A clean edge is what separates a manicured lawn from one that just looks "cut." String trimmers can fake an edge in a pinch, but a real edger — with a vertical steel blade and curb wheel — cuts cleaner lines, deeper trenches, and crisper transitions than any trimmer can deliver. And it does it without you twisting your wrists to hold a trimmer at 90 degrees for an hour.
This guide covers when a dedicated edger is worth buying (vs. just using your string trimmer), what to look for in a cordless model, and the Greenworks 80V edger that delivers gas-equivalent power for serious residential use.
Edger vs String Trimmer — What's the Difference?
String trimmers and edgers look similar but do different jobs:
| String Trimmer | Dedicated Edger | |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting tool | Spinning nylon string | Vertical steel blade |
| Primary job | Cut grass in places a mower can't | Cut clean vertical lines along hard edges |
| Edge quality | OK — depends on technique | Clean, consistent, professional-looking |
| Depth control | None — string just touches | Adjustable depth (typically 1"–4") |
| Curb wheel guide | No | Yes — keeps cuts perfectly straight |
| User fatigue | High when used for edging (wrist strain) | Low (designed for the task) |
Can a string trimmer edge? Yes — every string trimmer can be tilted 90 degrees to function as an edger. Will it look as good? No. And after 20 minutes of holding a trimmer at an awkward angle, your wrists know exactly why dedicated edgers exist.
When a Dedicated Edger Is Worth Buying
You probably need a dedicated edger if any of these apply:
- You have a long perimeter of hard edges. Driveways, sidewalks, walkways, patios — the more linear footage, the more an edger pays back.
- You want professional-looking lawn lines. Real estate agents and curb-appeal-focused homeowners — a sharp edge transforms how a lawn reads from the street.
- You're tired of using your string trimmer at an angle. If edging with a trimmer feels like a workout, you'll appreciate a dedicated edger immediately.
- You want to cut trenches. Adjustable depth lets you cut 4-inch trenches for installing landscape edging, irrigation lines, or new garden bed borders.
- You already own 80V batteries. Tool-only edger purchases are dramatically cheaper than kits if you're already in the platform.
If you have a small yard with minimal hard edges and you're happy using your string trimmer to maintain them — you probably don't need a dedicated edger. For everyone else with real edges to maintain, it's the upgrade you'll wish you'd made sooner.
What to Look for in a Cordless Edger
Five specs actually matter when picking a battery edger:
1. Voltage and Motor Type
Edgers cut harder material than string trimmers — packed soil, dense grass roots, sometimes small rocks. Underpowered edgers bog or stall. Tier guide:
- 20V to 40V: Light residential edging only. Will struggle in deep trenching.
- 60V: Standard residential — handles most edging without bogging.
- 80V: Gas-equivalent power. Cuts through anything a homeowner will encounter, including deep trenches in packed soil.
And always look for brushless motors. Brushless edgers run cooler under load, deliver more torque, and last 2–3x longer than brushed motors.
2. Blade Size
Most quality residential edgers use 7.5" or 8" steel blades. Larger blades cut deeper trenches; smaller blades are lighter and easier to control. 8" is the standard for most residential use.
3. Depth Adjustment
The best cordless edgers have single-point depth adjustment — one lever or knob to set cutting depth from shallow edging (~1 inch) to deep trenching (~4 inches). Multi-step adjustments are slower and more frustrating.
4. Curb Wheel Guide
This is the single most important feature for clean cuts. The curb wheel rides against the edge of the driveway, sidewalk, or patio, keeping the blade perfectly aligned. Without it, you'll wander away from the edge and produce a wavy cut.
5. Weight and Ergonomics
Edgers are pushed, not held — so weight matters less than balance. Look for adjustable auxiliary handles (so the grip fits your height) and cushioned hand positions for longer sessions. Most quality cordless edgers land between 10 and 14 pounds.
The Best 80V Cordless Edger from Greenworks
For homeowners who want gas-equivalent power and brushless reliability in a dedicated edger, the Greenworks 80V 8" Brushless Edger (Tool Only) hits every spec that matters:
| Spec | Greenworks 80V 8" Brushless Edger |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 80V |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Blade size | 8" steel |
| Blade speed | 7,000 RPM (±10%) |
| Depth adjustment | Single-point |
| Max cutting depth | Up to 4" |
| Curb wheel guide | Yes |
| Auxiliary handle | Adjustable with cushioned grip |
| Battery included | No (tool only) |
| Compatible batteries | All Greenworks 80V batteries |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs |
| Warranty | 4-year tool |
Features worth highlighting for serious edging users:
80V brushless motor. The Greenworks 80V edger delivers gas-equivalent power — packed soil, dense grass roots, hard-packed driveway edges, no problem. Brushless reliability means the motor runs cooler under load and lasts dramatically longer than brushed motors at this voltage level.
