Toolbox Consensus

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Shopping for the best gas string trimmer in 2026? Gas trimmers still win on raw power, runtime and thick weeds, and the good ones are easier to start than they used to be. We read Bob Vila’s two-day test of eight gas trimmers, Consumer Reports’ lab ratings and Pro Tool Reviews’ hands-on work, and checked what Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Northern Tool and Rural King actually have in stock, so you don’t have to. Here is where the experts agree, where they don’t, and which trimmer fits your yard.

Quick picks

Award	String trimmer	Where to buy
Best overall	Echo SRM-225i (21.2cc, 2-stroke)	Home Depot
Best for thick weeds and attachments	Husqvarna 330LK (27.9cc, 2-stroke)	Ace Hardware · Northern Tool
Best curved shaft	Husqvarna 130C (27.9cc, 2-stroke)	Northern Tool · Lowe’s (out of stock at our test store)
Lightest	Stihl FS 40 C-E (27.2cc, 2-stroke)	Ace Hardware · Rural King · Northern Tool (in store only) · Stihl dealers
Consumer Reports’ top gas straight-shaft	Echo SRM-2620 (25.4cc, 2-stroke)	Home Depot · Northern Tool
Best budget pick	Ryobi RY253SS (25cc, 2-stroke)	Home Depot

How we built this list

We don’t just repeat one site’s ranking. Bob Vila’s team fueled, started and ran eight gas trimmers through 30 minutes of field mowing plus lawn and bed trimming; Consumer Reports rates trimmers in its lab on trimming, edging and tall grass; and Pro Tool Reviews has hands-on notes on the Echo. We only keep a trimmer on the list if it is a current model you can find, and we call out the complaints that keep coming up. One caution: good independent testing of gas trimmers is thinner than for battery ones, so every pick below has only one or two expert verdicts and shows “Needs more reviews” rather than a score. All six picks are 2-stroke engines; we found no recent expert tests of 4-stroke trimmers that met our standards. Our 2-stroke vs 4-stroke guide explains the difference.

1. Echo SRM-225i — Best gas string trimmer overall

Why reviewers love it: Bob Vila named it Best Overall in its 2026 test, scoring it 5 out of 5 for ease of use and value and 4.7 for performance. The testers praised the i-75 starting system, which uses springs to cut the effort of pulling the cord, a speed-feed head that is hard to load wrong, and an anti-vibration design with cushioned grips. They also found its small engine did well on coarse weeds and small woody stems, though it isn’t the most powerful trimmer in the group. Pro Tool Reviews, in an older review of the same model, called it the easiest pull-starter the team had used and an “excellent trimmer” with pro features, and said it started in about three pulls the first time and two or three gentle pulls after that. Consumer Reports also lists it, and notes it is somewhat less powerful than Echo’s pricier SRM-2620 but costs less.

• Engine: 21.2cc 2-stroke (2-cycle); Pro Tool Reviews fueled it with a 50:1 gas-oil mix
• Weight and swath: about 12 lb; 17 in cutting swath (Bob Vila)
• Shaft: straight; takes 0.095 in line
• Typical price: about $330 at Home Depot (Echo lists $329.99)
• Where to buy: Home Depot; Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Northern Tool and Rural King don’t list this exact model (Northern Tool sells the older SRM-225, which is a different model)

What to watch for: Bob Vila found the narrow debris shield doesn’t stop all clippings, and Pro Tool Reviews noted the fuel tank position can starve the engine when you tip the trimmer on its side to edge (fill the tank and edge first). Pro Tool Reviews measured 102 dB at full throttle, so wear hearing protection. Pro Tool Reviews’ review dates from 2009, so treat its comfort notes as a reasonable guide, not a current lab number.

2. Husqvarna 330LK — Best for thick weeds and attachments

Why reviewers love it: Bob Vila’s runner-up gave it perfect scores for performance and noise. The 27.9cc engine and a wide 20 in swath make quick work of tough growth, it started in no more than three pulls, and the testers said it ran relatively quietly (while wearing hearing protection). They liked the control and choke layout, and the shaft works with Husqvarna’s power-head attachments, so one engine can run other tools.

