• FREE Delivery Mainland UK
  • NO Hidden Fees / All Prices include VAT
  • Expert Advice & After Sales

Grass Trimmer Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to maintaining a pristine garden or plot of land, a grass trimmer is a key garden tool for tackling those trickier, hard-to-reach areas that a lawnmower simply can’t manage.

But with several types of grass trimmer available, from electric to petrol-powered models, each with its own set of features and benefits, choosing the perfect trimmer can be a little overwhelming. This is why we’re here to help!

In this comprehensive grass trimmer buying guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to help you make an informed purchase decision, from what they are to how they work, and 6 key factors you should be considering when choosing the right one for you.
What Is a Grass Trimmer?

Grass trimmers are handy gardening tools used to trim grass, weeds, and other small plants, particularly in areas that are hard to reach with a typical lawn mower, such as the edges of lawns, around trees, fences, garden beds, and other obstacles.

The key component of a grass trimmer is its cutting mechanism, which typically consists of a flexible monofilament line (string) or a metal blade, which protrudes from a rotating spindle at the end of a long shaft topped by an engine (found in petrol trimmers) or motor (found in electric or battery trimmers).

Grass trimmers are also known as a string trimmer or weed eater.

The 3 Different Types of Grass Trimmers

Grass trimmers can be classified based on their power or fuel source into three main categories: Electric (corded), petrol and battery-powered. Let’s look at these in more detail:

Electric (Corded) Grass Trimmers

As it suggests in the name, this type of grass trimmer is powered by electricity from an electrical outlet through a power cord. They work by being plugged into an electrical outlet using a power cord, offering continuous power supply as long as it is plugged in.

A good example of a quality yet budget-friendly electric grass trimmer is the Hyundai HYTR600E 600W 30cm Electric Grass Trimmer, featuring a powerful 600w motor that will cut through grass and light weeds with ease. Ideal for small to medium-sized gardens, this trimmer comes with a long 10m power cable, meaning you won’t have to worry about sorting an extension cable.

Petrol Grass Trimmers

In comparison to the above type of trimmer, petrol grass trimmers use a petrol engine to power a rotating cutting mechanism, typically a nylon string. Depending on the model, the engine can be either a 2-stroke (2-cycle) or a 4-stroke (4-cycle) engine.

Some trimming models come with or can be equipped with metal blades for cutting through thicker, tougher vegetation, like dense weeds or small brush.

The Hyundai HYTR2600X Split Shaft Petrol Grass Trimmer is a popular lightweight petrol grass trimmer ideal for easily maintaining your garden. Powered by an impressive 26cc 2-stroke Hyundai petrol engine, this trimmer offers excellent weight to power ratio and good mid-range torque for a quick and precise cutting experience.

Battery-Powered Grass Trimmers

Battery-powered grass trimmers use rechargeable batteries to power a rotating cutting mechanism, typically a nylon string or sometimes a metal blade. The use of rechargeable battery packs provides mobility similar to petrol trimmers, just without the emissions.

A good example of a battery powered grass trimmer is the Hyundai HYTR40LI Cordless Grass Trimmer With Battery and Charger. Boasting a charging time of just 80 minutes and a battery lifespan of 1000+ charges, this trimmer makes maintaining your garden as easy as possible and will provide an average working time of 22 minutes.

Want to know more about the different types of grass cutters? Our experts are here to help! Give us a call on 01639 849847 for a friendly chat.

How to Choose a Grass Trimmer – 6 Key Considerations

There are a number of different factors you need to consider when choosing the perfect grass trimmer for you, for example, the size and type of your garden, what you’ll be cutting, your budget and your ideal preferences regarding ease of use and maintenance.

Here are 6 key factors to consider when choosing a grass trimmer:

1. Your Garden Size

First things first, how big is your garden?

If you have a large garden or are looking to use the trimmer far away from your house, we recommend opting for one that doesn’t have to be plugged into the mains of your home, allowing you greater movement compared to if you were restricted by a cord.

