However, if there’s one thing that lets the Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS petrol brushcutter down, it’s the fact that the handle isn’t padded and is therefore not the most comfortable thing I’ve ever used (so wear a good pair of padded gloves). Yes, the controls are within easy reach, but I think Einhell could have gone a little further when considering the handle design. It might seem like a non-issue but when you’re using the tool for a long time, you’ll be thankful for a comfortable handle. Accessories If you’re looking for a petrol grass strimmer that does a lot more for your money then look no further. This multi-function garden tool by Aosome is a winner where it comes to functionality. It’s not just a strimmer, this multi-tool also functions as a brushcutter, a chainsaw pruner, a hedge trimmer and it comes with a long reach extension pole. Heavier machines are easier to control if they have a shoulder strap – I thoroughly recommend using one to get the most out of your strimmer. Some of the heaviest models also have bicycle-style handlebars to help with distributing the weight. In these instances, having a narrower cutting width can be useful. This is another reason why it’s useful to have a choice of cutting heads. The drive cable has to travel down the shaft to power the cutting head. A curved shaft means this cable needs to be longer and this makes it more prone to damage. Curved shaft strimmers are not as powerful as straight ones but are lighter and easier for shorter people to use. On the flip side, if you’re tall, a curved strimmer is very awkward to use. For general use, with an average sized person, a straight shaft is better.

The majority of 20 cc + petrol engines will be capable of clearing dense vegetation etc. But you may have to put it more work driving the machine forwards through the brush if it has less power.

This is just as well, as it’s a relatively powerful 43 cc 2-stroke petrol strimmer with both a bump-line feed head and a brush-cutter blade. For the most part, the line head is able to work through a lot of tough undergrowth, like long grass and brambles, so you may find there’s not even much need to change to the brush cutting blade. Some people understandably get put off petrol machines because they require more to be done prior to starting than electric tools. Prepare the fuel and oil. If your petrol grass trimmer has a two-stroke engine, you will need to mix the unleaded petrol and oil together before putting it into the fuel tank. With a four-stroke engine the oil and petrol are not mixed and go into separate tanks. The manufacturer’s instructions will show what type of oil should be used, and what ratio it should be mixed at.

Many of the best petrol strimmers offer 2-in-1 functionality . They come with two head attachments: a cutting-line head and a brush-cutter head. This improves the tool’s versatility, allowing you to cut an array of vegetation. At 10.7 kg, this is one of the heavier petrol strimmers featured here, but there are a couple of things that help make it more comfortable. Primarily, there is a decent harness included that is more than just a single shoulder strap; it’s adjustable, with padded coverings and should distribute the weight well. About once a month or so you should remove and clean the air filter with water and leave it to dry thoroughly before replacing. Alongside this, it’s important to inspect the spark plug and replace it if it has sustained any damage. It has a secondary loop handle for control of the cutting head which is soft grip for extra comfort. The hedge trimmer rotates by 180 degrees to help you achieve defined lawn edges that look professional. Particularly if you have areas of your garden that get easily overgrown and can’t be reached by the mower, this is an easy tool to take out and neaten up those smaller spaces – the 40 cm cutting width can get into tighter spots without being so small that the job will take ages. Given its slimline design, it’s also easier to work in these narrow areas than a strimmer with wider handlebars would be.The multi-positional engine means you can operate this strimmer at any angle which adds a lot of versatility. Despite it being a heavy duty, powerful option it only weighs 4.6kg so is easy to use. The split shaft design means this can be spilt into two pieces so it’s compact to store and transport. The handy carry bag also makes this a simple option.

A petrol strimmer gives you complete freedom to roam so you can cut a very wide area without a cable getting in the way. They last a LOT longer than battery strimmers and are much more powerful. Electric strimmers are really only good for grass trimming whereas petrol strimmers can handle weeds and tough plants like brambles.

Mark Haley

Einhell is known for its powerful and reliable tools and the Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS petrol brushcutter is no exception to this. It’s got a lot of handy features that make it user friendly and allows you to get out into the garden and get the job done without hassle. Having tested several cordless strimmers, the Einhell performed well against competing products at this price range. The power cord. Mains-power strimmers keep you tethered whilst working in the garden. You will likely have to use an extension cable, and need to be aware of where the cable is at all times so as not to cut through it accidentally. Battery strimmers are both cordless and lightweight, unlike petrol strimmers which are cordless but heavy. If the strimmer comes with two head attachments, one of them will likely be narrower than the other, making it more versatile.