10 Best Walk Behind String Trimmers of 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you’re in the market for an efficient tool that will trim and maintain the hard to reach places around your fence, garden, and yard, a walk behind string trimmer is just what you’re looking for. Lugging around a heavy gas-operated weed wacker puts unnecessary stress on your back and joints while the battery-operated version is usually not up to the tough jobs.

Keeping your yard landscaped and looking neat is important to most homeowners, so purchasing a walk behind trimmer is an easy decision. What’s not so easy is finding a good model that is durable, efficient, and will get the job done with as little stress as possible.

If you are looking for a comprehensive review of the top ten walk behind string trimmers, you have come to the right place. Not only have we outlined all the stats you need like the cut swath and height, maneuverability, engine specs, and more, but we have also shared some shopping tips in the buyer’s guide below.

If you’re ready to put the weed wacker down and maintain your lawn with ease, keep reading for the ten best options available!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Southland SWFT15022 150cc Field Trimmer	Easy maneuverability Foam-lined handle with low vibration Consistent 1.4” cut length	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Southland SWSTM4317 Southland Wheeled String Trimmer	Easy to maneuver Dual string diameters Easy recoil start	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Remington RM1159 Walk-Behind String Trimmer	3 cut positions Easy recoil start Off-set trim head	CHECK PRICE
		EARTHQUAKE 28463 M205 Walk Behind String Trimmer	22” cut width Never go flat wheels Toolless handlebar adjustment	CHECK PRICE
		Husqvarna HU675HWT High Wheel Trimmer	Heavy-duty engine Adjustable rim height Easy recoil start	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Walk Behind String Trimmers 

1. Southland SWFT15022 Field Trimmer – Best Overall

Our favorite option is the Southland SWFT15022 150cc Field Trimmer. It has a 150cc overhead valve (OHV) engine that has a heavy-duty 5.75 foot-pound (ft-lb) torque to take care of the toughest jobs. The trimmer head has a quad of 0.155 diameter line that will cut through tall grass, weeds, and brush. You will also have a 22-inch cut swath that makes cleaning your lawn even quicker.

The Southland Field Trimmer is easy to use and maneuver over uneven surfaces and uphill. It has 12-inch wheels, a foam-lined handle that cuts the vibration, and a manual recoil that starts on the first try. The handle also folds down for easy storage. This tool is also Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliant.

Overall, this walk-behind trimmer is a great option. You have a 1.4-inch cut height that is consistent over all terrain. It weighs 50 pounds and requires little assembly. Whether you need to trim grass along your fence, level weeds in a gully, or remove brush from uneven land, the Southland SWFT15022 is our pick as the best walk behind string trimmer available this year.

2. Southland Southland Wheeled String Trimmer – Best Value

If you need a more affordable option, the Southland SWSTM4317 Southland Wheeled String Trimmer is a great option. This yard tool features a 43cc engine with a 20 to 30-degree swivel trimmer head. This makes it even easier to maneuver around fences, gardens, walls, and other tight spots. You also have a 5 to 10-degree bevel head if you need to be extra precise.

This model has 35% more torque than your average 43cc engine. You have your choice of either a 0.095 or 0.105 diameter trimming string, plus it weighs an easy to use 39 pounds. The Southland SWSTM4317 is also EPA and CARB compliant.

This trimmer has a 17-inch cut swath which ultimately clears a smaller area than our top option. That being said, this little machine is still able to take care of tall grass, weeds, and other undesirable plants that are overgrown. You will also be able to easily push it over uneven ground and uphill with the 12-inch wheels that are mounted on ball bearings.

For convenience, the trimmer has a storage compartment for extra strings. The adjustable loop handle is comfortable to hold with low vibration. What’s more, the spring-loaded thumb throttle is easy to use and causes less strain on your hands. With the easy recoil start, this is the best walk behind string trimmer for the money.

3. Remington Walk-Behind String Trimmer – Premium Choice

The Remington RM1159 Walk-Behind String Trimmer is for those who prefer to spend a little more coin on a tough yard tool. This model has a 159cc OHV four-cycle engine that will eat away tall grass, weeds, and brush while also fitting into narrow spots to neaten up wall edges, flower beds, and much more. The off-set trim head makes fitting into tight spots a breeze, and the 14-inch ball-bearing wheels make uphill and uneven ground simple to get around.

