As homeowners, we like to have our garden and lawns looking their very best all year round. However, to give our gardens that perfectly manicured finish, we need to have the right tool for the job and that tool is a power lawn edger.
A power lawn edger uses a vertical spinning metal blade that cuts and trims grass and foliage, which results in a beautiful lawn with perfectly landscaped lines that you see in the horticultural and gardening design magazines.
As there are so many power edgers on the market, choosing the right edger that will be the best fit for you and your individual garden needs can be a challenge. So here are some tips that can help you buy the best power lawn edger for your garden.
The 6 Best Lawn Edgers
- BLACK+DECKER LE750 Landscape Edger and Trencher
- GreenWorks Electric Corded Edger
- McLane 101-5.5GT-7 Gas Powered Lawn Edger
- Earthquake 23275 Walk-Behind Landscape and Lawn Edger
- WORX WG170 GT Revolution Grass Trimmer/Edger/Mini-Mower (Our Top Pick)
- BLACK+DECKER LSTE523 String Trimmer
Our Top Pick for the Best Lawn Edger
Our top pick for the best lawn edger is the WORX WG170 GT Revolution Grass Trimmer/Edger/Mini-Mower.
If you have a small to a medium-sized yard, you cannot go wrong with this trimmer/edger/mini-mower. As well as being a 3-in-1 power tool, it is portable and lightweight, but still has a lot of power due to a strong lithium-ion battery. A very reliable and sturdy power tool, it can deliver an overall optimal cutting performance that will result in a perfectly manicured garden.
Check the price on Amazon3 Benefits of Using a Lawn Edger
- You can use a lawn edger for keeping your pathways and driveway neatly trimmed after you have just freshly mowed the lawn.
- A lawn edger can be used to keep the sidewalk outside your home perfectly manicured so that your front lawn will be the object of garden envy from your neighbors.
- If you have flower beds, the edger can neatly cut and trim around the edges of the lawn, which will really make your flowers stand out as the pride and joy of your garden.
2 Main Lawn Edger Types
There are 2 main types of power lawn edgers to choose from, pole single-wheel edgers and walk-behind multi-wheel edgers.
Pole Single-Wheel Edgers
Pole single-wheel edgers look similar to a weed trimmer, but they have 2-3 wheels, 1 at the front, and 2 wheels at the back. They are lightweight and they are easy to maneuver in tight spots.
Walk-Behind Multi-Wheel Edgers
A walk-behind multi-wheel edger has 2, 3, or 4 wheels, a larger and more powerful engine, and they have either a wide handle or 2 lever-type handles that make it easier to control the movement of the edger.
Choosing the Right Power Lawn Edger for Your Garden
Before you buy your new lawn edger there are 5 gardening/mechanical specifications to look out for.
1. Size of Your Garden
Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes people can have trouble with their power tools as they purchase a tool that is not suited for their garden. So consider these questions.
- Do you have a small yard that is easy to maintain?
- Does your medium-sized garden have an irregular shape?
- Do you have a large garden that has a lot of pathways, a wide driveway, circular flower beds, and veggie patches?
If you have a small lawn an electric pole single-wheel edger will get the job done quickly and efficiently. If you have a medium to a large-sized garden that has a lot of areas to cover, meandering pathways, large flower beds, and a wide driveway with a raised curb, then a gas or battery-powered walk-behind multi-wheel edger is the best choice.
2. Power Source
– Electric (corded)
Electric (corded) edgers are the ideal choice for smaller sized gardens that require minimal maintenance as they are designed to be lightweight and are easy to maneuver in tight spots, and they are usually cheaper as well.
They are environmentally friendly, and you do not have to worry about using the right amount of oil or working with nasty fumes.
Electric edgers are easy to start, you just plug the edger into the power outlet and you can get straight to work on turning your garden into a work of art. Electric edgers are especially ideal for suburban life as they are usually quieter than gas-powered models.
The downside of using an electric edger is that they are not portable and they have a limited edging range, so you have to stay close to a power outlet or use an extension cord.
If you are looking for a simple and effective way of edging and trimming your garden and lawn, then choose an electric edger.
– Battery-Powered
If you are looking for a portable and environmentally friendly option, then look no further than a battery-powered edger. Battery-powered edgers are ideal for medium-sized gardens. They do not require any fuel and you do not have to worry about tripping over a cord. Most battery-powered edgers have a strong lithium-ion battery that gives you good battery life and can be charged quickly.
The down-side of a battery-powered edger is that the battery life will depend on the size of your yard, and you will have to recharge the battery. So, if you have a lot of garden maintenance to do, it is a good idea to purchase a second battery.
Battery-powered edgers are also easy on the ears as well. In addition to their portability, emission-free, and reduced noise advantages, your operational costs will be quite minimal in comparison with electric (corded) or gas-powered models.
– Gas-powered
Gas-powered edgers are the best option for a medium to large-sized garden or property that requires a lot of garden maintenance. Gas power will give you a cleaner and precise cut with just one pass as opposed to an electric edger. They are generally more powerful, are easier to start, they run more smoothly and get the job done quickly. They are powered by either a 2-cycle engine or a 4-cycle engine.
