This Old House Reviews Team

String trimmers are handy lawn power tools that help keep your lawn tidy and well maintained. Read our review to see the best string trimmers on Amazon.

String trimmers are versatile tools that can cut through both short and tall grass and also help keep grass away from your sidewalk, steps, and porch. To help you find the right string trimmer for you, the This Old House Review Team researched the best string trimmers on Amazon. Here are our favorite options.

 

Buyer’s Guide

Before choosing a string trimmer, there are several things you should first take time to consider to ensure you’re finding the product that’s right for you. Read our buyer’s guide below to see the biggest factors that may influence your purchasing decision. 

Fuel

String trimmers can be gas or electric. If you’re going with a gas-powered weed eater, you’ll receive more power. Electric, or cordless string trimmers, emit fewer fumes and are more environmentally friendly, but they may struggle to cut through thick brush compared to gas-powered weed eaters.

Line

The line for weed eaters varies in both size and shape. Here’s a breakdown of the most common line shapes:

Round

Round lines are basic, easy to find, versatile, and sturdy with minimal breakage. 

Square

Square lines are a better choice for heavy-duty projects and have the ability to cut tougher weeds.

Multi-sided

Multi-sided lines are slightly more durable than square lines and are a good choice for removing thick brush.

Twisted

Twisted lines are typically more expensive than other lines but may be a good option for heavy workloads that other lines can’t handle. 

Regarding line size, the thinner the line, the lighter the weed the machine can “eat.” Here’s an overview of line sizes:

• 0.065–0.080: Light work, best for grass and grass-like weeds
• 0.085–0.105: Medium, best for grass and non-woody weeds
• 0.110 and above: Heavy, best for all types of weeds and brush

Size

The size and weight of your string trimmer should accommodate the type of work you need to get done. If your yard has a lot of trees or you need to get into nooks and crannies, stay away from heavy-duty weed eaters with wide shields. A heavier option may be a better fit if you have an open space and want a power tool that can make strong, sweeping cuts through thick brush.

Maneuverability

String trimmers that are more heavy-duty may be tougher to carry and maneuver than lighter string trimmers, which can make the task more arduous. If you only need a string trimmer for small- or medium-sized tasks, focusing on one with a high rate of maneuverability will make the job quicker and easier.  

 

 

Safety Tips for Using a String Trimmer

Using a string trimmer can be dangerous if you aren’t careful and don’t take the proper precautions. However, with a few basic steps, you can ensure that you are keeping yourself protected. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering how to safely use a string trimmer. 

Always grip it firmly

To avoid a string trimmer slipping while the power is on and potentially causing damage to your body parts, it’s important that you keep a firm and secure grip on it while it’s in use. If you need to adjust or change positions, turn the trimmer off first. 

Wear proper clothing

Although it may be hot outside when you are using a string trimmer, that shouldn’t stop you from wearing long pants and sleeves, as these will help keep your skin protected. Wearing boots will also help keep your feet and ankles protected from debris. Finally, wearing safety goggles is recommended as it will help keep your eyes safe from flying debris, grass, and dirt. 

Avoid wet weather

Using a string trimmer in the rain or when it is wet outside is not advisable. Attempting to use a string trimmer on wet grass or brush will be ineffective and wear down the motor. Furthermore, it could lead you to slipping or falling while using it, creating a possible safety issue. 

Steer clear of bystanders

When using a string trimmer, you should try to keep at least 15-20 feet between you and any bystanders to avoid any potential accidents. Make sure the area is secure and let your family or neighbors know ahead of time when you will be operating a string trimmer, so they know to avoid the area. 

Don’t cut backward or sideways

When operating a string trimmer, you should always move forward and operate in a straight line instead of walking backward or sideways. Hold the trimmer in front of you at a safe distance from your body and feet to avoid being struck by projectiles. 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What can a string trimmer be used for?

String trimmers can be used to cut any grass that a lawn mower can’t reach, such as around or near a tree, a fence, or a mailbox. String trimmers can cut down growth in problematic areas of your lawn and also can reduce unwanted vegetation. 

How long do string trimmers last?

A well-kept and well-made string trimmer should last for years, but the string will need to be regularly replaced, and a new battery may eventually be needed. How long a string trimmer will last will also largely depend on how much it is used. 

Are string trimmers noisy?

String trimmers can produce a lot of noise, so you may want to wear protective ear covering and be cognizant of what time of day you are using it. It’s best to use string trimmers in short bursts of time to avoid prolonged exposure to the loud noise and heavy vibration. 

 

 

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations. 

We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

 

The This Old House Reviews Team provides overviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, hands-on testing in select cases, and other objective criteria unique to a given product line. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for DIY or other non-pro users only. Editor’s picks are made by members of the This Old House Reviews Team.