This trimmer has an easy recoil start, not to mention, a 22-inch cut width. The fold-down handle is comfortable to use, plus it’s easy to store when not in use. This model uses the standard 0.155 diameter trim line, and it’s EPA and CARB compliant.

As mentioned, you will need to be prepared to spend a little more on the Remington Trimmer. That being said, this tool allows you to change between three height positions with an easy to use lever. The only other drawback to this model is it’s a bit heavier than the first two at 78 pounds.

4. EARTHQUAKE M205 Walk Behind String Trimmer

If you get tired of re-starting the engine each time something gets stuck in your trimmer, this next model is a good option for you. The EARTHQUAKE 28463 M205 Walk Behind String Trimmer has a no stop 150cc four-cycle viper engine that safely allows you to remove an obstruction without turning the motor off. It is also a quieter tool with low vibration due to the durable one-piece steel deck.

The EARTHQUAKE uses 14-inch wheels to maneuver through rough areas. With the never go flat tires, you will not have to worry about lost time on a busted wheel. Beyond that, this trimmer has a 22-inch cut width, and it uses a heavy-duty nylon string. There is also a tool-less handlebar adjustment, plus zero assembly is required.

You will find this yard tool is great for getting to the hard to reach places and making precise cuts along fences, walls, etc. It’s EPA and CARB compliant, as well. The trimmer is easy to store, uses the standard line diameter, and weighs 63.4 pounds.

There are two things you should make note of before purchasing this walk behind trimmer, however. First, the recoil start on this model is more difficult and will likely require a few pulls. Secondly, although the tires do not go flat, this option can be harder to push. This is especially true on uneven ground or going uphill.

5. Husqvarna HU675HWT High Wheel Trimmer

The Husqvarna HU675HWT High Wheel Trimmer features a 163cc engine with an 11.6-cubic inch cylinder displacement. As is customary, you have a 22-inch cut swath, not to mention, adjustable rim height between 1.6 and 3.0 inches. With the easy adjustment, cutting through tall grass and weeds is not an issue with this model.

Weighing 71 pounds, the Husqvarna has 12-inch rear wheels to maneuver over your yard. Unfortunately, the wheels are harder to push and make uphill work more difficult. On the other hand, the flat, ergonomic handle has an easy pull lever, and there is an easy recoil start.

This yard tool is both CARB and EPA compliant. It uses a 0.155 cutting line, but it’s important to note that there is more vibration with this unit. What’s more, the plastic carrier plate breaks easily. Other than that, this is a good model to reach the narrow and hard to maintain spaces that are difficult for normal lawnmowers.

6. Dirty Hand Tools 101085 Walk Behind String Trimmer

The Dirty Hand Tools 101085 Walk Behind String Trimmer is a handy yard tool with a 22-inch cut swath. It has five cut heights between 1.5 and 3.5 inches. This model also includes a cut head, a guard, a line, and four-inch heater treated blades mounted with a trimmer ball. Keep in mind, however, the blades do not come with the trimmer as specified.

The 149cc engine runs on 360 rotations per minute (RPM) and has an auto choke recoil making it easy to start. The Dirty Tools Trimmer is both CARB and EPA approved, plus it has 14-inch wheels that make uneven ground easy to pass over. That being said, going uphill is more difficult even though this tool only weighs 65 pounds.

This trimmer uses the basic 0.155 string diameter, and it will fit into narrow spaces or up against fences or walls. Unfortunately, you will find the pull lever on the handle is harder to use and causes your hand to tire quickly. Additionally, this unit has quite a bit of vibration.

7. TAZZ One-Piece Steel Walk-Behind String Trimmer

This next lawn trimmer has a 150cc four-cycle engine with a 22-inch cut width. As the name suggests, The TAZZ One-Piece Steel 35258 Walk-Behind String Trimmer has a single unit steel deck making it more stable and durable. That being said, it does not cut down on vibration, which this tool has a lot of. To make up for that, you will find this model has a never kill engine. This allows the motor to continue running when something gets jammed in the cutting string.

Unfortunately, the 0.155 nylon string breaks easily with this option. The trimmer also doesn’t cut anything thicker than standard grass. You should note, as well, it’s not self-propelled, and it can be hard to push. It may have something to do with the fact that the TAZZ weighs approximately 80 pounds.

