The question of choosing between lawn edger vs weed wacker is a challenging one. While both are important lawn maintenance devices, a few differences set them apart.
Weed wackers are easy to use and portable lawn maintenance devices that effectively rid your yard of overgrowth and weeds. Shaggy grass can ruin the look of your gardens and drain nutrition from other trees and plants. As a result, not only do you have to mow your laws, but also trim in tight corners. Weed wackers are the perfect pick for maintaining smaller nooks and adding finer touch ups.
On the other hand, lawn edgers are maintenance tools useful for creating lines and boundaries in your yards. They enhance the visual appeal of gardens by keeping the beds and bushes edged and proper.
To examine the weed wacker vs edger debate, we will go through several product reviews and an in-depth buying guide. Some of our recommendations are dual-mode devices that can function as both weed wackers and edgers for your convenience.
Table of Contents
Weed Wacker Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER (LST136) 40V Max String Trimmer
This weed wacker from Black + Decker is effective for larger lawns that require a couple of hours to trim. It is one of the best battery-powered models you can invest in for a quick and portable clean. Thanks to its efficiently powered source, it is also less noisy and has a smooth operation.
Black + Decker LST136W has a POWERDRIVE transmission feature that transfers torque to the 40V motor string. Moreover, the POWER COMMAND feature allows you to easily adjust the speed of the wacker. The speed can range between 6500 to 8500 rpm. Homeowners can choose whether they want to run the high-power machine for shorter durations or low-power for longer.
Unlike other battery-charged tools, this model has a fast charging speed. It is also highly effective since you can utilize the full battery for longer. This tool comes with an automatic feed system that directly adjusts the string’s length as you require it. Another unique mechanism is its dual operating system. This allows the head of the weed wacker to switch to a vertical mode and act as an edger.
Pros
- Comes with POWER COMMAND feature
- Comes with POWERDRIVE feature
- Fast-charging battery-powered tool
- Low noise production
- Has dual functioning as both an edger and weed wacker
Lightweight and portable design
Cons
- Not suitable for prolonged usage
2. Echo SRM-225 String Trimmer
Those who are looking for an efficient gas-powered weed wacker can invest in Echo SRM-225 String Trimmer. This is a high-quality gas-powered model that weighs 12 lbs and comes with a 21.2 cc two-stroke engine. This weed wacker’s main advantage is that it is suitable against weeds and grasses of all sizes.
Additionally, this lawn maintenance product is user-friendly and designed to be easily operated. It has a 59-inch long shaft and a dual string mechanism. The bump feed system is another convenient feature that ensures the smooth trimming of your yard.
The gas-powered engine comes with a fuel capacity of 14.9 ounces. This is a powerful device that is likely to throw up some debris while in use. However, it is built with a deflector shield to ensure your safety at all times. Nonetheless, it is recommended that you keep your safety goggles on whenever you trim your lawns.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting manufacturing
- Comes with a mechanism to decrease vibration transmission while in use
- Easy start-up
- Gas-powered design
- Effective for prolonged usage up to a few hours
Cons
- Relatively expensive weed wacker
Edger Reviews
1. WORX WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare
WORX WG163 edger is a trimmer and edger in one that will help you maintain your yards without extra expenditure. You can use this tool as a string trimmer or as a wheeled edger and switch with just a button.
It is a lightweight product with 2 included rechargeable 20V lithium-ion batteries. These give it enough power for effective and smooth operations.
Also, the rubberized wheels are suitable for guiding the edger and supporting it to deliver straighter cuts. This edger is built for effectively edging small and medium-sized lawns. Thanks to its tilting feature, you can trim and edge even sloped surfaces up to 90 degrees. Not to mention, the adjustable spacer guard ensures that your plants remain unharmed. This edger has a large cutting diameter of 12 inches, and it is super lightweight at only 5.3 lbs. The cutting line length is 10 inches, with a line diameter of 0.065 inches. Given that it is a cordless edger, you can easily move it around and use it as you please.
Pros
- Convenient cordless design for portability
- Dual function of trimming and edging
- Lightweight
- Adjustable angle for reaching difficult places
- Comes with a spacing barrier to prevent damage to plants
Cons
- Battery life is short even after a complete charge
- Unsuitable for larger yards or areas with heavy overgrowth
2. BLACK+DECKER Edger And Trencher
This is a high-quality tool from Black + Decker, conveniently switching between trencher and edger modes. It is an electronic type that has 3 different blade depth positions for finer adjustments while edging.
Thanks to the cord retention function, you can operate it smoothly while keeping the extension cord securely plugged in. Additionally, this edger has a high torque motor of 12 amps for clearing all your stubborn overgrowth. It also promises a good clean of your trenches.
The trenching mode is effective for shaping and trimming beds and borders. At the same time, the edging mode is perfect for a straight cut along harder surface. The assembly of the blades is simple, and the adjustable handle makes your work easier. The cutting blade is 7.5 inches long and has a speed of 4700 for effective edging. Given its versatile features, you can use it for trees, bushes, trenches, fencing, in addition to edging.
