When looking to buy a trimmer there are a few things that should be considered:
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If you have a small to medium sized garden which is well maintained, then both petrol and electric versions would be a suitable choice. Petrol trimmers are a better choice for larger gardens as they aren’t restricted by cables and extension leads that are needed for an electric trimmer.
2. What do you intend to trim with it?
If you have a small to medium sized garden and you want to trim the areas a lawnmower can’t reach, then an electric trimmer would be an ideal choice. Some trimmers can be used as an edger to neaten up the verge where the lawn ends and the flower borders begin, as well as along fences and walls. If you have areas of long grass or larger gardens with overgrown sections, then a petrol trimmer would be better. Petrol engines have significantly more power than electric versions and are designed to cut denser vegetation. Electric motors are more likely to over heat and burn out sooner if regularly trimming larger areas of thick grass.
3. What’s your budget?
When purchasing a either a petrol or electric trimmer, the more you spend the more practical features it will have. Basic trimmer models will have a smaller engine or motor, fixed shaft, single cutting speed and fewer features. Premium models will have more power output, adjustable shafts, bump feed/tap and go heads, comfort grip handles and variable cutting speeds.
You can purchase an electric trimmer from as little as £27.99 for the Webb ELT250 Electric Line Trimmer and up to £100 for the AL-KO GT550 Premium Electric Grass Trimmer. Cheaper trimmers are only suitable for quick trimming, they have a basic design with a smaller watt engine. More expensive premium models will have a higher watt motor, will normally have an adjustable shaft, rotating head, edging capacity and plant guard.
Petrol trimmers are more expensive than electric versions, they start from £99 for the Mitox 25-SP Grass Trimmer and can cost in excess of £900 for a commercial grade machine such as the Echo SRM-520ESU Petrol Brushcutter. Cheaper petrol models will have a standard feed head and basic controls.
The more expensive petrol trimmers normally have a brush cutter blade included for cutting brambles and dense vegetation, shoulder harness and variable speed controls.
Petrol Trimmers
Pro’s
Petrol trimmers are built for tougher jobs around the garden and for working for longer periods. They are a good long-term investment and if serviced regularly, will usually have a longer life span than an electric machine. They can be transported to trim areas without mains electric and are not restricted by cables. Many consumers see petrol trimmers as a preferred choice, especially if you have a larger garden, paddock or orchard.
Petrol trimmers normally come with a brush cutting blade for tackling brambles, saplings and thick shrub. They are also available with a loop handle and bike handle option. Petrol trimmers such as the Mountfield BK27E Loop Handle Brush cutter are the preferred choice for contractors, landscapers and professional gardeners.
Con’s
Petrol machines are high maintenance, they require annual servicing, regular cleaning and if left for periods of time unused can stop working altogether. Petrol left in the tank can cause starting problems, we recommend fuel additives such as fuel fit which increase petrol life by 3 years. 2-stroke trimmers require you to mix oil with the petrol, this will give off fumes and we recommend that googles, mask and gloves should be worn.
Petrol trimmers are noisy and produce emissions, this has to be considered when using in built up urban areas and if children around, we will always recommend wearing ear defenders. Petrol trimmers are heavier than electric trimmers, this can cause strain on wrists and arms.
Electric Trimmers
Pro’s
Electric trimmers are lightweight and ideal for quick trimming jobs around the garden. They are low maintenance and suitable for all homeowners to use. They are quieter than petrol trimmers and can be used without disturbing the neighbours. They can be a good choice for elderly gardeners, who do not want the hassle of filling and maintaining a petrol engine. There is a good range of trimmers and edgers available for under £100.
The higher the wattage the more you can cut, 300w trimmers are suitable for trimming short grass and tidying lawn edges whereas trimmers with larger motors such as the Cobra GT600E Electric Grass Trimmer will cut through long grass and weeds. Electric and battery-powered trimmers are fume-free and do not have the environmental impact of a petrol engine making them a popular choice for the environmentally-conscious gardener.
Con’s
If you regularly leave your grass to grow between mows until it’s thick and dense a low watt trimmer will soon burn out. Higher watt machines will tackle thicker grass and weeds, but they are not designed for daily use or trimming larger areas. Electric trimmers are restricted by cables, this not only means less area can be covered but also cables can easily get tangled when moving around the garden. Electric trimmers will need replacing within a few years normally due to motor failure, whereas a well-maintained petrol trimmer will give you plenty of years’ service.
If you intend to use the trimmer on a professional level, then a petrol or commercial-grade cordless trimmer would be the best investment.
Cordless machines
Cordless power has become increasingly popular over the last few years due to consumers recognising the need to reduce air pollution. High performing lithium batteries can match the power output of a small petrol engine and fast chargers can recharge batteries within 45 minutes. Buying more than one battery will ensure less downtime and backpack batteries allow users to work away from power sources giving the same freedom to trim large areas as a petrol trimmer.
Electric trimmers are usually fitted with brushed motors, whereas many cordless trimmers are fitted with modern brushless motors. Brushless motors are more efficient have a longer product life than brushed versions. Brushless trimmers like EGO Power + ST1511E Loop Handle Cordless Grass Trimmer can be more expensive than brushed versions, but well worth the extra money.
Cordless trimmers with a brushless motor and battery are similarly priced to petrol trimmers and are a good long-term investment. Please take a look our blog Top 5 Reasons to Switch to Cordless
We stock trimmers to suit every budget and we have a wide range of petrol, electric and cordless machines. We have a modern and fully-equipped workshop and if you live locally our experienced mechanics can service and repair petrol, electric and cordless garden machinery.