45 minutes, although the battery and charger are sold separately. It has a bump feed, so you get full control of your string.
Although this trimmer packs enough power for light to medium trimming, some reviewers noted that it lacks sufficient power for heavy weeds. Still, most reviewers liked the trimmer for its versatility and said it was a great basic tool to have in the shed.
This top-of-the-line weed whacker is the perfect high-performance trimmer for demanding jobs. It has a powerful brushless motor and a durable carbon fiber shaft. The lightweight shaft makes for easy handling despite the whacker's weight. It also has a bump feed so you can control the string.
Reviewers were highly impressed with this weed whacker, saying it was powerful and did a good job on tough weeds. Many also praised the long battery life. Keep in mind that this trimmer is heavier than others on this list, and is better suited for heavy-duty trimming.
This weed whacker is noteworthy because it doesn't use a traditional string to trim grass. Instead, it uses a self-sharpening blade to take care of that pesky weed. It has an adjustable auxiliary handle to make sure you're comfortable using it. Note that the battery only lasts for about 15 minutes.
Overall, reviewers appreciated that this is a lightweight and beginner-friendly weed whacker. They like that anyone can use it. Some are also relieved that they don't have to deal with any string. On the downside, reviewers warn that the whacker is not suitable for heavy-duty work, and is best reserved for light jobs and small gardens.
If you have a big backyard to take care of and like spending time outdoors, we have some excellent recommendations for you. Check out these articles and see if anything catches your interest!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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