Ok, so if you can use a string trimmer as an edger, what’s the point in owning an edger if you already have a string trimmer? Well, there’s actually a big difference between a trimmer and an edger and what each can achieve. If you are debating between buying a new edger vs string trimmer, let me explain the differences and see which is worth it for your yard.
How Does a String Trimmer vs. Edger Differ?
When using a string trimmer as an edger, you are using the line that is stored in the head to cut the grass. Plus, you are guiding the head over the edge of the lawn free hand. Whereas an edger uses a metal blade to cut the edge of the grass and to guide the cut. In addition, edgers have a wheel attached to the head to take the weight of the tool.
Pros of String Trimmers
Before you add another tool to your collection, let’s take a look at the pros of using a weed whacker vs edger. You might not need an edger at all.
You Only Need One Tool
The big benefit of using a string trimmer as an edger is that you only need one tool, and you can save a few hundred dollars by not buying an edger.
Less Storage Space Needed
If space is an issue and you don’t have much room to store garden tools, then keeping to just one tool is going to be a great help.
The Line is Cheaper than Edger Blades
A replacement blade for your edger can set you back $3-$5 each. This is far more expensive than the cost of the weed eater line you will use to edge your yard using a string trimmer.
You Save a Lot of Time
By just having one tool, you can save a lot of time not having to swap over tools. If you work out the route around your yard, you’ll find that you actually have to cover less distance using only one tool.
As an example, if you need to only weed whack a few areas around the yard and edge the entire perimeter, you’ll find you can do both jobs in one lap. But if you use both a weed eater and an edger, you’ll have to do two laps and cover twice the distance.
Pros of Lawn Edger
Now that you know the benefits of using a weed eater as an edger, let’s take a look at what makes a dedicated edger good to use.
An Edger Makes a Clean Cut
If you compare the finished job between a lawn edger vs weed whacker, you’ll quickly see the difference. An edger makes a nice clean cut, whereas the string trimmer leaves a ragged tear. This is definitely not good for your grass.
Also, string trimmers don’t do a very good job of cutting through new thick shoots on grasses like St. Augustine. So, you end up with thick shoots growing off into the flower bed.
Cutting Back the Dirt
If you like nice deep edges between your lawn and the flower beds, then you’ll notice that the dirt from the lawn starts to spread into the beds. If you choose to use an edger, then the blade will be able to cut into the dirt and keep the lawn edge where it should be. Trying to do this with a string trimmer isn’t so easy.
The Edger Has a Guard
Edgers have a guard that sits just behind the blade to catch clippings and debris the blade throws up. This means you’re not going to be firing projectiles around your yard, causing damage.
Unfortunately, a string trimmer has no way of keeping objects from flying around your garden. So, if you have rocks or mulch in your flower bed, then be prepared for broken windows and a few dents in your car if you use a string trimmer.
The Head Carries its Own Weight
When you use an edger, you place the blade against the edge of your lawn and allow the weight of the machine to rest on the head’s wheel. It’s way more comfortable and easier to push an edger around the yard for a long time than it is to hold a weed eater up in the air.
The Edger Blade Guides
Edgers are really pretty easy to use. It only takes a couple of goes to be able to get a nice clean edge on your lawn. Now, learning how to edge with a weed whacker isn’t so easy. It’s probably going to take a long time to perfect your skills, and you’ll always run the risk of going off course.
Also, edging with a weed eater, you tend to overedge a little and keep increasing how far you edge into the lawn. If you use an edger, this isn’t really a problem.
Factors that Will Impact Your Decision
Now that you have looked at the difference between a trimmer and an edger let’s take a look at some of the factors that will impact your decision on which method to go for.
Cost to Purchase & Spare Blades
Edgers come in a variety of designs and are made by a number of different manufacturers. The one thing they have in common is that none of the good ones are particularly cheap. So, be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars to get yourself a good reliable lawn edger.
You’ll Need Space to Store the Extra Tool
An extra tool means extra space is needed for storage. So, if you are tight on space, then finding a home for an extra tool could be a problem.
How Clean You Want the Edges
Edgers 100% do a much better job of forming sharp vertical edges. So if you have flower beds, an edger will provide better results. But if you only want to edge your driveway and street edge, then a weed eater will do a great job. Well, after you’ve practiced it a couple of times.
What’s in Your Flower Bed
If you have rock flower beds or mulch, then you need to think about whether it is safe to use a weed whacker to edge. Trust me, if there’s a potential projectile in your flower beds, then a weed eater will find it. Watch out for cars, windows, people, and of course, yourself.
Can You Edge With a Weed Eater?
Just because you can use a weed eater as an edger doesn’t actually mean you’ll be able to. I have a neighbor who has been trying for years, and he still can’t get it right. So, just be aware that edging with a weed eater isn’t a walk in the park for everybody.
Do You Have Decorative Flower Bed Edgings?
It’s more common for people to have either concrete or plastic edgings on their flower beds these days. It is important to know that weed whackers will make a complete mess of any plastic edging as the weed whacker line will cut right through it. Now, if you have concrete edging, either tool will be fine.
Do You Have Plants Hanging Over Your Edges?
Another factor to consider is if you have shrubs and plants hanging over the edges of your lawn. In my yard, I have flowers during the summertime that grow out toward the lawn. If I try to edge the lawn with a weed eater, I’ll end up hitting the flowers at the same time. So, check to see if any plants would get damaged by your string trimmer.
My Recommendations for When to Use a String Trimmer vs Edger
If you are still on the fence over which tool to choose, let me give you a few examples of scenarios where you could use a string trimmer vs edger.
| Scenarios | Edger | String Trimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Solid Driveways | x | x |
| Street Edges | x | x |
| Mulch Beds | x | |
| Dirt Beds | x | x |
| Rock Beds | x | |
| Shallow Beds | x | x |
| Deep Beds | x | |
| Against Concrete Edgings | x | x |
| Against Plastic Edgings | x | |
| Overhanging Plants & Shrubs | x | |
| Public Areas | x | |
| Close to Cars, Window, People | x |
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