If you're shopping for a bargain weed eater, then two models stand out: the BLACK+DECKER LST136 and the Ryobi 40V Expand-It. Fixed Feed - The fixed feed head eliminates the possibility that the auto feeder will release too much or too little string. You can angle the head and easily access tight areas, but the unbridled power chews up the ground rather harshly. The balance of the device could be better but the cutter itself is fast and effective so we’re going to look the other way on the balance. It's very easy to use, with an ergonomic grip that is comfortable and easy to hold on to. But we’ll see about that. Don’t expect to clear heavy undergrowth with this grass trimmer. This RYOBI trimmer has a brushless motor for maximum power and durability. The EGO Power+ STA1500 has a bump feed to dispense more line and we found it to be quite comfortable to carry. This string trimmer had one of the longest runtimes of all the products we have tested to date, cutting weeds and plants long after other models needed to stop and recharge. This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff. However, the EGO Power+ STA1500 does not have a shoulder strap attachment. For decades now we’ve had 3 choices when it came to string feed options: either bump the head, endure inconsistent auto-feed mechanisms or stop and change the string entirely. It's one of the lightest and easiest to handle, all while running much quieter than some of the top trimmers. Be aware though that warranty claims for this type of device can be notoriously hard to collect on. Since weeds, grass cuttings and the like are typically very light a reinforced plastic shield is normally adequate to protect users. We aren't huge fans of the guard design and this is one of the loudest models of the group. 20 noteworthy quotes, lyrics, and captions from Black celebs; Kelsea Ballerini: ‘Mean Instagram comments hurt my feelings… so I turned them off’ When using a gas trimmer in tight quarters be mindful of fumes. We also liked the guard on this model because it doesn't detract from your ability to do precise cuts while maintaining an equivalent degree of protection. It transitions from trimmer to edger in seconds, the shaft quickly and easily adjusts to accommodate your height and the well-considered handle positions won’t make you suffer for your work. It only lasted for 21 minutes in our runtime test. If you don't need to do a ton of weed cutting and are hoping to save some money when buying your new string trimmer then we highly recommend the BLACK+DECKER LST 136. Be sure to also check out our list of the best garden shovel for more great items like this. The lower speed setting also works great for making detailed cuts, but we found that it works better when used in a sweeping side-to-side motion rather than cutting in a straight line. Although lightweight it has a nice robust feel to it lacking in many other weed eaters. However, the difference between the two modes might be more noticeable with a different line. If you don't need to use a string trimmer all that often and are hoping to spend as little as possible for a new one, then we would suggest taking a look at the Ryobi 40V Expand-It. To do so you simply bump the head against a flat, firm surface. Or you can grab the weed wacker and finish up in about 15 minutes while saving your knees in the process. If you have large property chances are you’re going to find a lot of electric trimmers to be somewhat limiting. The Husqvarna 115iL and the BLACK+DECKER LST136 followed, both earning a 7 out of 10 for their string trimming performance. The BLACK+DECKER LST136 came next, earning an 8 out of 10. On the downside, the Husqvarna can be a bit more cumbersome to use than some of the other products. The 25cc gas engine and the 16-inch cutting head provides all the power you need to zip right along. The pivoting head is a nice feature but takes some time to master. In addition, there are no noxious fumes with an electric weed eater so no chance of succumbing to carbon dioxide poisoning, as sometimes happens with gas-powered models. Toro 51480 Corded 14-Inch Electric Weed Wacker, DEWALT DCST920P1 Brushless Electric Weed Wackers, BLACK+DECKER LSTE523 Electric Weed Wackers, Worx WG163 GT Cordless Electric Weed Wackers, Remington RM2510 17-inch 25Cc String Trimmer, Greenworks 12-Inch 24V Cordless String Weed Trimmer, Makita XRU02Z LXT Cordless String Trimmer. Make sure you also check our guide to the best weeding tools. This trimmer registered sound levels of 85.9 dBa on our meter when it was placed about 3' away, though we did find that it has a bit of a high-pitched whine. The guard didn't prevent freshly-cut weeds from getting flung back at us and precision work can be quite difficult. The LST136 is a better choice if you want a more comfortable and lightweight tool that is easy to handle. It features an automatic string feed that works more or less as intended (though it can be a bit overeager), a powerful 5 amp electric motor, an integrated edge guide, and weighs a scant 5.3 pounds. Be aware however, that noise levels can vary pretty significantly from model to model, even among electric trimmers. 154 Followers, 84 Following, 94 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from ㈱アシストエンジニア (@assist_now) Heads - Weed wackers feature one of 3 different types of heads. Now it’s time to put the finishing touches on the yard by cleaning up around the edges. After researching dozens and dozens of different weed eaters and string trimmer attachments, we bought the most promising models to test for ourselves. The EGO Power+ STA1500 has a very straightforward mechanism for adding more line. We looked at myriad different criteria in deciding which of the dozens of weed wackers we tested deserved a place on our list. