Weed Wacker vs Lawn Mower: Which Should I Use?
When it comes to maintaining a healthy and lush lawn, many homeowners seem to be unsure of the better tool to pick between weed wacker vs lawn mower.
So, which one should you choose? Well, it is not a case of picking one over the other because although they both share some similarities, they are vastly different in certain ways.
In this article, you will learn about the unique and similar features of weed wackers and lawn mowers so you can easily determine which one is best for you.
What are Lawn Mowers?
A lawn mower is a yard tool that uses revolving blade(s) to cut a grass surface or lawn evenly. It is otherwise known as a grass cutter, mower, or lawnmower.
Types of Lawn Mowers
Lawn mowers are classified using two parameters. These are functionality and power options.
Classification by Functionality
When functionality is the yardstick for classifying mowers, you have the following lawn mower types:
Hover Lawn Mower
As the name implies, these mowers hover above the ground when in operation. Thus, they are well positioned for easy pushing. Thus, they guarantee mobility and even grass mowing. They work well in uneven surfaces without leaving wheel marks unlike other wheeled mowers.
Hover lawn mowers have rotary blades and are mostly electric powered. Although they are affordable and easy to use, this lawn mower is not ideal for large lawns or gardens but is a great choice for small or medium-sized gardens.
Rotary Lawn Mower
A rotary lawn mower operates with a single blade rotating under the mower. If you have seen a plane’s rotating propellers, you already have an idea of how this mower works.
One of rotary lawn mower’s selling points is its versatility. Its sturdy design makes it a great mower for different grass types. It is the go-to mower for rough and long grasses as it cuts through such grasses faster than other mower types.
Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower is one of the most popular rotary lawn mowers around.
Robotic Lawn Mower
Robotic lawn mowers are alternatives to electric-powered and petrol-powered lawn mowers. They are automatic lawn mowers that work within a specified boundary and powered by lithium-ion batteries.
To use the mower, set up the working boundary with a border wire. The mower’s operation will be limited to the inside the boundary. The wire also helps the mower find a recharging dock when it runs out of power. Consider this lawn mower type if you have mobility concerns or prefer it to others.
This robotic lawnmower from Landroid, Landroid M20V Robotic Lawn Mower, is one of the affordable ones you can check out.
Classification by Power Options
Home owners can choose from the different power options available. Lawn mowers are classified as:
Electric-Powered or Corded Lawn Mower
As the name suggests, corded electric lawn mowers depend on electricity as their source of power. Electric lawn mowers are quieter than fuel-powered mowers, this mower type is great for small or medium-size lawns or gardens.
They need less maintenance than other models and are lighter. A typical example of a corded electric lawn mower is the Greenworks 12 Amp Electric Corded Lawn Mower.
Gas-Powered Lawn Mower
Gas lawn mowers are the ultimate mowers for large gardens. They are more efficient and faster than other types. You also won’t have issues moving it around your home. Mobility is another reason why most homeowners prefer this mower type to others.
However, be ready to pay a significant amount of money for the mower because it is more expensive than most other lawn mower types.
If you are not comfortable with moving around with batteries or cables and can afford this mower, you can get a lot done within a reasonable time with the mower.
On the flip side, gas-powered lawn mowers are really noisy. However, with some ear muffs, you are good to go.
The mower is also bulky and heavy. If you can cope with its size and weight, you may consider using the mower.
If you want to explore your options, a good gas-powered lawn mower to start is Craftsman M105 Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower.
Battery-Powered or Cordless Lawn Mower
If you need something with a similar functionality and efficiency as the electric-powered mower without cord or charging issues, the battery-powered or cordless mower is your best bet. You won’t go through a strenuous maintenance routine to keep it in good shape because it requires minimum maintenance.
It is lighter and quieter than most mower types and poses no threat of noise solution. Nevertheless, the battery can be an issue as it can drain without notice.
