The Consensus 7 Best Weed Eaters Across Expert Reviews

Yard work can be long and tiresome, but it’s worth all that time and energy to have one of the best-looking homes on the block. Mowing, clipping, planting, gardening, and basic maintenance are all chores you’ll find yourself doing to have a beautiful home and yard. If you want to have a perfectly manicured yard and lawn, then you certainly need one of the best weed eaters. Weed eaters, also known as weed wackers or string trimmers, are one of the most useful tools for creating an outdoor space that’s the envy of the neighborhood. 

Even though doing chores can be a pain, we strive to make sure you have the top-notch equipment that makes it that much easier. So, which weed eaters are considered the best available on the market today? StudyFinds did the research, consulting 11 home improvement and lawn maintenance websites to bring you a consensus list of the best weed eaters for tackling your yard. Our list comprises the seven most frequently listed weed eaters from across these sites and delivers them to you. Think the experts missed a quality weed eater? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

➡️ How Our “Best Of The Best” Lists Are Created


StudyFinds’ “Best of the Best” articles are put together with the idea of taking the work out of common consumer research. Ever find yourself searching for a product or service on Google and reading multiple reviews to find items listed across many of them? Our Best of the Best lists are created with that process in mind, with each item ranked by how frequently it appears on expert reviews or lists. With Best of the Best, you are getting consensus picks — making them truly the best of the best!

Someone using a lawn edger
Someone using a lawn edger (Photo by Osarugue Igbinoba on Unsplash)

The List: Best Weed Eaters, According to Reviews

1. Husqvarna 128LD 

Husqvarna 128LD
Husqvarna 128LD

The top spot on the list of the best weed eaters for taking your yard to the next level is the Husqvarna 128LD. This gas-powered weed eater from Husqvarna is a powerful tool that makes tackling the thickest weeds and brush an easy chore, explains Lawn Love. If you have a large yard that requires a lot of edging and upkeep, then you’re sure to love Husqvarna’s powerful 28-cc engine weed eater.

As USA Today notes, this Husqvarna weed eater, also called a weed wacker, is best for heavy-duty trimming and weed eating. Gas-powered weed eaters work best for large pieces of property with lots of overgrown brush and weeds and that’s exactly what Husqvarna designed this weed eater to do. Every piece of growth you touch with this weed eater will simply disappear. It literally eats weeds and thick brush. 

This Husqvarna string trimmer features a straight shaft, a wide 17-inch cutting path, and a 0.095-inch trimmer line, notes Lawn Starter. Plus, the tap n’ go feature makes it easy to refeed your trimmer line when it’s running low. Simply tap the head on the ground for more line and it automatically feeds through. The best part is this weed eater is compatible with several attachments – an edger, a pole saw, and a cultivator. You’ll love the ability to tackle multiple outdoor projects with one tool. 

2. Makita XRU15

Makita XRU15
Makita XRU15

Makita produces a wide range of power tools and yard tools, so it’s no surprise that the Makita XRU15 is one of the best weed eaters you can buy. This Makita weed eater is extremely light yet powerful, writes Popular Mechanics. The Makita XRU15’s design features a steel drive shaft and three speed settings to meet your outdoor cutting needs

The Makita XRU15 is a battery-powered weed eater that works just as well as one of its gas-powered counterparts. As Bob Vila explains, this Makita weed eater is just a step above the rest. Its dual-18-volt battery extends runtime and lasts for well over an hour, giving you plenty of power to tackle a decent-sized yard. The long, narrow shaft allows users to squeeze the head into tight spots between precious shrubs so you won’t have to worry about damaging your expensive landscaping features while removing unwanted vegetation. 

The Makita XRU15 is extremely user-friendly, too. Its lightweight design makes it easy to use for extended periods while the three different speeds match the task at hand, notes Tech Gear Lab. Factor in the ergonomically designed grip and this Makita weed eater is an easy choice for homeowners. The versatility and usability of this weed eater make it a powerful tool for keeping your yard looking its best. 

