The Best Weed Eater String For Your Yard

best weed eater string

Lawn maintenance requires a lot of work throughout the year, from mowing to watering to edging. Finding the best weed eater string makes all the difference in your task. If your line keeps breaking, you’ll spend a lot of time—and waste a lot of string—trying to complete the job.

A new weed eater will come with a spool of string that fits the machine, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your yard. The best weed eater string is the Husqvarna String Trimmer Line. Husqvarna is a solid brand in the landscaping industry, so even their plain nylon line is better than many on the market.

Read on to find out what qualities you should look for in a string trimmer line, along with the top picks in multiple categories.

What Makes String Trimmer String Great?

String trimmer lines need to be strong enough to tear through grass and vegetation so you can edge your yard, cut down weeds, and keep your landscape looking great.

The shape of the line is the top consideration in how well it works. You can choose from various types of shaped lines, including:

  • multisided
  • serrated
  • twisted
  • square
  • round

Each specific shape is best for a certain type of job, so you want to make sure you’re using the right shape of string trimmer line for specific vegetation. Line shape also impacts the string’s durability and noise level.

Multisided Trimmer Line

Multisided trimmer lines are usually what commercial lawn services use for high cutting efficiency. This type of string has a cutting edge that cleanly cuts down grass instead of ripping through it. There are shapes within the realm of the multisided string. You can choose from a star, square, or pentagon.

For lawns with thick grass, multisided string keeps edging simple. It’s also strong enough to cut through heavier weeds. It’s the best choice to use if your yard is thick or overgrown, or for the first clean-up of the season.

Though multisided string is strong enough for thick weeds, it can’t handle obstacles like fences or bricks. The line breaks easily when it encounters something that hard, so you’ll have to keep rethreading it at that point.

Serrated Trimmer Line

A serrated trimmer line is like a knife, with serrated blades shaped along the string. They work like a knife to saw through grass, leaves, and thicker vegetation to leave a clean appearance.

This sharpness makes serrated string the best choice for tackling overgrown lawns and weedy patches. Commercial lawn care services use this type of line too, so you know it’ll make your work quick and painless if it suits your trimmer head.

Twisted Trimmer Line

A twisted trimmer line is a step above the traditional round string. It cuts cleanly and can handle harder surfaces. This durability makes it ideal for overgrown weedy areas and thicker vegetation. It can hit against the fence lines or concrete without breaking or overheating.

The twisted design reduces this string’s air resistance so it won’t make as much noise as other options. The twist also helps reduce vibrations in the trimmer head so you can work for a longer time without feeling the motion in your arms.

Square Trimmer Line

The edges of the square trimmer line make it more powerful than the round string, so it works on medium and heavy weeds. However, it also makes it more likely to get caught in the grass or weeds, so you need to keep the string trimmer up higher than normal to prevent it from pulling down.

If you’re using a square string in your string trimmer, you need to be careful when you replace it. It can jam easily if it’s not loaded correctly, which can prolong your work and cause frustration.

Round Trimmer Line

The round trimmer line is the basic shape that’s good for general yard work. It’s ideal for edging your lawn and tearing through smaller weeds. The round shape makes it more durable than other shapes, so it most likely won’t break if it hits bricks or the sidewalk.

However, this string isn’t strong enough for weedy areas. It will overheat from exertion and weld together. At that point, you’ll have to remove the line spool and work the end of the string free before you can use it again. This might also happen if the string repeatedly hits fences because it will try to cut the wood, even though it’s not strong enough.

Durability can vary a lot depending on the material and weight of the string, as well as what type of vegetation you’re working with. A round string is typically most durable because it has less surface area to wear out, so it lasts longer. Even basic nylon round strings will get a lot of work done, but round strings with a hardened core are even more effective.

You can test the durability of a string by seeing how long a spool lasts with regular use. If you’re edging and weed-eating your residential lawn every week, a spool of a durable line should last much of the summer. However, if you have overgrown weeds, you’ll use up more string. Instead of going through several spools a month, you should upgrade to a more durable line.

Most trimmer lines use monofilament nylon, but it’s considered old-fashioned nylon string. Manufacturers are always looking for something new, and some are using reinforced composite nylon to prevent breakage. 

Choosing string with hardened cores can also greatly impact durability. A heavy-duty line can have an aluminum core to make it more capable, but it gets expensive. String made of non-nylon polymers or copolymers can cut a lot of vegetation without costing too much.

However, all those options are for extreme vegetation. Nylon string is effective enough for residential weed eating and edging.

Line size, or diameter, makes a big difference in how effective your string trimmer can be. For edging a home lawn and cutting down the heavy weeds that commonly grow in hot weather, you want to choose lines that are .065 to .080 inches in diameter.

If you have thick grass or overgrown weeds, strings that range from .085 to .105 inches in diameter can handle your job best. Anything with a line thickness surpassing .105 inches in diameter is going to handle heavy-duty jobs like they’re nothing.

