This article is designed to help you find the best manual lawn edger for your yard. While there are different types of manual edgers featured below, they all do a very effective job at creating a beautiful edge.
Picking a manual edger that is right for you should be relatively easy. Manual edgers are pretty straightforward tools. After a small learning curve, you quickly start to learn the best way to use the edging tool. The difficult part, for most people, is the physical aspect of the task.
Manual edging does take a bit of an effort to complete, even if you have one of the best manual edgers. There is no doubt you will build up a sweat once you get going. You should be in a healthy physical condition to consider manually edging. If you have even an average size lawn edging area, expect it to take a bit of time to complete.
Manual edging does provide a very presentable edge to your lawn when done right. It can be just as good or if not better than an edge created with a gas-powered edger. There is no need to buy an expensive powered edger if you are willing to put in the effort to manually produce a clean edge. Manual edging is a very inexpensive and an Eco-friendly way to maintain your lawn.
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Best Manual Edgers for the Home Yard
Here are our top picks for the best manual edgers. We believe that these tools will allow you to create the neat and clean edge you desire without the expensive cost that comes with a powered edger.
Truper 32100 Tru Tough Rotary Edger
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This manual lawn edger
It may take some extra physical effort the first time you use this tool if you haven’t maintained an edge in the past. However, once you establish the initial edge, it is easy to operate assuming you keep up on edging.
The handle on this edger is only lacquered finished. You should consider wearing gloves when operating this product to avoid blisters. We wish the handle was better padded, but a pair of gloves should allow for comfortable use of this tool.
The handle measures 48-inches in length, which is a comfortable height for most user not to have to excessively bend over to use the tool.
AMES Dual Wheel Rotary Edger
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This Ames manual edger is another rotary-style tool. It works similar to Truper above where it is designed to remove grass that grows onto the driveway or sidewalk.
This tool is equipped with self-sharpening blades so that you just need to pull out the tool and edge without a worry of routine maintenance.
It is smartly constructed with dual wheels for stable operation and traction. This is a much needed feature given the manual nature of having to continually push the tool on often unfavorable cracks and dips in the cement.
This manual edger has a 54-inch handle made of a durable hardwood that will withstand the less than gentle treatment received during use. It has a nicely cushioned handled, which will help deter damage to the hands. However, we still recommend wearing gloves for add protecting using this tool.
Fiskars 38.5 Inch Long-Handle Edger
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This edger is super simple to use. You press the steel blade into the area you wish to edge and push your foot down on the foot platform above the blade to drive the edger into the soil. You then work along the length of the driveway or sidewalk until a nice edge is produced.
The video at the end of this article shows how a similar step edger is used. This will take some labor, but you will save on the expense of operating a powered edger. The edge will be clean and add to your home’s curb appeal.
The Fiskars edger is only 38.5 inches, which makes it easy to store in comparison to many bulky powered edgers.
Yard Butler Step Edger
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This edger creates a deep and clean edge to add a professional look to your lawn. It is 37 inches tall and a manageable 4.5 pounds for easy carrying and storage.
The foot platform located above the blade allows the user to drive the edger into the soil with leverage. This is much easier than solely using your arm muscles to work through potentially tough ground or roots.
The cushioned handles provide a nice level of comfort and grip for extended use. They allow the tool to be driven down with more controllable force than a single handle.
Bully Tools 92251 Round Lawn Edger
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bully Tools is known for making quality lawn and garden tools. The Bully Tools Round Edger is no exception to company’s commitment to quality.
This product is near perfect when it comes to a step edger. It is made to withstand rougher treatment with its all steel construction. The steel is 12 gauge, which provides the thickness expected out of a yard tool.
This 38.375 inch manual edger has nicely padded handles to deter injury to your hands.
Use this tool anywhere that you want a beautiful edge including your garden, driveway, sidewalks, patio, and more.
This is one of the best manual edgers that highly rated for its excellence. The manufacturer states that this tool is made to last a lifetime and beyond. It’s hard not to believe this claim given the company’s stealer reputation for creating high-quality garden tools.
Radius Garden 22611 Root Slayer Edger
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This Radius Garden Edger is a premium grade tool that will last a lifetime. The blade is made out of a high-grade carbon steel with serrated sides to slice through tough material that might be creeping up on your edge. Despite its sharpened side teeth, it will produce a clean edge along the sidewalk or driveway.
We love the O-handle on this tool that allows a variety of hand positions for extreme comfort. It helps minimize the hand stress and fatigue which is much need for work the perfect edge.
AMES 2917200 Saw-Tooth Border Edger
Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The half moon blade with saw teeth provides an excellent design for edging a lawn. The serrated blade cuts through tough overgrown grass that is encroaching on the cement with ease.
The T-grip handle and foot plate allow for steady, controlled leverage necessary for a straight edge. The handle is steel which will provide the durability necessary for routine use.
Why Manually Edge Your Lawn
If you are unsure about whether to manual edge, consider the following reason why it may be good for your lawn:
- Exercise: As we previously stated, it does take a bit of physical effort to manually edge. You will likely burn a few calories and potentially break a sweat from manual edging. Manual edgers are best for medium to small yards.
- Inexpensive: If you buy a quality manual edger, you will have it for years with very minimal costs to maintain it. Compare this to a gas edger that you routinely have to pay to fuel and maintain or a battery powered edger that uses costly electricity.
- Eco-Friendly: Outside of the manufacturing process of the edger and the disposal of the edging debris, there is no pollution to the environment when it comes to manual edgers.
- Easy to Store: Manual edgers tend to be much easier to store than powered edgers. If you are short on space, a manual edger might be right for you.
- Simple to Operate: Dealing with gas, a cord, or charging batteries is not required when it comes to manual edging. Simply grab your manual edger and get to work. It is difficult to be overwhelmed by the technology of a manual edger.
- Low-Tech: There is no need to worry about one of the many working parts of your edger breaking down. Manual edgers are simple tools. If something happens to break, you will likely immediately know the source of the problem.
- Minimal Noise: Unlike powered edgers, a manual edger isn’t going to wake the neighborhood if you happen to use it early in the morning.
How to Manual Edge
Below are two videos that show how to manually edge your lawn with a rotary edger and a step edger. It may take a bit of practice to figure out how to efficiently edge, but most people learn quickly.