There are times you may have started the job of lawn maintenance only to be left confused and frustrated.
Knowing which tool to choose can be confusing, even scary. This is why we think it’s time you took a look at this handy breakdown of the difference between a lawn edger and a lawn trimmer.
Edgers and trimmers may look similar and they do tend to perform similar functions but they each have some specific features that set them apart from each other. And with that kind of differentiation, there can be very little doubt which one would suit whichever task better.
With this article, you will be able to see past the hype and get the best tools (and save money) for your edging and trimming.
Table of Contents
What is a Lawn Edger?
A lawn edger is similar to a lawn trimmer in its structure, but it has more advanced features that facilitate high-quality results when creating attractive garden outlines. A trimmer’s key features include attachments, blades that can be detached, and a more powerful motor than a trimmer.
What is a Lawn Trimmer?
A lawn trimmer or weed eater is a hand-held tool used for trimming, edging, and shaping the grass around your garden. It does not have any attachments, nor does it cut the grass as low as a lawn mower does. Therefore, this tool is designed for cutting just the overgrown grass.
What are the Differences Between Edgers and String Trimmers?
Both are very similar in functionality, but the main difference between a lawn edger and a lawn trimmer is the design and shape of their blades. Both of these tools have rotating blades that are hinged on a metal frame, enabling them to do the same types of tasks on your lawn.
- The main difference between a lawn trimmer and a lawn edger is obvious: one trims while the other edges.
- An edger will form perfectly shaped edges, while a trimmer will leave a more natural-looking cut.
- Lawn trimmers are power tools with rotating blades that make it easier for you to keep your lawn neat. While a lawn edger usually come with a selection of blades for different purposes, such as cutting different types of grass, moss, and dandelions, or removing thick ivy from your house walls.
- Lawn trimmers lower the amount of manual labor you need to do on your lawn. They make the job faster and effortless. Lawn Edgers are also designed to make it easier to create straight or curved edges on your grass.
- A lawn trimmer is ideal for trimming around boundaries or against walls and pavements.
- A lawn edger is a tool that is used to cut the edges of a lawn so that they are straight and uniform. A lawn trimmer typically has a blade at the end of the shaft and it cuts grass by cutting off more than one inch of grass at a time.
What is the best tool for cutting grass edges?
Both tools have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Which One is Easy to Use?
Lawn edgers are better for cutting grass because they provide a clean edge without any torn-up or damaged grass blades. However, they can be difficult to use because you have to drag them along slowly in order not to tear up your lawn by going too fast with them.
Lawn trimmers tend to be easier to use but often leave behind torn-up pieces of grass which may look unsightly when you are finished using your lawn trimmer on your yard.
Which One is More Efficient?
Lawn trimmers and edgers are designed to help you trim around your property and make it look cleaner. They can be used on just about any surface, including grass, concrete, and mulch.
If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your lawn looking great, then a lawn edger may be your best option. They’re specifically designed for cutting grass edges and they come with many different features that make them more convenient than using a regular lawn mower (also see: Best Electric Lawn Mowers for Your Garden).
Which One Is Easy To Maintain?
If you don’t want to spend money on an extra tool or if you don’t want to spend much time on maintenance, then using a trimmer instead is a good idea as well. Trimmers are cheaper than edgers and they’re also easier to use because they have fewer moving parts than edgers do.
Can you use a trimmer as an edger?
I have used my gas trimmer as an edger. It works okay, but it’s a lot of work and not very precise. The trimmer is much easier to use, but it’s pretty slow going.
Edgers are more precise
Yes, you can use a trimmer as an edger on the lawn. But if you want a clean-cut edge that looks sharp, then you need to invest in a dedicated edger. A trimmer is meant to cut grass only and not edges. If you want to cut edges with a trimmer, it may not give you the desired result.
Edgers are more flexible
Trimmers have rotating blades that are fixed at 90 degrees to each other. They have no flexibility in their operation and can only cut straight lines easily. While edgers are designed for cutting edges, they have some flexibility in their operation which makes them suitable for making curved lines.
Trimmers cannot make curves or angles easily as they have rigid blades that rotate on two axes only. Edgers come with flexible blades which allow them to make curves and angles easily without much trouble.
How often should you edge your lawn?
I’ve found that the best way to do it is to cut in from the sidewalk or driveway onto the lawn, then use a string trimmer to cut along the edge of the driveway or sidewalk. This method isn’t great for large areas, but it can be effective if you have only a few feet of edging to do.
Lawns that are more exposed to high-traffic areas or play areas may need edging more frequently than others.
The best way to determine how often you should edge is by checking your tool’s blade. If it’s dull, you probably need to edge more often as a dull blade won’t leave as clean of a cut as a sharp one will.
If your blade isn’t dull but you still find yourself having to take multiple passes over the same area due to stragglers, this might be a sign that it’s time for some new blades.
It could also mean that there are some issues with the deck height adjustment on your riding mower so make sure those are set correctly too!
To maintain a clean edge, follow these tips:
Use a sharp blade: Dull blades will tear at the grass rather than cut it cleanly, leaving marks on your lawn edge.
Don’t overdo it: If you go over an area too many times it will leave a groove in the ground that takes a long time for the soil to recover from. It’s better to do fewer passes over each area than do too much too often!
Keep an eye out for weeds: Weeds such as dandelions can grow back easily if you don’t get rid of them completely when trimming around flower beds or borders; this means they can ruin an otherwise perfect-looking lawn edge.
Conclusion
I hope you have a better understanding of the difference between a lawn edger and a lawn trimmer after reading this guide. Lawn edgers are traditionally used on hard surfaces, such as concrete and asphalt, to create clean edges and angles. They do this by exerting pressure on the hard surface through a spinning blade to create grooves that can be filled with joint filler.
Lawn trimmers, on the other hand, use a rotating blade to cut grass at the surface of the lawn. This is useful for removing grass from hard surfaces, such as patios or walkways, and is an efficient way of keeping lawns neatly manicured.
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