Manual vs powered lawn edgers

The main types

Lawn edgers fall into four groups. The table sets out what each one does.

What a lawn edger does →

Manual edgers: pros and cons

A half moon edger gives the cleanest new edge. You line it up with a plank or string and press it in with your foot. It is quiet, needs no battery and lasts for years. The downside is effort: re-cutting a long border takes time, and hard or stony soil makes it harder.

Long handled edging shears are the traditional partner, trimming grass that flops over the edge between re-cuts. They are slow on long edges but very neat.

How to use a lawn edger →

Powered edgers: pros and cons

A cordless wheeled edger runs along a path with a vertical blade and gives a crisp line quickly. It is ideal for long drives and paths. A strimmer with an edging mode does a similar job and also trims round trees and fences, so it is the more versatile buy for most gardens.

Powered edgers throw soil and stones, so wear eye protection. They do not re-shape a badly worn edge as cleanly as a half moon tool.

Speed and finish

On a short edge round a small lawn, a manual edger is quick enough. On long runs, a powered tool is much faster. For the finish, a half moon edger gives the sharpest new edge, and a strimmer on edging mode keeps it neat between times. A wheeled edger gives the straightest line along a hard edge.

Cost of ownership and storage

Manual edgers need only the occasional clean and sharpen. Powered tools need batteries, line or blades. If you already own a cordless strimmer with an edging mode, you may not need a separate powered edger. Our cordless strimmer picks include models with edging wheels.

Which should you buy?

Buy a half moon edger for re-cutting edges each spring and autumn. Add a strimmer with an edging mode or a set of long handled shears for regular trims. Only buy a dedicated powered edger if you have long straight edges along paths or a drive. For mowing strips that save edging altogether, see lawn edging you can mow over.

Getting a straight line

Whichever tool you use, a straight edge depends on a guide. For straight edges, lay a plank along the lawn or stretch a string line between two pegs, then cut along it. For curves, lay out a garden hose in a smooth shape and cut along that. It takes a few minutes to set up and saves a wobbly line that takes weeks to grow out.

Cut straight down rather than at an angle, so the edge holds its shape. Take off only a thin sliver of turf each time; removing too much makes the lawn smaller every year. Lift the cut strip out with a spade, and use the soil as a top dressing on thin patches.

After re-cutting, trim regularly to keep the edge neat. A strimmer turned on its side, edging shears or a rotary edger along a hard path will all do this. Our guide on how to edge a lawn without an edger shows simple methods with tools you may already own.

Frequently asked questions

Is a manual edger better than an electric one? For re-cutting edges it gives the cleanest result. For regular trimming, a powered tool is faster.

Can a strimmer replace a lawn edger? For trimming, yes, if it has an edging mode. For cutting a new edge, a half moon edger is still better.

How often should I edge a lawn? Re-cut once or twice a year and trim every few mows to keep it neat.

Do I edge before or after mowing? Many gardeners mow first, then edge, then sweep or blow clippings off paths.