Pros
- Multi-purpose lawn maintenance tool
- Adjustable blade system
- Adjustable handle for easy operations
- Corded electric design with cord retention for convenience
- Built for small and medium yards
Cons
- Battery life is short
- Blades dull easily and become blunt
Buyer’s Guide
The following aspects are important to consider for both lawn edgers as well as weed wackers. This buying guide can help you compare the available weed wacker vs edger options.
Power
To determine the best power source for lawn edger vs weed wacker, there are several options to consider with both.
Lawn edgers come with multiple power options like the gas-powered, battery, and electric models. All models come with a pull-on design and easy-start options. Some edgers even have an electronic start mechanism and switch. Ensure that the edger you choose has plenty of torque and horsepower to be efficient against denser lawns. The lowest amount of horsepower should be 3.5, while the torque motor should be 4.75. Similarly, weed wackers come in gas-powered, electric, and battery-powered alternatives. Each model has certain benefits and disadvantages. The power source of your weed wacker will determine its weight at times. For example, gas-powered weed wackers are high-performing but also less portable. The power source of the machine influences the expense of each weed wacker.
Gas-Powered Lawn Edgers
Mowing and edging require a similar amount of time and effort. Most gas-powered lawn edgers are suitable for maintaining your lawns on a regular basis. They usually come with a 4-cylinder engine that utilizes gas and oil. Some lawn edgers might require a mix of gas and oil, while others do not.
High-capacity gas-powered lawn edgers are also heavier and less portable to use. You should check whether your gas edger is hand-held or not for this purpose.
Gas Powered Weed Wackers
For larger properties, these weed wackers are the perfect pick. They do not have a limitation on running and can be used from any location. Gas-powered weed wackers are not only the most common but also come with multiple features. You should check that a gas weed wacker has an adjustable handle and a translucent fuel tank for added convenience. You can pick from gas-powered weed wackers with 2 or 4-cycle engines. 2-cycle engines utilize a mix of oil and gas and are reasonably priced.
Electric and Battery-Powered Edgers
Electric pole edgers do not have a fuel tank and are thus lighter to operate. The battery-powered alternatives are heavier than electrical pole edgers while being lighter than gas models. Corded edgers come with cord lock or retention systems for your convenience to keep the cord plugged in. Although this feature increases efficiency, a corded edger restricts your movement around the yard.
Battery Powered and Corded Electric Weed Wacker
Corded electric weed wackers are suitable for smaller yards no larger than 100 feet. The cord usually limits movement, and an extension cord might be required to reach corners. However, corded electric models are the cheapest of the lot. Additionally, they can be used for longer durations without running out of gas or charge. Battery-powered weed wackers will cost you more than gas-powered models. However, they are a good investment for those with larger yards. They do not give off any emissions since they are battery-powered and are easy to function. Moreover, they are low-maintenance models, and you can run them for around 30 minutes after 1 hour of charging.
Lawn Edger Blade and Weed Wacker Cutting Width
Knowing how effectively your lawn will be cut is important for understanding a weed wacker vs edger specific.
The right lawn edger will allow you to conveniently replace the blade without any hassles. For the perfect trimming experience, your edger should come with adjustable cutting depth. It should have at least 3 different blade positions to give you a precise cut.
Additionally, it should have a blade disengagement feature to make the blade stop turning for safety purposes. Also, ensure that the edger comes with a blade guard that keeps the debris from causing accidents and damage.
Similarly, a weed wacker’s cutting width ability is important for the effective removal of overgrowth and weeds. The cutting width is also referred to as the cutting diameter. It indicates the width of the cut caused by the wacker. The cutting width can range from 10 to 18 inches. Larger yards will require a greater cutting width of at least 16 inches or more.
Budget
While considering purchasing a lawn edger vs weed wacker, keep in mind that they come at varying prices. Their features and operations determine the different price ranges. The right price for your needs will depend on your lawn size and maintenance frequency. Stick to your budget while purchasing either tool since a more expensive product may not always suit you.
FAQ
1. Is a string trimmer the same as a weed wacker?
Weed wackers are also known as string trimmers. Both names refer to the same device used for trimming yards without the bulk of a lawnmower.
Other names for weed whackers include line trimmer, weed eater, weed whacker, and strimmer.
2. Lawn edger vs weed wacker-what are the differences between?
Both are gardening tools that help you keep your yards maintained. However, weed wackers are meant to keep the grass trimmed while edgers are used to make new boundaries. This is the main difference between a lawn edger vs a weed wacker.
Weed wackers are useful for trimming longer overgrowth of grass. They are mobile enough to trim around edges and another garden décor. They are important for finer clean-ups after you have mowed the lawn.
Many string trimmers come with re-positioning options, which allow them to edge boundaries when vertically used. While this is a convenient feature, it is best to use each tool for its designated purpose.
Lawn edgers are usually larger and sturdier. This makes them a better pick for making edge lines in your yard.
Conclusion
To choose between a lawn edger vs weed wacker can be difficult since they perform several similar functions. However, with dual operation devices, this dilemma is resolved to an extent. You can pick the perfect lawn maintenance tool that falls within your budget while keeping the other factors in mind.
James Fields is the founder of Gardener to Farmer. His passion for gardening goes back to his childhood days when he would visit his grandfather during the holidays and help him with the plants in the backyard. This has now translated to creating a dependable resource for gardening.