The Truper 32100 Tru Tough Rotary Lawn Edger is the best manual lawn edger you can buy for the value it provides.
Are you looking for an affordable way to manicure your lawn? Do you want to boost your home’s curb appeal without hiring a professional landscaper?
Lawn edgers enable you to clean up the perimeters around your home, outbuildings, gardens, walkways, and more. These simple tools can take your property from drab to fab.
While motorized edgers have their perks, these tools are extremely expensive and high-maintenance. That’s why we’ve brought you the list of best manual lawn edger to choose from.
What is a manual lawn edger?
Lawn edgers are used to cut through weeds and grass growing along the perimeters of a yard. Their straight edges create distinct borders around walkways, patios, fill, plants, and trees.
Manual edgers are typically attached to a long shaft and a handle. They require human power, rather than gas or electricity.
What are the different types of manual lawn edger?
While there are both motorized and manual edgers on the market, we are going to focus on the latter for the purpose of this article. There are several types of manual edgers, including:
Spade
Spade-shaped based edgers are the simplest, most traditional variety of this tool. Spaded-shaped edgers boast a flat metal head with a sharp blade.
The blade is inserted into the ground to create vertical cuts along landscaping perimeters. Spade edgers, or edging irons, feature a stepping surface. Traditionally, users place their feet on the top of the cutting blade to create leverage while edging.
Roller
Roller-shaped edgers feature a sharp steel blade that is shaped like a half-moon. These lawn edgers have long shafts for optimal control from the standing position.
The 180-degree blade is designed to be inserted into the ground and rocked back and forth. This motion produces clean lines.
Rotary
Rotary edgers feature a set of wheels and a star-shaped disc. The disc has several sharp edges that rotate as the edger is propelled forward or backward.
These edgers often feature self-sharpening blades. They are the least labor-intensive option on the market.
Do you need a manual lawn edger?
If you spend a lot of time caring for your yard, you can certainly benefit from owning a lawn edger. These simple tools cost very little up front. All the while, they provide users with a lifetime of lawn manicuring potential.
Lawn edgers are engineered to produce clean lines between landscaping elements. You can use them to clean up the perimeter of your garden beds, walkways, driveways, and more. They give yards a manicured look that is rarely achieved without the help of professional landscapers.
While gas-powered lawn mowers and weed whackers often steal the show, manual lawn edgers enable homeowners to clean up their property without producing harmful emissions or using up gasoline. Many modern-day edgers even boast ergonomic design elements that make edging a reality for people with limited mobility.
How to choose the best manual lawn edger
Are you confused about what to look for in a manual lawn edger? You’ll find an all-encompassing buyer’s guide in the section below!
Head
An edger’s head is its most dominant element. Whether you opt for a spade or a roller edger, be sure to think about what materials and design elements are needed to create the optimal tool.
We strongly recommend that you look for a lawn edger that is made out of steel. Steel comes in many forms, including stainless, carbon, and coated varieties.
Stainless steel is great for the outdoors, as it is resistant to rust and stains. However, carbon steel, like that used in cast iron skillets, is also extremely durable and resistant to damage. Powder-coated steel is resistant to rust and corrosion.
When shopping for a rotary edger, look out for options with high-quality pneumatic wheels and self-sharpening blades. These edgers roll along the ground with ease.
The roller and spade edger heads need to be inserted into the ground several times. These blades should come pre-sharpened to ensure they provide users with the maximum cutting capacity.
They also need to provide a stable standing surface. Users need to be able to place one or both of their feet onto their edger’s head to generate leverage. Stirrup standing platforms provide users with a solid center of gravity.
Shaft
It’s important to consider the size and style of a lawn edger shaft. Most edger shafts range in height from around 35 to 40 inches.
Longer shafts are more suitable for tall landscapers. It’s best if an edger tops off around your waist, as this enables you to leverage the greatest proportion of your body weight.
A lawn edger shaft should be made from durable steel or wood. The head and handle should be welded on or attached with quality hardware. Some of the most common customer complaints about lawn edgers are failed head connections.
These landscaping tools take a lot of abuse. They need to be strong enough to withstand the resistance of thick soil and occasional rocks.
Handle
Roller and spade edgers require handles. Handles enable users to boost themselves onto the surface of the blade in order to push it into the soil.
