The Best Whipper Snippers And Line Trimmers To Buy Online in Australia
One vital piece of gardening equipment of the Australian yard is the whipper snipper. It's the ideal tool for everything, from trimming grass to lawn edging to cutting overgrown brushes. However, like with any piece of equipment, it's crucial to invest in a reliable product with characteristics that best fit your necessities. This guide lists the best whipper snippers you can get and the factors you should consider in your search.
Best Overall Whipper Snipper
Husqvarna 525LST 0.95kW Straight Shaft Line Grass Trimmer
- Superb performance and cutting speed thanks to the xTorq engine
- Large cutting width
- It has a dual-line cutting system that provides a quick line feed
- Durable build that's easy to maintain
- Less fuel-efficient than other line trimmers
- Generates noise to the point ear protection is needed
The petrol-powered 525LST is an ultra-efficient and straight shaft whipper snipper that lets you reduce your workload by a considerable margin. It comes with a powerful xTorq engine and a high torque gear ratio of 2:1 on the trimmer head. These characteristics let the line trimmer work parallel to the ground, giving it a wide cutting diameter.
Although the xTorq technology does lower fuel consumption, other line trimmers are better in that area. However, it does set it ahead in terms of performance. As if it wasn't enough, this line trimmer uses durable components that are easy to maintain alongside other features that make it effortless to handle. Overall, it's a powerful, lightweight, and well-balanced product that's ideal in many applications.
Best Petrol-Powered Whipper Snipper
Honda Brushcutter UMK425 4 Stroke Petrol Power
- It has a powerful, easy-to-start engine
- Can slice through tough grass
- Remarkable construction that lasts for a long time
- Relatively quiet for petrol-powered brush cutters
- Somewhat heavy with a full tank, making it harder to use it for edging
- Expensive
Honda's UMK425 is an excellent petrol-powered line trimmer that can get most gardening jobs done. It has a four-stroke engine that outputs commercial-grade power and uses less oil than two-stroke alternatives. Additionally, its gas string trimmer lets you avoid wasting time premixing the fuel. It's on the lighter side among petrol models, but it's harder to handle with a full tank. Fortunately, the balance is excellent, so it isn't as noticeable.
This model is likely the best petrol line trimmer you can get for domestic work. Still, you may have to install heavy brush cutting blades if you're looking for a trimmer for more demanding situations such as trimming wooded areas or highly unkempt lawns. Overall, it's a reasonably quiet, powerful, and reliable straight shaft brush cutter that's a bit on the pricey side.
Best Battery-Powered Whipper Snipper
Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Edger
- Compatible with all Ryobi 18V One+ batteries
- Lightweight and easy to operate
- Long 4Ah battery life
- Battery and charger are sold separately
- Blade wears down over time
For an electric string trimmer, the Ryobi 18V+ has remarkable battery life. You don't have to worry about it dying on you whenever you use it. Additionally, it's pretty lightweight and has an ergonomic design focused on comfort and ease of use. Sure, it doesn't have the power of a brush cutter, but it's an excellent option for fence lines, shrubs, and other light duties.
This cordless line trimmer with a lithium-ion battery is a reliable product. It has four cutting heights that offer a broad range of options and a guide wheel for better support. If you're looking for a line trimmer that can handle most home owner's lawns, check this one. While it does have more vibration than usual, every other feature exceeds expectations.
Best Electric Whipper Snipper
STIHL FSE 71 540W Electric Grass Line Trimmer
- Comfortable rubber handle
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Makes very little noise
- Can struggle with very long or thick grass
Stihl's FSE 71 model is a light yet powerful electric grass trimmer with built-in overload protection. It comes with an AutoCut C 5-2 nylon cord mowing head and a comfortable soft-grip handle. Furthermore, the cable strain relief ensures you don't accidentally unplug it.
As usual, power and ergonomics are the highlights of this Stihl bent shaft grass trimmer. It's among the best electric line trimmers you can get if you need to work on small to mid-size areas within noise-sensitive environments. The curved bar lets you reach grass in all cavities and has low power consumption.
Best Cheap Whipper Snipper
Makita DUR181Z 18V LXT Li-Ion Mobile Line Trimmer
- Compatible with many batteries
- Great value for money
- Adjustable cutting head position
- It doesn't include a rechargeable battery, this will need to be purchased separately
- Not suitable for tall or thick grass
The Makita DUR181Z is a cordless whipper snipper with unique features that make it a valuable investment. It's sold as "skin-only," but it's compatible with a wide range of batteries with different runtimes. Moreover, they're interchangeable with those present in other Makita power tools.
This whipper snipper is designed for ease of use. It has an adjustable loop handle that you can tailor to your height and posture. Additionally, it has a five-position pivoting cutting head that lets you adjust the trimming angle, allowing you to reach tight and hard-to-reach places. The shaft is adjustable, and it has an easy-to-operate bump cord feeding system.
