String trimmers: a string trimmer picks up where a lawn mower leaves off, providing the finishing touches as it whisks away grass around trees and flower beds, straightens uneven edges along driveways, and trims patches of lawn your mower or tractor can't reach.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)

What's more, getting a capable trimmer needn't mean spending $100 or more for a gasoline-powered model.

Several of the latest plug-in trimmers provide fine trimming and edging for less. But gas trimmers are still tops overall for tall grass and weeds. Faster starts for gas models, fewer tangles, and easier handling are among the other features you'll find as manufacturers improve these tools.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Black & Decker, Craftsman (Sears), Toro, and Weed Eater are the major brands for electrics, while Craftsman, Homelite, Ryobi, Troy-Bilt, and Weed Eater are the big names in gas-powered models. Leading high-end brands include Bolens, Echo, Husqvarna, John Deere, and Stihl.

Corded electric trimmers. These cost the least and weigh about 5 pounds. Some perform comparably to gas models for most trimming. And all are quieter, create no exhaust emissions, require no tuneups, and start with pushbutton ease. But you're limited by their power cord. Models with the motor at the bottom of the shaft tend to be harder to handle than those with the motor at the top, near the handle. You'll also need hearing protection. And you'll probably prefer a gas trimmer for tougher stuff. Price: $20 to $100.

Cordless electric trimmers. Battery-powered trimmers combine the freedom of gas trimmers with the easy starting, clean running, and minimal maintenance of corded electric models. They're also the quietest overall. But they deliver relatively little cutting power and run only about 15 to 20 minutes before the onboard battery needs recharging, which can take up to a day. They also tend to be pricey and heavy for their performance (about 10 pounds). Price: $30 to $100 or more.

Gas-powered trimmers. These are the best choice for trimming far from an outlet. Many weigh less than before, though these 9- to 14-pound machines still outweigh corded models. Most have a two-stroke engine that starts more easily and runs more cleanly, though they still create exhaust emissions, require pull-starting and tuneups, and use a mix of gas and oil. Four-stroke models tend to run cleaner but add weight. And all require hearing protection. Price: $70 to $200.