By Mark Wolfe | Updated Oct 8, 2021 4:45 PM

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The string in your weed trimmer head can have a big impact on weekly yard work. Using the wrong string is a recipe for frustration if it constantly breaks or sticks inside the spool housing, forcing you to stop and reload frequently. Plus, the cut looks rough and uneven, and reloading the spool is a struggle.

The right kind of weed wacker string for a particular string trimmer will last a long time without needing to be replaced. It will trim cleanly and easily and feed smoothly from the trimmer head. Best of all, when the time comes to reload the string, the process will be quick and simple.

This guide covers expert shopping advice on finding the best weed eater string to meet your needs, as well as a compilation of some of the best trimmer strings on the market.

Before buying string for your weed trimmer, consult the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for the string sizes that will fit the machine. With that information in hand, there are five aspects of trimmer string to consider while you shop: shape, durability, material, weld resistance, and line size.

Trimmer string is available in round, square, multi-sided, twisted, and serrated shapes. The shape of the string affects performance in several ways, including the cleanness of the cut, the durability of the string, and even noise level. It is important to match the shape with the application for which you’ll be using the string.

Consistent use with brush, heavy weeds, and hard surfaces is where the difference in durability becomes apparent. A more durable string allows you to do more work per spool.

The durability of trimmer string varies based on its material, shape, what you’re trimming, and friction with fixed surfaces like stone and concrete. Given the same shape and material, the thicker the string, the more slowly it will wear out.

For the greatest durability, round string is the standard. Combining more material with less surface area, it has a longer wear time. Round string made of reinforced nylon or non-nylon polymer, or string with a hardened core material, will provide greater durability than basic nylon.

Basic trimmer string is made of hardened monofilament nylon. This material has been the industry standard for years, but manufacturers are making constant improvements to increase durability and capability. Plain nylon line is still effective, but stronger materials are now available.

Better materials, like reinforced composite nylon have a greater more cutting power and breakage resistance. Some products include strengthening materials like aluminum that are incorporated into the nylon or a hardened core material to prevent breakage. Other trimmer strings are made from non-nylon polymers or copolymers for added strength.

Welding occurs when a trimmer string overheats inside the trimmer head and sticks together on the spool. It is caused by operating the trimmer at high speed while cutting along a resistant surface like a fence or concrete sidewalk for an extended time.

The added friction causes excessive heat buildup, which softens the string and eventually causes it to stick together. A welded line does not feed out of the spool, so you’ll have to remove it and restring the spool.

While the materials used to make trimmer strings are all reasonably weld resistant, some string types have a higher degree of resistance than others. Given the same material, shaped line is more weld-resistant than round because of the increased surface area. Round string has the least amount of surface area, allowing heat buildup to occur more quickly.

Every string trimmer, whether cordless, plug-in electric, or gas-powered, has limitations on line size. Line diameter is a good indicator of durability. Assuming the same material and shape, a thicker line lasts longer. Thicker line also costs more.

Consider the cutting conditions, how often you want to reload, and how much you want to spend when deciding on the right line thickness. Not all sizes fit all trimmers, so be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions before purchasing string for your trimmer.

Light-duty weed eater string of .065-inch to .085-inch diameter is suitable for small and medium yards with few weeds. Medium-duty trimmer string of .085-inch to .110-inch diameter is a good choice for larger yards and yards with thick grass and more weeds.

Heavy-duty string greater than .110-inch diameter is best for large properties with heavy weeds, including woody plants, lots of fences, and edging.

Check out the following list of some of the best weed eater string on the market. These products all represent quality, value, performance, and meeting users’ real-life needs.

The Cyclone .095-inch, 6-blade trimmer line can confidently accomplish any trimming task. Featuring a copolymer formulation, this string offers increased strength and abrasion resistance compared with old-fashioned nylon string—so it lasts all day long. The nearly round shape provides plenty of durability to hold up against abrasion while edging curbs and fence lines.

Six edges along the length of the string provide maximum cutting efficiency for tall thick grass, heavy weeds, and even woody seedlings and vines. The edges help dissipate heat, virtually eliminating welding. Whether users have a small lot in town or a few acres in the country, this trimmer line is a great choice.

Oregon’s .095-inch Magnum Gatorline Supertwist trimmer line incorporates a high-strength inner core with high wear resistance. It offers more efficient cutting and less downtime for reloading, plus better fuel economy and reduced noise.

Twisted line has less wind resistance, so it produces less drag than solid line, which boosts fuel economy. Reduced wind resistance also cuts down on vibration and noise. The large .095-inch diameter is suitable for heavy weeds, light brush in residential settings, and light commercial work.

Those who like to save money by buying in bulk won’t be disappointed in the Maxpower .095-inch round trimmer line. This big 855-foot roll will reload a trimmer 42 times for maximum value. And this is no poorly made product—it’s an excellent value for a tough .095-inch nylon monofilament round trimmer line.

Although this string tears through dense, heavy vegetation, it also does a solid job trimming grass and minor weeds. Plus, it offers great abrasion resistance and tensile strength while trimming around concrete walls, curbs, and stone.

