10 Best Strimmers UK 2021 (An Expert Buyer’s Guide)

There’s nothing worse than finishing up with the lawnmower, standing back to admire your hard work, and being greeted by ugly patches of long grass around the edges. A grass trimmer or strimmer is the perfect solution to take care of these untidy grass clumps and well as for tackling unruly weeds.

There are loads of different options when it comes to choosing a new strimmer and not all models are created equal. To help you out I’ve put together this article that covers the 10 best options to help focus your search.

I’ve also included a handy buying guide and some FAQs to answer any questions you may have. Please have a read through and if you like the look of any of the options available then click “Price & Reviews” to find out more.

Top 5 Best Strimmers UK

• Top Choice – Ryobi OLT1832 18V ONE+ Cordless Grass Trimmer
• Runner Up – Black + Decker GL7033GB
• Best Petrol Strimmer – Hyundai HYBC5200X
• Best Electric Strimmer – WORX 20V Cordless Grass Trimmer
• Best Multi-Tool – 52cc Multi Function 5 in 1 Garden Tool

1. Top Choice – Ryobi OLT1832 18V ONE+ Cordless Grass Trimmer

Stealing the top spot we have this Ryobi grass trimmer. It’s a cordless, battery powered option so gives you plenty of freedom to roam. The strimmer works by a spool fed line so gives you room to adjust cutting diameter.

The batteries are compatible with other Ryobi power tools so that’s really helpful if you have any of these. Without the battery in situ, this tool weighs 2.3kg so is very lightweight and it’s also pretty quiet to run.

It has a telescopic handle so anyone can use it and it’s powerful enough to tackle weeds as well as just grass. It has auto feed built-in so all you have to do is relieve a little pressure off the power trigger and the spool feeds out more line. This is perfect when the string splits and saves a lot of stopping and starting.

It’s an efficient little machine and can cover a wide area.

Really important to note, this trimmer is sold without a battery and charger. These need to be purchased separately so make sure you factor in this cost as well.

2. Runner Up – Black + Decker GL7033GB

Next up we have Black and Decker with this powerful little, plug-in string trimmer. With an automatic line feed system and a wheel edge guard, it’s perfect for cutting neat lawn edges and for strimming grass near flowerbeds.

It’s comfortable to hold and the adjustable handle gives you full control whilst you strim. The mid-mounted motor balances this strimmer well and it’s very lightweight.

It has a very powerful cutting head and can handle weeds with ease. It also has a telescopic handle so you can set it to the ideal height for you.

It’s ideal for small garden use as it comes with a 10-meter power cable. For large areas you do need an extension cord. It’s not powerful enough to use as a brush cutter but it handles long grass well.

3. Best Petrol Strimmer – Hyundai HYBC5200X

For large gardens with brambles and brush, this petrol garden strimmer with a brushcutter attachment will get the job done. It has a soft pull, easy start to get it going and a line trimmer plus steel brush cutter blade it’s the best strimmer for heavy duty work.

This high torque petrol model is not only powerful but it gets the job done with ease. A bump feed system means less stopping and starting and ergonomic handles plus double shoulder strap balances this strimmer well.

You can take the shaft apart for easy storage or transport and the strimmer comes with a tool kit to help you do this.

The 3 year warranty gives you peace of mind.

One downside is, it’s a heavier option at 9kg but the harness makes it easier to manage.

4. Best Electric Strimmer – WORX 20V Cordless Grass Trimmer

This 20v max, battery-powered cordless strimmer gives you the freedom of a petrol model without all the upkeep. It has a 2Ah lithium-ion battery which packs a lot of punch.

Command feed gives you full control of the line feed and it’s as simple as pressing a button. The cutting head can be rotated by 90 degrees to get into hard to reach places. The loop handle can be adjusted to 7 different positions for more comfort as you work.

