Top Pick for
Overall whipper snipper

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Top Pick for
Overall whipper snipper
Top Pick for
Petrol-powered whipper snipper
Top Pick for
Battery-powered whipper snipper
Top Pick for
Electric whipper snipper
For this list, we chose whipper snippers based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon and ProductReview. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.
Read more detail on our methodology below.
Not yet rated
Our pick for the best overall whipper snipper is the BLACK+DECKER Powercommand Grass Trimmer Kit. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 2,000 reviews on Amazon.
This whipper snipper from BLACK+DECKER is powered by a 36V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion battery, offering up to 3,750 linear metres of cutting power in a single charge. According to the company, it features E drive technology, which can power through even the most stubborn overgrown areas. It also has 30cm of cutting swathe and 2 modes – eco mode for energy saving and turbo mode for thicker grass.
Customers gave positive feedback on the tool's reasonable price, high-quality build and superb power. It can cut through thicker, overgrown grass, making it a suitable contender for larger gardens. Reviews mentioned that it's easy to operate while being lightweight. However, the battery life left a lot to be desired. Several customers said it only lasts for about 30 minutes.
Not yet rated
For the best petrol-powered option, we selected the Stihl FS 94C-E. On ProductReview, it's got a rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Stihl's FS 94C-E has a slim design for ease of use. Its reduced weight and variable speed allow the machine to be dialled up or down, suitable for trimming around delicate plants and windows. This tool has the brand's Easy2Start feature and fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly engine technology.
As the best-rated whipper snipper brand, Stihl gained the highest marks when it comes to ease of use, performance and safety. The brand's FS 94C-E is a fantastic option for professional use because of its powerful 900W motor. It can trim overgrown grass in mere seconds. According to customers, it's beginner-friendly and lightweight as well. But, it consumes more fuel than its competitors. Despite this minor issue, the FS 94C-E remains a top pick for many buyers.
Not yet rated
With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we chose Bosch's Cordless Line Grass Trimmer as the best battery-powered whipper snipper.
Bosch's Cordless Line Grass Trimmer features an 18V motor and a rechargeable battery that can cut up to 6 tennis courts. It offers various functions, including edge trimming and semi-automatic feeding. According to the company, this whipper snipper can reach tight spaces to trim even the most stubborn grass.
The general sentiment is that this Bosch whipper snipper is a great option for light works in small gardens. It's got superb battery life and smart features, allowing you to trim overgrown plants and grass a lot easier. However, customers wouldn't recommend this tool for removing heavy weeds. Several others wish that the kit already included a battery for better convenience.
Not yet rated
Stihl's FSE 71 is our pick for the best electric whipper snipper, garnering a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on ProductReview.
With a 240V motor, the Stihl FSE 71 is a powerful trimmer featuring an AutoCut C 5-2 nylon line mowing head. It has a rubberised 2-component handle for a more comfortable grip. Apart from a gauge wheel, this machine has a cable strain relief function, which prevents the cord from becoming disconnected accidentally.
The Stihl FSE 71 is a great, basic electric-powered whipper snipper that is easy to set up out of the box. Customers praised its powerful motor, soft-grip handle and durable build. It's not as noisy as other trimmers in the market, according to several reviews. However, a few customers reported difficulties getting new lines to feed through the cutting head.
Not yet rated
For the best option under $300, we selected the Victa Swift-Start Straight Shaft Trimmer 883226. It has a rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars on ProductReview.
Victa's Swift-Start Straight Shaft Trimmer 883226 has a full-crank 25.4CC 2-stroke engine and a Walbro Carburettor to help you cut and trim even the thickest and most stubborn weeds. It has a lightweight and balanced design with a shoulder strap, which makes trimming for extended periods more comfortable.
Customers gave positive feedback on the trimmer's sturdy build, powerful motor and comfortable handle. According to several reviews, this works well for both small and large yards. It can cut through very long grass without any issue. It's easy to set up out of the box as well. However, some customers had difficulty with its 2-stroke engine.
Not yet rated
The WORX WG163E 20V 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger is our pick for the best under $200 whipper snipper. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
The WORX WG163E 20V 2-in-1 Trimmer and Edger has a 90-degree pivoting head to make trimming various terrains easier. It has a command feed button to advance the line on command. Apart from an adjustable handle and shaft, this tool can be used as an edger. The kit includes 2 lithium-ion batteries.
Customers praised the product's versatility, fantastic battery life and lightweight build. The pivoting head is handy for trimming grass in tight spaces. Several customers loved its comfortable handle and shaft. A few others said it's difficult to thread a new line on this whipper snipper, but this seems to be an isolated issue.
Not yet rated
For small yards, we recommend the Redback Swift 40V Cordless Whipper Snipper as the best option. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Redback's Swift 40V Cordless Whipper Snipper is powered by a single 40V 80WH lithium-ion battery. It has a 25cm nylon blade cutting system, allowing you to cut through heavy weeds without difficulty. The head can be used as an edger as well.
