5 things to know if you're buying a grass trimmer

Grass trimmers, like many other gardening power tools, can be expensive. 

Keep reading for our top tips to make sure you get the best model for your budget and your needs.

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1. Choose the power source

One of the first decisions is to choose the power type for your grass trimmer. You can opt for one of the following: 

• Petrol grass trimmer – these powerful machines are designed for cutting larger areas of long grass and through vegetation and weeds.
• Cordless grass trimmers – powered by a battery, cordless grass trimmers are convenient if you don't have easy access to a power source.
• Corded grass trimmers – these are usually the cheapest option, designed for light tasks around the garden but restricted by a cord.

If you need a tool that's not restricted by a cord, it's worth keeping in mind that due to recent market shifts, we're seeing fewer launches of petrol-powered gardening tools. Manufacturers appear to be focusing their attention on cordless tools as they offer a better alternative for the environment and our health. They’re also quieter and produce zero emissions, while still being flexible and powerful enough to rival petrol tools.

2. And the cutting system

Grass trimmers cut using either a line or small plastic blades. If you're not sure which cutting system is right for you, think about the type of material you'll be cutting.

Line and line-feed systems 

The trimmer line is designed to break if you hit an object too hard, this prevents it from causing damage or getting wrapped around the object. To replace the broken line, you'll need to feed out more of it by either banging the grass trimmer on the ground (bump feed), stop using the trimmer and pull out more line (manual feed) or just start using it again as more line will come out automatically (automatic feed). Remember to feed out more line regularly to avoid it becoming too short. 

One thing to note is that with some grass trimmers the line will break often, so people often struggle with this type of system. This is why we assess each model by deliberately hitting its line on a metal edge to see how often the trimmer loses it. If you're interested to see how individual models perform head over to our grass trimmer and strimmer reviews.

Blade systems 

You won't have to worry about your line breaking or any other line-feed system issues, and the blades on the trimmer's head are generally simple to replace. One restriction with this system is that models aren't really designed for tough jobs such as long grass or rough weed patches and can easily break on hard surfaces. Blades can be more expensive to replace than a line, but some manufacturers offer free blades for the life of the grass trimmer, so check if that's the case with the trimmer you have your eye on before you buy.

Brushcutters 

If you're going to be dealing with tough weeds on a regular basis, a brushcutter may be the better option. Instead of a grass-trimmer line, it has a multi-point metal plate that spins rapidly and easily deals with stubborn vegetation. These should be used with extreme caution.

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3. Look out for these handy features

If you're looking for a straightforward grass trimmer for occasional light use, you probably won't need a lot of features. But the below are some to consider as they can make a huge difference in ease of use and convenience:

• Rotating head – allows you to turn the cutting system so it can be used vertically
• Adjustable angle head – as the name suggests, it allows you to angle of the head for easier access under garden furniture
• Harness/shoulder strap – ideal for heavy-duty models as it helps you hold your grass trimmer for longer periods
• A wheel on the grass-trimmer head – holds up the grass trimmer and keeps the same cutting level
• Bike handles – great for cutting large areas for long periods as they let you swing the grass trimmer in a wide arc
• Loop handles – give you a choice of working positions, depending on whether you're cutting side to side or around obstacles.

4. Consider Great Value products

You'll have to part with at least £60 to get your hands on a Best Buy corded grass trimmer, but cordless models are more expensive. A decent model will cost you around £100, however models with longer-lasting batteries can cost as much as £200. Good petrol or heavy-duty models are usually priced around £100 but we found that spending more gets you a better model.

If you're trying to find a tool that's affordable but will still do a good job, take a look at our Great Value models.

A Great Value model has to score 65% or more while also being at least 20% cheaper than the average price of the grass trimmers we've tested. 

These models are the perfect option if you're looking for a bargain, so head over to our Great Value grass trimmer reviews to find the perfect affordable grass trimmer for your needs.

5. Safety first

Generally speaking, grass trimmers are fairly safe as far as garden power tools go, but you should still be careful.

Always wear gloves for a better grip, as well as protection from thorns or brambles, and wear suitable footwear to avoid cutting yourself.

Ear defenders should be used if you're using a particularly loud trimmer, such as petrol. You should also consider buying safety goggles to protect your eye from any debris that may be flying around during use.

A cheaper alternative to a grass trimmer for lawn edging is our Best Buy lawn edging shears.