Not everyone has an easy lawn to manage. It would be so easy to just go and buy the same electric lawn edger that your wife’s co-worker’s husband uses, but would it be worth it? It may work for his grass, but what about your grass? Not everyone has the privilege of having easy-to-edge grass, after all!
Nah, you sometimes need something with more power–more oomph.
Why not try a gas lawn edger?
Contents
What Are Edgers Used For?
While simple lawn trimmers are used for sprucing up your overall yard and hedges, edgers are suited more for refinement purposes. Imagine you’ve got a nice garden with a patio and fountain. In-between all these lovely staples are cobblestone blocks that form a path. These very blocks just so happen to sit in the grass of your lawn.
Now tell us, do you think your lawn mower can cut the narrow space beside those steps?
Do you think it can cut it and still make it look nice and clean?
If you answered yes, then you’ve got one hell of a lawn mower! If you answered no, on the other hand, then don’t feel bad. Most people would answer no to this question. That’s why edgers are so important. They can essentially “top off” those hard to cut areas in ways that trimmers can’t exactly do themselves.
Gas Vs Electric: Which Is Better?
That entirely depends on your preference.
Yes, we know that’s a lame answer. However, it’s as truthful as we can possibly get when discussing whether gas lawn edgers are better than electric lawn edgers. There are pros and cons to both types, like anything else in the world. Our focus for today is on gas lawn edgers, so we’ll very briefly explain the pros/cons of electric edgers before moving onward.
Electric lawn edgers, or battery powered edgers are powered either through cords or batteries (usually lithium-ion batteries). These models are often sold for low prices, making them much more popular amongst buyers. Seriously, Amazon has a much larger market for electric lawn edgers than they do gas! After all, people usually prefer spending less money than they really need to.
These lawn edgers also are pretty light, as they aren’t weighed down by full oil and gas tanks. This also means that they are much safer for the environment, as they do not leak unhealthy fumes into the air. But of course, keep in mind that electricity can only do so much when it comes to edging or even mowing. As such, electric lawn mowers are usually weaker than their competition.
Meanwhile, gas lawn edgers are powered with gasoline and oil. While they are much more expensive than electric lawn edgers, these models are arguably a lot more powerful. Gas is proven to be more powerful than electricity, so you’ll likely be able to cut even the toughest types of grass. Sure, you won’t be doing the environment any favors by using this miniature tanks, but you’re much more likely to finish your lawn in due time without having to retrace your steps.
Best Gas Edgers Worth The Buck
Top 10 Comparison Chart
|
Product |
Our Rating |
Engine Power |
Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLane 101 |
#1 Editor Choice |
127CC (Translated from Gross Torque) |
 |
| Southland SWLE0799 |
#2 |
79CC |
 |
| Troy-Bilt TB516 EC |
#3 |
29CC |
 |
| Troy-Bilt 17-in Curved Shaft Gas String Trimmer and Edger |
#4 |
25CC |
 |
| Husqvarna 129LK |
#5 |
27.6CC |
 |
| Husqvarna 129L |
#6 |
27CC |
 |
| Earthquake 23275 |
#7 |
79CC |
 |
| Craftsman Pull Start Tri-Tip Gas Powered Edger |
#8 |
140CC |
 |
| Echo Gas Stick Edger |
#9 |
21.2CC |
 |
| Cub Cadet LE100 |
#10 |
140CC |
 |
*Reviews
1 McLane 101
Check out this bad mother-lover here!
The McLane 101 series has a reputation for consistently producing A-grade grass-cutting technology. Regardless of which torque level you purchase, you’re still promised the same superior performance each time you edge your grass. This baby’s wheels are capable of turning ways that not most edgers can, allowing you to cut in any angle you wish. That will come in handy if you’ve got a tiles that are oddly shaped in your yard.
Each edger born from the McLane 101 series often seconds as a pretty darn good lawn trimmer.
Which hey, if you can get more than what you paid for, why not take the opportunity and run?!
PROS
– Seconds as a trimmer
– Cuts very well
– Strong engine
– Versatile wheels
– Safety expert tested, Nine inch blades
CONS
– Expensive
2 Southland SWLE0799
The Southland SWLE0799 is a stalwart force of nature by lawn edger standards. With a nice and sleek metal build, this monster can handle just about any kind of grass. Be it St. Augustine or crabgrass, you can bet this edger will give you the results you want. And if the body isn’t enough to convince you, then just keep in mind that there’s a tri-tip blade equipped onto this baby!
