The best weed eater string makes clean, crisp cuts without breaking. But weaker strings constantly crack and make ragged slices. So, we tested trimmer lines from America’s top lawn care retailers — Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart.
We compared each string’s cutting power, precision, and durability to find the best trimmer line. Our list includes the top products for light, medium, and heavy-duty tasks. We highlight each string’s strengths and provide a handy weed eater string buying guide.
Our top picks
1. Echo Black Diamond – Best overall
Echo’s Black Diamond trimmer line is the perfect product for lawn care perfectionists and our overall favorite weed eater string. Made of high-grade nylon, the diamond-shaped string is lightning-fast and razor-sharp. Additionally, its twist design improves the string’s resilience and dampens its noise.
Both homeowners and pros covet its crisp cuts. Of all the strings we tested, it cut the cleanest, making it easy for us to maintain a tidy yard with pristine edges. We recommend the 0.095 string to most homeowners, but if you need more heft, it also comes in a 0.105-inch gauge.
Specifications
- Compatibility: Universal
- Diameter: 0.095
- Material: High-grade nylon
- Shape: Diamond, twisted
- Uses: Medium to heavy-duty
- Warranty: 90-day consumer / 30-day commercial
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Highly durable ✓ Universal fit ✓ Cleanest cuts ✓ Reduced noise | ✗ Expensive ✗ Sometimes frays in high humidity |
Where to buy:
2. Husqvarna’s Titanium Force – First runner up
Husqvarna’s Titanium Force trimmer line is as strong as an ox but quiet as a mouse. It’s made with commercial-grade copolymer nylon and industry-leading innovation. Enhanced with dimples, the round string smoothly cuts through dense weeds without breaking. It also has the added perk of reducing noise by up to 50%.
It’s the perfect pair for both gas and electric string trimmers. We’re featuring the 0.095-inch string, but if you have an electric trimmer that can’t handle that heft, consider the 0.08-inch string.
Specifications
- Compatibility: Universal
- Diameter: 0.095 in.
- Material: Copolymer nylon
- Shape: Round
- Usage: Medium to heavy-duty
- Warranty: 90 days
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Durable ✓ Universal fit ✓ Reduced noise ✓ Smooth cuts | ✗ Expensive ✗ Prone to wire fence damage ✗ Sometimes welds to the trimmer head |
Where to buy:
3. Echo Cross-Fire – Second runner up
Echo’s Cross-Fire trimmer line is their most popular pro-grade string. The plus-shaped line has eight sharp edges that quickly cut through thick weeds and tall grass. Made from high-grade nylon, the string can withstand impact from rocks and metal. It fits most gas-powered weed eaters and is an excellent option for both homeowners and pros.
Specifications
- Compatibility: Universal
- Diameter: 0.095 in.
- Material: High-grade nylon
- Shape: Plus-shaped
- Usage: Medium to heavy-duty
- Warranty: 90-day consumer / 30-day commercial
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Durable ✓ Crisp cuts ✓ Universal fit | ✗ Line sometimes snaps |
Where to buy:
4. Makita Twisted Trimmer Line – Best for electric weed eaters
Our favorite string for electric weed eaters is Makita’s Twisted Trimmer Line. Made from copolymer nylon, the pliable star-shaped string is sturdy and quiet. It cleanly cuts through yard weeds, groundcover, and tall grass. Additionally, it’s efficient, increasing the runtime of cordless electric trimmers.
Specifications
- Compatibility: Universal
- Diameter: 0.080 in.
- Material: Copolymer nylon
- Shape: Star, twisted
- Usage: Medium-duty
- Warranty: none
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Durable ✓ Crisp cuts ✓ Universal fit ✓ Reduced noise ✓ Works efficiently in electric trimmers | ✗ Line sometimes snaps ✗ Not good for very dense weeds |
Where to buy:
5. Rino-Tuff Pro Twist – Best light duty
If you have a light-duty electric string trimmer, we recommend Rino-Tuff’s Pro Twist string. It’s durable, efficient, and biodegradable, increasing runtime and reducing landfill waste. The 0.065-inch line is ideal for light trimming and delicate edging.
Its twisted shape reduces vibration and noise and improves impact resistance. The nylon string contains impact modifiers that further enhance its strength and flexibility.
Specifications
- Compatibility: Universal
- Diameter: 0.065 in.
- Material: Enhanced nylon
- Shape: Twisted
- Usage: Light-duty
- Warranty: none
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Durable ✓ Universal fit ✓ Reduced noise ✓ Smooth cuts ✓ Works efficiently in electric trimmers | ✗ Not good for thick weeds ✗ Sometimes it unravels ✗ String quality deteriorates if left sitting for extended periods |
Where to buy:
6. STIHL X-line – Overall best for pros
STIHL X-line is the overall best weed eater string for pros. Its unique X-shape grasps grass and weeds, crisply cutting through dense overgrowth. Aside from its cutting power, pros praise its durability. The 0.095-inch string is highly resistant to heat and welding. STIHL manufactures its own string, and the X-line fits most STIHL string trimmers.
Specifications
- Compatibility: Most STIHL string trimmers
- Diameter: 0.095 in.