Four-cycle engines work the best for heavy-duty edging, and the engine is better for the environment. You do not have to worry about having to add engine oil. Also, this type of engine is heavier.
Two-cycle engines require a mix of fuel, but they weigh less than a 4-cycle engine.
The downside of gas-powered models is that they are more expensive, they emit fumes, and can be noisy. Also, some gas-powered edgers are labeled CARB-compliant, which means they can be used in California.
3. Blade Adjustment and Depth of Cut
It is all about the final cut when it comes to lawn maintenance. So keep your eye out for an edge that has a height adjustment mechanism and an adjustable blade that you can change to suit your height and different cutting depths. A cutting depth of 2.5-inches and a 7-9-inches blade is sufficient for most cutting needs.
The depth of cut will vary depending on the area of your garden where you will be using the edger, so you will need an adjustable blade. The edge along your flower beds needs to be deep enough so that you can trim back any overgrown turf or garden build-up and give the edge a clean and tidy finish.
Pathways only need to be trimmed just enough to cut away any overgrown parts of the lawn to give the edges a nice sharp line and that overall immaculately manicured look.
If your lawn is bordered by garden walls and hard surfaces like paving or concrete pathways, look for an edger that has a head that can pivot 90°, and a flower guard to protect delicate foliage.
4. Comfortable and Easy to Use
Besides the power source and cutting action of a lawn edger, you need to choose an edger that is comfortable and easy to use. If you have a small garden, look for a lightweight edger that is tagged as being easy to start easy to use, especially in tight corners.
If you have a larger yard that will need a walk-behind multi-wheel edger, then choose a model that has a wide handle or 2 levers that makes the edger easier to maneuver and control, There are also models that come with Right or Left Handed Assist Handles, while others have adjustable shafts so that you can adjust the height of the edger for those hard to reach places in your garden.
5. Extra Attachments
Some edgers are multi-functional and offer you 2 or even 3 tools in 1. As well as operating as a basic edger, they can be used as a trencher or a line strimmer with just a quick change of attachments. This type of edger is ideal if you need to get rid of any long grass or reshape your garden or flower beds.
6 Best Lawn Edgers – Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER LE750 Landscape Edger and Trencher
If you have a small-sized garden that is in desperate need of a quick trim, then the BLACK+DECKER LE750 Landscape Edger and Trencher is a great choice.
It is a versatile gardening tool that can keep your lawn edges looking perfectly manicured, and it can also be converted into a trencher for digging clean-looking trenches when you are reshaping your flower bed, or for installing lighting or invisible dog fencing.
As well as being lightweight and easy to use, it has the power you need with a strong 12 amp 2¼ HP motor that can produce 150 in-lbs of torque for cutting through tough grass. The edger has a 7½-inches blade with a 3/16-inches thickness that will give you a clean and tidy cutting action for edging along hard surfaces like driveways.
The 3-position adjustable blade depth provides you with greater control over how deep you need to cut in and around garden beds and trees.
One of the highlights of this edger is the Right or Left Handed Assist Handle that is designed to give that extra flexibility for maneuvering in tight spots
Pros
- Ideal for small yards
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Multifunctional
- Good cutting action
- Good power
- Right or left handle
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty edging
- Difficult to maneuver with thick grass
- Hard to use on sharp curves
2. GreenWorks Electric Corded Edger
The GreenWorks Electric Corded Edger has a lot of attractive features that make it the ideal power tool for cutting and manicuring a small yard. Greenworks has designed this bright green edger with a solid, but lightweight design, which makes it very easy to use and control. You do not have to worry about struggling with a ripcord as the edger can be started with just a press of a button.
The edger has a powerful 12 amp motor and a 7.5-inches double-edged blade that can cut up to 1.5-inches deep, and the blade can be adjusted according to the thickness and size of the grass, which gives you an overall precise and smooth cut. The edger is well balanced with 3 wheels, 2 larger wheels at the back, and a spring-assisted front wheel, which also helps to guide the edger and helps you to maintain the correct depth of cut in the lawn.
As well as an extendable shaft that you can adjust according to your desired height, the edger has a secondary handle that gives you that much-needed maneuverability when you have to negotiate small flower beds or for when you are working with thick grass. Another handy feature is the cord lock that prevents the extension cord from disconnecting.
Pros
- Ideal for small-sized yards
- Good value for money
- Lightweight
- Solid construction
- Easy to control and maneuver
- Very good edger
Cons
- Not ideal for cutting overgrown grass
3. McLane 101-5.5GT-7 Gas Powered Lawn Edger
If you have a medium to large-sized property and are looking for a professional style edger that can provide you with excellent edging performance, then the McLane 101-5.5GT-7 Gas Powered Lawn Edger is your best choice.
The McLane edger will make light work of all those gardening manicuring tasks as it is powered by a strong Briggs and Stratton 3.5 HP engine that provides 4.74 gross torque for superior cutting and trimming power.
It is ideal for tougher cutting and edging tasks as the 9-inches edging blade and single-level blade clutch gives you greater control over the depth of cut. You can choose to use a deeper cut when you are edging along flower beds or for a lighter cut when you are trimming along the sidewalk.