Apart from its lightweight design, this Redback whipper snipper features a soft grip rubber handle that many customers love. It's comfortable, which is especially helpful when trimming for long periods. The tool's body is lightweight yet durable. But for some customers its powerful motor is too noisy. The battery life pales in comparison to pricier competitors.
Not yet rated
The Makita DUR192LZ 18V is our pick for the best whipper snipper for big yards. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The Makita DUR192LZ 18V has a 2-part shaft design, allowing the tool to be compact and easy to transport. It features 2 speed settings, a brushless motor and onboard storage for a hex wrench. This whipper snipper has a 300mm cutting diameter powered by an 18V lithium-ion battery as well.
Despite being smaller than other whipper snippers, the Makita DUR192LZ 18V packs a punch. It offers up to 6,000 rpm on high and 4,500 rpm on low for faster cutting. A single charge can last up to 45 minutes, allowing you to trim bigger areas with stubborn overgrown grass. Several reviews didn't like the tool's grip, adding that it strains their hands after extended periods. Others said that the line size is too thin for heavy-duty tasks.
We considered the following brands of whipper snippers:
For this list, we carefully chose whipper snippers with the highest customer ratings on Amazon and ProductReview. We ended up with a total of 64 products for comparison.
We then researched each product and its features. We also considered ratings and customer reviews on Amazon and ProductReview. We came up with what we believe are the 8 best whipper snippers available online.
We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides.Whether you call it a whipper snipper, a line trimmer, a weed whacker or any of its other monikers, this gardening tool is a very useful item to have in your shed.
A whipper snipper can be used to cut all those edges and corners of your lawn that a lawn mower can't reach and can even keep small yards looking neat and tidy. They use a trimmer cord (also known as trimmer line) made of nylon or plastic to cut grass and weeds down to size, and there are petrol-, electric- and battery-powered models available.
There are three types of whipper snippers to choose from:
Head in-store and physically pick up any whipper snipper you're thinking of buying. This will give you a better idea of just how easy and practical the machine will be to use on a regular basis. Ask yourself the following questions:
For more inspiration, check out our guide to the best whipper snippers in Australia. While you're shopping, consider the following key specs and features:
You can pick up a budget line trimmer for under $100, while top-end cordless models max out at around $700. However, most line trimmers cost around $200-$400.
Bent or curved shafts are more common. They are lightweight, easier to manoeuvre and good at edging, while straight-shaft line trimmers offer a longer reach, are suitable for tall people and are better suited to more heavy-duty work. Straight shaft models are also generally more expensive.
Bump-feed systems are the most common and feature the line wound onto an internal spool. When you bump or press the head of the trimmer on the ground, more line is fed out. Automatic feed systems automatically release more trimming line when you need it. Manual feed systems use fixed lengths of line that you can remove and replace as needed.
Depending on your needs, you may also want to consider what replacement parts or additional accessories are available for your line trimmer. Options include replacement trimmer heads and spools, extension poles, and hedge trimmer, leaf blower and pruner attachments.
If you've got a large area of grass you need to trim, check the specs sheet to find out a whipper snipper's cutting width.
With many whipper snippers, if you want to switch from grass cutting to edging, you'll need to hold the whole tool at a different angle. However, some models come with heads that can rotate 90 degrees to make this task easier.
If you're looking for something to keep your lawn edges looking good and keep weeds in check, a whipper snipper will be more than adequate for most people. However, if you live on a large property or you need to tackle some heavier-duty jobs, you may want to invest in a brush cutter.
Brush cutters generally feature a straight shaft and unlike the string used in a line trimmer, they use metal blades to cut through thicker vegetation and tree branches. There are also different blade attachments available depending on what you need to cut, making a brush cutter versatile enough to tackle a wide range of tasks.
However, they're a little more difficult to use than ordinary whipper snippers and will be overkill for many home gardeners.
There are plenty of other power gardening tools that can make light work of all your backyard maintenance jobs, so you might also want to check out guides on hedge trimmers and blower vacuums.
Keep these key points in mind before deciding on the best line trimmer for your needs:
Compare electric and battery lawn mowers
We handpicked the 50 best Afterpay Day deals available in Australia right now, including tech, games, toys, beauty, homewares and more.
We've put wireless chargers to the real world test to determine the best wireless chargers in Australia for your home, office and car.
Despite being one of the most expensive laptops we’ve reviewed, its power doesn’t match up to models more than $1,000 cheaper than its RRP, with only the brand name to justify the extra cost.
We've handpicked the 50 best Black Friday deals available in Australia right now, including tech favourites, games, toys, beauty, homewares and more.
We've handpicked the 50 best Black Friday deals available from eBay right now, including tech, games, home appliances and more.
Get started on your own artistic adventure with one of the best drawing tablets you can get your hands on in Australia.
Whether you're after a cheap iPhone, discount Samsung Galaxy or just want a great value smartphone deal, we've got the best deals right here.
From the best budget option to the top product for men, these are the best beauty advent calendars you can get right now in Australia.
We've found the 8 best waterproof phones available here in Australia.
We’ve read hundreds of customer reviews to shine the spotlight on the best lights and lamps for studying and working from home.