Here Are The Best Weed Eater and String Trimmers of 2021

String trimmers, also known as weed eaters and weed wackers are one of the essential power tools for anybody who does yard work.  String trimmers use a gas or electric motor to twirl a piece of plastic or nylon string at high speeds in order to cut grass, weeds or other vegetation in places that a lawn mower cannot reach.  

Want the best string trimmer on the market in 2019?  We’ve done the hard work and compiled a buying guide that brings you best weed eaters on the market.  

No time?  Here are the top weed eaters on the market as of 2019:

Pros

• Great, clean edging – you won’t need to make multiple passes with this one
• 2 strings on the trimmer head means more efficient trimming 
• Can handle overgrowth with ease
• Very easy to control 
• This machine will last – engine is guaranteed for at least 300 hours
• Trimmer line comes out easily and smoothly

Pros

• This weed trimmer has a 17 inch cutting diameter 
• Setup for other attachments from Husqvarna
• Trimmer head can handle overgrowth with ease
• Takes trimming line cords of .065”, .080”, and .095” diameters
• Cutting head cuts thick brush with ease
• Line feed works incredibly well

Pros

• Cuts tough grass and overgrowth like a knife through hot butter
• Extremely quiet
• Easy string reloading 
• Cuts thick brush with ease with a wide cutting path
• It’s a cordless string trimmer – take it anywhere!
• Great battery life

Pros

• Cuts extremely well, can handle tough grass and weeds
• Wide cutting swath allows for efficient cutting
• Easy to maneuver 
• Very quiet
• No gas engine to maintain 

Pros

• Cuts extremely well, can handle tough grass and weeds
• 17 inch cutting width allows for efficient cutting
• Hard to beat the price for the power

String Trimers: A Buyers Guide

What is a string trimmer and what is it used for?

A string trimmer is a handheld yard tool designed to cut grass and other plants.  Instead of a blade, string trimmers use a monofilament (fancy word for plastic) line or string to cut the grass.  

While lawn mowers are used to cut most of the grass in a lawn, they often lack the precision to cut grass near plants, along the housing, around curbs, and on steep terrain.  That’s where a string trimmer comes in handy.  With a string trimmer, you can cut back grass in all of the hard to reach places so that your lawn looks good all around.

String trimmers have a number of other uses as well.  For example, you can use one for edging your lawn, which involves cutting a slice of dirt and grass around curbs and sidewalks to achieve a small amount of separation, serving as a picture frame for your yard.  Additionally, string trimmers can be used to cut back areas of overgrowth, such as vines or ivy that’s climbing all over fences.

Should I buy a string trimmer?

If you maintain your own lawn, then the short answer is yes – you should have a string trimmer in your garage.  A lawn mower alone likely cannot cut all of the nooks and cranny’s in your yard.

If you use a professional lawn service, having a string trimmer in your garage can certainly come in handy for many of the reasons above.  

Electric vs Gas String Trimmers

String trimmers either use electric or gas-powered motors.  The best choice for you depends on a number of factors.

Power

It is true that the most powerful weed eaters are still gasoline powered, but there are a few electric powered string trimmers that can give them a run for their money.  The flip side is that the most powerful electric string trimmer is going to cost a premium.

Frequency of use

Battery-powered string trimmers are only going to last for a couple hours – max.  So if you’re a professional landscaper running from yard to yard, this is probably not an acceptable option as you won’t have time to charge.  Gasoline powered engines obviously don’t have this problem – you just need to 

If you’re a homeowner that is only going to be using your weed whacker for an hour or so every other weekend, a batter powered option is more than suited. 

For those homeowners that have small yards, or that will use their weed eater infrequently, you can save money by using a corded string trimmer.  These types use electrical outlet power, so you’ll need a long extension cord.  Be careful not to trip on your extension cord or hit it with your cutting line.

Maintenance

Gasoline powered string trimmers are going to require a great deal more maintenance than their electric counterparts.  Most have 2 stroke motors, so you’ll need to make sure to mix your gasoline with oil.  Additionally, you’ll need to drain the fuel during the offseason, and clean your carburetor on occasion.  All normal things with gasoline engines.

All types of weed eaters may shafts lubricated or bearings replaced, but that’s a rare event.

Noise

Electric trimmers are going to be quieter.

Read our reviews on the best gas trimmers, the best battery powered trimmers, best 4 stroke trimmers and the best corded string trimmers.

Things to consider

Weight

Different string trimmers are going to have different weights.  All else equal, a lighter string trimmer is going to be easier to operate and maneuver than a heavier one.  This means less pain over time, quicker work, and less chance of an accident occurring.

Most of the time, the weight is listed online, but you’ll want to make sure that it is not simply stating the shipping weight.  Additionally, for battery powered string trimmers, you’ll want to know whether the weight includes the battery or not.  For gas-powered trimmers, you’ll also need to factor in the weight of the gasoline in the tank.

Shaft Type

Weed whackers can come with two types of shafts: curved and straight.  Most don’t realize which they are buying, and at the end of the day it comes down to what sort of job you’re doing and your personal preference. 

A curved shaft makes it easier to cut down large areas of grass.  While a lawn mower is the preferred tool for cutting large areas of grass, there are many instances in which a weed eater is needed, such as:

• Steep hills where it is dangerous to use a mower
• Areas with lots of roots or rocks where a mower blade will get nicked 
• Overgrown areas of grass that are too tall to cut with a lawn mower

In all of these instances, you will benefit from a curved weed eater. 

A straight shaft is much better suited for your typical yard work, having the benefit of it being easy to cut grass in hard-to-reach places.  Some cases where a straight shaft is best for the job include:

• Along the edges of your house
• Along curbs and sidewalks
• Under bushes

Cutting Swath

Cutting swath, or cutting path, is the diameter of the circle the string makes when the weed eater is operational.  Here you’re making a tradeoff between precision and time to cut.  If you have a large yard, you’re going to probably want a wider cutting path.  If you have a small yard or a lot of intricacies, you might want a smaller cutting swatch.

Dual Line vs Single Line

As you could probably guess, a dual line has multiple lines where a single line has one.  Dual lines are going to cut a little bit better and will require fewer passes.

String trimmer vs weed eater vs weed whackers?

Don’t worry, all string trimmer, weed eater, trimmer/edger and weed whacker (or misspelled, a weed wacker) all mean the same thing. However, they are different from a hedge trimmer.  A hedge trimmer is for trimming hedges or bushes – not grass.  Brush cutter is a term that can be used for a string trimmer, but can also be used to describe a bush hog.

What other brands of weed wackers are good?

There are a number of great brands other than the ones we’ve mentioned, but keep in mind, we bring you only the best ones.  Some include Black+Decker (which have great lithion ion batteries), worx (built heavy duty), greenworks, dewalt and more.  It’s nothing against these, they just aren’t the best.  And we believe that life is to short to not have the best power tools.