Are you looking for a tool that can trim weeds or grass, and can also edge your property? Then you have come to the right place! In this article we will be talking about combo trimmer edger models, the best two in one tool that will make your garden maintenance much easier. Why buy two tools when you can have one that does both?
In order to help you find the right one for your needs, we will first talk about what features to consider. After that we will look at some of the best edger trimmer models currently on the market today to see what features they offer, and how they compare against the competition. If you already have an idea of what you want to buy, you can skip right onto the recommended model section using the table below.
What features should you look for in a trimmer edger?
The first and main feature you will need to consider is what kind of engine you want to invest in. There are three main ones to choose from, and these include gas, battery powered and electric. Each type has it’s advantages and disadvantages, so lets talk about the strengths and weaknesses of each kind.
Gas Trimmer Edger
A gas edger is often the most powerful, but you won’t find many combination edger/trimmer models so selection is somewhat limited. These are probably the best choice if you have a large property, as their running time will be superior to electric and battery powered trimmers (unless of course you have a very long extension cord for an electric one!) They are the heaviest of the bunch however, so working with them can get a bit tiring after a while. Starting them can also be problematic at times, especially if they haven’t been used in a while or in colder weather.
Electric Trimmer Edger
Next up we have electric edgers. These are a good choice for a small property as they provide instant power without worrying about starting them up, or recharging batteries. Of course there is one main disadvantage when it comes to these, and that is the power cord. Unless you have a decent sized extension cord, trimming and edging a certain distance from you source of power could be an issue. Buying a decent length extension cord be an easy fix for this issue, so don’t dismiss an electric trimmer entirely for this reason.
Cordless Trimmer Edger
Lastly we have cordless models, otherwise know as battery powered edger trimmers. These are probably the most popular kind, as they are light and very convenient to use. Most of them have enough power to trim through thick grass and weeds, and they are very competitively priced. Of course the major downside is the running time they provide. With moderate usage you can get about 30 minutes run time out of a battery, so this should be adequate for smaller to medium sized properties. Often manufacturers will supply a second battery with the unit to ensure you have enough power to finish your trimming task. Charging times are generally in the range of 1-2 hours to get the batteries fully charged.
Of course there can also be issues with batteries retaining a lower charge over time, so be sure to read some user reviews of the model you are interested in to see if it suffers from any of these problems. We would suggest you look for a model that has a 18v Lithium battery as a minimum. Models with Nicad batteries are quite outdated now, and they don’t hold the charge as well.
Why is the trimmer head also important?
One other thing you will need to consider is the size of the trimmer head. The bigger the head, the more you can trim at a time. If you have large areas to cover, then we would recommend you look for a combo trimmer edger with a larger trimmer head. This will make your job quicker, so anything with a 12″ or above trimmer head would be ideal. Replacing string is also one of the tedious tasks when it comes to trimming and edging, but the good news is that many newer models come with an automatic feed system. What this does is that it will adjust the string to the correct length with the push of a button, saving you the hassle of having to fiddle around underneath and do it yourself! This is a great feature to have, and makes the entire trimming experience much easier and hassle free.
So those are some of the choices you have when picking out a trimmer, now lets take a look at some of the current top rated combo trimmer edger units to see how they compare.
Gas Trimmer Edger – Toro 51978 CE
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It has a premium carburetor for easy starts, and has a padded ergonomic handle to keep vibrations to a minimum. The edger features a large wheel for easy guidance, and comes with an impressive 4 year warranty. With a retail price of around $250, this model seems to be good value for money. Homedepot seems to be one of the few places that sell this model, and you can find more about it on their product page. This is one of the best gas trimmer edger combo models out there, so be sure to take a closer look at it. |
Electric Trimmer Edger – Toro 51480
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With a 2 year warranty and a retail price of under $80, this is definitely one of the best electric trimmer edger models you can get. To help you extend the length of the cord, you could get something like the Coleman 100 foot extension cord, which will make things much easier. This model has a retail price of around $60, which makes it quite an enticing option. You can find out more about it and read some of the many positive reviews on Amazon. |
Cordless Trimmer Edger – Black & Decker LST220
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This model comes with two batteries, which should give you enough charging power to comfortably trim and edge a small to medium sized property. Currently this is the best cordless trimmer edger combo models on Amazon, so this is a suitable choice for most home owners. With a retail price of around $120 and a decent 2 year warranty, this is affordable tool to help maintain your property. This model was also on sale at the time of writing on Amazon, so be sure to check here to see if it is still on sale over here. |
