The best edging tools are classic garden tools that are traditionally used as the summer draws to a close for a final tidy before the cold weather kicks in, but they can be useful year-round when you're keeping your outdoor space spic and span. After you’ve selected the best lawn mower to achieve a great-looking lawn, Garden News and Garden Answers editor Geoff Hodge has the best tips when it comes to keeping edges looking sharp.
Of course, regular mowing using an electric or petrol lawn mower is the key to a lovely lawn, but nothing lets down that perfectly manicured, verdant look faster than scruffy edges.
Best edging tools at a glance:
• Best value edging shears: Amtech Long Handled Lawn Edging Shears - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best overall (Editor’s pick): Darlac Telescopic Edging Shear - Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best long-handled edging shears: Fiskars Long Handles Edging Shears - Buy now on Amazon UK
Geoff explains why using edging tools will achieve that perfect finish, “This helps prevent grasses growing into surrounding borders. And edging tools like long-handled shears allow you to get the job done quickly and easily – without having to get down on your hands and knees – providing they are long enough to stop you stooping.”
With that in mind, we take a look at what to consider when buying the best edging tools to keep your lawn looking crisp and fresh, as well as some helpful tips on different styles of edging to transform your garden quickly with relatively little effort, taking your plot from so-so to sensational.
Best edging tools for your lawn
Best value edging shears
Amtech/AmazonThese versatile edging shears will earn their place in your garden shed as they are highly rated for edging purposes, but can also be used for pruning hard-to-reach bushes and shrubbery, and can even cut smaller branches from trees.
Geoff says: “One of the cheapest shears I tested, but they still performed brilliantly, cutting the grass easily and giving a quality finish. The blades are made from carbon steel with a non-stick coating. The working height is 92cm, they weigh 1.49kg – average among all those on test – and the soft, cushion foam grips provided maximum comfort.”
Pros
- Sharp blade made from one piece of carbon steel
- Easy to use with comfort grip handles
Cons
- Possibly too lightweight for heavy duty tasks
| Height: | 92cm |
| Weight: | 1.49kg |
- Cushion grip handles
Best overall (Editor’s pick)
Darlac/AmazonThese award-winning shears currently enjoy a 4.7-star rating on Amazon with reviewers praising the sharp blades, lightweight design, and telescopic action which means you can adjust these to the perfect length to suit your needs.
Geoff says: “The telescopic handles are infinitely adjustable from 67 to 108cm to achieve a perfect cutting/working height to avoid back pain. Lightweight aluminium handles ensured this was the lightest pair tested at 1.23kg and the plastic grips were comfortable in the hands. The only shears with wavy-edged blades, which help to grip the grass.”
Pros
- Adjustable handles to ensure the ideal length
- Sharp blades that can be sharpened for longevity
Cons
- Curved blades makes it more tricky to sharpen
| Height: | 67-108cm |
| Weight: | 1.23kg |
- Easy Flip Lock handles
- Curved blade
Best long-handled edging shears
Fiskars/Amazonwww.onbuy.com
Finnish brand Fiskars is a well-trusted name when it comes to garden blades and these heat-treated carbon steel edging shears should not disappoint. Reviewers are fans of the sharp cutting edge and enjoy using the long handles to save from back strain.
Geoff says: "These have a cutting height of 100cm, the coated handles have comfy SoftGrip plastic grips, and the weight is 1.67kg, still light enough to use without any additional strain. The blades are made from corrosion-resistant, heat-treated carbon steel. As the handles touch at the bottom, the plastic bumpers absorbed most of any vibration in use."
Pros
- Plastic bumpers absorb vibration as you make cuts
- These come with a 10-year guarantee for peace of mind
Cons
- Some customers report the blade pivot nut loosening
| Height: | 99cm |
| Weight: | 1.67kg |
- SoftGrip handles
- Adjustable length
Best easy glide edging shears
Spear & Jackson/Argos www.argos.co.uk
Recommended by 97 per cent of customers who have purchased these edging shears, this Spear & Jackson option is part of the company's "Razorsharp" garden range. The blades of these shears are PTFE-coated for a smoother cutting action and long-lasting rust resistance. Reviewers appreciate how easy to clean these shears are.
Geoff says: "The tubular steel handles provide good strength, give a working height of 94cm, and the weight is 1.42kg. The C50 carbon steel blades should provide a long-lasting sharpness, are lacquered for rust resistance and produce a good quality cut and edging. Large, but comfortable, soft plastic grips."
