The Best Weed Trimmers Under $100

Weed trimmers are hand-held or shoulder mounted yard maintenance tools that use lengths of nylon string or metal blades to trim grass and weeds in hard-to-reach areas. Aggressive and heavy duty models can be expensive, but homeowners who only need occasional light weed trimming can easily find a quality model for under $100.

Most weed trimmers that are available for under $100 are electric. Corded electric models like the Weed Eater #RT112C from Poulan offer more power than battery-operated models, says Galt Home Buying Guides. This string trimmer has a 12-inch cutting width, a 3.75 amp motor for cutting light to medium thickness weeds and grass, and an easy to change string head system. Homeowners will be limited to trimming areas around their homes within an extension cord's distance from a power outlet. With this model retailing for under $50, it is the best choice for occasional or light use around the home.

Battery-powered weed trimmers require charging and put a time limit on your weeding, but they can be taken anywhere and are lighter and quieter than gas powered models. Unlike other weed trimmers for under $100, this model converts to an edger for cleaning up sidewalks and driveways, according to Bestcovery. It has a 12-inch cutting width. The Black & Decker Grass Hog runs off a less efficient nickel cadmium battery and offers between 15 and 20 minutes of use per charge. However, this model comes with a second battery, making it possible to weed for nearly an hour without having to stop to recharge. The automatic feeding head handles light weeds and grass easily without clogging. It retails for around $99.

For the lowest price without sacrificing quality, choose the Homelite UT4110. Costing less than $30, this corded electric weed trimmer fits any homeowner's budget but still performs well on weeds and grass. Its 13-inch cutting width and 4 amp motor are better than many battery-powered models costing three times as much, says Consumer Search. A telescoping shaft and 5-pound weight make it appropriate for use by people with limited strength. The debris guard makes it difficult to see exactly what you are cutting, so this may not be the best choice for trimming around prized flowers or shrubs if you are worried about accidentally damaging them.

Quality gas weed trimmers cost well over $100. Most models below that price are plagued with bad design and engine problems. The only inexpensive gas string trimmer that can be found for less than $100 is the Troy-Bilt TB20CS. Using a 31 cc engine and a curved shaft, the two-cycle engine provides more power and an ergonomic design to reduce arm strain, according to Bestcovery. With a 12-inch cutting width it can handle heavier weeds than electric models, but some problems have been reported with the two interchangeable heads. This model can be found for around $99.