September 2023
String Lawn Trimmers: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of string lawn trimmers rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2023.
Summary
On 3 Sep 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 88 string trimmer endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
66 string trimmers were endorsed in total, only 15 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 3 Sep 2023, Worx WG163 GT takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed string trimmer with 6 expert endorsements. 1 expert out of 6 recommended it as the '#1 string trimmer' this month.
Brand breakdown
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Black+Decker: 11 string trimmers
(#1 is Black & Decker LSTE525)
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Ryobi: 7 string trimmers
(#1 is Ryobi RY40270)
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Husqvarna: 5 string trimmers
(#1 is Husqvarna 128LD)
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Ego Power+: 5 string trimmers
(#1 is Ego ST1521S)
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Worx: 4 string trimmers
(#1 is Worx WG163 GT)
Price breakdown
At a glance - September Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | String Trimmer |
Best of Machinery
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The Spruce
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Pocket-lint
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Bob Vila
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Epic Gardening
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LawnStarter
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BestCovery
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Architecture Lab
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Wirecutter
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Popular Mechanics
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1
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- | $122 |
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The Worx WG163 GT String Trimmer is a highly recommended tool for homeowners looking to maintain their lawns and complete landscaping projects, offering sufficient power, durability, ease of use, and safety features.
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1
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7
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2
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7
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7
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-
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-
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4
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-
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-
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2
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- | $195 |
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The Husqvarna 128LD gas string trimmer is highly recommended by experts for its power, versatility, durability, low noise levels, ease of use, and safety features, making it a reliable and valuable tool for homeowners and professional landscapers.
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1
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2
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-
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-
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-
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-
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3
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- | $240 |
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The Ego ST1521S String Trimmer is a powerful and versatile cordless trimmer that offers impressive cutting power, precise trimming and edging capabilities, and a quiet and comfortable trimming experience, making it a reliable option for users looking for a durable and flexible trimmer.
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1
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2
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-
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4
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- | Check price |
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The Ryobi RY40270 String Trimmer is a versatile and powerful tool for trimming tasks in smaller lawns and lighter vegetation, offering improved power, durability, and ease of use compared to other models.
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1
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-
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3
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-
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5
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- | $114 |
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The Black & Decker LSTE525 is a cordless string trimmer that offers adjustable power settings, effective trimming and edging capabilities, and a user-friendly design, making it a versatile and reliable option for maintaining smaller yards and lawns.
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1
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-
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3
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6
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- | Check price |
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The Makita XRU15Z is a highly praised string trimmer that offers powerful performance, versatility, durability, low noise levels, ease of use, and safety features, making it a highly recommended option for homeowners with smaller lawns or those who require precision trimming and edging.
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6
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-
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-
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3
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-
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-
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-
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-
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-
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9
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7
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- | $219 |
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The Dewalt Flexvolt DCST970X1 String Trimmer is a highly praised and powerful tool that is suitable for both residential and commercial use, offering power, versatility, and efficient trimming capabilities.
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7
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-
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9
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3
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-
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-
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8
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- | $65 |
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The Toro 51480 String Trimmer is a powerful and reliable option for homeowners, offering almost gas-powered performance levels, easy switching between trimming and edging modes, and a comfortable and safe trimming experience.
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6
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6
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5
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-
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9
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- | $52 |
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The Black+Decker ST8600 String Trimmer is a powerful and reliable corded trimmer that is suitable for maintaining lawns and tackling various vegetation, with adjustable power settings, a durable design, and user-friendly features.
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2
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2
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15
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- | Check price |
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The GreenWorks 21212 String Trimmer is a powerful and durable electric trimmer that is easy to handle and maneuver, making it a reliable tool for maintaining smaller lawns or areas with less dense vegetation.
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3
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-
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7
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-
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16
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- | $300 |
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The DeWalt DCST972X1 String Trimmer is a highly recommended tool for both professional landscapers and homeowners, thanks to its high-end power output, versatility, durability, and user-friendly features.
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8
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3
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17
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- | $115 |
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The Worx GT Revolution String Trimmer is a powerful and versatile tool suitable for smaller to medium-sized lawns, offering adjustable power settings, durability, ease of use, and safety features for efficient regular lawn maintenance.
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4
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4
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18
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- | $80 |
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The Greenworks 21142 String Trimmer is a powerful and durable option for those with larger yards and open spaces, offering efficient trimming and edging capabilities with a 10-amp motor and 18-inch cutting swath, while also being praised for its durability and quieter operation.
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4
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5
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19
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- | $50 |
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6
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5
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20
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- | $110 |
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The Greenworks 21302 String Trimmer is a battery-powered, lightweight, and versatile trimmer/edger that offers powerful performance and convenience without the need for gas or emissions.
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7
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10
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-
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We ranked Worx WG163 GT #1 in September 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Worx WG163 GT as #1.

