Top Grass Trimmers Tested for UK Gardens
The Guardian's expert tested eight electric grass trimmers—five cordless and three corded—to find the best for neatening lawn edges and tackling weeds. The Stihl FSA 50 emerged as the best overall, praised for its flexibility, ease of use, and impressive battery life of 1 hour 11 minutes with a 4Ah battery. For budget-conscious buyers, the Mac Allister MCI1198GGT at £36 (body only) offers remarkable value, though it struggles with tougher weeds. The Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V-23-750 excels for heavy-duty trimming, featuring a sturdy 2.4mm line and an optional metal blade for brush cutting. The Flymo SimpliTrim 230 Plus is ideal for small gardens, combining compact size with surprising power from its corded design.
How the Testing Was Conducted
Each trimmer underwent battery life and noise tests using a decibel app, followed by real-world trimming on a square lawn left uncut for two weeks. The tester also tackled ivy and weeds under a beech hedge, with strict orders to avoid self-seeded forget-me-nots. Additional guerrilla trimming of unruly nettles in a nearby alley pushed the trimmers further. All units were operated with safety precautions, including a dog-proof cage.
Best Overall: Stihl FSA 50
The Stihl FSA 50, priced from £159 (body only) or £239 with battery, features a lance-like design with adjustable handle and cutting head. It offers variable trigger control for battery conservation and delivered excellent edging performance. However, the plastic-bladed mowing head and shoulder strap are optional extras. Cutting width: 28cm; weight: 3.9kg (with battery); battery life: 1hr 11mins (4Ah); charge time: 1hr 53mins; warranty: two years.
Best Budget: Mac Allister MCI1198GGT
At just £36 (body only) or £69 with battery, this B&Q own-brand trimmer is exceptionally light at 2.05kg. It features adjustable height, secondary handle, and seven cutting head angles. While less powerful than rivals, it handles lawn edging adequately but struggled with thicker undergrowth. Cutting width: 25cm; battery life: 40mins 34secs (2Ah); charge time: 53mins 39secs; warranty: two years.
Best Heavy-Duty: Bosch AdvancedBrushCut 36V-23-750
Priced from £154.99 (body only) or £203 with battery, this model boasts a durable alloy chassis and thick 2.4mm line. It pulverised ivy and ground cover, and the included brush-cutting attachment with a three-pronged metal blade sliced through woody stalks. However, the fixed-angle head limits vertical edging. Cutting width: 33cm (line) or 23cm (blade); weight: 4.2kg; battery life: 44mins 7secs (4Ah); charge time: 2hrs 1min; warranty: three years.
Best for Small Gardens: Flymo SimpliTrim 230 Plus
At £33 (Currys), this compact corded trimmer offers surprising power with a 247W motor. It features a rotating head for vertical edging and a wheel for stability, but has a fixed height and short 6m cable. It shredded ivy and grass effectively. Cutting width: 23cm; weight: 2.2kg; cable length: 6m; warranty: two years.
Other Notable Models
Mac Allister MGT60030 (£54, corded): Powerful for grass and light weeds but heavy (3.6kg) with noticeable vibration. Cutting width: 25cm; cable: 10m; 478W; warranty: two years.
Einhell GC-ET 4530 (£32.95, corded): Good value with a 30cm cutting area and low vibration, but less effective on tough weeds. Cable: 10m; 416W; warranty: three years.
Einhell GE-CT 18/30 Li-Solo (£69.95 body only): Large 30cm cutting head, decent grass trimming, and affordable battery system. Battery life: 1hr 5mins (4Ah); warranty: three years.
Makita DUR193Z (£105.25 body only): Longest battery life at 1hr 30mins with 5Ah battery, but more expensive without significant power gains. Cutting width: 26cm; warranty: three years.
Sustainability and Safety
Bosch, Makita, Einhell, and Flymo use the most sustainable packaging (cardboard and paper). All manufacturers offer spares; Stihl provides repairs through dealers, while Bosch, Makita, and Einhell have service centres. Users should wear safety glasses, long trousers, and sturdy shoes. Before trimming, check for wildlife like hedgehogs by poking the area with a broom handle. The tester will donate all units not collected to the British Heart Foundation.