Pros
- Sturdy tubular steel handles for confident usage
- "Razorsharp" blades that have a PTFE coating
Cons
- Could do with a handle bumper
| Height: | 94cm |
| Weight: | 1.42kg |
| Other features: | Carbon steel blade PTFE coated blades for rust resistance |
Best half-moon edging irons
SAVE 1/4
Best half-moon edging iron for strength
Bulldog/AmazonThe carbon steel used in this knife's construction makes the blade heavier and stronger, which is better for heavy soil, so keep that in mind when choosing the right tool for your garden needs. This has an ergonomically shaped handle to make it more manageable.
This Bulldog Edging Knife provides good, clean separation and a tidy finish, with no worry of a flimsy handle thanks to the inch-thick aluminium handle. Reviewers rate this tool as robust and sturdy.
Pros
- Robust and sturdy design for longevity
- Alloy steel blade for great cutting action
Cons
- Thick blade will need sharpening
| Height | 74.2 x 18 x 4.5cm |
| Weight | 1.36kg |
- Solid forged design
- FSC ash T handle
Best bespoke edging tool
Burgon & Ball/AmazonA bespoke edging tool makes trimming your lawn edges easier, and the mirror-polished stainless-steel blade of this edger are resistant to rusting and easier to clean. The ridged edges make for a quicker, easier cut and less back-breaking work due to the large T-bar-shaped handle large enough for your hands to fit comfortably.
This boasts an FSC-certified ash handle. Reviewers appreciate the treads on the top of the blade which gives you a steady foothold, great for when you're working in tough conditions and rough terrain.
Pros
- Serrated edge makes cutting through tough turf easy
- Thick stainless steel neck for strength and durability
Cons
- Wood handle could be vulnerable to breakage over time
| Height: | Handle width 28cm, Head width 20cm, Overall length 94cm |
| Weight: | 0.8kg |
- Serrated head
- FSC-certified hardwood
- Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society
- Lifetime guarantee
Best electric edge trimmers
Best budget corded strimmer
Flymo/AmazonThis corded electric grass trimmer and edger from Flymo is best for smaller gardens as it needs to be near a power source to work, but thanks to its lightweight and manoeuvrable design any edging job you need to carry outwill be done quickly and with ease.
The telescopic handle is easy to adjust meaning you won’t be stooping to reach your lawn, and you can simply convert from trim to edge by twisting the cutting head, something that allows you to trim difficult-to-access places. There’s also a plant guard to protect trees and plants and a unique wheel for easy edging.
This Flymo edger gets plaudits from reviewers for its dual handle design that has a soft-grip finish for steady, comfortable, and manageable usage.
Pros
- Relatively quiet electric operation
- Dual soft-grip handles for a stable hold at all times
Cons
- Smaller cutting blade than some rival models
| Blade cutting width: | 25cm |
| Voltage: | 500W |
| Weight: | 3.1kg |
- Battery and charger must be bought separately
Best cordless strimmer with adjustable cutting width
Ryobiuk.ryobitools.eu
This high-performance cordless motor strimmer has an adjustable cutting width of 25 or 30cm, giving you great versatility when it comes to grass and weed cutting. This gets Ryobi's EasyEdge technology that is designed for quick transitions between edging and trimming modes for for added border precision.
With a telescoping boom and adjustable pommel handle, it's designed to provide comfort for any user height so everyone can pitch in with the garden chores.
This is supplied as a "bare" tool so it requires one of Ryobi's 5ah ONE+ batteries in order to work. Once you've got the battery charged up this should offer you up to 50 minutes of trimming time on a single charge.
Pros
- Ryobi's "EasyEdge" precision trimming for super-tidy borders
- Light and easy to manage with an adjustable, telescopic boom design
Cons
- Not ideal for overgrown grass
| Blade cutting width: | 25cm or 30cm |
| Voltage: | 18V |
| Weight: | 2.3kg |
- Battery and charger not included with purchase.
- Buying the battery and charger separately, if you don't already own a ONE+ system tool, is recommended
Best cordless strimmer for ergonomics
Karcher/AmazonThe Kärcher 18V cordless grass trimmer also comes with a telescoping boom like the Ryobi but has the bonus of having a two-handle design for a correct working position, and a rotating trimmer head so even the most hard-to-reach areas can be tackled with ease. Simply adjust the handle length at the touch of a button for back-friendly work.
