String trimmers and lawn edgers are very similar in many ways, but they are still different tools that are meant for different purposes. Some people are able to obtain both but for most households, choosing one will be just fine. Both products are generally quite inexpensive and are needed in many instances. Cordless mowers or zero turn mowers are able to cut almost everything, but certain areas of your yard will be unreachable. This is precisely what such devices are for; they are meant to help cleanup your yard from looking messy.
What’s The Difference Between String Trimmers & Lawn Edgers?
The main difference between these two devices is that one has a blade which spins vertically (edger) while the other has a blade that spins horizontally (string trimmer). In reality both products are able to substitute for each other in most scenarios but ideally you would use them separately depending on what you need. It really just comes down to what kind of work you will be doing and how you’ll be using your tool.
String trimmers and edgers can both be powered by battery, electricity, or gas and both come in corded or cordless variations. The best variations are typically those that are battery-powered and cordless, giving you the easiest tool to work with. The downside of a battery-powered, cordless trimmer/edger is that the battery life deteriorates over time and will eventually be significantly poorer than it was in the beginning.
Which One Is Better Suited For Me?
If you’re looking to clean up sidewalks and other stonework from grassy areas in your lawn, then a lawn edger would work best although both can potentially get the job done. This is because the vertical blade can fit into many more tight areas than your typical horizontal blade could, giving you maximum flexibility and reach. So for basic cleaning of sidewalks and things of that nature, a lawn edger is your best bet.
When it comes to taking on bigger foes like weeds and taller grassy areas, you will need to use a string trimmer. A string trimmer can also work as a lawn mower alternative in certain instances, especially on smaller areas of grass. Typically we’ll use them for uneven ground in which it is impossible to use a regular lawn mower. If the ground is flat, you could also use the trimmer to clean up the edges, though it may not look as clean in the end as it would when using an edger. You cannot realistically use a string trimmer in cleaning up statues or sloped sidewalks as you would with a lawn edger, so keep that in mind before you make your purchase.
Can They Substitute For Each Other?
Yes and no. It comes down to how difficult your jobs will be. If your lawn is rather tame and does not have any complicated slopes or statues you need to take care of, then you can realistically use a string trimmer without any issues. When it comes to complex jobs and making the edge of your sidewalk look absolutely pristine, then a lawn edger would likely be your best bet. They can substitute and alternate for each other most of the time, but in extreme cases you’ll need one over the other. You will have to evaluate your yard to determine which option will be best suited for you.
The Verdict
To be quite frank, neither is inherently better than the other. In complex scenarios, an edger is better. For regular mowing of a small yard, you’ll definitely be mowing faster with a string trimmer. If it’s strictly about cleaning up the edge of sidewalks, you can’t go wrong with a lawn edger. It does the best job at cleaning things up and giving you that professional feel. People often use string trimmers just for small mowing jobs, which is not the same as cleaning up the edges. It can still clean up those edges, but it just won’t do as good of a job.