Have you ever wondered how some homeowners are able to maintain those perfect lines around the edge when it seems so impossible with a lawn mower or grass trimmer? The short answer to this is a lawn edger.
Whether you have a small or big yard, one that is slightly landscaped or filled with flowerbeds, investing in a quality lawn edger can help you to keep it looking sharp and appealing.
With this piece of equipment, you can tame unruly edges using the greatest precision. In the same way that framing a picture enhances a piece of art, maintaining an evenly trimmed perimeter boosts the curb appeal of your home. The crisp edges are a clear indication of the time and resources spent in tending to the property.
Now that you know the importance of a lawn edger, how do you go about choosing one?
How to Choose Your Lawn Edger – A Buying Guide
To make the right choice in picking your lawn edger you have to know a couple of things.
Firstly, you must identify the size of your lawn.
Secondly, you should know the type of your lawn. Is the grass thick and condensed together? Or, is it lean and free?
And finally, you have to know what power source you can use.
After you’ve discovered that information you will have the needed parameters to make a decision. Now, let’s run down how you can use that information to pick your lawn edger.
Power Source
Lawn edgers can be classified by the type of power they use. We can’t really tell you what the best power source for you is, because this depends on your lawn. But for the sake of knowledge, let’s talk about these main types.
Gas
Gas-powered edgers are the strongest out of all the three types, as they offer the best performance using engines. They’re cordless, which won’t limit you as an electrical edger would.
That being said, they do require extra maintenance every once in a while, and given how heavy they weigh, their maintenance isn’t a fun thing to do.
Gas edgers are quite expensive not to mention, they aren’t eco-friendly.
Electrical
Electrical edgers are the most popular type out there. They’re light-weight, easy to control, relatively cheap, maintainable, and eco-friendly.
What’s annoying about electrical edgers is that they’re bound by the length of their cords. You might not be able to reach all your lawn. That’s why buying an extension cable is a must when you buy an electrical edger.
Another downside is that they aren’t always strong enough to deal with all kinds of weeds that might grow in your yard. The models that are strong enough are usually difficult to find and aren’t economical, i.e. they consume a lot of electricity.
Battery
Battery-powered edgers are convenient to use and store, and you can notice a rise in their popularity. They’re cordless like gas-powered edgers. Unlike gas-powered edgers though, battery-powered ones are eco-friendly.
Like electrical edgers, they’re not powerful enough for strong weeds. Another downside is that the battery life will run out after continuous use. If you want to trim a big area, battery-powered edgers are going to be a nightmare for you.
Features to Look For
When buying a lawn edger, there are some features that you should know about. Let’s discuss why each of these features is important.
Blades
Some edger models, usually electrical and gas-powered, use blades to trim your lawn. If your lawn is heavily grown with dense weeds, then blade edgers are your way to go.
If you want to learn more about the different kinds of blades, give this article a read.
One-Line vs Multiple Lines
Edger models that use single lines are usually made to operate in soft grass environments. Other models that are designed for heavy-duty trimming use multiple lines to deal with heavy weed areas.
Depending on your model, you can exchange your edger spool, whether it’s because your line was damaged, or you’re upgrading to a high duty line. A video guide on how to do that can be found here.
Auto Feed
The edger cuts the grass by a rapidly rotating line connected to a spool under the head. To efficiently trim the grass, that line must be short or long enough to deal with different types of grass.
Older models used to require you to manually adjust the length of the line. But newer models utilize a feature called auto-feed. With this feature, the line is automatically adjusted to the correct length depending on the type of grass you’re trimming.
Adjustable Heads
This is an essential feature when you’re buying an edger since you want to be able to cut these hard to reach areas, like for example, if you’re trimming a paved path.
Adjustable heads can come in many forms. Gas-powered edgers, which are typically fixed, come with heads that can be adjusted from 15 to up to 100 degrees. Electrical and battery-powered edgers, on the other hand, are more flexible and more likely to have more than just one use.
Plant Guard
A plant guard is a kind of isolator to prevent your edger from harming plants or other objects in your yard. Don’t look too much into this feature though, since not all edgers have it.
Usability
Different edgers are fitted with different features that make them user-friendly. For instance, some manufacturers add adjustable assist handles and telescoping shafts, allowing to work for prolonged periods without getting tired. Another factor that affects this tool’s ease of use is its weight. Ensure you find an edger of the correct size and height for you to make the edging task comfortable.
Design
Do you want a walk behind edger that resembles and works like a lawnmower or the stick model design, which is held like a weed whacker? If you’ll be using the edger just a few times every month, a stick model is a better option. A walk behind edger offers more precision and it can cover a larger area than a stick model.
Best Lawn Edger Reviews
Comparison Chart
1. Southland SWLE0799 Walk Behind Gas Lawn Edger
If you’re looking for a powerful edger that has all the bells and whistles, the walk behind lawn edger by Southland Outdoor Power Equipment is the perfect option. Equipped with a 79cc engine, this edger is capable of tackling all kinds of grass. It also has several useful features such as the 9-inch blade, which enables you to cut grass right down to its roots. Also, the blade can be adjusted in six different cutting positions.
