In the main, there are three types of edger – cordless, corded and gas-powered. The latter is quite often accepted to be the most powerful, and therefore, effective of them all. Gas-powered edgers are indeed up there with some of the most sought after garden tools in the world, but it can be somewhat confusing when trying to find the best one.
In this guide, we will be giving you some top tips on what to look for in an edger for your lawn as well as sharing some of what we believe to be the best gas edgers on the market.
Table of Contents
What is a Gas-Powered Edger?
As we mentioned, there are three main types of power supply when it comes to garden edger tools, with gas being one of the most favoured.
An edger is used to create a visible boundary between the lawn and whatever lies next to it, this might be a paved walkway, a driveway, a flower bed or a fence. The tool allows you to create a professional-looking finish to your lawn, and it is the common belief of many gardeners that a lawn is not finished until it has been edged.
Furthermore, a lawn edger is used to put boundaries around objects on the lawn such as garden ornaments, mailboxes and ponds, for example.
A gas-powered lawn edger is an excellent choice for people with bigger gardens as they are renowned for their power and durability.
The type of lawn edger you choose will largely depend on your personal preference and the unique needs of your outdoor space. Gas lawn edge trimmers remain a firm favourite among gardening enthusiasts, and it isn’t difficult to see why when we look at the vast number of benefits that comes with owning one of these tools.
Benefits of a Gas Powered Lawn Edger
Superior Power
There is no denying that gas is far superior to electric in terms of power, and this is one of the main reasons that these types of grass edge trimmers are so popular. Scientifically speaking, gas has far more energy per mass than electric or batteries, and this means that you will be able to cut through more rigid ground.
Furthermore, you have options when it comes to power – for the most part, gas grass edgers come as either a two-cycle machine or a four-cycle machine. This can get a little technical, and will we look at this in a bit more depth later on. But essentially, a two-cycle model is slightly more powerful and noisy than a four-cycle, and your needs will determine which is best for you.
Can Cover Larger Areas
Gas trimmer edgers are much more adept when it comes to working with a larger lawn. This is in part thanks to their power but also the freedom they provide for moving around more significant areas.
If you have a larger property, being tethered by a corded model can be overly restricting. Unless you are willing to risk using multiple extension cords – which we would never advise, then it’s unlikely that you will be able to cover the entire lawn freely.
Many people may then turn to a cordless, battery-powered edger and while these are nifty tools that do have their advantages, they aren’t ideal for huge lawns. The reason for this lies purely in their battery life, which can be inferior when compared to the endless running time of a gas lawn edger.
Durability
Traditionally, gas-powered tools have a much longer life than their electric counterparts so if you are looking for something that is going to stand the test of time then a gas model is, without a doubt, the better choice.
Get a Professional Lawn
It’s perfectly fine to mow your lawn and keep it healthy with fertilisers, but there is always something that you can do to give your lawn an aesthetic boost.
Owning a gas edger will allow you to give your garden that professional feel that so many people strive for. If you are particular about how your garden appears, investing in a grass edge trimmer will undoubtedly sate your desires.
Protect Your Flower Beds
If you love growing bedding plants around the edge of the lawn, you will be familiar with the pain of maintaining the grassroots. These can penetrate flower beds and affect the health of any floral inhabitants.
However, using a gas lawn edger will create a clear boundary between the grass and the flower bed, and this can mean that your flowers are protected, healthier and will live a longer and happier life.
Are There any Drawbacks to Gas-Powered Edgers?
While these types of grass edgers do have many advantages, even the best gas lawn edgers have their drawbacks – but this is true of any product.
We highly recommend considering a gas trimmer edger, particularly if you have a larger property, but it is worth thinking about these few disadvantages.
- Gas-powered equipment is far less favourable for the environment, especially when it is used frequently. If you are concerned about your carbon footprint, then an electric or battery-powered version may be more suitable for you.
- Compared to their electric counterparts, gas grass edgers can be a lot more expensive. But this is because they are far more powerful and durable, and therefore, cost more to manufacture. Furthermore, since this type of product will last you much longer than an electric model, you could potentially save in the long-run with replacing the product being unlikely.
- Unlike corded models, gas edger tools require quite a lot of maintenance. If you do not have the time or knowledge on how to do this correctly, it may be worth considering a different type of tool.
What to Consider When Buying a Gas-Powered Edger
Since these powerful pieces of equipment are far more expensive than the cordless or electrically powered models, you might consider them to be something of an investment. For this reason, it is imperative that you pay close attention to the various features and aspects of the machine to ensure that you are getting the best value for money.