3. Ryobi 40 Volt String Trimmer

Ryobi 40 Volt String Trimmer
Ryobi 40 Volt String Trimmer

Ryobi offers some of the top outdoor lawn care products on the market and this 40-volt String Trimmer is no exception. Plus, it’s part of the Expand-it line of Ryobi products, so you can easily transform your weed eater into a leaf blower or a snow thrower, explains USA Today. If you’re looking for a versatile lawn care tool with the ability to tackle basic jobs around your property, then this is the perfect weed eater for you. 

The Ryobi 40 Volt String Trimmer is obviously battery-powered, but the battery is interchangeable and can be used to power other Ryobi products as well, notes Forbes. It also features a variable speed trigger that allows you to adjust the speed of your weed eater’s head on the fly, giving you the freedom to tackle various projects at once. You can gear it up for heavy brush or slow it down for edging driveways and pavers. 

As Popular Mechanics writes, this Ryobi String Trimmer is a great option for basic yard maintenance because it features a 40-volt battery with long run times, but it’s powerful enough to suit a contractor’s needs, which is something Ryobi specializes in. The motor produces nice torque and Ryobi makes rewinding the string head simple with a crank tool that comes with the trimmer. A carbon-fiber tube houses the drive shaft so it is lightweight enough for a range of users to handle comfortably and confidently. 

4. EGO Power+ 15 inch 56 Volt String Trimmer

EGO Power+ 15 inch 56 Volt String Trimmer
EGO Power+ 15 inch 56 Volt String Trimmer

Next up on the list of the top weed eaters available on the market today is the EGO Power+ 15-inch 56 Volt String Trimmer. EGO specializes in battery-powered tools packed with enough strength to tackle the largest jobs around your property and that’s exactly what this 56-volt trimmer features. As Tech Gear Lab explains, this trimmer’s 56-volt battery packs quite the punch while still being nimble enough to edge around your driveway, sidewalk, or outside walls and fences

This battery-powered monster weed eater has the look, feel, and capability of a standard two-cycle gas-powered trimmer without the potentially harmful noise and fumes of a gas trimmer, notes Bob Vila. The EGO Power+ also features a variable speed trigger and bump-feed head that also gives it a gas-powered feel. 

EGO also equipped this string trimmer with a carbon fiber shaft so it is incredibly lightweight, sturdy, and versatile, furthers Better Homes and Gardens. EGO simply understands how to produce quality lawn care equipment. This trimmer automatically winds the string line for you. All you have to do is feed the line into the head and press a button and the machine will wind the line, taking the stress and hassle out of maintaining your yard and string trimmer. 

5. Greenworks Corded Electric 15-inch String Trimmer

Greenworks Corded Electric 15-inch String Trimmer
Greenworks Corded Electric 15-inch String Trimmer

This weed eater was routinely considered one of the top corded weed eaters and for good reason. The wide cutting radius makes it easy to go through tall grass and tough, thick weeds, explains This Old House

Corded weed eaters can be an incredibly versatile yard tool for a couple of reasons. Primarily, you won’t have to worry about running out of gas, smelly fumes, or running your battery out before the job is finished. This Greenworks trimmer is very lightweight and extremely versatile, too, notes The Spruce. This corded trimmer is best suited for small to medium-sized yards that require a lot of delicate edging. The head easily flips over to be used as an edger so you can maneuver from one task to the next without slowing down. 

As Better Homes and Gardens describes, this Greenworks Corded Trimmer comes equipped with wheels and the pivoting head is capable of four positions to give you perfect control. This is a great choice for anyone with lots of nooks and corners around the yard and who wants clean, straight edging along their landscaping features. And, you can’t beat the affordable price of this Greenworks Corded Trimmer. For less than $100, you’ll have a versatile landscaping tool capable of tackling most jobs around your property. 

6. Worx 20V String Trimmer and Edger

Worx 20V String Trimmer and Edger
Worx 20V String Trimmer and Edger

Like many of the top picks, this weed eater features a lightweight design for easy handling and maneuverability, notes Garden Betty. The unit is comfortable enough and light enough to carry around the yard and bust weeds and overgrown vegetation without tiring you out. The telescopic shaft means you can adjust this string trimmer to match your height or to reach those tight spaces where you can’t always fit your body and a weed eater together. 

