The Best 4-Stroke Weed Eaters – [Top Reviews & Rankings]

A 4-stroke weed eater, also known as a 4-stroke weed trimmer, or 4-stroke weed whacker, is a gardening tool designed for trimming hedges and grass. The best 4-stroke weed eater will have an air purge primer bulb, an easy to replace the cutting line, and will feature a tap ‘N Go line release.

4-stroke weed eaters are powered by a gasoline engine that requires 4 separate operations to produce power. In contrast, 2 stroke engines can produce power in half the number of operations, but you have to mix oil into their fuel, they vibrate a lot, and they can be rather noisy (Source).

Compared to 2-stroke weed eaters, 4-stroke models are more powerful, run smoother, and are quieter in operation. You don’t have to mix any oil into the fuel, and as a result, they don’t produce the noises and smells usually associated with 2-stroke engines (Source).

If you don’t know much about engines or yard tools, it can be a little difficult to decide which weed eater to buy. Before buying a 4-stroke weed eater, you should consider its fuel tank size, price, and what kind of warranty it has. It is also important to consider the ease of replacing its cutting line.

In this article, we will take a look at all the top-rated 4-stroke weed eaters. All the models in this review will trim hedges and grass effortlessly, whether you’re trimming the driveway at home, or doing work for your landscaping business.

What is a 4-Stroke Weed Eater?

Also referred to as a weed trimmer, string trimmer, or a weed whacker, a weed eater is a gardening tool designed for trimming hedges in a garden or along walkways. 4-stroke weed eaters are powered by a gasoline or diesel engine, in which the piston completed 4 separate strokes to turn the crankshaft.

As compared to the best two-stroke weed eaters, the leading 4-stroke models are more powerful, run smoothly and are quieter in operation. Although they are primarily designed for grooming tasks, such tools are powerful enough to tackle tall weeds as well.

They may also be used on thick grasses that tend to choke a lawnmower. Although the best four-cycle weed eaters are designed for heavy-duty applications, they still produce exhaust fumes. As such, it is advisable to get one that is CARB compliant to safeguard the environment against emissions.

Comparing the Top 5 Products

1. Husqvarna 967055801 324L Gas String Trimmer – Best Overall

As one of the best commercial four-stroke string trimmers, the Husqvarna 324L is designed to offer optimal cutting power at the least possible noise levels. The unit is equipped with a 25cc gasoline engine to power the 18-inch cutting head that comes with the model. As such, it offers a perfect blend of power and ease-of-use.

With this model, you only need to tap the trimmer head against the grass to release the trimmer line. This tapping action will automatically activate the innovative tap ‘N Go line release feature of the weed eater. For enhanced ease of use, you will find its T25 trimmer head easy to replace when the time comes.

Features a translucent fuel tank, and a convenient air purge primer bulb for removing unwanted air from the carburetor. The product is backed by a 2-year limited manufacturer warranty for residential applications.

2. Craftsman WS405 – The Best Fixed-Line Head 4-Stroke Weed Eater Model

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Though fitted with a powerful 29cc 4-cycle engine, you will find this weed Becker relatively quiet in action. In addition to trimming, the four-cycle weed eater may also be used for cutting applications. The comparatively wide 17-inch cutting width of the tool makes it possible for you to cut more grass per unit time.

The design of this unit couples a straight shaft to a fixed-line head, both if which make it easier for you to trim around bushes, and the spots that are hard to reach. The fixed-line head of the trimmer is designed for a 0.95-inch round line. The manufacturer uses a 2-step starting mechanism that requires you to prime and pull to start the trimmer.

The Easy-Winding WEEDWACKER head unit feeds a .095-inch line, allowing you to refill your cutting head quickly for easier engagement. This Craftsman 4 stroke weed eater is backed by a 2-year limited warranty by the manufacturer. The multi-position handle of the model is designed to reduce vibrations and user fatigue.

