7 Best Gas Lawn Edgers 2023 + Buying Guide & FAQs

It’s all very well and good having a beautifully manicured lawn, well maintained by following these professional lawn mowing tips.

You might even have treated the turf with the best non-toxic weed killers for a healthy lawn without using chemicals.

But if the edges are ragged, unsightly, and overgrown – then you’ve still got some work to do.

That’s where the best gas lawn edgers come in, designed to give your green space the razor-sharp, clean-cut edge it deserves – without breaking your back.

Read on to discover which model is right for you. A buyer’s guide and FAQ section will follow the reviews.

Be the envy of your neighbors with a lawn edge you could set a watch to.

TOP 7 Best Gas Lawn Edgers in 2023

Southland SWLE0799 Gas Lawn Edger

Starting us off is this 79 cc walk-behind gas edger from US company Southland. Fully CARB compliant and EPA certified, this machine is offered at the more budget-friendly end of the scale, but is far from a cheap piece of equipment.

It offers a manual recoil easy start with fuel delivery system, and five adjustable depth positions up to 2.5-inches, while the blade can be angled plus or minus 15 degrees for bevel capabilities.

The triangular, three-point blade will make short work of a lawn edge, giving you a crisp, clean finish, and it has the ability to straddle the curbside if you’re edging near the roadway.

Pros

Cons

Troy-Bilt Gas Walk-Behind Edger

Homedepot.com

Up next, we have a similar model with this 30 cc, four-cycle walk-behind gas edger from Troy-Bilt.

Offering a little more power, you still have the bonus of not requiring mixing gas and oil with the four-stroke engine – which also produces less noise and is more fuel-efficient than a two-stroke.

The spring-assisted technology and Prime & Go, two-step start ensures fast and easy starts, powering a nine-inch, dual-tipped steel blade that can penetrate to a depth of 1.75-inches.

A fully-molded, ergonomic handle offers comfortable, controlled use, which can be folded to maximize storage space.

Pros

Cons

Craftsman CMXGKAME30A Gas Lawn Edger

US company Craftsman manufactures some world-class power tools at affordable prices, and this 30 cc, four-cycle lawn edger is just another example of that mid-range workmanship.

Offering greater power with less vibration and no fuel mixing, it has an easy, two-step start which ensures a simple prime and pull will get you going. With mounted throttle controls on the ergonomic handle, the machine is intuitive to use and easy to maneuver.

The heavy-duty steel blade is nine-inches in size, steel-tipped, and offers six different cutting heights up to 1.75-inches.

Pros

Cons

Echo PAS-225VP Trimmer and Edger Kit

Now, I might be cheating a little with this entry, as it’s not strictly a dedicated lawn edger.

Manufactured by reputable power tool company Echo, who are known for their excellent backpack leaf blowers (among many other things), this is a trimmer and edger combo, with two, interchangeable heads for tackling both jobs.

The tool-less coupling makes switching them out easy and fast, so you don’t lose time and effort working in the yard, and the 21 cc engine with easy-start technology gives you plenty of power for each attachment.

The edger is clog-resistant, with an open face metal guard for protection, and the comfortable, padded handles reduce user fatigue.

Pros

Cons

Echo Gas 2-Stroke Cycle Edger

Homedepot.com

Hot on the heels of the previous Echo, we have another version here, this time a straight-shaft, 25.4cc two-stroke edger that offers power, durability, and maneuverability for quality results around your property.

A contoured aluminum debris shield with open face reduces clogging, and a 2:1 gear reduction allows you to make short work of overgrown grass and tough sections on the lawn edge.

With a balanced weight-to-power ratio, you can be sure of the ability to tackle any edging job without tiring too early. There’s a lot to like here, a hand-held gas lawn edgers that a professional would thank you for.

Pros

Cons

McLane Gas Powered Lawn Edger

Now we seriously move into the realms of professional-grade lawn edgers, with this beast of a machine from McLane.

Backed by a Briggs and Stratton engine, (a company that also makes some seriously badass snowblowers), this offers 3.5 horses of power to tear into any lawn and edge it like a boss.

The nine-inch steel blade can chop at any angle, vertical and horizontal, while the heavy-duty, seven-inch wheels provide unbeatable stability, and the option to easily ride curbs for perfect results every time.

Probably the best four-cycle gas lawn edger available at the moment, if you want a razor-sharp finish that looks like it was done by a pro – then look no further.

Pros

Cons

Brown Products Edge Master Gas Edger

Homedepot.com

It’s likely overkill for most residential properties, but this Brown Products Edge Master is on another level for commercial-grade edging jobs.

