Strimmers are a key part of any groundcare tool collection. They’re versatile, easy to use, and can give your outdoor space that little extra to make it look wonderful. But with all of the different types on offer, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.
In this guide, we’ll explain what the different types of strimmers are, as well as their main pros and cons so you can make the best decision for you. Keep reading to learn more from the Hughie Willett team…
What is a strimmer?
First off, we thought it would be worth clarifying what a strimmer actually is.
A strimmer, also called a grass trimmer, is a power tool that uses a rotating wire or blade to cut through grass and other vegetation. They’re primarily used along the edges of a lawn, or in areas that are inaccessible to a mower - like around tree trunks or immovable garden furniture.
Strimmers are used by a wide range of people, from domestic gardeners to professional landscapers. If you’re interested in learning more about the mechanics, check out our article on How Does a Strimmer Work? for a more detailed explanation.
What are the different types of strimmer?
Strimmers are categorised by power type, as this has the most impact on their functionality. The three types of strimmer you can get are petrol, cord electric, and cordless electric (also called battery strimmers).
In this section, we’ll take you through each of these different grass trimmers, and explain some of their most important pros and cons.
Petrol strimmer
Petrol power tools were an incredible innovation, and are still frequently used today, like in the case of petrol grass strimmers.
Most petrol grass strimmers use a 2-stroke combustion engine, which generates power by burning a fuel combination of petrol and oil. This tool has plenty of advantages and disadvantages depending on how and when you need to use a grass trimmer, which will affect whether this is the right model for you.
Advantages of a petrol grass trimmer
Petrol grass strimmers are incredibly useful in certain circumstances, and there are plenty of useful features that mean this could be the ideal power type for your needs.
Powerful
Petrol grass strimmers are the most powerful of all the options on the market. The 2-stroke engine can generate a lot of power, which is translated into cutting speed and width of the strimmer blade/wire.
Top tip - petrol strimmer engine size is measured in cc (cubic centimetres). The higher the cc number, the more powerful the engine.
If you have a larger area, or need to cut through thicker or tougher vegetation, this extra power is essential to completing the job. A more powerful engine also supports a wider cutting width, which theoretically means you could cut more grass with each sweep and finish the job quicker.
Portable
One of the biggest selling points for a petrol grass strimmer is that it’s fully portable, and you’re not restricted by power cables or needing to be close to a mains supply for electricity.
Petrol grass strimmers simply need a fuel mixture, which can be easily carried with you to anywhere in the world in a plastic fuel can.
This is ideal if you’re working in remote or urban areas, like trimming grass along a pavement in a city where you’re not near a mains socket. Alternatively, petrol models are ideal if you’re strimming a large garden where an extension lead would be impractical or impossible to use.
Long lifespan
Another advantage to petrol grass strimmers is that, with proper maintenance, they can have a longer lifespan than other strimmers on the market.
Petrol engines are incredibly durable, and they’re built to last against the pressures they’re put through during use. You’re also more likely to be able to extend the lifespan of your petrol strimmer because the parts are easily replaceable.
This means that instead of needing to buy a new battery, or motor, you can simply switch out new spark plugs or air filters to get more use out of your original unit.
Disadvantages of a petrol grass trimmer
However, there are some disadvantages to choosing a petrol grass strimmer. Whilst they may have been around the longest, they have fallen out of fashion for the domestic user for some of the following reasons.
Harder to use
Due to the nature of a 2-stroke engine, petrol grass strimmers are naturally more complicated to use - which can put off beginners, or the more casual user.
Most petrol power tool engines make use of a starter rope, which takes time getting the knack for to avoid flooding the engine or stalling after a few minutes.
Note - many top brands use new starter technologies such as Stihl`s Ergostart to make their petrol strimmers easier to use.
The engine and fuel tank also makes the petrol grass strimmer the heaviest of the three options. The additional weight makes this tool much harder to use and control if you don’t have the upper and core strength to handle it.
Fuel emissions
Like any petrol-powered machinery, petrol grass trimmers give off emissions as by-products of the engine burning through fuel.
However many modern petrol grass strimmers have technology to massively reduce their emissions to make a safer and more environmentally conscious product.
Noisier
Petrol engines are noisy. If you’re using a grass strimmer in a domestic or residential setting, this noise can become irritating over time and you may get complaints from neighbours.
This additional noise is not good for you either. You’ll need some heavy-duty ear defenders to protect your hearing and ensure you can use this tool safely.
High maintenance
As we mentioned above, petrol grass strimmers have the potential for a longer lifespan than other grass trimmers. However, this comes with a lot of maintenance.
Fuel naturally degrades over time, so you need to clean the fuel tank and engine more frequently to prevent blockages and erosion. You also need to ensure you’re using the correct two stroke mix, as this can damage the engine and cost money to fix if an incorrect mix is used.
You need to check the engine parts regularly to see if anything needs replacing before use, and to check nothing has become dangerously damaged.
Electric strimmers
If you’re a domestic gardener, you’re probably most familiar with electric strimmers. These models receive their power through the mains supply of electricity, which is why they can also be known as corded grass trimmers.
Advantages of electric strimmers
As technology has progressed, electric, or corded, became a more popular option as they have several advantages that make strimmers more accessible to different users.
Reliable
The biggest selling point of a corded electric strimmer is that it’s the most reliable of the three options in terms of power capacity.
As long as the unit remains plugged in, you’ll have a constant source of power without having to worry about refuelling or recharging the battery.