- Material: Nylon
- Shape: X-shaped
- Usage: Heavy-duty
- Warranty: none
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easily cuts through very dense weeds ✓ Highly durable ✓ Crisp cuts | ✗ Brand-specific fit |
Where to buy:
7. Oregon Magnum Gatorline – Best heavy-duty commercial line
Oregon Magnum Gatorline is the best string for pros who care for heavy-duty commercial properties. The 0.115-inch string has a weld-resistant top coat that keeps your trimmer head clean and a burly core that perseveres in the harshest conditions. Its square shape is sturdy and sharp, evenly cutting through fierce vegetation in a single pass.
Specifications
- Compatibility: Most trimmer heads that fit 0.155 in. string
- Diameter: 0.155 in.
- Material: Nylon
- Shape: Square
- Usage: Heavy-duty commercial
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Crisp cuts ✓ Highly durable ✓ Cuts through thick vegetation with ease | ✗ Overkill for homeowners ✗ String’s too thick for most weed eaters |
Where to buy:
Buyer’s guide
Savvy shoppers consider these weed eater string specs:
Shape
Most trimmer line has one of the following shapes:
- Round trimmer line is the most common, providing shoppers with the most string options. It typically has the longest lifespan but wears quickly along wire fences. It cuts smoothly, but less cleanly than a sided-shape string.
- Twisted trimmer line vibrates the least, making it the quietest and most comfortable. It’s the ideal match for the best electric string trimmers. Twisted string is also less prone to wire fence damage than round string.
- Serrated trimmer line is noisy but stronger than a round or twisted string. It’s suitable for brush cutting and commercial trimming.
- Multi-sided trimmer line (e.g., square, triangle, star) makes the crispiest cuts, so pros and perfectionists prefer it. Due to its hefty cutting power it’s one of the best trimmer line shapes for heavy-duty weeds. It’s also a popular pair with the best gas string trimmers.
Diameter
A thicker trimmer line cuts through tougher weeds. Most residential weed eater string has a 0.065 to 0.105 inch diameter.
| Typical string width (in.) | |
| Corded electric trimmers | 0.065 – 0.080 |
| Battery-powered trimmers | 0.065 – 0.095 |
| Gas-powered trimmers | 0.095 |
| Commercial trimmers | 0.095 – 0.155 |
Material
Most string trimmer lines are nylon, but some spools are blended with stronger substances to increase cutting power and durability.
Hardened monofilament nylon cutting line is the most common but not the strongest. Nylon 66 copolymer is reinforced by glass fibers, making it extremely strong. Nylon reinforced by composite, aluminum, or steel is also more durable than standard nylon string and provides better cutting power.
Compatibility
Couples only work when compatible, so mate your trimmer with a suitable string:
- Diameter: The owner’s manual states the line diameter(s) that fit the trimmer. You can also do a quick Google search for the string trimmer’s product page.
- Make and model: Universal trimmer line fits most weed wacker brands, but some string spools only fit specific trimmers. Many electric weed eaters with auto-feed use a specific string spool that only fits particular models made by that brand. Check the owner’s manual or product page to ensure you select a good-fitting string.
Cost
The average spool of weed eater string is $25 for about 250 feet of string.
| Average cost per spool | $25 |
| Typical price range per spool | $3 – $100 |
| Cost per 100 sq. ft. | $10 |
| Typical price range per 100 sq. ft. | $3 – $80 |
FAQ about weed eater string
How do you put string in a weed eater?
To weed eat like a pro, properly put the string in your weed eater by following these steps:
- Choose the correct string
- Measure the string
- Turn off and clean your string trimmer
- Remove the cap
- Remove the spool and any old string
- Attach the new string
- Wind up the string
- Feed the string through the exterior holes
- Put the trimmer back together
- Pull out the desired length of string (bump-feed or auto-feed)
What does soaking weed eater string do?
Soaking your cutting line in water makes it more flexible and less brittle. Thus, it becomes less prone to breakage. Some people soak the string for as little as 30 to 60 minutes, and others leave it in water overnight or for several days.
How do you choose the best string trimmer?
To buy the best string trimmer, please consider the following:
- Power source: Gas string trimmers are the most potent, but electric trimmers are lower maintenance, less noisy, and emissions-free. Corded trimmers have unlimited runtime, but the best cordless weed eaters don’t keep you on a leash.
- Shaft style: Straight-shaft string trimmers are the most popular because they have more cutting power, a longer reach, and greater durability. However, curved-shaft trimmers are easier to maneuver, and telescopic shafts adjust to suit your comfort and reach.
- Cutting swath: Broader trimmers cut more weeds and grass with each pass, but smaller models are lighter and easier to maneuver.
- Cutting line: Note each model’s recommended trimmer line and ensure it matches your needs.
- Line feed system: Bump feeds are slower than auto-feed, but use less string.
When to call a lawn care pro
Let’s face it: DIY lawn care is for the birds. If you’d rather spend time with family, friends, or air conditioning, hiring a pro is your best bet. Additionally, many homeowners spend more money on lawn care tools and supplies than the cost of professional maintenance.
Finding a good lawn guy used to be tough, but Lawn Love makes it simple. We connect you to vetted and insured lawn care pros with affordable rates. You can manage the service through our user-friendly app, and your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.
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