Make Your Landscaping Look Professional with the Best Edger
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Black & Decker Electric Edger -
GreenWorks 12 Amp Corded Edger -
Worx Tools Electric Lawn Edger -
Ryobi Cordless String Trimmer/Edger -
Craftsman 20-Volt Cordless Edger -
Buyer's Guide
If you want to edge your lawn as professionally as possible, but you want to be green and/or avoid the maintenance associated with a gas powered edger then you’ll need an electrical edger. Granted, there are battery operated edgers out there, but most are merely glorified trimmers using line as the edging medium, and they don’t have a steel blade like a real edger should.
Corded edgers give you comparable power to a gas engine edger, but they aren't very portable. They will forever and always be tied to an extension cord, so that means a corded edger is really only good for smaller sized yards with ready access to electrical outlets.
Corded edgers are relatively easy to use. You plug them in, flip the "on" switch and go edging. So, keeping that in mind, the best edgers in 2022 on this list were chosen for their overall usability, like height adjustment and blade speed, power in the form of amps ratings, and a good price for what you get.
Best Edgers Worth Considering in 2022
Black & Decker Electric Edger - Best Edger Overall
When it comes to lawn and garden equipment, Black & Decker is a name you know and trust. This Black & Decker LE750 Edge Hog 2-1/4 HP Electric Landscape Edger certainly lives up to the name, an 11 amp motor that is rated at 2/1/2 horsepower. It has a 4700 RPM blade rotational speed which is as good as many gas powered edgers.
It comes with a 7 1/2-inch cutting blade, a three position depth of cut adjustment, and the head will allow you to convert between edging and trenching duties. This is one simple and easy to use edger that will give you precise control over any edging duty you have for it. And it does all of this at one of the most competitive prices on this list. With a two year warranty, you can't go wrong with this Black & Decker model for any of your edging or landscaping needs.
GreenWorks 12 Amp Corded Edger - Best Corded Edger
As much as I don't want to say we have a toss up here, the GreenWorks 27032 12 Amp Corded Edger is almost as good as the #1 rated Black & Decker unit. This GreenWorks model has a 7 1/2-inch blade, has an adjustable cutting depth, a telescopic handle, and it’s covered by a four year warranty.
This edger has a larger 12 amp motor but curiously, it is only rated at 2 horsepower as opposed to the Black and Deckers LE750’s 2 1/2 horse rating. In truth, you could switch one above the other and it wouldn't make that much of a difference. Perhaps the choice of color would, with the Black and Decker model coming to you in orange while the GreenWorks comes in mint green.
Worx Tools Electric Lawn Edger - Best Dual Purpose Edger
The Worx WG895 7-1/2-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Edger/Trencher is a very capable edger in its own right, and it doubles as a trencher for added versatility. It has a three position depth adjustment and features a big 12 amp motor for even the most difficult edging jobs.
The blade spins at 4700 RPM which is comparable to many gas edgers, and the 12 amp motor assures you there’s enough power for any edging or trenching chore. It has a telescopic handle that will fit the height of virtually any user. It weighs slightly more than either of the two edgers above it on this list, and also costs more. Taking price into consideration, the Worx WG895 7-1/2-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Edger/Trencher falls to 3rd on this list.
Ryobi Cordless String Trimmer/Edger - Best Cordless Edger
The Ryobi Model #RY40210A 40V String Trimmer/Edger makes this list because it packs the most punch with its 40 volt Lithium battery. Weighing in at nine pounds, it’s a bit heavier than most, but this is the only unit here that may rival a small gas powered type. The pivoting head rotates between trimming and edging, and it has an auto-feed head along with a variable speed trigger to provide power when you need it or a longer run time when you don't.
This cordless edger is exceptionally well balanced to limit fatigue during use, has a guide wheel for precision edging, and is rated at being able to trim/edge a one acre plot of land on a single charge. This is the most expensive edger/trimmer on the list but it comes with a three year warranty. If you’re looking for bragging rights, this is the cordless edger for you.
Craftsman 20-Volt Cordless Edger - Honorable Mention
For all of you Craftsman lovers out there, the Craftsman 20-Volt 12" Cordless String Trimmer and Edger is one of the best edger/trimmers there is. The 20 volt battery gives a solid 30 minute run time, and it has a variable speed trigger to optimize power or efficiency, whichever one you need at the moment. The one-touch pivoting head lets you switch from an edger to a trimmer quickly and easily.
It has a guide wheel to keep your edging chores right and precise while weighing less than seven pounds, so it’s easy to carry and maneuver. This is a solid unit, but also one of the highest priced edger/trimmers on the list. However, it’s a quality unit and with a four year warranty it’s one of the best available.
Buyer's Guide
As grass lawns in the cities and the suburbs began to be bordered by asphalt or concrete roads, sidewalks and curbs, the grass needed to be tamed so that it wouldn't grow over the sides. Lawn mowing did most of the work by cutting down the grass, but low growing plants could cascade over the edges and make an unkempt looking appearance. This was especially true for commercial properties where a manicured lawn, such as at golf courses, restaurants, hotels and others, was essential for the overall appearance of the establishment.
