Best-Rated Line Trimmers

Fact Checked

How we rate line trimmers

Our review compares line trimmers on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which line trimmer they think is best!

Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.

1. Ozito

Ratings result

Ozito was rated five stars for maintenance & servicing, value for money, ease of use, fuel economy & battery life, design and overall satisfaction, with four stars for performance.

Editor’s notes

Found primarily in Bunnings, Australian-brand Ozito has been a mainstay within the power tool market, offering hand tools, garden tools and power cleaning options for households to use on DIY projects.

The bulk of Ozito’s range comes in the form of 18V cordless models, with individual whipper snippers or full kits that include chargers and batteries available. The OGT-0185 model includes features such as a 24cm cutting path and adjustable telescopic shaft for easier manoeuvrability, and weighs under 2kg, making it easy to carry around. The PXCLTK-2182E model features two 18V batteries, adjustable second handle, electronic speed control, carrying belt, flowerguard, and automatic spool system to help you get through the yard work with optimal comfort.

2. Ryobi

Ratings result

Ryobi was rated five stars for design, with four stars in all other categories, including fuel economy & battery life, ease of use, value for money, maintenance & servicing, performance and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Japanese manufacturer Ryobi has been in the power tool market for close to 80 years, offering a wide range of products for any projects you might have in and around the house, with both petrol and electric whipper snippers available to choose from. Ryobi’s electric range is further split mostly into 18V and 36V models, with the introductory 18V model featuring an adjustable shaft for easy use and control, a fold out edge guide to give you that manicured look, as well as an auto spool feed. The One+ is also available as a kit, coming with a fast charger and 2.0Ah battery to keep you going during those big jobs, with select 36V models also come equipped with ‘Expand-It’ capabilities.

If you’re after a petrol line trimmer, Ryobi offers both curved and straight-shaft options, with most models including an easy startup feature to help you get your motor running, while also including a safety clutch for additional user-safety. The 52cc brush cutter model features a fixed bike handle for easy use, multiple heads to tackle multiple jobs and terrains in addition to the Reel Easy function.

3. Stihl

Ratings result

Stihl was rated five stars for performance, fuel economy & battery life and design, with four stars for maintenance & servicing, value for money and overall satisfaction, along with three stars for ease of use.

Editor’s notes

Founded almost 100 years, German brand Stihl is a mainstay with the yard work market, offering a range of products to help with jobs around the house, including line trimmers, with basic through to commercial-grade models available. Stihl’s corded range includes the FSE 52, which features a 30cm cutting diameter, 500W power consumption, ergonomic handle and weighs just over 2kg. If you’re after a petrol model, the FS 38 may be more your speed, including a multi-function handle, allowing you to easily stay in control of the engine output, while more expensive options, such as the FS 55, include Stihl Easy2Start functionality, featuring an additional spring accumulator which in turn places less stress on the starting device.

If you need something serious, the Professional brush cutter range may be of interest, with a wide variety of models available. The entry level FS 70 R model features a 0.9kW engine, 340ml fuel tank, 27cm cutting width, loop handle and simplified starting system to help you get going. The top-of-the-line Professional brush cutter is the FS 240, which features a 37cc engine, 1.7kW output, 0.75l tank and anti-vibration system for easier use.

4. Makita

Ratings result

Makita was rated four stars for performance, value for money, ease of use and fuel economy & battery life, with three stars for design, maintenance & servicing and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Founded over 100 years ago, Japanese brand Makita produces a variety of power tools, with a focus on electric and cordless models. Its line trimmer range is no different, with the line-up primarily consisting of 18V models, as well as brush cutters for the bigger jobs.

The Makita URO14GZ model features two power stages to help you cut through larger workloads, along with a 1.5kW engine output, loop handle for additional control as well as Active Feedback Technology to protect against kickback. The larger 80V brushcutter bumps up the power to 2kW, three stage speed control as well as a control panel with trigger operation for easy use.

5. Bosch

Ratings result

Bosch was rated four stars for maintenance & servicing and design, with three stars for fuel economy & battery life, ease of use, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

While it may not offer the variety of some other brands, German brand Bosch has been operating within the lawncare industry for a number of decades, offering lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and power washers. Its line trimmer range focuses primarily on three models – the EasyGrassCut, UniversalGrassCut and the AdvancedGrassCut, all of which are battery powered.

