A properly maintained lawn edge creates a finished appearance that transforms garden aesthetics. The market offers diverse options spanning simple half-moon edging irons that cost under £30, long-handled edging shears, dedicated cordless edgers, corded electric models with rolling wheels, and multi-tool attachments.
Quick Picks Summary
- Best Overall Cordless: EGO Power+ EA0800 Multi-Tool Edger Attachment
- Best Standalone Cordless: WORX WG163E 20V Trimmer & Edger
- Best Corded Electric: Flymo Contour 500E
- Best Premium Manual: Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Lawn Edger
- Best Budget Manual: Bulldog Premier Solid Forged Edging Knife
- Best for Weekly Tidying: Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Edging Shears
- Best Multi-Brand Option: Ryobi 18V ONE+ RY18EGA-0 Cordless Edger
Lawn Edger Comparison Table
|
Edger |
Type |
Power |
Best For |
Price |
|
EGO Power+ EA0800 |
Cordless attachment |
EGO 56V multi-tool |
Medium-large gardens |
See card for current price |
|
WORX WG163E 20V |
Cordless trimmer/edger |
WORX 20V PowerShare |
Small-medium gardens |
See card for current price |
|
Flymo Contour 500E |
Corded trimmer/edger |
Mains 500W |
Small gardens |
See card for current price |
|
Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless |
Manual half-moon |
Manual |
Reshaping borders |
See card for current price |
|
Bulldog Premier Solid Forged |
Manual half-moon (forged) |
Manual |
Clay/stony soils |
See card for current price |
|
S&J Razorsharp Edging Shears |
Telescopic edging shears |
Manual |
Weekly tidying |
See card for current price |
|
Ryobi RY18EGA-0 |
Cordless edger (bare tool) |
Ryobi 18V ONE+ |
Ryobi owners |
See card for current price |
What to Look for in a Lawn Edger
Edger Type
Manual tools excel at cutting a fresh edge into turf, especially when you’re reshaping a border. Electric and cordless models handle maintenance more efficiently through a rolling guide wheel so you can walk along the edge rather than bending down.
Power Source
Cordless systems suit most UK gardens: a 2.0Ah or 4.0Ah battery will see most gardens edged on a single charge.
Blade Size and Depth
Powered edgers typically feature a blade between 19cm and 23cm in diameter, with 3cm to 5cm of adjustable depth being practical for most jobs.
Handle and Weight
Anything much over 4kg starts to feel heavy after twenty minutes of edging, so lighter options are better for longer sessions.
Detailed Product Reviews
1. EGO Power+ EA0800 Multi-Tool Edger Attachment
An attachment for the EGO 56V multi-tool system, with a hardened steel blade and an adjustable depth wheel that takes you from light maintenance to a deep border reset. It needs an EGO power head and battery, so it makes most sense if you already own the system.
Key specs: Cordless attachment; EGO 56V multi-tool system; 20cm (8-inch) hardened steel blade; adjustable depth wheel; price: see card for current price.
Pros: – Powerful cutting capability – Premium build quality with steel guide wheel – Shares batteries across the EGO ecosystem
Cons: – Requires an existing EGO multi-tool power head – Not a standalone purchase
Best for: Medium to large gardens where EGO cordless tools are already in use.
2. WORX WG163E 20V Trimmer & Edger
A 30cm cordless grass trimmer that pivots 90 degrees to become a wheeled lawn edger, with Command Feed line advance and PowerShare battery compatibility. One tool covers both trimming and edging.
Key specs: Cordless 2-in-1 trimmer/edger; WORX 20V PowerShare; 30cm cutting width; 90-degree pivoting head; kit with 1 x 2.0Ah battery and charger; price: see card for current price.
Pros: – Two-in-one trimmer and edger – Lightweight and manoeuvrable – Works with the wider WORX PowerShare battery range
Cons: – Line-based edging has less bite than a dedicated blade edger – May need multiple passes on overgrown edges – Single battery limits runtime
Best for: Small to medium gardens needing both trimming and edging.
3. Flymo Contour 500E
A corded electric trimmer-edger with an adjustable head that tips 90 degrees into edging mode, and a small guide wheel to keep you aligned along paths and borders.
