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Line trimmer reviews

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Last updated: 20 February 2024
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In our years of testing line trimmers (also known as whipper snippers, string trimmers, strimmers, lawn trimmers and weed eaters), we've found that petrol models are usually your best bet for big yards. But cordless battery-powered models are now a serious option for most homes too.

Our test results will help you find the line trimmers that are:

  • best at trimming short and long grass, and trimming vertically along lawn edges
  • easy and comfortable to use
  • quiet.
We also list important specifications including each model's motor power, fuel type, charge times and more.
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Note: We changed our test method in 2019 (we moved the test to a new property with different grass and terrain) so results from past years are not readily comparable to results from 2019 onwards. Use the 'Year' filter on the left.

We also no longer test electric corded line trimmers as they're a relatively small part of the market and have mostly been superseded by cordless models.

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Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

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    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

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    Motor type

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    The type of motor: petrol (2-stroke or 4-stroke), electric (corded) or cordless (battery powered).

      Line feed

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      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

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        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

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        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

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        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.

          Included in this review

          Members-only access
          • 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

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