No matter how large of a yard you have, there’s a good chance you need a weed eater to help you take care of those areas where traditional lawn mowers just can’t reach. They can also be effective at removing grass and weeds from smaller patches of area. Before you purchase a weed eater for your lawn, you need to know a few facts.
Weed eaters, also referred to as trimmers, come in three main varieties: gas, electric, and cordless. You’ll want to choose your weed eater carefully after considering some of the pros and cons of these types.
Gas-Powered Weed Eaters
Weed eaters that run on gasoline have one big advantage: they are powerful. If you need to cut down thick grasses or clear away brush or vines, then a gas-powered weed eater may be the right choice. Most of the Stihl weed eaters on the market run on gas.
On the downside, gas-powered weed eaters don’t deliver a consistent performance. The first weed eater I purchased for my lawn ran on gas, and it seemed to have a mind of its own. It worked when it felt like working. That became pretty frustrating for me and since I didn’t need the type of power it delivered I moved on to a different variety the following year.
Electric Weed Eaters
From my experience, electric weed eaters seem to be more popular than the gas-powered versions. One reason is probably the ease of use. You just plug them in, and they’re ready to go until you turn them off again. You don’t have to worry about running out of gas. Additionally, electric weed eaters are fairly easy to use. On average, they weigh less than gas-powered models which is a definite advantage.
On the down side, electric weed eaters aren’t as powerful. You can do plenty of grass trimming and edging but if you have tough grass or anything that requires much power to cut you won’t be able to get the job done. Plus, dealing with that pesky electric cord can be a real hassle.
Cordless Weed Eaters
Like electric weed eaters, cordless weed eaters run on electricity. The difference is cordless weed eaters have to be charged before use, just like your mobile phone or your laptop. The good news with cordless weed eaters is that you get to reap all of the benefits of the electric models without having to struggle with a cord. Some models may weigh slightly more than other electric models because of the battery, but they are still easy to use.
What’s the down side? Those charges don’t last very long. With some cordless weed eaters, you can only use them for 20 to 40 minutes. If you have a small yard that may be sufficient. If you have a larger yard or lots of trimming work to complete, then you would have to recharge the battery before finishing.
Bottom Line
After I tried several types of weed eaters and talked to other home owners, I discovered that the electric weed eaters are probably the best choice for most yards. They do the job well, they are easy to use, and you can keep working until you’re done without having to worry about interruptions (i. e. running out of gas, battery losing its charge). Sure, the cord can be a pain but it’s a small price to pay for a gorgeous lawn.