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. It also has a respectable runtime and a handful of different operating modes to match all your different plant and weed trimming needs. That’s because they’re more powerful, allow you to work fast to cover a lot of ground and don’t shy away from tougher undergrowth. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. The Ryobi Expand-It, however, is much less user-friendly and less comfortable to use. Just be careful not to feed out to much line as this will present a hazard in and of itself. Nonetheless, it’s always wise to wear safety glasses because you never know when something might make it out past the shield and ricochet up in the direction of your face. You have multiple different speeds to choose from. Both the Makita XRU15PT and the EGO Power+ STA1500 are exceptionally effective at eliminating weeds, cutting through pretty much anything smoothly and effectively. However, it can be a hassle to use so we would recommend upgrading if you are a frequent string trimmer user. It can also be a pain to hold vertically. The negatives are few and minor. That biggest reason is the push button string feeder. Always make sure to wear proper eye protection when using a weed trimmer. GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Unfortunately, tall plants and thicker stems can still get tangled up in the head. The dual string cutting diameter of 13 inches is one of the largest you’ll find on a battery powered weed wacker and the bump feed is reliable and easy to use. The guard on the Snapper not only managed to continually get in the way in confined places, but it allows a considerable amount of stuff to get thrown back at you. This trimmer has a bump line feed and is on the lighter side. The edger is easy to engage, and effective (although it’s not going to win any awards for smoothest roller) and the battery provides reasonably long life. The weed wacker accomplishes this either by way of an automatic feeder system, a bump feed system or a fixed string. Overall, these tools are all fairly effective at eating weeds but we did notice that the guard tends to get caught on the Greenworks, which usually yanks the tool off course. The bump feed head allows for some level of control because you can bump as many times as you want to make the string the length you feel is most appropriate. Don’t ask more of your electric powered weed eater than it was designed to do. The Husqvarna 115iL easily sliced through most patches of weeds and grasses, but it occasionally stalled when we tried to tackle clusters of dense vegetation. If autofeeders have an issue it’s that some work better than others. While this extra power is handy for the toughest of weeds, it can be difficult to edge or trim precisely. Comes with 2 lithium ion batteries so you should never be caught without power. Simply because of the larger engine and the small tank of gas you need to lug around with you. It can stall when cutting through the thickest stems and plants, but we rarely found this to be an issue with typical yards. If you need to clear large areas of vegetation, then the Husqvarna 115iL is a great option to consider. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. The Makita XRU15PT includes a shoulder strap attachment as well. On the other hand, the string is constantly being worn away which means you need to continually feed new line out in order to keep cutting. The Husqvarna and the Snapper both followed, each earning a 7 out of 10. The 20V lithium ion battery charges fast. 20 noteworthy quotes, lyrics, and captions from Black celebs; Kelsea Ballerini: 'Mean Instagram comments hurt my feelings... so I turned them off' Nonetheless, if you are only using it to maintain a small yard or garden this should not present a problem. The Makita XRU02 is a powerful, reliable, quiet, cordless string weed eater that adjusts to any user, is well balanced, lightweight and features a dependable bump feed system. It’s comfortable to work with, easy to adjust for height and the tilting head makes easy work of minor slopes. We recorded sound levels of 88.5 dBa for the Snapper XD. Cordless - The battery-powered weed wacker is very convenient, lighter than gas-powered trimmers and produces zero emissions. But that’s not the biggest reason to like this particular tool. Even worse, this product vibrates so much that it's fatiguing to use for extended periods. Les infos, chiffres, immobilier, hotels & le Mag https://www.communes.com That is, there are some that have an uncanny ability to feed out just the right amount of line at just the right time, while others tend to either feed out too much line or not enough. You can take the battery powered weed eater wherever you need to take it, work quickly, and get on to other things. Our only real complaint is the limited adjustability of the handles. If you need a string trimmer that can handle dense plants and grass without a struggle, then it's worth checking out the EGO Power+ STA1500 string trimming attachment for the EGO Power+ Power Head. The flip up edging option is a nifty touch and works surprisingly well. It’s very easy to adjust the length of the shaft. However, it isn't very comfortable to hold. The most common causes for trimmer line breaks are: A: As a general rule electric weed wackers are preferred over gas powered weed