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String Trimmers Reviews
Updated June 2008
String trimmers use electric motors or gasoline engines to rotate one or two thin nylon lines with such speed and force that they can cut grass, and sometimes weeds. Also called grass trimmers, line trimmers or weed eaters, these tools make trimming and edging a lawn much faster and easier than using hand tools like grass shears. The best string trimmers can handle tough weeds and tall grass along long fences, and keep a long driveway trimmed. String trimmers can also reach under shrubbery and cut grass in places too narrow for a lawn mower to reach. We found the most recent comparison review at Consumer Reports, where editors rate and rank 44 string trimmers based on objective tests, including cutting tall grass and weeds. This year ten corded electric grass trimmers, along with three cordless models, are tested. However, the new Energy Star 36-volt Black & Decker NST2036 (*est. $300) cordless trimmer, designed to compete directly with gas trimmers, isn't tested. Only four of the gas string trimmers tested here feature the newer 4-stroke engines that are quieter and vibrate less than 2-stroke engines, as well as minimizing air pollution. Some gas trimmers using 2-stroke engines add carbon canisters to meet the latest emissions limits in force by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), but these models aren't noted in the report. An older test of gas string trimmers at Popular Mechanics covers only 12 models, but includes some sturdier high-end trimmers and goes into more detail, especially about safety. ConsumerGuide's single-product reviews at ConsumerGuide.com are even more detailed and cover all three types of string trimmers: gas, cordless and corded electric. The reviews at all three sources evaluate each string trimmer over a short period of time under restricted conditions, so we supplement these tests with owner-written reports from homeowners and professional landscapers. These reviews often uncover problems other reviews couldn't find, and help to judge manufacturers' customer service as well. Reviews say string trimmers
made by Echo, Honda and Stihl stand out for
performance and quality, but even within these brands there's significant
variation among models. Consumer-level brands tend to rank lower, but
reviews note some good buys. Worx is a relatively
recent entrant to the power tool market, with its string trimmers getting
better marks for ergonomics than for performance. The Swedish company Husqvarna makes
string trimmers sold under the Craftsman, Husqvarna, Poulan and
Weed Eater brands, with some models performing much better than others. MTD makes Bolens, Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt string trimmers, which are not known for durability but still can be good buys, at least in the short run. Homelite and Ryobi are owned by the same company, TTI Industries. We found some complaints about the durability of Black & Decker corded electric grass trimmers, but owners like the cordless Black & Decker trimmers, especially the 18-volt Black & Decker NST2018 (*est. $100) . ... Continued
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
Comparison reviews can only judge string trimmers based on performance and ease of use at the time of the test, so sometimes owner-written reviews turn up problems with long-term reliability, quality control or customer service. We take all this information into account in choosing the Fast Answers picks. Owners say, for example, that the Stihl FSE60 electric grass trimmer is built more durably than the Black & Decker GH1000. The Black & Decker Grass Hog NST2018 is the top-rated cordless model, despite mixed reviews for corded Black & Decker trimmers. Among gas string trimmers, the Honda HHT25S gets the best reviews, but this is an expensive professional trimmer. The Craftsman 79197 costs much less and also gets good reviews, but weighs 20 pounds. Advertisement
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String Trimmers Reviews |
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© 2008 ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
, a part of The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
