Choosing A String Trimmer

Acme Tools always wants its customers to get the best tools for their work, and no matter if it is residential or commercial, the best is what any customer deserves. So, when buying a string trimmer for your yard or business, what type is the best bang for your buck? Acme Tools wants to help simplify that searching process by providing some facts and questions you should have in mind when shopping.

What Is a String Trimmer?

This outdoor power equipment has many names, such as weed-whacker, weed-whip, whipper-snipper, or weed-eater, but they are all the same tools. The primary use of this tool is to clear places your lawn mower cannot reach. Those could be any hard-to-reach areas like the base of a tree or mailbox, underneath a fence, or the space next to any brick wall.

This machine can also be used to remove thicker weeds, cut through brush, or even little saplings. This action is achievable by switching out the usual string for a blade attachment that can handle thicker cuts. With that change, this tool has become multi-purpose and has improved over the years to become better at performing those other jobs.

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Which String Trimmer Is For You?

Now, all trimmers that are on the market start with the same primary function in mind. But as technology has developed and improved, so has this machine and its purpose. For instance, you have interchangeable trimmers with different heads to suit different jobs better. Then, you have trimmers that clear heavy grass to make pathways. Finally, you have some with various power sources like gas, battery-powered, and plugged-in electricity.

Some questions you should ask yourself while looking for and purchasing a string trimmer should be:

• What do I need it for?
• How big is the job?
• Will I use this often?

These three essential questions get you started on where to look. This way, you can get the best machine and spend exactly what you need.

What Do I Need It For?

This question immediately asks if you need something on the professional level or something for your lawn. There is a variety of options that can handle light yard work, from prepping the ground of a sidewalk or walking path. So, if you use it to touch up your lawn, you can make do with any available option. If you want to clear several yards for a business, consider the heavy-duty battery types and the gas-powered ones with a large fuel capacity.

How Big Is The Job?

In tandem with the previous question, the size of the work you plan to do is a significant factor in what you purchase. If your area of work is a small yard, you will not need something that can last for hours. A battery-powered option might be the best fit for your needs. In contrast, working in a park or a farm requires something that can handle a long day’s work, such as a gas-powered trimmer.

Will I Use It Often?

It is hard to believe, but even tools have a shelf life and can break down after a while. Selecting the right trimmer compatible with your usage is crucial to your purchase because you do not want one that will break down after several uses. Also, you do not want to buy an expensive one when you only use it once or twice a month.

Once all these questions are answered, you can focus on minor details that will get you to the right design or model. Those details can vary between battery or gas, curved shaft or straight, and other questions that are more unique to your needs.

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Trimmer Pros and Cons

Here, we will cover each type of trimmer you can get and the benefits and detriments of each one.

Gas String Trimmer

Gas-powered string trimmers are an industry standard and what most people are accustomed to using. These are powerful machines that can last years if maintained properly. If not, you will encounter significant issues with replacing pieces when they break. Fuel also deserves attention, as gas may not be the only thing you have to add to make it work. Some machines run on a fuel mixture that must be bought separately or mixed independently. With that power, you also suffer from a noisy engine and the need for winterization.

Summary: This type of trimmer is excellent for demanding jobs and people with experience with gas-powered power equipment. If you have no experience with gas tools, this might not be for you. However, it is a worthwhile investment if you are willing to learn how to use and maintain this machine.

Gas String Trimmers
Product Image	Product Name	Cutting Width	Engine Displacement	Weight	Line Diameter	Price Range
	Echo 21.2cc Straight Shaft String Trimmer (SRM-225)	17"	21.2 cc	12 lbs.	.095"	$$
	Husqvarna 128LD String Trimmer Plus (952 71 19-53)	17"	28 cc	19.5 lbs.	.095"	$$
	Honda 35cc Straight Shaft String Trimmer (HHT35SLTAT)	17"	35.8 cc	14.8 lbs.	.095"	$$$$
	Makita 25.4cc 4-Stroke String Trimmer (EM2650LH)	17"	25.4 cc	10.9 lbs.	.25"	$$$

Electric String Trimmers

This trimmer is perfect for maintaining a small lawn or a long extension cord. Electric trimmers can last hours for work but are limited to the amount of cable available. This trimmer model can start cold, so after a long winter, you can plug this in and trim grass immediately.

Summary: Great for small lawns or new homeowners who have lawns for the first time. With a cord, you have limited reach but will have an endless supply of power. It is good to start with and slowly upgrade when you feel comfortable.

Electric String Trimmers
Product Image	Product Name	Cutting Width	Motor	Weight	Line Diameter	Price Range
	Black and Decker 14-Inch String Trimmer/Edger (BESTA510)	14"	6.5 Ah	5.3 lbs.	.065"	54
	Black and Decker 13-Inch String Trimmer/Edger (ST8600)	13"	5.0 Ah	5.35 lbs.	.065"	40
	Toro 14-Inch String Trimmer and Edger (51480)	14"	5.0 Ah	7 lbs.	.065"	65
	Black and Decker 12-Inch String Trimmer/Edger (ST4500)	12"	3.5 Ah	4 lbs.	.065"	48
	Black and Decker 14-Inch String Trimmer/Edger (GH3000)	14"	7.5 Ah	8.3 lbs.	0.8"	74

Battery-Powered String Trimmers

Battery-powered string trimmers are an excellent bridge between electric and gas tools where you get power with mobility. These trimmers are perfect for the newbie or the trades professional who wants to avoid the cord and gas. Power comes at a cost, with a battery lasting 45 minutes to an hour on most machines. If you plan to work on many yards or a large lawn, you will need multiple batteries to switch between to get the job done.

Summary: Battery power is a highly suggested option if you have it with gas and cords. The only thing you must adapt is timing the battery usage with your charger or having multiple ready when needed.

Battery-Powered String Trimmers
Product Image	Product Name	Cutting Width	No-Load Speed	Weight	Line Diameter	Price Range
	Milwaukee M18 FUEL String Trimmer Kit (2825-21ST)	16"	4,900/6,200 RPM (2-Speed)	12.3 lbs.	.08"	$$
	DEWALT 60V MAX String Trimmer Kit (DCST972X1)	15"	4,600/5,800 RPM (2-Speed)	14.2 lbs.	.08"	$$$
	EGO POWER+ POWERLOAD String Trimmer (ST1511T)	15"	4,800/5,800 RPM (2-Speed)	14.6 lbs.	.095"	$
	DEWALT 20V MAX String Trimmer Kit (DCST922P1)	14"	3,500/5,300/6,500 RPM (3-Speed)	7.9 lbs.	.08"	$$
	Makita LXT Cordless String Trimmer Kit (XRU15PT1)	15"	4,000/6,000 RPM (2-Speed)	24.5 lbs.	.08"	$$$

Final Thoughts

Whether you have your eye on a Makita string trimmer, a Milwaukee string trimmer, a DEWALT string trimmer, or another brand of string trimmer, when it comes to buying a trimmer for this spring and summer, you have to think about a lot of things, to get the best choice. We hope this helped clarify some key things you need to ask yourself when shopping, and if you have any more questions, do not be afraid to comment below.

Do you already know which one you want? Then, head to Acme Tools. You can find gas, electric, and battery-operated options from Milwaukee, Echo, Toro, etc.

Want more pieces like this? Please tell us what other buying guides or items you want Acme Tools to go over or something you wish you had known more about before buying. Then check out the rest of the Acme Tools blog for DIY builds, buying guides, and tool news from the most prominent companies worldwide. That way, you get the best news so you can Do Your Best Work.