Walk-Behind Edger Buyer's Guide
How to Pick the Perfect Wheeled Edger
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.
