Trimmers | The best of 2022
Read also: Lawn mowers | The best of 2022 Before talking about the latter, it must be said that the lawnmower remains the main tool for removing the grass, leaving the trimmer only the task of adjusting the edges of the garden, where a lawnmower may not be ideal due to the its size and shape. That said, lawn trimmers and lawnmowers have a lot in common, since there are both petrol, power and battery solutions for both. If you have read our guide dedicated to the best lawnmowers, you already know the advantages and disadvantages of each. In any case, in the second part of this article we will return to the subject, advising you which type of edge trimmer to buy according to your needs, leaving you below the list containing those that are, in our opinion, the best edge trimmers.
The best string trimmers
Alpina ABR 32 | Fuxtec FX-PS162 petrol engine | Black + Decker GL9035-QS petrol engine | A current Greenworks GST1246 | A Bosch EasyGrassCut 36 | Battery operated Worx WG186E | Battery operatedAlpina ABR 32 | Internal combustion engine
The first lawn trimmer that we recommend is the Alpina ABR 32, an internal combustion engine model that makes power its strong point. With a 32cc engine, comparable to 900W of power, it is perfect for cutting any type of grass, even the driest and most humid. Moreover, with the blade of over 40 cm, it is also ideal for large gardens and you will have the possibility to adjust the motor power from the central control command, on which there is an ergonomic handle, which will guarantee you an excellent easy handling even on the roughest terrain. Finally, the double-edged head will allow you to use it both with the wire and with the metal blade, the latter characterized by 3 sharp teeth.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Fuxtec FX-PS162 | Internal combustion engine
Another trimmer that makes power its winning weapon is the Fuxtec FX-PS162 which, although it has a slightly smaller engine than the Greencut solution, its 3.5 horsepower and displacement of 62 cc will allow you not only to sweep away the most difficult grass, but also to be efficient for large gardens, without ever getting into trouble. The two-hand grip is interesting which, combined with the presence of a shoulder strap, proves to be an excellent solution for those looking for a model that is easy to handle and does not bring fatigue during long use sessions. Here too you will have the possibility to choose how to adjust the edges of the garden, or whether to rely on the 3-tooth blade or the double-threaded nylon head.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Black + Decker GL9035-QS | Current
Another very interesting current solution is the one produced by the well-known American company Black + Decker, which differs from many other models for its high-twist handle, which will allow you to reach the most difficult points in even easier way. In addition, the electric motor delivers 900W, more than enough power to keep cutting performance constant in any situation. Finally, in addition to the high-torsion handle, the weight, which is very balanced, ensures excellent handling.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Greenworks GST1246 | Powered
On a similar price range, the Greenworks GST1246 is also worth considering. Powerful and easy to handle, this edger is perfect for perfecting the edges and corners of your garden. Maximum precision is made possible thanks to the automatic wire feed of 2 mm, which will be able to perform a cut with a diameter of 40cm. As mentioned, it is an easy-to-use trimmer, thanks to the adjustable handle and the additional handle.SEE ON AMAZON
Bosch EasyGrassCut 36 | Battery-powered
Battery-powered solutions are perfect for those looking for a lightweight, mobile-friendly trimmer, as well as being ideal for owners of small gardens. In this regard, one of the best can only be the Bosch EasyGrassCut 36, a model that can offer excellent autonomy and good cutting power, also thanks to the 30 cm blade. The click components will allow you to use it very easily, while the semi-automatic spool will always ensure an optimal line length.SEE ON AMAZON
Worx WG186E | Cordless
We have decided to finalize our product selection with the Worx WG186E, a cordless trimmer with adjustable aluminum shaft and 20 cm blade. The cut can reach 38 cm in diameter if you use the cutting edge instead of the blade. Equipped with 2 batteries included in the package, whose voltage is 20V, the Worx WG186E is a light and ergonomic model, able to reach any angle thanks to the comfortable 90 ° tilting head. Also present is the very useful support wheel, ideal for cutting the edges of the garden precisely and, at the same time, protecting flowers and ornaments from any smudges that may occur during the use of the tool.SEE ON AMAZON
How to choose the trimmer
As previously announced, trimmers have many features in common with lawnmowers, which is why the factors to keep in mind consideration when buying are almost identical. The most important are the type of feed, the length of the cut and the ease of use.How are the edge trimmers powered?
Also for this category of products, the market available models with internal combustion engine, electric and battery. As you will have understood from the description of each single model we suggest, fuel-powered lawn trimmers are the most powerful of all, and that's why we recommend considering one of these to those who own a large garden or whose grass is difficult to eradicate. This does not mean that electric trimmers are scarce, but they may take longer to finish the areas where the grass is more stringy.If you want to avoid the use of fuel without sacrificing too much power, then we suggest to focus on a current model. In this case, however, you will have to make sure that the wattage is as close to 500W as possible, to avoid buying a model whose power could force you to take more than one pass to get the job done. If, on the other hand, you want a current model that comes as close as possible to the power of an internal combustion engine, we suggest you consider a trimmer with a wattage close to the 1,000W threshold.
