Best Weed Eater String : A Buyer’s Guide

Introduction

Although weeds are a nuisance in the garden, a good weed eater coupled with the best weed eater string is a very useful combination.

Lawn trimming can be satisfying

A string trimmer or weed wacker is the perfect tool for adding that final level of polish to your landscaping project. Made for reaching those tricky spots that your lawnmower can’t access easily, a weed wacker helps you get your lawn up to your own high standards.

This article focuses on a part of the weed wacker that people might not consider – the trimmer line. It’s something you may not give a lot of thought to but the quality of the trimmer line you use makes a big difference in the performance of your weed wacker.

This article is all about helping you decide on the best string trimmer line for you. We will start by reviewing 5 of our favorite types of trimmer line. After that, we will provide a resource for everything you need to know about what separates some lines from others, including durability, materials, features, and much more. Let’s get started with our top picks.

Our Quick Picks

Here are 3 of the best from our research;

Trimmer Line Reviews

Oregon Magnum Gatorline Best .095 Weed Eater String (Top pick)

The Magnum Gatorline is our top pick for trimmer line because it is a high-value choice with great functionality. This excellent trimmer line is trusted by home landscapers and professionals alike, and also gets our vote as the best .095 trimmer line.

Pros

What sets this one apart is its strength and durability. This is a truly heavy-duty trimmer line that was made to stand up to even the toughest weed whacking jobs. Its strength comes largely from the design.

This trimmer line is exceptionally strong. The outer and inner layers combine to make a strong line that lasts a very long time. Along with being able to cut through weeds and the thickest grass, this string also does not wear down as fast as other lines.

The Gator Speedloader system is another benefit of this product. Its donut shape makes it easy to load onto any weed eater and the outer layer of the line is designed to be weld-proof. You won’t have to spend time separating line that has become welded together which can be a big problem if you are familiar with the cheaper quality products.

Because of these long-lasting features, this line is a great choice if you’re looking for value. If you want to purchase a product that lasts, look no further than the Magnum Gatorline.

Cons

Any negative reviews for this product stem from the fact that the string is perhaps too strong. It is so powerful that you have to be careful using it around siding or delicate plants and landscaping.

Overall

This is our top pick because it is simply some of the strongest trimmer lines out there. The two-layered design makes it great for standing up to anything you put it up against.

Perhaps its best feature is that it is such a high-value pick. It’s so strong that is wears down slower than most other lines on the market. So, if you are looking for weed eater string that will last you a long while, this is the choice for you.

Sale Oregon 0.095 inch Magnum Gatorline 3 lbs spool

Dual polymer weld-resistant square shape

Long lasting with flexible core

Professional grade heavy duty

Husqvarna Titanium Force String Trimmer Line .095-Inch

Husqvarna Titanium Force trimmer string is another great choice if you want an extra-strength line that’s made to last.

Pros

This is a commercial-grade copolymer trimmer string that is intended to meet the high strength requirements of professional jobs but a strong trimmer line is certainly useful in almost any type of yard-work. It cuts through even dense rough growth and does not wear down as fast as the more cheaply made options.

The strength of this line makes it a good value pick. You may be tempted to spend less on trimmer line, but just know that often if a line costs less, it’s not nearly as durable and gives you less value for your money.

This package contains 140-feet of trimmer line and is meant to be used with all standard weed eater heads. You most likely don’t have to worry about whether or not this fits your weed wacker.

Cons

While most reviews praise this string for its durability and strength, there are also concerns with using a product this strong around fragile materials like fences or the side of your house. A really strong line can damage siding, plants, and small trees. It is therefore very important to be careful of your surroundings when using a line this strong.

Overall

Another great value choice. This line is strong and durable. It not only gets you through the toughest weed whacking jobs but it also will not degrade at a fast rate, giving you a great amount of value for your money.

Husqvarna Titanium Force 0.95 0.5 lbs of line, approx 140 feet.

Will fit most standard trimmer heads.

Patented design, offering longer life, excellent flight characteristics and reduced fuel consumtion.

Co-polymer commercial grade line

Black and Decker 30ft 0.065″ 3-Pack (best .065 trimmer line)

Here is our pick for the best 0.065-inch trimmer line. This product works great but is a top pick because of its focus on convenience and ease of use.

