The Best String Trimmers to Get Nice, Crisp Edges On Your Grass
Don’t call it a weed whacker, weedwacker, or weed eater. But you do need one.
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A string trimmer is the indespensible power tool that puts the finishing touches on a yard by shaving off grass that a lawn mower can’t reach. Some people mow then trim, others trim then mow (particularly those who bag the clippings). Either way, the results should be a neat landscape. But trimmers do more than neaten up. They can cut down tall grass and weeds to keep border areas under control, either prior to mowing or as an alternative to mowing. With a deft hand they can be turned sideways to cut a notch along sidewalks, patios and drives. The notch keeps grass and weeds from growing over the pavement’s edge. You’ll be glad of this come winter because pavement with a neat edge is easier to clear of snow compared to one that is overgrown. Equipped with an Aero-Flex trimmer attachment, a string trimmer can function as a mini mower for cutting grass and weeds in difficult areas such as on steep banks and ditches.
Read on for quick info on the best string trimmers from our testing, then scroll down for buying advice and in-depth reviews.
The Best String Trimmers
Related Stories: Ditch Your String Trimmer Line—The Aero-Flex Snap & Trim Head Is Better | The Best Tools of 2022 | The Best Lawn Edgers for a Crisp Landscape
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
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