String Trimmers: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org tests 22 gas string trimmers plus eight corded electric, one propane and nine cordless string trimmers, rating them for their ability to perform vertical edging, trim a lawn and handle tall grass and weeds. Each trimmer is also rated for ease of use and overall handling. String trimmers are rated and then ranked (based on an overall score) according to type. However, many of the listed models have since been discontinued.

Our AssessmentReviewer Doug Mahoney tests and compares three string trimmers: a Kenmore-branded Lehr propane trimmer; the Worx GT WG151, which runs on Lithium-ion batteries; and the two-stroke gas Troy-Bilt TB80 EC. He rates each on raw power, run time on a full tank, ease of startup, noise and ergonomics. The Worx cordless trimmer is the winner in the last three categories; the Troy-Bilt wins for its raw power; and the Lehr and Troy-Bilt trimmers tie for the longest run time. Mahoney concludes that if you need a trimmer that can handle tall grass and weeds, the Troy-Bilt is the best; the Lehr trimmer is not far behind, but it does weigh more. If you don't need to do heavy-duty trimming, the Worx is the best choice, says Mahoney.

Our AssessmentHomeDepot.com publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of the string trimmers sold here -- mostly gas models by Echo, Homelite and Ryobi, but also a few cordless and electric string trimmers. Several models are given low ratings, so you can certainly find string trimmers to avoid.

Our AssessmentLowes.com publishes ratings and some user comments regarding the string trimmers sold here. The ratings are detailed, covering design, features, quality, ease of use and overall value. The gas-powered Husqvarna 223L gets rave reviews. As with HomeDepot.com, however, it takes a fair amount of searching to get to the reviews, and there isn't a way to examine ratings of products side-by-side.

Our AssessmentIn this comparative review, About.com's guide to landscaping, David Beaulieu, compares two eco-friendly string trimmers: the Lehr propane-powered Eco Trimmer models and Black & Decker's cordless NST2018. He recommends Lehr's Eco Trimmer for professionals and for homeowners who need a powerful string trimmer that can handle tall grass and weeds. However, for the average homeowner, Beaulieu recommends the NST2018, which weighs less. Beaulieu also says that "it's easier to charge a battery than to make a trip to the store to buy more propane." (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Our AssessmentThis is a single-product review based on testing by the editors of ProToolReviews.com. They give the Echo SRM-225i a rating of 8 out of 10 on performance and 7 out of 10 on value for the money. The SRM-225i's powered starting system makes it easier to start than other trimmers, editors say. They conclude that this trimmer "should definitely be on your short list and we loved the way it appeals to both commercial and residential users alike."

Our AssessmentProfessional landscaper Quinton Guenther equips five gas-powered string trimmers with optional attachments that till, saw and cultivate. The Stihl KM 56 RC-E is singled out for having the fewest emissions of the models tested and is considered a "high-quality machine that would serve a pro landscaper -- or a homeowner with a lot of chores -- very well." However, the Stihl KM 56 RC-E appears to be a multi-task tool rather than an actual trimmer, though it does accept a Stihl trimmer head. The Echo PAS-230 has enough power to cut through wet grass without overheating, but its pole-saw attachment doesn't work as well as the 56 RC-E's. This article also includes a glimpse at other trimmer accessories and three actual string trimmers, but it's unclear which exact models are referenced.

Our AssessmentThis overview on selecting and using string trimmers recommends using both a string trimmer and metal-bladed brush cutter. The article covers the pros and cons of two-cycle and four-cycle gas trimmers, brush cutters, and corded electric and cordless trimmers. Specific trimmers are recommended for each type, but no testing is documented, so it's not clear why these models were selected. The recommendations carry some weight, however, because of the overall credibility of the "This Old House" television series and website.

Our AssessmentDavid Beaulieu, About.com's guide to landscaping, provides a short review of the Black & Decker NST2018 Grass Hog. He also discusses the pros and cons of gas, propane and electric corded and cordless string trimmers, using the NST2018 "as an example of cordless string trimmers." (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Our AssessmentThe owner-written ratings and reviews on this retail site include two features that are especially nice: asking the owner's level of experience and whether or not the owner would recommend this model to a friend. We'd rank this review site higher if more models had accumulated reviews, but only the Husqvarna 128L has accumulated a significant number of reviews, with nearly 135 owners giving it 4.7 stars out of 5.

Our AssessmentAllyn Paul has worked in the lawn-care and landscaping industry for decades and had his own company at one time. This review is a video posted on Paul's blog. He tests the Lehr Eco Trimmer straight-shaft model by using it on his own property. He highly recommends it, saying it meets his two criteria for choosing green technology: it doesn't cost more than models with the same power that are more polluting, and its quality is just as high.