In addition to maintaining a well-kept lawn, edgers are also good for giving a crisp edge to bushes and plants, according to the Lawn Care.net website. A sharply defined edge to a lawn or flowerbed helps prevent the spread of weeds.
If you have a large yard, a gas-powered edger is the best option. The absence of a cord is the biggest benefit, but you should take note that gas-powered edgers require more maintenance, and are also noisier and more expensive than electric edgers, according to a review by Galt Technology.
In the past, an electric-powered edger was your best bet if you had a small yard, although the electric models had their own set of safety concerns because of the cord. However, advances in technology now make it possible for manufacturers to offer cordless models that run on a battery pack. Electric edgers are also generally less expensive than gas edgers.
Lawn trimmers are sometimes confused with edgers, but they are in fact two different tools. Galt Technology explains that edgers are ideal for vertical cuts, while trimmers are best-suited for horizontal cuts. This makes edgers the best tool for creating a polished look on lawns. Edgers are also different from trimmers in that they cut with a rotating, thin steel blade, whereas trimmers cut with a piece of nylon cord that spins rapidly. However, some trimmers do have available edger accessories.