8 Best Electric Edgers of 2021 [Reviews]

Keeping a lawn looking its best can sometimes feel like a full-time job. However, with the right equipment, keeping everything looking neat, tidy, and healthy is a breeze. One of the essential items when hoping to keep a well-manicured lawn is an electric edger.

These machines help to define edges around and on a lawn, and they can be powered by nearly anything. However, some edgers are made for light work (such as defining flower bed borders), and others are made for challenging tasks (like separating roots from a sidewalk).

This guide can help buyers define and decide which electric edger is right for them. Keep reading to find out more.

Quick Glance: Our Top Picks

8 Best Electric Edgers of 2021 – Reviews

1) WORX WG896 Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher

Beginners often struggle to start simple lawn care maintenance tasks like edging because they’re afraid to make mistakes. This straightforward, easy-to-use edger is excellent for driveways and sidewalks, and it’s cutting line indicator helps users avoid zig-zag lines.

• Best for small tasks
• Works well for sidewalk edging
• Relatively lightweight

Pros

• Cutting line indicator helps users stay on-target
• An excellent option for beginners
• Three possible depth adjustments

Cons

• Cannot handle tough soils, roots, or vegetation
• Guards aren’t adjustable

2) BLACK+DECKER LE750 Landscape Edger and Trencher

Home landscapers and gardeners looking for a capable combination edger and trencher may want to consider the BLACK+DECKER LE750. The adjustable guard swings upward to allow for multi-depth trenching. However, its guidance line isn’t particularly helpful, making straight lines a challenge.

• Pull-up guide
• Simply, tool-free assembly
• Only weighs about 13lbs

Pros

• Great for moderate yard work
• Can be converted into a trencher
• Precise sidewalk edging

Cons

• Potential motor issues can occur if not kept level during use
• Can be challenging to steer near fine edges

3) Greenworks 27032 Electric Corded Edger

One of the most interesting features of the Greenworks 27032 Edger is the cord-lock safety feature. This ensures that the user never accidentally pulls the cord from the wall and ends up in a dangerous restart situation. The 4-year warranty is also pretty nice. However, this electric edger doesn’t work well in rough terrain.

• Springy front wheel
• Cord-lock safety feature
• 4-year warranty

Pros

• Does a fine job with smaller tasks, especially sidewalks
• Spring-assisted front wheel helps with blade depth adjustment during use
• Exceptionally easy to use

Cons

• Cannot endure tough terrains or thick soils
• Handle may not be able to withstand bodyweight

4) Scotts ED70012S Corded Electric Lawn Edger

This electric edger may not be the most powerful, but it is a great option for light or occasional work. Weighing in at only 13lbs, it’s extremely lightweight and easy to put together. Anyone hoping to keep a driveway or front sidewalk looking tidy could benefit from this lawn edger.

• Lightweight
• Capable of converting into a trencher
• Quick assembly

Pros

• Only weighs 13lbs
• Takes very little time to fully assemble
• Works well for edging driveways

Cons

• Factory-provided blade snaps easily
• Slightly less powerful than comparable electric edgers

5) THE ROYAL WEEDER Lightweight Electric Tiller

Not all edgers are overpowered landscaping beasts. Some happen to be tiny, light, and perfect for gardeners of all ages and shapes. This device is a portable, battery-powered edger that also functions as a tiller.

• Weighs 3lbs
• About 3.5ft long
• Battery-powered

Pros

• Ideal for the smallest tasks
• Cordless option
• Great for small home gardens

Cons

• May be too weak for sidewalk edging
• Cannot handle moderate tasks

6) Martha Stewart MTS-EDG1 Electric Lawn and Landscape Edger

One of the most powerful electric lawn edgers on the market is the Martha Stewart MTS-EDG1. It may look quaint and tame, but its looks are deceptive. This is one of the heavier edgers on the market, and it handles rough, matted terrain very well.

• Powerful
• Comfortable handling
• Relatively heavy

Pros

• Can cut through most turfs and roots
• Three various cutting depths for various tasks
• Ergonomic handle that’s easy on the wrist

Cons

• More expensive than comparable options
• Can be tricky to maneuver in a straight line

7) Toro 51480 Corded Electric Trimmer/Edger

This combination trimmer/edger is a fantastic option for those seeking a lawn edger for light tasks only. While it can certainly help maintain a border between lawns and sidewalks, it cannot penetrate soil very deeply, and it certainly cannot trench.

