Strimmer vs lawn edger: which gives the cleaner edge

How each tool cuts

Strimmer. A spinning nylon line cuts grass by impact. For edging, you turn the head so the line spins vertically, either by rotating the head on the shaft or by tilting the whole tool. A guide wheel helps hold a steady line. It trims grass and weeds as well as edges, which is why most gardens own one.

Powered lawn edger. A wheeled tool with a metal blade that spins vertically and slices into the soil along a path or kerb. It cuts a deep, clean trench edge, but it does one job only and is more common in large gardens with long hard edges.

Manual half moon edger. A sharp curved steel blade on a long handle. You step on it to cut a fresh, straight edge into turf, usually along a string line. It is quiet, needs no battery and gives the sharpest result on a border that has lost its shape.

Side by side for borders, paths and beds

The pattern is clear: the half moon edger shapes the edge, the strimmer maintains it. A powered edger earns its place mainly where there are long runs of path or driveway.

Three cordless strimmers that can edge

These models appear in our cordless strimmer guide. The facts come from the listings. Only the Greenworks lists a dedicated edger wheel; the EGO listing names lawn edge mowing as a recommended use; the Bosch listing does not mention an edging mode, so check the manual for how it handles vertical trimming.

• Greenworks 40V G40LT33: the edger wheel converts it in seconds without tools, and the bundle includes three spare spools.
• Bosch AdvancedGrassCut 36: light at 3.1 kg with an adjustable auxiliary handle, good for long stretches.
• EGO ST1510T: widest swath here, a telescopic aluminium shaft and a brushless motor, but sold without battery or charger.

Compare cordless strimmers →

Edge quality, effort and upkeep

A strimmer leaves a slightly soft edge because the line whips rather than slices, and it can scatter soil and grass onto paths. It is fast, though, and a guide wheel makes a straight run easy. Line wears quickly against paving, so expect to feed and reload more when edging. If your line snaps often, see why strimmer line keeps breaking.

A manual edger takes effort on a long border but leaves a clean, vertical cut that lasts. Keep the blade sharp with a file and lean on a string line for straight runs. A powered edger is the quickest way to cut a deep trench along a path, but it is another machine to store, and the steel blade needs the same respect as a mower blade.

If you are buying a mower too, a mower and strimmer set shares one battery across both tools. Our guide on how to use a lawn edger covers technique for both edging methods.

Note:Wear eye protection, ear protection and sturdy footwear as listed in your strimmer's manual, plus long trousers. Keep people and pets well clear, and remove the battery before you clear the head, change line or fit a guard.

Frequently asked questions

Is a lawn edger better than a strimmer? For cutting a sharp new edge into turf, yes. For weekly maintenance and trimming round obstacles, a strimmer is more useful. Many gardeners use a manual edger once or twice a year and a strimmer in between.

Can a strimmer be used as an edger? Yes, if the head rotates or the tool has an edger wheel, or by tilting it carefully. The Greenworks 40V model here has a tool free edger wheel, according to its listing.

Do I need a powered edger? Usually only for long runs of path or driveway. For most UK back gardens a strimmer plus a manual half moon edger covers everything.

Should I edge before or after mowing? Most people mow first, then edge, then sweep or blow clippings off the paths. Our lawn edger guide explains the order.