The Southland edger has three wheels and a 54-ounce fuel tank. With such a capacity, you’ll be able to cover a large lawn easily. For beveled edging, the wheels have been positioned in such a way that can be adjusted 15 degrees to the right or left.
Features
- Powered by a 79cc engine
- Weighs about 69.5 lbs.
- Has a triangular three-point blade
- Curb hopping ability
- Has a manual recoil for an easy start
Pros
- Capable of a straight or bevel cut
- Backed by a two-year warranty
- Has a durable steel construction
- Extremely powerful
- The triangular blade provides versatility
Cons
- Requires gas
- The handle is not adjustable
- Heavy
2. Worx WG896 2-in-1 Electric Lawn Edger
The Worx WG896 is a lawn edger that gives you good value for your money. Designed for small to medium-sized yards, this edger makes an excellent substitute for those who don’t to worry about purchasing gas or the fumes emitted from gaspowered edgers. The Worx is a corded electric, meaning that you have to connect it to an electrical outlet. Unfortunately, this also means that you’ll be restricted by the length of the cord.
On the plus side, this edger is equipped with an electrical cord lock to prevent it from disconnecting, which is a common issue among yard tools. With two rear wheels and a guide wheel at the front, the Worx edger is pretty stable and easy to navigate in a straight line.
Features
- Powered by a 12-amp motor
- Has an adjustable shaft
- Weighs 14 lbs.
- The blade diameter is 71/2 inches
- Has a three-position blade depth adjustment
- Fitted with a cutting line indicator
Pros
- Boasts a straightforward assembly
- The blade adjustment facilitates in-depth cutting along flower beds and sidewalks
- Creates a clean and precise cut
- Lightweight design; hence easy to carry around
- Suitable for edging and digging small trenches
Cons
- Does not have a very strong motor
- The rear blade may get caught in thick grass
3. BLACK+DECKER LE750 2-in-1 Landscape Edger
One aspect that discourages homeowners from yard care tasks is having to carry and maneuver bulky equipment. But this is not the case with the Black and Decker 2-in-1 edger, which weighs only 12.4 pounds. If you factor in its compact size, you end up with an edger that’s easy to navigate in tight spaces.
It has a 7.5-inch cutting blade, which is on the short side. To compensate for this, the manufacturer uses hardened steel to make this blade, making it one of the sturdiest. Another plus of this edger is the 11-amp motor that provides sufficient power to tackle tough grass and roots. Furthermore, it has an adjustable handle, fit for use by both left and right-handed individuals.
Features
- Uses an 11-amp high-torque motor
- Can convert to a landscape trencher
- Has a 3-position blade depth adjustment
- Comes with built-in cord retention system
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight design and a high-powered motor
- Versatile and allows for adjustments to make edging less tedious
- Provides a quiet operation
- Easy to use and maintain
- Comes with an extra edger blade
- Multi-functional—can be used for in-yard trenching
Cons
- The instruction manual can be improved
- Slightly difficult to navigate through thick growth
- Challenging to edge on sharp curves
4. WORX WG163 Cordless String Trimmer & Edger
The Worx WG163 is a is a cordless 2 in 1 edger and trimmer that converts to a 2 wheel edger in minutes and it’s cordless, so you don’t have to struggle with extension cords or electrical outlets. Two powerful lightweight 20V MaxLithium batteries are included, and can be used on any other tool in the WORX Power Share family.
Two things that we really like are the rubberized wheels which guide the edger allowing for straighter lines and cleaner cuts. We also like the fact that the head tilts 90° allowing you to trim and edge on sloped terrain, and reach places that might otherwise be tough to get to.
Features
- 2 in 1 Edger and Trimmer
- Weighs 5 lbs.
- Push button line feed
- The head speed is 7200 revolutions per minute
Pros
- Comes with 2 rechargeable batteries to provide a longer runtime
- Versatile thanks to the 4 trimmer head angles
- Length of the shaft can be adjusted to suit different users
- Spacer Guard so you don’t damage plants while you’re trimming
- Free spool for life
Cons
- Does not work well in heavily-weeded areas
5. Worx 32-Volt GT2.0 3-in-1 Edger
You can ease the task of maintaining your lawn by decreasing the number of tools that you have to drag in and out of your storage shed. One way to do this is to invest in a multipurpose edger like Worx GT2.0 3-in-1 model. You can use it for edging, trimming and even mowing your lawn.
Equipped with a 12-inch cutting blade and a 32-volt motor, this edger is ideal for small and medium lawns. And the good thing is that it has several features, which make switching between the three functions incredibly easy.
Features
- Uses one 32V MaxLithium battery
- Has a cutting diameter of 12 inches with an automatic single line feed
- Includes battery and charger
Pros
- It’s a 3-in-1 tool—serves as a mini-mower, string trimmer, and edger
- Reasonably-priced
- Backed by a 3-year warranty
- The 32-volt MaxLithium battery has a longer runtime
- The dual-positioned wheels make edging easier
- Has an adjustable shaft
Cons
- Not as powerful as other lawn edgers
- Not a good choice for large yards
Wrap Up
Many homeowners spend a huge chunk of their time maintaining their lawns. With a quality edger in your hands, however, this task doesn’t have to be that time-consuming—especially if you get a multifunctional edger. With one of these top-rated edgers, you can shape your yard and make it look well-groomed.