Similarly, if you’re going to be using the trimmer for a long period of time on a large patch of garden, a lightweight option will help you stay comfortable for the duration of the task.

Also, consider how densely packed with plants your garden is. For example, if you need to work around a lot of flowers, bushes or trees, a trimmer with a smaller head will allow you to do this without damaging them as easily.

On the other hand, if you have a smaller garden, perhaps opting for a corded trimmer would be best, especially if you have easy access to power outlets and don’t need to cover large areas. These are lightweight, easy to use, and require minimal maintenance.

2. What Will You Be Cutting?

It’s also super important to think about what you’ll be needing the grass cutter for, i.e. what will you be cutting?

Will it be a grass lawn, or rough, more overgrown vegetation?

If you’ll be working with light grass and weeds, electric or battery powered trimmers would work wonders. However, if you’re tackling thick weeds and overgrown vegetation, you might instead want to consider a petrol trimmer, as these typically offer more power and can handle tougher vegetation.

Some models allow for the attachment of metal blades to cut through dense growth.

3. Consider the Width

The size of your trimming area determines the size of trimmer you’ll need, i.e. The bigger the cutting width, the more grass the trimmer can effectively cut in one go.

Larger cutting widths will make cutting large areas quicker, but are often not the best choice for smaller, hard-to-reach areas, as they can be more difficult to manoeuvre and may not provide the precision needed for tight spaces or detailed trimming around obstacles.

As a general rule of thumb:

  • Widths 200 – 300mm: Perfect for light grass trimming and small-to-medium lawns
  • Widths 301 to 399mm: Better for thicker grass and medium-to-large lawns
  • Widths 400mm+: Ideal for heavier work, like thick grass, undergrowth and large gardens

4. Budget Considerations

As with any gadget, budget is an important factor to consider as it directly impacts the range of options available and ensures that you make a purchase that aligns with both your financial situation and your lawn care needs.

In terms of pricing, electric grass cutters are typically the most affordable option, followed by battery-powered models which sit in the mid-range, with costs varying based on battery life and power.

Due to the powerful engine and robust build, petrol-powered trimmers are often the most expensive option; however, there’s no doubt that they offer unmatched power and durability, making them a worthwhile investment for large properties or heavy-duty tasks where extended runtime and cutting through tough vegetation are essential.

At Generators Direct, our grass trimmers range from affordable to premium options, offering options to suit various budgets and gardening needs.

5. Evaluate the Weight of the Trimmer

It’s also important to think about things such as the weight of the grass trimmer. This is especially important to consider if you have a large area to cover, as lighter models will be much easier to handle over a long period of time.

On the topic of comfort, it’s worth looking for features like adjustable handles, shoulder straps, and an adjustable shaft to ensure maximum comfort during use.


The physical strength of the user should match the weight of the trimmer, i.e. a heavier trimmer might be more suitable for someone with more strength, while a lighter one would be better for someone who might have less physical strength or mobility, like older individuals.

Consider Maintenance Needs

Lastly, something you’ll want to consider is the various maintenance needs of the different types of grass trimmers available.

For example, electric and battery-powered trimmers are often lower maintenance than petrol powered trimmers, mainly involving cleaning and replacing the cutting line.

Petrol-powered types require regular maintenance, including fuel mixing (for 2-stroke engines), oil changes (for 4-stroke engines), spark plug checks, and air filter cleaning. However, if you’re prepared to invest the time in upkeep, they’re ideal for handling the toughest lawn care tasks with ease.

Looking for a Premium Grass Trimmer?

At Generators Direct, we offer a range of premium grass trimmers for your specific needs from top-rated brand Hyundai. All of our products are manufactured, tested and certified to industry standards, and come with a price promise – you won’t find prices cheaper anywhere on the web, but if you do, we’ll match them. In addition to this, all orders come with free mainland UK shipping and after sales support from our experts.

If you require additional advice or have a question for our team, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us using this form or via phone at +441639849847.

Related Products

0