Grass Trimmers

Edger - An invaluable tool for gardening

An edger gets into places that a lawn mower cannot.

It is the ideal tool to keep the edges of your garden or walkway neat and tidy and for manicuring around fence posts and tree trunks.

It can also tackle tall grass and weed growth that can bog down a typical lawn mower.

An edger can also clear a path through light underbrush.

6 things you should consider when looking at edgers

Edgers either have a curved or straight shaft and typically run on either gasoline or lithium-ion battery; a small number of models have cords, usually only 30 centimeters long, so you will need to use them with an extension cord of at least 15 to 30 meters in length.

Note that electric options are often a more sustainable choice, and they have improved exponentially in performance in recent years.

For the first time, battery-powered edgers, also called cordless edgers, now outnumber gas models.

#1 - Curved or straight shaft on an edger?

An edger's shaft is typically either curved or straight, and what is easier to handle depends largely on personal preferences.

If you have never used an edger, it is recommended that you try both curved and straight shaft models at a hardware store or similar to see what feels better for you.

Curved shafts, which tend to be shorter, allow the user to maneuver smoothly around obstacles, while straight shafts, which are generally longer, increase the user's reach and coverage from a given point.

For this reason, professional models are generally preferred with straight shafts; they can cover more ground with fewer steps.

#2 - Which power source is right for you?

An edger can be powered by gasoline, a battery, or a power cord, and all are capable of cutting well, depending on the model.

So the best type of edger for your needs depends on your task.

It is generally recommended that you choose your power source according to the size and layout of your garden.

Gas trimmers are suitable for a yard of any size, while corded trimmers are best for gardens up to about 500m².

Battery-powered edgers make sense for a yard up to about 250m², but they can handle much larger gardens if you have multiple batteries to charge and swap in.

#3 - Should you buy a driven base?

With gas and some battery-powered edgers, you have the option to buy a standalone tool or a driven base, also known as a split shaft.

This is a motor designed to accept various attached files, and it is typically sold with an edger head.

For most models, you can also get a hedge trimmer, a pole saw, an edge cutter, and a brush cutter and even a cultivator attachment.

This is a good option if you need an edger and one or more of the additional tools, and you do not want to buy each one separately.

#4 - Watch the gap

Before you buy an edger, look at the cutting head where it meets the trimmer's shaft.

If there is a large gap, be warned that tall grass is likely to get wrapped around the shaft at that point.

Instead, look for a model with a minimal gap, or one with a cutting head that is easy to remove, so you can quickly pop off the head and get rid of weeds.

#5 - Safety first

Edgers can easily break through skin, and while a shield deflects most debris, trimmers can still send debris flying while cutting.

It is therefore recommended that you wear gloves, safety glasses, boots, and long pants.

For gas models, you should use hearing protection, such as earplugs or hearing protection-like headsets.

#6 - Types of edgers

Let your grass lawn and landscape dictate which type of edger you buy.

Gas-powered edger

Traditionally the best edger for large properties, a gas-powered model goes anywhere and can run indefinitely, as long as there is fuel in your tank.

They are not as popular as battery-powered edgers anymore, but you still have plenty of options.

Look for models with an adjustable handle and a transparent fuel tank so you can see when fuel is low.

Gas-powered edgers with a four-stroke engine run cleaner and use regular gas, but cost more; models with a two-stroke engine cost less, but you will need to add oil to your gasoline.

Almost all gas-powered edgers are loud enough that it is recommended you use hearing protection (earplugs or hearing protection-like headsets).

Electric corded edger

Although corded garden tools may seem outdated to many, a corded edger can work really well for a specific subgroup of homeowners.

If you have a small yard and do not need to trim more than 30 meters from a socket, these are ideal. Most have a short cord and require a long outdoor-rated extension cord - you can typically find these cords in lengths up to 30 meters.

Electric corded trimmers tend to be the cheapest of the three types, plus they start instantly and run indefinitely, and you do not have to worry about buying gas or charging a battery.

Battery-powered edger

Often the best battery-powered edgers cut just as well as or even better than gas models; plus, they produce no emissions and run quietly.

They also start instantly every time, without you having to fiddle with a choke or pull a cord.

They require far less maintenance, and their batteries can typically be used in other outdoor power tools from the same brand, including lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws.

The lifespan of the lithium-ion batteries that drive these tools is still a large unknown, so look for a long warranty (at least three to five years) that specifically covers the battery.

Expect to cut for about 30 minutes on a single charge, and most batteries take about an hour to recharge when fully depleted.