5 Best 4-Stroke Weed Eater Buying Guide and Review

Getting the best 4-stroke weed eater is one of the necessary purchases that a homeowner or lawn maintenance professional will ever make. It’s the ideal power tool for most lawn care needs: compact, easy-to-use, and powerful to handle all weed-whacking projects.

The Worx WG163 GT string trimmer provides excellent value for the price, especially with its powerful dual 20V batteries. It’s a cordless weed eater, getting rid of the hassle involved with a gas-powered corded string trimmer. It also boasts multi-functionality and switches between a trimmer and edger, ensures pristine and healthy turf.

The 12-inch cutting diameter is ideal for use in small to medium-sized yards, and the compact size makes it suitable for trimming hard to reach and tight areas. Plus, there are other convenient design features, like the adjustable handle to accommodate different heights. There’s also a spacer guard to keep the bushes and flowers safe while trimming around them.

Best 4 stroke weed eater Review

Worx WG163 GT PowerShare String Trimmer

Features:

• Cordless string trimmer
• 2-in-1 function (trimmer, edger)
• Cutting path – 12 inches
• Head tilts up to 90-degrees
• Rubberized wheels
• Instant line feed
• (7) adjustable handle positions
• Spacer guard

What We Like

Worx is a fantastic brand that provides a tremendous value for the best price, especially its WG163 GT cordless string trimmer. Its most appealing features is the multifunctionality, where the power tool can change from a string trimmer to an edger with a single button. It’s everything one will need to keep the lawn and garden pristine and lush.

This trimmer is cordless, powered by a robust dual 20V battery, so there is no hassle of dealing with tangled power cords. It doesn’t use gas or needs lubrication, making it easier to maintain than gas-powered weed eaters.

There are many appealing design features in this weed eater, like its Command Feed spool system for instant line feed by pressing the button. It also features a head tilts up to 90 degrees, making it convenient to trim uneven surfaces in the yard.

Another remarkable feature is the rubberized wheels that provide maximum support and traction, ideal for both dry and damp lawns.

The spacer guard is also a bonus, perfect for delicate trimming jobs around plants, flowers, and landscaping areas. Plus, the handle is ergonomic and boasts seven adjustable settings to cater to different heights.

However, the most remarkable feature of this weed eater is getting free spools from Worx for life. Now, that’s excellent savings for making sure that the garden is looking pristine and clean for a long time.

What Can Be Improved?

Like any battery-powered weed eater, this one from Worx has limited runtime in between charges. That means there will be downtime when dealing with trimming projects in large plots.

Also, challenging jobs with dense grass and weeds can drain the battery faster.

Greenworks Pro STBA80L210 Brushless String Trimmer

Features:

• Cordless string trimmer
• Trimmer + leaf blower combo
• Cutting path – 16 inches
• Line diameter – 0.080 inches
• 80V brushless motor
• 2-amp Li-Ion battery
• 45-minutes runtime
• 30-minutes charge time
• 125 miles per hour blowing speed
• 3-speed selections

What We Like

A robust trimming job needs an equally heavy-duty power tool, and the Greenworks Pro cordless string trimmer can get the job done.

This weed eater can only run for up to 45 minutes, but it boasts quick performance and power to cover medium-sized lawn areas. Plus, the battery charges fast, only taking up to 30 minutes to get a full-charge and run again.

Its engine motor does an impressive job, similar to what a standard 32cc gas-powered engine can do. It stays revved up in the garden to handle most yard work, thanks to its 16 inches cutting width.

This weed eater with a brushless motor boasts quiet operation, but with more torque and longer lifespan. The bump feed head can handle a durable 0.080 inches trimmer line, ideal for medium to heavy-duty trimming jobs.

One advantage of this trimmer is it features 3-speed settings to choose the ideal speed depending on the trimming area. This model is a bit heavyweight compared to other electric trimmers, but the extra weight adds to its robust performance against the toughest weeds.

What’s even better is this pack comes with a brushless leaf blower that can produce up to 125 miles-per-hour wind speed. This combo is an invaluable asset for keeping the lawn pristine and aesthetically pleasing.

What Can Be Improved?

This combo from Greenworks can do most landscaping jobs. However, the 45-minute runtime between charges is often not enough to cover large-sized lawns in one go. It does an excellent job of trimming the property to perfection until the battery dies in the middle of the job.

Worx WG154 String Trimmer

Features:

• Cordless string trimmer
• 2-in-1 function (trimmer, edger)
• Cutting path – 10-12 inches
• 30 minutes runtime
• Adjustable pacer guard
• Adjustable cutting option
• Automatic line feed
• Quick single-switch functionality
• Lightweight design

What We Like

The best 4-stroke weed eater doesn’t have to be massive and challenging to maneuver.