When you’re choosing different sizes for your lawn care, you need to consider your machine, too. Not all diameters will fit on a residential weed eater’s spindle. Some might seem to fit initially but jam up the feed once you start using it. Always check your owner’s manual to see the recommended range of line sizes.

String trimmers make a certain degree of noise, and that can vary depending on if they’re gas, electric, or battery-powered. But the type of string you use can also change the overall noise the machine makes. There are specific low noise trimmer lines you can buy, but the twisted string is the quietest due to its design.

You can listen to your weed eater as it’s working to get an idea of how it sounds when it’s efficiently cutting grass. When you notice a different sound, you’ll know something has changed. A new noise in the string alone usually just means it’s time to bump out a longer length so it can keep cutting properly.

Welding means the string heats up and melts to the rest of the line wrapped around the trimmer head. It’s caused by friction, either from the weed eater working too much or from hitting along the sidewalk or fence for a long time.
Some weed eater strings are weld-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about this problem at all. You can also opt for a shaped string instead of a round string. Shaped strings have more surface area so they’re less likely to overheat.


The Best Weed Eater String – Compared

Husqvarna String Trimmer Line .095-Inch
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Maxpower 333695 Residential Grade Round .095-Inch
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Oregon 22-895 Magnum Gatorline Square Trimmer Line .095-Inch by 685-Foot
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DEWALT Trimmer Line, 225-Foot by 0.080-Inch (DWO1DT802)
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Cyclone Desert Extrusion CY155S3 .155 x315 Commercial Line Red
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Oregon 22-955 Gatorline Heavy-Duty Professional
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Arnold .065-Inch Maxi-Edge Commercial Trimmer Line
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The Best Weed Eater String – Reviews

New string trimmers come with a spool of string, but it might not be the best option for your yard. Read on to find the best weed eater string, the best value, the best in each size, and more.

Best Overall Trimmer String: Husqvarna String Trimmer Line .095-Inch

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The Husqvarna Titanium Force String is a commercial-grade copolymer for ultimate durability. This material makes it a step above basic monofilament nylon so it can do more work without overheating or wearing out.

It will make edging a breeze, even if you’re hitting against some resistance with the sidewalk or fence. This string is capable of edging cleanly and eating through moderately heavy weeds in the yard. The design keeps it quiet while you’re working and has less drag.

It has a basic round shape but doesn’t weld easily. However, if you push it to the limit, you might encounter a jam or welding because it isn’t intended for heavy-duty use. The convenient line-cutting tool on the package lets you easily cut a new length of string while you’re out in the yard. It spools easily into weed eaters that can take a .095-inch string.

Best Value Pick: Maxpower 333695 Residential Grade Round .095-Inch

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The Maxpower weed eater string is the best value because you get an entire 855-foot roll for a great price. You’ll end up paying less than a dollar per refill on your weed eater and you can go longer without needing to buy more.

Though this is the value string, it’s still high-quality. Due to the line’s shape, it tears through grass rather than cutting it, but it works so efficiently it can even handle heavier vegetation and overgrown weeds.

You don’t have to be overly cautious about concrete, stones, or fences when you’re using a Maxpower string. It’s durable enough to withstand a little resistance without breaking or losing its tensile strength.

The string is round and will start to weld after about 45 minutes of use. It’s efficient enough to work quickly, but if you have a big yard, you might want to take a break and let it cool down before completing the job.

Best Square Trimmer Line: Oregon 22-895 Magnum Gatorline Square Trimmer Line .095-Inch by 685-Foot

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The Oregon 22-895 Magnum Gatorline Square Trimmer Line is the best square string on the market. With a .095-inch diameter, this specific product is good for trimming grass, weeds, and rocky soil. The four sharp square edges cut quickly through the grass and heavier vegetation.

The manufacturer specifically made Magnum Gatorline products to be more durable by giving them a high-strength inner core. The outer casing absorbs the impact of use so you won’t feel vibrations and kick back as you’re working.

Best Twister Trimmer Weed Whacker String : Weed Warrior 17068 .095-Inch Bi-Component Twist Trimmer Line

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If you want to get a twisted trimmer line to work more smoothly than round lines, the Weed Warrior Bi-Component Twist Trimmer Line is the best of the best. The nylon resin strings twist together to increase aerodynamics and reduce vibration.

You can use this trimmer string against rocks, concrete, bricks, and fencing without breaking the line. The twisted design makes this high-performance string run 15% longer than other shapes. It handles thick grass and dense weeds with no problem. Along with its stellar performance, this string is of great value due to how long it lasts.

It promises a universal fit for all popular brands of weed wackers, so you don’t have to continue buying brand-specific string for the best cut. Customers confirm that it works with many big-name models, whether they’re gas-powered models or electric trimmers. It inserts easily into the trimmer head. If your machine can take a .095-inch string, you’ll love this one. 