3. Troy-Bilt TB525 EC 29cc 4-Cycle – The Most Lightweight 

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Not only does this Troy-Bilt 4-cycle weed eater offer you American quality, but is also versatile, lightweight, and easy to use. This curved shaft string trimmer features JumpStart capability, and SpringAssist technology by the manufacturer. These are meant to make the trimmer relatively easy to start.

The lightweight design of the weed checker is coupled to a curved shaft, making the tool rather easy to maneuver in all conditions. Such a design makes it easy for you to balance the trimmer, allowing for a more direct view of the cutting line. Equipped with a SpeedSpool 2 bump head, you will find it easy to load the trimmed with up to 20 feet of line.

This Troy-Bilt TB525 EC model happens to be the most versatile 4-stroke weed eater models in the market. In this regard, it is compatible with more than 10 different TrimmerPlus attachments, which are sold separately. The powerful engine used on this 4 cycle weed eater by Troy Bilt delivers more power at a lower RPM range, as compared to the best 2-stroke string trimmers.

4. Honda UMC435LAAT VersAttach System – The Best Straight Shaft Weed Eater

This Honda 4-troke weed eater model is equipped with one of the most powerful trimmer engines, a GX 35cc displacement engine. This engine is 360-Degree inclinable, allowing you to rotate the trimmer while in use or even store it in virtually any position. It features superior engine technology for reduced notice while idling or in use.

The trimmer uses an innovative SureLoc joint locking system by the manufacturer. With such a mechanism, you only need to push and click in order to lock an attachment in place. The unit comes with up to 6 optional head attachments, including a trimmer, edger, pruner, hedge trimmer, cultivator, and blower.

You will also like the Honda anti-abortion system used on this Honda 4-stroke weed eater model. This system mainly comprises a rubber mounted shaft between the shaft and the clutch that is meant to reduce engine vibrations. This will help reduce fatigue, especially when you are using the tool for extended periods.

5. Makita 25CC, 17 in Cutting Width String Trimmer – The Best Commercial 4-Stroke Weed Eater 

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If you do not mind spending more on a string trimmer, you should consider getting this Makita 4-stroke weed eater. As opposed to some of the best 4-stroke weed eater models, this Makita weed Becker uses a solid steel drive shaft. This allows for a more efficient transfer of power to the trimmer head.

The 25.4 cc engine used on the trimmer produces a torque of about 1.1 HP. This allows the unit to offer one of the best power-to-weight ratios in its class. For enhanced efficiency, the engine is designed to use a ‘sipping’ mechanism. As such, 20.3 oz. fuel tank allows you to use the tool for an extended period.

The tank is also translucent, allowing you to monitor the fuel level as you go. The model features a specially engineered primer, allowing for easy starting, even when cold starting the engine. For enhanced ease of use, the model is fitted with a high-capacity Bump, and Feed trimmer head.

Factors to Consider Before Buying

As compared to their electric counterparts, diesel, and gas-powered weed eaters are more powerful, versatile and convenient. With the best 4-Stroke stroke trimmers, you will need to choose between gasoline and diesel-powered weed eater models.

Additionally, there are several other considerations you need to make while shopping for the right one, including:

Engine Type

Although all 4-stroke grass trimmers are powered by a four-cycle engine, the engine size and specifications vary from one model to another. The engine is one of the most important parts of a string trimmer. You just have to ensure that your preferred models are powered by the right engine.

In this regard, these are the two main engine aspects you need to consider:

Engine Capacity and Output

Basically, all gas-powered weed eaters are comparatively more powerful, hence capable of cutting through dense growths with ease. However, the power, speed, and performance of the various gas-powered, 4-troke weed eaters mainly depend on its engine capacity and output power.

Engine capacity refers to its displacement, often expressed cubic centimeters (CC). The output power, on the other hand, is expressed in horsepower (HP). The least weed eater capacity you can get is 15CC. Such a small engine is more affordable to buy and cheaper to maintain.

However, its output power is low and can only achieve lower trimming speeds. The more the displacement of a weed eater engine, the more horsepower it can produce, and the faster it can trim. You also need to note that an increase in engineering displacement will also increase the consumption of the model.

