Grass Trimmer Reviews 2026

The names overlap. A grass trimmer or strimmer uses a nylon line for grass and light growth around edges and obstacles. A brushcutter is heavier, usually petrol, and takes a metal blade for brambles, saplings and dense scrub.

Around 1.6mm suits light lawn edging on a domestic cordless machine. Roughly 2.0 to 2.4mm handles longer grass and tougher weeds. Fitting line thicker than the manufacturer specifies strains the motor and can stop the head feeding properly.

Bump feed releases line when you tap the head on the ground and gives the most control. Automatic heads feed on their own, which is convenient but wastes more line. Fixed-line heads take pre-cut strips and are simple to reload but need stopping more often.

Cordless is quieter, starts instantly and is enough for most domestic gardens, though runtime is limited by the battery. Petrol gives unlimited runtime and more power for rough ground and brambles, at the cost of noise, fumes and servicing.

Most breakages come from cutting with the very tip against hard edges such as walls, fences and paving. Work with the outer part of the arc rather than driving the head into obstacles, and keep spare line out of direct sunlight, as old line goes brittle.