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The 7 Best Lawn Edgers of 2024

Maintain neat edges around your pathways and gardens

The Spruce Edge Trimmers

The Spruce / Kevin Liang

Lawn edgers, sometimes called edge trimmers, are used to neatly trim the vertical edge of a lawn where it meets the sidewalk, driveway, or plant beds. This creates a clean line and helps prevent the grass from spilling over onto the pavement or into nearby flower beds or other garden areas.

Lawn edgers are sometimes confused with a string trimmer, otherwise known as a weed whacker, or weed eater. While a lawn edger uses a blade or wheel to create clean edges, a string trimmer has a slightly different design and purpose. According to Noah James, professional landscaper and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance. "A string trimmer is a tool used for cutting grass and weeds in hard-to-reach areas. It has a rotating head with a flexible plastic string that spins quickly to cut through vegetation."

When choosing a lawn edger, you'll want to first consider the power source that works best for your needs: gas, battery, power cord, or by hand, James notes that for most homeowners with the typical suburban lawn, a battery or corded electric lawn edger is sufficient. However, if your lawn is large, has extensive landscaping features, or is on challenging terrain, he recommends the additional power offered by a gas edger.

Another consideration is whether your lawn's edges are fairly straight or include a lot of curves. While any edger can easily tackle straight edges, maneuvering around curves is easier with a manual edger or a power stick-design edger, rather than a larger walk-behind tool.

Whether you choose gas or electric, you'll want to be sure your edger is powerful enough to handle your grass, lightweight and easy to handle, and durable enough to last through year after year of lawn care. For extra comfort during use, look for edgers with adjustable shaft lengths and ergonomic handles.

To keep your landscape looking its best, we researched dozens of lawn edgers from the top brands on the market, evaluating each one on its power source, cutting depth options, ease of use, weight, and overall value.

Our Top Picks
In This Article

Best Overall

Echo Gas 2-Stroke Edger

Echo PE-225 21.2cc Gas 2-Stroke Edger

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to start

  • Clog-resistant shield

  • CARB compliant

  • Comfortable handle

What We Don't Like
  • Requires gas/oil mixing

For a variety of lawn sizes and conditions, we love this easy-to-use gas edger from Echo. The rectangular blade is 7.75 inches, and can easily be adjusted for a maximum cutting depth of 2.5 inches, which is more than sufficient to clear away grass, roots, and soil along the side of your lawn. We also like the slightly curved shaft of this edger, which is comfortable to balance, while also providing a better view of the grass while you work.

This sturdy landscaping tool has a professional-grade, 21.2cc engine and Echo's i-30 starting system, which they claim reduces the effort to start the tool by 30 percent; no frustrating yanks of a start chain. The large guide wheel helps you keep your cutting line straight and accurate. Remember, though, that this is not a trenching tool designed for digging deep trenches into hardened soil or creating new edges along the lawn; it's for maintaining lawn edges that already exist.

This gas edger's high-impact nylon debris shield protects the operator, yet its open design prevents material from getting clogged and slowing down the blade. Plus, its large handle is comfortable to hold. On the downside, this edger has a two-stroke engine requiring a 50:1 ratio of gas to oil mixture. You can expect around 45 minutes of runtime on a single tank of fuel. This edger is California Air Resource Board (CARB) compliant, meaning that it meets that agency's very stringent requirements for reduced emissions.

Power Source: Gas | Weight: 13.1 pounds | Max Cutting Depth: 2.5 inches | Blade Type: Rectangular

Best Corded

WORX Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher

WORX WG896 12 Amp 7.5" Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher

Amazon

What We Like
  • Three-wheel design

  • Adjustable shaft length

  • Easy-to-use handle

What We Don't Like
  • Limited cutting depth

If you have a smaller lawn and you don’t mind working around an extension cord, the Worx Electric Lawn Edger is a great option that comes at a reasonable price. We like that it doesn't require much maintenance or emit fumes, and isn't as noisy as a gas-powered tool. Its 12-amp motor keeps the 7.5-inch serrated blade spinning at up to 4,700 RPMs, easily slicing through dirt, grass, and roots.

It has a cord retainer to help keep the extension cord and the adjustable shaft lets you set the tool to the length most comfortable for you. Plus, the D-grip handle is easy to hold and helps you stay on track. Just note that you'll have to provide your outdoor-rated extension cord, as it's not included.

This edger has two rear wheels and one front guide wheel, which reduces the amount of weight you have to support while using it, and also helps you make accurate, clean cuts along the edges of the grass. We do wish it had a deeper cutting depth, though. The maximum is 1.5 inches, but you can also set it to either 1 inch or 1.25 inches if desired. Still, that's enough to keep the majority of lawns nicely edged and looking their best.

