Ryobi 18v Trimmer Auto Feed Conversion Kit

October 13, 2022 Post a Comment

Used indiscriminately over wide swathes of grass, lawn mowers are the brute force of the lawn care world. But when it comes to more detailed work, you need a weed wacker—or line trimmer, weed eater, string trimmer, or whatever else you want to call it. These slim, handheld power tools are designed to make short work of garden and lawn maintenance. They're adept at nitty gritty details, like the weeds around edges and ledges of patios, walkways, bushes, and flower beds.

But not all weed wackers are created equal. Over the course of a hot, wet (i.e., verdant overgrowth choked) summer, we put string trimmers from leading brands to the test.

Just-get-it-done consumers will appreciate our favorite, the powerful Kobalt KST 2580-06 (available at Amazon) weed wacker, which works like a gas-powered plaything, but without the fumes, racket, and weight. But, if you prefer one that's light and quiet, not to mention a good value, invest in the Dewalt DCST925M1 (available at The Home Depot) string trimmer, which we named the Best Value option on the market.

A man uses a yellow weed wacker on a green lawn on a sunny day — Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

How We Tested Weed Wackers and String Trimmers

The Testers

I'm Jean Levasseur, a former conveyor mechanic, current property manager, and hobbyist woodworker, in addition to being a writing instructor at a local university. I come from a family of tool-users—my grandfather was a carpenter, my father owned an excavation company, and my mother was a mechanic. Between growing up working for my family's businesses and then moving onto my own projects, I've used most tools you've heard of and quite a few that you haven't. I've also got a huge yard filled with plants, grass, weeds, and other tricky growth, which was perfect for testing string trimmers and weed wackers.

I've recently retested and added new products to this list, as well as considering previous tests and notes from Sarah Zorn, an amateur gardener, currently in possession of an urban garden in New York City.

The Tests

A man uses a weed wacker to cut grass around the edge of a garden — Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

We assembled each trimmer, taking note of how clear the manual instructions were, how much set-up was required, and how easy it was to install a new string. We looked at safety features, such as locking power switches and trimmer guards. We also assessed how comfortable each unit was; if the weight was evenly distributed from top to bottom, if the controls were accessible, where the handles were situated, and if the shafts could be adjusted for better reach. Then we put the trimmers to work on both short and tall grass, as well as tougher roots and weeds, seeing how quickly, efficiently and consistently they tackled each job, and maneuvered around edges and obstacles without running out of battery or breaking a string.

What You Should Know About Weed Wackers and String Trimmers

A man holds a weed wacker with a battery pack at one end — Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

While a gas string trimmer is generally preferred by professionals, an electric weed wacker (corded or battery-powered versions) makes more sense for a small yard and at-home use.

Corded trimmers are generally lightest and least expensive, and they start with the push of a button. Unfortunately, they almost always require extension cords, which can be frustrating to wrangle while you're working.

Battery-powered models offer the mobility of gas, without pull-starting, fueling, and fumes, but are heavier and more expensive than corded, and have a battery life with a run time between 30 and 60 minutes before needing a recharge. As far as cordless trimmers, look for options with a top-mounted motor, which tend to be better balanced (making them easier to handle) than models with motors mounted down near the cutting line.

Also, keep an eye out for amperage—averaging between 3.5 and 7.5—which generally affects the price, and assess how much power you really require for the size of your space.

Whether you opt for corded or cordless, select a cutting swath (10 to 16 inches) that makes sense for what range you need. A curved shaft is best for light trimming, while a straight shaft is better for heavy-duty work.

Quiet motors or engines are obviously preferred, as are lightweight, balanced, and low vibration models as far as comfort goes.

Thicker strings and dual nylon lines are most effective for tougher weeds and unruly yards, and trimmers with swivel heads assist with creating clean edges and finishes.

Bump feed systems allow users to deliver lines as needed, while automatic feeds dispense line, well, automatically, so you don't need to stop in the middle of a job. And models are ideally equipped with spools, which make it easy to load a new line.

Other Weed Wackers and String Trimmers We Tested

Meet the testers

Sarah Zorn

Contributor

Sarah Zorn is a food writer, cookbook author, and product tester for Reviewed, Wirecutter and the Food Network. She regularly contributes to outlets such as Saveur, Esquire, and Civil Eats, and has very much passed her food obsessions down, as her beloved rescue hound, Rowdy, regularly deglazes his kibble bowl.

Jean Levasseur

Contributor

Jean Levasseur became a professional writer over a decade-long career in marketing, public relations, and technical writing. After leaving that career to stay home to care for his twin boys, Jean has continued to write in a variety of freelance roles, as well as teaching academic writing at a local university. When he's not reviewing tools or chasing toddlers around the house, he's also an avid fiction writer and a growing woodworker.

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Source: https://www.reviewed.com/home-outdoors/best-right-now/the-best-string-trimmers

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