So you’re out looking for a new weed eater and unsure which is right for you, gas or electric. A few years ago, I would have told you to go with gas. But technology has developed, and so has the way we think about our yards. So, before you reach for the gas weed whackers, let’s take a look at other options available and how they measure up.
Should You Choose an Electric Weed Eater or Gas? (The Short Answer)
Gas, corded, and battery-powered weed eaters all have their strengths and can all tackle weeding whacking successfully. But a lot of the time, these strengths are best suited to particular types of yards. So, what works for one yard may not work for another. Here’s an overview comparison of all three types of weed eaters.
Pros of Corded Electric Weed Eaters
A corded electric weed eater can do the same job as a regular gas-power weed eater, the difference is that it is powered by an electrical cord connected to a power outlet. Therefore, as long as you have an outlet, you can use a corded weed eater. So, let’s take a closer look at the pros of a corded electric weed eater.
| Corded | Battery | Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Power | Can Go Anywhere | Can Go Anywhere |
| Light Weight | Limited Maintenance | More Robust |
| Affordable to Buy | Light Weight | A Lot More Power |
| Easy to Use | Affordable to Buy | Can Be Used All Day Long |
| Quiet Operating Noise | Easy to Use | No Waiting to Refuel |
| Quiet Operating Noise | Versatile Head Options | |
| Works in the Rain |
Limited Maintenance
Corded weed eaters are pretty basic tools. They consist of the handle, shaft, head, trigger, and power cord. If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box solution, then a corded weed eater is a great option. No oil, filter, or spark plugs are needed here.
Unlimited Power
Another great benefit of a corded weed eater is that you have an unlimited power source. As long as you don’t have a power cut and a long enough extension, that is. So, no running to the gas station for more gas or waiting for batteries to charge. Just plug in the weed eater, and off you go.
Light Weight
Corded weed eaters are the lightest weed eater available on the market today. They don’t have the heavy weight of lithium batteries or engines and gas tanks of alternate-powered weed eaters. So, if you don’t fancy carrying a heavier tool around your yard, then this is a great option.
Affordable to Buy
If you’re looking for an adorable weed whacker, then look no further. For as little as $30, you can pick up a Craftsman corded weed eater at one of the big box stores. So, if you’re not looking to make a big investment, then definitely go for a corded weed eater.
Easy to Use
So, to get going with a corded weed eater, you just need to make sure you have the line in the head and that it’s plugged in. There’s no priming of the carburetor, choking the engine, or pulling the starter cord like you would with a gas-powered weed eater.
Low Operating Noise
Corded weed eaters use an electric motor to operate the trimming head. Now, you probably already know that small electric motors don’t really make much noise at all. So, if you don’t want to hear the loud sound of a gas engine, then go electric. With an electric weed eater, you can weed whack at dawn before work without waking up the neighbors.
Pros of Battery-Powered Weed Eaters
Next on the list of electric weed eaters vs. gas weed eaters is the battery-powered weed eater, otherwise known as a cordless weed eater. Instead of being tethered to a power outlet, the electric motor is powered using a battery.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of battery weed eaters.
Can Go Anywhere
The most notable benefit of battery-powered weed eaters is that they can go anywhere. They still use an electric motor, the same as a corded version, but with a battery instead of a cord. So, you’re not limited to the length of the cord.
With the development of lithium battery technology, you can have a battery-powered weed eater that will run for two and a half hours, like the Stihl FSA-130R.
Limited Maintenance
Again, like the corded weed eater model, there are a limited number of parts to worry about. So, if you’re not looking to get greasy hands while carrying out engine maintenance, then the battery-powered weed eaters are a much cleaner option.
Lightweight Weed Eaters
If weight is a concern, then battery-powered weed eaters are much lighter than gas-powered weed eaters. If you look at the Stihl residential range of weed eaters, you can see that the Stihl battery weed eater FSA45 comes in at 5.1 lb, whereas the Stihl FS-50 gas weed eater comes in at 10.1 lb. These two comparable machines will achieve the same trimming, but the battery-powered version is half the weight.
Affordable to Buy
Battery-powered weed eaters are definitely more expensive than the corded versions, but they still come in at an affordable price. Again looking at two comparable models, the Stihl gas-powered FS50 costs approximately $160 + Tax, whereas the Stihl battery-powered FSA45 weed eater comes in at $145.
Now, $15 isn’t a huge amount of money, but you still need to factor in replacement engine parts like fuel filters, air filters, spark plugs, and of course, gas. Plus, the cost of carbon emissions on the environment.
Easy to Use
Battery-powered weed eaters, just like corded versions, are pretty much plug-and-play out of the box. So, you load up the head, pop in the battery, and you’re off. The only exception is that you have to charge the battery between uses or at least when it’s dead.
The main benefit is that you don’t need any special knowledge about gas engines. Therefore, if you’re intimidated by using a gas powered-weed eater, give a battery version a try. They are definitely more user-friendly for novice operators.
Low Operating Noise
Battery-powered weed eaters have really improved in power and durability over the past several years, making them a real contender to their gas-powered big brothers. If anything, in the battle between battery weed eaters vs gas weed eaters, the battery versions are coming out on top.
More and more organizations are seeing the benefit of low operating noise. It’s common to see workers in public spaces and attractions using battery weed eaters during operating hours as they no longer cause a disturbance.
So, if you’re concerned that noise could cause a problem in your home or neighborhood, then a battery-powered weed eater will enable you to work unnoticed.
