The Best Lightweight Weed Eater for Seniors

There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing the best lightweight weed eater for seniors. The most important thing is to find something that is easy to use and comfortable to hold.

Weed eaters are a great way to keep your yard looking nice and tidy, without having to spend hours on your hands and knees. However, not all weed eaters are created equal, some are much heavier and more difficult to use than others. If you’re a senior, it’s important to choose a weed eater that is lightweight and easy to operate. In this article, we will discuss the best lightweight weed eaters for seniors.

These weed eaters are easy to use and are perfect for those who are not as strong as they used to be. Let’s face it, you don’t want to wear yourself out just to have a great-looking yard.

What is a Weed Eater?

A weed eater is a type of power tool used to trim grass and other plants. Weed eaters are also called weed whackers or string trimmers.

Homeowners and professional lawn care companies use them in yards, gardens, and parks.

A weed eater dramatically cuts down the time to trim around objects in the lawn and around the house and other buildings.

A weed eater has a shaft that is attached to a motor. The motor produces rotational motion, which is transferred from the shaft to the “blades” on the weed eater’s head. While metal blades are an add-on option for some weed eaters, the most common “blades” are really nylon strings that cut vegetation and clearing an area.

The string extends from the head 8 to 12 inches. It rotates around the head so fast that it cut through grass, weeds and sometimes small trees. But, the string on a weed eater causes minimal damage to other items they come in contact with like fence posts, statues, decks, large trees, etc.

Electric vs. Gas Weed Eater – What’s the Difference?

Gas weed trimmers are more powerful and have a higher torque than electric weed trimmers. They are also great for large yards because they can cover a lot of ground with one tank.

The disadvantages of a gas powered weed eater include:

• Usually require a gas/oil mixture. This means you will need to have a gas container just for weed eater fuel.
• Weigh more. Gas powered weed eater is much heavier than an electric string trimmer. They can become a burden to lug around the yard.
• Louder. The noise from the gas engine is loud and annoying after using for a while.
• Sometimes they are hard to start. These gas weed whackers will get hard to start after a couple of seasons.

Electric weed eaters are more lightweight and quieter than gas weed whackers. While an extension cord powered the first electric weed eaters, battery powered weed eaters are hands-down the more practical choice.

The downside is that their batteries will only last a short time. Although, my experience has been that I can get through my entire yard in one charge. You can always get a spare battery if you feel you need one. Or you might do the front yard on one charge and the backyard on another, taking a break in between.

Best Weed Eater for Seniors – Other Key Factors to Consider

Weed Eater Safety Gear

Regardless of whether you choose a gas powered or battery powered weed eater, you need to use it safely. Some simple safety gear can prevent unnecessary injury and eliminate a trip to the emergency room.

Goggles or Safety Glasses: Protects eyes from flying debris, dust, and hot particles. Find goggles made of a durable material like polycarbonate or plastics. Use Safety glasses with side shields so that they do not let any debris in through the side which could cause injury to the eyes.

Long Pants: Protects legs from injury because of flying debris. Any type of long pants will work. Jeans seem to work best for this job. But, as long as you have something covering your legs, you should be fine.

Solid Shoes: This really means no flip-flops, sandals or other shoes that expose your feet. A weed eater can throw sharp objects at your toes, possibly causing painful cuts. It is possible to get your feet too close to the spinning strings, which can also cause serious injury. It should go without saying, but don’t use a weed eater in your bare feet.

Hearing Protection: Hearing protection is especially important if you choose a gas powered weed eater.

Desired Features of Lightweight Weed Eaters for Seniors

The handle: Getting a weed eater with an adjustable handle can make all the difference when operating it for any amount of time. Being able to extend or shorten the handle can improve your comfort while you are working.

An adjustable head: This is both for comfort and function. Being able to adjust the angle of the head improves your ability to trim with comfort while on inclines.

Multifunction: Being able to convert your weed eater into an edger is icing on the cake. By having two tools in one, you’ll save space in your garage.

Easy to Refill the String: Some weed eater brands sell pre-loaded spools of string. All you have to do is pop out the old spool and pop in the new one and you are on your way. (A word to the wise, buy the ones from the manufacturer, not some cheap knock off.) Others you will have to put the string on the spool yourself. Often it is not too hard to do, but replacing the spool is a lot easier.

What to Look for When Buying an Electric Weed Eater

• Make sure it comes with a battery and a charger. Here’s why: many companies are making a variety of different battery powered outdoor tools, and they found people didn’t always have a need for a battery. For example, maybe they had a leaf blower from the same company and already had a battery and charger. So now, many manufacturers offer tools without batteries or chargers. Be sure to check.
• Make sure the batteries will last a fair amount of time. Variable speed triggers can conserve energy and lengthen the battery life. Unlike gas weed eaters, electric weed eaters don’t need to be running while you are walking from point to point.
• Can you get a package deal? Some manufacturers offer combo deals with weed eater and leaf blower or something similar. If you are in the market for other tools, look for these types of deals.

Lightweight Electric String Trimmers – Our Top 2 Picks

WORX WG170.2 20V Power Share GT Revolution 12” Cordless String Trimmer

The Worx WG170.2 20V Power Share GT Revolution 12″ Cordless String Trimmer/Edger is a great tool to have in your garden. It is easy to use and provides plenty of power to get the job done. The trimmer is also lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it an excellent choice for smaller lawns and gardens.

I own an older Worx weed eater. It works great for routine lawn maintenance. Like the Worx WG170, mine works as an edger and a trimmer. The telescoping handle adjusts to me at 6’2” and my wife at 5’2”. The battery lasts for the entire yard on a single charge, including edging.

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* String Trimmer / Edger, 12-Inch (LSTE523)

The BLACK+DECKER LSTE523 12-inch 20V MAX* String Trimmer/Edger has a powerful motor to cut through tough overgrowth. A 2-in-1 design allows you to convert from a trimmer to an edger in no time. The Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) ensures continuous work without having to stop to reload.

NOTE: These weed eater listings may be replaced with improved models by the manufacturer.

Regarding Gas Powered Weed Eaters

I can’t, in good conscience, recommend a gas powered weed eater as an option for seniors seeking a lightweight weed eater. They can be hard to start. The noise factor is an issue. The need to store a special fuel mixture is a pain. Plus, they are not very lightweight.

Conclusion – The Complete Guide to Lightweight Weed Eaters for Seniors

Weed eaters are an important part of any gardener’s arsenal. They make quick work of removing unwanted growth, and make it easy to keep your lawn and garden looking neat and tidy.

If you’re a senior, choosing the right weed eater can be a daunting task. With so many models on the market, how can you be sure you’re getting the best one for your needs?

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve reviewed some of the best weed eaters for seniors, and highlighted the features that make them stand out.

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to choose the weed eater that’s right for you. With the right tool, keeping your lawn and garden looking great is easy and a lot of fun.