Bob Vila agrees that this is a versatile lawn care tool. It features a push-button string-feeding system that allows you to retrieve more string for the job simply by pushing a button. This weed eater features a pivoting head so you can use it as a precision string trimmer, a wheeled edger, or a small mower – yes, we said mower. Turn the head of the trimmer to use this Worx 20V as a wheeled edger or a mini mower, the choice is yours. The built-in guide wheel supports the mowing and edging functions while the adjustable shaft and handle make it comfortable for users of all sizes. 

The 90-degree pivoting head on the Worx 20V Trimmer makes it easy to reach those small nooks and crannies along your landscaping, between bushes, and around delicate plants or flowers. And, don’t worry about battery life, this weed eater and trimmer boasts a long runtime, notes Better Homes and Gardens. The 20V battery runs long enough to tackle nearly 10,000 feet of lawn edges. You won’t have to worry about string, either. This Worx trimmer also holds an extra spool of string across the handle, without getting in your way, of course. 

7. Craftsman V20 String Trimmer and Edger

Craftsman V20 String Trimmer and Edger
Craftsman V20 String Trimmer and Edger

Rounding out the list of the best weed eaters is the Craftsman V20 String Trimmer and Edger. This battery-powered string trimmer is a great choice for all types of homeowners, tall and short, writes Garden Betty. The adjustable shaft makes it easy to set this string trimmer to the desired length while the high and low speed settings make it capable enough to tackle various types of lawn care projects

This is a great tool for maintaining a small to medium-sized yard, notes Tech Gear Lab. It’s light enough to carry around the yard, perfect for touching up your edges and maintaining clean lines around your landscaping. Craftsman also made changing your line simple and you can even order a replacement spring if your weed eater’s spring wears out over time. 

This is truly a comfortable, portable, quiet solution for your yard maintenance needs, adds This Old House. The dual speed setting allows you to maximize your battery life while the adjustable shaft makes it easy for all members of your household to use. If you have other battery-powered Craftsman tools, then this is a great weed eater to consider. The batteries are compatible with other Craftsman tools so you never have to worry about running out and waiting to complete your projects until the battery charges again. 

Sources: 

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.


Comments

  1. This was about stupid. There is no product made by Worx that will hold up against a Stihl or Echo. What did they pay to get you print such nonsens

  2. Horrible picks!
    I have been a professional landscaper for 30+ years and every one you choose is junk!

    Here the real top picks…

    If you want battery…
    Ego ST1511T $199 at Lowe’s is a great price for real quality equipment.

    If you want gas…
    Echo GT-225 $199 at Home Depot is a great price for quality equipment.

    The two picks above will not only give you years of good service, but both have great fast customer support if or when you may need them.

    Now your done! 👍✅

    1. I have to agree with you 110% on your pick for a weedeater! The first one I bought I used it, abused it, gave it zero love and finally after 5 years the cylinder wall became scored and I lost all compression.
      I’m on #2 now. This one I take care of. It’s on it’s 4th year now and after sitting all winter, I gas it up and she starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull every time. I’m still hard on it though, I don’t use the shroud around the string. That allows me to let more line out and have a wider cut when I come to really short or thin weeds. Also, I use .105 size line. Theoretically it should last longer than .095, whether it really does or doesn’t I dont know, but it makes me feel better. Something needs to after being pelted by rocks all day! I own 30 acres outside Temecula, CA and although I don’t cut the entire property, the areas I do with the weedeater and skiploader using a 6′ mower powered by the PTO, it takes a toll on me at the end of the day!
      Great suggestions! People reading this article would be wise to take your advice.

  3. Sixty years of using weed eaters (yes I’m that old!) and although the products have evolved over the years and new companies have surfaced, what was once junk is still junk and what was once good is still good. Black and Decker and Ryobi represent old and new bottom feeders across their entire product lines. Echo was and is a quality product line. With many companies turning to or being mandated to make battery powered products, EGO was one of the innovators and their carbon fiber straight shaft automatic line feeder battery powered weed eater is the best I’ve found. I’m on year four with it now and interchangeable battery with my EGO blower, lawnmower, snowblower, and inverter is a real plus.

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