Pros of Gas Weed Eaters
Now it’s time to look at the traditional gas-powered weed eater and see in what scenarios it comes out on top. You never know; this could be the option you are looking for.
Can Go Anywhere
When trying to pick between battery vs. gas weed eaters, I agree that both the gas and battery models can go anywhere. But the corded electric weed eater can’t. Well, unless you purchase a bunch of extension cords, that is. So, if you have some distance to go from a power source, then a gas-powered one is a better choice.
More Robust & Reliable
If you are looking for a weed eater that can take long days and hard work, then gas-powered weed eaters have you covered. Now, this does come at a higher cost because of their improved construction and bigger powerful engines. But top-of-the-range weed eaters will last you a lifetime.
If you take a look in a lawn maintenance work trailer, you’ll find a selection of gas-powered professional-grade weed eaters because these guys can cover miles of weed eating in a day, and they need something that is going to last.
A Lot More Power Available
When you talk about power and weed eaters, most people would agree that gas power is the best option. Even though electric motors are good, they still can’t achieve the same level of power as a gas engine while maintaining a compact size.
So, if you are looking to cover a lot of ground and need a big cutting width, gas power is your best option. Also, if you get into some thicker vegetation, the gas-powered weed eater will outshine a battery version.
Can be Used All Day Long
If you look after and service a gas-powered weed eater properly, then it will run all day. Again this is another reason it’s the professional go-to choice. They don’t suffer problems like overheating electrical motors and thermal cut-off protection.
So, if you plan to be weed-eating in a big area all day, then I’d recommend gas power. Don’t get me wrong, professional battery-powered eaters will do the same, but you’ll need a ton of extra batteries on hand, and these don’t come cheap.
No Waiting to Refuel
While we’re talking about extra batteries, it’s also worth mentioning that you have to wait for them to charge. You might find that your battery/batteries don’t last long enough for you to complete your whole yard. So, you have to take a break or go watch some TV for a while. This is not a problem with a gas-powered weed eater. Just refill the gas tank, and you’re off again.
Works in the Rain
I’m sure you’ve had to do yard work in the rain a few times. I certainly have. It always seems to be that when you’re nearly done with your yard work, the sky opens up, and down comes the rain.
Well, I definitely wouldn’t recommend working out in the rain while using a corded weed eater or a battery-powered weed eater. You’ll either get an electric shock or end up damaging your weed eater. Gas-powered weed eaters, on the other hand, will keep on going.
As long as it’s a shower and not a torrential downpour, that is!
Versatile Head Options
You may not be aware, but a weed eater can actually do many different jobs other than just weed eating. This includes swapping out the head for attachments like circular saws, brush cutters, and even irrigation head trimmers. So, if these tasks are of interest, you’ll need a weed eater with enough power. Gas-powered weed eaters are your best choice.
Factors that Will Impact Your Decision
Ok, so we have been through all of the pros of gas or electric weed wacker, it’s time to take a look at the different factors that will impact your decision. Let’s go over the items you’ll need to consider when deciding between a battery vs. a gas weed eater to see which is the best fit for your home.
How Big is Your Yard?
One of the main things to think about is the size of your yard. If you have a large yard, then you’ll want to make sure you have a weed eater that is going to make it all the way around.
How Long Will Weed Eating Take?
Again, if you have a big yard, then you’ll want to figure out how long it will take to complete the job. You might need to consider longer extension cables or extra batteries. Or you could just eliminate time restrictions and go for a gas-powered weed eater.
What Vegetation Are You Trimming?
The next thing to consider is the vegetation you need to trim. If it’s just grass, then any weed eater should work fine. But if you have some heavier stuff, like some big weedy areas, then you’ll want to make sure you have the right amount of power.
Is Noise a Concern?
If you live in an area with noise restrictions, you might not be able to work in the yard whenever you want. For example, early in the morning while some people are trying to sleep. So, if this is a factor, then you could try using one of the quieter types of weed eaters.
Are You Familiar with Small Engines?
It is inevitable that if you purchase a gas-powered weed eater, you‘ll have to do some mechanical work at some point. Now, if you are not comfortable or just don’t want to work on your weed eater’s engine, then an electric option will work out better for you.
Where Are You Going to Store the Weed Eater?
Next, you want to think about where you will store your weed eater. If it needs to be stored inside your home, then gasoline fumes from a gas-powered weed eater will become a real problem.
Are You Interested in Different Weed Eater Heads?
If you’re interested in the idea of using your weed eater for other tasks, then you’ll want to make sure you get a weed eater with enough power. Now a corded electric weed eater isn’t going to be up to the task, and neither will a lot of residential battery-powered weed eaters. So, think ahead and make sure you get a weed eater that is going to do everything you need it to.
My Recommendations for When to Use an Electric Weed Eater vs Gas
Hopefully, I’ve covered everything that you need to know about gas or electric weed whackers. As a last little bit of help, I have summarized the points in this table below. This quick reference tool should help you decide if a gas or electric trimmer is better for your yard.
| Factors | Corded | Battery | Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Yards | X | X | X |
| Medium Yards | X | X | X |
| Large Yards | X | ||
| Grass Trimming | X | X | X |
| Brush Trimming | X | ||
| Unlimited Power | X | X | |
| Robust & Long Lasting | X | X | |
| Easy to Use | X | X | |
| Works in the Rain | X | ||
| Can be Used All Day | X | ||
| Waiting Time for Charging | X | ||
| Requires Regular Servicing | X | ||
| Loud Operating Volume | X | ||
| Additional Head Options | X | ||
| Gasoline Fumes | X |
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