A grass strimmer uses a nylon cutting line and is suited to trimming lawn edges, tidying borders and cutting light to medium-length grass. A brushcutter is a more powerful machine, typically fitted with a metal blade, and is used for cutting through thick weeds, brambles, dense vegetation and overgrown ground that a strimmer's line would struggle with. If your garden is well maintained and you just need to finish off what the mower misses, a strimmer is usually enough. For land clearance or heavily neglected areas, a brushcutter is the better choice.
Cordless, Petrol and Electric Grass Strimmers for Every Garden
MacBlair stocks a range of grass strimmers suited to gardens of all sizes, from compact cordless models for weekly lawn edging to petrol-powered strimmers capable of cutting through long grass and dense undergrowth. Cordless strimmers keep things light and quiet, with no cables to manage. Petrol models deliver the raw cutting power needed for larger plots or land that has been left to grow unchecked.
The range covers three main power types, each with its own strengths:
- Cordless / battery strimmers — lightweight and low-maintenance, a solid choice for smaller gardens and regular tidying
- Petrol strimmers — greater power and freedom of movement, suited to larger areas away from a mains supply
- Brushcutters — step up from a standard strimmer when tackling thick weeds, brambles or heavily overgrown ground
Pair a grass strimmer with a lawn mower to get a properly finished result — the strimmer takes care of the edges and awkward spots the mower cannot reach. For clearing larger areas of overgrowth before laying a new lawn or hard surface, a petrol strimmer or brushcutter is usually the fastest place to start. MacBlair also stocks hedge trimmers for keeping boundaries and borders in shape alongside your lawn maintenance routine.
Once the lawn is under control, take a look at the lawn care range for feeds, treatments and everything needed to keep grass in good condition through the season. If a border or path edge needs a neater finish, kerbs, edgings and risers give a clean, defined line between lawn and hard landscaping. MacBlair delivers across Northern Ireland, with online ordering available seven days a week.
Grass Strimmer FAQ's
It depends on the size of the area and the type of work involved. Cordless battery strimmers are lighter, quieter and easier to start, making them a practical choice for smaller gardens and regular lawn edging. They do not require fuel mixing and need very little maintenance. Petrol strimmers give more sustained power and are not limited by battery life, which makes them better for larger gardens, rough ground or extended use sessions far from a power source. If you have a big plot or do a lot of heavy cutting, a petrol model will generally outperform a cordless equivalent.
Most domestic grass strimmers use round nylon line in diameters between 1.5mm and 2.4mm. Thicker line handles tougher grass and light weeds more effectively, while thinner line is suited to regular edging on established lawns. Some models accept square or star-shaped line, which cuts more aggressively and can be useful if you are cutting coarser vegetation. Always check the manufacturer's guidance for your specific model, as using line that is too thick can strain the motor, and line that is too thin may break frequently during use.
A petrol strimmer can handle long grass reasonably well, particularly if you work in passes and avoid trying to cut the full height in one go. Cordless strimmers can manage moderately long grass but may struggle if the growth is very thick or tangled. For heavily overgrown ground, a brushcutter with a metal blade is a more effective option. It is generally easier on the machine to cut in stages, taking off the top third first and then cutting lower, rather than attempting to clear the full height at once.
At minimum, wear safety glasses or a visor to protect against flying debris, which is the most common hazard when strimming. Sturdy, closed-toe footwear is essential as the cutting line or blade can throw up stones and hard objects at speed. Ear defenders are recommended when using petrol strimmers, which can generate significant noise over extended periods. Gloves protect your hands and improve grip. Keep bystanders well clear of the cutting area, and never operate a strimmer near loose gravel, stones or debris without checking the ground first.