String Mower vs String Trimmer: Which One Should You Buy?
A walk-behind string mower and a handheld string trimmer compared on cutting width, power, weight, runtime and upkeep, with one example of each from the listings we reviewed.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- 1
Earthquake 160cc Walk-Behind String Mower9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
EGO POWER+ 16 in Cordless String Trimmer9.5/10View on Amazon - 3
Husqvarna MZ619.7/10View on Amazon - 4
PowerSmart 18-Inch 144cc Push Gas Lawn Mower & 16-Inch 25.4ccView on Amazon - 5
PowerSmart 144cc 21-Inch 2-in-1 Push Gas Lawn Mower & 16-InchView on Amazon - 6
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 String Trimmer/Edger & Lawn MowerView on Amazon - 7
30 Pack Universal Walk Behind String Trimmer Mower 21.25"View on Amazon - 8
40-Pack 21.25" Line x .155-Inch String Trimmer LineView on Amazon - 9
Oregon Magnum Gatorline 095 Trimmer Line Heavy DutyView on Amazon
Verdict: Choose a string mower if you clear wide, rough ground and tall growth with a walk-behind machine. Choose a string trimmer if your work is edges, fences, beds and tight spots around the house, and you want a light handheld tool.
The string mower vs string trimmer question comes down to how you move across the ground and what grows on it. A walk-behind string mower rolls on wheels and cuts a wide path with a line head across open ground. A handheld string trimmer is held in the hands and reaches into corners, along fences and around trees. This comparison covers the differences, then one example of each from the listings we reviewed.
AcreMowerLab earns a commission when you shop through links here. It never changes your price. Affiliate disclosure.
Earthquake 160cc Walk-Behind String Mower
A gas walk-behind string mower with a 160cc 4-cycle Viper engine, a 22 in cutting path with 0.155 line, cutting heights from 1.5 in to 3 in, and airless wheels.
Read the full review
The Earthquake mower is a walk-behind machine built around a 160cc 4-cycle Viper engine with automatic compression release, which the maker says starts easily on the first pull. An engagement bail lets the operator pause and restart the cutting head without restarting the engine, and the one-piece steel deck reaches under fences and tree limbs. The oversized debris deflector directs clippings away from the operator.
Pros
- 160cc 4-cycle engine for tough growth the listing says handheld trimmers cannot handle
- 22 in cutting path with 0.155 line
- Cutting height adjusts from 1.5 in to 3 in across 5 positions
- Airless wheels and an adjustable handlebar, and the handlebar folds for storage
Cons
- 70 pounds, a heavy machine to move and store
- Gas engine upkeep with fuel and oil
- Wheel size is listed three ways: 14 in in the title, 14.5 in in the bullets and 14.33 in in the spec table
- No handheld option for tight spots around trees and beds
EGO POWER+ 16 in Cordless String Trimmer
A 56V cordless string trimmer with a 16 in cutting swath, Line IQ auto-feed line, a telescopic carbon fiber shaft, and a 4.0Ah battery and charger in the box.
Read the full review
The EGO trimmer is a 56V cordless tool with a brushless motor, a telescopic carbon fiber shaft and a digital variable speed selector. Line IQ auto-sensing monitors and feeds the line for a continuous 16 in swath, and Powerload winds fresh line through the head at the push of a button. The kit includes a 4.0Ah battery rated for up to 60 minutes of runtime and a charger that refills it in 55 minutes.
Pros
- Line IQ monitors and feeds line for a continuous 16 in swath
- Powerload winds new line at the push of a button
- Up to 60 minutes of runtime on the included 4.0Ah battery
- Telescopic carbon fiber shaft adjusts to the operator, and the included battery works with all EGO power tools
Cons
- 16 in swath is narrower than the mower example at 22 in
- Battery charging takes 55 minutes with the included charger
- Line only; no blade is listed
- Only one battery in the box, so a long session needs a recharge
Other machines to compare
PowerSmart 18-Inch 144cc Push Gas Lawn Mower & 16-Inch 25.4ccCheck price on Amazon
PowerSmart 144cc 21-Inch 2-in-1 Push Gas Lawn Mower & 16-InchCheck price on Amazon
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 String Trimmer/Edger & Lawn MowerCheck price on Amazon
30 Pack Universal Walk Behind String Trimmer Mower 21.25"Check price on Amazon
40-Pack 21.25" Line x .155-Inch String Trimmer LineCheck price on Amazon
Oregon Magnum Gatorline 095 Trimmer Line Heavy DutyCheck price on Amazon
String mower vs string trimmer side by side
| Factor | String mower (Earthquake 40314) | String trimmer (EGO ST1623T) | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting head | 0.155 line, walk-behind head | Line IQ auto-feed line head | Both cut with line; the mower head is wider |
| Cutting path | 22 in | 16 in | Wider path on the mower example |
| Power | 160cc 4-cycle gas engine | 56V battery, 4.0Ah included | Different power sources for different routines |
| Weight | 70 pounds | 7.5 pounds | The trimmer is the lighter tool to carry |
| Runtime or fuel | Gas powered | Up to 60 minutes on one charge | Runtime depends on the power source |
| Cutting height | 1.5 in to 3 in, 5 positions | Not stated | Only the mower example lists cutting heights |
| Handle | Adjustable handlebar, folds for storage | Telescopic carbon fiber shaft | Both adjust to the operator |
| Warranty | 5-Year Limited Warranty | 5-year tool warranty, 3-year battery warranty | Both examples carry multi-year terms |
Figures are manufacturer stated for the two example models, collected 25 October 2026.
