The Best Type of Lawn Edgers

Lawn edgers and trimmers add a finishing touch to a lawn, removing grass blades that stick up or out and cannot be reached by a mower. Most homeowners today use some type of edging tool. A few determined souls use hand edgers and trimmers, which work well, but take a lot of effort, stooping and bending. Most people use some type of mechanical edger, but there are many options available.

The best edger for your lawn is the one that best fits the size of the lawn, and the amount and type of edging it will need. Even the type of grass can affect the decision; some fast-growing and spreading grasses will need more edging. A big lawn will require more edging and a different type of edger than a small one. There are a lot of options.

The most basic decision in choosing a lawn edger is: electric or gasoline. Electric edgers require long extension cords to reach all edges of a lawn and may not be practical on very large plots unless there are electrical outlets spaced around the perimeter with outdoor lighting. There are some battery-powered types that are more portable but heavier. Gasoline edgers are noisier, require refueling and regular maintenance to keep the engine working.

A second basic decision is: metal or string. Metal trimmers use some type of blade that rotates on a shaft. They are very effective but noisy when the blade rubs against a concrete sidewalk or driveway. Blades also wear out and must be replaced regularly. String edgers use some type of plastic cord, fed from a spool, which whips around the edger and cuts grass blades as it goes. Cord also must be replenished periodically.

Edgers also vary in weight. Electric models generally are lighter; some versions are battery-powered to eliminate the need to drag a cord around the lawn but weigh more. Gasoline styles can be hand-held or on wheels. Gasoline styles are heavier because they carry fuel. Many gasoline edgers have adjustable blades, so the depth of the cut can be varied. String edgers are less adjustable, but different types will have different cutting sizes.

String edgers come in two main versions, single string or multiple. Single-string types have one plastic cord feeding from a spool; multiple styles have two or more lines from opposite sides of a larger spool. Multiline edgers are more powerful and better suited for heavy grasses and weeds.

Price also is a consideration. Electric string trimmers often cost as little as $25. Walk-behind gasoline models may run several hundred dollars. A 20-by-20-foot urban lot can get by with an inexpensive electric edger, but a two-acre estate lawn will require a bigger and more expensive gasoline model. For many urban homeowners, the best edger may come down to individual preference.