The Best Lawn Edgers for a Manicured Yard

Introduction

Whether you have a sprawling lawn or a small garden, keeping the edges neat and tidy is essential for a well-maintained landscape. A reliable lawn edger can help you achieve crisp lines along driveways, sidewalks, and garden beds, enhancing the overall appearance of your yard. To help you choose the best lawn edger for your needs, we have researched and tested a variety of models to bring you our top picks.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Echo PE-225 Gas Lawn Edger

The Echo PE-225 Gas Lawn Edger is our top pick for its lightweight design, powerful engine, and ease of use. With a 21.2cc 2-stroke cycle engine and a curved shaft for precision cutting, this handheld edger is perfect for maintaining lawn edges with professional-quality results.

Best Bang for the Buck: Greenworks 12 Amp 7.5-Inch Corded Lawn Edger

For those with small yards, the Greenworks Corded Lawn Edger offers excellent value for money. With a 12-amp engine, adjustable cutting depth, and lightweight design, this electric edger is ideal for maintaining edges along driveways and walkways.

Upgrade Pick: McLane 9-Inch Gas-Powered Lawn Edger

If you have a larger yard and need more power, the McLane Gas-Powered Lawn Edger is a great choice. With a 127cc engine and a 4.5-inch cutting depth, this walk-behind edger can tackle tough soil and create clean edge lines with ease.

Best Gas: Craftsman E410 30cc 4-Cycle 9-Inch Gas Lawn Edger

For a compact and powerful gas edger, the Craftsman E410 is a top contender. With a 30cc 4-cycle engine, adjustable cutting height, and lightweight design, this walk-behind edger is perfect for maintaining edges along driveways and patios.

Best Cordless: DeWalt 60V MAX 7½-Inch Brushless Edger Kit

For cordless convenience and power, the DeWalt 60V MAX Brushless Edger Kit is a great choice. With a 60-volt battery, adjustable cutting depth, and variable speed trigger, this electric edger offers long runtime and excellent performance.

Best Electric: Black+Decker LE760FF AC Lawn Edger

The Black+Decker AC Lawn Edger is a versatile and reliable choice for electric edging. With a 12-amp motor, adjustable cutting depth, and cord retention system, this edger is perfect for maintaining edges along patios and walkways.

Best Manual: True Temper Dual-Wheel Rotary Edger

For a manual option, the True Temper Rotary Edger is a durable and efficient choice. With a self-sharpening blade, hardwood handle, and comfortable grip, this manual edger is perfect for maintaining edges along driveways and garden beds.

Best for Small Yards: Worx 12 Amp 7.5-Inch Electric Lawn Edger

If you have a small yard, the Worx Electric Lawn Edger is a lightweight and powerful option. With a 12-amp motor, adjustable cutting depth, and two wheels for balance, this electric edger is perfect for maintaining edges along sidewalks and flower beds.

Best for Landscape Beds: Razorback Half-Moon Turf Edger With Wood Handle

For precise edging around landscape beds, the Razorback Half-Moon Turf Edger is a top choice. With a heavy-duty steel blade, hardwood handle, and secure footing, this manual edger is perfect for creating clean edge lines in garden beds.

How We Tested the Best Lawn Edgers

We tested each lawn edger in real-world scenarios, including basic grass edge maintenance, trenching along landscape beds, and cutting through tough soil. Our tests evaluated the performance, durability, and user comfort of each edger to determine the best options for different yard sizes and landscaping needs.

What to Consider When Choosing a Lawn Edger

Types of Lawn Edgers

There are three main types of lawn edgers: manual, electric, and gas. Each type has its own advantages and limitations, so it’s important to choose the right one for your yard size and landscaping needs.

Power

The power source of a lawn edger can impact its performance and efficiency. Gas-powered edgers offer more power but require fuel and maintenance, while electric edgers are more eco-friendly and easy to use. Manual edgers rely on the user’s strength and endurance to operate.

Blade Type

The type of blade on a lawn edger can affect its cutting ability and precision. Flat rectangular blades are common and versatile, while star-shaped blades are ideal for cutting along hard surfaces. Choose a blade type that suits your edging needs.

Cutting Width and Depth

The cutting width and depth of a lawn edger determine how much turf it can cut and how deep it can penetrate the soil. Consider the size of your yard and the thickness of your grass roots when choosing an edger with the right cutting dimensions.

Wheel Configuration

The wheel configuration of a lawn edger can impact its stability and maneuverability. Three-wheel edgers are suitable for most yards, while four-wheel edgers offer extra stability on uneven terrain. Choose a wheel configuration that suits your yard’s layout.

Ease of Use

Consider the weight, shaft length, and runtime of a lawn edger to ensure it is easy to use and comfortable for extended periods. Look for features like adjustable handles, padded grips, and lightweight construction for ease of use.

Safety

Ensure your lawn edger has built-in safety features like debris guards, trigger locks, and padded grips to protect you from accidents and injuries while working. Always wear appropriate safety gear like safety glasses and closed-toe shoes when operating a lawn edger.

Additional Features

Look for lawn edgers with additional features like two-in-one trimming and edging tools, adjustable auxiliary handles, and accessories to enhance their functionality and usability. Choose a model that offers the features you need for your specific yard maintenance tasks.

FAQs

Q. What is the best way to edge a lawn?

A. Choose a suitable lawn edger, mark out the edge line, mow the lawn, and then use the edger to cut thin strips of sod along the marked line for a clean edge.

Q. How deep should I edge my lawn?

A. Typically, 2 to 4 inches deep is sufficient for controlling grass growth and maintaining a neat edge along driveways and walkways.

Q. Do you edge every time you mow?

A. It’s not necessary to edge every time you mow, but it’s recommended to edge every two or three mows to keep the lawn looking neat and tidy.

Q. Should I edge before or after I mow?

A. Whether you edge before or after mowing is a matter of preference. Edging before mowing can help create a straight edge, while edging after mowing can help clean up excess grass clippings.

Q. What is the easiest edger to use?

A. The Razorback Half-Moon Turf Edger with a wood handle is a manual edger that is easy to use and perfect for creating clean edge lines along driveways and garden beds.

Q. What is the best gas-powered edger?

A. The Craftsman E410 30cc 4-Cycle Gas Lawn Edger is a top choice for a compact and powerful gas edger that is perfect for maintaining edges along driveways and patios.

Why Trust Bob Vila

Bob Vila has been a trusted source of home improvement advice for over 40 years. With a team of experts who research, test, and recommend products for homeowners, renters, and DIYers, Bob Vila provides reliable information and recommendations to help you tackle your home and garden projects with confidence.

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with over 20 years of experience in the nursery and landscaping industry. He has tested and reviewed a wide range of outdoor power equipment, hand tools, and lawn-care products to help homeowners make informed decisions about their yard maintenance needs.

Additional research provided by Andréana Lefton and Timothy Dale.