Best String Trimmers in the UK

The Greenworks Tools 1301507UC is mean. Where most machines are forced to sacrifice, choosing between performance, controls, and overall convenience, this string trimmer shines across the entire board. To begin with, its 40-volt battery offers the most tremendous output, whacking the toughest, most stubborn weeds with unparalleled ease. Well, the battery is not whacking them, this is not what we're implying here. What we're saying is that the battery powers the machine, enabling this output. What's more, the battery boasts fade-free performance without memory loss after charging. You can easily attach and remove the model's battery when necessary, but enough about this component already.

As important as it is, the battery is not more important than the trimmer's construction, starting with the start (apologies, we had to). To start the machine, you're not using tangled cables, you're not entertaining any tripping hazards, you're not dealing with any complicated setup mechanisms. Press the button and let loose, enabling this compact machinery piece to do its job.

The compact part, by the way, is quite surprising considering the model's output yet, measuring 28 x 97 x 18 centimetres, with the 97 value referring to its length, the machine hangs with the "compact" crowd without standing out. That being said, weighing 4.5 kilogrammes, this string trimmer might be the least lightweight representative of that crowd.

The Bosch UniversalGrassCut 18-260 Grass Strimmer is a universal and affordable string trimmer that can be used in residential gardens to tackle overgrown plants. It's lightweight, well-balanced and adjustable, so whacking weeds and patches of grass even in awkward places such as along the edging or under your outdoor furniture will be an easy-breezy task. One other distinct feature about the 18-260 is that it has the IntelliFEED feature which automatically feeds the spool line to full cutting width. This adds to its conveniences, making it ideal for a whole variety of cutting tasks. How about its power though?

Well, as long as you do not expect the tool to strim away really woody weeds and thick plants, it won't disappoint. Fitted with a 1.6mm cutting line, the tool can go through most short and long grass, stems, and plants like cowslips with effortless ease.

What will also not disappoint is that this gas strimmer, just like all Bosch's tools, is fitted with a capacious 2 Ah battery. Not only does it offer you the advantage of easily interchanging it across the whole assortment of other Bosch's tools that have the same voltage, but also it is long-lasting and powerful enough to make a quick job of most trimming and cutting tasks, drastically reducing the time you'd need to spend on lawn upkeep.

Our next choice is the Flymo 9669523-01 Countour XT Electric Grass Trimmer. This model comes at a ridiculously low price but despite that, it has many features, including such as a lightweight design, 300W of power, and a cutting line with a diameter of 1.5 mm, making it an excellent helper in your garden. The combination of these features along with the power output translates into a tool that has a solid performance ideal for taking care of small to medium-sized lawns.

Naturally, it does have some moments, too. One of them is that its cord is relatively short compared to some other models, which means you may need to use an extension lead if your lawn is on the bigger side. The other one is the lack of an auto-feed function. Thus, whenever the cutting line runs out, jams or breaks, you'll need to adjust and feed it out of your hand, which is the trade-off you should be willing to pay for its low price. In general, though, as long as your garden is not too big, doing it won't be a problem.

Other than that, there's nothing disappointing about it. The tool is convenient to use and easy to assemble with only 2-3 parts to put together, so the whole process won't take you longer than a few minutes. It's also quite easy to move. The weight of the 9669523-01 is only 2.8 kg, so even if you need to use it for several hours on end you will be able to do it without tiring your arm.

The Ryobi OLT1832 ONE+ comes from humble beginnings yet the machine is not as modest as you'd presume from the modest price. Sure, the flaws are there. The plastic blade attachments can be difficult to adjust. The noise levels reach ~95 decibels, which's not terrible but we have seen less noisy string trimmers before. Nevertheless, the machine has its moments too, not excluding its 2.3-kilogramme weight (without the battery) and the long, 103-centimetre reach. It goes without saying, this length allows you to trim without moving around as much as you'd be with short trimmers. To add more, the machine lets you adjust the cutting width between 25 and 30 centimetres, switching between precision trimming and wide-angle cutting. You'll be able to go from clipping sensitive garden areas to whacking weeds above weeds above weeds.

More often than not, these machines make between edging and trimming pretty inconvenient. Here, using the EasyEdge™ tech, you can switch between these two modes via one button, enabling quick transitions and allowing you to continue cutting without taking unnecessary breaks.

Even without this tech though, versatility is the name of the game here. Aside from the adjustable cutting width and these quick mode transitions, the machine also adopts the company's signature three-position pivoting string head, offering more versatile trimming and giving you the means to easily change the cutting angle without slouching, crouching, and bending. Is that where the game concludes? Not quite. In the same vein, you have the telescoping boom and the length-adjustable handle, accommodating different user heights and, again, enabling you to trim and edge without bending.

Not without a reason, Black + Decker is so popular among users. This brand has made a name for itself by producing high-quality tools at affordable prices which allowed them to come to the forefront of the industry and take one of the leading positions on the market. What about the STC1820PC-GB? Highly rated by customers, this tool can serve as proof of excellent product quality.

To kick things off, let's first touch upon performance. The STC1820PC-GB has a cutting swath of 28cm and reaches the speed of up to 5500-7400 RPM, making it ideal for fast job completion over larger areas. Furthermore, it's compatible with the CM100. Using this add-on, you can change and vary the trimmer's cutting height settings for more controlled trimming around fences, edges, and walls.

When it comes to the cutting system, the tool is nothing to sneeze at, too. It is powered by an 18V Li-Ion battery with 2.0Ah of charge that gives it a run time of up to 30 minutes. Considering the tool's tech and its affordable price, this time is quite long and should be enough to cut a small to medium-sized lawn without the need to recharge the battery. The recharging time, in turn, is only 5 hours. Plus, just like with Bosch tools, the battery of this one can be swapped for another one from Black + Decker's line, so if you need more time to complete a job, extending the run time is possible.

On the note of performance, let's also mention E-Drive Technology. Thanks to this technology, you can change the power of the trimmer between two modes - eco and turbo - making it better suited for lighter or more heavy-duty cutting jobs. Also, this helps save the battery and prevent it from getting stuck when used in tougher areas.