And for good reason, as it boasts a Honda engine that can handle industrial-size workloads and the heavy-duty, all-steel construction for the ultimate in durability and performance.

A dual-purpose tensioner lever engages the blade and adjusts depth, offering the ability to tackle a maximum curb height of ten inches. The double Kevlar belt drive system will never let you down, nor will the 10-gauge Domex steel blade.

Cut to a depth of 2.5-inches if you so choose, and do it with power, precision, and aplomb.

Pros

Cons

How to Choose the Best Gas Powered Lawn Edger

There are several factors you should consider before purchasing a new gas-powered lawn edger, so check out the buyer’s guide below for extra tips and advice.

Gas vs Electric

Although this article covers gas-powered machines, it’s worth adding a note on electric edgers too (which we will no doubt cover in full at a later date).

Electric edgers are more suitable for smaller properties, whereas gas machines have been clearly designed with commercial-grade jobs in mind.

If you’re trying to decide between the two, have a think about the size of your property, and in particular the distance you need to cover to achieve lawn edge perfection.

While gas-powered lawn edgers are more expensive, louder, with fuel emissions and maintenance costs, they’re simply unbeatable for the freedom and power you need to cover larger areas.

For a pro finish, you need to use what the pros use.

Two-Cycle vs Four Cycle

As with any gas-powered engine, it comes as either a two-cycle or a four-cycle version.

I won’t go into too much detail about the difference between the technology, but a little about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

A two-cycle engine offers more power but at the expense of noise and higher fuel emissions.

They also have the significant disadvantage of requiring a mix of oil and gas to run, which can be tricky to get right for the uninitiated/first-timers and can add up running costs over time.

Four-cycle engines are more reliable and last longer, although they have more moving parts and will require more maintenance over time.

This also makes them much heavier, which is why for things like the best gas-powered hedge trimmers, you’ll find two-stroke machines are king.

However, four-cycle engines are quieter, and superior in fuel efficiency, as well as offering more overall torque.

The type you choose depends entirely on your personal preferences and your needs.

Note that cycle and stroke are the same thing – just different terms depending on where you come from.

Garden/Yard Size/Type of Job

The engines in all the edgers above come in a variety of sizes – which in turn denotes just how much power the machine is capable of offering.

Obviously, the larger and more powerful the engine, the more capable it is of tackling the real heavy-duty jobs.

Think about the size of your garden and the kind of work you require an edger to do. This should give you an indication on how powerful you need the machine to be.

Or, if you need a gas machine at all.

Types of Lawn Edger

You’ll notice two distinct types of edger in the reviews above – a hand-held variety, and a walk-behind version.

Again, like the size of the engine, choosing the right one depends on the size and type of the job you need it to do.

For commercial-sized workloads, with long, straight edges, it’s probably best to lean towards a walk-behind edger.

Although heavier, the ground is taking the weight and you won’t be nearly as fatigued as if you were carrying the thing.

For small to medium-sized tasks, a hand-held machine might be more preferable. They also have a significant advantage of being highly maneuverable and are more adept at edging curves, or around delicate areas such as flower beds.

However, walk-behind models are more suitable against curbsides, and offer more stability for straddling the concrete and the turf edge for a cleaner, neater cut.

And don’t discount the edgers that can be used with multiple attachments. A lot of string trimmers these days can be switched out and an edger head put in place – so you get a multi-use tool and more bang-to-buck versatility.

Finally, think about storage – a walk-behind machine is going to take up a lot of space in the garage. You certainly can’t hang one on the wall, that’s for sure.

Cost

When it comes to gas-powered machines, they all come at various price points, some affordable, others not so affordable.

For some reason, gas-powered lawn edgers aren’t cheap, and they can start quite pricey even at the “budget” end of the scale.

With that in mind, you need to be pretty serious about edging to pick one up. Buy the best you can afford – so long as it’s suitable for the size and type of job you’re buying it for.

FAQ

Do I need a gas lawn edger?

This depends on the size of your property, or how much effort you’re willing to put into edging, and how important edging is to you in the first place.

Many homeowners aren’t concerned with how the edge of the lawn looks, and mowing will suffice, with a possible trim as a more than suitable finish.

But if it bothers you that your lawn doesn’t look polished, and you have a medium to large-sized garden, then a gas-powered edger is going to get you professional results and is well worth considering.

Alternatively, you could use a pair of these quality garden shears if you’d prefer to trim the grass by hand, or if you already have a well-established lawn edge.