It can be lightweight and cordless like the Worx WH154 string trimmer and still efficiently get the job done. The 4.2-pound weight is easy to handle even by the elderly, but it doesn’t limit the tool’s power and performance.

It has enough power to cover expansive yards, especially with its ten to 12 inches cutting diameter. It can handle a 0.065-inch thick trimmer line and boasts an auto single-line feed that can take most household trimming jobs.

Everything about this weed eater’s design is convenient, like the ergonomic handles that feel comfortable and natural on the hands. It isn’t slippery, giving a secure grip for full control of the power tool and avoid accidents and disasters. There’s also a flower guard to keep the plants and shrubs protected while trimming the grass.

It also boasts a 2-in-1 function, working both as a weed trimmer and an edger, perfect for trimming grass in tight and tricky areas. Switching between trimming and edging is also straightforward and quick through a single flip of the button.

Another advantage of this weed eater, like other Worx string trimmers, the brand gives free spools for life.

What Can Be Improved?

One of the primary issues of this weed eater is the battery capacity. Worx could do a lot better than a battery that can run for 30 minutes and recharges for five hours and 30 minutes.

Many other weed eaters can provide two times of that runtime and power at the same price. It makes this string trimmer only ideal for small-sized lawns because otherwise, the job won’t get done within the day.

Echo SRM-225 String Trimmer

Features:

• Gas-powered string trimmer
• Cutting path – 17 inches
• Line diameter – 0.095 inches
• Anti-vibration handle
• Line advance bump feed
• Straight/flex-cable shaft
• 14.9 oz fuel tank capacity

What We Like

Start trimming the yard with up to 30% less effort with the SRM-225 weed eater, thanks to its i30 starter system. It boasts an innovative vibration reduction system, the most appealing feature that boosts comfort and reduces fatigue while doing the job. The handle comes with rubber over-molded grips for a secure hold and optimum comfort.

What’s even better is the lightweight design, making it easy to maneuver, especially in hard to reach areas. This gas-powered weed eater is convenient to use, without the mess and hassle of limiting and tangling power cord.

The robust motor also provides enough power to cut through dense and thick weeds, especially using a 0.095-inches thick trimmer line. There’s no more fuel-efficient engine than what this trimmer has. And while it only comes with a 21cc engine smaller than in other gas-powered trimmers, Echo designed it for maximum speed.

Plus, it can cut a wider path than most lightweight trimmers. The 17 inches cutting diameter makes the job done swiftly, ideal for medium to large-sized lawns.

It features a line advance bump feed that saves time and effort of manually feeding the trimmer line. It’s one of its selling points, especially combined with the swift re-spooling, no special tools needed. Even newbies can start trimming garden spaces using this weed eater without issues.

What Can Be Improved?

Gas-powered trimmers are usually the most powerful and can handle even the most challenging trimming projects. However, they come with the downside of using gas, which ultimately requires frequent cleaning and maintenance. Also, this machine can emit toxic fumes that can harm you and the environment.

Husqvarna 324L Gas String Trimmer

Features:

• Gas-powered trimmer
• Cutting path – 18 inches
• Power speed – up to 7,000 rpm
• Uses unleaded gas; no fuel and oil mixing necessary
• Tap ‘N Go trimmer head
• Quick and straightforward line reloading
• Translucent fuel tank for visual monitoring of fuel levels

What We Like

Husqvarna is another reliable brand in terms of power tools designed for efficient lawn maintenance jobs.

The 324L gas-powered string trimmer, in particular, does a remarkable job of swiftly cutting through thick and tall weeds and grass in the yard. It has up to 18 inches cutting diameter, and with the help of a straight shaft, it can trim even tight yard spaces.

Straight shaft weed eaters like this model are excellent in dealing with overgrowth under the patio or around obstacles like shrubs and trees. It uses a dual bump feed head that holds a 0.095-inch thick trimmer line , capable of handling the densest weeds and grass.

The coolest thing about this weed eater is its unique air purge system, allowing the engine to start swiftly by removing air from the carburetor. Another advantage of this 4-stroke engine is there is no issue about the gas smell seeping into the clothing, familiar in 2-stroke motors.

It’s the best 4-stroke weed eater around, primarily as it uses unleaded or the standard gasoline. There is no mixing of gas and oil required, less hassle, and less maintenance necessary.