T-shaped handles are usually quite comfortable and provide plenty of leverage. However, O-shaped handles serve as a spacious and ergonomic alternative.
Grip
While it’s always a good idea to wear work gloves while doing yard work, handle grips make edgers more comfortable. Many edgers have grippy handlebar covers. These are typically made of rubber, foam, and other soft synthetic materials.
Price
One of the main benefits of manual lawn edgers is their low prices. There’s no need to sacrifice quality to meet your budget. There’s no need to buy expensive parts, gasoline, or oil.
Warranty
It’s not common to see a lengthy or even lifetime warranty on manual outdoor tools. These tools are manufactured from durable, weather-resistant materials.
How to use a manual lawn edger
You take the edger and put it in the ground. Put your foot on the edger and hold the shaft firmly in your hand.
Push your food down so the edger goes into the soil. You can wiggle it to insert it deeper into the soil.
Pull it out of the soil, move over about 6 inches and insert it again into the soil. Make sure you get a nice deep cut before moving further down.
Keep repeating this process until you have moved through the entire line where you want to create the edge.
Once you’re done, go back and you can pull the grass out. You should be able to take out strips of the grass. You can plant this somewhere else or you can add it to your compost pile.
Maintaining your manual lawn edger
Before using the manual lawn edger, make sure the tool is clean, sharp and in working condition.
After you’re done using the tool, make sure to clean it up. This helps prevent rust and decay from affecting the manual lawn edger blade.
You can use a bucket of sand and push the blade into it a few times. This helps remove the soil from the tool.
Once you’re done cleaning the tool, hang it in your garden shed or garage away from the reach of children and pets.
Reviews
- Three position shear blade to prevent clogging
- Self cleaning blade for easy use
- Dual wheels for easy traction
Last update on 2024-04-17 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Truper 32100 Rotary Lawn Edger features a serrated Tru Tough blade that quickly eradicates overgrown weeds and sod. Dual wheels ensure that this incredible yard tool will keep your patios and walkways free from unsightly overgrowth.
The Truper’s clear-coated steel head is durable enough to with countless outdoor sessions. Meanwhile, the edger’s durable steel brackets prevent the head from separating from the handle. The 48-inch lacquered American ash handle is built for durability and longevity.
The Truper’s rotating blade makes it incredibly easy to tidy up edges. You can gently nudge the edger along, letting it handle all of the hard labor. The edger’s pneumatic wheels offer superior traction on wet lawns.
Truper is a respected Mexican tool company. All of their lawn tools feature a generous 10-year limited replacement warranty. The hardened steel and wood are built to last a lifetime.
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Garden Weasel Edge Chopper
This next edger has a more traditional feel to it. Instead of a rotating wheel and blade, the Garden Weasel boasts a spade-shaped head made from carbon steel. This correlated blade is steel-welded onto a 38-inch stainless steel T-shaped handle.
The T-shaped handle is a valuable ergonomic addition to this incredible landscaping tool. It even boasts a grippy rubber coating to help you to maintain your grip through instances of sweat and rain.
We love that there is a cutout just above this edger blade. This enables you to use your bodyweight for maximum leverage. The metal frame acts like a stirrup. As such, you can keep your foot in the holder as you edge.
Overall, the Garden Weasel can help you tidy up your gardens, walkways, driveways, patios, and more. With a little effort, this versatile tool can give your property a professionally maintained look for the fraction of the price of hiring a landscaper.
The best part is that you don’t need gas or electricity to get it up and going.
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- Super-strong stainless steel blade. Resin-encased carbon steel shaft
- Extra-wide, elevated forward step for safety and optimal performance
- Patented ergonomic Natural Radius O-Handle Grip provides extra leverage, reducing hand and wrist stress. Made from a comfortable non-latex, thermoplastic elastomer and polypropylene.
Last update on 2024-04-17 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
Another creative design comes in the form of the Radius Garden 206 PRO Ergonomic Stainless Steel Edger. The Radius’s most notable feature is its bold O-shaped handle.
The Natural Radius handle is proven to provide more leverage than tradition T-shaped handles. What’s more, it reduces hand and wrist stress, making it a perfect choice for users with arthritis and other mobility issues.