While the engine isn’t as powerful as the gas lawn edgers born from the McLane 101 series, the Southland SWLE0799 doesn’t need to have an ultra powerhouse of an engine to get the job done. The number one entrant seconds as a trimmer as well as an edger, so the stronger engine is justified. In the case of this lawn edger, it can’t really trim or trench unless you add attachments to it. Otherwise, it’s a pure edger!
PROS
– Recoil start
– Adjustable blades
– Tri-tip blades
– Super durable
– Five depth positions, Cuts very well
CONS
– Pricey
– Engine isn’t as strong as some models
3 Troy-Bilt TB516 EC
Y’all knew this brand would be showing up on this list at some point!
The Troy-Bilt TB516 EC is a pretty unique gas lawn edger to be featured on our list of the top ten best gas edgers. Unlike most of the other edgers on this list, this grass-cutter doesn’t have to mix oil and gas in order for it to work. That’s not to say that it doesn’t need gas or oil, of course. But without the hassle of mixing, you can save so much time with edging your lawn!
Another great feature present on the Troy-Bilt TB516 EC is the patented JumpStart design. This technological advantage does exactly what you think; it starts your gas lawn edger right up with no hiccups or stalls. Lump this together with the no-mix perk, you’re bound to get the task of edging your grass finished in little time. Consider it less time edging and more time relaxing!
PROS
– No need to mix gas and oil
-JumpStart technology
– 9 inch blades
– Convenient handle design
– Cuts very well, Pure edger
CONS
– A little pricey
– Not as strong of an engine
4 Troy-Bilt 17-in Curved Shaft Gas String Trimmer and Edger
And now we have another Troy-Bilt to grace our list of gas lawn edgers!
The Troy-Bilt 17-in Curved Shaft Gas String Trimmer and Edger is a lovely addition to any home with the features it promises with so little engine power used. Despite being built like a pure edger, it musters up enough engine power to both edge and trim. Adding on to this ease is the lawn edger’s nifty multi-position handle. Twist and turn this baby in any direction you like and you’ll find that your cuts only get cleaner!
Let’s also not forget about the Troy-Bilt 17-in Curved Shaft Gas String Trimmer and Edger’s SpringAssist function. Much like the Troy-Bilt TB516 EC’s JumpStart technology, this lovely machine utilizes SpringAssist to help with quick starts. Granted, the JumpStart feature works a lot faster. However SpringAssist is still a great feature on its own merits.
PROS
– Affordable
-Seconds as a gas string trimmer
– Light as a feather
– SpringAssist start
– Two year warranty
– Multi-position handle, Cuts very well
CONS
– Not as strong of an engine
5 Husqvarna 129LK
Representing the powerhouse brand of Husqvarna, the 129LK is a state of the art gas lawn edger that is the envy of many a homeowner. It seconds as a trimmer, but can potentially be modified to do much more than that. If you need a trencher, just get an attachment and slap that sucker on. This baby can be anything you want it to be and much more!
PROS
– Attachment-friendly
-StartSmart technology
– Auto-stop switch
– Seconds as a trimmer
– Super durable, Cuts very well
CONS
– Not as strong of an engine
– Pricey
6 Husqvarna 129L
Tag-teaming with its sister model, the Husqvarna 129L proves to be a hotshot when it comes to bot edging and trimming grass. Starting up the gas lawn edger is super easy and quick, saving you time as you try to breeze through the hot weather’s chores. Adding on to the badassery is the auto-stop switch, which is there to make the transition from edging to trimming seamless and smooth. No starting and stopping in this dojo, ladies and gentlemen. Only the ol’ switcheroo will do here!
PROS
– Super durable
– Easy start
– Seconds as a trimmer
– Auto-stop switch, Comfortable to use
– Not too heavy, Cuts very well
CONS
– Not as strong of an engine
– Pricey
7 Earthquake 23275
Oh man, look at that design.
So well put together and natural looking…you just know this product is a treat to own!