• Dual trimmer/edger
• 2-year warranty
• Built-in bump guard shield

Pros

• An affordable option
• Can trim as well as edge
• 14-inch dual cutting line

Cons

• Cannot edge as deeply or precisely as standard lawn edgers
• Trigger-operated line feed can be frustrating

8) Sun Joe SB601E Stringless Electric Trimmer/Edger

This trimmer/edger is both capable and lightweight. However, thanks to its brand-specific, patented blades, it’s also potentially one of the most expensive. Still, it’s refreshing to use a stringless trimmer that also edges.

• Curved trimmer/edger shaft
• Weighs 5.6lbs
• Stringless

Pros

• One of the most lightweight, high-powered options available
• No strings that need to be loaded or replaced
• Built-in safety switch in handle

Cons

• Patented blade can be difficult to replace
• Not ideal for light tasks

Electric Edger Buying Guide

Four Main Types of Edgers

While electric edgers are by far the most popular type of lawn edger, they’re not the only kind. There are also manual (hand-powered), and gas edgers as well.

Manual

Manual edgers tend to be very small and lightweight, as they don’t contain a motor. They’re used for the lightest landscaping tasks and don’t tend to cut very deeply into the soil. They can be pushed or pulled when operated.

Electric Corded

An electric corded edger has a motor that propels its blades, helping to cut through tough roots or thick soils more quickly and effectively. It does need to be connected to a power source to operate, but an extension cord or cable can make quick work of that.

Still, these types of edgers tend to weigh less than 20 lbs, making them a powerful option for those seeking a lightweight option.

Cordless

Cordless or battery-powered edgers also contain a motor, but they can function anywhere, regardless of if there’s a power source nearby. That’s because they’re powered by a battery. These models tend to be slightly heavier than corded electric edgers.

Also, most cordless edgers are combination edger-trimmers that lack the same cutting depth and power of dedicated lawn edgers.

Gas-Powered

Gas-powered edgers tend to be the bulkiest of all the lawn edgers, but they can sometimes be the most powerful. Of course, with that additional power come carbon emissions and fuel costs, which is why most home landscapers opt for an electric option.

Does blade type matter?

Yes and no. Blade type only truly matters in terms of replacing an old edger blade. Most edgers have blades that are between eight and ten inches long when new, but after use, these blades begin to shorten.

When a lawn edger’s blade is at half its original length, it’s time to replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a lawn edger do?

Most lawn edgers are used in conjunction with trimmers to give a yard a neat, cared-for appearance. Lawn edgers till small bands of soil, helping to create well-defined borders and edges in gardens and lawns.

A lawn edger can help keep grass from growing onto a sidewalk. It can also help when preparing a new flower bed or garden plot. Essentially, lawn edgers are multi-purpose lawn tools that are backed by a tremendous amount of power. Every root or weed that cannot be pulled is quickly minced to bits by an edger.

Is a lawn edger necessary?

Those who live in homes with a yard will likely find a lawn edger necessary at some point during their stay. This is far more true of homeowners than it is of tenants, as owners are typically responsible for property repairs and general maintenance.

Are lawn edgers dangerous?

They can be if misused. Remember, most powered lawn edgers are essentially just tiny table saws. There’s a high-speed blade rotating beneath each one, so it’s important to dress for safety and to take the right precautions.

The first thing to do before turning on a lawn edger is to figure out exactly what area needs work. Once that’s done, the next step is to remove any rocks, debris, or large vegetation along that line. This step is extremely important. Choosing to ignore it can result in serious injury.

When the blade of an edger strikes a pebble or rock that’s been obscured by soil, that stone instantly becomes potential shrapnel that can cause damage to almost any part of the body. That’s why it’s essential to pre-clear an area beforehand!

Any person who decided to operate a lawn edger should do so smartly. The parts of the body that are most at risk while edging are the feet, so wearing thick, protective shoes is a must. It may also be a good idea to wear protective eyewear. When loose, airborne bits of grass and dirt get into the eyes, the result is typically agonizing pain and lots of tears.

By dressing correctly and removing potential dangers beforehand, anyone can eliminate most of the dangers associated with using a lawn edger.

Conclusion

Lawn edgers are landscaping tools that can help keep a lawn looking idyllic. Electric models are powerful, efficient, non-polluting, and ideal for small to moderately-sized tasks.