Buying guide for Which gas string trimmer is best?
String trimmers, also known as weed eaters, are one of the most familiar property maintenance tools this side of the lawn mower. Able to delicately cut grass along the edges of structures and trees and to powerfully chop through tough brush, this is a tool that can make your to-do list easier and give you the upper hand against the specter of an unkempt lawn.
While simple in design and operation, not all weed eaters are created equal. To get the most from your trimmer, you need to consider what kind of work you’re going to be up against and keep in mind factors such as engine size, cutting diameter, shaft type and more.
Whether you’re a professional landscaper looking to replace a weed eater that has reached the end of its life or a property owner just hoping to save money this summer by taking care of your own lawn, this buying guide will help you decide which tool you should be hanging in your shed and which options should be left on the store shelf.
Our top pick is the Husqvarna 17-Inch Gas String Trimmer . Weighing less than 13 pounds despite its powerful 28-cubic-centimeter engine, this weed eater is an excellent all-around choice for anyone who wants to complete their outdoor work quickly and comfortably.
Our top picks
Best overall gas string trimmer
Product Specifications: Engine Power: 28 cc, 1 horsepower | Cutting Width: 17” | Shaft Type: Straight | Weight: 12.7 lb
Equipped with a 28-cc engine and braided drive cable line for power and durability, this gas-powered string trimmer from Husqvarna is an excellent choice for those needing a reliable general-purpose machine. At less than 13 pounds, this trimmer is light enough to use comfortably for extended periods.
Husqvarna’s Smart Start technology makes turning on the trimmer easy, and the tool’s shaft disassembles quickly. The trimmer is compatible with a range of attachments, making it a versatile workhorse for contractors and homeowners alike.
Best gas string trimmer for comfort
Product Specifications: Engine Power: 26 cc | Cutting Width: 17” | Shaft Type: Straight | Weight: 19.4 lb
This weed whacker allows for a 17-inch string trimmer cutting range and a 10-inch brush cutting range, giving you the ability to make short work of a wide variety of cleanup tasks. Its 26-cc engine provides the power you need to cut through small shrubs and overgrowth while a vented aluminum casing surrounding its transmission reduces vibration to lessen the likelihood of arm and wrist fatigue.
It’s designed to run efficiently, meaning its engine lasts longer than competing line trimmers and produces fewer harmful emissions. A shoulder strap and a 10-inch cutting blade are included.
Best gas string trimmer for large spaces
Product Specifications: Engine Power: 25.4 cc | Cutting Width: 17” | Shaft Type: Straight | Weight: 12.3 lb
Echo’s i-30 starting system makes engaging this gas-powered trimmer’s 25.4-cc engine a breeze, and its generously padded rubber handles keep your hands from going numb during long jobs. Its high-capacity Speed-Feed 400 cutting head greatly reduces the time spent replacing your string, meaning you can get back to work with minimal fuss. The remaining fuel can be easily observed through its translucent gas tank, preventing you from running dry unexpectedly.
Buyers note that this trimmer runs reliably through long periods of professional work, cuts through particularly challenging brush with ease and lives up to Echo’s reputation for offering rugged, dependable tools that heavy users can count on.
Most versatile gas string trimmer
Product Specifications: Engine Power: 26 cc | Cutting Width: 17” | Shaft Type: Straight | Weight: 12.5 lb
A great way to get everything you need for general yard maintenance in one purchase, this weed whacker includes a 10-inch brush cutter, 10-inch grass edger, 16-inch hedge trimmer saw and a 9.4-inch pole saw that can rotate 90 degrees. From the grass under your boots to the branches over your head, it lets you tackle all the pruning, cutting and cleaning the day throws at you.
At only 12.5 pounds, it's light enough to use extensively without fatigue, and its engine is designed for minimal vibration. Buyers are impressed by this machine’s durability and power despite its low price and are appreciative of the fact that they can replace a handful of yard maintenance machines with a single versatile tool.
Most powerful gas string trimmer
Product Specifications: Engine Power: 31 cc | Cutting Width: 13” | Shaft Type: Straight | Weight: 15 lb
This gas-powered weed eater’s 13-inch cutting width is a few inches smaller than most competing models, but it makes up for it with a four-cycle 31-cc engine capable of serious power. It features an adjustable handle to accommodate the preferences of a range of users or to allow you to change your grip as needed for different jobs. It includes a 10-inch cutting blade, and its telescoping shaft and baffle come apart easily for compact storage or transport.