Power Source: Corded electric | Weight: 14 pounds | Max Cutting Depth: 1.5 inches | Blade Type: Serrated

Best Gas

Champion Power Equipment Gas Walk-Behind Edger

Champion Power Equipment 100731 Gas Walk-Behind Edger

Champion Power Equipment

What We Like
  • CARB certified

  • Designed for use around curbs

  • Triple edge blade

  • Blade can be angled

What We Don't Like
  • Heavy

  • Handle not height adjustable

If you have a big lawn that requires a lot of edging, this sturdy model from Champion Power Equipment can tackle the job. This walk-behind edger has a four-stroke, 79cc engine, so no need to mix the gas with oil before fueling up. Unlike many edgers, this one has a three-point, triangular blade that measures 9 inches across at the widest point, can cut down to a maximum of 2.5 inches, and spins at up to 3,083 RPM.

You can also slightly angle the blade up to 15 degrees either to the left or the right, which is very helpful when working along edges of flowerbeds or mulched areas of the garden. We also love the "curb hopping" ability of the 8-inch, never-flat wheels, which allows you to position the edger so that it perches along the edge of a curb with two wheels down low and the other wheel and blade up high; no more struggling to edge the lawn right against the curb line.

Unlike many other gas tools, this one is quite easy to start. It has a large, comfortably padded handle, although we do wish that the height was adjustable. The edger is both EPA and CARB certified for compliance to reduced emissions guidelines. While this might be more edger than needed for small lawns (and the heaviest on our list), it's a great investment for anyone with a large stretch of grass to maintain, and who wants that lawn to look its very best.

Power Source: Gas | Weight: 55 pounds | Max Cutting Depth: 2.5 inches | Blade Type: Triangular

Best String Trimmer/Edger Combo

BLACK+ DECKER Electric String Trimmer/Lawn Edger

14 in. 6.5 AMP Corded Electric Single Line 2-in-1 String Trimmer & Lawn Edger with Automatic Feed and POWERDRIVE

The Home Depot

What We Like
  • Lightweight

  • Automatic spool feeding

  • Adjustable shaft

What We Don't Like
  • Not good for heavy-duty jobs

  • Goes through line quickly

Need an edger and a weed wacker? The Black+ Decker 2-in-1 String Grass Trimmer and Lawn Edger is a convenient combo that can handle both tasks. This corded tool weighs a mere 5.5 pounds, making it easy to use, and its head rotates so you can switch between string trimming and edging.

This 2-in-1 tool has an adjustable shaft, allowing you to change its length to suit your height, and an automatic feed system keeps the line at the perfect length—no bumping required. Its PowerDrive transmission helps prevent bogging down in heavy grass and weeds, and a lock stops the extension cord from accidentally disconnecting during use.

Because it relies on a power cord to operate the 6.5-amp motor, you need to navigate around the cord as you work, but the upside is you never run out of battery power mid-job.

However, this tool uses a string trimmer line—not a metal blade—to cut edges, so the results may not be as precise or clean as a standard edger, and you can expect to replace the string line spool frequently. While the manufacturer specifies no specific cutting depth, they do note that the best results will be achieved when cutting along edges that are at least 2 inches deep.

Power Source: Corded electric | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Max Cutting Depth: Not specified | Blade Type: Not applicable

Best Cordless

EGO POWER+ 56-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Edger

EGO POWER+ Multi-Head System 56-volt 8-in Handheld Battery Lawn Edger (Battery Included) Attachment Capable

Lowe's

What We Like
  • Variable speed trigger

  • Water-resistant construction

  • Compatible with Ego Multi-Head attachments

What We Don't Like
  • No back wheels

If you don't want to deal with extension cords, gasoline, or motor oil, we think the Ego POWER+ 56-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Edger is a great option. Its high-efficiency brushless motor gives you up to 30 minutes of power (run time) before needing a recharge, and helps to reduce annoying vibration, as well. Best of all, this is part of Ego's Power+ Multi-Head system, meaning that you can use the power head here with any of Ego's Multi-Head attachments, sold separately, including a pole saw, snow shovel, hedge trimmer, and string trimmer.

The included edging attachment has an 8-inch blade with an impressive maximum cutting depth of 3 inches. And we like the variable speed trigger, which lets you speed up when the going is easy, or slow down to tackle tougher areas. There's also a guide wheel to help keep your edging line accurate.

Our only complaint with this versatile tool is that it doesn't have a back wheel to help keep it balanced while in motion. But that's a small quibble with a tool that's otherwise very versatile, quite powerful, and wonderfully easy to use. It weighs only 11 pounds (one of the lightest options on our list) when fully assembled with the battery in place.

