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A well-manicured lawn adds valuable curb appeal to your home, but cutting your grass is only one part of the process. A lawn edger creates a clean, deep notch where the grass meets the curb, sidewalk, driveway, or patio, resulting in a clear and visually appealing edge. These clear edges aren’t just aesthetic either. They protect garden beds from weed and root intrusion, eliminate potential slipping hazards on wet walkways, and encourage proper drainage. Along with a reliable string trimmer and lawnmower, a lawn edger adds value to landscaping tool collection.
The Best Lawn Edgers
- Best Overall: ECHO PE-225 Handheld Lawn Edger
- Best Corded: Worx 12-Amp 7.5-Inch Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher
- Most Powerful Cordless: Greenworks Pro 80V 8-Inch Brushless Lawn Edger
- Best Walk-Behind: Earthquake 41273 Walk-Behind Lawn Edger
- Best Gas-Powered: McLane 101-4.75GT-7 Gas Powered Lawn Edger
What to Consider
Types
Most lawn edgers use a motorized vertical blade to chop through anything in their paths and feature stabilizing wheels to help you stay on track. There are a few different types available, so choose the best option for you and your yard.
Stick
Like a weed whacker, stick-type edgers feature a long handle with a gas engine or electric motor at the top and the cutter at the bottom. These are lightweight and easy to store but can take some time to learn how to steer so that you get the desired straight, clean notch.
Walk-Behind
These are larger, typically gas-powered machines with three or four wheels for maximum stability. These machines create the cleanest and straightest cuts, but they are typically much more expensive than stick lawn edgers and take up a lot of room in your garage or tool shed. We only recommend these for folks with large properties.
Manual
You can also achieve an effective result by using a manual edger. These are essentially a rounded blade attached to a long handle—you use your foot to stomp down the blade and chop through the grass. Manual edgers are affordable but if you have a long edge to work with, tackling it with a manual edger may consume more time and energy than you’d like.
Power
Motorized lawn edgers are powered by either gas, battery, or corded electricity, so consider their specific differences before making your decision.
Gas versions typically provide more power, but they are also noisier and produce harmful fumes that non-gas-powered models do not. These machines also have an added fuel expense, and fill-ups can be more of a hassle than battery-powered units.
Battery-powered edgers are easy to use—they start right up every time—and have practically zero maintenance requirements compared to gas-powered options. With no emissions, they’re also better for the environment. These models have a shorter runtime than their gas-powered counterparts, though, and they also tend to be more expensive.
Corded edgers have the benefit of an unlimited runtime, but you are limited by the length of your power cord. These are typically the most affordable and best for smaller yards that don’t require as much mobility.
Safety
Lawn edgers use large metal blades to chew through soil and are extremely dangerous if not shown proper respect. Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying rocks and debris, as well as closed-toed footwear and long pants. Proper technique is also essential for safety. In addition to studying the instruction manual for tips and advice, always keep both hands on the edger while it’s in operation, and be aware of your balance and stability when working on uneven terrain.
How We Selected
I’ve used all types of lawn edgers during my time as part of a large landscaping crew and used this experience—as well as Roy Berendsohn’s hands-on experience with specific models—to recommend a selection of edgers for anyone who maintains a residential yard. I made sure to include a range of types and prices so you don’t end up with a large tool that’s overkill for your property or an undersized model that doesn’t get the job done efficiently. I also prioritized lawn edgers from manufacturers that Roy has tested products from and grown to trust and excluded options from unknown or obscure brands with customer support and quality control issues.
Pros
Respected manufacturer- Rubber flap reduces chance of flying debris
- Comfortable to use
Cons
- Prohibitive pricing if you’re also investing in other tools
We’ve recommended Echo’s products for decades. This is a dedicated stick edger that’s well-priced and features enough power to cut through topsoil and typical cool-season grasses, like Kentucky Bluegrass and fescue. The 21.2-cubic centimeter (cc) engine that powers this machine takes a professional-grade 50:1 gas-oil mix, and its spring-assist mechanism makes starting this edger as easy as possible.
For southern grass species (such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine), clay soil, or soil with small stones, check out the company’s PE-2620 with a 25.4-cc engine. This one is more expensive, but the additional power is slightly better suited to heavy-duty use.
Key Specs
| Style | Stick |
|---|---|
| Weight | 20 lbs |
| Power | Gas-powered |
| Dimensions | 73 x 12 x 13 in. |
Pros
- Simple to start
- No fuel mixing required
- Cut line indicator keeps you on track
Cons
- Corded power limits portability
Edging, especially at full depth, takes lots of torque. That’s why the Worx is powered by a powerful motor—the same kind of current that a mid-duty circular saw draws. But the Worx has more than just power going for it. Its depth adjustment is simple and tool-free: Flip the latch on the side open, and move the wheel and mounting bracket to the desired depth. Then, flip the lever shut.
Another feature we find intriguing is the machine’s cut line indicator, a drop-down fin that rides in the trench you’re cutting, steadying the machine and resulting in fewer miscues and uneven lines.