Pros

This product is made with one main thing in mind – reducing the inconvenience that often comes along with loading your trimmer line into the machine head. It is made with Black & Decker’s Auto Feed System which makes it easy for you to simply place the spool into your weed whacker.

This line requires no hand-winding spools and it is made to use centrifugal force to prevent tangles or knots that require re-adjustment. If convenience is a top priority, this Auto Feed System is worth the extra investment.

Of course, this would not mean much if the string itself wasn’t well made and, luckily, it is quite functional as well. Customer reviews state that this product lasted a long time once installed with minimal hiccups in the design. Plus, it’s strong enough to handle thick rough growth and weeds.

Cons

The one thing to be careful about with this product is to make sure it fits your weed whacker. Check that your head can support the Auto Feed System before purchasing.

Overall

While this trimmer line is slightly more expensive than others, we think you will find the extra investment worth because it helps you avoid so much hassle. If convenience and ease-of-use are top priorities, the Auto Feed System eliminates a major headache that is often associated with trimmer lines.

Sale Black & Decker 0.065 String Line 3 pack, 30 feet each spool

Fits most Black and Decker trimmers

Cyclone Desert Extrusion 0.080 Inch 200 Foot Commercial Grade, Two Pack (best .080 trimmer line)

Here’s another heavy-duty trimmer line that can stand up to your needs even if they are quite extensive! This earns our pick for the best 0.080 trimmer line.

Pros

This line is made to be strong and durable. It is a 200-foot spool and will likely last you quite a while. It is compatible with any head that accepts a 0.080-inch line.

The strength of this lawn trimmer string comes from its design. Firstly, it has a co-polymer foundation. Next, it uses its patented 6-bladed “cyclone” shape to cut through thick rough weed and plant growth with ease.

The strength of this line adds to the value. Customers rave about it lasting through many uses, even on large rural properties. It holds up against heavy-duty work. This singe investment should last you a long time.

Another advantage of a copolymer design is that it protects against welding. Experienced landscapers know that welding occurs when the heat of the rotation causes the line to melt and fuse back together. There is nothing more annoying than having to manually pick apart fused parts of trimmer string. With this product, you won’t have to.

Cons

Be sure that your weed whacker can handle a 0.080-inch line and this should work just fine with your machine. It is always good to pick a string that is most compatible with your own needs.

Overall

This is another great value pick with both great strength and durability. If you are looking for a 0.080-inch trimmer line, this is the pick for you.

Cyclone 0.080 inch Trimmer Line 2 pack of superior performance line 200 feet each spool

Fits any trimmer that uses 0.080 inch line

Cyclone .155 Inch 315 Foot Commercial Grade (best .155 trimmer line)

Here’s a big, strong spool of trimmer line to give you the ultimate bang for your buck. You won’t sacrifice quality and functionality with this choice. It is our pick for best 0.155-inch trimmer line.

Pros

This trimmer line provides commercial-grade strength. Definitely a heavy duty trimmer line. It has a copolymer design that is strong and prevents welding. Plus, it uses the patented “cyclone” 6-bladed design which is ideal for cutting through the roughest grass.

The strength and durability add to the longevity of this trimmer line. It does not degrade quickly. If you are looking for a high-value purchase then this is it.

Aside from the added longevity that is given by the durability, this trimmer line comes on a 315 feet spool. One purchase will be enough to last you a long while, even with very extensive trimming needs.

Cons

Just be sure before you purchase that your weed whacker can take a 0.155-inch string, and you are good to go.

Cyclone Commercial Trimmer Line 0.155 inch 315 feet spool of 6 blade string trimmer line

Well suited to landscapers and professional gardeners

Co-polymer commercial grade line giving optimum strength and performance

Overall

If you are looking for a trimmer line and your number one concern is longevity, we cannot recommend this product enough. Not only does the design hold up to a lot of tough jobs but the mega-sized spool of line also provides you with refills for many jobs to come. Overall, this is a great product and you will be satisfied with the long-lasting performance.

Overall

There you have it, our top 5 picks for the best trimmer line on the market. Which should you pick? The one that helps you the most with your individual needs. Do you prioritize strength above all else or are you looking for a better value? Do you want the longest-lasting string or just one that is easy to load and use?

Be sure to identify these needs before shopping. Once you know what you are looking for, you will find our buyer’s guide much more helpful in meeting your needs. It is also important to ensure that any line you buy is compatible with your trimmer head.