Key specs: Corded electric trimmer/edger; 500W mains; 25cm cutting width; adjustable head; price: see card for current price.
Pros: – Affordable entry point – Lightweight and easy to handle – No battery charging required
Cons: – Cable management – Limited power for heavy border resets – Bump-feed line can be fiddly
Best for: Small gardens with nearby power access and occasional edging.
4. Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Lawn Edger
A premium manual half-moon edger with a polished stainless steel blade that soil doesn’t stick to, on a weatherproof steel shaft.
Key specs: Manual half-moon edging knife; stainless steel blade; steel shaft; no batteries or maintenance; price: see card for current price.
Pros: – Exceptional durability and finish – Stainless blade resists rust and clogging – Clean, crisp cuts for fresh borders
Cons: – Physically demanding over long distances – Not suited to weekly maintenance
Best for: Gardeners reshaping borders or preferring quiet manual work.
5. Bulldog Premier Solid Forged Edging Knife
A British-made manual edger with a solid forged steel blade, ash handle and steel tread plate for putting your weight behind the cut.
Key specs: Manual half-moon edger; solid forged steel blade; ash T-handle; treaded blade; price: see card for current price.
Pros: – Extremely durable forged construction – Excellent for clay and stony soils – Outstanding value
Cons: – Needs regular cleaning and oiling – Heavier than stainless alternatives – Carbon steel can rust if neglected
Best for: Gardeners with heavy or stony soil who want lifetime durability.
6. Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Edging Shears
Long-handled edging shears are the tool you reach for between edging sessions. This telescopic model lets you trim regrowth standing up.
Key specs: Razorsharp telescopic edging shears (4912RSS); steel blades; telescopic extendable handle; manual; price: see card for current price.
Pros: – Standing work position – Lightweight and ergonomic – Ideal for ongoing maintenance
Cons: – Cannot cut fresh edges through established turf – Blades need occasional sharpening – A complement, not a replacement, for an edger
Best for: Keeping established edges tidy between major cuts.
7. Ryobi 18V ONE+ RY18EGA-0 Cordless Edger
A dedicated cordless edger for the Ryobi ONE+ system with a 22cm blade, adjustable cutting depth and a guide wheel. Sold as a bare tool, so you need a ONE+ battery and charger. The battery runs dozens of other Ryobi tools.
Key specs: Cordless dedicated edger; Ryobi 18V ONE+; 22cm blade; adjustable edging depth; bare tool (battery and charger not included); price: see card for current price.
Pros: – Dedicated blade edger that does the job thoroughly – Huge ONE+ battery compatibility – Cheap if you already own batteries
Cons: – Poor value if you don’t own ONE+ batteries – No trimmer function
Best for: Ryobi ONE+ owners with medium to large lawns.
How to Cut a Clean Lawn Edge
Preparation: Mow first to establish a clear sightline. For curved edges, lay a hose or a length of rope along the line you want and step back to check it looks right before you cut. Straight edges benefit from a wooden guide board.
Cutting Technique: Use a half-moon edger or a powered edger to cut along the line, working in short strokes and keeping the blade vertical. Avoid excessive depth; 3cm to 5cm is plenty per pass. Remove the turf strip and compost the debris.
Maintenance: Follow up with edging shears every week or so to keep regrowth in check.
When to Edge Your Lawn
In the UK, the best time to cut a fresh edge is spring or autumn, when the soil is moist enough to slice cleanly but not so wet that it sticks to your blade. Avoid mid-summer if the ground is rock hard, and stay off the lawn altogether in deep frost. Once established, a quick trim with shears every two to three weeks through the growing season is enough to keep it looking sharp.
Final Verdict
- General recommendation: the WORX WG163E for anyone without an existing cordless system, offering trimming and edging in one light tool.
- EGO users: the EA0800 attachment is the highest-performance option.
- Ryobi users: the RY18EGA-0 is a dedicated, sensible add-on to the ONE+ range.
- Traditional approach: a Spear & Jackson stainless edger paired with Razorsharp shears provides decades of reliable service.