Best Premium Whipper Snipper
Husqvarna 535iRXT 36V Li-ion Cordless Brushless Straight Shaft Line Grass Trimmer
- Its high-torque motor and cutting diameter gives it performance equivalent to petrol-powered brush cutters
- Each battery charge offers great runtime
- Ergonomically designed bump feed system
- Expensive
- Batteries are sold separately
The Husqvarna 535iRXT is probably the best and most versatile whipper snipper you can get. While it isn't the most powerful option available as it's battery-powered, it's still a robust, high-performance cordless line trimmer designed for professional use. The main reason it has a remarkable cutting power is the e-Torq brushless motor and 45 cm cutting diameter. These characteristics allow you to trim any area except for the hardest brushes quicker than usual.
Its cutting head lets you feed the trimming line with a simple button press located on the handle, reducing the risk of unintentional line feed and its consumption. Furthermore, it barely uses moving parts, so it's durable and robust. This line trimmer has a compact, optimized design that's well balanced and lets you work comfortably in every situation.
Best Whipper Snipper Brands
Husqvarna
Most Husqvarna string trimmers can withstand even the most demanding jobs. They're not just powerful and reliable but light, well-balanced, and easy to handle. Each of their edge trimmers is ready to take any task at any moment, whether its user is a full-time professional landscaper or just a property owner looking to spruce up their yard.
Honda
While Honda is better known for its two and four-wheel vehicles, it has expanded into many markets that require engines, including line trimmers. Honda's brush cutters are generally more expensive than others, but they're among the best ones you can get if you're passionate about lawn care or need to do some heavy-duty work. They're comfortable to use, reliable, and potent.
How to Choose the Right Whipper Snipper
Here are some questions you should ask whenever you're checking out the options you have available:
What Are You Trimming?
If you're looking for a power tool for general garden maintenance, such as keeping the yard tidy, trimming lawn edges, and the occasional weed whacking, a line trimmer is ideal. However, getting a brush cutter is the better idea if you're tackling large and demanding jobs such as cutting through tough, long grass and other growths.
How Big Is Your backyard?
If you have a small yard, electric models, cordless or not, can make quick work of your trimming chores. On the other hand, you might benefit by choosing a line trimmer with enough battery charge to finish the entire job at once if you have a large yard. Cordless models can handle demanding garden tasks, but you might have to keep a spare battery at hand just in case the power doesn't cut it.
What Obstacles Are You Facing?
Take a good look at the area you want to trim. If you only need to work around trees or planting beds, you could maneuver the corded line trimmer without much issue. However, it's considerably harder to prevent the cord from tangling if you need to trim around large obstacles or items. In these situations, a battery or a gas-powered trimmer could work better.
Which Power Source Is Better?
Grass trimmers can work on gasoline, battery, or a power cord. They can all cut well enough, so you should primarily choose between power sources with the size and layout of the yard in mind. Corded whipper snippers are better for smaller yards around a tenth of a hectare or less, while a cordless line trimmer could take up to double that amount. Petrol-powered models work for yards of any size.
Straight or Curved Shafts?
The drive shaft on a whipper snipper can be straight or curved. Trimmers with a curved shaft are better for light work, while straight shaft models usually have more power and reach. Generally, brush cutters tend to have straight shafts, while line trimmers can have either.
Is the Whipper Snipper Easy to Use?
It's crucial to ensure the whipper snipper has a comfortable handle, as it can make gardening more pleasant. The trimmer's engine should be easy to turn on and off as well. Finally, getting a lightweight whipper snipper is ideal. These characteristics can prevent occasional injuries and overexertion and make tending to your lawn more manageable.
Which Trimming Line Feed Option is Better?
Many models use fixed-line heads with a short cutting line to help avoid tangles and jams whenever you load the cord. With these models, you have to feed more line as needed, which happens often. On the other hand, a whipper snipper with a bump feed releases the string from a spool when you hit the cutting head on the ground. Trimmers with an automatic line feed head come pre-wound, releasing the line as needed.
What Features Should You Look for in a Whipper Snipper?
There are many features you could look out for, but a good one is a line-length limiting blade. Many models have one mounted on the safety guard, and it cuts the cord at the right length. After all, long lines can overload the motor. Another helpful feature is a rotating head, which is a cutting head you can position vertically for edging and horizontally for trimming.
Should You Buy a Powered Base?
Petrol line trimmers give you the option of purchasing a powered base, known as a split shaft. This tool is an engine that can accept different attachments, and stores typically sell it with a cutting head. Most models come with hedge trimmers, pole saws, edgers, and brush cutters. It's a good idea to get one if you don't want to buy the tools separately from the whipper snipper.
How Much Should You Pay for a Good Whipper Snipper?
Most whipper snippers cost around $200 and $300, but the range goes from $80 to +$800. Sometimes, you can find battery-powered line trimmers sold as "skin only," meaning it doesn't come with a battery. It's essential to pay attention to this as the trimmer could easily cost more once you factor in their cost. Apart from that, look for whipper snippers within your budget while avoiding models that cost less than $100 as they aren't too reliable.