The Ultimate String Trimmer Buying Guide

String trimmers cut areas of your yard you can’t reach with a lawn mower. They’re helpful for sections of lawn growing along a fence line, your house or the base of trees. Using both a lawn mower and a string trimmer keeps your landscaping in shape. A string trimmer also helps you trim carefully around beds of delicate flowers or tackle a thick patch of grass or weeds that could choke your mower.

Some string trimmers come with attachments for other landscaping jobs. Lowe’s sells string trimmer attachments that convert the trimmer to an edger, brush cutter, cultivator, blower, sweeper, hedge trimmer or pole saw and string trimmer lines when you need a replacement.

Electric string trimmers are easier to start and maintain compared to gas models. The motor on an electric string trimmer also runs with less noise and vibration and fewer emissions than a gas engine does.

Gas string trimmers are more powerful than many electric models and are a good choice for large areas and heavier growth. They offer better mobility and longer run times. Most gas trimmers crank with a pull-start, but some models start with a powered device that you can purchase separately or a power drill and a specialized bit, eliminating the need to use the pull cord.

Gas trimmers need the right fuel and can only handle certain levels of ethanol. Follow the manufacturer's requirements and read Fueling Outdoor Power Equipment for tips on keeping your machine properly fueled.

In general, the larger your landscape, the more powerful your trimmer should be to efficiently maintain it.

Lawns up to 1/2 acre: Cordless trimmers ranging from 20 to 40 volts work well. If there’s a power outlet within 100 feet of the lawn’s perimeter, consider a corded string trimmer. Gas lawn trimmers are also appropriate tools.

Lawns 1/2 acre to 1 acre: Cordless grass trimmers from 40 to 80 volts are good choices, but you might also consider a gas trimmer.

Lawns larger than 1 acre: Gas trimmers are a good choice. More powerful grass trimmers can handle thicker grass and weeds and can often take on additional tasks with optional attachments.

Consider available features and specifications to choose a string trimmer that’ll meet your needs:

How can I tell how much power a string trimmer has?
The rating for volts on a cordless trimmer and cubic centimeters (cc) on a gas trimmer indicates power output.

How do you decide what fuel to use in a gas-powered string trimmer?
Two-cycle engines on gas grass trimmers offer a good balance of power and weight but run on a blend of oil and gasoline. You’ll need to mix the fuel yourself or purchase it pre-mixed. Four-cycle engines run on gasoline alone. They eliminate the need for mixing fuel but are heavier than comparable two-cycle engines and require regular oil changes.

What’s the difference between a curved shaft grass trimmer and a straight shaft grass trimmer?
A curved shaft grass trimmer is good for tight areas and makes the trimmer easier to control. A straight shaft trimmer can reach under obstacles, like decks, shrubs and benches. An adjustable shaft allows you to change the working height of the trimmer.

How can trimming line impact your string trimmer’s performance?

• Single-line heads simplify winding new trimming line.

• Dual-line heads trim faster, cutting twice with each revolution.

• Bump heads feed trimming line from the spool when you tap the cutting head against the ground.

• Automatic-feed heads release new line as needed.

• Fixed-line heads allow for quick loading of pre-cut pieces of line without the need for winding. This design also eliminates tangles in the line.

• Fast-loading spools let you insert new line and wind it without removing or taking apart the spool.

Beyond fuel type what’s another important factor to consider before buying a string trimmer?
Consider the weight of the trimmer. While more powerful grass trimmers can handle larger areas and tougher weeds, they tend to be heavier than light-duty models and can cause more fatigue during use. Find a grass trimmer with the right balance of power and weight to handle your trimming jobs comfortably.