If your garden is small and boasts easy-to-cut grass, consider previous models may be oversized, which is why we recommend purchasing a cordless lawn trimmer. In this case, the power will not be comparable to the solutions mentioned above, but it will still be sufficient to allow you to cut most of the grass, as long as you consider models with voltage of at least 18V.
What should a grass trimmer blade look like?
Just like a lawn mower, the cutting width is important because it will affect the amount of grass cut in a single pass. It is therefore clear that to cut or finish a lawn of generous dimensions it is recommended to focus on a model whose blade has a cutting width of about 40 cm, while for medium-small gardens a blade with a diameter between 20 and 35 will be sufficient. cm.The rotation speed of the blade, or of the wire, has the same importance, which must reach at least 5,000 revolutions per minute. A lower speed, in fact, would not be able to cut the grass, even if the blades and edge trimmers are of excellent quality.
Ease of use
Since the edge trimmer is a tool that needs to be lifted by hand to be able to use it, ease of use is another factor to be taken into consideration, especially in models whose weight tends to reach tiring thresholds. Although most models on the market are equipped with it, it is important to check that the trimmer has a good grip, as well as an additional support in the central part so that you can use it with two hands, thus increasing handling.What must the lawn trimmer have to be safe?
Safety plays a fundamental role on these tools, especially for those who usually cut the grass deeply, reaching in some cases the roots, which is why you should rely on to a trimmer with built-in safety features, so you can do a safe job. In this regard, some safety precautions are an anti-debris protection, a locking system dedicated to any accidental switching on and the aforementioned padded handles.The anti-debris protections are usually positioned in the rear part of the instrument and, as it is easy to guess, they are used to prevent grass, dirt and stones from being shot at high speed on your body. Despite the presence of these guards, some debris can still pass through, so you should always wear a pair of safety glasses, long pants and closed shoes when working.
Accidental engine start guard prevents the edge cutter can cause damage if the power button is pressed by mistake. This safety system is a simple function that locks the trigger unless pressed for a long time. In this case, the edge cutter will start up and can be used normally. The padded handles on the structure and on the handle help reduce vibrations. If these are strong and constant they can cause fatigue, but with good padding it will be much easier to grasp and manage the tool.
Extra functions
In addition to the features mentioned above, numerous manufacturers of Trimmers add extra features to help improve the versatility of the tool, allowing you to take care of the garden in the simplest way possible. These extra features can include 2-in-1 trimming and edging tools, adjustable auxiliary handles, and accessories.A 2-in-1 trimming and edging tool gives the user the choice of cutting the grass or edging the lawn. These combination tools are especially useful for small to medium sized gardens, as in large lawns it is worth investing in a tool specifically designed for a specific function.
Adjustable auxiliary handles offer the user an additional point to grab the edge cutter, thus having the possibility to control it according to your height, thanks also to the fact that the auxiliary handle can often be slid up or down. Obviously, the more the position of the handle adapts to the natural movement of the body, the easier it will be for the person to use the tool. The accessories, finally, can include a wide range of products in the package, including extension cables, extra batteries and chargers.
Differences between lawn trimmers and lawn mowers
Although both are tools designed to take care of the your garden and although they both cut the grass with a blade, one of them performs better according to the needs you have at that time. The edge trimmer is designed to refine the edges of the lawn so that it looks clean and sharp. A lawnmower, on the other hand, is used to mow tall grass or in any case in those places where the edge trimmer is not suitable. As you have had the opportunity to discover in the course of the article, many manufacturers make All-in-One solutions capable of mowing and edging. Although the latter are versatile, it is worth emphasizing that it is always better to rely on a product designed to perform a specific job, since it will be more efficient and powerful.When to use the edge trimmer
The best time to take care of the garden is during the morning before the sun gets too hot, but after the dew evaporates completely. This is an activity that is carried out weekly, especially during the second part of spring and early autumn, when the grass grows faster.As for the question of whether it is convenient to use first the trimmer or the lawnmower, opinions are very mixed, which leads us to think that there are not huge differences in using one tool before the other. The best way to answer this question is to try both ways and compare the results.
How to get the best results with the trimmer?
Below are a number of practical tips that will allow you to use this tool safely and take full advantage of its advantages.Wear protective clothing
By wearing protective clothing we mean a pair of long trousers, boots or heavy shoes, as well as earplugs or ear muffs that reduce noise. You may also need safety goggles in case any debris is quickly moved upwards.
Mow the lawn first
Mow the lawn first, for example with a lawn mower, will save you time and effort, as well as allowing you to better see which areas need to be rearranged. If you do this, you will also be able to cut the edges at the same height as the lawn, thus giving it a uniform finish.
Create a path to cut
Use a rope or any other object and position it. a few centimeters around the path where you will then use the edge trimmer. This method will help you stay on the roadway and therefore cut the edge precisely, even in terms of height.