What is the best gas lawn edger?

Again, this depends on the type and size of the job you need to do. It’s subjective and impossible to pick out one edger above the rest unless you completely understand your own environment.

In short, I’d use a hand-held edger for smaller properties, around delicate areas, or if you have curved edges that need maintaining.

Walk-behind edgers are better for large, straight edging jobs, with an emphasis on commercial-grade work.

How much is a gas-powered edger?

Gas-powered edgers are far more expensive than their electric counterparts and can be priced from anywhere between $190 to well over $1000.

As I mentioned previously, you need to be pretty serious about power edging if you’re going to go down this road.

What is the easiest lawn edger to use?

Both types of edgers have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to ease of use. A handheld machine is easy to use right off the bat but can get cumbersome and tiring after a while.

With a walk-behind version, the ground takes the weight, but they can be more tricky to maneuver.

For the most part, though, edgers aren’t the most difficult power tool to use, so long as you have a modicum of common sense, they’re all pretty straightforward, anyway.

Having said that, I would look at the four-stroke versions, as you don’t need to fiddle about mixing oil and gas, and you can get up and running almost right out of the box.

How often should you edge your lawn?

Once a year is the professional advice, and do it towards the end of June, as you’ll find the results stay sharper for longer.

Having said that, if you feel your garden is trying to ruin all your hard work, feel free to edge whenever you think it’s required.

Some gardeners edge every week, while others once a month.  It all depends on how much effort and time you’re willing to put into the practice.

You don’t NEED to cut a new edge every week, that’s for sure – particularly if you’ve done a good job with a decent edger the first time.

But it’s certainly worth giving it a trim every time you mow the lawn (which is different from edging). Find out if a curved or straight trimmer is right for you by following that link.

How do I use a lawn edger?

Edging a lawn with a gas edger isn’t the most complex garden chore you’ll ever do, but it’s worth brushing up on a few tips and tricks to get it right – especially for noobs.

Check out the video below for an informative visual guide.

Is it better to edge or mow first?

It’s always a topic of discussion. In what order should you mow, weed, and edge a lawn?

There’s a saying in the professional community that goes something like this:

Edge, mow, trim, blow.

But that can be interchangeable depending on your lawn, the season, and the conditions. Or, just how you prefer to do it with a tried and tested method.

Some gardeners swap around each stage, some might repeat a stage on more than one occasion.

It’s also worth using one of these pet safe weed killers as well as a weed whacker – to properly destroy nuisance vegetation down to the root, so they won’t come back. Bonus points for being non-toxic and safe around children and animals.

I would suggest trying out each stage for yourself and see what works for you. It’s an interesting and much-debated topic – let me know your garden maintenance regimen in the comments.

How deep should I edge my lawn?

You shouldn’t be going much deeper than two-inches maximum.

Most residential edgers will not cut deeper than that, anyway.

You still need to be aware of buried pipes and cables, and any other obstacles that might be close to the surface.

It’s worth doing a check around the perimeter before getting started, as you don’t want to hit any snags when you’re in full swing.

What’s the difference between an edger and a trimmer?

Glad you asked. For a full, in-depth answer to this very sensible question (as the two are often confused) please, head on over to this article on the difference between an edger and a trimmer.

And why it’s a good idea to have both in your arsenal.

Can I edge wet grass?

Can you edge after rain? This is a common question and the answer is – yes, but it’s not a good idea.

Edging damp or dry-ish grass is feasible, as you’ll get a nice clean edge and the blade will cut the turf easily.

Anything more than that, and you’re risking clogging up the machine, with mud and filth being spread everywhere, and one hell of a cleanup operation as a result.

If you really must, don’t run the edger too deep – stay on the surface as much as possible and you’ll minimize the amount of material you’ll be slinging all over the yard.

Do I need to wear safety gear with an edger?

As with all garden power tools, it’s well worth donning some protective gear during operation.

Gas-powered edgers are noisy things, so make sure you cover those ears.

That blade is spinning fast, isn’t it? Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants, and goggles over the eyes. You never know when or what debris might be launched violently into the air.

And don’t forget a suitable pair of gardening gloves to prevent blistering. Honestly, you won’t know what you did without them.

Summary

Edging your green space can make the difference between a good lawn, and a great one.

And if you have a medium to large-sized property, then choosing the best gas lawn edger is the way to go.

Personally, I like the look of the echo products, as they’re highly rated, affordable, and perfect for the size of my plot.

Let me know which edger you would choose and why.

Happy edging!