Best grass trimmer 2026: the complete buying guide

A lawn mower cannot reach everywhere. Tight against a fence, around a tree trunk, along a patio edge or in a narrow corner, there is almost always a strip of grass the mower simply cannot get to. A grass trimmer (also called a strimmer or weed eater) cuts away those last few centimetres with a fast spinning nylon line or a small blade. This guide walks through what actually matters when buying one, from power source to cutting head, and puts six practical picks side by side for different garden types and budgets. Not sure yet how your garden is laid out or how much edge trimming you will actually have? [Map out your garden first on gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app/en) before deciding which grass trimmer to buy.

What should you look for?

A grass trimmer typically costs between 30 and 400 euros, depending on the type. The price differences mostly come down to power source, motor output and ease of use, so it is worth looking past the price tag alone.

Power source: corded electric, cordless battery or petrol A corded electric grass trimmer is the cheapest and lightest option, ideal for a small to medium garden within reach of a socket. A cordless battery trimmer gives more freedom of movement and is now nearly as powerful as a corded model, though battery life (usually 20 to 45 minutes of continuous use) is worth checking for a larger plot. A petrol grass trimmer, often called a brushcutter, does not care about cables or charge level and is the only serious choice for rough growth, brambles or a meadow, but it is heavier, noisier and needs some maintenance on the two-stroke engine.

Cutting head: nylon line or blade Most grass trimmers use a nylon line between 1.4 and 3.0 millimetres thick. The thicker the line, the tougher the grass it can handle, but it also wears out faster and needs more motor power. For rough terrain with thistles, brambles or young saplings, a plastic or metal three-point blade is the better choice: it wears more slowly than line and cuts through thicker stems, though the risk of kickback and flying debris is higher.

Motor power and cutting width Corded electric models typically deliver between 250 and 600 watts, battery models run on 18 to 40 volts, and petrol models have an engine displacement of 22 to 33 cc. Cutting width, the diameter of the circle the line or blade covers, usually sits between 25 and 43 centimetres: a wider cutting width works faster but makes the tool a bit more unwieldy in tight corners.

Weight, shaft shape and ergonomics A straight shaft is sturdier and suited to slightly heavier work, while a curved shaft is lighter and easier to manoeuvre around plants and pots. Weight ranges from just over 2 kilos for a compact battery model to 6 kilos or more for a petrol model with a shoulder harness. Over longer sessions, an adjustable shaft, a well-padded handle and a shoulder strap make a real difference for your back and arms.

Extra features Many models can tilt into an edging position, where the head rotates vertically to cut a crisp line along the lawn without a separate edging tool. A telescopic or height-adjustable shaft is handy if more than one household member uses the trimmer. Automatic line feed (the line extends on its own as it wears down, either by tapping or automatically at speed) saves the hassle of manual adjustment.

Safety A guard above the cutting head is essential and catches flying stones and grass clippings. If you choose a blade attachment, always pick a model with a fully enclosed guard, since the risk of kickback is higher than with a line head. Wear safety glasses and sturdy shoes regardless, even with a light electric trimmer.

Our top picks

For most gardens, a corded electric grass trimmer is the smartest first purchase: lightweight, ready to go instantly and with more than enough power for edges, tree bases and narrow strips of grass. Want to move around the garden without a cable? A cordless battery grass trimmer is the logical step up: no trailing cord, often compatible with batteries from other tools of the same brand, and now just as powerful as a corded model.

For larger gardens with a lot of edging, a grass trimmer with thick dual line is the better pick, since a dual-line head clears coarser grass and dense patches faster than a single line. Anyone who wants to trim edges and cut a crisp lawn line without buying two separate tools should look at a combi grass trimmer with edging mode: one head, two positions, one less tool cluttering the shed.

Dealing with brambles, thistles or a neglected patch of ground? A petrol grass trimmer with blade is the only option that handles that without stalling or breaking. And for a small balcony, a vegetable patch border, or anyone who simply prefers holding a light tool, a compact lightweight battery grass trimmer is ideal: under 2.5 kilos, quick to grab for a fifteen-minute touch-up.

Maintenance

Clean the guard and the head after every use: built-up grass and soil create extra resistance and can make the line feed jam. On a petrol model, check the air filter regularly and never use fuel mix (usually 1:40 or 1:50 with two-stroke oil) that is more than a few weeks old, since stale fuel is the most common cause of starting trouble. Store a battery trimmer somewhere dry and avoid leaving the battery fully empty or fully charged for weeks at a time. Replace nylon line as soon as it looks noticeably thinner or frayed, since worn line cuts less cleanly and puts extra strain on the motor.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is choosing a line head for work that really needs a blade, such as brambles or young sapling growth: the line keeps snapping and you spend more time refeeding than actually cutting. A second mistake is underestimating the cutting width needed for a large garden, which doubles the time spent on the same patch of lawn. The guard also often gets removed because it "gets in the way", when in fact it is what stops stones and grass shooting out at high speed. Finally, many users skip maintenance altogether: a dirty head, old fuel mix or a battery left flat for months noticeably shortens the lifespan of any type of grass trimmer.

Which grass trimmer suits your garden?

If you have a small front garden with a few metres of edge along a patio and fence, a light corded or battery trimmer with thin line is more than enough. For a mid-sized garden with several borders, young trees and a long boundary, a battery model with thicker line and an edging mode is a smart choice, especially if you already own other battery tools from the same brand. Managing a larger plot, a border full of young planting, or ground overrun with brambles and thistles? A petrol model with a blade quickly pays for itself in time and frustration saved.

Still unsure how to lay out your garden, which borders will need the most upkeep, or where the lawn will actually run? It helps to [design your garden first on gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app/en): that way you can see straight away where the edges will fall and how much trimming you can expect each year.

Frequently asked questions

Is a cordless battery trimmer as powerful as a corded one? With the better brands, yes, by now. A 36 to 40 volt battery trimmer delivers comparable power to a 500 watt corded model, with battery life on a large plot as the only real limitation.

How often should I replace the nylon line? That depends on how often you use it and the type of grass, but with regular use expect to refeed or replace line every two to four weeks during the season. Frayed or noticeably shorter line is the signal to top it up.

Can a grass trimmer also work as a lawn edger? Many models have a tilting head that locks into a vertical position, letting the trimmer double as an edger for a crisp line along the lawn. For a lot of edging work, though, a dedicated edger stays more precise.

Do I still need a petrol trimmer alongside a battery one? Not for ordinary edging, but for rough growth with brambles, thistles or young sapling regrowth, a petrol model with a blade is often the only machine that handles it without stalling.

Conclusion

A grass trimmer covers exactly what a lawn mower cannot: the edges, the corners, the tight spots around trees and pots. Choose the power source that matches your garden size, pay attention to the cutting head and cutting width for the type of growth you are dealing with, and keep the head, battery or fuel mix well maintained for a long service life. Want to know exactly where the edges of your future garden will run? [Design your garden on gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app/en) first before deciding which grass trimmer suits you best.