If you measure your driveway in yards instead of feet, you might find that trimming those edges with a handheld edger or string trimmer keeps your grass tidy but strains your shoulders.

The solution? Get a walk-behind lawn edger instead!

The steel blade on a wheeled edger delivers a precise cut along driveways and sidewalks. Plus, the powerful engines on gas-powered edgers provide plenty of torque to edge through compact soils and overgrown grasses.

Let's not forget the point we started with, either: it's much easier to push a wheeled edger than it is to carry a handheld one for long stretches of time.

When shopping for a walk-behind edger, you have three important features to consider:

• Number of wheels
• Engine style
• Blade position
  
  

Three vs. Four Wheels

Many edgers sport a three-wheel design that includes two wheels in the back and a guide wheel in the front. Although these types of edgers might wobble, the front guide wheel allows them to be maneuvered easily along driveways and sidewalks for a close, precise cut.

If you plan on using your edger along a rounded surface like a curb, or if you simply want more stability, choose a four-wheeled edger instead. The two front wheels and two rear wheels will provide you with steadiness and balance.

Plus, on some four-wheeled edgers, the front wheels are adjustable, allowing you to set the perfect width to hug your curb.

Four-Cycle vs. Two-Cycle Engines

Although electric wheeled edgers are available, gas-powered edgers are more common. Gas engines come in two styles: four-cycle engines and two-cycle engines.

Four-cycle engines (also called four-stroke engines) have more moving parts that two-cycle engines. This makes four-cycle edgers slightly heavier. However, all those moving parts work together to power a quieter and more fuel-efficient engine.

Two-cycle engines (also called two-stroke engines) might be louder and less efficient, but they're also lighter and easier to push. Additionally, because two-cycle engines require you to add oil to the fuel, they don't require oil changes and are easier to maintain as a result.

Straight vs. Angled Blades

The most basic walk-behind edgers use what are called straight blades. These blades cut straight down into the soil to create a consistent vertical edge.

Models with more features might offer blades that can be angled. These blades will be attached to a pivoting head that allows you to rotate the blade up to 110 degrees. With a greater variety in cutting angles, you'll be able to create distinct looks alongside all the various edges of your lawn.