There are many things to look for when purchasing a gas-powered lawn edger, so let’s go through these in a little more detail.
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Two-Cycle or Four-Cycle?
We touched on the two types of gas edgers for your lawn, but it is important to understand the clear difference between the two before committing to a purchase. In short, a two-cycle engine is far more powerful, but this does mean that it will emit more, making it worse for the environment and is a much noisier piece of equipment. These edgers also require both gas and oil to function, and getting the mix just right can be a matter of trial and error.
For seasoned two-cycle users, this isn’t much of an issue, but if you are new to these tools, you may find yourself experimenting for a while to get it right. In contrast, a four-cycle engine runs on gas alone, and as a rule of thumb will last much longer. They are also more reliable in their operation as well as being more efficient in their fuel consumption and far quieter than the two-cycle. However, it is important to consider that thanks to their more complex make up and increased number of parts, they can require more maintenance and tend to be a little heavier. -
The Size of The Lawn
As we discussed earlier, the size of your lawn can play a part in the type of edger you choose. Gas edgers are ideal for large lawns since they are not restricted in their running time and give you far more freedom to move about the garden without being restricted by a cable. However, if you have a much smaller garden, some people may find that an electric model is better. That being said, if it’s power you’re after, then a petrol edger is always going to be the obvious choice, regardless of the size of the garden. -
Safety
Any tool that uses a blade or some form of power has the potential to be extremely dangerous, and for this reason, detailed safety features are crucial when choosing a piece of equipment. In most models, you will find a blade disengagement feature, and this is the minimum you should be looking for in terms of safety. You will also notice that many of these products feature a blade guard which is used to prevent debris flying up and potentially hitting you or someone else. Even with a blade guard in place, it may be a good idea to consider some weed eater leg protectors.
Blades and Cutting Depth
The type of look you are going for, how easy you want the job to be, and your personal preference will determine the type of blade you will use. In the main, there are three edger blade designs - star-shaped, flat blades and flat blades with scooped edges.Star-shaped blades are perfect if you have a lot of lawn edges that meet a solid boundary such as a wall or fence. However, if you are looking for a product that will complement your flower bed boundary, then one with scooped ends is better.
Furthermore, you should consider the cutting depth. Most edgers come with adjustable cutting depths which gives you the freedom to work with your lawn at various times of the year.
If you require only one cutting height, this isn’t as much of an issue but for most people, having that option is an important selling point. Another important feature to look for where the blades are concerned is that changing them is easy and hassle-free. The last thing you want is to have to spend hours removing and replacing the blades; this can eat into your gardening time. Most modern edgers have a quick change function that makes this process effortless.
Versatility
One of the most incredible things about all pieces of modern garden equipment is that many of them are designed with multi-function use in mind. This is undoubtedly true of lawn edgers, and there is a wealth of products on the market that can be altered for trimming and mowing too.If you are looking for a tool that will do nothing more than edge the grass, then your options certainly won’t be limited, but if you want something a little more versatile, then there are many to choose from. Having a tool that can function in other ways is great for those who do not have a lot of storage space. Furthermore, edgers that also work as mini-mowers are excellent if you have a tiny lawned area, on which using a large mower would be pointless.
Walk-Behind or Handheld
Gas-powered lawn edgers generally come in two types - one which is pushed along as you walk behind it and another which is handheld. The type you choose will largely depend on your preference, but other things may sway your decision. Once again, the size of your garden will determine the best model, with larger areas and commercial jobs being better suited to a walk-behind. However, it is important to remember that these models are much heavier than their handheld counterparts. If you are edging along a curb or other rigid boundary, these products can be far superior. Handheld edgers are great since they are much easier to manoeuvre, but they are generally better suited to smaller lawns. Being much more lightweight, a handheld edger may work for those whose strength is not as good.Budget
It is impossible to ignore the fact that a gas grass trimmer is going to be significantly more costly than an electric model, but this is down to the improved power and greater durability. If you are looking to invest in this type of equipment, you must be prepared to part with an increased sum of money. That being said, there are more budget-friendly options as well as some which are incredibly high-end. Setting a budget is imperative so that you can compare products within your price range and get the best bang for your buck.The Best Gas Powered Edgers
Once you are clear on the features that your new lawn edging tool should have, you can begin your search for the perfect tool. We have five of the very best to share with you, each with its own unique take on the ideal gas edger.
