A top petrol strimmer is one of the best and most versatile tools you can have for garden maintenance. Suitable for an array of tasks, from trimming the lawn to weeding overgrown areas, it’s one of the most versatile devices you can own for maintaining the perfect looking garden.
Moreover, because it’s powered by a petrol engine it has incredible cutting power and can handle tasks that are too tough for an electric model. You could easily mow an overgrown or wet lawn with a petrol grass strimmer, while the machine can even cut through heavy weeds and woodier growth.
Being petrol-powered the device runs on fuel rather than electricity and doesn’t need to be plugged into a power outlet so there is no power cord to worry about. These models will not restrict any of your movement, making it perfect for those hard to reach areas in larger gardens.
After a thorough and in-depth testing and comparison process of over 20 strimmer models, we have narrowed our list down to 7 products. There are many great options to choose from. Below we have reviewed 7 high-quality models for sale in the UK that stood out form the competition to help you pick the best petrol strimmer for your needs.
Petrol Strimmer’s Compared
Lightweight yet powerful, the TRIMMAC from McCulloch is ideal for smaller gardening tasks and for anyone that might struggle with heavier equipment.
Weighing only 3.9kg, it’s light enough for most people to use without getting tired or achy, while there is ample cutting power for dealing with thick growth, so it brings the best of both.
It’s designed with comfort in mind, with an ergonomic split shaft handle that is adjustable to various lengths to find the right setting for your height, while an anti-vibration system makes it easier to use for long periods without feeling the effects in your hands.
Even though it is very lightweight, the strimmer comes with a carry strap to help evenly distribute the weight, allowing you to keep working for longer. A double line provides a 41cm cutting width to speed up trimming times and the line is automatically replaced using the simple bump and feed system.
- Ideal for occasional use the Trimmac is a 25cc petrol powered trimmer that has…
- Powerful: With a power output of 0.6 kW and a displacement of 25 cm³, the…
- Maximum user-friendliness: The Tap ‘n’ Go double thread tracking simplifies…
Ryobi Petrol Strimmer (Editor's Choice)
Although known for the battery-operated garden tools, Ryobi also has a fantastic petrol-powered grass trimmer for those heavy-duty maintenance tasks.
Equipped with a 25-cc, 2-stroke full crank engine, it has ample cutting power and a spacious 43cm cutting head, so it’s suitable for use in those wider areas like when trimming the lawn. It’s also a highly durable engine that doesn’t require much maintenance.
Not only can it handle long and wet growth on the lawn, but the strimmer is also suitable for all kinds of tasks including edging and cutting back weeds, while it only weighs 5.3kg so should be easy enough to operate for longer periods.
An ergonomic handle further improves usability, reducing the fatigue felt from constant engine vibrations, while the spit shaft design allows you to find the ideal length and make it easier to store.
The dual-line is replaced using a bump and feed system, so you just tap it on the ground and the new line is fed through.
- Powerful 25.4cc full crank engine delivers power, durability and reliability in…
- 43cm cutting path with Reel Easy head an 26cm Tri-Arc+ brush-cutter blade
- 2.4mm bump feed line with Reel Easy Head for rapid line refills
Hyundai 52cc three in one Petrol Grass Trimmer/ Strimmer/ Brush cutter (Best Versatility)
If you need a versatile grass trimmer that can handle various tasks around the garden, then this robust trimmer from Hyundai is worth consideration.
Fitted with a powerful 52cc, 2-stroke engine, the device is designed for all kinds of tasks beyond just trimming. For example, it comes with a selection of cutting heads including standard two-string nylon for trimming, along with two multi-toothed blades for brush cutting.
The blades can be used for thick and woodier growth, such as brambles or bushes, so it’s a multipurpose tool that is ideal for a range of maintenance jobs in the garden. A padded handle is designed to offset some of the heavier vibrations that the large engine produces, while also offsetting the weight.
Speaking of the weight, at 12kg it is on the heavier side, so only buy this if you are confident you have suitable strength and fitness to use it.
- Powerful petrol grass trimmer and brushcutter: Trim all types of grass,…
- 52cc 2-stroke Euro V Hyundai petrol engine: Able to handle the even toughest…
- The garden strimmer have 450mm cutting width: Clear large areas of your garden…
Makita EBH252U 24.5cc Petrol Powered (Best For Power)
The EBH252U is a powerful petrol powered brush cutter and strimmer from Makita that is one of the few 4-stroke models on the market. As the 24.5cc engine is 4-stroke rather than 2-stroke, it produces less noise and emissions, while the engine is going to last much longer due to increased lubrication.
Despite housing a powerful engine, the trimmer only weighs 10.3kgs, which is a good weight for a device that can handle tougher growth in your garden. It’s even more impressive considering the solid construction of both the engine and shaft, which are made using only the highest-grade steel.