On a brighter note, this trimmer is EPA and CARB compliant. It has an easy recoil start, plus a fold-down handle for easy storage. This tool will be able to trim grass in tough spots where your lawnmower is ineffective. Keep in mind, however, the 14-inch wheels are not durable and have been known to break easily.

8. SuperHandy String Trimmer Walk Behind

The SuperHandy String Trimmer Walk Behind has a 21-inch cut diameter with an off-set deck allowing it to reach smaller spaces and harder to maintain areas. It has a smaller 79cc two-stroke single-cylinder OHV engine that has a max of 360 RPM. Unlike some of the options above, this model is not as strong, and it’s only recommended for grass and weak weeds.

This trimmer weighs 70.4 pounds. You should be aware that the 20-inch wheels make it harder to get into tight areas and more difficult to push through tough terrain. It has a folding handle for easy storage, and you can use a 0.12 x 0.12-inch cut line. You will also find the unit has a one-piece seamless deck with low vibration.

The Superhandy is approved by the EPA and CARB. You will need to be prepared for a difficult recoil start, however. Plus, it’s not designed for precise work. Finally, the handle on this tool is not comfortable to push regardless of the lower vibration.

9. Swisher HP Honda 4.4 HP Deluxe String Trimmer

In the number nine spot, we have the Swisher STD4422HO 4.4 HP Honda 4.4 HP Deluxe String Trimmer. It has a 4.4 horsepower (HP) 160cc Honda engine along with a 22-inch cutting area. You also have a quad string head with eight-cut lines available. This model uses the standard 0.155 lines, as well. Keep in mind, however, the line tends to break quickly. This is not a good option for anything hardier than grass.

The Swisher allows you to engage and disengage the trim head from the handlebar. It also has adjustable cut heads between 1.5 and 4 inches. On the other hand, the 15.75-inch wheels are hard to push. They are especially difficult to move on uneven surfaces, uphill, or around fences, walls, or any straight edges. What’s worse, the recoil is hard to start, and the handle lever is difficult to use.

You should also note that this walk behind trimmer weighs 80 pounds. The model is EPA and CARB approved, yet the entire structure is not durable. Small, plastic pieces break easily, and it does not cut much beyond basic grass. Finally, the motor overheats regularly.

10. BLACK + DECKER 3 in 1 Lawn Mower, String Trimmer, & Edger

Our final pick is the BLACK + DECKER 3 in 1 Lawn Mower, String Trimmer, and Edger. This is a battery-operated model that takes 60 minutes to charge, and you will get about 2 hours of work time from each battery. As the name suggests, this unit can be used as a hand trimmer or a lawnmower. Be that as it may, when it’s in lawnmower mode, it works as a walk-behind trimmer.

Needless to say, the battery-operated version is not very powerful. It is not recommended for anything tougher than basic grass, and you want to use this trimmer on small yards. That being said, the BLACK + DECKER allows you to use three tools in one. It also has an adjustable handle with a cut height between 1.6 and 2.4 inches.

This trimmer sports small wheels making it inappropriate for rough terrain. Further, you only have a 12-inch cut width, and it does not do well in tight spots. Lastly, the strings are not durable and will break often. Overall, this is our least favorite option for a walk behind string trimmer.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Walk Behind String Trimmer

Now that you have an idea of the different walk behind weed eaters available, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when you are out shopping. Take a look below where we go over the basics that will ensure you find the right yard tool for you.

Shopping Tips

When it comes to a walk-behind string trimmer, getting the wrong one can make your lawn maintenance just as difficult as not having one at all. There are some important aspects of this type of tool that you should be aware of when looking for the right unit for you and your yard.

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed our reviews above on our favorite walk behind string trimmers. These yard tools can make maintaining your lawn and yard much easier and less back-breaking. While there are many options out there to choose from, these top ten are our best finds.

If you did not find the one you are looking for above, we hope the shopping tips have helped you navigate the wide world of walk-behind string trimmers. In our opinion, however, the Southland SWFT15022 150cc Field Trimmer is the best available option. If you need something more friendly on the wallet, we suggest the Southland SWSTM4317 Southland Wheeled String Trimmer.

Looking for another lawn or garden item? Check out our other articles to help you find the right tool for your needs!

• See Also: Milwaukee M18 String Trimmer Review

Featured Image Credit: Amazon