Swipe the table!
| Cycle | Engine Size | Blade Size | Weight | Rating | |
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4-cycle | 79cc | 9-inch blade | 60 lbs |
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2-cycle | 28cc | 17-inch (cutting width) | 11 lbs |
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4-cycle | 29cc | 9-inch blade | 28.8 lbs |
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4-cycle | 148cc | 9-inch blade | 62.2 lbs |
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4-cycle | 79cc | 9-inch blade | 64.6 lbs |
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Earthquake 23275 Walk-Behind Landscape with Lawn Edger
This powerful four-cycle engine offers users an exceptional edging experience that is precise, strong and quite frankly, unparalleled. The engine is combined with a super sharp spinning blade which rotates at 3400RPM – the Earthquake edger is a force to be reckoned with.
The walk-behind design gives you a sturdy and reliable tool that will never veer off track – there is nothing more for you to do than guide it along and let the power do its work.
The choice of cutting angles is impressive and ranges between 70 and 110 degrees, so no matter what the conditions or how you want the lawn to look, the Earthquake has got you covered. Furthermore, the five cutting depths give you the versatility you would expect from a garden edger tool like this.
Husqvarna 128LD
You are getting way more than you might first expect with the Husqvarna edger thanks to the multi-function design that acts as a trimmer and tiller. Furthermore, the device comes with a handy pole saw – if you are in the market for something diverse, you won’t find anything much more adept than this.
The device features multiple heads which make light work of a variety of tasks and the lightweight, handheld design is perfect for smaller areas and those who want to whip around as quickly as possible without compromising on precision.
Some gas-powered garden tools are notoriously difficult to start, but with the SmartStart feature, this need never be a worry with this excellent little piece of kit.
It features a mighty two-cycle engine, which will deliver nothing but the best cut. However, it is worth remembering that both oil and gas will be required to power this.
Craftsman E405
This is a four-cycle walk-behind edger that gives others in its league a real run for their money. The craftsman edger is a sturdy piece of equipment that guarantees durability and promises precision. If you want a tool that is going to stand the test of time, you only need to look at this device to see that that is what you will be getting. You are getting three strong support wheels that add to the stability of the product – great for larger areas and precise work.
It features a seriously heavy-duty steel blade which, at 9 inches, makes light work of a variety of cutting depths – in fact, you have a choice of six. There is no denying that this is a diverse edger that will allow you to create a lawn you can be proud of.
No longer will you be pulling multiple times to get the engine revved up – the quick-start technology means that the device will start the first time, every time and the four-cycle engine is quiet and easy to use.
McLane 101-5.5GT-7
The McLane edger is, without a doubt, a sturdy addition to your tool shed, but this aside, it is a piece of equipment that has a lot to offer.
As far as gas edgers are concerned, this is up there with the big guns, partly thanks to its super-strong blade, but also because of its multi-functional use.
The tools can be used to create super-defined edges around the perimeter of the lawn but also doubles as a handy trimmer. Not only does this make doing the garden a lot more simple, but it also eliminates the need for additional storage to keep various tools.
If it’s versatility you’re after, you won’t be disappointed thanks to the variable cutting heights and multiple cutting angles that allow you to use the tool your way. Furthermore, with the ability to cut precisely even along curbs and other edges, you will get a clean finish every time. (Take a look at our full in-depth McLane Edger review)
Southland SWLE0799 Walk-Behind Gas Edger
Our final offering comes in the form of the Southland edger, which is incredibly easy to use and has a wealth of features that will make edging your lawn nothing short of a dream.
You will be getting multiple cutting angles – the blade can be adjusted up to 15º either way, as well as a choice of five cutting depths up to two and a half inches, so you’re free to get a look that suits you. The spinning, three-point triangular blade gives you a clean cut every time.
The device sits on three sturdy wheels which adds to its stability and ease of control. What’s more, the relatively lightweight design means that it won’t be a struggle to manoeuvre.
Conclusion
Lawn edgers can come in either gas, electric or manually-powered forms and each of these has its advantages. But the beauty of a gas-powered lawn edger is that the power you are getting is far superior to other types. This makes edging your lawn easy and quick, especially when compared to a manual model.
There are many advantages to this type of equipment, but it is important to ensure that you look at the features and specifications of the product before purchasing. Once you are sure about what you want, this excellent selection of some of the best gas lawn edger tools will give you a great place to start shopping.
