String trimmers: some of the latest electric trimmers perform better than ever. But gas models are still tops overall for tall grass and weeds.(Home & Yard: More Value for Less)(Buyers guide)

A string trimmer can pick up where lawn mower leaves off. It provides the finishing touches, slicing through tufts of grass around trees and flowerbeds, straightening uneven edges along a driveway, and trimming stretches of lawn your mower or tractor can't reach. While capable trimming and edging has required spending $100 or more for a gasoline-powered model, several plug-in trimmers provide both for less.

Edging is an especially demanding job that involves slicing vertically into the ground. Dual cutting lines like the ones on most gas-powered trimmers helped the best electrics edge and trim shorter grass about as well as the best gas models. But even the best plug-in trimmers can't match the best gas models in tall grass and weeds.

Faster starts, fewer tangles, and easier handling are among the string-trimmer features you'll find as manufacturers improve these tools. Some gas models from Echo, Stihl, and Troy-Bilt use a spring-assist system that makes pulling easier. More gas models also offer simplified 1-2-3 starting: Push the primer bulb, flip the choke lever, and pull the cord. Models that use it typically started with just one or two pulls. You can also avoid cutting-line jam-ups with a fixed-line head that uses two precut pieces of cutting line. Lighter weight for electric and gas trimmers is another plus.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

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

Gasoline-powered trimmers. These are better than electrics at cutting heavy weeds and brush, and are often better at edging. They also go anywhere, so they're the best choice if you'll be trimming far from a power outlet. On the downside, gas trimmers are heavier than electrics, weighing about 10 to 14 pounds. Most have a two-stroke engine that requires a mixture of gas and oil. These tend to pollute more than four-stroke engines, which burn gasoline only, and entail pull-starting and regular maintenance. Gas-powered trimmers are also noisy enough to make hearing protection necessary. Price: $50 to $200; $70 to $150 for most.

Corded electric trimmers. These are the least expensive and usually the lightest; many weigh only about 5 pounds. Some work about as well as gas trimmers for most trimming. All are quieter and easier to start than gas trimmers--you simply push a button rather than pulling a starter cord. The power cord limits your range to about 100 feet from an outlet, however. Models with the engine at the bottom of the shaft can be more difficult to manage than those with the engine at the top, near the handle. Corded electric trimmers are noisy enough to make hearing protection a necessity. And even the most powerful models are unlikely to handle the tall grass and weeds that the best gas-powered trimmers can tackle. Price: $20 to $100.