Gas v Electric Weed Whacker. Advice Please

[Kickass]

I need to buy a new weed whacker and have some limitations.

Must be stronger than basic yard finishing models. I have about an acre of property with heavy grass, ornery mustard weeds and steep hills. It typically takes about 15-20 hours to knock everything down in the spring.

I live CA where gas engine models are banned.

Do any of you own an electric weed whacker that matches the power and strength of a 50cc gas weed whacker?

Should I simply buy another gas model, have it shipped to family in AZ and have them bring it out for a scheduled visit in a couple weeks?

Thanks!

 

[lumpher]

I need to buy a new weed whacker and have some limitations.

Must be stronger than basic yard finishing models. I have about an acre of property with heavy grass, ornery mustard weeds and steep hills. It typically takes about 15-20 hours to knock everything down in the spring.

I live CA where gas engine models are banned.

Do any of you own an electric weed whacker that matches the power and strength of a 50cc gas weed whacker?

Should I simply buy another gas model, have it shipped to family in AZ and have them bring it out for a scheduled visit in a couple weeks?

Thanks!

I have a Ryobi One+ Weed Whacker, and while I'd say it's got some power and cutting ability, I'd definitely say it's got far less power than a 50cc gas. I don't think you're going to find an electric that will touch that.

 

[Brockness Monster]

His voice can get grating after a while, but he is very thorough in his testing and hasn't steered me wrong yet.

 

[day_trippr]

Holy cow that was annoying AF!
I'd go with the Milwaukee...if I ever decided to ditch my Husqvarna gasser...

Cheers!

 

[Bobby_M]

I have a 20V DeWalt that I basically compromised on because I already had a ton of 20V batteries. Skip it. I brought it to my shop for cleaning up around the parking lot and such but there's no way it's going to handle a typical rural property.

The ones that compete are the big 60V.

 

[mac_1103]

I have a Kobalt (Lowe's) 40 volt max that I bought when the last gas trimmer I had died. I'm happy enough with the power and attachments for weed whacking, hedge trimming, edging and even light pruning. Battery life (4 ah) is disappointing though.

edit - they make an 80 volt version

 

[wdavis2003]

I have an EGO and really like it. Plenty of power to chop through thick St. Augustine grass blades. I think standard comes in a 2.5 amp hour battery but that won't do you any good for an acre property. A 5 amp battery would probably do the trick but it can make it heavy. It comes with a "weed wacker" (here in the south it's called a string trimmer or a weed eater but I digress) and an edger attachment. I've also purchased other attachments like the hedge trimmer which makes the EGO a desirable option IMO. The attachments are relatively cheap, the batteries are where the investment happens.

 

[jschein]

I’d have the family mule it over. Send them back with some hooch.

 

[Deadalus]

I bought a Black and Decker electric 36V about 10 years ago and it kicks ass vs the Troybuilt gas model it replaced. And it only has one string, not two, plus a thinner diameter. It goes up to 6 on the settings and almost never go past 3. I don't know the rest of the specs on the battery but I expect they are better now. My lot is about 0.25 ac and I can sometimes get front and back done on one battery. In my opinion, it is better to have two "weaker" batteries vs one "stronger" battery. I later bought a B & D hedge trimmer, 40V but batteries work in both and I just swap them. I find the very highest capacity batteries tend to command a premium. I have an EGO lawn mower and got a deal on one with 2 batteries. Similar results there, sometimes can do front and back on one battery, sometimes not. I'd say less frequently though. And the mower is self-propelled. Love the mower, well-designed. I'd switch to an EGO weed whacker and or trimmer if the others break so that I could stick with interchangeable batteries.

Both the weed whacker and mower are much quieter than their counterparts. I know it's uncommon for people to use ear protection when using these (recommended though), but I always did and the electrics are quiet enough that I don't.

No screwing around with gas and carburetors either.

 

[Kickass]

His voice can get grating after a while, but he is very thorough in his testing and hasn't steered me wrong yet.

