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Best Trimmer Edger Combos for the Money 2024 – Top Picks & Reviews

man using CRAFTSMAN CMCST910M1 String Trimmer : Edger

man using CRAFTSMAN CMCST910M1 String Trimmer : Edger

Let’s face it – everyone has been aggravated with a string trimmer at some point in their life. Typically, the auto-feed option is finicky, or it doesn’t work at all. You find yourself bumping the head of the unit on a nearby rock until you give up and decide to take it all apart. We will let you in on a secret – it doesn’t have to be this way!

We have completed extensive reviews and testing of the following trimmer edgers. We looked at a number of things, including dual-purposing, weight, string feeding mechanism, and ergonomics. Finding the perfect trimmer edger for your application does not have to be rocket science, and we think you will love our top choices.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
WORX WG163.9 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger WORX WG163.9 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger
  • Maneuverable
  • Lightweight
  • Large cutting diameter
  • Best Value
    Second place
    TrimmerPlus TPE720 Dual Edger TrimmerPlus TPE720 Dual Edger
  • Steel blade
  • this is the best option for edging
  • Very affordable
  • Blade can be adjusted for different depths
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    BLACK+DECKER LST400 Trimmer and Edger BLACK+DECKER LST400 Trimmer and Edger
  • Plenty of power
  • 12” cutting swath
  • Trimmer/edger combination unit
  • CRAFTSMAN CMCST910M1 String Trimmer / Edger CRAFTSMAN CMCST910M1 String Trimmer / Edger
  • Lightweight
  • 13” cutting diameter
  • Dual unit
  • Toro 51480 Corded Electric Trimmer/Edger Toro 51480 Corded Electric Trimmer/Edger
  • Large cutting diameter of 14”
  • Performed well during testing
  • The 10 Best Trimmer Edgers – Reviews 2024

    1. WORX Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger – Best Overall

    WORX WG163.9 Cordless Grass Trimmer:Edger

    The WORX WG 163.9 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger truly has it all. It is a dual unit, meaning that it is both a string trimmer and an edger. The unit can seamlessly transition between one and the other without the use of hand tools. We found this feature very handy. The unit also sports a handle with 7 adjustable positions, which we found easy to use and easy on our arms.

    The unit operates on a 20V battery, and it weighs in at 5.5 pounds. This trimmer/edger is incredibly maneuverable, and with a 12-inch cutting diameter you will be able to complete your lawn in no time. Overall this best edge trimmer for the money this year.

    Pros
    • Maneuverable
    • Lightweight
    • Large cutting diameter
    • Two-in-one tool
    • Easy to transition between operations
    Cons
    • Needs a special battery

    2. TrimmerPlus TPE720 Dual Edger – Best Value

    TrimmerPlus TPE720 Dual Edger

    The TrimmerPlus TPE720 Dual Edger Attachment is a great option for those who already have a string trimmer and are looking for the additional benefits that come from owning an edger. This is a common issue: People will buy a string trimmer, thinking that they will be able to use it for edging as well. Once they learn that a string trimmer cannot replace an edger, they regret their purchase. This unit is an attachment for string trimmers, transforming the string trimmer into an edger. This makes this unit the best trimmer edger for the money.

    Pros
    • Steel blade, this is the best option for edging
    • Very affordable
    • Blade can be adjusted for different depths
    Cons
    • Only an attachment, cannot be used by itself

    3. BLACK+DECKER LST400 Trimmer and Edger – Premium Choice

    BLACK+DECKER LST400 Trimmer and Edger

    The BLACK+DECKER LST400 Trimmer and Edger is an excellent trimmer and edger for those who are looking for the king of trimmer edgers. This 20V portable model sports a 12-inch cutting diameter. It also offers a unique feature – there are two modes of operation, one which offers the most power, and the other that offers the most run time. The unit can run for up to an hour on the run time mode. The unit comes standard with a Black and Decker 20V lithium battery. This model is well balanced during operation; however, the unit is slightly heavy, weighing in at 7.8 pounds. This is a dual unit, and easily transitions from edger to trimmer and vice versa.

