Price
Expand to view more details.Recommended retail price. This includes battery and charger for cordless models, but cordless models may also be sold without batteries.
enter value/s in increments of 1 between 59 and 1047
Recommended products
Member only
This test score is for members only. Join now to unlock our expert results.
Join nowAlready a member? Log in now
Motor type
The type of motor: petrol (2-stroke or 4-stroke), electric (corded) or cordless (battery powered).
Line feed
Automatic: Feeds out more line as needed. Bump: Tap the head on the ground to feed out more cutting line. Manual: You have to feed out more line by hand. Some models also feed out more line at the press of a button on the handle.
Performance score
We test by horizontally trimming along fences, walls and areas of lawn and vertically, with the cutting head perpendicular to the ground, along the edges of paths and garden borders. We also cut long grass up to 45cm high.
enter value/s in increments of i between 40 and 100
Ease of use score
We assess how comfortable the trimmers are to use, taking into account their weight, balance, handles, angle of the cutting head and so on. Respooling the line, using controls, starting, using the line feed and vibration are also taken into account.
enter value/s in increments of i between 61 and 91
Year tested
The year we tested this model. Tests from 2019 and onward are not comparable to earlier tests, due to a change in the test site.
Shoulder harness
Makes the trimmer easier to carry and use, especially for long jobs.
Telescopic handle
Allows you to adjust the shaft length. Usually only available on electric or cordless models as their motor is in the head, so there's no drive shaft in the shaft.
Edging guide
A small wire, metal or plastic projection which helps you achieve a clean, straight edge when trimming vertically. Usually acts as a tree guard in horizontal trimming.
Interchangeable heads
Other heads that can replace the trimming head, such as hedge trimmers, power saws or soil cultivators. Usually optional accessories not included with the trimmer.
Cutting diameter (cm)
The wider the cutting diameter, the easier it is to trim large areas of grass.
enter value/s in increments of i between 23 and 48
Weight (kg)
The weight of the trimmer in kilograms (for cordless models this includes the battery).
enter value/s in increments of i between 1.8 and 9.6
Availability
A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.
A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.
These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find them on second-hand websites, or in second-hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A.
An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.
These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.
Included in this review
- CHOICE Expert Rating
- Recommended
- Performance score
- Ease of use score
- Vertical trimming score
- Horizontal trimming score
- Long grass score
- Handle score
- Shaft score
- Weight score
- Balance score
- Edge score
- Controls score
- Vibration score
- Starting score
- Line feed score
- Respooling score
- Measured battery life under load (minutes)
- Noise at user's position and 7.5m (dB)
- Good points
- Bad points
- Year tested
- Price
- Motor type
- Battery
- Charge time (minutes)
- Shaft type
- Line feed
- Number of cutting lines
- Line length limiting blade
- Safety guard
- Telescopic handle
- Clutch
- Lock-off switch
- Shoulder harness
- Tree guard
- Edging guide
- Interchangeable heads
- Rotating head
- Motor size power
- Fuel mix (recommended)
- Fuel mix used
- Weight (kg)
- Length (cm)
- Cutting diameter (cm)
- Diameter of cutting line (mm)
- Items supplied
- Other features and comments
- Warranty
- Country of origin