An ample cutting width means it’s suitable to use on wide areas, reducing the time spent trimming, while the bike handle design provides comfortable and easy operation. This is great for tasks that may take longer, such as tackling large overgrown areas. As it is a powerful machine weighing over 10kgs make sure you would feel comfortable handling it before considering purchasing.
- 4 stroke engine
- Bearinged solid steel drive shaft
- Spring assisted shaft
COSTWAY Grass Trimmer, 800W
This strimmer from COSTWAY is another versatile piece of gardening equipment, with an adjustable cutting head making it easier and more convenient to use.
The 43-inch cutting head is adjustable from 0 to 180 degrees, so there is plenty of room to manoeuvre for most tasks, whether it’s reaching a narrow spot or cutting across a wide area.
The engine produces high-speed rotation, ensuring growth is cut quickly and efficiently without using too much fuel. It only weighs 5.4kg too, so you should find it easy enough to use for longer periods, and the handle is also adjustable to help you find the most comfortable working position.
There is also a safety guard fitted above the two-line cutting head. This blocks any debris that may get launched by the trimmer, offering a nice bit of protection against stray stones or chunks of grass flying towards you.
- 【High Speed and Efficiency Operation】With the high speed operation up to…
- 【Trimming with No Dead Corner】With a cutting width of 43 cm and 800W power,…
- 【Grass Baffle Design】The grass baffle design prevents grass and gravel…
AOSOME Multi Function 5 in 1 Garden Tool
When versatility is the main goal for a trimmer, look no further than this 5-in-1 multi tool from AOSOME. Coming with an array of interchangeable cutting heads, there’s no task too big or small for this versatile garden tool.
Not only does it come with a standard two-string grass trimmer head, a 3-teeth brush cutter blade, long reach chain saw pruner, adjustable hedge trimmer, and extension pole are also included with the device. This means you can complete almost any type of maintenance, whether it’s pruning branches, trimming lawns, or cutting back brambles.
All of these are powered by a robust 52cc, 2-stroke engine, so the performance is second to none, while you also get a special double shoulder harness to evenly distribute the weigh, helping improve balance and comfort when using any of the five attachments.
Bear in mind that due to the bigger engine and various attachments, the weight of the trimmer is on the heavier side at 15kg, so make sure you consider this before buying. The harness will help offset the weight but many will still struggle to operate it for long periods.
- Powerful Engine – AOSOME Petrol Engine(Fuel Oil…
- Multi Function – Brush Cutter(3 Teeth Blade)/Long Reach Chainsaw…
- Safety Guarantee – TUV Approved GS,CE,EMC Certificate
Why trust us?
There are hundreds if not thousands of different sites out there that lay claim to having personally tested every product reviewed. We find that hard to believe giving the nature of how long it would take to put each product through a rigorous testing process. While we have hands on tested many of the products, we have not done so with all of them and like to be upfront and honest on this. We do however have extensive experience on knowing how to assess and judge products based on the information available. We spend many hours researching each product, comparing technical information, evaluating buyer’s experiences, and sending queries to retailers and manufacturers to answer questions we have.
How to Choose the A Petrol Strimmer
Looking for the best petrol strimmer for garden maintenance but aren’t sure what you need? Check out the buying guide below for an idea of what to look out for. We have also have a guides on choosing a cordless strimmer, general garden strimmers, petrol garden multi tools and strimmers that have blades.
Our Research & Analysis Process
As part of our testing and analysis we checked and graded various functions of each strimmer to enable us to grade and review each product fairly. The main factors were the Engine, fuel capacity, cutting width, shaft, weight and line feed. Read the section below to find out why these are important comparisons.
Engine
Always check the specs of the petrol engine before you choose a strimmer. The power rating, given in cubic centimetres (CCs), is important as it indicates the overall power of the engine, so the higher the number the more cutting power it has.
Fuel Capacity
Fuel capacity is important because it determines how long you can strim for without needing to refuel. The more capacity the better, otherwise you may need to stop and refuel in the middle of a task.
Cutting Width
The cutting width of the strimmer influences how quickly it trims through growth, with a wider diameter meaning less time trimming. Most strimmer’s have a width between 20-40cm, with narrower widths being suitable for minor maintenance and larger widths better for heavy duty tasks.
So, think about the type of work you are doing and the overall size of your garden. For instance, if you want trim length from a lawn then a wider cutting width is going to save time and effort, while smaller widths are perfect for compact gardens with narrow lawns and less growth to maintain.
Shaft
Trimmers come with a few shaft design options, including straight, split, and curved. Each one has its pros and cons, being suited for specific tasks in the garden, so be sure to consider what type of maintenance you are using it for.
