**Choosing the Right String Trimmer: A Comprehensive Guide**

As any homeowner knows, maintaining a well-manicured lawn and garden requires regular trimming and edging. One of the most essential tools for this task is a string trimmer, also known as a weed whacker or strimmer. But with so many types of trimmers available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs.

**Gasoline Trimmers: A Popular Choice**

Gasoline trimmers are a popular choice when it comes to power and mobility. They offer a high level of performance and can handle thick grasses and weeds with ease. In our tests, we look for how quickly and neatly models edge and trim, as well as their power output. Our recommended gasoline trimmers consistently earned top scores in these areas.

However, gasoline engines also have some drawbacks. They can be very loud, produce emissions, and require regular maintenance to ensure they last about 10 years. The engine type is an important factor to consider - two-cycle engines perform better in our tests, but four-cycle engines start easier and pollute less. When choosing a gasoline trimmer, look for features such as spring-assisted starting, exhaust deflectors that aim gases toward the back, and a centrifugal clutch design that keeps the trimmer idle without spinning the line.

**Corded Electric Trimmers: A Good Inexpensive Option**

Corded electric trimmers can be a good inexpensive option for homeowners. They offer a quieter alternative to gasoline trimmers and are generally easier to use. However, like any electric power tool, they have limitations - the cord limit shows how far you can go, and an extension cord can be cumbersome when maneuvering through your yard and garden.

Our tests have found that some corded electric models can handle all weeds and grasses just as well as recommended gasoline models. But if you need to work in a larger area, you may find that the cord limit becomes a major issue. When choosing a corded electric trimmer, look for features such as a motor located toward the top of the head for better balance and handling.

**Battery-Powered Trimmers: A Convenient Option**

Battery-powered trimmers offer the convenience of free range with no emissions. Many of the newest recommended battery-powered trimmers have performed just as well as gasoline trimmers in our tests. However, you'll pay a premium for these models, which can cost twice as much as the best corded electric trimmers.

The best models also last about 15 to 30 minutes before they need a recharge, which may be sufficient for smaller jobs. However, most take at least an hour to recharge, making them less ideal for larger areas of trimming. Another factor to consider is that batteries only last half as long as gasoline engines, typically three to five years.

**Choosing the Right Trimmer for Your Needs**

Once you've decided on what type of trimmer you need, it's essential to go to the store and check it out. Adjust the trimmer, hold it in the cutting position, and make sure the weight is evenly distributed. Also, ensure that the controls are easy to reach and operate, especially the stop switch.

Trimmers come with either a straight or curved shaft. Straight jack models are typically more expensive and have a longer reach, making them better suited for taller people. Curved shafts are lighter, easier to handle, and ideal for smaller jobs. When shopping for a trimmer, avoid models with a gap between the cutting head and the gearbox, as tall grass can wind up around the unit and cause the machine to stall.

**Additional Features to Consider**

When choosing a string trimmer, there are several features to consider that can enhance your experience and ensure optimal performance. One of the most important is the type of cutting string. Make sure to change the string at the start of each season, as old string can become brittle and break easily.

For gasoline engines, you'll need to do a little more maintenance than for two-cycle engines. Be sure to remove the fuel and run the tank dry at the end of the season, and replace the spark plug every two to three years. Two-cycle engines require a specific gas and oil mix, usually 40:1 or 50:1 gasoline to oil ratio.

**Conclusion**

Choosing the right string trimmer for your needs can seem overwhelming, but by considering factors such as power output, noise level, and maintenance requirements, you can find the perfect tool for your lawn and garden. Remember to also consider features such as centrifugal clutch designs, exhaust deflectors, and adjustable handles to enhance your experience.