Charging the mower battery can also be time-consuming, another challenge of using the cordless lawn mower. EGO Power+ LM2102 Cordless Lawn Mower falls into this category.
How are Weed Wackers Different from Lawn Mowers?
The main difference is that a weed wacker is handy for trimming or cutting grasses in some parts of the garden where using a mower isn’t practical. This includes areas such as rugged terrain, steep slopes, or overgrown grass. They are equally good around fence lines, paths, and tight spots that a lawn mower can’t reach.
You definitely wouldn’t want to leave these parts of your yard undone while the grass looks evenly cut and attractive. A weed wacker will help you do a perfect job as you can easily reach the seemingly inaccessible places and give them a perfect cut.
Types of Weed Wackers
Weed wackers are classified by power options. Thus, it is available as either a gas-powered or an electric-powered trimming tool.
Battery-Powered or Cordless Weed Wacker
The battery-powered weed wackers are otherwise known as cordless weed wackers. When you think of mobility, think of the cordless wacker. You can easily move around your garden and work on difficult places with ease without struggling with cords.
When using this quiet trimmer, you are spared the stress of mixing gas and oil. As they don’t burn fuel, they are also emission-free. So, you have an efficient, quiet, powerful, and environmental-friendly wacker, exactly what you need for a well-trimmed garden.
All is not fun with the cordless trimmer. The wackers have limited runtime, thanks to their batteries. Charging the batteries when they run out of power will take you off from mowing for at least an hour, even if you are using the super fast charging model. That increases the tool’s downtime.
Electric or Corded Weed Wackers
Electric weed wackers are great when working in a garden with a power outlet. These wackers need regular charging and a readily accessible power outlet will make your work a lot easier.
Once that is guaranteed, you don’t bother about running out of gas or devoting a substantial amount of your working time to recharging batteries.
Don’t bother about weight when using this wacker. They are lightweight without the burden of a heavy fuel tank or engine. This distinguishes electric weed wackers from gas-powered and battery-powered wackers.
If you aren’t comfortable with noisy trimmers, that’s fine. Electric wackers guarantee silent operation and are environmentally-friendly too. So, don’t worry about disturbing your neighbors with a noisy and fume-emitting wacker.
However, be ready to deal with its mobility challenge. The cord will limit your mobility while using the wacker. You can only go as far as the cords permit.
One huge challenge of using the corded wacker is its limited operation. It is not ideal for heavy-duty use because it’s not as powerful as other types.
The Black + Decker Besta510 String is a typical example of an electric or corded weed wacker.
Gas-Powered Weed Wackers
Gas-powered wackers are the trail blazers. Their decade of existence is proof of their reliability and efficiency. Aside from gas, some models use a mixture of oil and gas for power generation.
Mobility isn’t an issue for gas-powered trimmers. Without cord issues to deal with, you can move freely around your garden and give the garden a befitting trimming.
Just ensure the wacker has enough fuel in the tank to power it for as long as you work. You can count on the trimmer’s amazing power to get a lot done without giving you a reason to second-guess its ability.
If you are considering heavy-duty trimming, go for this highly durable wacker. Its rugged and tough construction reassures you of the wacker’s durability and versatility. It can work in different terrains with nothing to worry about. If you’ve got large areas to cover, go for this wacker type.
On the downside, gas wackers are heavyweight. Their weight may hamper your mobility a bit, although it doesn’t completely immobilize you.
However, you have to worry about something else. They aren’t as quiet as the electric-powered type. More so, they emit smoke, another detractor from an otherwise great tool.
If you don’t mind, check out Husqvarna 128CD Gas String Trimmer and other gas-powered weed wackers for a change.
Weed Wacker vs Lawn Mower
Lawn mowers and weed wackers are great yard tools with similar functions. Which of these tools do you need to keep your lawn in good shape?
The choice depends on your needs. For general mowing, a lawn mower will do a great job while a weed wacker is handy for areas you can’t access with a lawn mower.