For example, curved shafts are suitable for open spaces so are great for mowing wide lawns, although they lack manoeuvrability in narrower spaces. Straight shafts work well in tight spots, so can be great for trimming weeds under bushes and for doing edging.
Split shafts are typically used on multipurpose devices where you swap different attachments for specific tasks, such as adding a brush cutter for cutting through woody growth.
Weight
As a cordless device you should consider the weight of any trimmer before you buy. If you choose something heavy it may be too difficult to operate for long periods, making it less convenient, although many come with a support harness to help offset any weight issues.
Weights can range from around 4kgs to upwards of 10kg, so always be sure to check this and make sure it’s not too heavy for you to use. Also, remember that adding an attachment to the device will increase its weight!
Line Feed
Strimmers use different methods to feed the nylon line through, some being more convenient than others. For instance, an automatic line feed automatically feeds a new piece of line any time it breaks, a bump feed requires you to bump the trimmer on the ground to feed it through, and a fixed line involves turning off the power and feeding the line manually.
Safety Tips for Using a Petrol Strimmer
It’s important to properly handle a petrol strimmer, as these are powerful pieces of equipment that could cause injury if no used correctly. Moreover, if you aren’t handling it as intended it may be less effective and more of a hassle than you anticipated.
Check out some safety tips for how to properly handle a petrol strimmer and get the job done right:
Wear the Right Gear
Always wear appropriate attire when strimming! Thick materials are recommended just in case your hit yourself with the nylon wire, which can cut through materials if they are too thin, although make sure it doesn’t restrict movement.
A thick pair of shoes or boots are also recommended for this reason, while you should always wear safety googles. It might help to wear gardening gloves too, as this will minimize the impact of the engine vibrations, which can often cause fatigue in the hands.
Know Your Physical Limitations
As mentioned, petrol engines make this type of strimmer much heavier to operate, so you need to understand your own limitations. If you tire quickly then consider getting the lightest model possible, while it may be worth stopping for a break if you are using a heavier device to avoid tiring.
Always read the User Manual
This goes without saying but it’s worth emphasising- always read the user manual! This will give a clear idea of what safety precautions to take when using the device and you’ll know how to get the most of your trimmer.
Inspect the Area Before You Start
Always inspect the garden before you start using the trimmer, as you can identify any issues that may arise when you’re working. For instance, there may be stones or other hidden objects that might damage your equipment, or worse flick up and hit you!
FAQ’s
What is the difference between a grass strimmer and grass strimmer?
There is no difference, some people call them trimmers while others call them strimmer’s. It does seem to confuse consumers, so much so that some models are now labelled as strimmer /trimmer or vice versa.
Are petrol strimmers better than electric?
They both do a good job for their intended purpose. If you have a large area with shrubs which needs maintained I would recommend going for a petrol model as they have more cutting power and obviously do not require any cables.
Should I get a petrol strimmer or a brush cutter?
- If you plan to only use the machine to maintain your lawn edging or do some or light work then a petrol trimmer will suffice. Any heavy trimming jobs would be more suited to a brush cutter. Typically a trimmer will have a nylon line, while a brush cutter would normally have a metal blade. The metal blade is more capable of cutting through thicker material and makes the job a lot easier.
Are Einhell petrol Strimmers any good?
- A few people have me about Einhell models. Einhell are a good brand and produce solid machines. I have used the Einhell EINHELL GC-BC 52 brush cutter and was very pleased with its performance.
What type of fuel does a petrol strimmer use?
- A mix of unleaded petrol and 2 stroke oil. Always check with the manufacturer before fuelling to make sure you are using the right fuel.
What to do if petrol strimmer won’t start?
- It is always best to have a qualified repair person diagnose any issues. There are some things you can check but always be safety conscious when working with petrol powered machines. Check if any old fuel is in the tank. If there is, remove it and replace with a fresh mix of oil and petrol. If you did leave old fuel in the strimmer there a chance the spark plug may have fuel residue on it which could prevent it from firing. Try giving the spark plug a good clean and then attempt to get it started.
How much oil do you put in a petrol strimmer?
- Always read the instructions for your particular model but every one I have used I have mixed fifty parts petrol to one part oil. If you used 2.5L of petrol, you would mix with 50ml oil.
Why is my petrol strimmer smoking?
- 2 stroke petrol strimmers do emit some smoke but they should smoke excessively. It is likely burning too much oil which can be a result of an incorrect fuel mixture. Although there are other reasons like internal parts that are failing.
How do you adjust the carburettor on a petrol strimmer?
- Most 2-stroke garden tools have a similar carburettor. They usually have 3 adjustment screws for different settings. LA would be idle, high would be labelled a H and the low setting would show as L.
Last update on 2024-10-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