The Earthquake 23275 is a multifunction edger that can potentially do more with the use of attachments. Depending on your preferences, you may be someone who wants an edger than can perform multiple jobs. Sometimes your edger can’t naturally do those miscellaneous jobs on their own, so you have to purchase attachments to make it possible. Thankfully, this edger is compatible with most types of attachments!
This gas lawn edger is also equipped with a debris guard, which we believe everyone would be thankful for in their lawn edger. Do you know anyone who actively enjoys getting pelted with grass and weeds? We sure don’t. And considering that this edger has a pivoting head, it’s a very good thing that you’ve got some kind of protection!
PROS
– Attachment-friendly
– Debris guard
– Head pivots
– Warranty is good for five years
– Cuts very well
CONS
– Engine isn’t as strong as some models
– Expensive
8 Craftsman Pull Start Tri-Tip Gas Powered Edger
Most lawn edgers use pretty standard blades for their cutting jobs. Think nine inchers that may or may not be dual serrated. These blades work just fine in most instances, but sometimes we want a little extra kick for edging. Thankfully, this entrant on our top ten list of the best gas edgers does just that.
How, you ask?
By edging with tri-tip blades, of course!
The Craftsman Pull Start Tri-Tip Gas Powered Edger gives our grass an even cleaner cut with its tri-tip blades. Never will you have to worry about your grass-cutting not edging the way you want it, for it’s guaranteed to do it each time. Adding on to the bliss is the recoil start, which will simplify things for you even more. Simpler is always better, in our book!
PROS
– Nine inch blades
– Blade is tri-tip
– Strong wheels
– Cuts very well
– Recoil start, Strong engine
CONS
– Expensive
9 Echo Gas Stick Edger
The Echo Gas Stick Edger is one of the more unique products to be featured on our list. When you look at the specifications listed in the chart, you might be thinking to yourself, “How the hell did an edger with only 21.2cc make it on a list of the best gas lawn edgers?!” Hear us out real quick before you roll your eyes, ladies and gentlemen. There’s a reason this edger is still considered one of the best.
You see, most of the edgers on this list have a number of different features that require a larger engine for them to operate cohesively. The Echo Gas Stick Edger, on the other hand, is built to be a pure edger. No bells and whistles, no other jobs; just strictly edging. As such, a more powerful engine is not required.
And you know what?
A gas lawn edger that doesn’t screw around is one that everyone should have some appreciation for!
PROS
– Pure edger
– Lighter than most gas edgers
CONS
– Expensive
– Weak engine
10 Cub Cadet LE100
Did you know that Cub Cadet makes edgers?
You do now!
The Cub Cadet LE100 is an exceptional gas lawn edger that comes equipped with three bevel options. What this means is that you have a choice of both edging styles and trenching capabilities. Phew, Cub Cadet seems to be spoiling us, huh? A machine that offers multiple options for edging and trenching? Heck yes!
Another thing that’s worth mentioning here is that this product comes with a gas can, courtesy of Toucan City.
Sure, not all sellers are offering this combination…but the most prominent seller we found is!
PROS
– Comes with a Toucan City Gas Can
– Equipped with three bevel options
– Seconds as a trencher
– Five position hop wheel
– Nine inch blades, Cuts very well
– Strong engine
CONS
– Expensive
Concluding Thoughts
Edging is not the same thing as trimming or mowing, ladies and gentlemen. Trimmers and mowers are built to add a certain level of force to each cut you give your grass. Sometimes the extra force isn’t needed, as lawn edgers typically have very little engine power when compared to lawn mowers or even weed-eaters. Edgers have the ability to give you more for less, so to speak.
But electric lawn edgers, despite being super popular right now, don’t provide as much power as gas lawn edgers. Edging tough grass may not require something like a lawn mower, but it does need something extra. Gas edgers are your best friends in this case. That’s why the investment in these grass-cutters is totally worth it.
Sarah Eberle qualified and became a member of the Landscape Institute in 1980. Over the last 26 years she has practised landscape architecture and garden design, running her own business in Devon.
During the 1990s, Sarah joined Hillier Landscapes as Design Director, where she is still a shareholder but also runs her own practice in Hampshire.
Sarah has an esteemed record in RHS shows, having won eight Gold medals, Best in Show and the George Cook award for innovation twice at Hampton Court. Sarah has also exhibited at Tatton Park and BBC Gardeners’ World Live.