This weed eater also features robust construction, nicely made using an all-metal structure with very few plastic pieces. It comes built to last, worth the money you’re paying for it.

What Can Be Improved?

This string trimmer comes with a shield against the grass trimming flying all over the place, but it’s a bit small. It’s insufficient as a guard feature when cutting through overgrown weeds and grass.

The string trimmer is exceptionally close to the bump head, making it tricky to use the tool when trimming in tight areas.

Types of Weed Eaters

One of the primary things to consider when looking for the best 4-stroke weed eater is the power source. There are a few types of string trimmers available for purchase, and besides the power source, they differ on how they do trimming works.

Gas-Powered Weed Eaters

This type of weed eater usually comes with the most powerful motor, commonly operating on gasoline. Gas-powered trimmers are ideal for the most challenging yard maintenance projects, designed to handle the most challenging greeneries.

It can trim most grass and weed types, Bermuda patches, and even shrubs, ideal for most extensive and most challenging yards.

However, gas-powered weed eaters require the most maintenance, primarily because it uses gas and oil. The gasoline tank also adds so much weight to the power tool when filled, making this weed eater type the heaviest. There’s also the issue of the machine emitting fumes that can harm health and the environment.

Electric Weed Eaters

Instead of fuel, this type of string trimmer gets power directly from an electric outlet. Some high-end models of this weed eater can be as powerful as gas-powered versions, depending on the engine motor. It can handle most weed-whacking jobs, ideal for small to medium-sized lawns.

The coverage limit of electric weed eaters depends on the length of the power cord. And while it’s relatively lighter than gas-powered trimmers, there’s a problem about getting the cable tangles while going over the yard.

Cordless Weed Eaters

Cordless weed eaters are a lot like electric trimmers, but they come with batteries, so they don’t need to connect to the outlet to work. There’s no hassle of dealing with the power cord, offering free access to roam around the lawn.

Unfortunately, cordless string trimmers can get more expensive than its corded version. This power tool’s runtime will depend on its battery capacity, making it only ideal for small to average-sized lawns.

Features to Look for in the Best 4-Stroke Weed Eater

Before buying the best 4-stroke weed eater, consider these features first to ensure that the power tool can handle the job.

Power

Gas trimmers can have a 25cc engine, which is often enough to handle most weed-whacking jobs. However, there are 31cc trimmers ideal for controlling the toughest weeds and grasses in the yard.

Meanwhile, electric trimmers can either be cordless or corded, work quietly, and don’t produce toxic fumes. However, they have limitations and only ideal for use in small to medium-sized yards.

Engine Motor

String trimmers can have 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines, and it’s ideal for getting a 4-cycle weed eater as they are more fuel-efficient. They also work quieter than 2-cycle engines and require less maintenance as no gas and oil mixes are necessary.

However, 4-stroke string trimmers are significantly pricier upfront, but the savings make it worth purchasing in the long run.

Cutting String

The trimming standards of a weed eater will primarily depend on the string trimmer line it can accommodate. Any trimmer line over 0.08-inch in thickness can cut through dense vegetation and overgrowth. Meanwhile, thinner lines can cut through precise grass and weeds.

Cutting Width

The cutting width is a primary factor that affects the string trimmer’s efficiency. A weed eater with a wide cutting path can get the job done swiftly, ideal for trimming large yards. Meanwhile, narrow cutting widths will be more efficient in handling tight spaces and edges.

Straight vs. Curved Shaft

Choosing between a trimmer with a curved or straight shaft will primarily depend on personal preference. Straight shaft weed eaters are speedy and make precise cuts, but are best for professional use.

Meanwhile, beginners can easily handle curved shafts, but they are not the most versatile.

Weight

A lightweight weed eater may not matter much when trimming small plots, but they are far convenient to handle when dealing with more expansive areas.

The lightest option is usually the most comfortable for extended trimming jobs.

Handle

Handles may not be the primary factor that most people consider, but they are critical when it comes to trimmers. An ergonomic handle goes a long way in providing comfort and ease when using the power tool, especially in extended periods.

Adjustable handles will also help accommodate different heights, so there is less fatigue. Ensure that the handles are sturdy and won’t detach from the machine due to the vibrations while working.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Wu4mTvCUfjg

Conclusion

The Worx WG163 cordless weed eater provides excellent value and multifunctionality, capable of switching between trimming and edging. It’s lightweight but powerful to handle most weed-whacking projects.

However, no single trimmer model is ideal for all trimming jobs, and choosing the best 4-stroke weed eater will depend on engine and trimming capacity requirements.

Last update on 2024-03-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API