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Best String Trimmers for Edging: Top Picks for Clean Lawn Lines

Our research-backed shortlist of the 5 best String trimmers for 2026, what each pick does well, where it falls short, and who should buy it.

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Our top picks

Short on time? Our top recommendation is the EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer. Here's how the shortlist breaks down.

  1. EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer

    #1

    EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer

    Pivoting head locks cleanly into edging position without extra tools

    Check price
  2. Worx WG183 40V String Trimmer

    #2

    Worx WG183 40V String Trimmer

    Under 5 pounds makes it easy to hold at the edging angle for long stretches

    Check price
  3. Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer

    #3

    Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer

    Lowest price of the group while still including a pivoting head

    Check price
  4. Husqvarna 128LD Gas String Trimmer

    #4

    Husqvarna 128LD Gas String Trimmer

    17-inch swath covers a long driveway edge in fewer passes than any battery model here

    Check price
  5. Greenworks 24V 12" Cordless String Trimmer/Edger (Tool Only)

    #5

    Greenworks 24V 12" Cordless String Trimmer/Edger (Tool Only)

    Light and easy to handle

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At a glance

The specs and traits that separate these picks, side by side.

How to read this table
Why it stands out: its biggest strength
Keep in mind: the main trade-off
Best for: the buyer it suits
Comparison: Best String Trimmers for Edging: Top Picks for Clean Lawn Lines
PickWhy it stands outKeep in mindBest forPrice
EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer product photo
EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer		Pivoting head locks cleanly into edging position without extra tools56V battery and charger add cost versus 40V competitorsedgingCheck price
Worx WG183 40V String Trimmer product photo
Worx WG183 40V String Trimmer		Under 5 pounds makes it easy to hold at the edging angle for long stretches13-inch swath means more passes on a wide drivewayedgingCheck price
Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer product photo
Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer		Lowest price of the group while still including a pivoting head12-inch swath is the narrowest here, meaning more time on longer edgesedgingCheck price
Husqvarna 128LD Gas String Trimmer product photo
Husqvarna 128LD Gas String Trimmer		17-inch swath covers a long driveway edge in fewer passes than any battery model hereNo dedicated pivoting edge guide, angle is held manuallyedgingCheck price
In depth

The 5 best string trimmers, explained

Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who it suits best.

EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer

1. EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer

EGO

  • 15-inch cutting swath with POWERLOAD auto-feed line
  • 56V ARC Lithium battery, 2.5Ah included
  • Carbon fiber split shaft
  • Pivoting head for vertical edging
  • Brushless motor

Pros

  • Pivoting head locks cleanly into edging position without extra tools
  • POWERLOAD auto-feed threads new line in seconds, useful after a long edging session wears the line down
  • 56V battery has enough torque to run the line against curb edges without bogging
  • Carbon fiber shaft keeps the tool light for one-handed edging control

Cons

  • 56V battery and charger add cost versus 40V competitors
  • Proprietary EGO battery doesn't cross over to other brands
  • No built-in guide wheel, so depth control is by feel

Best for: edging

Product details Check price on Amazon
Worx WG183 40V String Trimmer

2. Worx WG183 40V String Trimmer

Worx

  • 13-inch dual-exit cutting head
  • 40V PowerShare battery system, 2 x 2.0Ah batteries included
  • Pivoting head with adjustable angle
  • Auto-feed line advance
  • Under 5 pounds

Pros

  • Under 5 pounds makes it easy to hold at the edging angle for long stretches
  • Two included batteries mean a full lot can be edged and trimmed on one charge cycle
  • Dual-exit head keeps line closer to hardscape without scalping the lawn

Cons

  • 13-inch swath means more passes on a wide driveway
  • 2.0Ah batteries run down faster on dense edging line-to-concrete contact
  • Pivot angle has fewer fixed detents than the EGO's mechanism

Best for: edging

Product details Check price on Amazon
Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer

3. Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer

Greenworks

  • 12-inch cutting swath
  • 40V lithium battery, 2.0Ah included
  • Pivoting head
  • Variable speed trigger
  • 3-year warranty

Pros

  • Lowest price of the group while still including a pivoting head
  • Variable speed trigger helps conserve battery during precision edging
  • 3-year warranty covers longer than most trimmers at this price

Cons

  • 12-inch swath is the narrowest here, meaning more time on longer edges
  • 2.0Ah battery has the shortest runtime in this list
  • Pivot mechanism feels less solid than EGO or Worx

Best for: edging

Product details Check price on Amazon
Husqvarna 128LD Gas String Trimmer

4. Husqvarna 128LD Gas String Trimmer

Husqvarna

And no battery to manage on properties with hundreds of feet of edging. Keep in mind that no dedicated pivoting edge guide, angle is held manually.