As with most cordless models, the li-ion battery, although powerful, doesn’t last very long. This strimmer performs best when used for smaller gardens where a shorter run time doesn’t matter. For larger gardens, you may have to stop and re-charge them or buy a spare to increase your total battery life.

5. Best Multi-Tool – 52cc Multi-Function 5 in 1 Garden Tool

For a power tool that does more than just strim, this is a really great option. It’s a 4 in 1 brush cutter, string trimmer, chainsaw and hedge trimmer. It also comes with an 80cm extension pole to ensure you can get into all those hard to reach areas.

It’s a powerful little machine at 52cc and the trimmer has an edge guard to protect lawn ornaments and other plants. It comes with a shoulder strap for ease of use and a mixing bottle to measure your petrol and oil.

The whole product, with all the attachments, weighs in at 16kg but it’s lighter than this for just the strimmer part.

It’s really good value for money and can cover all your basic gardening needs. The chain has a tendency to lose tension as you work and it’s not going to be cutting down any large trees. But for branches, pruning and logs it’s very good. A hedge trimmer is a great option and the extension pole makes it easy to reach those annoying high up points.

The trimmer and brush cutter copes well with all the usual plant culprits like broom and thistles. It can be a bit of a pain to switch between different tool options but the money you save from buying all these individually more than makes up for it.

Things To Consider When Buying A Strimmer

What You Need It For

If you’re after an edging tool to get a really neat border after you mow then you need a strimmer with a edge wheel and plant guard. If it’s just for cutting grass it doesn’t really matter how powerful it is and any model will do.

If you need a strimmer to cut thick weeds or brush then you need something with a brushcutter blade. For very heavy duty jobs a petrol strimmer is a must.

Make sure you consider what needs to be done before you choose your new strimmer.

Petrol Vs Battery Vs Electric

Petrol strimmers are powerful, tough and give you the freedom to roam. They are the best for tough weeds and thick unruly patches. They last well for large gardens. They are heavier, more expensive and difficult to use and they do require maintenance. They are also louder than electric ones and emit fumes.

Battery strimmers are much lighter and give you freedom like a petrol model. However, the batteries are not as powerful as petrol and only tend to last about 20-30 minutes before they need re-charged. They are also expensive to replace.

Electric strimmers are lightweight and affordable. They work well for general garden maintenance but won’t tackle tough weeds like a petrol strimmer. They are also limited by the cord length.

Line Vs Blade

The line fed strimmer is perfect for long grass and thinner patches of weeds. A metal blade will power through much tougher plant material. Plastic blades are good for in-between jobs. The perfect one for your garden depends on which type of plants need to be taken care of.

Power

The power of the motor in the strimmer determines how fast it spins and so how well it will cut through vegetation. Power is generally measured in cc for petrol engines, watts for electric ones and volts for batteries. For batteries, it’s also worth considering the amp hours as this dictates how long it will last.

Cutting Width

Cutting width is given in cm in the product descriptions and this tells us the length of cut the blade or string can do. A smaller cutting width will mean it takes a lot longer to cover a certain area. For string strimmers remember to consider that the string will snap on occasion so the cutting width may vary as you work.

Weight

How much the strimmer weighs is essential to consider as it’s you who’ll be carrying the thing around the garden. Make sure you choose one that you can manage. Petrol models tend to be a lot heavier but also tend to come with harnesses which makes them a lot easier to work with.

F.A.Q.s

What’s the difference between a trimmer and a strimmer?

A strimmer and a grass trimmer are categorised as such by the manufacturers. In reality strimmer is just “grass trimmer” shortened so these terms are interchangeable.

Are Strimmers with plastic blades any good?

Plastic blades are tougher and more durable compared to nylon line trimmers. However, plastic blades can still break when they contact solid objects. Metal blades are the toughest and most durable option.

Are petrol Strimmers better than electric?

Petrol strimmers are more powerful and last longer than electric ones. They are bigger, heavier and require more upkeep so are not for everyone.

What fuel does a strimmer use?

