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How to Choose a String Trimmer
A string trimmer is the tool that makes a mowed lawn actually look finished — the edges, the fence line, the spots the mower can’t reach. Buy the wrong one and you’ll fight a stalling engine, a dead battery, or a machine too heavy to hold at arm’s length. Get it right and edging becomes the ten-minute job it should be.
The short answer
For most homeowners with a typical yard, a 40V–80V cordless string trimmer with a brushless motor is the best choice — quiet, no gas, and plenty of power for weekly trimming. Step up to a gas straight-shaft model only if you’re clearing tall brush, working past a half-acre, or running a trimmer for hours. Match the battery to tools you already own before anything else.
Gas, battery, or corded — start here
The power source drives every other decision, so settle it first. Gas trimmers still win on raw runtime and torque, but they’re loud, need mixed fuel or a separate oil tank, and won’t start on the first pull if you skipped off-season maintenance. Battery trimmers have closed the gap fast: a modern brushless 56V or 80V unit from a brand like EGO, Ryobi, Greenworks, or DeWalt handles ordinary trimming without complaint, starts instantly, and won’t wake the neighborhood. Corded electric is the cheapest and lightest option but tethers you to an outlet, which only works near the house.
If you already own cordless tools, the smart move is to stay on that battery platform — one charger, interchangeable packs, and no second ecosystem to feed. That single decision often matters more than any spec on the box.
| Type | Best for | Runtime | Upkeep | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery (40–80V) | Most yards up to ½ acre | 30–60 min per charge | Almost none | Low |
| Gas (2-cycle) | Large lots, tall weeds, brush | Unlimited (refuel) | Fuel mix, plugs, air filter | High |
| Gas (4-cycle) | Big yards, no fuel-mixing | Unlimited (refuel) | Oil changes, plugs | High |
| Corded electric | Small yards near an outlet | Unlimited (tethered) | None | Low |
Straight shaft vs. curved shaft
Look at the boom between the handle and the cutting head. A straight shaft reaches farther under decks and shrubs, keeps the head level with the ground, and accepts brush-cutter and edger attachments on many models — the choice if you’re taller or doing serious work. A curved shaft is lighter, better balanced for short bursts, and easier for smaller users to control, but it puts the head closer to your feet and rarely takes attachments.
Tip: if you’re over about 5’10”, a straight shaft will save your back — you won’t have to hunch to keep the head flat.
Line feed and cutting width
How the trimmer feeds fresh line is a daily annoyance or a non-issue depending on what you buy. Three systems dominate: bump feed (tap the head on the ground to advance line — cheap and reliable but fiddly), automatic feed (the head meters line for you — convenient, occasionally wasteful), and fixed-line heads that take pre-cut blades (dead simple, great for tough growth). Bump feed is the safe default for most buyers.
Cutting swath ranges from about 12” on compact units to 16” or more on gas machines. Wider clears faster but demands more power and a steadier arm. Line thickness matters too: 0.065”–0.080” for grass and light weeds, 0.095” and up for thick, woody growth. Keep spare line and a spool on the shelf so a mid-job runout doesn’t end your afternoon — it’s a common wear part.
- Weight: hold it at trimming height in the store — anything over ~11 lb gets old fast.
- Handle: a loop handle is nimble; a bike-style handle steadies wide sweeps on big lots.
- Shaft coupling: a split-boom “attachment capable” model turns one powerhead into an edger, pole saw, or blower.
- Guard & shield: confirm it’s intact and includes a line-cutoff blade.
Match the trimmer to your yard
Power ratings only mean something in context. A quarter-acre suburban lot with weekly upkeep asks very little of a trimmer; a rural half-acre with fence lines and seasonal weed jungles asks a lot. Battery voltage is a rough proxy for muscle — 40V handles grass and light weeds, 56–80V pushes into brushy territory, and gas still owns the truly overgrown stuff. If your trimmer and lawn mower can share one battery system, you get more value from every pack you buy.
Pick by your yard
SMALL & TIDY
Quarter-acre or less, mostly grass. A lightweight 40V curved-shaft battery trimmer or a corded electric does it all — quiet, cheap, no upkeep.
TYPICAL SUBURBAN
Up to a half-acre with edges and weeds. A 56–80V brushless straight-shaft trimmer, ideally on a battery platform you already run, is the sweet spot.
BIG OR BRUSHY
Half-acre-plus, tall weeds, fence rows. Go gas straight-shaft with a brush-cutter head — unlimited runtime and torque that batteries can’t match yet.
Shop the whole project
Everything for a clean edge
Trimmers, line, batteries, and the safety gear to run them — from the trusted brands your neighborhood hardware store carries. See our guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Is a battery string trimmer powerful enough for a normal yard?
Yes. A modern brushless 40V to 80V trimmer handles grass, edges, and light-to-moderate weeds on a yard up to about a half-acre without trouble. You only need gas for tall brush, woody growth, or hours of continuous cutting.
What is the difference between a straight-shaft and curved-shaft trimmer?
A straight shaft reaches farther under shrubs and decks, keeps the cutting head level, and often accepts attachments — better for taller users and heavier work. A curved shaft is lighter and more maneuverable for short trimming sessions and smaller users.
What size trimmer line should I use?
Use 0.065 to 0.080 inch line for grass and light weeds, and 0.095 inch or thicker for heavy, woody growth. Always stay within the range printed on your trimmer head, since oversized line can strain the motor.
Can one battery work with my trimmer and other yard tools?
Often, yes. Most cordless brands sell trimmers, mowers, and blowers that share the same battery and charger. Staying on one platform saves money and hassle, so check which system your existing tools use before you buy.
Do I need gas or 2-cycle oil for every trimmer?
No. Battery and corded electric trimmers need no fuel at all. Among gas models, 2-cycle engines require a gas-and-oil mix, while 4-cycle engines run on straight gas with separate oil in the crankcase.
Still deciding between battery and gas, or not sure what your yard really needs? Bring your questions to your local independent hardware store — the folks there run this gear every week and will steer you straight — or ask us here.
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