If you need more help making this decision or just want more information on this product in general, keep reading! Next, we cover all the characteristics you need to know about finding the best weed trimmer line. Let’s get started.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Weed Eater String

As we have already mentioned, there are many different trimmer lines for many different purposes. There are also many types of weed whackers for this reason as well. Ultimately, this is because these machines are not all built for the same type of work. The type of trimmer string you need depends on what you are using it for, which is why it is so important to evaluate your needs so that you can choose the right trimmer string.

The importance of choosing the right string is mainly to ensure that you get a product that fits what you want. Yes, you want a trimmer string that accomplishes the types of jobs you are doing but value and ease of use are also big features for many people.

Many trimmer lines are designed for easy installation which is a major bonus for many people. Many are made to be durable and heavy-duty but whether or not you need to consider these qualities depends on how much power you actually need.

If you are simply cutting the edges of a small lawn, you might not need something extra strong. Not only will you likely spend more than you need to but the extra-strong variety may also cause damage to your garden, certain trees, or siding.

Thus, the true importance of selecting the right trimmer string is to be sure that it suits your needs and accomplishes the jobs you want it to. Be sure to evaluate what you want out of your string and how much you want to spend first and then use our buyer’s guide to pick the trimmer string that best suits these needs.

Weed Eater Trimmer Line Thickness

The thickness of the trimmer line is all about matching the intensity of the job st hand. It is pretty intuitive that the thicker the line you choose, the more adept it is for performing more powerful jobs. Generally, trimmer lines are divided into small, medium, and large sizes.

We will touch on the more specifics of the different thicknesses below but this section will give an overview to help you decide.

As we mentioned, the general rule is this: the thicker the line, the heavier work it is capable of doing. Thus, it is once again important to evaluate your needs carefully before choosing a thickness. Of course, there are varying jobs you can do with a trimmer, from grass to thick brush, that will require different line thicknesses.

You also wouldn’t want to buy a line that is too thick for the job either. Not only will this cost you more than necessary but it is also easier to cause unwanted damage with an overly thick line.

As with anything, it is important to evaluate your needs before making a purchase. For more detail on each size, check out our “Sizes and Application” section below.

String Trimmer Line Material

String trimmers are made for many different jobs which have resulted in a variety of different levels of strength and durability. They are also made in different shapes. Because of these variations, the material used to make the line often differs as well. The material you choose again depends on your needs and the jobs that you plan to perform.

Nylon is by far the most common trimmer line material out there but there are many others for more advanced usages and purposes. Some are made with a copolymer to prevent melting and welding while others even have added aluminum for extra strength and versatility. Nylon is almost always the least expensive.

Overall, the material used in a trimmer line is important but it also depends on the quality of the craftsmanship and design. Good material is important but a quick check of customer reviews will often tell you whether the extra materials stand up to regular use.

Additionally, the more advanced materials used, the more expensive these lines are. A simple nylon trimmer line may be perfect for your own garden but you may require something more extensive if you are a commercial landscaper.

Durability of the Best Trimmer Line

Durability is a very important feature in choosing a trimmer line. It speaks to how fast the trimmer line breaks apart and degrades, eventually leading to it needing to be replaced. Many factors go into the durability of a trimmer line. Generally speaking, investing in the best line trimmer cord is a wise choice as it lasts longer and you won’t have the headache of constantly replacing the line.

As mentioned, the materials used to make the trimmer line make up a big part of its durability. Stronger materials such as aluminum also add toughness to the line. It is important to pay attention to the materials used but just know that more advanced construction often leads to a higher price.

The next feature that adds durability is the thickness of the string. As mentioned, the thicker the line, the more suited it is to tougher jobs. So, it also stands to reason that a thicker line lasts longer as well. Of course, it is still important to pick a thickness that is most in line with the work you are doing.

Another feature that affects durability is the line’s shape. Trimmer lines that have shapes with “sharper” features such as squares and multi-sided edges can more readily cut through thick brush. This once again makes it more durable as it is less likely to fall apart while cutting particularly thick brush.

Overall, these are the main features that contribute to durability. However, as a consumer, you should also be aware that these features tend to come at a higher price tag. The extra cost is often worth the expense, though, considering the ease of use and longer-lasting product.

