Manual lawn edgers are handy tools you can use to make tidy boundaries between your lawn and other surfaces such as pavements and driveways or create neat edges around your plant garden.
Owning a lawn edger will make the difference between having an okay lawn/garden versus having a breathtaking one.
A manual edger contains a sharp blade that will cut precise spaces between the edge of a lawn, typically made of grass and the area you need to separate from the turf.
We’ve compiled the top 7 manual lawn edger reviews and comprehensive buying guide to help you pick the edger that suits your preferences and budget.
In this post:
- 7 Best Manual Lawn Edgers – Review
- 1. Yard Butler EDGE-180 – High-Performance Manual Lawn Edger
- 2. Bully Tools 92251 – Best Budget Manual Lawn Edger
- 3. Ames 2917200 – Lightest Manual Lawn Edger
- 4. Radius Garden 206 – Ergonomic Manual Lawn Edger
- 5. Garden Weasel 91714 – Multipurpose Edger and Ice Breaker
- 6. Fiskars 98936935 – Simple Manual Lawn Edger
- 7. Truper 32100 – Rotary Lawn Edger
- How to Buy the Best Manual Lawn Edger
- Conclusion
7 Best Manual Lawn Edgers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Yard Butler EDGE-180 (High-Performance) |
| |
 | 2. Bully Tools 92251 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 3. Ames 2917200 (Lightest) |
| |
 | 4. Radius Garden 206 (Ergonomic) |
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 | 5. Garden Weasel 91714 (Multipurpose Edger) |
| |
 | 6. Fiskars 98936935 (Simple Design) |
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 | 7. Truper 32100 (Rotary Wheel Design) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Yard Butler EDGE-180 (High-Performance)
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2. Bully Tools 92251 (Best Budget)
|
3. Ames 2917200 (Lightest)
|
4. Radius Garden 206 (Ergonomic)
|
5. Garden Weasel 91714 (Multipurpose Edger)
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6. Fiskars 98936935 (Simple Design)
|
7. Truper 32100 (Rotary Wheel Design)
|
1. Yard Butler EDGE-180 – High-Performance Manual Lawn Edger
Photo: Yard Butler
- Length: 37 inches
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
Yard Butler EDGE-180 is a complete workhorse when it comes to edging your lawn. It is capable of grooming around shrubs, flower beds, and even trees, alongside its core functions of creating deep and neat edges on lawns, gardens, patios, and driveways.
The edger has a standard length of 37 inches, which is neither too long nor too short, hence suitable for most users.
It has a cutting blade designed to make edging easy because the tool’s weight is centered over the blade. The foot bar complements this process by providing extra leverage.
Comfort is a key consideration that manufactures of this model had in mind because the edger has cushioned grips, which provide the ideal comfort for your hands. This model is also one of the most affordable on our list.
We did note that although the Yard Butler EDGE-180 excels in being a high-performance manual lawn edger, it is considerably heavier than most rival models, so it may not be suitable for extended usage.
Pros:
- Multipurpose and high-performance tool
- Standard length suitable for most users
- Cushioned grips for maximum comfort
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Heavy especially for extended usage
2. Bully Tools 92251 – Best Budget Manual Lawn Edger
Photo: Bully Tools
- Length: 38.375 inches
- Weight: 3.6 pounds
If you’re on a budget and desire a high-quality manual edger, then Bully Tools 92251 is the tool for you. If it is the lowest-priced and hence the most affordable on our list.
But this low price does not mean bad quality; in fact, this edger boasts of being one of the longest, at 38.375 inches. If you’re tall and want to avoid bending awkwardly, this length is perfect for you.
The edger is commercial grade and boasts of having an all-steel construction. It has a 12-gauge steel blade, which is extra thick for efficient cutting, and durability.
To maximize the surface area available for your hands to grip, the edger has a T-style handle to accommodate both hands comfortably.
Although Bully Tools 92251 is the most affordable manual lawn edger on our list, it is considerably heavier than many other rival models. You may notice its weight, especially with extended usage.
Pros:
- Lowest-priced manual edger
- Long shaft for comfortable handling
- Commercial-grade steel construction
- Comfortable handle
Cons:
- Can prove heavy especially with extended usage
3. Ames 2917200 – Lightest Manual Lawn Edger
Photo: Ames
- Length: 39.2 inches
- Weight: 13.6 ounces
Ames 2917200 packs all the features and strengths you desire in an edger, but you’ll especially love it because it is the largest at 13.6 ounces. It is also one of the most affordable manual edgers on our list.
