Walk-Behind Edger Buyer's Guide

If you measure your driveway in yards instead of feet, get rid of your shoulder-aching string trimmer and get a wheeled edger instead.

The steel blade delivers a precise cut along driveways and sidewalks.

Plus, these powerful engines provide plenty of torque to edge through compact soils and overgrown grasses.

Below are a three things to consider when shopping for a walk-behind edger.

3 vs. 4 Wheels
Most basic edgers feature two wheels in the back and a guide wheel in the front. They're a little wobbly, but work well along sidewalks and driveways.

If you plan to cut along curbs, get the four wheel version. The guide wheel stays on the curb, but the fourth wheel drops to the street, keeping a steady, even balance.

4-Cycle vs. 2-Cycle Engine
The 4-stroke engine requires no mixing of oil or gas to operate. But, they are also very heavy.

If you plan on transporting this nifty tool from site to site, the two-cycle version is easier to toss into the bed of a pickup.

Angled Blades
The cheaper versions basically cut down into the soil and that's it. More expensive models feature a handle that allows you to rotate the blade up to 110 degrees.

In other words, you can convert your edger into a mini-brush cutter capable of attacking overgrown slopes and hills.

Regardless of which model you select, you'll have what you need to get the precise cut you desire.