The Best Line Edgers & Trimmers

Types

• There are three basic types of line edgers and trimmers — gas powered, battery powered and corded. Gas-powered trimmers are best for tall grasses and tough weeds. Battery-powered electric trimmers are good if you have small gardening jobs. Corded electric line edgers and trimmers weigh the least, are simple to start and are best for gardening jobs close to your home.

What to Seek

• The best line edger and trimmer depends on the type of gardening jobs you need to finish. When shopping for a line edger, handle the product while you're in the store. The trimmer's weight should feel evenly distributed or a little heavier toward the top handle. You should be able to comfortably reach the top handle and the control buttons. If you plan to cut tall grass or weeds, look for a model with a protective sleeve around the shaft. The best models come with a shoulder harness to help prevent back strain. Good line edger and trimmer models also come with a safety mechanism that either shuts the tool off with the push of a button or prevents the trimmer from spinning unless you depress a switch.

Comparison Shopping

• Gas-powered line edgers and trimmers are the heaviest, but last longer than battery-powered models, which run for approximately 30 minutes. Battery-powered trimmers don't inhibit you with an electric cord, but they can take several hours to recharge. Features on line edgers and trimmers include heads that you can swivel and use for hedges. Trimmer shafts with straight edges allow you to reach under shrubs, but curved shafts may make a line edger simpler to handle. Models that come with a split shaft allow you to place different yard tools onto the trimmer, such as an edging blade or leaf blower.

Common Pitfalls

• Line edgers and trimmers are heavy, with the lightest weighing between 9 to 13 pounds. Regardless of the type you use, you should always wear hearing protection while using a line edger or risk hearing loss. If you fail to properly install the spool cap -- or if the model is defective -- the cap and/or pieces of the line edger string can loosen and become dangerous projectiles. Additionally, if a line edger overheats, it may burn you.