Buying Guide for Gas-Powered String Trimmers

There are many string trimmers on the market, gas and electric alike. Gas trimmers, while generally more heavy than electric trimmers, but pack much more power and that makes them ideal for heavier yard work or just a lot of area to cover. They come in two different models - 2-cycle and 4-cycle. With the former, you have to mix gas and oil to get it going, but the latter just needs fuel. String trimmers are much different from lawn mowers and shouldn't be used in the same way. While lawn mowers are great for cutting large areas evenly, string trimmers are more for on-the-side trim work or getting rid of a patch of weeds or tall grass that stands out. They are very ideal to use in places where your lawn mower can't go or is difficult to. Here is an overview on the top 5 gas trimmers.

Husqvarna Forest and Garden Gas Trimmer

At $300, the Husqvarna 323L may seem very expensive for a gas string trimmer, but once you give it a chance you'll find it's more than worth the price. This is a quiet, lightweight trimmer (only 9 pounds) that also works as an edger and a blower, without having to invest in expensive attachments like you would with cheaper models. It's also very powerful in its work, knocking down weeds and grass without having to go over it again. This along with the edging and blowing features will ensure you to get the job done quickly, even if you have a lot of area to cover. In the long run, this will also save you on gas.

Other features include an 18" cutting swatch, dual line tap advance head, reduced vibration, and a 2-cycle, E-Tech engine. It also comes with a 2-year consumer warranty and a 1-year warranty for commercial use. On the downside, this gas trimmer isn't sold in California.

Craftsman 79197

$200 is the average price for the Craftsman 79197, a 29cc, 4-cycle - which means less pollution - gas trimmer that lets you cut through grass, weeds and brush with high power without having to mix gas and oil as in many other gas trimmers. It is attachment capable, but you have to buy them all separately, and it is also definitely one of the easiest trimmers around to start. The major con, however, is its weight at around 20 pounds, which is a lot more than most gas trimmers. But you can buy a universal shoulder strap that will easily fix any fatigue problems associated with this aspect. Keep this machine in good shape, and it should last you for years.

Tanaka TBC-225 Commercial Grade Trimmer

The Tanaka TBC-225 is a great gas trimmer for both home or commercial users. It works well for both, with enough power for professional landscaping, and at just over 9 pounds is light enough for anyone to use for a decent amount of time. It also has one of the best starting powers of any gas trimmer on the market - pretty much guaranteed to start on the first try, even if it's been sitting around for awhile. There are also extra attachments you can buy for it if you want to make this machine even more versatile. But even without any attachments, it does a great job at simply cutting down even the toughest grass and weeds.

Other features include a 21cc, two-stroke engine; 4" semi-automatic cutting head, and two types of warranties - 1-year commercial and lifetime for the drive shaft. The average price for this trimmer is $200.

Poulan Pro PP125

For a price range between $90 and $120, the Poulan Pro PP125 offers a decent-quality tool that's hard to beat for what you're paying for it. It's a 25cc, 2-cycle gas trimmer with a 17" cutting width and dual line cutting head. It's great for home use, if you're using it for light yard work. If you have a lot to cut through, or stuff heavier than grass and weeds, then it's suggested to buy the optional brush tool attachment (which also comes with a convenient shoulder strap). 4 other optional attachments are also available for different needs. Its easy out-of-the-box assembly is simple enough for pretty much anyone to deal with in just a few minutes time, and its light weight is easy for anyone to carry around as well. A 2-year limited warranty is also included.

There aren't many cons to be found with this one, other than it isn't made for a lot of heavy work - but investing in the brush tool will take care of that.

Troy-Bilt TB10CS

The Troy-Bilt TB10CS is available for an average price of $100. It's a 31cc trimmer with a 17" cutting radius, and offers a great starting system for its price. Even though once in awhile it takes several tries to get going (such as if its been sitting for a long time), most of the time it easily starts on the first pull. Assembly is easy with very clear instructions. It even has a special handle that adjusts for either right or left-handed users. The most major downside is probably its likelihood for the line to break when used in heavy areas or for a very long period of time. Fortunately, line replacement is a simple aspect of this trimmer. Also included is a 2-year limited warranty.