This Upgrade Pick is for serious yard work. Oregon .155-inch Magnum Gatorline square trimmer line offers high cutting efficiency for cleaner, straighter cuts with less effort. It is super durable, with a high-strength inner core that resists breakage, meaning users will spend more time trimming and less time winding spools. The square profile slices through vegetation with a clean, even pass.

This string is outstanding for trimming large properties, heavy vegetation and underbrush, or cleaning up the vegetable garden at the end of the season. Not every trimmer can handle the large .155-inch diameter of the string, so users should check their owner’s manual before buying. For big jobs and big trimmers, this is the best trimmer line on this list.

Oregon 22-595 Gatorline professional round trimmer line is built for more production and less downtime. The round profile and durable, high-strength inner core resist wear and breakage, while the outer shell prevents welding.

These features equal less frequent reloading, no stopping to unstick the line—and less total trimmer line consumption through the season. The thick .095 diameter line is a good size for heavy weeds, thick grass, and brush in a variety of settings, including residential and commercial properties.

A steel-bladed edger is the best choice to set the initial landscape edges along curbs, walkways, and bedlines. Afterward, the edge is easy to maintain with a string trimmer. This Husqvarna Titanium Force trimmer line is made of commercial-grade copolymer material for longer life and better performance.

The combination of superior abrasion-resistant material and the ideal round shape allows this .095-inch grooved string to hold up well while working around concrete and stone. It offers fast acceleration and level flight, allowing for reduced fuel consumption and quieter operation.

For users with a lot of edging, this string will help finish the job quickly and efficiently, and the package includes a convenient line-cutting tool. Overall, this weed eater string receives high marks for durability, longevity, and value.

The thickness and nearly round profile of the Arnold Maxi Edge .095-inch trimmer line give it excellent durability and abrasion resistance. This string’s six edges provide superior grass cutting capability. The combination of high-grade material and a well-designed shape allows users to cut up to three times more area with this string than economy trimmer string.

Tall grass is no match for this trimmer line; it’s precisely what users need to get the yard back in shape after a week of rain and a missed mowing or two. This package includes enough string for five refills and a convenient line-cutting tool.

This .080-inch twist trimmer line from Weed Warrior is made of a two-component polymer material for better wear resistance and aggressive cutting action. The twisted profile shape maximizes aerodynamics for reduced wind drag, vibration, and noise. It makes a clean, level cut in a single pass.

A large yard often has many obstacles to trim, which means extended time on the weed wacker and increased wear and tear on the line. This durable, efficient spiral-shaped trimmer line gets the job done without stopping to re-spool or untangle.

Maxpower’s residential grade round nylon trimmer line features a simple yet durable round shape that efficiently cuts through grass with ease. The .080-inch diameter fits most residential-style weed wackers, including cordless, plug-in electric, and gas-powered models.

For users who’ve run into the problem of storing a large spool of trimmer line for the winter only to find it has turned brittle, a smaller package solves the problem. This string comes in a 340-foot pack, enough for about 17 spool refills or a single season of use in most smaller yards.

Coarse weeds and thick brush easily wear through residential grade trimmer line, but Oregon heavy-duty square trimmer line is made for the job. It features aggressive, four-sided cutting, a high-strength inner core, and a thick .155-inch diameter ideal for tough cutting conditions in dense vegetation.

This line is suitable for heavy-duty weed wackers with engines rated 45 cc and larger. Users should refer to the operator’s manual to ensure the trimmer is compatible with this line.

Based on shape, material, durability, welding resistance, and line size, the Cyclone Desert Extrusion is our top pick for the best weed eater string for home use.

A weed trimmer is a helpful tool for maintaining a great-looking yard. Using the best string trimmer line will help prevent breakage, stopping, and reloading the string. While no weed eater string is perfect, using the best will ensure that when the time comes to reload the string, the process will be smooth and easy. To determine the best weed eater strings on the market, we focused on string shape, cleanliness of the cut, durability, noise level, construction material, welding resistance, and line size. Our top picks for the best weed eater strings will make the job of edging and cleaning up your yard a trouble-free and straightforward task.

Now that you have more information about weed eater string and some of the top product picks, it should be easier to make a choice. Before you do, here are a few answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that will help you get you up and running with your new weed wacker string.

Trimmer line ranges in size from about .065-inch to .170-inch. Large diameter line requires a properly sized trimmer head and more power to operate. Be sure to check the weed wacker’s operator’s manual for compatibility before attempting to load a new size.

Square trimmer line has four hard cutting edges that are designed to aggressively cut through coarse weeds and green underbrush, where it excels. Round line is quieter and more fuel-efficient due to reduced wind resistance. It is also more durable than square line of the same size because it consists of more material. For generally weed-free lawns, round line could be the best choice.

Some string trimmers require pre-cut lengths of line. Others use either one or two long lengths of line that wind onto a spool. You may need to remove the spool from the housing or load it in place. Refer to the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s website for detailed instructions for your specific trimmer brand and model.

Wind the string in the opposite direction of its rotation. In most cases, you’ll want to wind the string counterclockwise. Many trimmer manufacturers imprint an arrow on the spool to show the proper direction to wind the string.

As long as it is feeding properly and in good working order, you only need to replace the string when it runs out. Old string or string that has been exposed to the elements for an extended period can become brittle and may need to be replaced.

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