Users can’t sing enough praises about this weed whacker’s power and flexibility, but they do note that an engine of this size creates more vibration than they would prefer and that hand numbness tends to occur during extended trims.
Best no-pull string trimmer
Product Specifications: Engine Power: 25 cc | Cutting Width: 17” | Shaft Type: Curved | Weight: 16.5 lb
Wave goodbye to frustrating ignition and back strain with this no-pull string trimmer from Lawnmaster. With the push of a button, this tool springs to life and gets to work with a 25-cc engine, an adjustable assist handle and a curved shaft that reduces lumbar soreness and makes even large areas of grass trimmable in record time. Its battery-powered starter allows for up to 150 ignitions per charge, and its bump-feed head makes it easy to extend fresh cutting line without pausing your work.
While 16.5 pounds is on the heavier side of the spectrum, this weed whacker is balanced to allow for comfortable back-and-forth rotation without arm or shoulder discomfort and includes a battery pack and charger that can be used with other Lawnmaster tools.
Best for small spaces and detail work
Product Specifications: Engine Power: 25 cc | Cutting Width: 18” | Shaft Type: Curved | Weight: 11.9 lb
Weighing less than 12 pounds and offering a cutting width of 18 inches, this two-cycle, 25-cc weed eater is a super tool for tidying up small city lawns or taking care of detailed landscaping maintenance. It is compatible with a number of Black Max attachments, such as blowers, edgers, hedge trimmers and more, eliminating your need to buy several tools and saving space in your garage or shed.
Users are impressed with this string trimmer’s performance and note that it starts quickly and reliably every time. Minimal vibration keeps your hands from getting numb, and its balanced design distributes weight evenly for comfortable operation.
What to look for when buying a gas weed eater
Gas weed eaters aren’t just one of the most versatile outdoor power tools; they’re also one of the easiest to use. However, there are some important features to look for when shopping for one.
Shaft type
The most noticeable difference between various gas weed eaters is the shape of the shaft: Some are long and straight while others are curved. Here are the pros and cons of each.
Curved-shaft gas weed eater
Pros
Curved shafts, such as the one found on the Lawnmaster No-Pull Gas String Trimmer, are shorter, lighter and easier for operators with less experience to use. A curved shaft makes trimming in tight or awkward spaces easier, so this configuration may appeal to you if you have a small yard or need to trim around obstacles or landscaping features.
Cons
A curved shaft can be uncomfortable for a very tall person to use. Line trimmers with curved shafts are also less durable, as their shape results in more wear and tear on the cable that drives the trimmer head. Because of this, weed eaters with curved shafts are best for light tasks as opposed to commercial work.
Straight-shaft gas weed eater
Pros
Straight shafts are more common, meaning you have a larger selection of weed eaters to choose from. Because they’re longer, straight shafts give you the ability to cover more area with each sweep of the trimmer and therefore cut down on work time. They’re also more durable and can be used for both professional and consumer jobs.
Cons
Straight-shaft line trimmers are heavier and more difficult to maneuver around obstacles than those with curved shafts, which may put the user at a greater risk of injury or of accidentally damaging property.
Engine
The engine on a gas weed eater is located at the top of the shaft. When you pull the starter rope, it sets the piston in motion. Engines are divided into two categories based on how they function. In a two-stroke or two-cycle engine, the piston fires (produces power) every time it completes a revolution. A four-stroke or four-cycle engine takes two revolutions to make the piston fire. This means a four-stroke engine has the potential to produce twice as much power as a four-stroke engine, but there are some pros and cons to understand before you decide which type to shop for.
Two-stroke engine
Most gas-powered weed eaters employ a two-stroke engine. In a two-stroke engine, the oil and fuel are mixed in the fuel tank. Some of the fuel mixture is expelled before use, and since the piston fires twice as often, the gas burns up much faster in this type of engine.
Pros:
- No valves
- Lighter
- Costs less
- More powerful
Cons:
- Wears out faster (more revolutions per minute)
- No oil reserve dedicated to lubricating parts
- Less environmentally friendly
- Costs more for oil
- Less fuel-efficient
- You need to carefully mix your gas and oil in the proper ratio to prevent engine malfunction
Four-stroke engine
In a four-stroke engine such as the one built into the Powersmart String Trimmer and Brush Cutter, the oil and fuel are in separate reserves, so there is no oil burning. These engines only fire with every other rotation.
