electric vs. gas string trimmers

Electric string trimmers - for grass and weed cutting - are lightweight and quiet, easy-to-operate, and involve minimal vibration and maintenance (no need to refill or to mix fuel). For typical grass and weed cutting in average sized yards they are a better solution than gas string trimmers.

Line trimmers come in two basic types: the more powerful gas models (2-cycle or 4-cycle engine) and the more economical electric models. Electrics can be cordless or corded, and cost a fraction of gas models.

Gas trimmer advantages vs. string trimmer

Gas trimmers are powerful units. They respond better to professional gardening needs or to larger than average yard needs. They have a large cutting swath (16 to 18 inches), which is also an advantage…

If you do need a gas trimmer, prefer a four-cycle engine trimmer. They are more expensive (say, $300 and up) but they are easy to use and also quieter and more energy efficiency (they allow savings up to 80%). They also run smoother than common 2-cycle engines, and they require less maintenance (and don't require gas-oil mixing…).

2 stroke vs. 4 stroke gas trimmer engines

As mentioned above, 4-stroke gas trimmers are more expensive than electric or 2-stroke gas trimmers.

The more affordable 2-cycle trimmers (say, under $150 or $200) can be very effective in larger yards, and many models come with new important features (separate primer, throttle and choke controls), but they are noisy, heavy, polluting, high-maintenance and low energy-efficient…

Advantages of Electric Trimmers vs. Gas Trimmers

Propane string trimmers vs. gas string trimmers
Typical propane string trimmers use 1-pound propane canisters, each of which costs between $3 and $5 each (for about two hours of runtime). Propane trimmers can be a good alternative to gas units - if your yard and your needs are very large...

For small and average yards, prefer electric string trimmers. They are a better option than gas trimmers. They are lighter, cheaper (say: $50 to $150), quieter and more energy efficient.

A 3-amp (or a more powerful unit) corded electric trimmer is powerful enough for typical yards… You will need not more power. Obviously, the extension cord is a limitation and the need of outdoor outlets can be messy…

To overcome the power cord disadvantage, or if your trimming tasks aren’t in the purview of corded models, you may consider cordless electric trimmers.

They can be a good solution, but they have inconveniences too: they have less power, they involve a smaller cutting swath, they weigh more (due to their battery) and they have a relatively short runtime period (say, around 30 minutes or so, or an hour in the case of two-battery systems). If your trimming needs aren’t very significant they may well be the best solution.