Power Source: Battery | Weight: 11 pounds | Max Cutting Depth: 3 inches | Blade Type: Rectangular

Best Manual

Fiskars Long-handle Steel Edger

Fiskars 38.5 Inch Long-handle Steel Edger

Amazon

What We Like
  • Large foot platform

  • Extra-long handle

  • Lifetime warranty

What We Don't Like
  • Tiring

  • Not ideal for very hard dirt or new edges

If you have a small lawn and don't mind a bit of a workout, a manual edger, like this sturdy option from Fiskars, is an inexpensive and lightweight solution (the lightest on this list). This simple tool has a sturdy 14-gauge steel blade mounted on an extra-long 39-inch shaft. The shaft is made from powder-coated 18-gauge steel, and its dual-sided handle gives you plenty of leverage as you work. Best of all, there's no tool maintenance required other than wiping mud and grime off the blade; no gas, no batteries, no smelly emissions, and no noise.

Using the edger is simple. Position the blade at the edge of your lawn, step down onto the foot platform with enough weight to drive the blade down into the soil, lift, reposition the blade a few inches down the lawn edge, and repeat until you are finished. If your soil or grass is too wet, you'll need to stop occasionally to wipe the blade clean of grunge. Note that this is a tool best used for relatively soft soil along a lawn edge that's already in fairly good shape; it's not intended for very hard or compacted soil, creating a brand-new edge, or digging a trench.

Power Source: Manual | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Max Cutting Depth: Not applicable | Blade Type: Not applicable

Best Value

Greenworks Corded Edger

Greenworks 12-Amp 7.5-Inch Corded Edger

Amazon

What We Like
  • Adjustable height

  • Easy to use

What We Don't Like
  • Shallow maximum cutting depth

  • No edge guard

While this corded-electric tool isn't ideal for large lawns, it's more than adequate for keeping smaller stretches of turf under control. This Greenworks model has a 12-amp motor to provide plenty of power once you attach your outdoor-rated extension cord and plug it into the nearest electrical outlet. We like that the shaft is adjustable for height, which lets you choose the most comfortable setting. It also has an adjustable auxiliary handle, which gives you better control and keeps the tool more balanced during use.

The 7.5-inch blade is a bit shorter than many others, and we do wish the maximum cutting depth was deeper than 1.5 inches, but that's still sufficient for keeping the average lawn looking neatly trimmed, as long as you don't go too long between edging sessions.

On the downside, while this edger does have two rear wheels and a front spring-assisted wheel, it does not have an edge guard to sit between the blade and the concrete edge, so you might find yourself bumping against the concrete more often than you'd like, which wears the blade down and can throw off the precision of your cut.

Power Source: Corded electric | Weight: 14 pounds | Max Cutting Depth: 1.5 inches | Blade Type: Rectangular

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the ECHO PE-225 Gas 2-Stroke Edger because it provides plenty of power for larger yards, and has a maximum cutting depth of 2.5 inches. The curved shaft makes it easier to keep the tool balanced while creating precise edges, and it has a large guide wheel for further accuracy. If you have a smaller lawn. we love the Greenworks 27032 12-Amp Corded Edger, our best value pick. It has an adjustable handle and shaft to suit your height, and plenty of power, once plugged in.

What to Look For in an Edge Trimmer

Power Source

As with many tools, lawn edgers have several options when it comes to their power source.

Manual: The simplest—and least expensive—lawn edgers are manual, requiring you to use your own muscle power to create clean lines along the turf’s edges. Some, including the Fiskars 38.5 Inch Long-Handled Steel Edger, our best manual pick, consist of a long handle attached to a half-circle-shaped blade with a foot platform above the blade. To use the tool, align the blade with the edge of the lawn, and then step down hard onto the foot platform to drive the blade down into the soil, neatly slicing through grass and roots as it goes. While it can be a workout to use these types of edgers, they do a good job of creating clean edges, and you can easily work around curves or other obstacles. 

There are also manual edgers that resemble a spiked wheel attached to a long handle. These require less effort to use, as instead of stepping down onto a platform, you just roll the edger along the turf’s edges, but they aren’t quite as effective at creating clean lines. 

Corded Electric: While you’ll need to provide an outdoor-rated extension cord for power, a corded electric lawn edger like the Greenworks 27032 12-Amp Corded Edger, our best value pick, is a great option for typical suburban lawns, especially if you don’t want to spend too much but don’t want a manual tool. Most have a 10-amp to 12-amp motor.

James says “Corded electric edgers offer consistent and reliable power without the need for recharging, making them a suitable option for medium-sized yards. They are lighter than gas-powered models, produce less noise and emissions, and are easy to use, and environmentally friendly.”