The LTR 18-25 is also the lightest cordless grass trimmer on our list making it even easier to manoeuvre at just 1.6kg.
Again, it's worth keeping in mind that this is the bare unit so batteries and a charger will need to be bought separately. It also takes 5-6 hours to charge, which is important to note so you don't jump the gun and take it off charge too early for larger jobs.
Pros
- Auto feeder for hassle-free operation
- Handy LED battery power display to show charge levels
Cons
- Slow charging batteries
| Blade cutting width: | 25cm (30cm available) |
| Voltage: | 18V |
| Weight: | 1.6kg |
- Battery and charge must be bought separately
- Kärcher battery and charger are compatible with other Kärcher appliances
Best cordless trimmer for battery power
Bosch/Tooled Upwww.tooled-up.com
Another popular cordless strimmer option from Bosch, the Universal GrassCut has a long-lasting battery that you can swap between other Bosch products, saving you money if you tend to favour the brand for your garden DIY gear.
The adjustable, ergonomic design provides a comfortable grip and height which is ideal for uninterrupted trimming. It doesn’t need any manual adjustments or bumping, thanks to the IntelliFEED feature that automatically feeds the spool line to full cutting width.
When you’re switching between the lawn and edges, you can simply use the foot pedal to twist or lower the handles for edging or tilt function without stopping, something users find very handy.
Pros
- Foot pedal switch to change the trimmer's mode of operation
- Folds down for easy storage and portability
Cons
- Not rated as great for thick, tall grass
| Blade cutting width: | 26cm |
| Voltage: | 18V |
| Weight: | 2.3kg |
- Can be bought with or without the battery Bosch PowerForAll Lithium Ion
How we chose the best edging tools
All of these edging tools have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the type, method of use, quality, and materials in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching edging tools to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
FAQs: Best edging tools
What features to consider when buying lawn edging tools:
Handles: Aluminium handles are lighter than steel, making them easier to use for a prolonged time
Blade length: Longer blades make it easier and quicker to create an even edge
Soft grips: Soft, contoured rubber hand grips make for more comfortable use
Wavy-edge blade: These help trap grass leaves, preventing them from sliding along the blade. This ensures a more uniform finish
Tensioner: Allows you to adjust the gap between the blades, so they don’t start getting clogged up, bending the grass instead of cutting it
What are the best edging tools for my lawn?
Geoff Hodge explains, that maintaining your lawn’s lovely clean edges can be time-consuming, so choose an option that’s quick and easy.
Edging shears
While you could scrabble around on your hands and knees with a pair of hand shears, save yourself all that agony by using long-handled edging shears. As with edging irons, handle height is important to prevent bending and stooping. Those with telescopic handles allow you to adjust the length of the handles to match the height, allowing you to share the job.
Or, try long-handled, trigger-operated ‘multi’ shears. These have an integral mechanism that operates the blades with a simple pull on the trigger. With their rotating head, you can use them to edge the lawn, as well as cut the grass in other areas, especially around or under obstacles.
Powered trimmer
For optimum speed and ease, go for a powered line trimmer. Most have an edging facility, usually engaged by rotating the cutting head through 90 degrees. Some also include an edging guide or even detachable wheels to ensure you keep the cutter head close to and along the line of the lawn’s edge.
While mains electricity-powered trimmers are absolutely perfect, if the lawn is miles away from the mains supply, or you’re worried about cutting or damaging the cable, lithium-ion battery trimmers are a handy option. Most batteries give 30-45 minutes of continuous use before you need to recharge them and can be fully recharged in as little as an hour. You don’t need to fully recharge Lithium-ion batteries before use.
The output of the motor, measured in volts (V), is an indication of how powerful it is; higher outputs cut more easily, especially on long and/or wet grass. The amp hour (Ah) rating refers to the amount of charge the battery holds and affects how long it will run before it needs recharging.
While you can buy most battery-powered trimmers complete with a battery and charger, many are also sold on their own, so keep this in mind when ordering online. This can be a great way to save money by sharing the battery and charger with other battery-powered tools within the company’s range.