Number of Engine Cycles

Gasoline-powered weed eaters may be classified into two broad categories based on the number of cycles their engines undergo. Basically, you need to choose between 2-stroke and 4-stroke weed eaters. The two-cycle weed eater models are more affordable and often run on a mixture of gasoline and oil.

The 4-cycle weed eaters, on the other hand, are more powerful, run smoothly, and produce less noise, and emissions. Although such weed eater models are costlier, they are the preferred string trimmer types by gardeners today. Four-stroke weed eaters are superior to the two-stroke models in several. ways.

As mentioned earlier in this guide, the best 4-stroke trimmers produce lower pitch noise, which is comparatively more bearable. However, you will still need to wear the right ear protection while operating one. Since these units do not burn oil, they emit cleaner emissions that do not have such an awful odor.

Shaft Type

The type of 4-stroke weed eater stroke you choose will have an effect on the usability of the tool, depending on where you will be using it. These are the two weed eater shaft options you should consider:

• Curved Shaft

In models that have this type of shaft, the long pole is bent about halfway between the handle and the spinning trimmer head. Curved weed eater shafts are best suited for use on yards that have fewer hard-to-reach areas, and larger clearing areas.

A curved shaft also makes it easier for shorter users to hold and maneuver the four-stroke weed eater. Such a design also makes it more convenient for you to keep the cutting head perpendicular to the ground.

• Straight Shaft

Straight-shaft string trimmers are best suited for taller users due to their longer length. With this type of shaft, taller gardeners will not need to bend, or even kneel to maintain the trimmer head parallel to the ground. A straight shaft is also the best option for getting under bushes and trimming around corners.

Whether straight or curved, you also need to ensure that the shaft is of the right length, depending on the height of the user. Longer shafts are ideal for taller users while shorter shafts will be a great choice for shorter users. Go for the shaft length that allows you to assume a natural posture while trimming.

Cutting Width

Most of the leading 4-stroke weed eaters come with a fixed cutting width, with most of them having a diameter of more than 15 inches. A longer cutting width will allow you to work a bit faster, especially when cutting grass.

However, a long cutting length may limit the use of the string trimmer in certain applications. This is why some of the best 4-stroke weed trimmers allow you to alter the cutting width depending on the type of trimming project you are handling.

For enhanced versatility, you need o go for a weed eater spool size that makes it easier to trim both small and larger lawns. In most of the leading 4-cycle weed eater models, this is achieved by changing the cutting head attachment to suit the intended application.

This capability has also been proven to enhance the durability of these machines as it ensures that the spools are not overworked.

Also if you are looking to increase your compost quality, consider having a compost thermometer heaped within the contents of your compost.

Weight

With regard to the weight of the weed eater, you need to consider the overall weight of the tool as well as weight distribution throughout your body. These will determine the amount of fatigue you will get from using the tool, especially after extended periods. The wright will also determine how easy it is easy to maneuver diluting use.

As such, you need to get one that is relatively easy to handle and has a strapping mechanism that distributes its eight evenly. Again, you also need to factor in the length of the shaft in relation to the tool wright. Basically, 4-stroke weed eaters with longer shafts make the unit lighter and easier to maneuver.

Ready to Use a 4-Stroke Weed Eater?

The right string trimmer makes it easier and more convenient for you to cut crisp lines near fences, edge beds, and trees as well as obliterate weeds.

Just as is the case with the five models reviewed above, your preferred weed trimmer should be powerful and comfortable to use.

In this regard, you will need a lightweight 4 stroke weed trimmer with a displacement of not less than 25 cubic centimeters.

You also need to ensure that the shaft design and length are suited for the intended application. This guide will make your choice of the best 4-stroke weed eater easy.

Did you like our review on “Best 4-Stroke Weed Eaters”? Please write in our comments. We suggest you look our another great review on the best weed removal tools, that helps you to remove the unwanted weeds from your garden.

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