What is a lawn edger and do you need one?

What an edger does

Edging is two separate jobs. Re-cutting is slicing a fresh edge into the turf, usually once or twice a year, to restore a clean line and stop grass creeping into beds. Trimming is cutting the grass that flops over the edge between re-cuts, every few mows. Different tools suit each job.

The main types of lawn edger

A half moon edger has a curved steel blade on a long handle; you press it in with your foot. A rotary or wheeled hand edger runs along a hard edge with a star shaped blade. Long handled edging shears trim the overhang. Powered edgers have a spinning vertical blade on wheels, and many strimmers have an edging mode where the head turns and runs on a guide wheel.

Manual vs powered lawn edgers →

Are lawn edgers worth it?

For long borders, paths and drives, yes. A powered edger or a strimmer with an edging wheel saves time and gives a straighter line. A half moon edger is inexpensive and lasts for years. For a small lawn with a short edge, you can manage with a spade and shears, as our guide on how to edge a lawn without an edger shows.

Do you need a separate edger if you have a strimmer?

Often not. Many strimmers rotate to cut vertically and some have a wheel that rolls along the edge. The Greenworks 40V 33 cm in our cordless strimmer guide is one example with an edger wheel. A strimmer does not re-cut a worn edge as cleanly as a half moon edger, so a simple manual edger plus a strimmer covers most gardens.

Edgers and robot mowers

Robot mowers leave a strip of uncut grass against raised edges. An edger or strimmer tidies it. A flush mowing strip lets the robot cut to the edge and reduces edging a lot. Our explainer on robot mower edge cutting covers how to set this up.

Using an edger well

Use a plank or string line for straight edges and a hose for curves. Cut straight down, take only a thin strip each time and lift the cut turf out. Mow first, then edge, then sweep. Our guide on how to use a lawn edger goes through the technique step by step.

Note:Powered edgers and strimmers throw soil and stones. Wear eye protection and check for buried cables and pipes before re-cutting deep edges.

Which gardens can skip one

You can manage without a dedicated edger if your lawn is small, if it is bordered by flush paving or mowing strips, or if your strimmer has an edging mode. You will want one if you have long borders against soil beds, you like a very crisp line or you are restoring neglected edges. Pairing a strimmer with your mower on one battery is often the most useful upgrade; see our cordless mower and strimmer sets.

Choosing an edger

If you decide to buy, think about your edges. For borders against soil beds, a half moon edger is the essential tool. For paths and drives, a wheeled edger or a strimmer with a guide wheel gives a straight line quickly. For gardens with lots of curves, edging shears or a strimmer handle bends better than a wheeled edger.

Battery powered edgers and strimmers are lighter and quieter than petrol ones, and if you already own batteries for a mower, a bare tool on the same platform saves money. Our explainer on mower battery platforms covers what fits.

Frequently asked questions

What is a lawn edger used for? To cut a clean vertical edge between the lawn and a border or path, and to trim grass that grows over it.

Is a lawn edger the same as a strimmer? No, but many strimmers have an edging mode that does a similar trimming job.

Can I use a lawn edger on flower beds? Yes. Re-cutting the edge of a bed is exactly what a half moon edger is for.

How much should I cut off when edging? Just a thin strip. Taking too much shrinks the lawn every year.