Think about this for a minute, you’re browsing the internet for your next yard purchase and you come across weed eaters. You know you need one, but which one would work best for you. Believe it or not, there are more to weed eaters than you think. This means more to how they work, what accessories they need, and what makes them run, which brings me to the gas vs electric debate. Which one will give you the best performance for your money?
Power Supply
When it comes to powering your weed eater, you can either run it off of electricity or gasoline. With electric weed eaters, you’ll need a power supply, which means you’re going to have to lug around a cord everywhere you go and you’ll have to be considerably close to an outlet if you don’t use an extension cord. Unfortunately, electric weed eaters don’t have the same amount of power as a gas weed eater would because since they are electric, they don’t require the motor that a gas one would, and you can check you electric installation such as a 24 hour electrician for this, so you can know your weed eater will works perfectly.
Gas weed eaters require gasoline to run, meaning more maintenance. You can’t let the gas sit in the machine too long or it’ll go bad and your eater won’t work right. Gas weed eaters are also significantly more powerful because they run on a motor. Unfortunately, these machines are loud and they can produce strong fumes due to the gasoline.
Vegetation
Electric weed eaters are usually best for smaller vegetation such as trimming around driveways and small gardens. Since they lack the power, they can’t handle the larger weeds that a gas powered one can. This may be a good option for you if you only have a few minor weeds to tackle here and there.
Gas powered weed eaters are better for the larger vegetation due to its increased power. These can come in a 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine. The larger areas are best used with a 4-cycle engine. So, if you have a large area that needs a good whacking, gas is the way to go.
General Features
Electric weed eaters are a good option for those who are conscious about the environment. These cause less pollution and there are no fumes being emitted. These are also easier to start than gas eaters. With these, you don’t have to yank on the cord time and time again or continuously push the primer button. All you need to do is flick a switch and it turns on.
Electric eaters are also generally less expensive. This may be due to their lack of power and the fact that an extension cord must be lugged around with each use. Remember, even though they are inexpensive to buy, because they use electricity, it may cost more on your electric bill at the end of each month. This is especially true if you live somewhere that’s always warm with ever-growing weeds that need trimming all the time.
Gas eaters are best for those who need the power to trim down larger and longer weeds. These are a tad on the bulkier side, but they are well worth it if you have a lot that needs to be done. These also don’t require the use of an extension cord or an outlet. Even though you won’t be using electricity, you’ll still be using gasoline. Depending on where you live, the gas may either be a small price or a large price.
Gas powered weed eaters are also more expensive, especially if you need a 4-cycle. Sure, they cost more, but they also perform better. Unfortunately, if you have hearing sensitivities or are health conscious, you’ll need ear protection. They do make a loud noise, unlike electric weed eaters that just make a “zing” noise.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are certainly a good number of pros and cons to each type of weed eater. It all comes down to your own personal preference; They are both effective when it comes to getting rid of those pesky weeds, but the gas-powered weed eaters would give you more for your money. These can last for years, whereas powered eaters are going to need battery replacements. The best way to find the right one for you is to consider some weed eater guides. These will help you figure out which one you need.