    Pros
    • Plenty of power
    • 12” cutting swath
    • Trimmer/edger combination unit
    • Long runtime
    Cons
    • Slightly heavy
    • Not the most budget-friendly option

    4. CRAFTSMAN String Trimmer / Edger

    CRAFTSMAN CMCST910M1 String Trimmer : Edger

    The CRAFTSMAN CMCST910M1 String Trimmer / Edger is a great unit with many capabilities. This is a 20V, battery-powered model. With a name like Craftsman, we were excited for the opportunity to test this model. It sports a 13-inch cutting diameter, one of the largest of the test group. With a simple twist, it can convert from a trimmer to an edger. Weighing in at 6.3 pounds, the unit was also one of the lightest. The largest negative of the Craftsman was the line feed mechanism. The line feed is controlled by a switch on the handle of the trimmer. We found the mechanism not user-friendly, and for this reason, it did not make the top three on our list.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • 13” cutting diameter
    • Dual unit
    Cons
    • Line feed mechanism

    5. Toro 51480 Corded Electric Trimmer/Edger

    Toro 51480 Corded Electric Trimmer:Edger

    The Toro 51480 Corded Electric Trimmer/Edger is a combination unit that can trim and edge. This unit is corded, meaning that it must be plugged in with an extension cord during use. This model would work well for small lawns, but it is simply not as versatile as a battery-powered option. The benefits of the Toro include a 14-inch diameter cutting path; this was the largest out of all of our testing. The Toro weighs in at 7.5 pounds, which is higher than anticipated for a corded model. The unit performs well, and the auto-feed for the line seems to work smoothly.

    Pros
    • Large cutting diameter of 14”
    • Performed well during testing
    Cons
    • Heavier than anticipated for corded models
    • Not as versatile as battery-powered options

    6. DEWALT DCST920B String Trimmer

    DEWALT DCST920B MAX XR String Trimmer

    The DEWALT DCST920B MAX XR String Trimmer did not perform up to the Dewalt name in our testing. This 20V battery-powered option features two speeds for battery conservation. When the line fed well, the unit did work well for trimming. It should be noted that this Dewalt unit is a string trimmer only and not an edger. The line feed mechanism is a bump-feed system. We experienced some anguish in getting this system to work consistently. For this reason alone, it came in on the back half of our list. The unit is also rather expensive for what it is. At this price, one would expect flawless string feeding.

    Pros
    • Trimmed well when working
    • Two speeds
    Cons
    • Extremely heavy at over 12 pounds
    • Flawed line-feed mechanism
    • Expensive option

    7. Greenworks Cordless String Trimmer/Edger

    Greenworks 21302 Cordless String Trimmer:Edger

    The Greenworks 21302 Cordless String Trimmer/Edger is a 40V trimmer edger that comes with a 2 amp-hour battery. Being the only 40-volt trimmer/edger in our test group, we were excited to give it a try. This trimmer/edger was only able to operate for 25 minutes during our testing. This would work well for some smaller lawns and gardens, but it may not be enough for large properties. This is a dual unit, and again – when we were able to get the string to feed out correctly, the unit performed well. The 9.26-pound unit had a rather cumbersome string feed mechanism. While the unit is advertised as auto-feed, we found ourselves constantly pulling line out from the head of the unit.

    Pros
    • Powerful 40V motor
    • Dual unit
    Cons
    • String feed mechanism was cumbersome
    • Heavier at 9.26 pounds
    • Limited to 25-minute run time

    8. PowerSmart PS76110A Cordless String Trimmer/Edger

    PowerSmart PS76110A Cordless String Trimmer:Edger

    The PowerSmart PS76110A Cordless String Trimmer/Edger left a lot to be desired in our testing. The trimmer seemed to go through an excessive amount of string, and the mechanism left us frustrated. This 20V battery-powered model features a line feed mechanism in the form of a push-button. We found the only way to keep the trimmer operating was to manually pull out line from the head of the unit. The unit was not the lightest in our test group, weighing in at 7.5 pounds. The unit is shipped with a battery; however, we felt that this unit is an example of “you get what you pay for”.

    Pros
    • Ships with a battery
    Cons
    • Clunky string feed mechanism
    • Unfriendly ergonomics

    9. Sun Joe TRJ13STE Trimmer

    Sun Joe TRJ13STE Trimmer

    The Sun Joe TRJ13STE Trimmer is a corded dual unit that weighs in at 5 pounds. To be frank – this unit performed poorly in our tests, and we cannot recommend this unit for anyone to purchase. It simply would not work well, mostly due to the line feed mechanism. We found some relief when we undid the factory winding of the spool and re-wound the string on ourselves. The Sun Joe model did not have an ergonomic feel, and we experienced some fatigue after only a few minutes of operating the unit. Sporting a 13-inch cutting diameter, this unit would be able to make light work of a trimming job if the string would properly dispense.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    Cons
    • Faulty string feeding mechanism
    • Corded model

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    Buyer’s Guide – Purchasing the Best Trimmer Edger

    Every homeowner has different lawn care needs. Luckily, many different types of trimmers and edgers are available. Whether you are looking for an affordable option, or you are looking for the best unit that money can buy, narrowing down your options can be a daunting task. We have reviewed several types of trimmer/edgers, and we have drawn some conclusions on the top models as well as key components that you will need to look at when you are making your purchase.