This tool is also the highest-rated on our list. The ability to have a long edger packed in such little weight is an impressive engineering feat, which makes this tool ideal for extended lawn edging.
You don’t have to worry about getting tired as you would when using other edgers such as the Yard Butler EDGE-180, which is 4.5 pounds.
It has a long shaft, which will favor tall people and those who want to avoid the discomfort of bending of kneeling uncomfortably.
The edger also boasts of an arched blade design for efficient cutting. The step blade is also sharp and serrated to remove sod and shape beds effortlessly.
You get all these features at a reasonable price.
Although Ames 2917200 is the best manual lawn edger on our list, you may need to exert more downward force with your foot because of its long length.
Pros:
- Very lightweight for ease of handling
- Extra-long shaft
- Arched blade design for cutting efficiency
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- May require extra downward force because of long length
4. Radius Garden 206 – Ergonomic Manual Lawn Edger
Photo: Radius Garden
- Length: 38.4 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
Ergonomics, comfort, and ease of handling are the major selling points of Radius Garden 206. That is why the Radius Garden 206 comes with a patented O-shaped handle.
This handle is unlike any other because it offers up to 4 times more hand surface compared to standard manual edgers. It offers you plenty of room for both hands while, provides more leverage, while minimizing hand stress.
That’s not all on the handle. It also has a non-latex thermoplastic grip. It is specifically designed to offer maximum comfort and enhance the tool’s ease of use.
We call all agree that since the essence of a tool is to make work easier, it should not be a burden to the user. Thus, you don’t have to worry about fatigue from handling this edger.
Being lightweight is not the only value you derive from this tool. Its blade is made of steel, while the shaft is resin-encased carbon steel. The blade has an elevated forward safety for enhanced performance, and to keep you safe from injury.
To complement these superior features packaged in a lightweight tool, the edger comes with a lifetime manufacturer guarantee for continental US buyers only.
Although Radius Garden 206 is a lightweight edger packing superior features to maximize your comfort and safety, it can prove not as sharp as you’d want it to be, upon purchase. However, this tiny hiccup can be solved by simply sharpening it to your liking.
Pros:
- Lightweight for minimal stress and fatigue
- Premium steel blade and shaft
- O-shaped handle for optimal grip
- Thermoplastic grip for
Cons:
- May not be as sharp upon purchase
5. Garden Weasel 91714 – Multipurpose Edger and Ice Breaker
Photo: Garden Weasel
- Length: 38 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
Buying a Garden Weasel 91714 enables you to own a multipurpose tool, which can make neat edges on your law, also help break ice from your garden or sideways during winter.
Its multipurpose capabilities are made possible by the tool being weather resistant. The blade is made of carbon steel, while the rest of the edger boasts of a welded steel construction. Combined, these superior build qualities increase the edger’s longevity.
You’ll be surprised by how easy, fast and pain-free the task of creating neat edges on your garden and lawn can be when you use this edge chopper. It also excels in sculpting patio, driveway, and curb edges.
The blade’s design provides adequate space to place your foot for providing the optimal pressure required to trim your edges. It’s also designed to edge without ruining your lawn’s grassroots.
At 38 inches in length, the edge accommodates even taller people by ensuring they do not bend too much while using it. It can minimize fatigue and strain while maximizing efficiency and comfort.
Although Garden Weasel 91714 is a multipurpose edge chopper you can use for lawn edging and ice-breaking as well, it is not ideal for large lawns because it can prove very tiresome especially with extended usage.
Pros:
- Multipurpose tool
- Weather resistance
- Adequate length even for tall people
- Adequate room for foot placement
Cons:
- Not suitable for large lawns
6. Fiskars 98936935 – Simple Manual Lawn Edger
Photo: Fiskars
- Length: 38.5 inches
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
Fiskars 98936935 is a simple yet innovative manual edge trimmer designed to simplify your lawn edging tasks.
It assumes a shovel shape with the sharp edge of the blade is pointed while the upper part is flat to provide room for foot placement during edging.
The edger boasts of premium steel construction, which spans the entire length of the tool up to its handle. Its is not only durable but is able to execute clean slices through even tough turf. The tool’s durability enables it to withstand different temperature and pressure conditions.
Most of the edger’s decent 38.5-inch length is take up by the long shaft, which simplifies the process of edging, especially if you experience trouble kneeling or bending. It will minimize body strain and injury risk.
This edger comes with a dual-handle design, which aims at providing maximum comfort, enhanced grip, and control. These capabilities are further enhanced by a large foot platform, which absorbs most of the pressure your foot exerts thus minimizing the overall cutting force.
