Best String Trimmers

The only downside other than being the most expensive model on our list, is that it is also the heaviest at 14.8 pounds. However, it does come with a shoulder strap to help distribute that weight. The Honda HHT35SLTAT is perfect for those of you who want reliability and plenty of power, but for home owners with smaller yards there are lighter and cheaper trimmers that might suit your job better.

Weighing 11.2 pounds it has a 23cc engine which provides enough power to handle any task from consumer to commercial. The SRM-230SP has a very comfortable feel in your hands and does not wear you out from too much vibration. It has a long 59″ straight shaft with bump line-feed and a 17 inch diameter cutting path.

We would not hesitate to recommend this Echo trimmer for all users, especially since it is backed by a 5-year consumer warranty.

Weighing 11.24 pounds, the 324L cuts a large 18-inch diameter path. The lines bumps out quickly and smoothly while reloading line also takes minimum effort.

Since the Husqvarna 324L weed eater is expensive, we only really recommend it for someone who has some serious trimming to take on.

This 12 pound unit features a 21.2cc 2-cycle engine with a 59-inch straight shaft and a 17-inch cutting width. It is a bit less powerful and not quite as heavy-duty as the SRM-230SP, but it still can handle tough jobs for the home user with large fields or remote property.

We recommend the Echo SRM-225 for anyone who doesn’t want to pay the premium of the absolute top-tier models, while not sacrificing much performance.

The Tanaka TCG24EBSP comes with a long 7-year consumer, 2-year commercial and 1-year rental use warranty. However, many buyers have said that their customer service is not very good and if you need this machine serviced you might have to go a long ways since there are not many service centers that handle Tanaka line trimmers.

With only a $30 savings over the more powerful HHT35SLTAT, plus this one being only 1.8 pounds lighter, we would recommend going with the larger more powerful Honda model if you are considering the HHT25SLTAT.

The RY4CSS weighs 12.25 pounds and cuts an 18-inch wide path with .095-inch diamter line. It also has the longest shaft of any trimmer at 65 inches which makes it a great choice for tall people. This tool also accepts Ryobi expand-it attachments.

Overall the Ryobi RY4CSS is good buy for the price, but it is a bit on the heavy side.

The extra features it comes with is what makes the TB2044 XP stand out. It comes with a quick change cutting head as well as a bonus Aero-Flex fixed line cutting head which utilizes nylon blades to take on heavy vegetation. Reloading the standard cutting head with line is easy with no disassembly. It also accepts interchangeable TrimmerPlus attachments, sold separately, which turn your trimmer into several different tools.

While the leading consumer magazine really liked the Troy Bilt TB2044 XP, overall user ratings have not been quite as positive primarily due to an unreliable engine. That makes us a bit cautious to recommend it. The fact that it is also the heaviest model to make our list at 15 pounds is another negative going against it.

Features of the RY253SS include an 18-inch cutting swath, 0.095-inch line, bump-feed head, and it weighs 12.2 pounds. It also is attachment capable – accepting Ryobi Expand-It attachments making it more versatile.

Overall the Ryobi RY253SS is a good choice for anyone who wants a cheap gas powered unit, but does not need a ton of extra power to do the most difficult weed eating jobs.

The UT33650A is powered by a 26cc 2-cycle engine that performs surprisingly well – even in thick weeds and tall grass. It uses .095-inch line and has a 17-inch cutting path diameter.

When it is operating correctly, the Homelite UT33650A works well, unfortunately it is not the most reliable with several users have reported broken parts or an engine that just won’t run.