Pros:
- More fuel-efficient
- Runs steadier
- More durable
- More environmentally friendly
Cons:
- More parts
- Heavier
- Costs more
- Less powerful
Feed head
Because trimmer line wears out rather quickly and breaking is normal (and necessary when you accidentally clip something unyielding), you need to choose the way the line feeds out.
- Automatic-feed head: The trimmer line is automatically advanced as needed by centrifugal force. The downside to this system is that you have little control over how much line is fed out, and you could go through the line more quickly than desired.
- Bump-feed head: You simply tap or "bump" the gas weed eater on the ground to release more line. It takes practice to learn to bump with the right amount of force and not damage the weed eater.
- Fixed-line head: This type of head uses a precut line. When you need more line, you replace it with another precut piece.
Attachments
Many weed eaters allow you to swap the line trimmer head for another attachment, such as a saw, edger, hedge trimmer and even a blower. Taking advantage of this feature could allow you to consolidate several landscaping tools into one, making your weed eater your primary piece of lawn-care equipment.
Some weed eaters, including the Sunseeker Weed Whacker, come with these optional attachments while others do not; you must buy them separately. If you intend to only use your trimmer to keep weeds and brush at bay, it's unlikely that you would need to invest in accessories.
How to make your brand-new weed eater last
Weed eaters have a reputation for becoming hard to start over time, and it’s not uncommon to see a frustrated neighbor pulling an ignition cord multiple times before the engine finally turns over.
This is because most owners aren’t commercial contractors and, as a result, tend not to maintain their tools to the degree that professionals do.
To keep your weed eater working properly, adhere to the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, keeping the following best practices in mind.
Keep it clean
After every use, remove clippings, splatter, excess oil and any spilled fuel from the exterior of your weed eater.
A clogged air filter keeps your engine from getting the air it needs to run properly. This can result in it not starting, so you’ll want to keep all vents free of leaves and debris. If your weed eater has a foam air filter, clean it with a mild detergent and water at least a couple of times per season.
Don’t let fuel sit in the tank for too long
Leaving gasoline in your weed eater’s fuel tank during the off-season can cause the fuel to break down. Broken-down gasoline allows impurities to gum up the fuel passages in your machine, resulting in poor performance and hard starts.
If you intend to leave your weed eater tank full over the winter or during a long period without use, be sure to add a fuel stabilizer to your gas to prevent it from deteriorating.
Store it safely
Store your weed eater in a dry area where it won’t be exposed to moisture that may result in corrosion. Most users hang their weed eaters to keep them elevated above water that may pool on their shed or garage floor. Hanging your weed eater also prevents it from posing a tripping hazard while not in use.
Gas weed eater prices
Gas weed eaters range in price from $120 to more than $500. With such a wide variety of options and features available on these machines, you must carefully consider what you’re willing to spend versus what bells and whistles you want.
$120 to $300
Most gas-powered line trimmers fall in this price range. Many punch above their weight, including features and durable construction that make them an excellent value. For the average user, a weed eater within this range will likely satisfy their needs and perform as needed for years to come.
$300 to $500
Buyers looking for professional-grade tools will find trimmers capable of commercial work in this range. Weed eaters from well-known manufacturers such as Husqvarna and Echo cost more, but they are far less likely to fail, are generally constructed out of more durable materials and have the advantage of being backed up by companies that are proud of their reputation for quality, should you experience a defect.
Tips
- Never start or use a gasoline-powered weed eater in an enclosed space.
- For the best cut, keep the trimmer head level and parallel to the ground.
- When trimming, hold the head at a slight angle — it’s the end of the trimmer line that does the cutting — and proceed slowly. Let the trimmer do the work.
- Trim to the same level as the cut lawn so there's no distinction in height.
- For tall grass or weeds, cut in several passes, starting at the top.
- Since most gas weed eaters spin counterclockwise, it’s most efficient to work from right to left.
Our expertise
Using a combination of in-house testing, trusted consumer feedback and a shared thrill of seeking out the absolute best products, devices and tools, BestReviews is your number-one resource when it comes to reviews you can count on. Our staff brings you real advice from people who share your passions and seek to make every day a little easier, a little better and a lot more fun.
Derek Walborn is one of BestReviews’ trusted lawn, garden and DIY experts. Providing insight since 2021, Derek has written extensively on topics that range from home security systems and propane grills to the latest power tools and home improvement gadgets.