That was a little tough, mostly his cadence, but helpful.

Thanks for the advice. I’m still undecided. Electric would certainly be the easy route but I’d hate to spend $500 on a whacker and couple extra batteries only to find it can’t get the job done.

 

[InspectorJon]

I have been very happy with my Ego equipment. I was concerned about power when I first took the dive with a lawn mower many years ago. I was pleasantly surprised that it compared favorably with the Honda mower it was replacing. My string trim handles everything I have for it. I live in the California foothills and it takes care of the tall weeds in the spring. You should get several hours out of 2 larger batteries. The smaller battery that comes with a string trimmer might only last an hour.

Do your research. Once you take the initial plunge you will kind of be locked in to one battery system. When I was first looking, 56 volt Ego seemed to be rated pretty well.

I’m glad I went electric. No more fussing with gas engines. Just take the battery out and hang it up for the winter. It’s ready to go in the spring.

 

[seatazzz]

I have the Ego stuff as well, quite happy with it. Our backyard gets overgrown quickly including a blackberry vine that just won't go away, the Ego whacker gets it gone quickly. We have the mower as well (not self propelled), and also the leaf blower. Mower is great because I've never been able to start a pull-string motor without killing my shoulder, and I can get both front and back done on the one battery. Leaf blower is powerful, not to mention fun as heck to use; on brewdays when I have the garage door open I use it to blow out the inevitable circling flies that get in.

 

[wsmith1625]

All of my lawn equipment is gas powered. I don't like the idea of having to keep batteries charged all the time and not having them charged when I need them. I also like that I can service and maintain my gas equipment to keep them running strong for many years. I don't know what the longevity is on the electric models, and I don't trust they match up to gas.

 

[InspectorJon]

My Ego lawn mower has outlasted any gas one I ever had. There is virtually no maintenance. Just put the battery in the charger when you are done. Clean and sharpen occasionally. I find it easier to put a battery in the charger than drive to the gas station and mix gas.

I was hesitant and anxious about making the financial commitment without being able to try the equipment first. I am glad I went electric. Change can be unsettling. I bought the mower first. The blower was kind of a no brainer since I already had the battery and I didn’t have a blower. When I was faced with the choice of overhauling my weed wacker or buying an electric one I agonized a bit before getting the electric one. I am happy with my choice.

I have a pretty nice Husky weed wacker that needs a new carburetor or fuel system repair if anyone wants it. Probably only a couple hundred hours on the engine.

 

[Kharnynb]

i've got a 50 cc gas one at the cottage and a 36v bosch at home, and I would say they are close in power with strimmer settings, if you need to use a circle blade though, the gas one wins easily.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Certified California compliant. (for now)

 

[mac_1103]

Certified California compliant. (for now)

Haven't used one of those in a very long time, but I used to release a lot of greenhouse gasses when I did.

 

[whoaru99]

My Ego lawn mower has outlasted any gas one I ever had.

Interesting. I've never had any battery pack last as long, in terms of durability, as a gas mower.

I have an old Toro weed whacker from 1990. I still use it. The only repair it has ever needed was replacing the primer bulb that eventually got too stiff to function properly.

 

[Dland]

I'm running Stihl pro model AP battery series machines at my landscape company. String trimmers, hedge machines, chain saws, blowers, brick saws, etc. Have had some of the batteries since they came out 7 or 8 years ago, they charge fast and work fine. Light, quiet, no fumes, no pulling on starter strings, no walking around with machine idling, and no mixing gas or worrying about stale gas off season.

Have a shipping container full of gas two cycle stuff we hardy ever use, except the chain saws for heavy stuff, and the back pack blowers in the fall. I would have a hard time getting my crew to use the gas stuff, even if I wanted to. Gas blowers are also being phased out by 2028 (local by laws in whole county).

When people ask me what brand of electric to buy for personal use,, I suggest they buy whatever brand they already have batteries for. Most people already have some battery power tools. The Stihl pro stuff is some of the best, but probably more than most people want to spend for home use.