Echo SRM-210 Review

What the reviewers like:

• Lightest gas trimmer (11.6 pounds)
• Easy to start
• Most reviewers say loading string is easy
• Long warranty

What the reviewers don't like:

• Not as powerful as some gas trimmers
• Not everyone likes the manual line feed system
• Uses less efficient 2-stroke gas engine

Echo SRM-210 review highlights

The Echo SRM-210 is a near-pro gas string trimmer with a straight shaft. The two-cycle 21.2cc engine requires mixing the gasoline with oil, and only the CARB-certified version, Echo SRM210-C, adds a carbon canister to meet California’s strict emissions requirements. The manual feed system is reloaded with precut pieces of line, but this gets mixed reviews; some users prefer a standard bump-feed. The Echo SRM-210 isn't quite as powerful or efficient as the Craftsman 79197 (*est. $200) gas string trimmer, but the Echo trimmer weighs more than eight pounds less.

The Echo SRM-210 is a near-pro gas string trimmer with a straight shaft. The two-cycle 21.2cc engine requires mixing the gasoline with oil, and only the CARB-certified version, Echo SRM210-C, adds a carbon canister to meet California’s strict emissions requirements. The manual feed system is reloaded with precut pieces of line, but this gets mixed reviews; some users prefer a standard bump-feed. The Echo SRM-210 isn't quite as powerful or efficient as the Craftsman 79197 (*est. $200) gas string trimmer, but the Echo trimmer weighs more than eight pounds less.

Also see full report: String Trimmers

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Consumer Reports
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String Trimmers
Editors of Consumer Reports
Apr. 2008

Consumer Reports compares the very similar Echo SRM210i with 30 other gas string trimmers, ranking and rating all the models based on tests done in the fall of 2007. This review is especially useful, since it also compares the gas string trimmers with both corded electric and cordless models.

2. HomeDepot.com
Echo SRM-210 Reviews
Contributors to HomeDepot.com

More than a dozen owners give this gas string trimmer very high ratings in their reviews of it at Home Depot. Several are professional landscapers who have used this model for several years, day in and day out – vouching for its reliability and performance.

3. Popular Mechanics
Cut to the Quick: The Fastest (and Toughest) String Trimmers on the Market
Roy Berendsohn
May 2006

This review tests similar Echo and Stihl gas trimmers, finding the Echo easier to start and the manual feed system less apt to cause problems than a bump-feed system. A total of 12 gas string trimmers are tested here.

4. GardenWeb.com
Gas string trimmers
Contributors to GardenWeb.com

Several posts in various discussions at this garden tool forum recommend the Echo SRM-210 string trimmers as slightly better than Stihl trimmers and much better than many other trimmers on the market. Other Echo trimmers get high praise here as well.

Also see full report: String Trimmers