Welding & Melting

An experienced weed whacker user is surely familiar with welding and melting of trimmer line. This is a major inconvenience and likely one of the main reasons to invest in a quality trimmer string.

Essentially, welding and melting happen when the speed of the trimmer head heats up the line. The line then melts and, when it re-solidifies, fuses or welds together. This is a major pain as the string won’t feed out of the weed wacker properly and you have to tear it apart manually or replace the line altogether.

Luckily, many quality brands of trimmer lines are built to avoid this problem. It essentially all comes down to the materials used. Higher quality trimmer lines often us a copolymer that is specifically designed to resist welding.

The most important thing to look for as a consumer is whether the product specifies that it is weld-resistant. The products in our buyer’s guide are a great choice in this regard.

Flight Characteristics

Another important consideration with a trimmer line is flight characteristics. The way the trimmer line is shaped is quite indicative of how it flies or cuts through the air.

When a line has a more aerodynamic shape, it cuts through the air efficiently, which eliminates drag and improves fuel consumption for your weed whacker.

This is a characteristic that a lot of people don’t consider often but can be quite important. If a trimmer line has favorable flight characteristics, it usually says so on the packaging. So, keep an eye out for lines with this feature.

Which Weed Eater String is Right For You?

Weed Eater Line Shapes

There are many different shapes of trimmer line available. Generally speaking, the more complex the shape, the more efficient it will be at cutting brush, but also the more expensive it is due to the complexity to produce. Here is a quick overview of the major types of line:

Round

Round is the most common type of trimmer line and the simplest to produce. It is good for simple jobs but the round shape lacks the sharp edges to cut through dense brush effectively.

Square

The edges on a square trimmer line provide increased ability to cut through brush. It is a more efficient shape and it degrades less quickly as it is better able to slice through brush due to its four edges.

Multi-sided (5+ sides)

Some trimmer lines have even more than 4 edges for even more cutting potential. Generally, if there are more edges, there are more opportunities for the line to cut through brush. These lines are more complicated to produce and may cost a bit more.

Twisted/X

Twisted trimmer line offers more surface area and more jagged edges capable of gripping the brush and pulling it apart. It is a step-up over the traditional rounded line and ends up being more durable as a result.

Serrated

Serrated is an ideal choice for really heavy-duty jobs. This line features serrated teeth, similar to on a knife. You can imagine how adept this would be at cutting even the thickest brush; however, it costs quite a bit and comes with the damage potential you might expect. Be sure that you need the additional capabilities if you are considering this trimmer line.

Sizes and Application

As explained above, the variation in thickness of grass trimmer line makes different types better at different kinds of work. The general guideline is the thicker the line, the more heavy-duty work it is capable of. Just ensure that you actually need that much power as it not only costs more but also has the potential to cause unwanted damage. There are generally three categories of thickness:

.065″-.080″ Lightwork Best .065

This thickness is best suited to “light” yard work. If you are simply buying trimmer line to get the edges of your lawn or just want to cut through grass, this is probably the size you are looking for.

.085″-.105″ Medium work Best 095 inch

The next step up is “medium” thickness. This is for cutting thicker grass and weeds. If you need to cut an area that is more overgrown than just your front yard, start looking into a medium thickness trimmer string.

.110″ plus Heavy work Best .155

Finally, the heavy-duty, thickest trimmer line of all. This is for that really thick brush and overgrown weedy areas. Line this thick is for a very specific purpose but is the only thickness that will be effective. If you are doing some heavy-duty cutting, then you want this heavy-duty line.

A Word About Safety

While cutting weeds and grass may not sound like a very dangerous pastime, there are considerable dangers presented by this activity. The weed eater machine runs at very high RPM, and will very often pick up stones and debris and throw these objects at high speed in random directions.

Although these machines are fitted with a guard, it is inevitable that some debris will get past that guard. For this reason, please at the very least wear safety goggles while operating this machinery.

If you are operating a gas-powered weed eater, you should also be wearing ear protection or even the same type of chainsaw helmet with hearing protection and a visor that is used when using a chainsaw.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our buyer’s guide to the best trimmer line. Whatever weed wacker string you choose, be sure that it is one that matches the task at hand. Evaluate your needs then read through our guide to discover which trimmer line is better for your circumstances. With proper research, you can invest in a product that keeps you satisfied for a long time.

Last update on 2020-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API