    When Do You Need A Trimmer/Edger?

    It is important to note that we are really looking at two separate tools here that are commonly used interchangeably.

    A string trimmer is used to cut down weeds and small woody-stalk plants that the homeowner is looking to remove. The string trimmer is typically used in areas where a lawnmower cannot access, such as muddy areas, steep areas, or areas with many obstacles. A trimmer is used with the rotating strings parallel to the ground.

    An edger is a tool that defines a clean edge from your lawn to your pavement. This can be to the front sidewalk, to landscaping, or to your driveway. It limits over-towering vegetation and creates a clean line that is aesthetically pleasing. An edger is used with the rotating blade or strings perpendicularly to the ground.

    While these two tools can be purchased separately, the true premise of our review was to look at combination units, or units that are advertised to be able to complete both tasks. With a simple twist of the handle, many of the trimmer/edgers in our reviews were able to transition into the other tool.

    How are Trimmer/Edgers Powered?

    There are three main designs for how trimmer/edgers receive their power. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.

    Gas-Powered

    Trimmers and edgers have been offered in gas-powered models for quite some time. This style has been fading out, mostly due to weight, motor longevity, maintenance, and noise. The option is clear for most consumers: if you have an average size yard, you are almost certainly better off with an electric-powered trimmer/edger.

    Corded Electric

    Some trimmers and edgers are offered in a corded model. Several of the units from our test were corded models. These units are great in that you do not have to remember to charge the batteries, however, you are limited to the range of your longest extension cord. The cord also tends to get in the way. The corded models are sometimes slightly lighter than the battery-powered models.

    person using TrimmerPlus TPE720 Dual Edger

    Battery-Powered

    The battery-powered models are the most popular of the trimmer/edgers with modern-day homeowners. These units can run for upwards of one hour, leaving plenty of time to complete the job. With no cord constantly getting in the way or having to mix your gas and oil for the evening, it is no wonder why these units are consistently the top choice.

    String Feed Mechanism

    The string feed mechanism is the weak link of most string trimmers and edgers. This string is composed of nylon monofilament, and the ends of the string constantly chip off when they encounter aggressive weeds during the job. To maintain the full cutting diameter of your trimmer, this string needs to be replaced. This string can be replaced in a couple of different fashions.

    The bump feed system involves a spool that is wound with the nylon line at the head of the unit. This system relies on the user to constantly be checking the length of the line on the trimmer. When this line appears to be running short, the user bumps the head of the unit on the ground while the head is spinning. This action releases a set amount of line, and the trimmer is ready for action.

    The automatic feed system is another great option for string feeding. This system involves the use of cutters on the guard to remove line when it gets too long. Due to the centrifugal nature of the spinning head, the automatic feed system senses when the line is getting short, and it releases more line until the line is at the proper length. This system tends to be more worry-free than the bump feed system, and it also seems to be less troublesome.

    Cutting Diameter and Unit Weight

    The cutting diameter of a string trimmer refers to the diameter of the line from tip to tip. This measurement varied in our testing from 10 to 14 inches. Simply put, the larger the diameter of the cutting diameter, the quicker it can complete a job. One thing to note here is that the smaller heads can offer greater versatility in that they can maneuver around obstacles easier.

    Another parameter to keep in mind is the overall weight of your trimmer/edger. While battery-operated trimmers can be handy, they can also be quite heavy. This negative must be weighed against the negatives of the corded models, such as tripping over extension cords, or the limited range of the unit.

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    In Conclusion

    The WORX WG163.9 Cordless Grass Trimmer/Edger was the leader of the pack in our reviews. Touting a 12” cutting head, this 5.5-pound unit can handle any job you might throw at it. It is a true workhorse, and the 7-position handle made it feel like we could trim and edge all day with this model.

    The TrimmerPlus TPE720 Dual Edger Attachment was the best budget-friendly option for those who already own a trimmer. This handy attachment secures on the end of the trimmer and can easily turn your standard string trimmer into a dual unit.

    If you are the keeper of your lawn, a string trimmer and an edger is going to be a great asset for you. With so many options to choose from, it is no wonder why people are discouraged when they are making this important purchase. These reviews will aid you in this process, and this guide will help you decide what features are important to you.


    Featured Image Credit: CRAFTSMAN CMCST910M1 String Trimmer : Edger, Amazon

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