• Engine: 27.9cc 2-stroke (2-cycle), with spring-assisted starting, smart start and air purge
• Weight and swath: about 12.8 lb; 20 in swath
• Shaft: straight, detachable, attachment capable
• Typical price: about $330 at Ace Hardware and Northern Tool

What to watch for: It is heavier than comparable trimmers, and Bob Vila found its starter not as easy as the best of the group. After an hour the weight became tiring for the testers, who suggested a harness for bigger jobs. Some stores sell the 330LK under older part numbers, so we only link stores whose listing matches the current Husqvarna 330LK.

3. Husqvarna 130C — Best curved-shaft gas trimmer

Why reviewers love it: Bob Vila picked it as the best curved-shaft gas trimmer, calling it surprisingly quiet for its power and strong on coarse weeds and thick grass; it usually started on the second pull and the bump-feed head fed easily. Consumer Reports scored it 75 and ranked it second among gas curved-shaft trimmers, with strong marks for trimming, edging and clearing tall grass, and very good owner satisfaction. A curved shaft is lighter and easier to handle, which suits shorter users and smaller yards.

• Engine: 27.9cc 2-stroke (2-cycle), digital ignition with smart start
• Weight and swath: about 11.3 lb; 17 in swath
• Shaft: curved
• Typical price: about $240 (Consumer Reports and Northern Tool)

What to watch for: Bob Vila noticed a slight delay between pulling the trigger and the head responding, and found it heavier than the Echo and Stihl curved-shaft trimmers. Consumer Reports also notes that a large batch of 130C trimmers was recalled in 2024 for a fire hazard in the ignition module; the issue has since been resolved, but check that a unit you buy isn’t among the recalled serial numbers. At our test store Lowe’s showed this trimmer as out of stock with a “Notify Me” option, which may only reflect that store; Northern Tool showed it with an Add to Cart button.

4. Stihl FS 40 C-E — Best lightweight gas trimmer

Why reviewers love it: Bob Vila’s testers called it the best lightweight pick. At 9.9 lb with a shoulder strap it was the lightest trimmer in the group, it started on the first pull, and it cut dense grass and coarse weeds easily while earning top marks for noise. The strap reduced arm fatigue compared with the other curved trimmers, and Stihl’s low-emissions seal is a plus for the environmentally minded.

• Engine: 27.2cc 2-stroke (2-cycle)
• Weight: 9.9 lb (Bob Vila)
• Shaft: curved
• Typical price: about $230 at Ace Hardware and Rural King, and about $200 at Northern Tool
• Where to buy: Ace Hardware, Rural King, Northern Tool (in store only: its page lets you check store stock but doesn’t ship it) and Stihl dealers; Home Depot, Lowe’s and Amazon don’t list this model

What to watch for: Bob Vila said the shoulder strap may be too short for taller users. Only one expert source has tested this exact model that we could read (Consumer Reports rates it, but its scores sit behind a paywall), so it has the thinnest evidence of our picks.

5. Echo SRM-2620 — Consumer Reports’ top gas straight-shaft trimmer

Why reviewers love it: Consumer Reports gave it an overall score of 83, the top spot among gas straight-shaft trimmers in its ratings, and found it cuts evenly and edges cleanly, with standout scores for trimming and handling. In CR’s member surveys Echo’s gas straight-shaft trimmers earn above-average predicted reliability and excellent owner satisfaction. Home Depot describes the SRM-2620 as Echo’s top-performing pro-grade trimmer, with a Speed-Feed head that reloads without disassembly (that is the retailer’s marketing, not a test).

• Engine: 25.4cc 2-stroke (2-cycle), X Series
• Swath: 17 in (Northern Tool listing)
• Shaft: straight
• Typical price: about $400 at Home Depot and Northern Tool (Consumer Reports lists $399). Both stores sell it as the SRM-2620AA.

What to watch for: It is the priciest trimmer here, and Consumer Reports notes the cheaper Echo SRM-225i is somewhat less powerful. Only one expert verdict covers this model that we could read, and CR’s detailed ratings are behind a paywall, so we relied on Quartz’s summary of them.

