Gas

• Gas powered weed eaters are more powerful than battery or electric weed eaters and they can cover a great distance without recharging or being hindered by a power cord. They are also the heaviest and often need a gas and oil mixture to run.
  
  

Electric

• Electric weed eaters work off an extension cord plugged into an electrical outlet. They can only go as far as the cord can reach but are generally very lightweight.
  
  

Battery

• Battery powered weed eaters combine the beauty of electricity without the hindrance of an extension cord. They, too, are lightweight but less powerful and need frequent recharging.
  
  

Features

• Engine power helps determine what kind of weed eater will work best: dense and fuller weeds need more power than thinner or younger weeds. Most weed eaters consist of a single shaft with the cutting apparatus on one end, although some advanced models come with wheels and resemble a mini-lawn mower.
  
  

Cutting Mechanism

• Weed eaters are outfitted with either nylon cords or plastic blades. The cords need frequent replacement whereas the plastic blades may last longer but can crack if they hit rocks or concrete.