The EasyGrassCut features a semi-auto spool feed, edging function for a manicured look, as well as an 18V battery to power the operation, 26cm cutting diameter, and weighs just over 2kg. The UniversalGrassCut model includes a V-shape handle for easy use, as well as automatic spool feed to help keep the operation running smoothly. The head can also be rotated via a foot pedal to transform into an edging tool, with a plant protector guard equipped to ensure you stick to the lawn, and not your precious flowers. The AdvancedGrassCut bumps up the battery power to 36V, and an 33cm cutting width, in addition to an automatic spool feed and edge cutting capability.

6. Honda

Ratings result

Honda was rated four stars for ease of use and performance, with three stars for maintenance & servicing, value for money, fuel economy & battery life, design and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

While better-known for its range of two and four-wheel vehicles, Honda has expanded into multiple markets that require an engine, including tools such as lawn mowers and whipper snippers. Honda’s most affordable model, the UMS425, includes a bent shaft for easier manoeuvrability around the yard, ideal for those with tight spaces or sharp corners. Also featuring a 0.55L fuel tank and four-stroke engine, the UMS425 comes equipped with a loop handle and anti-vibration padding so that you’re not left sore after tackling the lawn.

For those looking for something a bit more ‘top of the line’, the UMK435 may be the best tool for the job, featuring either a loop or bike handle depending on your personal preference, along with a 4-stroke engine, 4-tooth metal blade alongside a heavy-duty nylon line head, helping to make short work of your lawn. You can also expect a single shoulder harness for additional comfort, as well as an anti-vibration engine mount to make your time on the tools easier on the body.

Other lime trimmer brands

Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are several more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.

Shop Online

Line trimmer buying guide

Tackling the garden can often take plenty of elbow grease, and more than a few tools, to get it looking the way we want it to. And while mowing the lawn is the main job, getting the edges just right can really bring the place together. But what should you look for when it comes to equipping your garden shed with a whipper snipper? Find out what to consider below.

Types of line trimmers

While line trimmers are known by other names such as whipper snippers or weed whackers, there are a number of types of line trimmers available, each of which might help suit your particular garden size and shape.

The first difference is the shaft, in which most line trimmers are available with either a curved or straight shaft. Curved shafts are traditionally shorter but more lightweight, while straight shafts give you more reach to tackle bigger jobs, but are generally heavier and cost slightly more.

If you need something a bit more specialised, you might be interested in a brush cutter or an edge trimmer. Brush cutters are essentially a larger line trimmer, and come with a wider cutting width and more powerful petrol engine, and are generally used for bigger jobs. An edge trimmer helps to trim the edges of your lawn, and while they look like your trimmer placed on its side, it does come with specialised grips and guards for additional safety.

Everything you need to know about trimmer cord

While some trimmers use steel blades to get through tough grass and weeds, most whipper snippers use a trimmer cord, otherwise known as a trimmer line. Found at your local hardware store, a trimmer cord is traditionally made from nylon or plastic, and is available in both pre-cut or full spools. Generally, a thinner cord will wear quicker, but gives a straighter cut than a thicker cord, making it more ideal for those looking to edge or trim, while a thicker line will be more suitable for those looking to go to town with the brush cutter.

Feeding the cord itself can be almost as tough as tackling the lawn, particularly if you find yourself doing it often. Older models required you to hand feed the spool through, while modern ones have something more convenient, including the automatic feed and the bump feed. The automatic feed works by automatically sending out more cord when you need it, which can take the guesswork out of how much cord you need. While handy for those unsure about cord length, it does add another mechanical part that could potentially break, meaning an automatic feed may cost you additional maintenance costs.

The bump feed works when you ‘bump’ or press the head of the trimmer against a flat surface, which squeezes a spring and releases cord from the spool. The bump feed uses centrifugal force to pull the string from the spool, which also allows you to control how much cord comes out. However, you’ll have to be careful with how hard, and how often, you’re bumping the feed, as one bump too many could spell the end of your whipper snipper.

How much do line trimmers cost?

Line trimmers can cost anywhere between under $100 to over $600 depending on the model, brand and retailer, with most line trimmers also available as a kit with accessories. Brush cutters will also be more expensive than traditional line trimmers, as they often pack more of a punch, but with a wide price range, you should be able to find something that will suits your garden, and your budget.

About our consumer experts

Dean Heckscher: Site Editor

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.

Meet the Editorial Team

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

Meet the Research Team