6. Ryobi RY253SS — Best budget gas trimmer

Why reviewers love it: Bob Vila named it Best Bang for the Buck, giving it a perfect 5 for performance: it had ample power for trimming and edging, handled thick and thin growth, and took about five minutes to get ready after assembly. It accepts Ryobi’s hedge shears, lawn edger and pole chainsaw attachments and is easy to steer into tight spots. Consumer Reports named it a Best Buy in a 2016 test, saying its straight shaft is ideal for reaching under bushes and that it makes quick work of tall grass and weeds.

• Engine: 25cc 2-stroke (2-cycle); Ryobi says it has a full crankshaft
• Weight: about 12.2 lb (Bob Vila)
• Shaft: straight, attachment capable
• Typical price: about $189 at Home Depot

What to watch for: Bob Vila found it louder and more vibrating than the pricier models, and the narrow fuel opening makes filling difficult and spills more likely. It ran about 55 minutes on a tank, one of two trimmers in that test that didn’t reach a full hour. Consumer Reports’ verdict dates from 2016, so treat it as a long-term track record rather than a current test. Ryobi gas tools are sold at Home Depot.

How to choose a gas string trimmer

Straight shaft or curved shaft?

Straight shafts reach under bushes and fences, and many accept attachments such as edgers and hedge trimmers. Curved shafts are lighter and easier to handle, which Consumer Reports found suits many homeowners, and Bob Vila says a curved shaft fits users under 6 feet tall best. Consumer Reports’ top gas straight-shaft pick is our Echo SRM-2620 (score 83), followed by the Stihl FS 70 R (82), which we don’t list because it isn’t sold at the big stores we check; its top curved-shaft pick is the Echo GT-225L (76).

How much engine do you need?

For a typical lot, a 21cc to 28cc engine is plenty. Bob Vila’s best overall pick has the smallest engine in this list and still did well on coarse weeds, so displacement is not everything: weight, starting effort and vibration decide how you feel after an hour.

2-stroke fuel and safety

A 2-stroke engine runs on gasoline mixed with 2-cycle oil in the ratio the manufacturer specifies (Echo’s is 50:1 per Pro Tool Reviews); always follow your trimmer’s manual. Wear eye and hearing protection, since the Echo measured around 102 dB at full throttle. If you’d rather skip the fuel mix, our 2-stroke vs 4-stroke guide covers the alternatives, and our other gas guides, like the best gas backpack leaf blowers and best gas chainsaws, use the same engine type.

FAQ

Are gas string trimmers still worth it?

For large yards and thick weeds, yes: they run as long as you have fuel, and a refill takes seconds. HGTV, which tested both types, found a top battery trimmer from DeWalt about as powerful as the gas models it tried, so if your yard is small a battery trimmer is a quieter option.

How long does a tank last?

It varies by model and use. Bob Vila saw the Ryobi RY253SS run about 55 minutes on a tank, one of two trimmers in its group that didn’t reach a full hour, so most of the trimmers it tested ran an hour or more.

Can I use a gas trimmer to edge?

Most can be turned on their side to edge, and attachment-capable straight-shaft models, like the Husqvarna 330LK and Ryobi RY253SS, can take a dedicated edger head. On the Echo SRM-225i, edge first with a full tank, since tipping it can starve the engine.

The bottom line

Get the Echo SRM-225i if you want the easiest-starting, best-rounded gas trimmer reviewers have tested, or the pricier Echo SRM-2620 for Consumer Reports’ top-rated straight-shaft. The Husqvarna 330LK brings more power and a wider swath for thick weeds, the Husqvarna 130C is a lighter curved-shaft choice (check the recall note first), the Stihl FS 40 C-E is the lightest, and the Ryobi RY253SS is the budget buy. All six still need more expert reviews before they earn a Consensus Score, so we’ll update this guide as more tests come in.

Sources: Bob Vila (best gas string trimmers, June 2026), Quartz (Consumer Reports string trimmer ratings, June 2026), Consumer Reports (Echo SRM-225i listing), KSAT (Consumer Reports string trimmer tests, 2016), Pro Tool Reviews (Echo SRM-225i review), HGTV (best string trimmers, 2026). Specs and prices were accurate as of October 2026; check the retailer for current pricing.

Header photo: Jared Muller on Unsplash.