Need a new weed wacker for your garden? A weed wacker is just a weed wacker … so you might as well buy the first one you see right? Wrong … there are so many different options on the market nowadays that it pays to do a little research before purchasing. Not only are there are a variety of different brands but there are different types of weed wacker available for both domestic and commercial use. We will give you an unbiased review about the advantages and disadvantages of each one. There are also other reliable online sites that will give you detailed reviews about the best brands in the market which should make it a little easier for you to buy the one that will best suit your needs.
Generally, there are 3 types of weed wacker available:
- electric powered
- battery powered
- gas powered
The most sought after weed wackers are generally the gas powered variety, but battery powered are becoming increasingly popular for domestic use whilst electric powered weed wakers have been on the market for a number of years now.
The Electric & Battery Powered Weed Wacker
If you live in a suburban area, the kind of weed wacker you need will differ from a person who cuts lawn for a living. You will need a light model that is not very expensive to buy or operate, needs minimal maintenance, but can cut thorny thistles and heavy bushes without damaging shrubs and trees like the more powerful varieties. The best model should have easy to start springs, tool-less line replacement, a debris shield and not cause much vibration or noise. A heavy weed wacker with a lot of vibration will tire the arms very quickly. A good model also comes with all the accessories required to get the best result from your weed wacker.
One thing you should also consider when purchasing is whether the model you buy comes with excellent after sale service. A good weed wacker comes from a manufacturer that has service centers and customer support that is useful and can take care of any problems. The product you choose must have a warranty and individual parts that wear out should be able to be replaced and be readily available.
An electric weed wacker powered by electricity from a power outlet in the garden is extremely popular for domestic use. It works without the need for gas and oil and does not cause any noise pollution. As technology has developed, a lot of manufacturers have released battery powered weed wackers. These are very similar to the electric weed wacker variety but are cordless and operate on a rechargeable battery system.
An example of a popular weed wacker in this class is the Poulan 952711866, an electric weed trimmer that has the latest technology to cut and trim your lawn. As this battery powered weed wacker is a cord free device it can be used all over your garden. It is also light and easy to carry and can even be used to make vertical designs in hedges. The Black N’ Decker NST2018 is also one of the more popular battery powered weed wakers on the market for similar reasons.
The advantages of a battery powered cordless model is that the weed wacker can go anywhere without the limitation imposed by the length of the cord or the location of the nearest power outlet in the garden. The disadvantage is that if the battery is not sufficiently charged, you will have to recharge the unit until it can be operated. This can be overcome though by buying a unit with an interchangeable battery and always having one battery fully charged ready for use.
The Gas Weed Wacker
The gas powered weed wacker is a more powerful weed wacker that needs gas and oil to operate. It is highly durable and reliable and is definitely the solution for commercial operators as no battery powered weed wacker has a battery that can last all day. As the gas powered weed wacker is more powerful, it also has its use in the domestic setting, particularly for large gardens and lawn areas.
The disadvantage of a gas powered weed wacker is that it is noisy, requires gas to run which can be inconvenient at times, and it also requires ongoing maintenance (for example, checking oil levels). Gas powered weed wackers are generally more expensive to buy and operate. Whilst models are available with easy to start springs, tool-less line replacement, and a debris shield, you usually need to be a bit more familiar with using tools to maintain and use a gas powered weed wacker. On the flip side, the electric and battery operated weed wakers are squarely aimed at the domestic market as a convenient option, cheap to run with little maintenance or knowledge of tools required. Gas powered weed wackers are also more heavier and subject to vibration associated with the more powered gas powered engine. This can have a toll on your arms if using for long periods of time. However, gas powered weed wackers are more durable and generally last longer.
The Weed Eater 20cc Gas Line Trimmer is a good example of a cheaper gas powered weed wacker that functions smoothly and operates relatively quietly for a gas powered weed wacker.
Places to Purchase
The manufactures all have websites that serve as a reliable source to help you compare the best features and prices of their top models. The different models are compared on various parameters like ease of use, design, weight, price, etc. A click on each product displayed in the online websites will give you a clear picture of the product as well as a detailed description and the specs for it. Many manufacturer’s websites provide comparison charts that also tell you about the accessories like brush blade, trimmer, harness, pole saw, cultivator, sweeper, blower and more that each type of weed wacker has.
Links to the websites of the most popular manufacturers of weed wackers are provided below:
There are a number of safe and secure online stores where you can purchase a new weed wacker. Some reliable stores where you can easily order this indispensable tool to keep your lawn neat and orderly are Wal-Mart, Amazon, and Sears. The stores usually carry the latest and best weed wackers for domestic use and the weed wacker you order will be delivered to you in perfect condition in the shortest possible time span.
If you are in the market for a heavy duty weed wacker, your best bet is to go to a hardware or specialist garden machinery store who are likely to stock the more powerful varieties aimed more at the commercial market. The manufacturers websites will point you in the direction of the nearest retail stockist in your area once you have decided on the appropriate model.
For those after a good reliable weed wacker at a great price, at the time of writing, you can’t look past the Weed Eater 16″ 25cc Gas Trimmer, Weed Eater 17″ 25cc Gas Trimmer, Poulan Pro 17″ 33cc Gas Trimmer or Weed Eater Curved Shaft 16″ 25cc Gas which are some of the popular brands available from Wal-Mart at the cheapest possible price. Happy weed wacking!