  • 28cc 2-cycle gas engine
  • 17-inch cutting swath
  • Straight shaft with Tap 'n Go head
  • Smart Start recoil system
  • Air Purge carburetor priming

Pros

  • 17-inch swath covers a long driveway edge in fewer passes than any battery model here
  • No battery to manage on properties with hundreds of feet of edging
  • Straight shaft gives more reach along raised beds and retaining walls

Cons

  • No dedicated pivoting edge guide, angle is held manually
  • Heavier and louder than the cordless options
  • Requires mixed fuel and periodic carburetor maintenance

Best for: edging

Product details Check price on Amazon
Head-to-head

Compare the top picks

Torn between our leading picks? These side-by-side comparisons settle it.

How we chose these picks

This shortlist is the product of research, not advertising. We cross-checked manufacturer specs against independent reviews and long-term owner feedback, then ranked by value for real use cases.

Mistakes buyers often make

  • Buying on brand name alone instead of matching features to your actual use case.
  • Overpaying for headline specs you'll never use, define must-haves first.
  • Ignoring size, compatibility, and ongoing costs (filters, accessories, refills).
  • Trusting star ratings without reading what owners complain about after 6 months.

How we chose these picks

  • We started from manufacturer specifications and feature lists, the verifiable foundation.
  • We weighed reputable independent reviews from established tech and consumer publications.
  • We read large volumes of verified-owner feedback to find patterns in reliability and satisfaction.
  • We scored value: what you get for the price, not just absolute performance.
  • We excluded products with thin, suspicious, or heavily incentivized review profiles.

We don't claim hands-on testing we haven't done. Assessments synthesize manufacturer specifications, reputable independent reviews and documented owner feedback. Read our methodology.

Before you buy

Buying guide

How to choose: the factors that matter

  • Capacity and sizing, Measure your space and your actual use before falling for bigger-is-better. The right size is the one that fits your routine, not the spec sheet's maximum.
  • Build quality and materials, Heavier-gauge materials, tight tolerances, and solid joints outlast thin, rattly construction. In reviews, look for longevity comments over first-impression praise.
  • Ease of use and setup, Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and minimal assembly separate daily drivers from garage ornaments.
  • Maintenance and cleaning, Whatever you buy will need cleaning. Removable, dishwasher-safe, or wipe-clean parts get maintained; fiddly ones get neglected.
  • Warranty and support, A multi-year warranty signals the manufacturer expects it to last. Check what's actually covered, motors and frames matter more than accessories.

The bottom line

There's no single 'best' here, only the best match for your situation. Start from your must-have features, then choose the least expensive pick that covers them.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

What are the best string trimmers for edging right now?

Our top pick is the EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer (our top pick), because pivoting head locks cleanly into edging position without extra tools. The runner-up is the Worx WG183 40V String Trimmer, followed by the Greenworks 40V 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer.

Is the EGO Power+ ST1521S 15-Inch String Trimmer worth it?

For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our string trimmers for edging research, though 56V battery and charger add cost versus 40V competitors.

What makes a string trimmer good for edging, versus just trimming?

A trimmer built for edging needs a head that pivots 90 degrees so the line spins vertically instead of horizontally. Look for a tool-free pivot mechanism, a guide wheel or edging guard that keeps the cutting line at a consistent depth along a walkway, and a straight or split shaft that lets you hold the head at the right angle without bending over. Models like the EGO ST1521S and Worx WG183 both include a pivoting head, which is the single biggest factor separating a trimmer that edges well from one that only cuts flat.

Can any string trimmer be used as an edger?

Most modern trimmers with a pivoting head can edge reasonably well, but a dedicated edger attachment or a wheeled edger still cuts a straighter, cleaner line for long driveway runs. A pivoting-head trimmer is the better choice for occasional edging around beds, patios, and curves where a rigid wheeled edger can't follow the contour.

Battery or gas for edging small residential lots?

A 40V or 56V cordless trimmer has enough torque for edging along concrete and pavers, starts instantly, and doesn't need to be shut off between the lawn and the edging pass. Gas trimmers like the Husqvarna 128LD are better suited to larger properties where edging is a smaller share of the total job and runtime matters more than convenience.

How close to concrete can I run the trimmer line without it wearing out too fast?

Keep the line an inch or so off hard edges when possible. Running the line directly against concrete or stone wears it down within a single pass and can also chip at the trimmer head's guard. A dedicated edging guide wheel, where included, helps maintain that gap automatically.

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