This consistency is especially important for more detailed projects where you don’t want to risk the power cutting out in the middle. Or, for domestic users whose concentration needs to be on using the strimmer safely rather than worry about the power supply.
Lighter
The lack of a petrol engine or battery pack also means that a corded electric grass trimmer is much lighter to use.
This can help prevent fatigue during an extended period of use, and makes this type suitable for older people, or those with limited strength and mobility in their upper body that still wish to maintain their garden.
Easy to use
Electric strimmers are also one of the easiest types to use, making them more popular with casual gardeners or domestic applications. They have a simplified on switch that only relies on being plugged into a power supply.
They also require less maintenance as you don’t need to clean out the engine or ensure the batteries are charged or working properly.
Disadvantages of electric strimmers
On the other hand, there are certain aspects of electric strimmers that could be a distinct disadvantage depending on your groundcare needs.
The cord
The first, and most obvious, disadvantage to electric strimmers is the cord. This severely limits your range, even with the use of an extension cord, and can prevent you from using this model in larger gardens or more remote areas.
You also need to be conscious of where the cord is at all times to prevent trips - or from accidentally cutting through the cable. This can affect how well you can move around your garden, and may prevent you from sweeping the strimmer head efficiently.
Top tip - make sure to have a residual current device (RCD) for any socket you plug your strimmer in. This will help to protect you from dangerous electrical shocks if you accidentally cut through the cord.
Less powerful
Depending on the job in hand, an electric strimmer may not be suitable because they’re less powerful than petrol ones. This could limit what you can actually do with the tool - for example, if you need to cut through thick weeds, an electric grass trimmer may not be up to the job.
If you actually try to force your electric strimmer to work too hard, you could cause the motor to burn out, which will cost you money to replace, and you may even need a new strimmer entirely.
Top tip - electric strimmer power is measured in Watts, with a higher wattage offering you more power.
Cordless strimmer
Last, but certainly not least, we have cordless battery grass trimmers.
Cordless strimmers are typically powered by a lithium-ion battery. These are rechargeable, which is more environmentally sustainable than other previous battery designs.
Top tip - battery power is measured in volts. The higher the voltage, the more powerful your cordless strimmer will be.
Advantages of cordless grass strimmers
The cordless grass trimmer is a newer design, and this advancement in the technology does have certain benefits for this type of power tool.
Portable
Cordless grass strimmers are completely portable, as they’re not restricted by needing a direct connection to a mains supply. Since they’re also much lighter than a petrol trimmer, you can get even more mobility during use.
This is ideal for large gardens, or areas where you need the additional dexterity - like removing weeds from cracks in paving.
Quiet
Battery powered cordless strimmers are one of the quietest options available. This is perfect for domestic or commercial use where you’re going to be near other people regularly.
A quieter power tool is much safer to use over time as well, because there’s a lower risk of damaging your hearing.
Part of a tool network
If you have several groundcare tools already, getting a cordless grass strimmer could be a valuable addition to your collection.
Many brands have developed tool ranges that can share batteries, meaning you don’t need loads of separate battery packs and charging stations. Having tools that share batteries is an easy way to have extra spares or charged batteries when you need them, and makes sharing power across your tools much simpler.
Disadvantages of cordless grass strimmers
However, as with everything cordless grass strimmers have some disadvantages which can affect your decision to buy one.
Battery life
The primary issue you may have with cordless grass strimmers is that they’re limited by battery life.
Whilst the battery life of power tools has gotten a lot better over the years, this can still constrict your use of the strimmer. The time-sensitive nature of completing your task within a set limit can be restrictive, especially for larger tasks where you may be working across several hours.
Need to recharge
You also need to remember to charge your battery regularly, or you may find yourself without power when you want to get started.
This is a distinct disadvantage for more spontaneous gardening - as is common with British weather - or if you simply forget to set the unit on charge.
Top tip - battery sharing between tools can help this, as will choosing fast-charging capacities to make your life easier.
Expensive
Good quality cordless grass strimmers can be expensive, especially if you’re looking to buy additional battery units.
Lithium-ion batteries have a superior charge life, and are more environmentally sustainable - but they’re also much more expensive than other types of battery. These costs can add up, so it’s something to consider when you’re choosing the right strimmer for you.
What type of strimmer should I buy?
With all of the points above in mind, we’ve put together a rough summary of each type of strimmer and who they suit to help make the choice simpler.
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Petrol grass strimmer - most suited to groundcare professionals or experienced users who have a large or remote area to work in due to the increased power and portability. These are also better on thicker weeds or dense undergrowth.
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Corded grass strimmer - these work best for those on a budget, looking for a quality power tool to use for domestic applications in small to medium sized gardens where the power cord won’t restrict their use.
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Cordless grass strimmer - for larger working areas where you need the portability and mobility of a battery strimmer. These are ideal for those who already have a collection of battery powered tools from the same range to encourage battery sharing.
To conclude, we would like to emphasise that this is simply a guide to the features of different strimmers, and in the end the choice of which grass strimmer to buy is yours to make.
Looking for the best place to buy a strimmer?
You’ve come to the right place! At Hughie Willett Machinery, we’re one of the leading suppliers for groundcare tools and machinery. We stock tools from top brands like Stihl and Husqvarna, so you can be confident in the products you buy from us.
Get in contact with our brilliant and friendly team of experts, who are always on hand to offer you advice and guidance when it comes to buying what you need - from strimmers to lawnmowers and everything in between. We also offer repairs and services across a wide range of products to help you care for your tools for as long as possible.
Buy your next strimmer from Hughie Willett Machinery now
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