A strimmer runs off a mix of semi-synthetic 2 stroke oil and unleaded petrol. Make sure you follow the manufacturers guidelines to get the mixing ratio correct.

What is the best heavy duty strimmer?

A petrol strimmer, like the Hyundai option, is very powerful and suitable for heavy duty garden work.

More Strimmers Reviewed

BU-KO 52cc Petrol Strimmer

This power tool has 3 in 1 cutting options, a string trimmer, 3 point, metal blade brushcutter and steel wire trimmer head. This arrangement allows you to tackle any plants with ease. It’s a heavy duty, powerful petrol engine with a single cylinder.

The nylon line grass trimmer is bump feed so if it breaks you just give it a tap to restore the cutting width. The brushcutter is a high carbon steel plate with 3 points for a powerful cut and it’s reversible to extend the cutting life. The steel wire is perfect for working on solid surfaces to remove moss or rust to give a shining finish to walkways and patios.

It comes with an adjustable harness so it’s easy to carry and ergonomic handles for full control. It comes with an assembly toolkit and some PPE equipment to keep you safe and also a 12-month warranty for peace of mind.

Bosch ART 23 Electric Grass Trimmer

This cordless trimmer comes with an 18v battery which offers 26 minutes of runtime. It can be easily switched from grass cutting to edger due to the 90-degree rotating head. It also has a plant protector to make sure it’s only grass you’re cutting!

The telescopic shaft makes this a comfortable grass strimmer to use.

Now with an innovative durablade this model lasts 12x longer than the old design and gives a great finish every time. These are plastic blades that last well but you can buy replacements online if they break for any reason.

Due to the fact it’s a blade not a string cutter, this isn’t ideal for strimming against solid edges or around metal poles (like a trampoline) unless you’re sure you’ve got the protective cover in place.

Flymo 9669523-01 Contour

Well known for making great lawnmowers, Flymo also make grass trimmers that are perfect for a small lawn. With a 12 meter cable you’ll get to those far corners without any hassle.

This trimmer has a twin, automatic line feed, and edging wheel and a plant guard so you get a perfect finish every time. It’s quiet to use so good for urban gardens and the soft grip handle makes it comfortable and simple to get the best grass trim after you mow.

It’s extremely affordable and very lightweight so is a perfect piece of kit to have tucked away in the garden shed. It’s not powerful enough to tackle thick weeds or fibrous plants so is best used as a trimmer to keep the long grass in check where the lawnmower can’t reach.

Makita DUR181Z 18V

This is a great strimmer. It’s pretty powerful and has a good sized cutting width. It’s a bump and feed mechanism you can keep on making good headway without stopping. It’s a low noise design so great for residential areas.

The loop handle can be easily adjusted to suit your height and the battery is fixed high up so when you make your cutting swathe with it you’re not swinging a heavy battery as well. The head has 5 different positions it can be set to so you end up with the perfect cutting angle.

The trimmer itself is pretty good but buyers beware. This model does not come with the battery or charger! These need to be purchased separately. It’s really important to factor this into the costs before you buy this make.

Bosch Strimmer AFS 23-37

If you’re looking for a trimmer that does more than just edging then this option is for you! With a 6m cable (15 linear metres coverage) and powerful 950watt motor this strimmer can handle a fair amount. You can always add in an extension cord to expand this area. Check the user manual for specifications on which extensions cords are suitable.

It has the option of setting it up as a line fed or blade strimmer to tackle tough weeds. These can be switched out without removing the protective cover so is quick and easy to do.

The adjustable handle and strap helps support the weight of the strimmer as you use it and gives you plenty of control.

It’s more pricey than other electric models but the quality of this strimmer makes up for this. You get back so much more and it’s so easy to use and tackles heavy duty strimming jobs with ease.

Take Home

There’s a strimmer for every lawn out there and they all come with their own good points and bad points. I hope this review has helped answer all your questions and given you some more ideas to help you on your way to finding the perfect one for you. Happy strimming!

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