Cutting head: wide path or handheld reach
The mower example cuts a 22 in path with 0.155 line, and its cutting height adjusts from 1.5 in to 3 in across 5 positions. That width suits open ground, wide fence lines and field edges where the machine can roll in a straight line. The trimmer example cuts a 16 in swath with Line IQ auto-feed line, which monitors and feeds line for a continuous cut without bumping. The narrower head suits edges, beds and tight spots where a wide machine is harder to turn.
Power and runtime
The Earthquake example runs a 160cc 4-cycle Viper gas engine with automatic compression release, which the maker says starts easily on the first pull. An engagement bail lets the operator pause and restart the cutting head without restarting the engine. Gas power brings fuel and engine upkeep to match.
The EGO example runs a 56V battery platform with a 4.0Ah battery in the box, rated for up to 60 minutes of runtime on one charge, and the included charger refills it in 55 minutes. A digital variable speed selector matches speed to the job, and the trimmer works with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries. Battery power means no fuel to mix, and its runtime is the stated charge.
What each one can cut
The mower example is built for tough tasks the listing says handheld trimmers cannot handle, with a one-piece steel deck that reaches under fences and tree limbs. It suits tall growth, rough patches and wide paths.
The trimmer example lists gardening, landscaping, outdoor trimming, weed control and yard maintenance as its uses. It lists weed control and yard maintenance among its uses, and suits edging along sidewalks, beds and driveways. Neither example lists a blade.
Handling and weight
Weight is where the two sides split hardest. The Earthquake mower example weighs 70 pounds and rolls on airless wheels with an adjustable handlebar, and the handlebar folds down so the machine slides under a workbench or into the back of a vehicle. The EGO trimmer example weighs 7.5 pounds with a telescopic carbon fiber shaft that adjusts to the operator.
Upkeep
A gas walk-behind mower needs fuel for its gas engine, plus fresh line in the head. A battery trimmer needs a charged battery and fresh line, and Powerload winds new line through the head at the push of a button.
The two examples
Acreage and terrain fit
Earthquake 40314
EGO ST1623T
Matching It to Your Property
- Rough, open ground with tall growth: the mower example, with its 22 in path and gas engine.
- Fences, beds and tight spots: the trimmer example, with its 16 in swath and handheld reach.
- Storage: the mower handlebar folds down for the back of a vehicle or under a workbench.
- No fuel mixing wanted: the battery trimmer example, with its 4.0Ah battery and charger in the box.
Wear eye and hearing protection, long pants and sturdy footwear, and keep bystanders well back while the line or blade spins. Clear stones and debris first, and stop the engine or remove the battery before clearing the head. Refuel only with the engine off and cool. See OSHA landscaping safety. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
The Acre Score explained
The Acre Score weighs five factors: performance (power, heads and what it can cut), build quality (shaft, handle and guard), value (what comes in the box), safety (certifications or operator controls the listing states) and warranty (years and coverage). A factor the listing does not state scores zero, which is why the trimmer example scores zero for safety.
| Product | Acre Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake 40314 | 9.6 | 29 | 21 | 20 | 5 | 4 |
| EGO ST1623T | 9.5 | 28 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 4 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
The two examples cover different ground: a walk-behind mower for wide, rough ground, and a battery trimmer for edges near the house. If you mow open ground, see our brush and field mowers for clearing larger areas.
FAQ: mowing large lots
Can a string mower trim along a fence?
It can reach under fences with its long deck, but a wide walk-behind machine is harder to turn into tight corners. For edges, beds and spots around trees, the handheld trimmer example is the easier tool.
Can a string trimmer clear tall, rough growth?
It lists weed control and yard maintenance among its uses, but the mower example is built for the tough tasks the listing says handheld trimmers cannot handle. Tall, rough growth on open ground suits the walk-behind mower.
Gas or battery for acreage work?
Gas power brings fuel and engine upkeep. Battery power on the trimmer example is a 4.0Ah battery rated for up to 60 minutes and a 55 minute recharge. Match the power source to how long and how far you cut.
How heavy are the two examples?
The Earthquake mower example weighs 70 pounds and rolls on wheels, so the ground carries the weight. The EGO trimmer example weighs 7.5 pounds and is carried by hand, so it suits work where you walk, turn and reach.
What safety gear do I need for these tools?
Eye protection and hearing protection, and clear debris from the path before cutting. The mower example adds an oversized debris deflector that directs clippings away from the operator.
