We’ve tested petrol and battery line trimmers from Stihl, Makita, Ryobi and more.
Buy the best line trimmer for your backyard
We’ve tested a range of battery-powered and petrol line trimmers to find which perform best and are easiest to use.
Our assessment covers:
Cutting long and thick grass and weeds
Horizontal and vertical trimming
Ease of use.
Best line trimmers in New Zealand 2025
Our expert recommendations help you find the right line trimmer for your backyard, considering the different types of line trimmers, cutting and trimming performance, ease of use and budget.
Best budget line trimmer
Best value battery line trimmer kit
Best battery line trimmer for bigger jobs
Quiestest line trimmer
Get access to Consumer & see all reviews
Thousands of expert product/service reviews
Personal support through our Consumer Rights Advice Line
Premium articles and in-depth buying advice
Add a Consumer magazine for even more exclusive content
What you need to know when buying a line trimmer
Line trimmers are essential for maintaining a tidy yard with crisp edges. But how do you choose the right line trimmer for your property?
Learn how to buy the best line trimmer with our buying guide, which discusses the different types of line trimmers and their features. We discuss performance and endurance, maintenance requirements, shaft and handle design, line feeds, safety guards and edging guides.
How to re-spool your line trimmer
Which line trimmer brands are most reliable?
We ask thousands of Consumer members about their products to find out which brands are most reliable and satisfying to own. The results are available to members and Digital Pass holders.
Best retailer to buy hardware and garden equipment from
Many things can ruin a shopping experience – a pushy salesperson, the product you wanted not being in stock or having to pay more than you intended. We asked consumers to tell us who they think are the best and worst retailers.
How we test line trimmers
We cut long and weedy grass. We also trim horizontally along fences and walls, and vertically along paths and garden edges.
In addition, we check how easy each line trimmer is to start and to use, including the adjustability, comfort and convenience of different parts.
