How to choose a weed trimmer? This is question almost everyone with property will ask at some point during their ownership.
Purchasing the best equipment for lawn maintenance is not as simple as just a lawnmower and some good hard work cutting the lawn. There are essentially two main tools that every homeowner should have in order to get the job done efficiently and to ensure that the trimming is done to prevent an excess of growth in the future.
Alongside the standard mower is the Weed Trimmer (Weedeater, String Trimmer, Hedge Trimmer, Brush Cutter, Weed Whacker).
For those not familiar with the mechanics of property maintenance it can be confusing as to why you would have another item, but when you carefully analyze it then there is much sense to have it.
How to choose a string trimmer (weed eaters) to buy?
When mowing the lawn, there are a variety of different plants, weeds, and other natural fauna that will grow on your lawn. As such, this will not only grow upwards but also outwards, covering an abundance of other plants and also pavements, driveways, and even sometimes climbing up walls, fences, and other materials placed in the yard. Greenworks makes a great string trimmer. Check out the video below.
The use of the string trimmer is to cut them down quickly and carefully to prevent them from overgrowing certain areas in the yard and the surrounding border. These weeds can become a major annoyance, unable to be cut by a regular lawn mower and breaking up footpaths and staining pathways.
The simplicity of Use:
Weed eaters have the excellent advantage of being simple to use and useful at cutting down your lawn care time by a significant amount. In comparison, the time it would take to trim your weeds as opposed to getting down on your hands and knees and trimming them with a pair of shears would be minimal.
There are however some important features that you should consider before purchasing your weed trimmer, as they come in different shapes and sizes and can occasionally have a variety of features that help your lawn trimming process. Analyzing what each variety has to offer can help you determine which the best weed trimmer is for you. Your property size will determine the range, models, and features you are looking for.
Power Source:
First and foremost you should investigate the power supply of your chosen string trimmer and determine whether you are looking for electric string trimmers, gas string trimmers, or a corded electric trimmer. There are pros and cons to each design type, so the final choice is up to you.
Electric string trimmers have the advantage of being easy to start and hooked up to a constant power supply so you do not have to worry about replacing batteries or refueling. Check out:
GreenWorks Corded String Trimmer
- Adjustable telescoping shaft to fit the user’s height. Convenient cord lock to prevent accidental unplugging
- Lightweight construction
- Includes a 3 year warranty
However, that is also the downside that you will have to stay connected to your main home power supply if you want to use the piece of equipment at all. You can of course extend your range with extension cords. With that in mind, the trailing cord can sometimes inhibit your movement around the yard and also get snagged or caught as you turn around corners. If you are concerned about extension cords a cordless electric string trimmer may be exactly what you need.
Battery-operated string trimmers are similar to electric string trimmers in the sense that they are easy to start and reliable, however, there can be issues with the power supply depending on the Weed Trimmer that you select. A good one for light use is the:
Black & Decker 9 in. Bump Feed String Trimmer
- 2IN1 DESIGN – Easily rotates 180 degrees from a cordless string trimmer to an edger for versatile use.
- ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT AND SOFT-GRIP HANDLE – Provide convenient, customizable comfort and control for extended use.
- AFS AUTOMATIC FEED SPOOL – Continuously feeds trimmer line without bumping for seamless, uninterrupted trimming.
Maintenance:
Actual maintenance of a string trimmer is very power-intensive, therefore requiring a lot of power for them to work effectively. In some cases, one power pack or battery is simply not enough for the job that you intend to perform, therefore requiring a secondary battery as a backup that is already fully charged.
Gas Trimmers:
The third option is a gas-powered string trimmer. In comparison to the previously mentioned selections, these types of weed whackers are much more powerful and stronger when getting into the tougher and more overgrown weeds that are choking out other plants.
For the amount of fuel that you use to fill the one tank, you can get a surprisingly good amount of work done compared to that of the battery-powered string trimmers. There are many different gas models but our favorite is:
Green Machine GM23000 Gas Cordless Trimmer
- 40V STRING TRIMMER – powers through the toughest grass and weeds
- 13” CUTTING PATH - .065” line, auto feed head for quick and easy line advancement
- TRIMMER / EDGER (2-IN-1) – 90-degree rotating head with edging wheel. 3 position pivoting head for trimming at multiple angles
This is a two-cycle string trimmer. The negatives are in relation to the fuel source, which involves petrol and oil mixture. With two-cycle operated motors, you will require not only the petrol to provide power to the device but also a mixture of oil in that petrol to keep the internal components running smoothly and able to accommodate the petrol. This can be a hassle for some people who do not want to handle these liquids.
Accessibility:
Another factor that many people completely forget is that these trimmers can be purchased with your dominant hand orientation in mind. A majority of gas-powered string trimmers are created to accommodate right-handed people as you will need to use both hands, with your dominant hand on the operating trigger.
You can purchase specialized ones that are created for left-handed people to operate, generally improving the overall feel when using the device and lessening the difficulty of performing yard work.
Size of Yard:
When making your trimmer buying decision, consider the size and severity of your yard and the areas that you want to use the string trimmer on. If you have a relatively small yard or small grassed area that is the main cause of the weeds, perhaps a smaller and less powerful weed eater in the form of an electric trimmer is the best choice for you.
If you have to battle a large space with much more potent and aggressive weeds then a fuel operated weed trimmer will provide the power and also the endurance required to make light work of it.
Price:
Generally, string trimmers are around $80-$100 for a decent operating device, however you can still make purchases of perfectly capable ones for under that as well as more powerful and specialized ones for more than, almost double in some cases.
When choosing your string trimmer you will also need to know if you need a straight shaft weed eater or a curved shaft string trimmer
You can find weed trimmers in a variety of colors, yet this is an insignificant feature unless you are adamant that you want a very red or a very blue weed trimmer; perhaps to keep your gardening equipment color-coded if you already have a lawnmower of the same color.
Conclusion
There are a healthy number of factors that go into deciding what the best Weed trimmer is for you.
Consider your options carefully and you’ll be sure to make the right purchase that will not only provide a worthwhile investment but also a well-trimmed yard that looks warm and inviting.
We hope we were helpful in your quest to figuring out how to choose a weed trimmer that works for you.