When getting a hair cut, would you pay your barber if they cut the top but left the edges sloppy? Probably not. The same goes for your lawn. Unless you use a lawn edger, also known as an edge trimmer, along the edges of your driveway and other boundaries, you won't get that neat, defined look.

When it comes to choosing an edge trimmer, a walk-behind lawn edger is the cream of the crop. Besides being more comfortable to use on long stretches of grass, the steel blade on a wheeled electric or gas lawn edger delivers a precise cut along driveways and sidewalks. 

How to Choose the Best Walk-Behind Edge Trimmer

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

• Number of Wheels
• Engine Cycles
• Blade Style

Three vs. Four Wheels

Many power 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  edgers are available, gas edgers are more common and provide plenty of torque to cut through compact soils and overgrown grasses. 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 than 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 lawn edgers use what are called straight blades because they 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.

Edger vs Trimmer

You might think that you'll just use a string trimmer to do all your edging. Although that may work, it isn't the best option. 

Keep Those Edges Sharp

A walk-behind or wheeled edger will help keep your lawn looking sharp with less work and effort. If you have a large property with many edges and boundaries, then this is the way to go.