Best of Machinery
Best Trimmer for Efficient Performance / 2023 Choice Award
12” wide cutting path
2-in-1 function with dual-position wheels for grass trimming or edging
Comes with 2 powerful 20V MAX lithium-ion rechargeable batteries
Ultra-lightweight design at only 5.3 lbs
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You might need to swap the string out - it's not very strong
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The Spruce
Best Rated
Comes with two batteries
Free string replacement reels
Converts from trimmer to edger
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String runs out quickly
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Bob Vila
Best for Small Yards
Shaft rotates 90 degrees for convenient edging
Includes a second battery
Folds flat for compact storage
Good power for the size
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Shorter runtime
Longer charging time
Head angle adjustment is somewhat awkward
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Architecture Lab
Good all-round performance
High-powered and versatile
Compact and ergonomic design
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Misleading advertisement on packaging
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We ranked Husqvarna 128LD #2 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Husqvarna 128LD as #1.

LawnStarter
Runner-Up
Powerful engine with easy starts
Easy to load and release line
Uses professional-grade string
Converts to other power tools with Husqvarna attachments (sold separately)
Lightweight compared to similar gas trimmers
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Expensive
Users reported the shaft being too short for someone around 6 feet to use comfortably
Some users reported issues with the engine stalling out regularly
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Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend string lawn trimmers.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of string lawn trimmers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for September 2023 ranking









We ranked Ego ST1521S #3 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Ego ST1521S as #1.

Architecture Lab
Best for Heavy-Duty Tasks
Impressive cutting power
Noiseless and pollution-free
Durable; good value for money
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Weighs on the heavier side
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We ranked Ryobi RY40270 #4 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Ryobi RY40270 as #1.

The Spruce
Best Overall
Multiple attachments available
Variable speed
Adjustable cutting width
Very easy to reload with string
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Some complaints that included blades aren't strong enough
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We ranked Black & Decker LSTE525 #5 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Black & Decker LSTE525 as #1.

Architecture Lab
Best for Versatility and Design
High-functioning, portable device
Affords greater control to user
Ergonomic design
Affordable
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Battery prone to running out
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We ranked Makita XRU15Z #6 in September 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.

Best of Machinery
Best Professional Battery-Powered String Trimmer
No need to purchase or add fuel
Automatic sensing technology provides the proper RPM
Brushless motor allows for a long run time
Easy push-button start
Quiet and odorless engine
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Small debris shield
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Bob Vila
Upgrade pick
Runtime is longer than recharge time; second battery always ready to use
Comes with a second set of batteries; ideal for extended use
Runtime is longer than the competition
Gas-like power, without the noise or the fumes
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Very small debris guard
Bump head is a little stiff
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We ranked Dewalt Flexvolt DCST970X1 #7 in September 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.

Best of Machinery
Best Residential Battery-Powered String Trimmer
Brushless motor allows for long run time
Quiet operation and no idling
Push-button start
No need for gasoline nor oil
3-year limited warranty + 90-day money-back guarantee
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Users report issues with the included bump head
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We ranked Black+Decker ST8600 #9 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.

Bob Vila
Best Bang for the Buck
Compact and lightweight unit is easy to carry
13-inch cutting swath handles most work quickly
Great flexibility; converts from string trimmer to edger
Corded model; no expensive batteries to replace
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Does not include a pigtail power cord
Range limited by the length of the extension cord
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We ranked GreenWorks 21212 #10 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.

Best of Machinery
Best Corded Trimmer for Small Gardens
Powerful 4 amp electric motor
13” cutting diameter for more efficient performance
Incredibly lightweight 5.2 lb body
Automatic line feed for less downtime
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You'll need to use an extension cord with this trimmer
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Architecture Lab
Time-efficient trimming
Powerful motor with quick start-up
Increased operational efficiency
Great value for money
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Not suitable for bigger lawns
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We ranked Worx GT Revolution #12 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.

Bob Vila
Best Lightweight
Very lightweight and easy to carry
Budget-friendly
Includes an extra battery
Folds flat for storage
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Limited runtime
Long recharge time
Not as effective for overgrown grass and coarse weeds
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We ranked Black+Decker BESTA510 #14 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best string lawn trimmers” rankings.

LawnStarter
Top Corded Electric
Inexpensive
Lightweight
Easy to use
Converts to wheeled edger
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Not compatible with some 3-prong extension cords
Some users reported problems with the auto-feed not releasing the right length of line
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