7,000 RPM blade speed. High blade speed translates to cleaner cuts in tough material. Slower-spinning blades can grab and tear at grass rather than slicing through it cleanly. 7,000 RPM is in the premium residential range.
Single-point depth adjustment. One adjustment knob sets cutting depth anywhere from shallow edging to a 4-inch trench. Switch between maintenance edging and installing new garden borders in seconds without tools.
Curb wheel guarantees straight lines. The curb wheel rides against the edge of your driveway or sidewalk, keeping the blade perfectly aligned. Cuts come out razor-straight even on long runs.
Tool-only purchase saves money. If you already own a Greenworks 80V mower, trimmer, blower, or other 80V tool, you already have the battery. Buy the edger tool-only and skip paying for batteries you don't need. Saves roughly $200+ vs. buying a kit.
4-year warranty. Premium residential coverage. Most competitors offer 2–3 years.
Edger Technique — Get Clean Lines Every Time
The right edger gives you the tools. Technique gives you the result. Three tips:
- Walk slowly and steadily. An edger isn't a race. The blade cuts cleanest at a slow, consistent pace. Speeding through means jagged or uneven edges.
- Let the curb wheel guide you. Don't fight the wheel — just keep light pressure against the edge and let the wheel track the line. The blade follows.
- Edge before you mow. Edge first, then mow over the loose clippings. The mower picks up the debris, and you don't track edged-up dirt across freshly cut grass.
Bonus tip: re-edge once a month during the growing season, not once a year. A shallow monthly cut takes 15 minutes and keeps lines crisp. An annual deep cut means fighting 12 months of overgrowth in one painful session.
When Your String Trimmer Is Enough
Be honest with yourself. You don't need a dedicated edger if:
- Your yard has less than 50 feet of hard edges. A trimmer handles short runs fine.
- You only edge once or twice a year. Borrowing or renting an edger for those sessions saves money vs. ownership.
- Lawn aesthetics aren't a priority. If you cut for function and don't care about manicured lines, your trimmer is enough.
For everyone else — homeowners with real driveways, sidewalks, patios, or garden beds that need maintenance — the time and quality difference between a trimmer and a dedicated edger is significant.
FAQ
Can I use a string trimmer instead of an edger?
Yes, but the results aren't as good and your wrists won't thank you. Tilt any string trimmer 90 degrees and it functions as an edger. The cut quality is acceptable for short sections but inferior to a dedicated edger over longer runs.
How deep does the Greenworks 80V edger cut?
Up to 4 inches with single-point depth adjustment. That's deep enough to install most landscape edging, irrigation lines, or new garden bed borders.
Can I use the edger for both pavement and grass edges?
Yes. The curb wheel is adjustable to ride against either pavement (driveways, sidewalks, patios) or grass edges (garden beds, fence lines). Both produce clean cuts.
Does the edger need to be pushed, or is it self-propelled?
Push only. Cordless residential edgers aren't self-propelled — the edger is light enough to push easily, and the slow walking pace required for clean cuts doesn't need motor assistance.
How long does the battery last when edging?
Edging draws less current than mowing or heavy trimming. A 2.0Ah 80V battery typically delivers 30–45 minutes of edging — enough for most residential edge maintenance sessions. Larger 4.0Ah or 8.0Ah batteries roughly double or quadruple that.
Should I buy a tool-only edger or a kit?
If you already own a Greenworks 80V battery from another tool, buy tool-only and save $200+. If this is your first 80V purchase, you'll need a battery and charger, so consider a kit version or buy a separate battery.
How often should I edge my lawn?
Once a month during the growing season is the sweet spot. More frequent than that is overkill; less frequent and you're fighting overgrowth each time. Edge before mowing for cleanest results.
Get the Edge
If your lawn deserves manicured lines — clean driveway edges, crisp sidewalk borders, sharp transitions around flower beds — the Greenworks 80V 8" Brushless Edger is the right tool. 80V brushless motor, 7,000 RPM blade speed, single-point depth adjustment, curb wheel for straight cuts, and full compatibility with the Greenworks 80V battery ecosystem. Tool-only pricing means you save by skipping a battery you don't need.
Keep reading:
- One Battery System Saves You Money — The Greenworks Ecosystem — Why staying inside one battery platform saves Canadian homeowners hundreds.
- How to Mow Your Lawn Like a Pro — 10 Essential Tips — Edge first, then mow — and 9 other pro habits.
- Greenworks vs Ryobi — A Canadian Buyer's Comparison — Power, price, and ecosystem compared head-to-head.
- Greenworks Lawn Mower Review — Every Model for 2026 — Pair your edger with the right mower.