Install lawn edging
Do away with having to use edging tools at all, by using lawn edging. This needs to be a type that sits at the same height of the lawn or lies flat on it, and doesn’t stand proud above it. A flat edge also allows you to run your lawnmower right up to and along the edge. Various designs are available including those made from heavy-duty plastic or metal. Plastic is the cheaper option, but metals tend to be more robust and longer-lasting
Modern Gardens writer Jules Barton-Beck shares the best tips on lawn edging using paving or gravel. The trick is to match the edging to the style and/or colour of your existing garden theme, patio, or paving slab tones, so the end result appears seamless.
Best flexible lawn edging
www.primrose.co.uk
Garden edging is a simple way to ensure your lawn borders are tidy. This 22.5m Flexible Garden Edging from Primrose allows you to cut grass right up to your borders for a neat finish. This listing is for five 80cm lengths of EcoGrid with pins for installation.
Pros
- Strong and flexible
- Easy to install
Cons
- Only 8cm deep
Best budget lawn edging
In addition to edging grass, Bosmere Garden Care Lawn Edging can be used to contain mulch, gravel and bark. This affordable option, if placed correctly, allows your lawn mower to pass over it. It's green so should blend into your landscaping beautifully.
Pros
- Low-cost solution
- Versatile usage
Cons
- Tricky to use on curves
Best high-end lawn edging
www.wickes.co.uk
This Swift Edge Garden Edging in Brown is made from extruded aircraft-grade aluminium so it's a long-lasting solution to dividing grass, soil, mulch, gravel and more. This comes in brown, so will blend into your garden well.
Pros
- Easy to install, even on corners
- Long-lasting aluminium
Cons
- Not as easy to handle as plastic
How to edge your lawn with pavers
1. Use bamboo canes and twine stretched taut between them to mark a border around your lawn. You may be surprised to find how wobbly the edges of your lawn have become.
2. Create a shallow trench by digging out the turf with a spade, the same width as the pavers, down to the same depth as the paver plus a centimetre.
3. Add a 1cm layer of sand to the trench and firm it down so it’s solid and level.
4. Lay the edging pavers snugly next to each other. If the pavers need to be cut to fit at any joins, do this in the least noticeable place.
5. Using a wooden or rubber mallet and a spirit level, tap all over each paver to position it in place, making sure it’s level with the next one.
6. If needed, fill any gaps left between the pavers and lawn with soil – the grass will soon grow back.
Do you edge before or after mowing the lawn?
GardeningExpress expert Chris Bonnet, explains, “Edging should be the final step of your mowing routine, giving your lawn a tidy and trimmed finish. For smaller lawns, a simple pair of long-handled edging shears will do the job - just cut away any grass that is starting to grow over the edge.”
What is the best way to trim the edges of my lawn?
When it comes to getting the edges crisp Chris shares, “If you have a large amount of land then using shears may be too time-consuming, so it’s more practical to opt for an electric grass trimmer that will make maintaining the land much easier. It’s also advised to re-cut the edges every spring and that can easily be done with a half-moon edging tool or a sharp, straight spade.
“Start edging by following the curve of the lawn or use rope, wooden plank or a garden hose as a cutting guide. Create a groove in the land by pushing the edging tool down into the soil, pulling the blade back and forth slightly and removing the excess turf once the groove is complete.
“If you want a more defined edge, then you may consider adding paving stones or metal edging - the installation process can be timely and relatively expensive, but it provides a stronger, cleaner finish and can reduce maintenance time. However you choose to edge your lawn, the most important things to keep in mind are ease of mowing and trimming the grass edge, and safety for all garden users.”
How to edge your lawn with gravel
This technique is a bit different as you’ll need to create a trench, install vertical lawn edging and then fill it with gravel. Flexible lawn edging is ideal for creating curves as it comes in a reel but, if left out in the sun, it becomes much more malleable and can work just as well to create straight lines, you just need a bit of patience and some persistence.
At the edge of the lawn, dig a trench to the same height as the edging and to the width you want. Fix the edging to both sides of the trench using the pins provided. Leave overnight to let the edging settle into place, and adjust the height if necessary the following morning. Line with garden membrane to help prevent weeds, then pour in gravel up to the rim of the edging.
What to read next:
Best electric lawnmower to make cutting grass straightforward
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Natalie Corner is the Commercial Content Editor across the Specialist Portfolio for Bauer Media and is slowly learning how to care for her plant babies. When she's not soaking up the three days of sunshine in the great British outdoors, she's testing out the latest BBQ products.