The most notable downside we identified with the Fiskars 98936935 is that it does not work fast, hence you shouldn’t count on doing a quick lawn edging job with it if you desire perfect results.
Pros:
- Simple and innovative edge
- Premium strain less steel for clean cuts and durability
- Long shaft for convenience during operation
- Maximizes comfort, handling, and control
Cons:
- The edger does not work fast
7. Truper 32100 – Rotary Lawn Edger
Photo: Truper
- Length: 48 inches
- Weight: 3.8 pounds
Truper 32100 is a unique type of manual lawn edger because it’s based on a rotary design, which has an edging blade in the form of a wheel.
This manual edger is built for high performance and precision. To achieve that, it comes with dual wheels for maximum traction, and clear-coated gray-steel finished heads for precision cutting.
If aesthetics matter to you, then you’ll appreciate the North American ash, lacquered handle, which comes with this edger. The premium materials used for the handle make it very strong and durable.
The edger may be advanced, but it will not give you problems when cleaning. Simply spray water on it using a garden hose, and process to coat with silicone spray, after use.
Because the Truper 32100 is an extra-long manual edger, it uses up a lot of material, which translates to more weight. Thus, you may find this tool a bit heavier than you’d prefer, but this may not be noticeable if you’re using it for brief edging times.
Pros:
- Unique rotary design
- Dual wheels for high performance and precision
- Premium and appealing handle
- Easy to cleaning using water
Cons:
- May prove slightly heavy especially with extended usage
How to Buy the Best Manual Lawn Edger
Photo: Burgon & Ball
1. Edging time
Edging time should be top on your list of considerations when purchasing your manual lawn edger.
This is the amount of time it takes to edge your lawn, garden, or specific sections of the same. Edging time is determined by a combination of factors including the size of your yard, lawn, or garden, the model of your edger, and the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to the task.
For a large yard, you should aim for one of the advanced edgers. Preferably, get one whose blade is wide so that it covers the maximum surface area of your lawn’s edges for quick edging.
A lightweight edger will also minimize the strain involved in repeated lifting and moving of the tool for longer edging time.
2. Comfort
Comfort is of utmost importance, especially because the edger never leaves your hand throughout the entire edging operation.
Handles and handle design play a critical role in determining and enhancing comfort. Some edger models have O-shaped handles to provide your hands with the maximum possible surface for gripping.
Other models will have thermoplastic or rubber handles, which are comfortable to grip and will not strain or bruise your palms even with repeated movement.
It’s important to consider the edger’s height for your comfort. If you are tall, a long edger/shaft will ensure you do not have to be uncomfortably. It also eliminated the need to bend or kneel, especially for people who experience trouble with the two.
If you’re short, an equally short edger will provide just the ideal length for your comfort.
3. Types of Blade
You should not overlook the type of blade because this is the part of the edger that meets the lawn.
There are two main types of blades. The first is the requirements of both your hand and foot to apply the curring force; the second time is the rotary blade, which derives its force from your hands, and rotates to cut edges on your lawn.
The first type, which relies on both your hands and arms, is the most common. It will cater for all your manual edging tasks. It is also easier to maintain.
Rotary edgers are not as popular, but they still get the job done efficiently.
4. Material Construction
Material affects the quality and performance of your manual edger.
Premium stainless steel is the preferred material for both the cutting blade and edger shaft because it is strong, durable, and rust-free. Steel ensures you derive maximum value from your edger and not have to replace it from wear and tear.
Some edger shafts are made of carbon steel, a material which is lightweight and sturdy. It is important that your edger achieves a balance between material construction and weight so be sure to grab one and get a feel of its weight as you check out the material.
5. Price
Lawn edgers are priced differently depending on a lot of factors and especially because there are many brands to choose from.
Get an edger that best suits your budget. Luckily, many brands make a decent attempt at offering quality edgers at affordable prices, so you shouldn’t have a problem securing one.
Sometimes it may be necessary to go over budget if there is a specific need of feature you require from your edger. However, even in such cases, you may not have to spend too much.
Conclusion
Having covered all bases with manual lawn edgers, you’re all set to proceed with your purchase.
Remember the important considerations you need to make, including edging time, your comfort when handling the tool, the type of blade necessary for your edging needs, and the tool’s material construction.
Edgers will come in different lengths as well. Therefore, ensure you confirm what length is ideal for your comfort.
Our top 7 manual lawn edger reviews and buying guide have got you covered with all the information you require to get the ideal tool.