Key Specs
| Style | Stick |
|---|---|
| Weight | 14 lbs |
| Power | Corded electricity |
| Dimensions | 22.6 x 14.1 in. |
Pros
- Comfortable grip
- Variable speed trigger
Cons
- Does not include battery
This cordless option is equipped with an 80-volt brushless motor and a variable-speed trigger, designed for maximum torque only when you need it. The edger features a brushless motor for maximum efficiency and claims to edge up to 80 minutes per charge. Combined with the ergonomic wraparound handle, the 10.1-pound weight of this edger is comfortable to transport and operate and makes it a great choice for those who don’t feel like lugging around a heavy tool. (Keep in mind that the battery adds a couple pounds on top of that.)
If you’re one of the many homeowners with a GreenWorks tool collection and have a supply of batteries already on hand, this edger is a useful and economical option.
Key Specs
| Style | Stick |
|---|---|
| Weight | 16.57 lbs |
| Power | Battery |
| Dimensions | 68 x 12 in. |
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Pros
- Integrated tool holder
- Affordable for a walk-behind option
- Chain links prevent flying debris
Cons
- Very heavy and challenging to store
We’ve tested a variety of Earthquake machines over the years, and they deliver on the brand’s promise of no-frills power. While we haven’t tested this particular Earthquake model, after reviewing its specifications, it looks in line with the lower-cost equipment that’s made the brand so popular among consumers.
Engage the blade only when you’re ready to cut by using this edger’s clutch mechanism. It also has an engine appropriate for this class of equipment, a multi-angle cutter head, and an uncommon (though robust) debris catcher made from short chain links.
If your taste in outdoor power equipment tends to be old-school simplicity, give this edger some serious consideration.
Key Specs
| Style | Walk-behind |
|---|---|
| Weight | 57 lbs |
| Power | Gas-powered |
| Dimensions | 38.96 x 19.47 x 39.67 in. |
Pros
- Powerful engine
- Sturdy foundation with wide rubber tires
- Durable powder-coated finish
Cons
- May be too bulky for some users
This is the ultimate high-torque edging solution. The McLane lawn edger is U.S.-built and solidly constructed, weighing about the same as a small-engine lawn mower. It has a thick-bar stock frame, ball-bearing wheels, and a ball-bearing cutter head that tilts, allowing you to edge at an angle (horizontally or vertically).
Thanks to a spacer between the front wheels, this model is even more versatile than your standard edger. Leave the spacer in place for making straight runs, or remove the spacer and slide the wheels together, and reinstall the spacer on the outside for edging curves with a tight radius.
The curb-riding feature lets you set the front wheels together so they ride along the curb while the blade cuts the notch between the curb and the grass. (There's definitely a learning curve with this maneuver, so be patient).
Like the Earthquake above, the McLane is equipped with a handle-operated clutch mechanism that allows you to disengage the blade until you’re ready to cut.
Key Specs
| Style | Walk-behind |
|---|---|
| Weight | 66.3 lbs |
| Power | Gas-powered |
| Dimensions | 29.9 x 19.6 x 17.1 in. |
Pros
- Includes battery and charger
- Cuts up to 3 inches deep
- Compatible with other Ego tool attachments
Cons
- Heavier than most edgers
Ego is a major player in the cordless lawn care space, and this edger kit is a great example of why they’re so popular. Unlike many cordless edgers, this one includes a 2.5 amp-hour battery and charger and is also compatible with other sized Ego batteries you have on hand.
This model also boasts a 3-inch maximum cutting depth—deeper than the 2.5 inches seen in most other models—and a user-friendly adjustment knob for shallower applications. This extra depth provides for more functionality, allowing you to cut deeper edges for particularly overgrown grass boundaries or to create drainage channels in rainy climates.
This machine is also compatible with other Ego tool heads, allowing you to quickly swap out the edger for a variety of functions, including a string trimmer, pole saw, and hedge trimmer.
Key Specs
| Style | Stick |
|---|---|
| Weight | 21.6 lbs |
| Power | Battery |
| Dimensions | 40.5 x 12.44 in. |
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7
Best Manual
Fiskars Steel Edger Lawn Tool
Pros
- Powder-coated steel frame
- Easy to use
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not for large lawns
- Not as efficient as motorized edgers
If you don’t have a ton of yard to edge and aren’t intimidated by a little physical exercise, consider this manual edger. I’ve found Fiskers to be more durable than cheaper, flimsier lawn care brands, and the hardened, powder-coated steel blade and handle of this tool are a great example of that.
Their lifetime warranty has you covered if any issues arise. Its 2-pound weight is also light enough to carry and store without much effort, and the large foot pad allows you to easily apply your bodyweight when sinking into your soil.
Key Specs
| Style | Manual |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2 lbs |
| Power | N/A |
| Dimensions | 38.6 x 7.88 in. |
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Alex Rennie
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
Roy Berendsohn
Senior Home Editor
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
