Do you ever dream of a lawn so pristine, your neighbours mistake it for a bowling green? The reality is that achieving that manicured look often involves more than just sunshine and rain. This is where the trusty grass trimmer really starts to come into its own.
If you have done any gardening, then no doubt you have probably seen shelves overflowing with trimmers, in garden centres and DIY stores. How do you pick the perfect one for your garden? Do you go electric, cordless, or petrol – as each boasts its own set of pros and cons. Add in a load of technical jargon and deciphering the right trimmer can feel like navigating a hedge maze blindfolded.
Please let this guide act as your compass, to help cut through the confusion to reveal the top handheld grass trimmers for the UK in 2024. We'll explore the key features to consider, decode the specs, and unveil the best options for every garden size, budget, and preference.
Key Factors to Consider
Choosing the right grass trimmer isn't about picking the cheapest or most expensive one on the shelf. It's about finding the perfect trimmer for your lawn and your needs. Let me explain the essential factors to consider, that will allow you to make an informed decision:
- Lawn Size - Is your lawn a postage stamp or more like a football pitch? Small gardens can be quickly cut using lightweight electric or cordless trimmers, while larger landscapes usually demand the stamina of petrol models.
- General Landscape - Do you have intricate flower beds or have a regular battle with overgrown hedgerows? Consider trimmers with adjustable heads and edging attachments for precision trimming.
Main Choices of Trimmer
- Electric - these are for the most part eco-friendly and quiet. They are perfect for small to medium gardens with easy access to outlets. But beware of the cord dance, extension leads etc.
- Cordless - These are also ideal for medium-sized gardens, but they also offer portability and convenience. Battery life is key, so choose wisely.
- Petrol - These are the real muscle for the toughest jobs. Great for large gardens and thick weeds, but expect noise and maintenance needs.
Trimming Head & Line
- Bump Feed - Simple and budget-friendly, but requires a tap on the ground to advance the line.
- Automatic Feed - More convenient, releasing line as needed. Ideal for longer trimming sessions.
- Line Thickness - Thin lines for delicate edges, thicker options for tackling unruly growth. Choose the right tool for the job!
Your Comfort
- Lightweight - For smaller gardens or those with limited mobility, always prioritise maneuverability and minimal strain.
- Back-Friendly Design - Adjustable handles and padded grips make a world of difference, especially for larger areas.
Beyond the Basics
- Adjustable Speed - Allows you to fine tune trimming power for different tasks, from delicate edging to clearing thick patches.
- Edging Attachments - These help transform your trimmer into a versatile tool for creating crisp, defined lawn borders.
- Extra Touches - Consider features like telescoping shafts, pivoting heads, and bike handles for added convenience and comfort.
My expert advice is don't break the bank for a beast you don't need. Set a realistic budget and take a bit of time to prioritise features that matter most to your needs. Remember, value for money trumps a high price tag. This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding your garden's unique demands and your own preferences, you'll be well-equipped to choose the grass trimmer that becomes your trusted lawn care companion.
Let's have a look at what is available for cutting grass, trimming edges and trimming shrubs and bushes. The most popular choice at the moment is the cordless style. They operate off a rechargeable battery and do a fabulous job, in our opinion.
You do of course have the single handled grass shears which are quite popular, the hedge clippers which can also be used for trimming the edge of your lawns and the long handled grass shears. Just below we look at those in a lot more detail.
Top Contenders: Best Handheld Grass Trimmers UK 2024
Just below, I have divided my top picks initially by power source, electric, cordless or petrol. I have then included a section on budget friendly options and a section on the more premium models, if your budget can allow for those. Finally I have included 3 sections based on user comfort, cutting larger garden areas and finally those trimmers that also have edgers for your lawn.
Power Source - Electric
My 3 choices here are listed below
- Flymo Contour XT - (Budget friendly and lightweight)
- Black + Decker GL7033 (Best Electric)
- Bosch EasyGrassCut 26 (Most powerful)
1. Flymo Contour XT Electric Grass Trimmer and Edger
Key Specifications
Cutting Width
25cms
Line Cord Diameter
1.5mm
Cable Length
10 metres
Weight
2.8kg
Check Amazon UK for Availability - Price when reviewed £48.00 - 86% customer satisfaction based on 11,000+ buyers.
This is one of the biggest selling electric trimmers on the UK marketplace. There are three power options available 300 watts, 500 watts and 650 watts. The price increases slightly as the wattage size increases. From the well known gardening brand Flymo, this trimmer is ideal for small to medium lawns. It comes with a plant guard, and can be made into an edger by pressing the edging button and rotating the trimmer head.
2. Black + Decker GL7033 Electric Strimmer
Key Specifications
Cutting Width
33cms
Line Cord Diameter
2mm
Cable Length
10 metres
Weight
3.2kg
Check Amazon UK for Availability - Price when reviewed £63.24 - 88% customer satisfaction based on 5,000+ buyers.
This is one of the highest rated electric trimmers on the UK marketplace. There are three power options available 450 watts, 700 watts and 900 watts. The price increases slightly as the wattage size increases. From the well known brand Black & Decker, this trimmer is ideal for small to medium lawns. It comes with wheel edge guide and an adjustable second handle to help with the weight distribution. It uses an automatic single line feed to save time and effort.
3. Bosch EasyGrassCut 26 Electric Strimmer
Key Specifications
Cutting Width
26cms
Line Cord Diameter
2mm
Cable Length
10 metres
Weight
4.1kg
Check Amazon UK for Availability - Price when reviewed £34.79 - 84% customer satisfaction based on 13,000+ buyers.
This is one of the highest rated electric trimmers on the UK marketplace. There are three power options available 450 watts, 700 watts and 900 watts. The price increases slightly as the wattage size increases. From the well known brand Black & Decker, this trimmer is ideal for small to medium lawns. It comes with wheel edge guide and an adjustable second handle to help with the weight distribution. It uses an automatic single line feed to save time and effort.
Power Source - Cordless
- Worx WG163E.3 - (Budget friendly and lightweight)
- Mountfield MTR50LI (Best Overall)
- Stiga SBC 500 AE (Extended battery)
Power Source - Petrol
- McCulloch MT475X - (Budget friendly and lightweight)
- Stihl FSA 57- (Well priced and powerful)
- EGO Power+ ST1511E (Fast for larger areas)
Budget Friendly
Premium
- Flymo Contour XT (electric)
- Worx WG163E.3 (cordless)
- McCulloch MT475X (petrol)
- Stihl FSA 57 (electric)
- Mountfield MTR50LI (cordless)
- Stihl FS 560 C-M (petrol)
Comfort
Large Gardens
Edging
- Bosch UniversalGrassCut 18V-26 (electric)
- Gtech GT 3.0 Cordless (cordless)
- Stihl MSA 120 C-M (petrol)
- EGO Power+ ST1300E (cordless)
- Stihl FS 560 C-M (petrol)
- Black + Decker GL7033 (electric)
- Stiga SBC 500 AE (cordless)
- Stihl FS 560 C-M (petrol)
