Best Lawn Edgers of 2022

Types of lawn edgers

When buying a gardening power tool, there are certain things to consider before opening your wallet to make a purchase. In the case of lawn edgers, it begins with deciding which type you like best from the following two:

• Pole edgers: Consist of a pole with a handle fixed at one end and the cutting head on the other. They look like a regular string trimmer or grass trimmer but have a wheel that helps you maintain a fixed trajectory along a hard surface or flowerbed. These lawn edgers are compact, lightweight, and easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
• Walk-behind edgers: Look more like a miniature push lawn mower. They have a lateral wheel that helps you maintain trajectory and two or three additional wheels that enhance stability. These edgers are easier to use on large terrains or around multiple obstacles, as they are easier to control.

Lawn edger power source

Once you have established which type you like best, check out the power source. Like all gardening power tools, they come in either gas, corded, or cordless version.

• Gas edgers: Are the most powerful, usually employed by landscapers or professional gardeners. Their biggest strengths are the unlimited runtime and impressive power compared to the electric models. However, the fuel tank might add too much weight to a pole-style edger. They are also noisy and banned in some states due to their emissions. Nevertheless, they are the best option for big lawns, stubborn grass, and professional landscaping.
• Corded electric edgers: Are ideal for small lawns. They are less powerful than gas but are much lighter thanks to the absence of a fuel tank. Your mobility will be limited by the length of the cord, but in broad lines, these tools are perfect for lawns of up to a quarter acre.
• Cordless lawn edgers: Are still electric but come with more or less powerful batteries, depending on the model. The higher-end ones can easily compete against the gas-powered in terms of power, but their biggest drawback is the limited runtime. Getting a second battery could be a solution, but extra batteries are usually expensive. These edgers are typically ideal for small to mid-sized lawns.

What lawn edger is the best for me?

Because the range of lawn edgers available on the market is really vast, there are a few questions you should answer to determine which could be the right one for you.

• Where do you live? If in any state where gas power tools are banned, you’ll have to pick between a corded or cordless tool. The latter is more suitable for larger lawns in this case.
• What is the size of your lawn? If you can opt for any of the three power sources, base your decision on the size of the lawn.
• Do you only need a lawn edger? If you need an edger, chances are you may also need a trencher or string trimmer. If you don’t have those tools already, some combo lawn edgers may suit your needs.

What are edger combos?

We mentioned the edger combos above. Their name is pretty self-explanatory. They are combination tools that offer the benefits of two or three units in one.

• Two-in-one edger combos: Consist of either an edger and string trimmer or edger and trencher. The former usually comes with a cutting line instead of a blade, while the latter combines the utility of an edger with that of a tiller or mini garden cultivator and has a blade instead of spool line.
• Three-in-one edger combos: Are rather new tools manufactured by few brands and that combine the advantages of a small electric lawn mower with those of a weed whacker and edger.

Line vs. blade lawn edgers

Lawn edgers can use either line or blades to cut the grass and manicure your lawn.

Line edgers often come in a combo with a string trimmer, but usually, have an automatic feed. You won’t have to bump the tool each time you want to cut, making the edging operation smoother. However, these tools are not as performing as those with blades.

Types of lawn edger blades

Lawn edgers can have three types of blades, and depending on your needs, they might make or break the deal.

• Flat rectangular blades: Are ideal for straight-line edging, such as manicuring the lawn along a driveway or flowerbed.
• Star blades: Can have between 3 and 8 points and are perfect for cutting the grass next to retaining walls or fences. These blades also equip the edger and trencher combos.
• Scoop-end blades: They are ideal for edging a mulched lawn, as they deal much better with debris and fine grass clippings.

What other features to consider?

Beyond all the important features above, there are a few other features the best lawn edgers have:

• Detachable shaft: Lets you use the same shaft and power source with different heads. For instance, you could use the shaft to power your pole saw or hedge trimmer. This feature is usually present on the cordless models.
• Weight: The weight might not be as important on a walk-behind model as it is on a pole edger. However, it will influence maneuverability. A lighter edger is also more suitable for people suffering from arthritis or other physical conditions.
• Ergonomics: An ergonomic edger should include a telescopic shaft you can adjust to your height, a comfortable handle, great balance, and soft grip.
• Adjustable cutting depth: Just like lawn mowers, lawn edgers can adjust their cut depth to meet your needs. Most models have cutting depths of between 1.75 and 2.5 inches.
• Wheels: You should also decide how many wheels you need. Two-wheel models are great for smaller and fairly flat terrains. Inclines, many obstacles, or big lawns are easier to tackle with three or four wheels.

How to use a lawn edger?

Using a lawn edger is not rocket science, but you’ll still have to follow a few steps if you want to make sure you’ll have the nicest lawn in the neighborhood.

Step 1 – Mow your lawn

This first step is essential, as it allows you to see the edging lines without anything obstructing your view.

Step 2 – Outline your edge

This is an important step if you want to make an edge near a flower bed. If you’re cutting an edge between the lawn and a hard surface – such as a driveway, walkway, or patio – , you can use the hard surface as an outline.

Step 3 – Edge the lawn

Place the edging blade on the previously established line, making sure that the blade is positioned on the side of the grass. If your edger has a guide, this should be positioned on the paved surface alongside the wheels.

Turn on the tool and push it slowly along the line. You can determine the speed by listening to the edger, as the tool is usually quieter when it has finished cutting the grass in one place.

Continue until you’ve cut all the grass along the edge line. If you are making an edge near a flowerbed, pull out any vegetation left behind after finishing edging. If you have a trencher edger combo, it would be a great idea to dig a trench to prevent weeds from spreading to your flowerbed.

That’s it; now, clean your tool and repeat the process when the grass starts to grow again.

Best Lawn Edger for the Money

Best value

WORX WG896 7.5″ Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher

Best edger trencher combo

A valuable combo designed to manicure the edges of your lawn and help you dig trenches around flowerbeds.

Check price on Amazon