The sturdy edger is well designed with a strong steel frame, and the 4 large 8-inches rubber replaceable wheels with ball bearings give you that extra maneuverability and control for uneven terrain. An extra advantage of the McLane edger is that it can be used in California as it is CARB compliant.
Pros
- Ideal for medium to large-sized properties
- Good value for money
- Easy to start
- Excellent edger
- Solid machine
- Plenty of power
Cons
- Heavy
- Instructions are hard to understand
- Throttle cable can come off
4. Earthquake 23275 Walk-Behind Landscape and Lawn Edger
The Earthquake 23275 Walk-Behind Landscape and Lawn Edger is a solid gardening machine that takes all the hard work out of trimming the edges around your garden or property. The secret to its powerful performance is the reliable and easy-to-start 79cc Viper 4-cycle engine.
This grass-cutting maestro uses a 9-inches spring steel blade that makes precise cuts and crisp, clean lines. You will be able to trim your lawn into perfection and create customized landscape beds regardless of the grass type, or even cut small trenches, as the adjustable bevelling head cuts angles from 70-110° and the 5 different depth settings range from 0.5-3.5-inches
If you need to keep the grass neatly trimmed along your driveway or sidewalk, the 4 sturdy and well-balanced wheels also help you to maintain consistently straight edges. A durable chain debris guard protects you from flying debris while the attached tool holder on the ergonomic handlebars provides a convenient place to store smaller hand tools.
Pros
- Ideal for medium to large-sized yards
- Powerful engine
- Makes quick precise cuts and creates crisp, clean lines
- Five-position adjustable bevelling head
- Five different depth settings
- Chain debris guard
Cons
- Expensive
- Difficult to maneuver in tight spots
- Heavy
5. WORX WG170 GT Revolution Grass Trimmer/Edger/Mini-Mower
This innovative 3-in-1 WORX WG170 GT Revolution Grass Trimmer/Edger/Mini-Mower can be used as an edger, a line trimmer, and even as a mini mower for small to medium-sized yards.
It can be easily converted from a line trimmer into an edger without any tools. So after you have finished trimming your lawn, all you have to do is pull and detach the trimming head, attach the edger tool, turn to lock, and hey presto! You have converted the tool into an edger.
The trimmer/edger has a generous 12-inches cutting swath with a single-line feed system which means no bumping to extend the line, and the in-line wheels and the adjustable spacer guard helps you to guide the edger along the borders of your driveway or around flower beds for precise landscaping action, while also protecting delicate foliage.
The highlights of this trimmer/edger are the 2 strong 20-volt max lithium batteries that give you longer runtimes, no loss of power, and quick charging times. The lightweight telescopic shaft is adjustable and the cutting head can be pivoted 90°, so it can trim in between rocks and other hard to reach places around your garden.
For that extra maneuverability and operator comfort, the edger has a front auxiliary handle with 7 locking adjustments. Once you buy the WORX trimmer/edger/mini-mower, you will be able to trim, edge, and beautify your lawn to perfection in no time at all.
Pros
- Ideal for small to medium-sized lawns
- Powerful
- Lightweight
- Three-in-one functionality
- Adjustable space guard
- Good battery life
- Excellent edger
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty edging tasks
- Battery takes a while to recharge
6. BLACK+DECKER LSTE523 String Trimmer
If you are looking for an affordable, emission-free, and lightweight lawn edger that has plenty of power for all your trimming and edging tasks, the BLACK+DECKER LSTE523 String Trimmer is your ideal gardening buddy.
As well as being able to deliver an excellent cutting action for a small-sized yard, it can be easily maneuvered for edging around flower beds and it can even tackle tough weeds.
This versatile gardening tool can be easily converted from a trimmer into a wheeled edger, so you get 2 tools in 1. Its telescopic shaft can be easily adjusted according to your desired height, and the adjustable handle gives you that extra control. The Easy Feed system allows you to advance your line with the push of a button with no bumping required.
The edger/trimmer comes with a 20-volt lithium battery and the POWERDRIVE™ Transmission gives long-lasting torque which you can control through the dual-mode switch. You can choose the amount of power depending on the level of cutting or edging that is required. If you are doing some light edging, you can conserve the battery for those tougher edging tasks.
Pros
- Ideal for small-sized yards
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Powerful
- Two-in-one gardening tool
- Power saving dual-mode switch
- Very good cutting performance
Cons
- Not ideal for large-sized yards
- Battery takes a while to charge
Our Top Pick for the Best Lawn Edger
Our top pick for the best lawn edger is the WORX WG170 GT Revolution Grass Trimmer/Edger/Mini-Mower.
If you have a small to a medium-sized yard, you cannot go wrong with this trimmer/edger/mini-mower. As well as being a 3-in-1 power tool, it is portable and lightweight, but still has a lot of power due to a strong lithium-ion battery. A very reliable and sturdy power tool, it can deliver an overall optimal cutting performance that will result in a perfectly manicured garden.
Check the price on Amazon