Manual lawn edgers, with a hemispherical blade pushed down into the grass where it met the pavement, were slow and tended to dull quickly. However, by cutting into the lawn at this exact edge point, it made a clear and handsome border between the grass lawn and the asphalt or concrete border.
It wasn't until 1940 that the first powered lawn edgers were invented, using a rotating blade on the end of a powered motor shaft. Although crude, the spinning blade easily cut through the soil and made a perfect edge, turning a tedious job into a time saving “must” for commercial establishments everywhere. It wasn't long before powered edgers filtered down to regular consumers, so that they too could add a beautifully manicured edge to their own lawns.
Lawn Edger Types
Belt Drive
The most common edgers use a belt drive system to transfer engine power to the rotating blade. This belt drive arrangement steps up the RPM's and increases blade speed, which makes a cleaner cut into the soil.
The added advantage is that belt drive also allows the blade to slip if it hits a solid object. Smaller and lighter engines can be used with this type of set-up, and that makes them far easier to handle and maneuver, especially when edging lines along winding paths, gardens and flower beds.
Direct Drive
The two main advantages of direct drive are that they’re less complex to manufacture and you'll never have to worry about replacing belts. However, the main disadvantage is they’re down on blade rotational speed when compared to a belt drive unit.
Although this feature makes the edger more reliable overall, you'll have to walk a bit slower. Plus, direct drive edgers are less forgiving if you hit a solid object, and the blade has a tendency to bend, chip or crack more often than ones on a belt drive system.
Shaft Drive
These edgers look much like glorified string trimmers, with an edging head on the end of a long shaft. They are fairly basic units, and although easy to use, lightweight, and highly functional, they are best used for smaller jobs such as edging around gardens and flower beds.
Some string trimmer makers offer power heads that are capable of taking edger attachments. Although the concept is good, standardizing one power head unit to take a variety of useful lawn and garden tools, these edgers are only made for light duty edging tasks.
Features
Blade Stop Clutch
Virtually all powered lawn edgers have a blade stop clutch. When pressed (foot operated) or squeezed (hand operated), the blade rotation will stop practically immediately. Not only is this a necessary safety feature, it also allows the user to stop the blade from spinning without turning the motor off. This is extremely helpful when moving the edger from place to place during use.
Wheels
One-wheeled basic shaft edgers may have only one wheel as a guide. Although that makes them very easy to maneuver, they are not as precise when making a straight edge unlike the following options.
Two Wheeled
- Offer more stability on longer straight runs for a more precise and even cut. It adds a little weight, but they are still light and easy to move.
Three Wheeled
- These have two wheels on one side with the third wheel on the other side, the blade spinning in between them. This gives a more stable platform and greater balance when edging. For areas where the lawn meets a sidewalk or driveway, these units make the most precise cuts.
Four Wheeled
- Have the advantage of having a drop-down fourth wheel. This design is made for cutting along curbs and allows the fourth wheel to literally drop down to the street on the other side of the curb. hese edgers give the ultimate precision cut.
Quick Change Blade
By their nature, all edgers suffer a high degree of blade degradation. This is the reason why many edgers come with another included blade. When one blade gets worn, a quick change blade can quickly be removed and replaced with very little down time. When the job is finished, the blades can be resharpened, replaced and used again.
Height Adjustment
Basic shaft edgers have no height adjustment. The blade width is the maximum depth that can be cut at. You adjust the height by tilting the edger backwards.Edgers that have a height adjustment feature allow you to select the depth of the cut for a more uniform finish.
In general, the deeper the cut, the more manicured the lawn will look. But, keep in mind that the deeper the blade cuts, the more strain it puts on the engine and drivetrain while blade degradation will increase.Less expensive edgers will have the height adjustment on the blade holder arm, while more expensive edgers will feature a handle mounted height adjuster.
Power Sources
Corded electric edgers are the least expensive types available, while four wheel gasoline powered edgers are the most expensive. Electric edgers will give a good account of themselves, but they will always be limited by the recommended 100 feet of cord.
Battery powered edgers are lightweight, environmentally friendly and as portable as gasoline powered edgers, but they are also comparably priced to the expensive four wheeled units, yet they aren't as capable.
What's Best for You
Flower Gardens, Paths and Walkways
Light and easy to maneuver is the keyword here, and if you are only interested in making these areas manicured and pretty, a basic shaft edger is all you'll need. You can wield these edgers like a sword for fine cutting around curves and turns. You may not be able to go very deep, but for this type of edging, you don't really need to.
Sidewalks and Driveways
Two wheeled edgers work fine for shorter runs, and many electric powered edgers come with two wheels. But if you have a long driveway or a lot of sidewalk in front of your home, and you want a very precise and manicured cut, a three wheeled edger is a better bet.
Curbs
The most precise cuts along a curb comes from a four wheel edger. These are the heaviest edgers by far, but their precision is unmatched. They will do straight cuts as well as any other edger, but for that extra curb appeal, this is the edger for you.