At Consumer Reports, we paid for all of the items we test to ensure unbiased results. We're a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing consumers with accurate and reliable information to make informed purchasing decisions. By following our tips and recommendations, you can find the best string trimmer for your needs and enjoy a well-manicured lawn and garden all season long.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enString trimmers need to bepowerful and versatile enoughto handle a variety of tasksaround your lawn and garden.That's why ConsumerReports tests themfor edging and trimmingaround walkways,and how well they whackthrough tall grasses and weeds.Testers even make surethey're easy to useand comfortable to hold.This guide will walkyou through the threetypes of trimmers, gasoline,corded electric, and batterypowered.So you can pick a trimmerthat best suits the work thatneeds attention in your yard.Subscribers to our websitecan access Consumer Reportsspecific brand recommendationsand exclusive product ratings.This video is interactive,so click any chapterto skip around.Gasoline trimmersare a popular choicewhen it comes to power andmobility, and for good reason.In our tests, we look forhow quickly and neatly modelsedge and trim, and howpowerful they are when it comesto tall grasses and weeds.Our recommendedgasoline trimmersconsistently earned topscores in those areas.They also work well if you needto take down hardier plants.With proper maintenance,a gasoline enginelasts about 10 years.The gasoline enginescan be very loud,and they produce emissions.String trimmers come with eithertwo- or four-cycle engines.Two-cycle engines performbetter in our tests,but four-cycle engines starteasier and pollute less.We'll talk more about gasolineengines in the maintenancechapter.Corded electrics can bea good inexpensive optionfor some homeowners.Consumer Reportstests have foundthe best ones can handletall weeds and grasses justas well as some recommendedgasoline models.But like anyelectric power tool,the cord limitshow far you can go,and an extension cordcan be cumbersomewhen it comes to maneuveringthrough your yard and garden.Battery-powered trimmers offerfree range with no emissions.Consumer Reportslatest tests showmany of the newestrecommended battery poweredtrimmers performed just aswell as gasoline trimmers,but you'll pay a premium.The best modelscost twice as muchas the best cordedelectric trimmers.And most batteries onlyrun about 15 to 30 minutesbefore they need a recharge.That should workfor smaller jobs,but most take at leastan hour to recharge.Not ideal if you'vegot a lot of trimming.Another factor to consideris that batteries onlylast half as long asa gasoline engine,typically three to five years.And buying a new batterycan cost almost as muchas buying a new stringtrimmer, about $100 to $150.After you've decided on whattype of trimmer you need,it's a good idea to go tothe store and check it out.Adjust it.Hold it in the cuttingposition, and makesure the weight isevenly distributed.Also make sure the controlsare easy to reach and operate,especially the stop switch.Trimmers come with eithera straight or curved shaft.We note this in our ratings.Straight jack models aretypically more expensiveand have a longer reach.These tend to be bettersuited for taller people.Another option isa curved shaft.These are typicallylighter, easier to handle,and ideal for smaller jobs.Avoid models with a gapbetween the cutting headand the gearbox, like this.Tall grass can windup around the unit.And if there's enough ofit, the machine can stall.Models with a very smallgap or protective sleeveavoided that issue in our tests.For gasoline models,look for helpfulfeatures to make startingthe machine easier,like spring-assisted starting.Exhaust deflectors thataim gases toward the back,and not to the side,are the way to go.Trimmers with acentrifugal clutch designthat lets the trimmer idlewithout spinning the linekeeps it safe andeasier to start.And a translucent tank letsyou see when the gas is low.For electric models,look for a motortoward the top of the head.These offer betterbalance and handling.Some string trimmersoffer a rotating headthat swivels to a verticalposition for easier edging.When it comes to the actualstring of the trimmer,there are someoptions to consider.First, cheaper stringscan melt together.Buy the best qualityyou can afford.Check your owner'smanual to see whichstring size fits your trimmer.A line that's too thinfor your specific trimmerwill reduce cutting power.Too thick, and you may slowdown the engine or motor.Trimmers with two lines canhandle heavier growth and moregrass than single line models.A bump feed line advanceconveniently releases the linefrom the spool when you bumpthe trimmer head on the ground.There are also fixed lineheads on some string trimmers.Or you can buythese aftermarket.Instead of spool, you insertshort lengths of line.You'll need to threadin new line more often,but this featurereduces the jams thatcan happen when loading spool.With any type ofstring trimmer, besure to changethe cutting stringat the start of the season.Old string can becomebrittle and break easy.For gasoline engines, you'llneed to do a little more.Make sure to remove thefuel and run the tankdry at the end of the season.Change the spark plug everytwo to three years, too.For two-cycle engines,check the owner's manualfor the appropriategas and oil mix neededfor your trimmer's engine.It's usually a 40:1 or50:1 gasoline to oil ratio.Or you can buy pre-mixed gasand oil and just pour it in.String trimmers cankick up a lot of debrisand they're noisy.So always wear eye andhearing protection.Check out the rest ofour lawn and garden tipsas well as specific stringtrimmer recommendationsbased on our in-depth experttesting at ConsumerReports.org.We're a not for profit, andwe paid for all of the itemswe test.Thanks for your support.\n"