The handle is even coated in a soft latex-free film. The coating is made from premium thermoplastic elastomer and polypropylene. According to the manufacturer, this padded handle is four-times the size of traditional D-shaped grips.
The shaft that it is attached to the Radius is 38 inches tall. As such, it’s the perfect height for adults of average heights. It is made from resin-encased carbon-treated steel. It is extremely durable and wear-resistant.
The Radius’s head is constructed from extremely durable and long-lasting steel. It features an extra-wide spade-shaped blade. In this case, the blade does not have a center cutout. As such, users need to place one or both of their feet on the top of the blade in order to dig the edger into the earth.
We love that you don’t need electricity or gas to get this powerful edger going. While it requires a bit of elbow grease, its ergonomic design makes it comfortable and efficient.
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- Easy Lawn Edging: Keep your lawn and garden tidy with our step edger; perfect for creating clean lines around flower beds, patios, and plants
- Versatile Yard Tool: This edger is not just for lawn care, it's also great for installing plastic landscape edging around plants and walking paths
- Safe & Easy to Use: The upright design of our edging tool allows for easy and safe use; the foot bar provides extra leverage when needed
Last update on 2024-04-17 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Yard Butler Step Edger Manual Steel is yet another traditional landscaping tool with a few modern improvements. This edger has a super wide 180-degree rounded blade. It offers a whopping 9 inches of ground coverage.
It has a steel shaft that measures around 35 inches from the ground. The shaft is extremely durable thanks to its steel-welded joints. Its hip-level height is ideal for most adults. However, it might be a bit cumbersome for large individuals.
The edger’s T-shaped handle has extended grips for better weight distribution. The handles even boast a foamy casing that makes this edger comfortable enough to use during extended projects.
One of our favorite things about the Yard Butler Edger is its stirrup-like step. Users can insert their foot of choice directly above the rounded blade. This enables them to edge an entire area in one continuous motion. These put less stress on a user’s body.
While there’s not much to dislike about the Yard Butler, many customers recommend having it professionally sharpened. This can be done inexpensively at most hardware stores.
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- IDEAL GARDEN EDGER: Long-handled steel edger with a steel pole and steel blade; Ideal for cutting through tough soil and breaking up ground without bending or stooping
- MAXIMUM POWER AND PRECISION: Large step provides secure platform for maximum digging power; Sharpened blade slices cleanly through dense turf; Long handle eliminates soreness from kneeling and bending
- LONG-LASTING AND RELIABLE: Welded, 14-gauge, hardened steel blade and 18-gauge steel handle provide excellent durability for lasting value; Fiskars lawn and garden tools are built to last
Last update on 2024-04-17 // Source: Amazon Affiliates
The Fiskars 38.5-inch long-Handled Steel Edger is a simple, low-maintenance tool that can dramatically improve the look of your property. This edger is made of steel. Although, its blade and shaft are glazed in a matte black weather-resistant coating.
We found that the Fiskars 38.5-inch shaft was the perfect height for the average-sized adult. We also felt that the blade was securely attached to the shaft, giving us no reason to worry about it breaking.
The Fiskars lawn edger’s large standing platform extends the length of the spade-shaped blade. Although, it is briefly interrupted by the shaft. Still, it provides a solid push-off point for manual edging.
The Fiskar lawn edger’s handle is T-shaped. It is made from a textured orange polymer. This ergonomic edition balances the aesthetics of the edger’s black shaft and blade.
If you’re looking to get away from noisy, oversized lawn tools, the Fiskars edger is definitely worth a look. There’s no hidden costs or smelly exhaust with this manual edger. All it produces are clean, tidy borders.
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Our recommendation
Our pick for the best manual lawn edger is the Truper 32100 Tru Tough Rotary Lawn Edger. This incredible tool glides along landscaping perimeters, tidying them up as it goes.
The clear-coated steel head and steel brackets make this edger quite durable. The rotating blade makes it very easy to create edges.
It’s good to have the pneumatic wheels that help get traction on wet lawns. And it’s good to get the 10-year limited warranty in case something goes wrong with the product.
Fact Checked, Written, and Published by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor, a website that aims to teach people to grow their own food in a limited space. As a self-taught gardener, Kevin has spent several years growing plants and creating gardening content on the website. He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University.
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