Battery: Battery-powered edgers give you cordless operation, but you’ll pay more for these tools. Some run on an 18-volt or 20-volt battery, but if you need more power and runtime, an option that uses a 40-volt or higher battery is a better choice. The EGO ME0801 Cordless Electric Edger, our best cordless pick, runs on a powerful 56-volt battery.

James notes that battery-powered edgers provide portability and convenience, but cautions that users should consider factors such as battery life and power output, as these edgers can be less powerful than corded options, and can interrupt your work session if you run out of juice before running out of lawn. He recommends them for smaller yard areas or places with limited access to electricity.

Gasoline: Gas-powered edgers are James’ top choice for commercial use, as well as for homeowners with big lawns. He says, “Gas-powered edgers are known for their high level of performance, making them ideal for large properties with extensive landscaping needs or dense vegetation. They offer the freedom of movement without cords or batteries and can handle tough cutting tasks easily. However, they do require regular maintenance, including fueling, oil changes, and engine tune-ups, and can be louder and emit more emissions compared to electric options.” Our best overall pick, the ECHO PE-225 Edger, is a gas model.

Hand-held versus Walk-Behind

Power edgers come in two basic designs: Those that are stick-shaped and those that are walk-behind.

Hand-held or stick edgers are the most common type for smaller to medium lawns. Some have no wheels at all, requiring the user to balance the weight of the tool while maneuvering it along the turf’s edges. Most, however, have one or two small wheels to help provide balance and accuracy. Some also have a small guide wheel for further precision. While there are gas stick edgers, most are corded electric or battery-powered options.

Walk-behind edgers are usually gas models and often resemble small lawn mowers. These powerful lawn tools have three and sometimes four wheels to support the weight of the engine. Some higher-end options, including the Champion Power Equipment 100731 Gas Walk-Behind Edger, our best gas pick, allow you to stagger the wheel heights so you can more easily edge along curbs or other dropoffs. There’s also a small front guide wheel to help you keep the blade aligned with the lawn edges. As a general rule, walk-behind edgers are best-suited to large lawns; the typical suburban lawn doesn’t need an edger this large or powerful.

Cutting Depth and Blade Type

The cutting depth of a lawn edger refers to how deeply the blades can penetrate into the soil. While there are powerful commercial edgers that can dig as deeply as 6 inches down, the typical edger used for residential purposes has a cutting depth of 2 to 3 inches, which is sufficient for clearing through grass, roots, and soil, although not deep enough for creating trenches. Almost all lawn edgers allow you to set the cutting depth to various levels up to the maximum, which makes it easier to match the blade level to the edging channel.

There are three basic types of blades used on lawn edgers: rectangular, serrated, and triangular.

  • Rectangular blades are the most common type. As the blade spins, the shorter edges of the metal rectangle cut through roots, grass, and other obstacles. These blades do a good job on established edges that are fairly flush with the nearby pavement. Typically, they are between 7 and 8 inches in length.
  • Serrated blades are also generally rectangular, but instead of straight edges, they are sharply serrated along the shorter ends of the rectangle. That gives them extra oomph for cutting through tough roots or turf. Our best corded pick, the WORX WG896 12-Amp Electric Lawn Edger has a serrated blade.
  • Triangular blades have three points. As the blade spins, the points cut through the grass and roots. You’ll generally find this type of blade on a gas edger, as it provides exceptional cutting power.

Ease of Use

While admittedly mowing and edging your lawn might never be your favorite tasks, an edger that’s designed to make the job easier and more comfortable will help make the experience more pleasant. Along with choosing a lawn edger that has enough power to handle your turf, James suggests that you can make edging more enjoyable by buying a tool with ergonomic handles, a shaft that telescopes so you can set the length to match your stature, and a design that is easy to maneuver around curves or obstacles, not too heavy for you to handle, and not too maintenance-intensive.

If you want to simplify your landscaping tool collection with an easy-to-use 2-in-1 option, you might like the Black+Decker GH900 Corded Electric 2-in-1 Edger/Trimmer, our best string trimmer/edger combo pick, which has an adjustable blade that can be set horizontally for trimming or vertically for edging.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Michelle Ullman is a freelance writer who has been covering home improvement products, including tools and landscaping supplies for The Spruce since 2020. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard. She’s also an avid gardener, and loves to spend time caring for her garden and many potted plants, both indoors and outside.

For this list, she considered dozens of lawn edgers, evaluating each for power, type, cutting depth, weight, ease of use, and overall value. She also considered feedback from customers, both positive and negative, as well as reviews and information on various gardening and landscaping websites. 

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