wackers by most homeowners. The RM2510 is a beautifully balanced machine that feels lighter than it is. The EGO STA1500 Attachment was able to cut just about everything we pointed it at. To do that you have two choices. This pair is much closer to adequate than amazing when it comes to clearing burlier vegetation from any significant area. The Greenworks 14-Inch 40V, the Makita XRU15PT , and the Husqvarna 115iL all tied for the first place position in this test, each receiving a 9 out of 10 for their top-notch performance. We used our sound meter to measure how loud each of these string trimmers are. We purchased them all and did not accept any free manufacturer test units. So you need an alternative. Never put your hand anywhere near the trimmer head when it is in operation. All in all, this is one of our favorite trimmers to recommend if you are shopping on a budget and don't have a lot of serious weed-eating on the agenda. Our handy guide to the best cordless lawn mowers features more great products like this. The shaft can be adjusted quickly to accommodate your needs. Ideal for commercial purposes or for those with large properties. This is it. Now there’s a 4th option and we’re buying. With 5.5 amps it has more power than most electric weed trimmers. This thinner line also makes it hard to see exactly where you are cutting, which can be detrimental to detail work and edging. We also like that it is one of the easiest models to replace the cutting line on. The included shoulder strap does make the 40V Greenworks a bit more comfortable to hold. Easily take the hassle out of refilling your trimmer head with this Speed-Feed 400 Universal Trimmer Head. It’s hungry and aggressive and switches easily between trimmer and upright edger. Despite these flaws, it's hard to beat the Husqvarna if you have tons of weeds and plants to clear and don't want to buy extra batteries to get the job done. We found the Greenworks and the Snapper to be fairly typical when it came to ease of operation, earning them both a 5 out of 10. Both have their advantages but keep in mind that neither will have the cutting power of a gas powered weed wacker. It’s a sad state of affairs, but this reminds me, like the Ryobi case, that for the majority of users, perceived cost is the primary driver. It's not for everyone, but it's a great option if you need heavy-duty string trimming capabilities and plan to get other EGO cordless tools. Remington RM2510 17-inch 25Cc String Trimmer is one of those. The 10” diameter cutting head lets you move right along. If you’re like most people you’ll opt for the weed wacker. You can tilt the head to accommodate slopes, the auto feeder doesn’t get carried away and the handle setup is one of the most ergonomically pleasing we tested. These trimmers aren't the lightest cordless yard tools we've tested — both tip the scales over 14 lbs. We found this tool to be exceptionally well-balanced and easy to use. However, it can be quite a pricey purchase if you don't already have the Power Head and this trimmer can feel like it has too much power for average yards. The BLACK+DECKER LST136 lasted for 43 minutes before dying and has 6 different speed modes, which we think borders a little bit on excessive. A wide 12 inch diameter cutting area allows you to move right along. As such most of the best weed wackers have extendable shafts that allow you to adjust their length to better match your particular physiology. It is one of the heaviest models and feels significantly less balanced than other string trimmers, which makes it very cumbersome to use and difficult to control precisely. At least when starting out. However, it doesn't have a very long reach, so you need to get fairly close to the end to see exactly what you are trimming. Don’t use a weed trimmer to trim right up against tree trunks. An up-to-date, fast, searchable index of Fine Woodworking Magazine articles going back to issue number one. Beautifully balanced with a cord that manages to stay out of your way. That’s because there is no battery, no gas tank and no metal pistons as in a gas powered trimmer. Don’t. For them an electric model should be more than sufficient. The Husqvarna is very loud on startup, registering 105 dBa, but this quickly drops to around 95 dBa. This cordless contender packs plenty of power and proved to us that it can handle even the toughest weeds and plants. Overall it’s well made and dependable, even if it comes up a little short in versatility. This REEL EASY plus head can function as a bump feed head, fixed line head or bladed head. It has a cushy handle and is very well-balanced, but the guard didn't seem to be as effective as other models, with debris flying back at us on a semi-regular basis depending on the type of cut. Helps you prepare job interviews and practice interview skills and techniques. So as you can see there’s an upside and a downside to each type of head. I saw in the news this morning that a 62 year old contractor in the next town lost two and a half fingers in a table saw accident on a jobsite yesterday. Recharging time on the battery is longer than we’d like. To determine scores, we used a sound level meter to measure the noise from each cordless string trimmer at a distance of 3' and had a panel of judges rate how annoying the sounds were at the same distance and from 50' away. And for more handy tools like this, check out our guide to the best tillers. The line threads into the part you remove, so you don't need to be as careful about making sure everything lines up properly when you reassemble the head.