Best Bulk .08 Inch Trimmer Line: DEWALT Trimmer Line, 225-Foot by 0.080-Inch (DWO1DT802)

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DEWALT is a big name in tools and lawn care so it’s no surprise that their accessories are also top of the line. The .080-inch diameter ensures this trimmer string fits into any weed eater, but the moderate diameter doesn’t mean it breaks or wears out quickly.

Though it’s thin, this string’s aerodynamic design cuts more efficiently than larger strings. It’s black and yellow so you can keep an eye on it while you’re working, but it rarely breaks even when you hit the concrete. The flexibility gives it high impact resistance.

It’s meant for you to use this line with a DEWALT weed eater. If you don’t have that machine, you might not get the same performance from this string. So for people wanting to upgrade their weed eater and line at the same time, you can’t go wrong with DEWALT. Even though you’ll get a spool of DEWALT string with your new machine, invest in a spool of this to use when it’s done.

Best Multisided Weed Eater String: Cyclone Desert Extrusion CY155S3 .155″ x315′ Commercial Line Red

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Not only does this string have a multisided shape to efficiently cut grass and weeds but it’s also made of a copolymer to deliver even more versatility. That keeps it lasting a long time, even if you go up against concrete, fencing, or smaller saplings. However, using it against chain-link fences can cause it to break or tangle, so you don’t want to mess with that.

The Cyclone Desert Extrusion string has six sides to expand the surface area and prevent welding. Whether you have a small garden or a few acres, this line can handle everything you need it to. Landscaping services use this string because of its superior material and design.

It feeds smoothly into any weed eater that can handle .095-inch string and won’t tangle. Since it’s flexible and doesn’t break easily, you don’t have to worry about finding broken pieces of line across your yard after you use it. You get a large spool at once, so it’ll be a long time before you have to order more.

Best Weed Eater String For Thick Brush and Weeds: Oregon 22-955 Gatorline Heavy-Duty Professional

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As soon as you try to cut anything thicker than grass, you’re likely to find that your average line breaks, wears out, or welds. In that case, you want a heavy-duty option that can withstand a big yard, along with overgrown weeds and thick brush.

The Oregon Gatorline Heavy-Duty Professional string has a high-strength inner core to prevent breakage even when you’re working against saplings. You can use this in a heavy-duty weed wacker as long as it can take a string with a .155-inch diameter.

Despite its strength and durability, this line is likely to tangle with use. If you’re using it in weedy patches or dense brush, make sure you keep an eye on it so it doesn’t tangle in the vegetation. You want to be in the position to easily free the string if necessary.

Best .065 Inch Trimmer Line: Arnold .065-Inch Maxi-Edge Commercial Trimmer Line

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The Arnold Maxi-Edge Commercial Trimmer Line has a six-point star design to give more surface area. That ensures it cuts efficiently even in thick patches of weeds while preventing welding with use. 

Though this line works great on grass and weeds, it can’t get near concrete. Hitting that type of resistance makes the string wear out and break quickly. If you keep it in vegetation only, this line will last for many uses.

The pack contains 220 feet of string and a cutting tool so you can take what you need without carrying around additional tools. It fits most brand-name trimmers that can handle string with a .065-inch diameter.


FAQs About String Trimmer Lines

You now know what to look for in a weed eater string and you know some of the best available. In case you need more answers about a string trimmer line, check out these frequently asked questions.

Are all trimmer lines the same?

No, all trimmer strings aren’t the same. They have other string shapes, like round, square, multisided, serrated, and twisted. They also come in different line sizes, which impact how well they cut and what materials they work on.

Is a twist trimmer line better than a round?

Yes, in most cases the twist trimmer line is better than a round because it’s more durable, has more air resistance, and won’t weld. The twist trimmer line has no problem cutting through the grass, but it can also handle thicker weeds with no problem.

Is a thicker trimmer line better?

A thicker trimmer line isn’t always better or necessary. For most residential lawns, you don’t need a thick line—standard round trimmer lines are more than enough to keep your yard in shape. But if you’re working with an overgrown yard or constantly hitting against sidewalks or fences, the thicker line lasts longer.

Does trimmer line shape matter?

Yes, the trimmer line shape makes a big difference in the work. The shape impacts the surface area and what the line can cut, along with influencing the welding probability.

Does trimmer line size matter?

Yes, the trimmer line size, or diameter, impacts how thick the string is. Residential lawns only need a string that ranges from .065 to .085 inches in diameter. Overgrown yards or commercial services use a string with diameters of .085 to .105 inches. You need to make sure the line fits in your weed eater before trying a new size.

How often should I replace my weed eater line?

Depending on usage, your weed eater line might last two to four months. If you’re hitting the sidewalk and fence often, you’ll need to replace the string more often. Buying the right type of string ensures you’ll get the most usage out of each spool.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best weed eater string, you can’t go wrong with the Husqvarna Titanium Force. It can handle residential lawns as well as overgrown weeds. However, if you’re up against a forest of a yard, you’ll appreciate the strong core of the Oregon Gatorline Heavy-Duty Professional string. 

For the best in specific shapes and sizes, check out the list above and streamline your yard maintenance routine.

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