A strimmer reaches the parts of your garden that a traditional grass cutter can’t access. At Toolstation, we know how much work goes into creating an immaculate lawn – that’s why we only stock the very best brush cutters and edge trimmers from top brands like DeWalt, Einhell, Draper, Makita and Hawksmoor.

While your lawn mower will take care of your main grassy areas, it’s the finishing touches that require a bit more care and attention. Path or patio edges, garden borders, flower beds – they all need the precision performance a garden strimmer can bring. Depending on the type of work you need to carry out, you can choose a grass trimmer or a brush cutter. But what’s the difference?

Grass Strimmers

A lawn trimmer is perfect for applying the finishing touches to your gardening work, such as tidying up borders or edging. Often known as a weed wacker, these strimmers use a nylon trimmer line or a plastic blade to cut grass quickly and efficiently.

These grass strimmers are lightweight, easy to use and great for regular garden maintenance – a corded electric strimmer will give you continuous run time to work as long as you need to, while a cordless strimmer relies on battery power to help you work in larger areas where it isn’t always possible to have a mains connection or extension lead.

For more information about how to choose the perfect grass trimmer, you can check out our Grass Trimmer Buying Guide.

Brush Cutters

A strimmer with blades is the best option for more heavy-duty work. Also known as a brush cutter, these machines feature metal blades that are far more powerful than strimmer line – perfect for cutting through longer grass, weeds, brambles and dense undergrowth.

Petrol Strimmers

For maximum power, choose a petrol strimmer to take on the toughest jobs. They’re noisier and less eco-friendly than electric or cordless alternatives, but offer longer run times and quick refills – there’s no waiting for a battery to be charged with these grass cutters.

Whether it’s a lightweight battery-powered lawn edge trimmer or a professional grass strimmer you need, you’ll find it at Toolstation. With free next-day delivery or Click & Collect from 550+ stores nationwide, this is the place to find your next DeWalt strimmer – or any other of our biggest and best brands.

Maintaining Your Strimmer

Keeping your strimmer well-maintained helps ensure reliable cutting performance and extends the life of the tool.

Simple maintenance tasks include:
- Replacing worn nylon line when needed
- Cleaning grass and debris from the cutting head
- Checking battery charge levels or fuel supply before use
- Inspecting blades or line guards for wear or damage

Strimmer FAQs

What is a strimmer?

A strimmer is a portable grass trimmer used for cutting longer grass or weeds. Strimmers are perfect for areas your mower can’t access – tight corners, tricky edges and steep slopes aren’t a problem for a garden strimmer.

What is the difference between a strimmer and trimmer?

Trimmers are catered towards light to medium-duty cutting tasks that require more precision such as maintaining lawns, edges and weeds. Whilst strimmers are made for more heavy-duty cutting including clearing overgrown fields, bushes and thick vegitation.

What is best on a strimmer, line or blade?

For strimmers, line is best suited for trimming shorter grass and cleaning up edges, whilst blades are suitable for clearing out longer grass, shrubs and weeds.

Is it ok to cut grass with a strimmer?

Yes, it is fine to cut grass with a strimmer.

Are cordless strimmers suitable for large gardens?

Cordless strimmers can be suitable for larger gardens depending on the battery capacity. Many modern battery-powered models offer extended run times and quick recharge options for longer gardening sessions.

How often should you replace strimmer line?

Strimmer line should be replaced whenever it becomes worn, breaks frequently or no longer cuts efficiently. Regular use gradually shortens the line as it trims grass and weeds.

Can a strimmer be used for edging lawns?

Yes, many grass strimmers can be used for lawn edging. Some models feature rotating heads or edging guides that help create neat lawn edges along paths, patios and borders.

What protective equipment should be used when operating a strimmer?

When using a strimmer, it’s recommended to wear protective gear such as safety glasses, gloves and sturdy footwear to protect against flying debris and grass cuttings.

Corded Strimmers

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